72 Sermon Illustrations on Strength

Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. — Deuteronomy 33:25.

God promises us, not “as thy weeks” or “as thy months,” but “as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” And that means Monday’s grace for Monday, and Tuesday’s grace for Tuesday, and so on. Why, then, borrow trouble for the future? We are specially told by the Lord to “take no anxious thought for tomorrow.” The true rule is to live by the day, to live a life of trust. The law of divine grace is “Sufficient unto the day.” The law of divine deliverance is, “A very present help.” The law of divine guidance is, “step by step.”

I have nothing to do with tomorrow,

My Saviour will make that His care.

Its grace and its strength I cannot borrow,

So why should I borrow its care?

They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. — Isaiah 40:31.

This, my soul, is the triumph of thy being to be able to walk with God! Flight is the romance that belongs to the young soul. To run without weariness is the beauty that belongs to the lofty soul. But to walk and not faint is the power that belongs to the perfect soul. Canst thou walk in white through the stained thoroughfares of men? Canst thou touch the vile and polluted ones of earth and retain thy garments pure? Canst thou meet in contact with the sinful and be thyself undefiled? Then thou hast surpassed the flight of the eagle! — GEORGE MATHESON.

What sin can touch a life at rest

In Love’s divine decree?

Go hide thee in God’s sinless Son,

And claim as thine the victory won,

And given now to thee.

An unlikely fleet is set to make port on the beaches of Britain. After fifteen years and nearly 17,000 miles, hundreds of yellow plastic ducks will find their journey complete on the shores of England. On January 29, 1992, three massive containers on a cargo ship from Hong Kong crashed into the Pacific Ocean during a storm. The containers were filled with brightly colored bathtub toys bound for the United States. Instead, 29,000 little plastic ducks began a journey that would be carefully monitored by children, oceanographers, and newscasters alike.

After a decade and a half, the tiny bobbing chicks have traveled past Japan and back to Alaska, drifted deliberately down the Bering Strait and past the length of Greenland, and carefully floated down the eastern coastline of the United States. They have persevered through storms that would have left boats and crews in dire straits. They patiently endured four years frozen in ice as they crossed the Arctic Ocean. They have arrived at various intervals on various shores, faded and tattered by sun and surf, some with animal bites and barnacles to show for the journey. But each smiling plastic face seems to return with an ironic confession: the smallest vessels on tumultuous seas are not necessarily the most vulnerable.

Life is far more than an attempt to keep our heads above water, and yet at times it feels a suited metaphor. Like tiny rubber ducks in an oceanic bathtub, we are tossed about the rocks of fear and anger, pulled under by currents of despair and disappointment, and broken at times by the journey. Human fragility is often as startlingly obvious as the image of a bath toy in the Bering Strait. We are at times almost averse to this fragility, whether seen in ourselves or in others. Fighting to keep afloat in an unpredictable sea, we take on distracting cargo and build defensive walls -- anything that makes us feel less like tiny vessels lost at sea and more like giant ships passing in the night.

But metaphors of strength can be misleading, and vulnerability is often misunderstood. Though we may be reluctant to hear it, Scripture clearly puts forth the story of a fragile and fleeting humanity. Jesus spoke readily of his own death and wept at the grave of a friend. The apostle Paul wrote of our bodies as “jars of clay,” words hastening back the image of David who lamented that he had become like “broken pottery.” But well beyond the fragile images of humanity given in Scripture, the vulnerability of the incarnate Son comes into focus and redefines all of our terms. The image of Christ on the Cross turns our understanding of fragility on its head, challenges our discomfort with brokenness, and redirects our associations of weak and strong. We discover the vulnerability of God is far stronger than our greatest images of strength. In the cruciform image of Christ, God uses the weak to shame the strong, a suffering Son to heal the wounds of creation, and the vulnerable image of a broken savior to show us the all-surpassing vessel who saves us.

It is by the Cross that we live, by a seemingly weak vessel that we are brought home. Christ is not an escape raft for the hard realities of this world. On the contrary, he calls to us in our weakness and reminds us that it is not unfamiliar to him. Through tumultuous waters, he beckons us to see there is potential in fragility, meaning in affliction, and life beyond the journey that currently consumes us. Something like the image of tiny ducks arriving after an unlikely voyage, Christ redirects our thoughts on vulnerability, the weak and the strong. And God is aware of every last and fragile vessel, going after even one that is lost, longing to gather us unto himself like a hen gathering thousands of chicks under her wings.

________

Copyright © 2007 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

”Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God.” — Phillips Brooks

Church planting missionary Bill Breunle followed a nontraditional path to ministry, having been radically transformed by God from a life of bodybuilding and professional wrestling to one of church building and spiritual warfare. But he has brought with him a personal drive to excel that continues to bear fruit in northern California.

Since Christ changed his life in a jail cell about 12 years ago he has helped birth 38 new congregations and is currently transforming a dying traditional church into a vibrant postmodern one. He considers his most important non-family responsibility to be mentoring young ministry leaders. Meanwhile, he's renovating his family's home and studying for his second doctorate. "Doing my best is important to me. It's like worship to the Lord," said Breunle.

Adopted by a dedicated Southern Baptist family when he was an infant, Breunle took up bodybuilding at age 18. He found he had a natural ability for the sport, and with the abuse of steroids Breunle soon was able to bench press 685 pounds.

That led to a two-year stint as a WWF wrestler, before the emptiness of fame and the joy of marriage cooled his ardor for the bright lights. A year after he opened a chain of health spas, he was arrested for conspiracy to smuggle steroids. He served two years of a three-year sentence, but soon after his release was arrested again on what were later proven to be trumped-up charges.

During the seven pre-trial months he spent in the Los Angeles Detention Center, Breunle finally made his peace with God.

"I remember standing in the chow line facing 40 years," Breunle said about his potential prison sentence. "I remember God speaking to my heart: 'You can choose the Aryans, you can choose the Brotherhood [prison gangs who wanted him to join with them] or you can choose me.' I got out of that chow line -- and for me that was a miracle in itself! -- and went to my room and prayed like I had never prayed before.

"God rescued me that day," Breunle continued. "He saved me. I finally had the peace and joy I'd talked about all over the world. In the middle of the complete darkness of that jail -- and I was living in hell -- I was consumed by God's complete love."

Out of 140 inmates on his floor, Breunle led 27 to a life-changing relationship with Christ within the next two months.

"It was unreal," Breunle said. "Guys of the most horrid crimes, guys tattooed from knuckle to neck, we became this community of love."

The miracles continued. In the midst of his trial, the prosecutor stopped the proceedings and apologized to Breunle for his arrest. He was free to go.

Breunle became a youth minister while a student at California Baptist University. Thoughts of a career in law or psychology faded when three churches flourished that he started nearly simultaneously in Riverside -- Downtown Christian Fellowship, Family Bible Fellowship (a ministry to hurting families who would not be drawn to a typical church setting) and Set Free of Southern California (a ministry to hard-core bikers). All three congregations, despite their names, were solidly Southern Baptist, Breunle said.

In 1999, Breunle was appointed a missionary with the North American Mission Board and the California Southern Baptist Convention and was assigned as church starter strategist in northern California, from Modesto to the Oregon border. Modesto is about 100 miles south of Sacramento.

The Breunle family lived in the small town of Paradise for two years, then bought their first home, a fixer-upper, in the bustling nearby college town of Chico, about one and a half hours north of Sacramento.

Breunle led Annette, his wife, to the Lord when they were in the visiting room at the Los Angeles Detention Center.

"My job is to support Bill in whatever he does," she said. "I don't play the piano. I don't sing. I don't lead any groups. I don't speak in front of people. I don't even pray out loud. I am totally able to be myself because Bill has set it up that way. And people respect that. We're best friends! His strengths are my weaknesses, and vice versa. Together we're a team."

In less than a month after the family's move to Chico, Breunle accepted an additional work assignment: Breunle was called as pastor by about 40 mostly elderly members of Esplanade Baptist Church.

"I told them upfront that there would be many, many changes, but if they didn't make them their church would die," Breunle said. "They didn't want the church to die."

His hope is that the renamed Church on the Esplanade will become a Southern Baptist model for a church transitioning from a traditional to a postmodern mindset, one that emphasizes giving the good news of Jesus rather than offering a specific church culture.

In a postmodern church, Breunle said, "The pastor serves the community. He facilitates their giftedness, cultural propensities and ethnicities. He leads by supporting what God created them to be. Conformity is seen as antithetical to community."

Breunle changes from a suit and tie at the "traditional" 8:30 a.m. service to more casual attire for the 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. "gathering" services, which are complete with Christian rock bands. But he preaches the same message at each. The church also now has a fourth service, a rousing Saturday night celebration.

"The question we ask at this church," Breunle said, "is, 'What does love look like?' Love looks like giving them a safe authentic community to let the life of Christ emerge in their context. Celebrating the beautiful diamond of diversity God has created to reflect himself. As long as we're being biblical in keeping the core of the gospel, we're right on."

Word of mouth, rather than a major media campaign, helped the church grow rapidly to about 350 people in worship within a few months.

"[Breunle] has an incredible magnetic personality and the gift of faith," worship pastor Brian Tremain said. "People are drawn to him. He has the ability to break down heavy truths and teach them in a way people can apply to their lives."

Breunle sleeps only about three hours a night and starts each day with two hours of Bible study and prayer. Once his kids are off to school, he's off to where the people are: Starbucks is a favorite hangout. His "office" is the cell phone that clips onto his belt, but it's usually turned off so he can concentrate on the person he's with.

In addition to strategizing with local church pastors throughout northern California about where, when and how to start churches, Breunle is facing the need to reconfigure space at Church on the Esplanade, or perhaps to relocate from its landlocked, residential neighborhood. But to Breunle, "'things' aren't nearly as important as people."

"He's the front man. He's the guy who can make things happen in the community," said pastoral intern Stephen Price. "I'm here to do pastoral care and counseling. That's my calling and background."

Breunle mentors Price as he does others on the staff at Church on the Esplanade and across northern California.

"My life really is about investing in Timothys," Breunle said. "Programs aren't going to connect people with God and change the world -- the next generation of authentic, servant leaders are."

Breunle teaches "Timothys" and people who attend Church on the Esplanade to connect with people who come into their lives by being "real." The church motto -- seen on banners outside the church and inside the worship center -- is "Trying to be real with ourselves, others, and God."

"I've never met anyone who rejects the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ," Breunle said. "I see them rejecting the church culture, which is why we don't do that here. People here look and seem unconventional, but it's very Baptist. Baptist is history, and the ethos is Bible in hand, doing whatever it takes to connect people with God. Really the biggest thing for me is to hand them Jesus. That's what works."

*

Cancer is so limited:

It cannot cripple Love,

It cannot shatter Hope,

It cannot corrode Faith,

It cannot eat away Peace,

It cannot destroy Confidence,

It cannot kill Friendship,

It cannot shut out Memories,

It cannot silence Courage,

It cannot invade the Soul,

It cannot reduce Eternal Life,

It cannot quench the Spirit,

It cannot lessen the power of Resurrection.

If a disease has invaded your life, refuse to let it touch your spirit. Your body may have a great struggle, but keep trusting “GOD’S LOVE”. Your spirit will remain strong.

Standing for what you believe in,

Regardless of the odds against you,

And the pressure that tears at your resistance,

… Means Courage

Keeping a Smile on your face,

When inside you feel like Dying,

For the sake of Supporting others,

… Means Strength

Stopping at nothing,

And doing what’s in your Heart,

You know is Right, .

… Means Determination

Doing more than is Expected,

To make another’s Life a little more Bearable,

Without uttering a single Complaint,

… Means Compassion

Helping a Friend in Need,

No matter the time or effort,

To the best of your ability, .

… Means Loyalty

Giving more than you have,

And expecting Nothing

But nothing in Return,

… Means Selflessness

Holding your head high,

And being the best you know you can be

When life seems to fall apart at your feet,

Facing each difficulty with the Confidence

That time will bring you better Tomorrow’s,

And Never Giving Up,

… Means Confidence.

Standing for what you believe in,

Regardless of the odds against you,

And the pressure that tears at your resistance,

… Means Courage

Keeping a Smile on your face,

When inside you feel like Dying,

For the sake of Supporting others,

… Means Strength

Stopping at nothing,

And doing what’s in your Heart,

You know is Right, .

… Means Determination

Doing more than is Expected,

To make another’s Life a little more Bearable,

Without uttering a single Complaint,

… Means Compassion

Helping a Friend in Need,

No matter the time or effort,

To the best of your ability, .

… Means Loyalty

Giving more than you have,

And expecting Nothing

But nothing in Return,

… Means Selflessness

Holding your head high,

And being the best you know you can be

When life seems to fall apart at your feet,

Facing each difficulty with the Confidence

That time will bring you better Tomorrow’s,

And Never Giving Up,

… Means Confidence.

Philippians 4:10–23 — Joy in the Strength of Christ « Leader information shown in this fashion »

A. Joy: His Strength Brings Contentment Philippians 4:10-12 (NAS)

1. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. « —

2. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (NKJV)

3. Excerpt from Biblical Museum (HolwickID 25502) — Contentment

a. flourished — put forth new shoots

b. wherein {though} — with an eye to which

c. careful {care} — anxious

d. opportunity — not lack of will to do good

e. not…want {need} — I do not mean that I have been in absolute need

f. learned — by considering Christ, by my past experience

g. content — 1 Tim 6:6, 8, Heb 13:5 — Gk., self-supporting, independent

h. abased, how to endure having little

i. instructed {learned} — Acts 20:33-34 — initiated

j. both…need — how to deport myself in every condition. »

4. Some maintain that if God doesn’t bless us in material things, then there is something wrong with our Christian walk … what do these verses have to say about this?

a. « the Philippians wanted — showing that their love for God and His work — but did not have the ability to give »

b. « Paul knew times of both material blessing and material need, not because of his piety or lack thereof, but because of the purposes of God »

B. Joy: His Strength Makes Able Philippians 4:13–14 (NAS)

1. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. « —

2. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. (NKJV)

3. Excerpt from Biblical Museum (HolwickID 25494) — The Weak are Strong in Christ

a. I…things — reference to being in need, etc. verse12

b. through…me — John 15:5, 2 Cor 12:9, Eph 3:14-17 — by His word, Spirit, example

c. ye…done — the absence of actual need on my side, does not make your generosity of less worth

d. communicate {shared} — share in, seek to relieve it as if it were your own. »

4. Why does physical need not worry Paul (verses 11–14)?

a. « the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit »

b. « the strengthening work of God the Son »

c. « the supporting work of fellow believers »

5. Who bears what responsibilities for our Christian walk / life?

a. « God provides the strength »

b. « we put forth the effort in that strength to serve Him »

c. « we share in supporting one another »

C. Joy in Gratitude Philippians 4:15–17 (NAS)

1. 15 And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. « —

2. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. (NKJV)

3. excerpt from Biblical Museum (HolwickID 25480) — The True Worth of Christian Beneficence

a. beginning…Gospel — when the Gospel began for them; i.e., when they first heard it

b. no…only — none but this one Church had made provision for his temporal need

c. Thessalonica — 2 Cor 11:9 — when I was in that city

d. once…again — both once and twice Hebraistic: repeatedly

e. necessity, to supply my need

f. gift — recompense

g. fruit…account — Heb 6:10, 1 TIm 6:17-19, Acts 20:35 — he desired that they might so act as to secure the future reward of brotherly kindness. »

4. Comment on the statement, “the Kingdom of God is in the future, so it is worldly to be concerned with material things.”

a. « the churches in Macedonia, of which the Philippians were one, were very aware of Paul’s need for material as well as of spiritual support (2 Corinthians 8:1–5) »

b. « Paul recognized and was grateful for their sharing with him

»

c. « material care given will abound to their spiritual account … you cannot really separate the two (Matthew 25:31ff, James 2:15–16) »

5. Look back at Paul’s opening commending the Philippians in 1:5; now, having gone through the book and especially in the last few verses, how do you understand the expression “fellowship in the Gospel (AV)”

a. « other translations are “partnership” and “participation” … the Greek is koinwnia, meaning communion, commonality, sharing and sharing alike »

b. « it means that participation in God’s work can take many forms, each is important, each is rewarded, each is needed — an old testament illustration is found in 1 Samuel 30. »

D. Joy: His Strength Supplying Needs Philippians 4:18-19 (NAS)

1. 18 But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. « —

2. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

3. Excerpt from Biblical Museum (HolwickID 25493) — God Will Supply All Need

a. I…abound — Heb 13:16 — I have all I need and more

b. Epaphroditus — see 2:25

c. odour {aroma}…God — Eph 5:2, Heb 11:6, Gal 5:6

d. supply…need — 2 Cor 9:8 — fulfil every need of yours

e. according — in accordance with

f. to…glory — by placing you ultimately in glory

g. by…Jesus — Eph 1:7, Ps 84:11 — through your union with Christ (Lightfoot). The idea is, that heaven will be the ample filling up of the needs that Christians suffer here. »

4. How does Paul rate their generosity? … God’s?

a. « total »

b. « complete »

5. If Paul is content, what are some reasons you think that he is so joyful at their giving to him in his need?

a. « it was evidence of God’s faithfulness »

b. « it would redound to their blessing »

E. Joy Among Believers in Christ Philippians 4:20–23 (NAS)

1. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. « —

2. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (NKJV)

3. Excerpt from Biblical Museum (HolwickID 25494) — Salutation

a. glory — praise

b. salute {greet}…saint — I send my greeting to each one

c. the…you — without jealousy he gladly conveys the salutations of others

d. Caesar’s, etc., — Phil 1:13, 1 Cor 7:20-22, 1:26 — i.e., some of the Emperor’s servants and retainers

e. be…all — Gal 6:18, Rom 16:24, 1 Th 5:28, 2 Th 3:18, 2 Cor 13:13 — be with your spirit. »

4. The Jewish greeting was Shalom (”Peace!”) to which “Grace” was added amongst Christians. Such greetings are used both on meeting and parting. What lessons are to be learned here?

a. « peace, reconciliation of man to Himself, glorifies God »

b. « Christ’s grace is shown in His making believers into saints »

c. « grace is manifest in the way the gospel can penetrate »

5. How should this affect my attitudes this week?

Philippians 4:10–23 — Joy in the Strength of Christ « Leader information shown in this fashion »

A. Joy: His Strength Brings Contentment Philippians 4:10-12 (NAS)

1. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. « —

2. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (NKJV)

3. Excerpt from Biblical Museum (HolwickID 25502) — Contentment

a. flourished — put forth new shoots

b. wherein {though} — with an eye to which

c. careful {care} — anxious

d. opportunity — not lack of will to do good

e. not…want {need} — I do not mean that I have been in absolute need

f. learned — by considering Christ, by my past experience

g. content — 1 Tim 6:6, 8, Heb 13:5 — Gk., self-supporting, independent

h. abased, how to endure having little

i. instructed {learned} — Acts 20:33-34 — initiated

j. both…need — how to deport myself in every condition. »

4. Some maintain that if God doesn’t bless us in material things, then there is something wrong with our Christian walk … what do these verses have to say about this?

a. « the Philippians wanted — showing that their love for God and His work — but did not have the ability to give »

b. « Paul knew times of both material blessing and material need, not because of his piety or lack thereof, but because of the purposes of God »

B. Joy: His Strength Makes Able Philippians 4:13–14 (NAS)

1. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. « —

2. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. (NKJV)

3. Excerpt from Biblical Museum (HolwickID 25494) — The Weak are Strong in Christ

a. I…things — reference to being in need, etc. verse12

b. through…me — John 15:5, 2 Cor 12:9, Eph 3:14-17 — by His word, Spirit, example

c. ye…done — the absence of actual need on my side, does not make your generosity of less worth

d. communicate {shared} — share in, seek to relieve it as if it were your own. »

4. Why does physical need not worry Paul (verses 11–14)?

a. « the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit »

b. « the strengthening work of God the Son »

c. « the supporting work of fellow believers »

5. Who bears what responsibilities for our Christian walk / life?

a. « God provides the strength »

b. « we put forth the effort in that strength to serve Him »

c. « we share in supporting one another »

C. Joy in Gratitude Philippians 4:15–17 (NAS)

1. 15 And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. « —

2. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. (NKJV)

3. excerpt from Biblical Museum (HolwickID 25480) — The True Worth of Christian Beneficence

a. beginning…Gospel — when the Gospel began for them; i.e., when they first heard it

b. no…only — none but this one Church had made provision for his temporal need

c. Thessalonica — 2 Cor 11:9 — when I was in that city

d. once…again — both once and twice Hebraistic: repeatedly

e. necessity, to supply my need

f. gift — recompense

g. fruit…account — Heb 6:10, 1 TIm 6:17-19, Acts 20:35 — he desired that they might so act as to secure the future reward of brotherly kindness. »

4. Comment on the statement, “the Kingdom of God is in the future, so it is worldly to be concerned with material things.”

a. « the churches in Macedonia, of which the Philippians were one, were very aware of Paul’s need for material as well as of spiritual support (2 Corinthians 8:1–5) »

b. « Paul recognized and was grateful for their sharing with him

»

c. « material care given will abound to their spiritual account … you cannot really separate the two (Matthew 25:31ff, James 2:15–16) »

5. Look back at Paul’s opening commending the Philippians in 1:5; now, having gone through the book and especially in the last few verses, how do you understand the expression “fellowship in the Gospel (AV)”

a. « other translations are “partnership” and “participation” … the Greek is koinwnia, meaning communion, commonality, sharing and sharing alike »

b. « it means that participation in God’s work can take many forms, each is important, each is rewarded, each is needed — an old testament illustration is found in 1 Samuel 30. »

D. Joy: His Strength Supplying Needs Philippians 4:18-19 (NAS)

1. 18 But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. « —

2. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

3. Excerpt from Biblical Museum (HolwickID 25493) — God Will Supply All Need

a. I…abound — Heb 13:16 — I have all I need and more

b. Epaphroditus — see 2:25

c. odour {aroma}…God — Eph 5:2, Heb 11:6, Gal 5:6

d. supply…need — 2 Cor 9:8 — fulfil every need of yours

e. according — in accordance with

f. to…glory — by placing you ultimately in glory

g. by…Jesus — Eph 1:7, Ps 84:11 — through your union with Christ (Lightfoot). The idea is, that heaven will be the ample filling up of the needs that Christians suffer here. »

4. How does Paul rate their generosity? … God’s?

a. « total »

b. « complete »

5. If Paul is content, what are some reasons you think that he is so joyful at their giving to him in his need?

a. « it was evidence of God’s faithfulness »

b. « it would redound to their blessing »

E. Joy Among Believers in Christ Philippians 4:20–23 (NAS)

1. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. « —

2. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (NKJV)

3. Excerpt from Biblical Museum (HolwickID 25494) — Salutation

a. glory — praise

b. salute {greet}…saint — I send my greeting to each one

c. the…you — without jealousy he gladly conveys the salutations of others

d. Caesar’s, etc., — Phil 1:13, 1 Cor 7:20-22, 1:26 — i.e., some of the Emperor’s servants and retainers

e. be…all — Gal 6:18, Rom 16:24, 1 Th 5:28, 2 Th 3:18, 2 Cor 13:13 — be with your spirit. »

4. The Jewish greeting was Shalom (”Peace!”) to which “Grace” was added amongst Christians. Such greetings are used both on meeting and parting. What lessons are to be learned here?

a. « peace, reconciliation of man to Himself, glorifies God »

b. « Christ’s grace is shown in His making believers into saints »

c. « grace is manifest in the way the gospel can penetrate »

5. How should this affect my attitudes this week?

”For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.” (Romans 5:6-7 NKJV)

Christ Died For The Ungodly

• strength — (1) To serve God, (1) To save ourselves; (Robinson) a powerless to obey or please God. (Robinson)

• due time — at the fit (Gal 4:4) and appointed (1 Tim 2:6) time. Divine plans not precipitated.

• ungodly — all men

• scarcely — can hardly be persuaded to do so

• righteous — just, reputed upright

• peradventure [perhaps] — it might happen now and then: an exceptional case

• good — benevolent; an embodiment of moral goodness. Every good man is just, but every just man is not good (Bengel). “Si vir bonus is est qui prodest quibus potest, nocet nemini, recte justum virum, bonum non facile reperiemus” (Cicero)

• dare — have the hardihood, venture. “Have perhaps the boldness” (Bengal). “Might undertake” (De Wette). “Implies difficulty and boldness, the extreme degree of self-sacrifice” (0lshausen)

A weak world made strong — Dr. Thomas

I. The moral prostration of humanity — “When we were yet without strength.” Without strength to –

1. Effect the deliverance of self;

2. Render acceptable service to the Creator;

3. Face the future with calmness.

II. The re-invigorating power of Christ’s death. It enables man to –

1. Deliver himself;

2. Serve God acceptably;

3. Face the future calmly.

III. The seasonable period of the Redeemer’s mission. It was at a time –

1. When the world was prepared to appreciate it;

2. Appointed by heaven;

3. Most favourable for the universal diffusion of the fact.

Love begets gratitude — “During a sea voyage, a few years since,” says Dr. Parker, of the United States, in his interesting book, Invitation to True Happiness, “I was conversing with the mate of the vessel on this topic, when he concurred in the view presented, and observed that it called to mind one of the most thrilling scenes he had ever beheld. With this he related the following story:- ‘I was at sea, on the broad Atlantic, as we now are. It was just such a bright moonlight night as this, and the sea was quite as rough. The captain had turned in, and I was upon watch, when suddenly there was a cry of a man over board. To go out in a boat was exceedingly dangerous. I could hardly make up my mind to command the hands to expose themselves. I volunteered to go myself, if two more would accompany me. Two generous fellows came forward, and in a moment the boat was lowered, and we were tossed upon a most frightful sea. As. we rose upon a mountain wave we discovered the man upon a distant billow. We heard his cry, and responded, “coming.” As we descended into the trough of the sea, we lost sight of the man, and heard nothing but the roar of the ocean. As we rose on the next wave, we again saw him, and distinctly heard his call. We gave him another word of encouragement, and pulled with all our strength. At the top of each successive wave we saw and heard him, and our hearts were filled with encouragement. As often, in the trough of the sea, we almost abandoned the hope of success. The time seemed long, and the struggle was such as men never make but for life. We reached him just as he was ready to sink with exhaustion. When we had drawn him into the boat, he was helpless and speechless. Our minds were now turned towards the ship. She had rounded to. But, exhausted as we were, the distance between us and the vessel was frightful. One false movement would have filled our boat, and consigned us all to a watery grave. Yet we reached the vessel, and were drawn safely upon the deck. We were all exhausted, but the rescued man could neither speak nor walk; yet he had a full sense of his condition. He clasped our feet, and began to kiss them. We disengaged ourselves from his embrace. He then crawled after us, and, as we stepped back to avoid him, he followed us, looking up at one moment with smiles and tears, and then patting our wet foot-prints with his hand, he kissed them with an eager fondness. I never witnessed such a scene in my life. I suppose if he had been our greatest enemy he would have been perfectly subdued by our kindness. The man was a passenger. During the whole remaining part of the voyage he showed the deepest gratitude, and when we reached the port, he loaded us with presents.’”

“As to what Homer said, that a god breathed strength into some heroes; love furnishes this, producing from himself all lovers. Moreover, to die for another, lovers alone are ready, not only men, but also women.” — Plato.

“Saving faith brings glory to God, because it brings nothing to him but poverty, want, and emptiness; other graces bring something. Love brings fire; repentance, brings tears; obedience brings works; but poor faith brings nothing but a bare hand, and an empty vessel. The poorer any come to God, the more they glorify Him.” — Erskine

“Faith is the root of all good works. A root that produces nothing is dead.” — Bishop Wilson.