NewSpring Church - Wichita, Kansas

21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings.

22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.

23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philippians 4:21-23 (NLT)

Looking back through the book of Philippians, it's pretty apparent what Paul's priorities are and what they're not. And His earthly "needs" were definitely not a priority. We use the word “need” pretty carelessly these days. We say things like “I need an iPhone”, or “we really need a vacation”. But have you ever stopped to think about what you really need? Odds are most of what we call needs are really just wants that we think we can’t live without. 

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

Philippians 4:19-20 (NLT)

Truth is, I can’t even remember when I learned verse 19. My dad taught it to me at such an early age that it got into the groundwater of my thinking. It’s one of the Bible’s most awesome promises.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 

15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;

16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.

17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:14-18 (NIV)

We know from the Bible that Paul was not in the habit of requiring anybody to support his ministry. When anyone supported him it was because they did so on a voluntary basis. This passage tells us that sadly some of the churches that Paul influenced chose not to support him. The church at Philippi not only supported him, they did it multiple times when he was in need.

13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Do you ever feel like saying, "if I only had a little more time or energy I could get so much more done"? Sometimes as a mom, I feel that if I had a big red "S" on the front of my shirt I might be able to do everything: laundry, house work, keeping up with the kids and my husband, and just every day life. Hey, I can dream, right?

10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me.

11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.

12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

Philippians 4:10-12

We all know that it's easy to be content when we have everything we need. A place to live, family and friends, money to spend, a good job, food to eat, entertainment, etc. When we think about it, the list of things that "would make us happy if we just had them" is pretty long. I think there comes a point in everyone's life when they think, "Wow, if I could just fix [fill-in-the-blank], life would be perfect." Our daily lives are centered around what we have, or the lack thereof. Our lives are controlled by "stuff"--both the good and the bad.

9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:9 (NLT)

Take one look at a Nike Swoosh logo and the 20 year old campaign slogan will instantly cross your mind--"Just Do It." It's success is universal, yet the concept was not new with Nike. The apostle Paul penned the concept long before. He generally sums up his entire letter to the Philippian Christians with the instructions given in verse 9. This verse is a call to action. Paul is cheering them on, encouraging, calling out, "Do it! Live it out! Make it real!"

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Are you worried about anything today? There is certainly much for each of us to be concerned about. If you watch the news, our country and even the whole world seems wrought with serious problems. 

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Philippians 4:4-5 (NLT)

We expect some basic realities in life to never change. The old saying said you can always count on "death and taxes". We probably all count on a few good times here and there and we've all come to expect bad times as well. The Christians in this church had learned to expect really bad times. But in the middle of their hardship, Paul encourages them to "rejoice in the Lord always." That doesn't seem right. How can you chose to rejoice always, when life is hitting you harder against the wall everyday and there's no sign of light at the end of the tunnel? How can you have joy when all you feel is pain? 

1 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.

2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.

3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

Philippians 4:1-3 (NLT)

As a father of three children, I have seen my fair share of fighting. “Keep your hands to yourself” and “treat your brother or sister like you want to be treated” are phrases frequently uttered at my house. It frustrates me when I see my kids fighting over things that are of little significance. It bothers me when I see them valuing issues or things more than their relationships with one another. My job, as their dad, is to try and get them to see the big picture and to set aside these petty things for the sake of the greater good. I often remind them that they will be siblings for the rest of their lives so they better learn to get along.