Bible Commentaries
Philippians 4

Verses 1-4

Philippians 4:1-4

Good-day, friends. The Christian experience is the enjoyment of Christ. The Spirit-filled life is the enjoyment of Christ; and the more we enjoy Him, the more we experience His power and His presence. And great will be our joy and our usefulness.

In the first three chapters, we found that the Lord Jesus is our very life. In chapter 2, we have the mind of Christ. In chapter 3, we have the great passions of the Apostle Paul—that he might win Christ, that he might be found in Christ, that he might know Christ in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering, and that he might experience something of that wonderful union with Christ, being identified with Christ, not only in His death, but also in His resurrection. It’s a wonderful thing to know that the Christ life is the enjoyment of Him. How we need that to have our minds and our hearts always open to the beauties and glories of our Savior who gave so much for us.

Now when we come to chapter 4, we find where the great desire of Paul’s heart is that we might be filled with joy. We have this in chapter 1, we have it in chapter 2, we have it in chapter 3, now we have it in chapter 4. The great thing that is evident in the life and heart of a person who is re - ally in fellowship with the Savior, enjoying divine life, is that subtle joy, that peace in the midst of chaos, that joy even in the midst of sorrow, that constant joy which is found in Christ.

So with your permission, I would like to read the first five verses of chapter 4 of Philippians.

Philippians 4:1. Therefore, my brethren dearly [ASV omits dearly] beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Philippians 4:2. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

Philippians 4:3. And I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4:5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

We come now to the exhortations of the Apostle Paul, especially in these first 9 verses. He’s talking to those whose hearts are set upon Christ; and the fruitage, of course, is joy and peace. You’ll notice that in the first 5 verses, constant joy seems to be the desire of Paul for God’s people. Notice the affection that Paul had for these Philippian Christians. I’ve mentioned this before, and I do it again. Paul had a wonderful place in his heart for these Philippian Christians. They had shared with him in the persecutions at Philippi. In fact, when they accepted the Savior, they experienced immedi­ate persecution; and with the Apostle Paul in prison, they were in danger of prison, too. They had something in common with him, and Paul always had a tremendous place in his heart for these Philip­pian Christians. That’s why he said:

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved, and longed for.

How he longed to be with them and enjoy their fellowship; and he calls them, “my joy and crown.” He tells them to “stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” You’ll notice in this first verse

that we are to stand fast in the Lord. In the preceding portion of the book of Philippians, we find how we are to run, and how we are to walk. Now we are to stand fast.

I am reminded of that verse in Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 14, that having done all, we are to stand. “Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth” and so on. He talks about putting on the whole armor of God because we have a real enemy, because there are dangers and because we are in a warfare. We are not to run as cowards, but we are to stand fast in the Lord.

And, by the way, that’s the only place a person can stand. In days of problems and tests and trials and frailty, it’s a wonderful thing to know that we can stand fast in the Lord. And my friend, what better place to stand!

Do you feel weak? Do you falter? Do you stumble along as the oppression is heavy, the oppo­sition is severe, and the circumstances are all topsy-turvy, and yet you can stand fast in the Lord.

You know, He is the same yesterday, and today and forever. You find this in Hebrews, chapter 13, if you follow through from verse 5 on, where we speak of the fact that the Lord is our Helper and He’s the same yesterday and today and forever. He never changes in His attitude toward you and me. He never changes in His authority and power. He may change in how He moves among people, but He never changes—He is ever our Savior and the object of our love. Stand fast in the Lord.

Remember He has all authority in heaven and on earth. Remember that the battle is already won. The war’s already won. We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. And day by day, we have tests and trials and opposition. We have an implacable enemy, so the best place to stand is in the Lord. I repeat it, what better place can we stand!

You remember Paul speaking to the Galatian church, where they were turning away from the grace of God, in chapter 5, the first verse, where he speaks of the fact that we should stand in our lib­erty wherewith Christ had made us free and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Follow through your New Testament on how we’re told to stand in the Lord. You remember in Romans, chapter 5, the 2nd verse: “By faith we have access into this grace (this grace of justification, of which he is speaking there) wherein we stand.” It’s a wonderful place to be in Christ.

And then we are to walk in Him, as you have it in Colossians 2:6, “As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” He is all we need in order to walk. He is all we need in or­der to stand. He supplies all that we need. I think the apostle Paul here is calling us to steadfastness.

You know, and I’m saying this very frankly and kind of bluntly possibly, but there are so many Christians who, for some reason or other, are wishy-washy. They’re up and down. One day you find them happy in the Lord, and the next day they’re down in the dumps. This calls for steadfastness. There’s so much where people are called hither and yon. They don’t know what to believe. They don’t know where they are. They haven’t that assurance. They haven’t that joy in the Lord, that cer­tainty of salvation in Christ.

And here Paul is calling us Christians, we who have put our trust in the Savior, we who have come into right relationship with Him through new birth, he’s calling for us to stand fast in the Lord. Whatever happens in the world, whatever the circumstances are in our country or whatever problems, trials, afflictions, and sorrows you and I may go through, we are to stand fast in the Lord.

I tell you it’s a wonderful thing to be able to stand fast, to be steadfast. God give to us in these last days men and women who shall be steadfast in the Lord, who will know Him not only as the Sav­ior, but as Lord; and when the tests and trials and sorrows of life come, they know exactly where to go. It’s a great thing, my friend, to get in the Word of God and find your answer there for what you need and what I need.

Now Paul is calling these Philippian Christians his “joy and crown.” You know, the 2nd chapter of 1 Thessalonians, he said to let these pagans, these idolaters who had turned to God from idols, these who had come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, he said to them, “What is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming, for you are our glory and our joy.”

Did you ever stop to think that the crown, joy and rejoicing, is the soul-winner’s crown? And I think Paul has in the back of his mind something along this line, You are “my joy and my crown.”

Paul had led them to the Savior, and when you stop to think of that little Philippian church— started by a woman who was a successful businesswoman, and then there came into that little assem­bly of God’s people, here is a girl who has had the demons cast out of her.

Here is a Roman jailer, a man who had been taught to be a sadist, to be brutal and cruel with his prisoners. No doubt he was the one who had beaten Paul and Silas that night and put them in the inner dungeon and fastened their feet in the stocks and more likely poured salt on their wounds. But under the transforming power of the Gospel, he became a member of that church at Philippi.

So Paul says, “You are my joy and my crown.” Just like he could say to the Thessalonian church, “You are my crown of joy and rejoicing at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

I wonder, as I talk to you, my friend, and I speak especially to those of you, who really know the Savior. Can you say that you’re going to have a crown of joy and rejoicing? Do you know whether you have led people to the Savior or not? Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing to have the crown of joy and rejoicing and cast the crown at His feet and crown Him Lord of all? And to find those in His pres­ence who were led to the Savior through your testimony, through your life, possibly through some acts of which you knew nothing.

It may be I’m talking to some who say, “Well, Mr. Mitchell, I’ve never had the privilege of leading a precious soul to Christ.”

Now, if I were you, I wouldn’t say that. You’re trying to please the Lord. Who knows? Who knows what lives you have touched? You may not be conscious of it, but as you’ve walked with the Savior and you’ve done those little acts of kindness just because you love the Lord, who knows, but what some people have been brought unto the sound of the Gospel or have come to know the Savior through you, by your words and by your actions, by your walk in Christ, and they become your joy and crown of rejoicing.

May you today have the joy of bearing testimony for Him by your life, by your actions, and by your words, and may the Lord wonderfully bless you today for His name’s sake.

Good-day, friends. And if I may be allowed to read those first 4 verses of Philippians 4:1-4

Philippians 4:1. Therefore, my brethren dearly [ASV omits dearly] beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Philippians 4:2. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

Philippians 4:3. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Verse 2, “Lord (these were two women by the way, who were workers together with Paul) and I...” We were speaking in our last lesson concerning the fact that we ought to stand fast in the Lord, and the ground of our standing doesn’t change. What a wonderful thing, I repeat it, to stand fast in the Lord, to have Him as the object not only of our affection and devotion, but the one to whom we can go, whatever the circumstance of life may be, to stand in Him. Remember that He is sovereign.

Remember that Ephesians 1:11 declares that ‘He works all things out after the counsel of His own will,’ and because all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, for those who are the called according to His purpose, can stand in Him. My friend, He’s not asleep. Our Savior has­n’t weakened. His resources haven’t run out, and you can stand fast in the Lord, and to be able to say with Paul, ‘We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.’

Then Paul spoke of the fact that they were his crown of joy and rejoicing. You know, there’s a certain joy that comes to a Christian when he testified for His Savior to some man, woman, or young person and leads them to a knowledge of Christ, leads then into a relationship with Christ. There’s a great joy attached to it, a joy that you don’t find in any other thing, the joy of leading a soul out of darkness into light, out of death into life, from sin into a Savior, and think of it! This joy goes right on into eternity. We become filled with the joy of the Lord because we have had the privilege of leading precious souls to Christ. They in turn become our crown of joy and rejoicing. He mentions this here in Phil., chapter 4. He mentions it again in I Thessalonians, chapter 2, the last two verses.

Now shall we go on. Let us be steadfast because we’re standing in the Lord. Now in verses 2 to 3, he makes the request for us to be of the same mind. You remember we had this in chapter 2, the first 3 verses. You have it in Eph., chapter 4, the 3rd verse. Indeed the very first exhortation in the book of Eph. Is to be of the same mind. This prevents quarreling among God’s people. Now remem­ber that these women were some of Paul’s fellow laborers, but for some reason or another, neither one of these women, Euodias or Syntche had the mind of Christ. They weren’t of the same mind, and Paul is exhorting them that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

You remember in chapter 2, we had the same thought here, in verse 2, “Fulfill ye my joy, that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, being of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem each other better than them-

selves.. and so on...Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” This great desire to be of the same mind.

You see, this is what causes trouble among God’s people: the lack of humility. We want our own way, instead of being of the same mind; and I think he’s entreating Epaphroditus, who was the pastor there at Philippi, to help these women.

He said in the 3rd verse, “I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help these women who laboured with me in the gospel, and with Clement also, and with my other fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.” And he appeals to Epaphroditus at Philippi to help these women be of the same mind.

You know, when God’s people in an assembly have not the same mind in the Lord, you’re go­ing to have trouble. Knowing something of human nature, we just have trouble. We’re living in bodies that are not yet redeemed, and to me, one of the great tragedies of today is that so many evangelical churches have troubles, have quarrels. It’s a sad thing. It’s a sad commentary on the Gospel before your neighbors and before your friends.

I remember how my heart bled one time here in Portland in The Oregonian on the very front page, where a church in the city of Portland was having a business meeting, and do you know what they called in? They called in a couple of policemen to sit in on the meeting. The contention was so severe and so hot. Think of it! Think of how it affected the message of the Gospel not only in that church, but in every Gospel church in this whole area, in your church.

You say, “Well, Mr. Mitchell, no man’s going to wipe his feet on me. I’m not going to be a doormat to anybody.”

Well, maybe you wouldn’t, and by the way, it wouldn’t hurt you sometime to be a doormat if it’s for the Lord. If you’re trusting the Lord, my friend, you can be sure of one thing. The Lord’s al­ways on time, and He’ll straighten things out in His own way, and too often we butt in. We interfere with God’s dealing with people. We try to do God’s job. We take away His prerogatives, instead of walking quietly and softly before the Lord, and if you and a brother have a difference of opinion, you can expect this. Same in your families.

If you have the same mind, you’ve got peace, you’ve got joy, you’ve got blessing, whether it’s in the family or in the Christian assembly. Be of the same mind. If you differ with your brother, let’s come before the Lord in the matter.

Don’t get bitter. Don’t demand your own way. Don’t you say, “Well, I know I’m right, and everybody else is wrong.” Maybe you’re the one that’s wrong. At least your spirit is wrong, and Paul here is pleading for the glory of Christ, that these women be of the same mind, and he asks the pastor or the worker, and I think here it’s Epaphroditus—well, he goes on to speak about Epaphroditus later on in the chapter—I believe that he asked him to help these women be of the same mind, to encourage them in the Lord, to get them together, that there be a manifestation of humility, and trust the Lord to work out His program, His desire in your assembly.

Then he closes the passage by saying in verse 4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.”

Notice in the first verse we are to stand fast in the Lord. In verse 4, we are to rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice. Now you remember in chapter 3, he could say, “Finally, my brethren, re­joice in the Lord.” Now I think Paul was going to finish the book of Philippians in chapter 3, but he began to think about these things in the assembly, so the 4th chapter is added. “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, stand fast in the Lord. ...Now then rejoice in the Lord alway, and gain I say, re­joice.” Wonderful thing here.

Why should I rejoice? Well, what do you want to do? Where are you to rejoice? In the Lord. When? At all times. You mean in times of distress and trouble? You mean in times of sorrow and af­fliction? Yes. That doesn’t mean you’re going to be hilarious, but it means that you are going to enjoy a peace, a restfulness, a joy there. We are the objects of the love of Christ. Hence, rejoice in Him. Your circumstances change continually, but He never changes.

Do you ever think of it? He’s the God over all circumstances. He’s sovereign. He knows ex­actly what you need. He knows exactly your condition and your position, and He’s sufficient, my friend. The question is, why don’t we go to the Lord? To be of the same mind, and if I haven’t the same mind with my brother, then let me seek the face of the Lord.

Let me go to the Word of God. Maybe I’m the one that is wrong, not he. And I would suggest that with our minds fixed upon the Lord, in love with the Lord, rejoicing in the Lord, standing fast in the Lord, when you meet your brother who is at variance with you, it may be that you’ll find that you love him more. You’ll understand him more. I think often, too often with us Christians, we just don’t communicate the one to the other. We have our ideas, and the other party has his ideas, and the trou­ble is we don’t communicate. We’re biased in our vision, in our thinking. We’re biased in what the other man sees.

Remember that he may have circumstances of which you know nothing. He may see some things that you don’t see, and vice versa. But be of the same mind, for the Lord’s sake, even though they may not agree with you.

Let’s manifest that true humility and say, “Well, Lord, I still believe that I’m right, but I’m trusting You by the Spirit of God to move on my brethren that this thing may be to His glory.”

But do not split up the people of God. Do not cause divisions among God’s people. In fact, the Bible says, “Mark those who make for divisions and have no fellowship with them.” So I think Paul here is pleading for these Philippian Christians, especially the women in the assembly, that they be of one mind and that they rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice. I say, my friend, it’s a won­derful thing. It’s a wonderful thing that you can rejoice in the Lord in spite of your circumstances, and I’m sure this is true. This is a revelation to the people of the world.

“Why,” you say, “man, that’s supernatural.” That’s right, but is not the Christian life a super­natural life? It’s Christ living out His life in you and in me, and friend, we can well afford, well afford to put the matter in His hands that He might work it out to His praise and to His glory. Now may the Lord bless you today, and may your heart be filled with His joy and with His blessing for His name’s sake.

Verse 5

Philippians 4:5

Good-day, friends. It’s been a real joy to talk about our Savior, whom we all love, and I speak to you believers on this, and to know that He has not left us in our ignorance and that the Spirit of God through the Savior has made such marvelous provision that our joy might be filled full. In fact this was the great yearning of the apostle Paul’s heart in his two prayers in the book of Ephesians, chapter 1 and 3. It was the great desire of our Lord’s heart.

A few hours before He went to the cross, our Lord said, "These things have I spoken unto you . . . that your joy might be full (John 15:11). John the Apostle repeated this in 1 John 1:4, "These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."

Full joy can be the portion of every believer, not only the mature believers, but the babes in Christ. Whether old or young, your joy can be constant because of your relationship and fellowship and union with the Son of God Himself. He wants your joy to be filled full. Some people have an idea that when one becomes a Christian, they’re sour, and they’re never happy. They go around with a long face. They’re a joy-killer.

My friend, the truth is just the opposite. The ones who have real joy, the ones who have real peace, the ones who have the real contentment are those who are in Christ. You see, their joy doesn’t depend on materialism. Their joys do not depend on sociability. Their joys depend upon the Lord, and wherever they go in society, they radiate something of this joy and this peace and this blessing which we have in Christ.

This is the great desire of Paul now in writing to the Philippian church in chapter 4. He has been speaking of the fact that they should be of one mind, one heart, that their joy might be full, that they should stand fast in the Lord, and not only so, but they should rejoice in the Lord and again he says, rejoice.

Now we come to the fifth verse of this chapter.

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation [forbearance] be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Now mark what he says. Let your forbearance, let your gentleness, be considerate, if I can use those words, let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. What does he mean? He wants us to be tender and gentle. Remember he’s just been talking about them being of one mind. Apparently in the Philippian church there was a little trouble between some of the women, the co-labourers together with Paul.

Now you wouldn’t expect that, would you, that those who were fellow-workers with Paul should have a difference of opinion, that there would be a little contention between them. But this is so, and Paul asks Epaphroditus to kind of help them be of the same mind.

And then he goes into verse 5, and don’t take verse 5 away from the first 4 verses. Let your moderation, let your forbearance, your gentleness, your tenderness, in other words, be considerate, be considerate, let your consideration be known unto all men. A gentleness to be made known that every­one will realize that you belong to the Savior.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 3, verses 2-3, the apostle Paul speaks of the fact that we all are liv­ing epistles, known and read of all men. As long as we live in the world, no man lives to himself, and no man dies to himself, and I quote Romans on this, “and whether we live or die, we’re the Lord’s.”

But the Lord has left us down here for a purpose; otherwise we wouldn’t be here. If the pur­pose of the Lord for us on earth was completed, we wouldn’t be here. We’d be at home with the Lord

in glory, but the very fact that we’re still on earth means He’s not through with us. He’s got a purpose. He wants us to be living epistles, known and read of all men.

Hence, let your moderation, let your life of gentleness and tenderness, of forbearance, your consideration for the other be made to all men. Why? Because the Lord is at hand, or, if I may change the wording, because the Lord is now present.

You remember, He said, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” He could say in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” The Lord is now present, right where you are, in your circumstances, in your home, in your office, wherever you may be—you who are lis­tening in to me today. Remember that today, wherever you are, if you love the Savior, the Lord is there. And because of the presence of the Lord, let’s be of the same mind. Let’s be gentle one toward the other. Let’s be considerate one of the other. Let’s be long suffering and tender, one with another. You see, if we were thinking about the Lord, we wouldn’t quarrel with each other, would we? Would we?

Don’t you think that you and I would act different if this realization were to strike our hearts as we walk and move in our churches, in our classes, in our walk before our neighbors, and our friends, and especially among those in the church, for this is what he’s talking about—God’s people. The Lord is present. The Lord is at hand.

Friend, then don’t quarrel with our brother. Even though you think you’re being unjustly dealt with, can’t you put that in the hands of the Lord who is present? You see He reads the other fellow’s heart, too. He sees his motive, which you and I don’t see, and so the Lord being present, understands each one of us, our circumstances, all that we are. And you and I can well afford to leave the matter in the hands of the Lord. Hence, be considerate. Let your moderation, let your manner of life, let your gentleness and your tenderness be made unto all men. Why? Because the Lord is now present.

Or I may take it the other way. Because the Lord is at hand, and because the coming of the Lord is near, let there be no more quarreling. That’s what he’s talking about. Be of the same mind. Let your moderation be evident. Why? Because the Lord may come today. I wonder if you really believe the Lord would come today. Would you change your program for the day?

Somebody asked Mr. Wesley that one time, “What would you do if you really knew the Lord was coming today? What would you change?” and he said, “I would change nothing. If the Lord should come today, He’d find me doing what I’m doing, because I believe I’m walking today in the will of God.”

The Lord may come today. Certainly we wouldn’t want to be found quarreling with each oth­er, when the Lord comes.

When I think of board meetings in churches and organizations among God’s people, classes, and meetings, and what have you, the general life of churches and people, I wonder what we would think if we knew the Lord was going to come right now. I think there would be a lot of changing of policy, and lot of changing of programs, and a lot of changing of the thing we were going to do. Live today as if the Lord was coming today. In other words, live in fellowship with the Savior.

Allow me to do this with you. In Romans, chapter 13, verses 11-14, “in view of the coming of the Lord—we are not to live in the lusts of the flesh.” In the book of James, chapter 5, verses 8 to 9, we are to be patient because the Lord is coming. And in 1 Peter 4:7, we are to watch unto prayer. Why? Because the end of all things is at hand.

In Hebrews 10:25, neglect not the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is, and the so much the more as you see the day approaching.” In view of the coming of the Lord, we must not neglect the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is.

May I plead with you Christians then, in view of the fact that the Lord is at hand, meet with God’s people, not just Sunday morning, not just in Sunday school. This is a very, very hard thing for a pastor to see people coming to Sunday School and then leave and don’t stay for the morning meeting, and some come for the morning meeting and don’t come for Sunday School, and they come for the

morning meeting and don’t come back at night, and of course they don’t come back for the prayer meeting in the middle of the week.

In other words, you’re so busy with life, we’re so busy with the material things of life, we’re so busy with our friends, we’ve neglected the Son of God. For some reason, the truth of the coming of the Lord has never gripped our hearts. May I remind you of Hebrews, chapter 10: 37 and 38, where the apostle writes, “He that shall come will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith.”

The life of faith is the life of fellowship with God, and because of the immanency of the com­ing of the Lord, we ought to live that life of faith, that life of fellowship with the Lord Himself. I tell you, my friend, in view of the coming of the Lord, let us quit our quarreling. Let’s be of the same mind. Because of the coming of the Lord, let us not be found in the lusts of the flesh, in the lusts of the mind. Because of the soon coming of the Lord, let us be patient one with another. Because of the coming of the Lord, because all things are at hand, let us watch unto prayer; and because the Lord is coming, the day of the Lord is at hand, do not neglect the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is.

And let me emphasize that, will you? I’m sure you’d encourage a lot of saints, a lot of people, if you will attend as many meetings as you can in your own churches, to meet together with God’s people. “Well,” you say, “I don’t, I don’t like what our pastor says.” Don’t go just for that. Don’t go to a meeting just because of a preacher. You go for fellowship with God. You go for fellowship with His people. Remember that, will you? And if you’re waiting for the coming of the Lord, and if you find no place in your assembly where you can have that fellowship, that blessing, then find some­place. Find some of God’s people with whom you can have real fellowship, and enjoy the Lord.

Because He that shall come, will come, and He will not tarry. I ought to live the life of faith, and I’ve been quoting from these different epistles on this one thing: let your moderation be known, let your manner of life, or as we were saying, let your forbearance, your consideration for each other, your gentleness, your tenderness one toward another, be made known to all men, be made evident.

Why?

Because the Lord is at hand and the Lord is now present.

And may the Lord bless you today for His name’s sake.

Verses 6-9

Philippians 4:6-9

Good-day, friends. As we have been studying the book of Philippians, this book of practical Christian experience, my heart has been filled with the joy of the Lord in the knowledge that Christian experience is nothing less, nothing more than the enjoyment of Christ Himself. And when you are en­joying Christ for Himself then you begin to experience something of what a spirit filled life is; the en­joyment of divine life. This which we can experience now. Some people wait until they can get to heaven, but, my friend, you can have that today—the enjoyment of Christ now.

And in the book of Philippians, chapter 4, we’ve been dealing here with the exhortations of Paul with respect to his people. For example, we’ve been dealing with the five 5 verses where he has exhorted us to stand fast in the Lord. He exhorted us to rejoice in the Lord; to be of the same mind and have the same desires so that the Lord will be magnified. And this in view of the coming of the Sav­ior. Or, if you want to take that for the verse because the Lord is now present.

Our life should show forth something of the tenderness and consideration and love for each other that will glorify the Lord and attract people to our Savior. Remember again that we’re talking about a supernatural life. Christianity is a supernatural thing: it is life in Christ. And when you and I are walking in fellowship with Him and seek to encourage each other; be tender and compassionate one toward another. Not fighting and bickering and separating God’s people and manifesting bitter­ness, but rather the joy of manifesting Christ. And the Lord wants to do this through you. I’ve so often times said, (and I don’t mind repeating it) the life of Jesus Christ defies imitation but it can be repro­duced by the Spirit of God in and through His people.

Now let’s go on in our study in verses 6–9:

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing [in nothing be anxious]; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds [thoughts] through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest [honor­able], whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Let me stop right here; it’s a good division. We’ve had constant joy and we have the place where we have that rejoicing is in Christ. And because the Lord is now present, or because the Lord is at hand, how we ought to live. Now He encourages us in the verse: “Be careful for nothing;”-- Or as has been well said, “In nothing be anxious.”

Here we come to a real experience in Christian life. Here you have “be careful, or in nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” My, it’s a wonderful thing this. You see, the very fact that you can come with con­fidence, with boldness into the presence of God and make your prayers, your supplications and your thanksgiving—let them be known unto God.

Sometimes I wonder if we Christians realize the access we have into the presence of God. You see, we worry and we fret because we don’t know much about this: “In nothing be anxious.” Don’t worry.

You know the 37th Psalm where the Psalmist says: “Fret not thyself because of evil doers,” and so on; my, how we worry and we fret as Christians. It’s a dishonor to the Lord. And we’re all guilty of it to a more or less degree. And instead of showing forth something of the beautiful, marvelous life in Christ we’re “worry warts” as somebody has said. We worry and we fret. I suggest you read that 37th Psalm. Don’t you fret because the unrighteous seem to prosper.

And he goes on to speak of what you should do about giving yourself over to the Lord. I tell you it’s a wonderful thing not to fret. If I may speak from a physical viewpoint, fretting, worrying, af­fects your body. It affects your thinking; it affects your whole being; it affects your spiritual life. You begin to be occupied with things and with people and with yourself; you become self sympathetic, you begin to worry and worry, and you fret and you fret, and you’re a dishonor to the Lord.

Now he says, “Be anxious for nothing.” “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” You know, I think the Lord has this in mind, possibly, in John 16:23-28, where the Lord is telling us about this question of requests. Did you ever stop to think of it, when Jesus said, “In that day ye shall ask in My name.” That is, the day when the Spirit of God would indwell His people—that’s now.

When you received the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior and you were brought into right relationship with Him, the Spirit of God took your body and made it His temple. Now in that day, said Jesus, you shall ask Me, you make your requests, in My name—ye shall ask in My name.

And then He made a very, very remarkable statement when He said, “I do not say that I will pray for you, for the Father himself loves you because you love me.”

If you take those verses, there are 8 times in 8 verses. He mentions the Father. In other words, requests are answered because of God’s love for us. We come into His presence with our re­quests because of relationship. Don’t you love that verse in Romans 8:14-16:

Romans 8:14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit [spirit] of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:16. The Spirit itself [himself] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

This is the relationship of a little boy coming into the presence of his daddy. This is what it is. “Abba, Father.” Where a little fellow would say to somebody else, “He’s my daddy. He takes care of me.” I’m being reverent when I say this. I want you to get this wonderful, close relationship there is between you and God. He’s your Father. You have access by the Spirit of God into the very presence of God. You can come with your requests.

You say, “Mr. Mitchell, I’m not good enough to come.”

No. No, you’re not. Neither am I. Neither is anybody else. But we come in the name of the Lord Jesus.

“What do you mean by that?”

We come in all the merit; in all the beauty and all the righteousness of Christ. This is what Je­sus is saying. “You ask in My name. You come as if I Myself were making the request. And My fa­ther will meet your request, not because you love Him but because He loves you.” Now you think about that. That’s why He says here, “Be anxious for nothing.” A child is never anxious. Even though the family may be having its problems, the child isn’t having its problems. The child goes to daddy or to mommy. It’s a relationship.

The child trusts the father and the mother to take care of it; to supply its needs. And the child is not backward to come to father and mother and ask for what the child wants. Now you may not give it to the child because it’s not the best thing for the child. But what I’m trying to get to you is the fact of this wonderful relationship, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and sup­plication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Isn’t it a wonderful thing? I’ll never forget the day when I, for the first time, saw the marvel of this relationship. Oh, I knew I was saved. In fact I was out preaching the gospel and had the joy of seeing souls saved. But this intimacy; this wonder of wonders that you and I can come in the presence of our Father and cry “Abba.” Come with that confidence. And my Father not only hears me but He answers.

But if the request is such that it will dishonor the Lord or bring trouble to you, or heartache to you, then maybe the Lord will not answer your request. I am not saying that He will answer every request, but we can make our requests—every one of them to him—and do it with thanksgiving; do it with praise; to come as a trusting child to a loving father.

What I’m trying to say to you this morning is, you have such a wonderful relationship to God, you should be of one mind; one heart; to be tender, compassionate, understanding each other; consid­erate of each other. And now—don’t worry; don’t fret. “In nothing be anxious; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will (garrison), will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

My, what a passage of scripture. And I’m afraid, sometimes, we take passages failing to real­ize there are other portions of the Word of God which would open the truth to our hearts. That’s why I quoted to you from John 16:1-33. There we have the ground for requests. We come in the presence of God in all the righteousness of Christ. Accepted in the Beloved. And the Father meets our requests; He meets our needs. Not because of our much asking; not because of our love for Him, but because of His love for us.

Ah, my friends, when you think of His love for you and for me it breaks you down. And we come as redeemed children of God to a loving Father. We cry, “Abba, Father.” Knowing that He’s more ready and more willing to meet our needs than we are to have those needs met.

And how glad I am that the Lord doesn’t always answer my prayers and meet every one of my requests. He knows what’s best for me; He knows what’s best for you. And because He loves you, He’ll do the right thing, you can be sure of that. He will always do the best thing; the right thing for your good and for His glory.

May you have the joy today of coming into His presence, standing upon your relationship that you are the object of His love.

Good-day, friends. We rejoice in the fact that the Spirit of God has revealed to us the wonder­ful things concerning the person of our Savior, our relationship to Him and our enjoyment of Him.

Christian experience is the enjoyment of Christ Himself. And in discussing these things, with young people especially, I try to point out—it’s just what we know of Christ is what we know of God; and all that we know of God is just what we know of Christ. And Christian life and Christian experi­ence is the enjoyment of Him personally. We talk these days about a victorious life; a delivered life. Different versions—words—of the same truth, but when it’s all boiled down it’s the enjoyment of Christ; the enjoyment of divine life. And this has been made possible for us by a Savior.

And as we come to the 4th chapter of the book of Philippians, we find where he’s dealing here with Christian experience and he’s talking now in verses 6 through 9 about our constant peace. He has spoken about standing fast in the Lord; about rejoicing in the Lord; of being tender, one to­ward another, because the presence of the Lord, or the Lord is at hand. And now in verse 6, if I may go back to verses 6 and 7:

Philippians 4:6. Be careful for nothing (in nothing be anxious); but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds (thoughts) through Christ Jesus.

We were speaking in our lesson yesterday about not being anxious for anything. Not to wor­ry. Not to fret about things. It’s an amazing thing how we would love to hurry God. I’m reminded of that verse in 1 Peter 5:7: To “cast all your care upon Him.” Why? “Because He careth for you.” Think of it! You are the object of God’s care. The moment you and I accepted the Savior, born of the Spirit of God, we became a member of the family of God. Adopted into His family as His sons and heirs. We became the object of His love and affection.

We needn’t go any farther into this except to point out this fact that we try to hurry God too much. We want God to hurry up and do what we want Him to do, and the Lord is never in a hurry; He’s always on time. And remember again, please, He will always do the right thing. He may not give you what you asked for. He will give you that which will bring glory to Him and joy and praise and thanksgiving to you.

Now you will notice in verse 6—having said “Be careful for nothing...” and about prayer, then He said: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds [thoughts] through Christ Jesus.” Now here you’re dealing with the experimental side of peace. Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith we have [let us have] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We are no longer at enmity with Him. Having been declared righteous by faith we’re no longer at enmity. There’s nothing between the believer and God. We are righteous in His presence. This is true of all believers. This is not experimental; this is because of what Christ did at the cross. In Ephesians 2:14-17, you remember where we read there that our Lord made peace—that He is our peace, and that He preached peace.

In other words, our Savior who is the foundation of our peace never changes. He, personally, is our peace. In John 14:27 our Savior could say: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Here is the gift of peace. In John 16:33, Jesus could say, “In me you shall have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but cheer up, I’ve overcome the world.” “—in me you’ll have peace...” Now this is true concerning all believers. The foundation for peace has not changed: We have peace with God; we have the gift of peace—He IS our peace; in Him is peace.

But now in this verse He’s not talking about that. He’s talking about something you experi­ence. If I stop worrying—or if I may put it another way; if I live in constant fellowship with the Sav­ior; if He becomes the object of my affection and my fellowship, I will experience a peace that pas­seth the understanding of men. This is something that the world knows nothing about.

How often I have heard as a pastor here in Portland of the unsaved people, the neighbor say­ing, concerning some dear Christian woman, the neighbor possibly, “I don’t know how she takes it. I don’t know how calm she can keep under such circumstances. She’s had such afflictions, she’s had so much sorrow; things have come into her life. I wouldn’t be able tot take it,” they have said. She’s quite sweet about it. She has a peace; she has a steadiness; she seems to be so confident through the whole thing.

Yes, my friends, they’re seeing the life of Christ demonstrated in the life of a Christian. When you and I get our hearts occupied with Him we experience a peace that passeth all understand­ing. When all the waters are troubled and when the world is in a chaotic condition and circumstances are hard and sometimes bitter, there can be a peace—a peace that God is working all things out after the counsel of His own will. Peace in the knowledge that He knows and He understands and that He cares.

Sometimes we sing that song, “Does Jesus care when my heart is grieved?” And when my life is full of afflictions and sorrow; does He care?

And the chorus goes something like this:

“Oh, yes, He cares; I know He cares.
His heart is touched with my grief.
When the days are weary and the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.”

And, my friend, I’ve seen this operate in the lives of God’s people. Sometimes, even myself, I’ve wondered, how can they stand, how can they be so sweet, how can they be so patient, how can they be so loving. Why is it—why is it that they carry along with a peace, with a rest, with a tender­ness, with an understanding, that’s beyond the comprehension of men. There’s only one answer, my friend; the peace of God which passeth all understanding. So guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus.

And now in verse 8, the next verse, we have another thing—marvelous thing: “Finally brethren, (another one of His “finallys”) (complete through verse 9). In verse 6, the peace of God shall garrison your heart and mind. In verse 9, “and the God of peace shall be with you.” His presence is with us.

Here you have in verses 8 and 9 the realization of Christ in our very thoughts. In chapter 2 we have His mind. Here it is experimental. You remember what the prophet said, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” These are true of Paul.

Now look at that 8th verse; look at all those things:

4:8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, what­soever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Don’t think about the lusts, the desires of the flesh; things that dishonor the Lord—think of Him. You know, I’m of the persuasion this is one of the greatest needs today, especially among our young people. You can’t help but see in the world in your papers, in your television, in your maga­zines, and schools, social life—2 or 3 things that seem to obsess the American people, and one of them is sex. Another is money, and the other, of course, is pleasure.

But today one of the most common words used is this question of sex with the result that young people are thinking about these things and the fruitage of it is immorality. Now for Christians, and I plead with you who are Christians who are young people; and you fathers and mothers, set the pace—(repeat virtues). And as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. If a person is thinking about un­holy things he’s going to do unholy acts. If you’re thinking about impure things, you’ll be doing im­pure acts. What is in your heart and your mind; that which occupies your thinking, is going to affect your acting. And God deliver us from some of the garbage that is on our newsstands.

When I think of the things that are portrayed on our newsstands, the lasciviousness, the li­centiousness of it all, the suggestive things. And every girl and boy that goes by sees it, and their minds have become fouled with the immorality and the perversions of the day. And I would plead with you to read the word of God. As the dear Psalmist could say, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.”

And it’s an amazing thing to me, even in our churches among our own Christian young peo­ple, those who profess to know the Savior, the cesspools which are around their feet. And we pray for them. And you set the example: and whatever things are holy and righteous and just and pure, you think on these things. And again I say, what captivates your thought will affect your action. God grant in these days we may have a people of God who will walk Godly in Christ Jesus. And as we have re­ceived Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.

Think on these things today, will you? May your heart and mind be occupied with the blessed person of our Savior; hence, your thinking will be right.

Verses 9-13

Philippians 4:9-13

Good-day, friends. In these days when there is so much to cloud the issue, so much to defile the heart and mind of people, I plead with you elderly Christians to be much in prayer for our young people who love the Savior. When they go to college or high school or even grade school, when they go past the newsstands, when they read our newspapers, when they see television —the suggestive things that are impure, immoral and corrupt—they get their minds thinking on these things and their whole life is going to be affected and tarnished and fouled up. I would plead with you Christians to be much in prayer.

Let us not bemoan the fact of what things are happening today, the moral perversions and the immorality of the day if we’re not praying especially for our young people. I’m telling you, they’re surrounded by quicksand and cesspools. You and I can do a great deal to encourage them in the Sav­ior.

May I plead with you and I plead with you all young people who love the Savior, to spend time in the Word of God. Again I want to repeat it, you and I cannot live a spiritual life apart from the Word of God. This is the weapon which God has given to us. It’s here we see the beauties and the glo­ries of Christ. It is in this Word that we see the purposes and plan and will of God. It’s through the Word of God that we are morally cleansed. It’s here we know what to do.

I plead with you and I don’t mind repeating this. This is the burden of our hearts when we think of the thousands of professing Christians among our young people who are faced with these things continually in their text books, in their magazines, in their story books, on the street, in rela­tionship to other young people who don’t know the Savior.

A Christian young person has a very hard row to hoe if he’s going to walk with God. But he must walk there, otherwise he’s going to fail and fall into the temptations of the day. And may I again remind you of this verse 8:

Philippians 4:8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, what­soever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Keep your mind on good things. And when you keep your mind on things that are good and spiritual, your mind will not be cluttered up with the evil and the unholy corrupt things of the day. Then he goes onto say in verse 9, and here is an amazing thing how this man Paul can put himself up as an example in this matter, for I read:

Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

In other words, Paul’s life before the Philippian church was an open book. They heard his words; they heard his messages; they saw his life, and his life paralleled what he taught. And so he could say, “What you’ve heard and seen in me and learned and received from me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you.” It’s not only peace with God as you have it in Php 4:7, but the peace of God, and the God of peace will be with you. He is to be our constant companion; hence, we can enjoy peace all along the way.

As we had it in Ephesians 2:14: “He is our peace.” So we have in Php 4:6–9 this constant peace. The Christian experience is not a life of fretting and being anxious and of worrying, but a life of trusting Him. We cast all our care upon Him because He cares for us. He never leaves us, and the God of peace shall be with us.

Now in verses 10–13 we come on down to the third exhortation of Paul in this fourth chapter, and this is an exhortation to constant rest and confidence. In verses 10–13 again we have Christian ex­perience. Now I want you to mark Paul’s tenderness and how he rejoiced in the Lord because of their care for him. Now let’s look at the passage for a moment:

Philippians 4:10. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flour­ished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

Philippians 4:11. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Philippians 4:12. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suf­fer need.

Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Now let me just stop here for a few moments. I want you to mark first of all his tenderness in verse 10:

Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flour­ished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

You know, what he’s really saying here—I rejoice that your heart was with me and that you would have certainly met my need, only you didn’t have the opportunity to do it. The door wasn’t open for you to do it. But I love you just the same because of your care and because of your thoughts for me.

You know, it’s a wonderful thing to have that tenderness toward God’s people, to be apprecia­tive of their thought for you. I think too many of us, and possibly I can say this for myself, how easy it is to become so occupied with doing and with service and with what have you that you neglect those little, wonderful things of understanding, of appreciation of what other Christians do for you.

Let us remember that we can bring joy and blessing to people by a little word of appreciation for the things that have happened, for the things they have done. It may be a kind word. It may be a little action about which you really didn’t know anything, but you just felt like doing something and you did it. You never realized the tremendous effect upon the other party.

So it’s a wonderful thing the tenderness this man had for the Philippian Christians who want­ed to do something for him but didn’t have the opportunity. And then in verse 11, we find his constant confidence and rest where we read:

Philippians 4:11. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I tell you, this is the secret of a wonderful life. And I’m so happy that Paul did not say, “I have received, I have learned by revelation, that whatever state I am, therewith to be content.” He had learned it. He learned by experience that whatever his condition was he was going to be content. Whatever the circumstances, he learned to be content. He learned from daily experience God’s care for him. Whether he was full—he was full—that was fine. If he was empty—fine, too. He knew that he was in the hands of his God, of his Father.

And I might say again, he’s learned the secret of a real life; he was content, at peace, rejoic­ing, whatever the circumstances.

You know, that dear old Greek philosopher, Socrates—can I quote from him? He said, “The wealthiest man is he who is content with the least.” I’m reading from Socrates, who lived about 200 or more BC. And if a pagan philosopher knew that much about truth, brother, what about you and me who are in Christ, of whom Socrates knew nothing. But he knew something about life; he knew some­thing about contentment and the peace and the rest that one can have in this very thing in one’s cir­cumstances—to be content with the least.

And Paul says,

Philippians 4:11. I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Philippians 4:12. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suf­fer need.

I tell you, it’s a wonderful thing.

And I say this kindly: I would that you and I could learn the secret of a real life in Christ. Whatever He sends our way—in fact, I’ll put it this way—since the Lord has made us the object of His love and affection, nothing can come into your life or mine but what He knows all about. And if He allows these things into our life because He trusts us in the affliction, then let us rejoice.

As Corinthians 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

You and I are the objects of His wonderful love. God grant then to you and to me the joy of peace and rest and contentment today. I have learned, said Paul, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.

And may you enjoy contentment, rest and peace in your Savior today for His name’s sake.

Verse 13

Philippians 4:13

Good-day, friends. Oh, the confidence, the rest and the peace we have when we see that the Lord Jesus is ever present with us, that the God of peace is with us, that there is never a second of the day He ever leaves us. He understands all about us and our circumstances. He is sufficient for all our needs.

This brings us to verse 13, this amazing verse which so many Christians can quote but know so little about:

Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

How could Paul stand and have peace when he was suffering and in need, when he was in persecution? Whatever his circumstances were, it didn’t affect this fact that he was enjoying the peace of God; that he was rejoicing in the Savior. “I can do all things,” he writes. His sufficiency was found in Christ. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Having the mind of Christ, be­ing in the will of Christ, he could do all things through Christ whatever the circumstances were.

I tell you this is a wonderful thing. Just as Paul could say in Colossians 1:29: “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” Or that wonderful verse in 1 Timothy 1:12: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he count­ed me faithful, putting me into the ministry” as well as 2 Timothy 1:12: “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am per­suaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”.

Paul manifests the fact of what he could do because of the indwelling Spirit. And one could go to John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Here is a strength experienced because of union with Christ, strength to carry on, strength to be content whatever the outward circumstances are.

I tell you, my friend, we have a wonderful Savior. Can you really say, “I can do all through Christ who strengtheneth me?”

Let me try it out a little bit.

Let’s say that someone comes to you in your church or Sunday school and asks you to take a Sunday school class and your first reaction is, “I can’t do that.”

Why can’t you do it?

“Well, I have no gift.”

Have you ever tried?

“Well, no, but I know I can’t.”

Listen, friend. You don’t know a thing about this verse, do you? “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” Each one of us brings along his excuse, but we don’t have reasons. We’re trying to dodge our responsibility. Paul says, “I can do all things.”

And we?

Ah, the trouble is, our eyes are not upon Christ. We in some way have not made Him the ob­ject of our affection.

The resources that we have in Christ are inestimable, they’re eternal, they’re complete. You can’t measure your resources in Christ. We have strength to carry on whatever the circumstances, strength to be content when we are even in dire need.

I tell you, He’s not only my constant joy, as you have in the first five verses. He’s not only my peace, whatever the circumstance. But He’s my confidence. He’s my sufficiency. I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. I wish we had time to go into that little verse. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us—and he means just that. Whatever God’s will for you is, He never asks you to do anything for Him without providing the necessary equipment and need. Will you remember this? The resources of an infinite God, the resources of a risen, exalted, glorified Savior are your resources.

When I think of some of the frail women who have gone to the different mission fields of the world to prove this very fact, I marvel that they’ve done some things that even some men couldn’t do. One is amazed at the history of Christian missionary activity to find what women have done for God. Frail women have gone into the midst of cannibals, into the midst of headhunters, into the midst of those who hated Christianity. They have gone in quietly and lived before them, lived in their midst and done the impossible. Why? Because of Christ (verse 13).

How do you think these refined women and precious young people in the first three centuries of our era in the Roman empire did it when they were dragged into the Roman amphitheater to be eat­en up by wild beasts, to be torn to pieces and to be thrust through with darts, to be cut to pieces by gladiators, to be boiled in oil; to be set on poles and set afire to lighten up the amphitheater. They did it with strength, glorifying the Lord Jesus (verse 13).

You see, the problem is—you say, “Well, Mr. Mitchell, if I had been in the Roman amphithe­ater, I would have stood.”

Yes. I confess to you it might have been easier to give your life up for Christ as a martyr, and many of them did to get the martyr’s crown. But my friend, sometimes it may be far harder to live for Christ in the midst of a world that has no place for Him. The subtlety of our present generation, the trickery of Satan, the coldness and indifference of people to the Savior, the lukewarmness of many professing Christians, the bickering and fighting among believers—you say, how can a man live un­der such circumstances?

My friend, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Do you need wisdom? Do you need strength? What do you need? I repeat the statement that if the Lord has a job for you to do—if His purpose is for you to do certain things—He will always, always provide the necessary equipment to do the job. He can do it. He’s Lord of all. He’s sovereign God.

The nations of the earth are reputed before Him as nothing. All He wants is for you and me to be available for Him to do the job. That’s what Paul is meaning here—I have given myself over to Him. As chapter 3 says: “I count everything but loss just for Him.” Paul became available to God. And being fully available to God, He became one of God’s greatest channels of blessing to the world.

You talk about Hudson Taylor of China. You can talk about Carey of India. You can talk about the great missionary leaders of the world and you have to come to the conclusion that they were just men; they were just women. And I tell you, my friend, I’ve met some very frail women among our missionaries.

When I think of one dear little woman who walked out of China with more than 100 orphans and marched her way through, trusting God. She went through all kinds of circumstances and only God brought them through into Taiwan. A little bit of a wee woman, a wisp of a woman, she did it be­cause she had her hand on the resources of God.

Oh, that we might believe it, that we might realize that all the power and resources of an infinite God are at your disposal and my disposal. This is what Paul is talking about. (verse 13).

If you look at yourself, and if I look at myself, we’ll do nothing. If we get our eyes on others,

we’ll do nothing. In fact, we might become jealous or envious when we see what they do. You see, we’re just making excuses.

Will you and will I—may we each one—make ourselves available to God? Just todayjust today. Yesterday is past. All the yesterdays are past. What about today? I’m not even going to worry

about tomorrow. What about today? Will I make myself available to God today to be a channel of blessing, to do all things through Christ who strengthens me?

In fact, I want to tell you, my Christian friends, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t know some­thing of the truth of this statement that all the resources of a holy, omnipotent, sovereign God are at the disposal of His people. And the trouble is, we don’t come to Him unless we’re in a desperate plight. We try anything and everything except Him. We only run to Him when we’re at the end of our resources.

Sometimes the Lord just stands to one side until we get there and start to trust Him. Oh, how patient He is; how wonderful He is.

And, friend, even today—can you say with Paul verse 13? If you’re looking at your circum­stances, remember that Paul had to learn something from experience, that in whatever state he was therewith to be content. Once he got his eyes on the Savior, on His resources, then he could say verse 13.

Now will you read those verses through again? Read in chapter four, the first 13 verses, where he talks about standing fast in the Lord, being of the same mind, rejoicing in the Lord. Let your moderation; let your tenderness and understanding and consideration for other believers be evident because the Lord is at hand.

And then, go on.

In nothing be anxious. Don’t fret.

The peace of God is going to garrison your heart and mind through Christ. And remember that the God of peace is with you today. He never leaves you nor forsakes you.

Be content because we can do all things through Christ.

And the Lord bless you today for His name’s sake.

Verses 14-19

Philippians 4:14-19

Good-day, friends. As you know we’ve been discussing the book of Philippians for quite a while, and this dear book which deals with Christian experience.

In chapter 1, Paul wants to live Christ—that “whether by life or by death, Christ be magnified in my body.”

In chapter 2, when the mind of Christ is operating in us, it produces Christian experience.

In chapter 3, “That I might know Christ”—to know Him experimentally. This is Christian ex­perience; to “count everything but loss” just for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”. That I might be found in Christ. That I might know Christ.

In chapter 4, he says “I can do all things through Christ.”

We’ve just been dealing with that here in 4:13, and now we come to another portion that talks about the blessedness of giving. We’ve just had full peace; full joy; full contentment. This is the secret of real giving as it is found in Christ.

Philippians 4:14. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

In other words, he has just been declaring that they would like to have done something but they were hindered, and now, apparently, they found a way of reaching the Apostle Paul. He’s in jail; he’s in chains; he’s facing martyrdom—and from Philippi to Rome they meet his need. They have sent once and again to his necessity; they had him on their hearts and they were going to take care of him. And now he responds to their care. And he says,

Philippians 4:15. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I depart­ed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and re­ceiving, but ye only.

Philippians 4:16. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Philippians 4:17. Not because I desire a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Philippians 4:18. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Je­sus.

Now you come to a very, very wonderful passage of scripture. Apparently the apostle Paul has been receiving from these dear saints at Philippi down through his ministry. You remember when he was three weeks with the Thessalonians and had to leave because of the intensity of the persecu­tion. But these dear Philippian Christians took care of him. Now he’s in jail and they still want to take care of him but they haven’t had the opportunity for quite a while. Then when the opportunity came, they took advantage of it and Epaphroditus, their leader, brought the gift while Paul is in jail. He is so thankful about it.

Have you ever stopped to think that God takes note of our giving to Him and to His work? I wonder how much you and I have in our account in the glory. Do you ever stop to think of it?

This may be an encouragement to some of you. Perhaps your heart was open to give to the Lord’s work, and afterwards you find that the gift was not used as you thought it should be. That’s all right. The Lord knows the purpose of your heart. He knew your motive and will reward you. He’ll put it down to your account in the glory.

I’ve often times wondered how much you and I have on account in the glory. God doesn’t care about your account down here in the bank. What about your account in glory? Paul here says, “Not because I desire a gift: but (because) I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”

And then in verse 18 we find a remarkable thing—it is an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to

God.

Here is a gift given to Paul because of the Philippians’ love for Christ and he says it’s a sweet smelling sacrifice. It’s the evidence of a life given to God. “The things that we’ve received from you are an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.”

I wonder if I might read to you from Hebrews 13:15-16: “By him therefore let us offer the sac­rifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

I wonder, my friend, if your gifting is a sweet savor to God. Remember in Romans 12:1, Paul says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” We give our life with its will, with its affections, with its devotions, with all there is—we give it up to God.

You know, we don’t know much about giving. I say this very frankly; there are those who be­lieve, “Well, if I give my tenth...”

Well, my friend, you’ve just come to the standards of the Jews under the law. The legalist will give a tenth. In fact, under the law they gave three tenths. I wonder how much you give as a Christian. Do you give as little as you can or do you give a real sacrifice?

Now I don’t know you people, but I know what it says here. And if I might inject this—I rarely ever speak about giving, you know that. I’ve been preaching in a church for 37 years and I rarely ever mention it. But when it hits you in the passage, I’m going to mention it.

Paul says, Not that I desire a gift. You Philippians have given to me because you love me and because you love the Savior. And you don’t even know my condition, whether I’m full or whether I’m empty, but your heart is full of love. You sacrificed and you sent it with Epaphroditus. “Not that I de­sire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” And before God it’s an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing.

I wonder, my friend, is your giving acceptable to God? Or do you give under pressure? There are many Christians who don’t give unless it’s under pressure. And some people give so that they might be seen of others.

Do you give because you love Him?

I wonder, my friend, how you give? You know, a friend of mine was the head of a great cor­poration that had a factory, a plant, a mill, down in Louisiana, and most of those who were working in the mill were African Americans. The company had built them a number of houses and a little chapel, and they had their own pastor.

And one time this friend of mine who was the head of the corporation went down to this oper­ation in Louisiana with some of the executives of the company. And on Saturday night he said to them, “Now, I want you to go with me to church tomorrow morning to hear Uncle Charlie preach.”

And they said, “Sure, we’d like to go hear him.”

He said, “All right, if you go I want you to put either a five or a ten dollar bill in the offering.” Now this was many, many years ago when a dollar was a dollar, not 25 cents.

So, Sunday morning after breakfast he said, “Are you fellows still wanting to go with me?” They said, “Yes.”

“Be sure you’ve got a five or a ten dollar bill.”

They said, “O.K.”

So they went to hear Uncle Charlie. Well, of course, here were the white bosses who came in. Uncle Charlie went through the service and came to the offering and, as the plates were passed, there were nickels and dimes and quarters. And along came the bosses’ five and ten dollar bills, and then back to the nickels and dimes.

When Uncle Charlie saw this plate of money, he said, “My brethren, when I’m through preaching this morning, I think we’ll take up another offering.”

Now you and I may smile at this; but I’m going to tell you, it rejoiced Uncle Charlie’s heart. And I’m quoting now the man who told me about it who was there, the one who told the men they must bring their money.

Giving? What do we know about giving? To these men it was no sacrifice. They gave joyfully, but it wasn’t really a sacrifice. You see, for some of these people giving ten cents or a quarter might have been a greater sacrifice than the five or ten dollar bill. It’s a question of your heart before God. What do you give?

Do we sacrifice? Is it abounding to our account in the glory? Is it a sweet smelling savor unto

God?

It is folly for us to say that we are priests unto God, that we would like to come into the pres­ence of God if we do not act as priests. And one of the acts of a priesthood is sacrifice. And God has given you things; He’s made you stewards of what you have. It’s not a question of whether I give a tenth or even fifty percent.

The question is, am I giving to the glorifying of our Savior? Am I giving for the furtherance of the Word of God?

And may I say, a word of warning: Be careful where you put your money; be careful where you put it. I think God holds you responsible to put it where Christ has been magnified. You read this passage through again. I’m not through with it—but you read it through and ask yourself, Am I giving because I love Him and do I know that what I give, He takes full account of?

He takes note of it. God sees what you give; God knows what you give and He makes a record

of it.

You think about that today, but above all—give yourself. Give yourself to God, a willing sacrifice.

Make yourself available to God to use today.

And the Lord bless you for His name’s sake.

Verses 15-19

Philippians 4:15-19

Good-day, friends. In chapter 4 we have “rejoice in the Lord.” Full joy is found in the Savior who never changes. Then Paul goes on in the passage to speak of full peace, that peace which passes all understanding. Then he talks about full contentment; that rest and the assurance of what we are in Christ. Indeed, I will say the secret of real living is found in Christ.

And this is the thing that disturbs me with many professing Christians. For some reason or oth­er, they have not realized that real life is found in only one place and that’s in Jesus Christ. It is not found in the things you have or the things you hope to have. It’s not found in material things but in the person of Christ. Real life is made up of fellowship with Him.

We are now the children of God; we’re now the heirs of God; we’re now bound for eternal glory. Then what should be our daily experience but the enjoyment of divine life. This is the spiritual life. It’s not necessarily some great experience or some ecstatic utterance, but rather the enjoyment of a person, and that person is the Lord Jesus Christ. And we have had in this 4th chapter of the book of Philippians this wonderful fact that we have full joy and full peace and full contentment in Christ.

Now he begins to talk about the full supply that we have in Him. And in our last message we were discussing this question of the blessedness of giving in verses 15–19.

And you notice that Paul in verse 17, as we were discussing in our last lesson, Paul didn’t need anything.

Philippians 4:17. Not because I desire a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

This is an acceptable sacrifice before God. As I said in our last lesson, I’ve often wondered if in our giving, we, as Christians, realize that as we give God notices it.

You know, He sees our frailty and He also sees our capacity even in giving. God never asks you for something you do not have. And I’m sure we ought to obey the injunction of the Corinthian church where Paul says of the Macedonian Christians that they gave first of all of themselves to the Lord and then of their substance.

And you have it here. When other churches were not supporting or standing by Paul while he was in prison, the Philippian church did. And by the way, these Philippians knew something of suffering; they knew something of persecution. They could appreciate, at least in a small way, what Paul was going through in Rome as he was chained to Roman soldiers. And they must have known that he had great need. And so they sent to him again and again, and Paul says, “I know how to abound: I know how to be hun­gry.”

He had learned that in whatever state he was therewith to be content. But he did want them to have fruit that would abound to their account in the glory. And then in verse 18 he took up the ques - tion: Your giving is an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. In fact, your giving is an evidence of a life given to God—as Romans 12:1 says.

And I’m going to say this—I think there are a great many Christians who give the least they can get away with. They have to give something, so they give; but there’s no joy, there’s no blessing in their giving. And I would appeal to your heart that, if you love the Savior, you give because you love Him. I’m not asking you how much you should give, but you give because you love Him. Even if you may not understand all that your gift is used for, if you’re giving because you love Him, it’s going to abound to your account in the glory.

And then we have in verse 19, constant supply. It may be well for me to read verse 18 again to pick up the connection:

Philippians 4:18. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Je­sus.

Did you ever think of the unlimited supply you have, Christian friend? “My God,” says Paul, “shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory.” Paul is saying, “I haven’t anything to give you, but my God can supply all your need.” He will supply because He’s God; every need will be supplied. But, by the way, let God be the judge of the need.

You remember, in chapter 1 of Ephesians, we have the riches of His grace. In chapter 2 we have the riches of His mercy. God who is rich in mercy and great in love. And in chapter 3, the riches of His glory and the unsearchable riches in Christ. You see, redemption, forgiveness, relationship, life come through the grace of God, but my present need—God is doing something for me now and He’s meeting my needs according to His riches in glory.

Tell me, how rich is God? How rich is your Savior? You remember Hebrews 1:2, we read that the Lord Jesus Christ is the heir of all things. That He is the upholder of all things. He owns every­thing—and all of God’s vast universe belongs to Him. These are your riches in glory, my friend— riches of grace.

And I’m repeating what I said in Ephesians: riches of grace proceed from the cross. All that you and I need to stand before God is on the ground of the riches of His grace.

Revel in it. Your forgiveness, justification, your standing before God, your relationship to God, the question of eternal life, the question of eternal glory, the question of spending eternity in the presence of God are all on the ground of the grace of God. You and I couldn’t do a thing. We were dead in trespasses and sins.

And, my friend, if you love the Savior, if you’ve trusted Him as the One who put away your sins, you’ve accepted Him as your Savior—my friend, all that you need to stand before God accept­able is on the ground of His grace. Not grace plus your faithfulness, not grace by what you hope to do, but entirely, pure sovereign grace.

The riches of His mercy; the greatness of His love. This has to do with my position standing in the presence of God. I am sure, just as sure of eternal glory as I am that Christ Jesus died and rose again from the dead. This is the riches of grace.

Now I’m down here in frailty. I’m here on the earth in a body that has desires, tests and trials and temptations. In my service for the Lord and your service for the Lord sometimes we feel so inade­quate to do what we see must be done.

Now how is my present need, day by day—how is it going to be met? And Paul here is saying,

Philippians 4:19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Je­sus.

Now, you’re going to say to me, Well, is He talking here only about money? No, no, indeed. You remember in chapter 3 of Ephesians the second prayer of Paul, verse 16, where he prays that we might be made powerfully strong according to His riches in glory. And where are we to be made pow­erfully strong? In the inner man by the Spirit of God who indwells us.

All that I need as a Christian to live on the earth, to serve Him, to be a testimony for Him, I have found in an unlimited supply of His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Oh, I wish in some way I could put this into words that you would lay hold of it. And I wish I could put into words the way I feel about this—that our God is big enough and He is sufficient enough to meet your individual need.

Listen, Christian friend, if you have trusted the Savior and you’re a child of God, you can come into His presence and cry, Abba, Father—He’s my Father—and He has everything I need. I may only be a babe in Christ. I may be a Christian who’s been on the way for years. But whatever my need for peace, for rest, for safety, for anything that I need before God, I find in Christ.

You know, speaking of material things—I have met people whose whole life is wrapped up getting material things. They’re not happy. They will never be completely happy or satisfied until they are in Christ Jesus.

Christian friend, do not be distracted from the person of Christ by material gain, by your ma­terial possessions. These things oftentimes—indeed, I’m going to make it very blunt—most of the time these things hinder your enjoying the riches of the grace of the glory that’s in Christ Jesus.

Do you have a need today? Why not go to Him and talk about it?

“Oh, but Mr. Mitchell, my need is so small.”

Well, you are the object of His love. You are the object of His devotion. He’s more interested in you, even in the small things of your life, than you could ever believe or realize.

Why not just bring it to Him today?

Remember, He’s rich in grace; He’s rich in mercy; but He’s also rich in glory, and that’s for you today.

Pull on your resources today and magnify your Savior for His name’s sake.

Verses 17-19

Philippians 4:17-19

Good-day, friends. We come now to the end of the book of Philippians. We were discussing in our last lesson the marvelous riches of glory. What I need for full joy, for full peace, for full con­tentment, I find in the riches of His glory. I find that He wants us to be made powerfully strong ac­cording to His riches in glory. And, again, may I repeat it: All that I need to stand before God pro­ceeds from the cross. This is the riches of His grace.

But for my present daily need, my riches come from the throne. The Lord Jesus is no longer on the cross; He’s no longer in the tomb, He’s on the throne. He’s heir of all things, pre-eminent, Lord over all. He’s all for you and He’s all for me, for “my God shall supply all your needs.” I say, is it not a wonderful thing—the unlimited supply for His people of “the riches of glory by Christ Jesus?”

Oh, friend, may I say to you, draw today on His riches of glory. If I’m talking to any who are sinners, my friend, (I only ask this at this point because some readers begin at the back of the book) the grace of God which proceeds from the cross is sufficient to transform you from a child of wrath into a child of God, from a sinner into a saint of God, from one who was afar off to one who is made nigh by the blood of Christ. His grace is sufficient for one who is dead in sins. It makes him/her now eternally alive in Christ. Oh, wonder of wonders!

But now you say, “Mr. Mitchell, I’m frail. I’ve taken Christ as my Savior, but I fail God so much of the time; and I lack all this rest and peace you’ve been talking about.”

That’s because you’ve been trying to find it some other way. Some people are trusting their wealth. Wealth will not give you peace. Wealth will not give you real, lasting joy. Wealth will not give you that confidence, that contentment that the Apostle Paul said is “great gain.”

I tell you it’s a wonderful thing to know that you can have a contentment and a peace and a joy that’s beyond the understanding of men by drawing on the supply that you have of the riches of glory by Christ Jesus.

Now I’m stopping here because I do know in dealing with hundreds of people that a great many real believers in Christ, because of the roughness of the path, because of their circumstances, have never experienced very much of the peace and the satisfaction and contentment that is found in Jesus Christ. It’s a strange thing—we run anywhere and everywhere but to Him. We trust ourselves before we trust the Savior. We will trust our eternal souls to Christ, but we’ll not trust Him for the next 24 hours for our daily need of peace and rest and contentment.

You see, we try to find this in things that don’t satisfy. The more you get, the more you want. The more you have, the more you want; and you’re not satisfied. You go from one thing to another trying to find satisfaction. This is what the world does; it runs from one thing to another on a continu­al cycle from one thing to another and is never satisfied. Unbelievers never have real peace and are never totally content. But now for the Christian—“my God shall supply all your need.”

The question is, will you come and trust Him and rest in Him? What do you need? What do you need in your life? Well, whatever the need is, my friend, why not tell Him? Why not come to Him?

You say, “But He can’t supply my need.”

It says here, “My God will supply ALL your needs.” It’s a question of appropriation. How much do you love Him?

How much do you trust Him?

Is your God big enough to meet your need?

Is your God sufficient enough to give you peace and rest and contentment even in the face of affliction?

In the face of suffering?

In the face of sorrow?

In the hour of death?

Does my God and your God supply your need and give you rest and peace in the midst of it

all?

Of course He can.

Someone asked the question, “How big is God?”

Well, our God is a sovereign God. He has all authority in heaven and in earth. He’s able; He’s sufficient. His resources are unlimited for every one of His own people.

I know I’m repeating this; I’m deliberately repeating it, because for some reason or other you know it theoretically. You know it doctrinally. But has it ever really gotten a hold of your heart and my heart that your Savior and my Savior is not only sufficient to fit us for eternal glory, but his work is sufficient to transform us into the children of One who is God and to guarantee eternal glory.

You say, Amen, I believe that.

Can He supply your next 24 hours of need?

You know—I’m going to say this—if there’s any verse in the Bible that has been a real bless­ing to my heart and a comfort, it is that verse in Psalms 103:14 that says, “He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” He never forgets that.

I do.

So do you.

We forget how frail we are.

We forget that we are the objects of His grace and of His mercy.

We forget our weaknesses.

We say we’re sufficient for these things.

We’re not—absolutely not.

Why are more people not saved? Because they’re trusting themselves. They can’t come to the place where they realize that they themselves can’t do anything; God must do it. Remember, the sal­vation we have starts in God, is continued by God, is going to be completed by God.

What God wants us to do is not only to trust Him, but to revel in Him, to enjoy the life He has given to us and then to display before the world this wonderful love, this wonderful grace, this wonderful devotion that God has for men.

I tell you again, God is going to populate heaven with people; but those people must be re­deemed, they must be cleansed, they must be forgiven, they must be fitted for God’s presence; and God has made the provision.

Now if you want to be one of those who shall populate heaven, you’ve got to come God’s way; and God has made the way and there’s only one way. Jesus said, “I am the way. No man cometh to the Father but by me.” “There’s no other door; there’s no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” What I’m trying to tell you, my friend, is all that you need to stand in the presence of God is found in Jesus Christ.

I pray that the Lord will make this clear to you today. Read and re-read these verses, espe­cially verses 17, 18, 19.

Philippians 4:17. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Philippians 4:18. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Je­sus.

And so Paul ends this book on Christian experience. God has made the provision for you and me to enjoy divine life today.

Now again may I ask in closing, my Christian friend, do you want a full life?

Do you want full joy?

Do you want to experience that peace that passeth understanding?

Do you want to live a life of contentment?

You’ll find it in only one place—real life and contentment are found only in Christ.

I’m well aware of a great many doctrines floating around today, but may I suggest to you that Christian experience—real Christian experience—is the enjoyment of Christ; the enjoyment of divine life. He is our life. And as I 1et Him live out His life through me, then I enjoy that wonderful peace, that wonderful contentment of being in the hands of a living God who can supply every need.

Now may your own heart and my heart today be filled with love for and devotion to this wonderful Savior who has done so much for us.

But remember, your supply is unlimited in Christ.

May the Lord bless you today for His name’s sake.

Verses 20-23

Philippians 4:20-23

Good-day, friends. We’ve been spending quite a bit of time on this last chapter, and the rea­son for it is that it is a wonderful illustration of what the real Christian life and experience is. It’s a life of full joy. We are to rejoice in the Lord always. He is the ground of our joy.

He goes on to speak about a perfect peace, the peace of God which passes understanding that shall garrison your heart and your mind through Christ Jesus. Then he talks about the life that is fully content in Christ. And then he talks about the blessedness of giving, and we were discussing in our last lesson this 19th verse again:

Philippians 4:19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Je­sus.

Philippians 4:20. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

And may I close this book of Philippians today with this wonderful keynote: All the riches that you and I need are within reach, and we’re finding them in Christ Jesus. The source of supply is in Christ.

You remember, in Colossians 2:3: “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowl­edge.” Think of it! All that I need of wisdom, of joy, of peace, of strength—all that I need is found in Him, the unlimited supply of the grace of God and the grace of glory. The riches of glory are for the believer in Christ Jesus.

You know, I think every one of us will remember a verse in the Old Testament. In fact, it is one of the first verses we teach children in Sunday school; and I’m thinking of the 23rd Psalm, the 1st verse. Remember it? “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”. Or as the little fellow said in Sun­day school class, “The Lord is my shepherd. I should worry?”

My God shall supply all your needs. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. And He ex­pands that. “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” He leads us to the green pastures and we lie down, our hunger satisfied. This is Philippians 4:1-23. We have peace and contentment. He restores our soul even when we fail Him. He forgives us and cleanses us and leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Contentment, satisfaction—though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.

Why? Thou art with me.

What do I need? Comfort.

What do I need? Peace of heart and peace of mind.

And He is with me. His rod and staff comfort me. He has already defeated death, and not one child of God goes through this experience of death without the Savior right there with Him.

My, what a wonderful thing to know that the Lord of life; the Lord over all resurrection; the Lord of glory, is with us whatever the hour, whatever the affliction, whatever the circumstance.

And even when I get bruised on the way, who is it who puts oil upon my head? He does. My shepherd. My head with oil He anoints. My cup runs over. Goodness and mercy, these twins, shall follow me—shall chase after me, all the days of my life.

And then the wonderful assurance, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” The 23rd Psalm. Read it with the 4th chapter of Philippians. Full joy, full peace, full contentment. Even my very giving He takes note of and He’s willing—able—to supply any need that I may have.

Now before I close this book of Philippians I would like you to notice one more thing here, reading verses 21-23, the last three verses of the book.

Philippians 4:21. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. There were some in prison with him.

Philippians 4:22. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.

Now he’s writing from Rome. Remember this—he’s a prisoner in Rome. And why do you think Paul was a prisoner in Rome? Why? You remember in the first chapter the Apostle Paul rejoiced that Christ was preached, whether out of contention or in love. As long as people heard about his Sav­ior he would rejoice. What’s the result?

Philippians 4:22. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.

Did you ever stop to think one of the reasons why God permitted the Apostle Paul to be a prisoner, to be chained to Roman soldiers? My friend, God had some people there He wanted to save. How were they going to be reached? Certainly they wouldn’t go down to the little church at Rome— in a house more than likely. No. God takes a prisoner by the name of Paul right into the very palace of Caesar. He’s chained to Roman soldiers.

Can’t you visualize this?

Here is a change of the guard; and, if the guard is changed, here are some new guards he has never seen before, and his heart would jump for joy.

“Here are some people going to be chained to me,” he says. “They can’t get away from me. I’m chained to them and I’m going to discuss with them, give them the good news from God to their hearts—that God has provided a Savior.” Can’t you hear him saying that joyfully?

God has made provision to cleanse them from sin. God has made the provision whereby they can become children of the living God and spend eternity in the presence of God. How do you think these people in Caesar’s household heard the gospel? Through a man who was full of joy.

Don’t you forget that when Paul wrote the fourth chapter of Philippians he was in jail, and, when he talks to these Philippians about wonderful peace and wonderful joy and wonderful content­ment, he was experiencing that in jail.

You know, it makes me hang my head in shame. Not only for myself but for God’s people. How we grumble and we growl if our circumstances are not what we think they ought to be. We blame God for it. Shame on us.

Here is a man chained to Roman soldiers. He’s not a free man in the sense of physical free­ness. Every day the guard is changed and possibly some of these would be the praetorian guard—the select men of Caesar’s household chained to a prisoner. And how Paul thanked God for these chains. He had brought them who were of Caesar’s household to hear the gospel of God’s wonderful grace. I tell you, it’s an amazing thing.

Now I can understand a little wee bit of this book of Philippians. In chapter 1, he wrote—may I repeat it?

Philippians 1:20. According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Philippians 1:21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

“If I’m going to be martyred for the gospel,” he is saying, “I’ll rejoice because Christ is go­ing to be glorified. If I’m going to be chained in prison, I’ll rejoice because through this very thing, these very circumstances, those of Caesar’s household are hearing the gospel. Whatever the cost may be, let it be as long as Christ is magnified.

“And I take the very tests of life, the very afflictions and misunderstandings of life, the very sufferings of life, the very sorrows of life, and see that they’re used for the glory of Christ in my life.”

And in chapter 2 that humility and meekness of the Savior were manifested in Paul and in Timothy and Epaphroditus. And, my friend, if these men of the first century could glorify God in their bodies in the midst of the circumstances and things through which they went, there is no excuse for you and me.

I don’t care what your circumstances are. They could possibly be worse than mine. I know they could. And yet, whatever our circumstances, whatever the situation may be, remember He’s the God over all. He loves you and He wants you to enjoy His power and His presence and His blessing and His peace and contentment in the midst of it all.

Then in chapter 3 he could say:

Philippians 3:8. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have

suffered the loss of all things.

All things—good things, bad thingsjust to know Christ, just to win Christ, to be found in Christ. I tell you, what a passion this man had. Even the very good things of life which would hinder his knowing Christ he’s willing to put to one side just to know Christ.

Now we come to the last chapter

Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Je­sus.

Oh, read and re-read this wonderful book of Philippians. It is the book of Christian experience.

And I trust that even today you will have a joy in Christ you never had before, and a peace that passes all understanding and a contentment even in the midst of your afflictions and hard and sad circumstances. The Lord Jesus can come into your life and give you that contentment and that peace and that strength that’s beyond the understanding of men.

I tell you, Christian friend, we’ve got a wonderful Savior. He’s made marvelous provision for your daily, hourly needs. And again I say, if you can trust the Lord with your eternal home for eternity, surely you can trust Him for the next 24 hours, whatever your circumstance may be.

Live for Him. Don’t growl about what’s going to happen tomorrow. You live today for the Savior. Enjoy the riches of glory in Christ Jesus and may you and I be available to God to be His channel of blessing to some heart today.

Who knows—who knows? God may use you and me in some precious soul today who will pass from death to life, who will pass out of darkness into light, who will be transformed from a sin­ner, from a child of wrath, into a child of God reveling in the Savior.

Who knows? God can use you.

You say, “Mr. Mitchell, I have no gift.”

I’m not talking about gifts. All I want, and I’m sure all God wants, is a channel. He’ll do it. He’s got the supply. He has the ability. He has the power. He has all that is necessary. All He wants is a channel. He’s got to use men and women whom He has redeemed with His own blood.

And I just plead with your heart today, make yourself available to God, will you? Is that ask­ing too much?

Just say, “Father, I’m going to give myself to You to be available, to be used by the Son of God, to be a channel of blessing to some heart today.” He asks for just a kind act, just a kind word, just an understanding spirit.

You may never know it—you may never know it, but that kind word, that kind deed can mean so much to people in their condition. You may not even know their condition, but God does; and He’s picked you as a vessel of honor to be used in that person’s life today.

May you draw on Him.

Remember, “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

And may the Lord wonderfully bless you as you re-read the book of Philippians today.