Philippians – Pt 8

Philippians 4:10-20 (NLT)

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. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 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.

HOW TO FIND JOY IN THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF LIFE:

1. Detach contentment from comfort.

– Contentment is trust in God’s presence and provision even when life feels unsettled.

2. Treat every transition as training for contentment.

3. View generosity as evidence you’re anchored in Christ, not circumstances.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT)

8 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

Luke 21:1-4 (NLT)

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

4. When you meet someone else’s need, God will supply your needs.

SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: Joy overflows from anchoring contentment in Christ, not circumstances.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Read Philippians 4:10-20. How have you seen God supplying your needs?

▶ Pastor Matt shared, “Contentment is trust in God’s presence and provision even when life feels unsettled.” Have you learned or decided to trust in God’s presence and provision when you couldn’t see his presence or provision?

▶ God honors the sacrificial trust of someone who gave with no safety net. What does sacrificial trust look like for you?

▶ What’s one area of your life where you could trust God’s supply by helping meet someone else’s need?

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.

This is how God’s provision works. You are a vessel for God’s blessing to pass through. It doesn’t stop with you. How will you choose to be a vessel for God’s provision this week?

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Lord, we ask that you direct our steps. Help us to honor and trust you with our resources. We ask that you help us walk in a kingdom mindset. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.