Living a Life of Genuine and Generous Friendship, part 5

Here are the three applications we’ve looked at this week:
1: Showing Concern. The church in Philippi had plenty to worry about. The Roman Empire was engaged in the systematic persecution of Christians. But this church in Philippi did not allow outside circumstances to get in the way of showing practical, loving concern for the Apostle Paul. We think we are concerned when we are worrying about certain situations, but in reality, we are truly concerned only when we are doing something about these situations.
 

The church in Philippi was, indeed, concerned about Paul’s imprisonment. But they did not stop at worry or anxiety. They received an offering and dispatched one of their choice church family members to both deliver the money to Paul and to look after Paul’s needs. This is how any church should show concern: by taking action.
 

2: The second way to show genuine and generous friendship is to learn the Secret of Contentment. Surprisingly, Paul was already at peace in Rome, even though he was in prison! In Philippians 4:12 -13, Paul says that he had learned the “secret of contentment.” This secret was not like a password or a cheat code for a video game. This was a secret that Paul had gained by practical experience by living day to day with Jesus Christ. God’s secrets come over time, through a trusting and consistent relationship with Him.
 

In Philippians 4:13, Paul writes his now famous words that are famously misquoted! “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” But look closely at the context: for I am “able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me…” is Paul’s contentment in his circumstances.

Think about that for a moment. Contentment is the condition for saying, “I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Paul can talk about doing all things precisely because he has learned the secret of contentment. Have we – you and I – learned that?
 

3: The Joyful Gift. What a curious way Paul has of saying “thank you!” Paul is grateful for the generous gift from the Philippines, not because of how the gift will help him, but because the gift is evidence that the Philippian church is looking beyond themselves and: Living a Life of Genuine and Generous Friendship.
 

The Philippians share this gift with Paul out of their own suffering. Paul sees their spiritual growth and their generosity. He is not so much happy to receive the gift as he is to see practical evidence of their Christian maturity.
 

We then find a second verse that is also frequently used out of context, “19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Paul says that his God will supply all of their needs according to His (God’s) riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Why does this matter?
 

Paul is not claiming these riches for himself; he is letting the Philippians know that because they have shown generosity to him, that his God will supply all their needs. How often do we quote this verse in relationship to our own needs? It’s true that God will supply our needs, but the context of this verse is Paul’s great confidence of God’s goodness toward the Philippian church because of their generosity in friendship by meeting his needs.
 

This is a beautiful picture of Christians living together in a Life of Genuine and Generous Friendship. Pastor Paul, the Apostle, is so happy that his students have learned the secrets of contentment and generosity, not because he has benefited from the gift, but because these qualities will serve the Philippians for generations to come.
 

Will you take a moment and pause here with me? As your pastor, I really believe that we can be a church like this; in many ways, many of us already show these attributes. It’s my prayer that our actions would be the fulfillment of Christ’s work in us, both individually and as a congregation!
 

Oh, that we will continue to grow as a church! That is a sign of the Kingdom of God, both to the community around us and to our brothers and sisters all around the world!  END