And God Is Able to Make All Grace Abound Toward You, That Ye, Always Having All Sufficiency In All Things May Abound To Every Good Work - Part 1544

When Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ to all the saint in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons extended grace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, it was to send a very different message from the epistle to believers in Galatia whereby the famous question - "O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?" was ascribed. (Galatians 3:1) 

Rather, here in the epistle to the Philippians, it was obvious that Paul had them in his heart, and that he was equally confident that He which begun a good work in them will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Indeed, many of us rely on the scripture that states: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) 

Jesus makes this point clearer when telling His disciples about the true vine. Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me, ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)

You see, we are not to consider ourselves sufficient to even think that any thing is of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God, who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.

But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of His countenance; which glory was to be done away: how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in that respect, by reason of the glory that excels.

For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious, seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech, and not as Moses which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished, but their minds were blinded; for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

But even unto this day when Moses is read, the vail is upon the heart. Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (II Corinthians 3:5-17)

It is for this reason that Paul's epistle to the Philippians offers hope and joy in Christ Jesus, wherein we can be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Paul goes on to elaborate, saying that while some preach Christ of envy and strife; and some of good will; and others of contention and not sincerely, supposing to add affliction for those who love the Lord; the point is that Christ is being preached.

"For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and my hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified ... for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:11-21)

So as Paul tells his brethren -- "dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord, and I intreat thee also, true yoke fellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life."

Moreover, "rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:4-8) 

What things you ask? "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." (Philippians 4:9)

So simple. So straightforward, What Paul is saying is those things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in him, these things do. Because when you do these things, the God of peace shall be with you. 

For the record, these things include repentance and accepting that this same Jesus whom was crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) These things include being water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 9:17-18; Acts 3:37-38; Acts 10:40-44; I Peter 3:21) Also, these things include studying the scriptures to show oneself approved unto God, as doth a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth is critical, and likewise being filled with the Holy Ghost. (II Timothy 2:16; Acts 9:17; Acts 2:1-47)

These things also include being renewed in the spirit of one's mind, putting off the former conversation of the old man which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts, and instead, putting on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24) 

Abstaining from all appearances of evil so that the very God of peace can sanctify us wholly, proving all things, holding fast to that which is good, quenching not the Spirit, and in every thing we do, giving thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thessalonians 5:16-23)

As well, when we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, the charity He gives to us suffers long ... and is kind; His charity envies not; His charity vaunts not itself and is not puffed up. Therefore, when we are clothed in His righteousness, the righteousness of Jesus in water baptism, the charity that we take on does not behave itself unseemly, and seeks not her own. That charity is not easily provoked and thinks no evil. Instead, that charity rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in truth. Charity bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. (I Corinthians 13:4-7)

Those things which you have both learned, and received, and heard and seen in apostle Paul, we are to do the same. Paul continues onward so that we can be in one accord, teaching:

"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only, for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Philippians 4:10-23)

Stand in the offering plate.