DRAFT ONLY

Introduction
      Paul concludes his letter to the Philippians with a grateful recognition of the gift they sent him, 4:10-20. The passage can be divided into three parts: First, Paul speaks of his contentment in all circumstances, v10-13. Second, he speaks of his appreciation of the church's gift, v14-18. Third, he speaks of God's sufficiency for every need, v19-20.

The passage

1. Being content in all circumstances.
      Paul begins this section with an observation about his own life. He has learnt to be content in all circumstances, whether good or evil, because he has taken hold of Christ's sustaining power.
      v10. Paul notes with joy the gift sent from Philippi and carried by Epaphroditus. He is overjoyed that they haven't forgotten him, and assumes that a simple lack of opportunity hindered them from acting earlier.
      v11. His joy was for their gift, not for the meeting of his need. As far as Paul is concerned he has learnt to be satisfied in whatever circumstance he faces.
      v12. As far as the trouble is concerned, Paul has learnt the secret of contentment, in either good times or bad.
      v13. Paul finally lets us into the secret. How is it that he can be content within the circumstances of life? He is able to meet the circumstances of life head-on in the strength of Christ. He does not depend on his own strength or ability, rather he relies on the sustaining help of Jesus. In Christ he is inwardly independent. In Christ he possesses an empowering grace above his own limitations and weakness which enable him to face all the circumstances of life - to be strong in the strength of Christ. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2. A word of appreciation to the Philippians.
      v14. Paul wants to give the impression that he appreciates the gift from the Philippians. What they did was an act of great goodness and greatly appreciated.
      v15-16. Paul notes that the Philippians have always supported his ministry right from his first mission in Macedonia and Greece. In fact, they were the only church in that region to support the mission. Paul normally support himself by working as a tent maker.
      v17. Not that Paul was looking for any gift for himself, but rather that their generosity may be "credited" to their account. This is an interesting idea and is similar to Jesus' teaching. Our behaviour here on earth builds up a treasure in heaven "where moth and rust do no destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." The point here is that Christian deeds of love are retroactive. As Lightfoot puts it, there is a "recompense which is placed to our account and increases with each fresh demonstration of love". This idea of reward for deeds done is certainly not a reward of salvation, special heavenly blessings or status in heaven. The reward is the actual affect the deed has on our person at the time of doing it. Acting in a Christ-like way helps to realize in our person the new creature we are in Christ.
      v18. The gift sent to Paul has met his needs completely. In describing it he sees it as a gift to God - an offering to God of beautiful fragrance, one pleasing to him. As Jesus said, an act of love toward a brother is an act of love toward himself.

3. A doxology to the God who supplies all our needs.
      v19. Paul now turns his attention to the Philippians themselves. Just as Paul knows that he can do everything through Christ who gives him strength, so too does this truth apply to the Philippians. They have to face the circumstances of life, they have real and pressing needs, and Christ will stand with them in the rough-and-tumble of life, as he stands with Paul.
      v20. This truth leads Paul into a statement of praise to God the Father. May his sublime revelation be for all time.

Christ's sustaining power
      There are going to be times in our lives when we doubt our faith. We may no longer be sure of God's presence. We may not be confident that Jesus is who he says he is. We may doubt the Bible, our own salvation, our sure standing in the sight of God. We may feel that Jesus is no longer close to us, and that feeling may fill us with fear. Such is life. We will always have to wrestle with self doubt. At times we may have to wrestle with our own sanity.
      A disciple is not a person without doubts, but rather someone who believes amidst all their doubts. A disciple is someone who can say, "I believe, help my unbelief." So a disciple is someone who affirms Biblical truth in Christ and acts on it, even if they may be quite unsure of Christ's sufficiency. I may have doubts that Jesus stands with me through life's journey, but I live in a way which demonstrates that truth. That is, I live by the truth that Jesus is my Lord and Saviour, even though in moments of darkness I may doubt that truth.