PAULS APPRECIATION

November 19, 2000 PM

Phil 4:10-12

INTRO: If you have ever been a long way from home, from family and from friends ... and were really not in a position to alter that circumstance, you can understand something of Pauls thoughts in our text. The verses we have read indicate that there had been a lapse in communication between the Philippians and Paul. Because of the separation, that lapse had caused Paul some dismay ... no doubt all sorts of speculations about why had coursed through his mind. Now - perhaps rather unexpectedly - he hears from them again. And he is delighted. Their love and concern for him are reassuring and strengthening. The gift they sent was useful. In these verses we see the lessons of Pauls Appreciation.

I. THE REJOICING OF PAUL (4:10a)

A. Here is this word rejoice again

1. though a man without much material wealth, he had so many blessings to count

2. and in this letter he has counted them

B. The gift they sent is incidental in his mind to the communication

1. to know they cared for him to have this demonstration -- was important thing

2. Prov 25:25 this was the situation here!

II. THE TENDER GRATITUDE OF PAUL (4:10b)

A. He is so careful of their feelings here

1. does not want to load them with feelings of guilt because they had let their caring lapse

2. what would its about time you got another contribution to me have done to them?

3. and would you believe some people find it hard to be gracious about receiving something from others ... perhaps they see that gift as reflecting on their independence ... or a means of putting them in anothers debt oh, how we need to develop the graceful art of receiving!

B. They had lacked opportunity

1. yes, he knew they cared and it was so pleasant to hear it again

2. but some circumstance kept them from communication (no messenger, few resources, conflicts ???)

3. there is an important point here:

a. they never quit caring just lacked opportunity, resources

b. we often have opportunity, resources and dont seem to care!

c. Gal 6:10 and Heb 13:2

III. THE CONTENTMENT OF PAUL (4:11)

A. He had no complaints - 4:11a

1. was not complaining man just leaned on God (Ps 23:1)

2. three besetting sins of too many Christians: to whine, to pine, to recline

3. go back to Phil 4:4!

B. He had learned some things - 4:11b ... implies:

1. there was a changed situation had forsaken all to follow Christ ... thus, material poverty

2. there was a wisdom which could both learn and change (Ps 119:59) ... contrast Acts 7:51-53 (remember, Paul was there when these words were spoken)

3. there was a humility permitting learning as wise, as knowledgeable as he was, there were life lessons he could still learn (Acts 20:19a)

C. Contentment in any circumstances - 4:11c

1. situations, circumstances did not (and do not) make contentment

2. contentment - in fact - takes real relearning process we have been reared in a land of plenty, a land which has emphasized that more, not less, is required for contentment

3. Prov 15:16,17 contentment is in deciding what is really important (it is interesting to look at the better passages of Proverbs)

IV. THE ABUNDANCE OF PAUL (4:12)

A. Not necessarily in abundance of things

1. the number of things was not important

2. his being able to get the most out of what he had was in part his abundance

B. The secret of contentment may be to subtract from wants!

1. thus, by anothers standard one may seem needy ... but by his standard he is blessed with abundance

2. I have heard it said of some people, They arent even aware theyre poor ... theyve learned that abundance isnt found in big numbers

CLOSE: Perhaps, though, what is most important here is to see Paul as a gracious, grateful man ... and expressive of it. There are people who grace our lives ... do we really let them know how much they are appreciated?

Give without remembering .... Receive without forgetting

Cecil A. Hutson

19 November 2000