| Phil. 4:10-13 |
|
Lesson # Phil. 4:10-13 Study Material - Phil. 4:10-13 You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth. Phil. 4:10-13 10 But [de] I rejoiced [chairo] in [en] the Lord [kurios] greatly [megalos], that [hoti] now [ede] at the last [pote] your care [phroneo] [anathallo] of [huper] me [emou] hath flourished again [anathallo]; wherein [epi] [hos] ye were [phroneo] also [kai] careful [phroneo], but [de] ye lacked opportunity [akaireomai]. 11 Not [ou] that I speak [lego] in respect [hoti] [kata] of want [husteresis]: for [gar] I [ego] have learned [manthano], in [en] whatsoever state [hos] I am [eimi], therewith to be [einai] content [autarkes]. 12 [de] I know [eido] both how to be abased [tapeinoo], and [kai] I know [eido] how to abound [perisseuo]: every where [en] [pas] and [kai] in [en] all things [pas] I am instructed [mueo] both [kai] to be full [chortazo] and [kai] to be hungry [peinao], both [kai] to abound [perisseuo] and [kai] to suffer need [hustereo]. 13 I can do [ischuo] all things [pas] through [en] Christ [Christos] which [ho] strengtheneth [endunamoo] me [me]. KJV-Interlinear 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. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. NASB The conclusion of this passage is in verse 19, but we will get there probably in the next lesson. Contentment is the subject. Contentment in whatever circumstances you might find yourself. Now here is the key to living the Christian life, the spiritual life. The focus of your life should not be on material gain nor even the expectation of it, but your focus should be on your spiritual advancement to maturity. God will take care of you no matter what your situation may be and you may find yourself in many different situations throughout your life. You may be rich. You may be poor. You may be somewhere in between most of your life. You may even bounce from one end to the other like a roller coaster. No matter what your situation is you should always be thankful to God for whatever you have. God did not place us here so we could be stroking Him like a rabbits foot for luck. Where is that rabbit anyway? God did not place us here in this life to have perfect health, perfect personalities, perfect abilities, perfect scores on our exams, perfect results in all that we do. God did not place us here to occupy this planet for all eternity. God did not place us here to advance mankind and send him to the stars to populate the universe. We are here to settle the angelic conflict. To participate in Gods plan for unfolding human history through each of the respective dispensations which have already come and gone, which exist currently, and which will exist in the future. There is the current dispensation which will be complete when the rapture occurs. Then the Age of Israel will finish its last seven years in a period we call the Tribulation. Then the Millennium still has to have its turn. Then human history will be complete, and eternity will begin for us all. During our life time we should expect anything to happen. In Central America they had that earthquake and I'm sure many were taken by surprise. Many lives will be torn apart because of the losses. Here in the USA we have our problems too. Energy prices are on the rise. We use propane here on the ranch and that price just went to $1.84 per gallon. A year ago we were paying half that amount. I heard from someone who lives in France and their sales tax is 20%. Here in Oregon we have no sales tax.. So what is on the horizon? An energy crisis? A recession? A depression? A war? Perhaps further prosperity for years to come? No matter what is lying in store for us all, we need to remember one thing. All things come to us from God. He sees our needs and provides for us accordingly. God has a plan for the human race and human history. It will include periods of prosperity, war, famine, blessing and heartache. When we get caught up in the down side of that history, we still need to maintain our faith and our daily study. We cannot blame God for our losses or our pain, but thank God for His provision in keeping us alive and in doctrine even during the most trying times. We can do all things because of Gods strength, and Gods strength is in the Bible doctrine which we have learned. Before we learn Bible doctrine we are weak and unable to cope spiritually because we have no spiritual life. Not until we have learned Bible doctrine, not until we have grown up spiritually, not until we have learned about life and what it is all about, not until we have accomplished these things are we in a position to be contented and even poised no matter what comes our way. Ever wonder what that sanctuary stuff was all about, from the Old Testament? The establishment of sanctuary cities or even churches where people could go to escape persecution or even prosecution? That is where we need to run to in this life - to a sanctuary. Where is that? Fellowship! There is no where on this earth or even in this universe you can run to, to escape people or life in general. But in doctrine there is a place spiritually that you can run to and that place is within your own soul, the place of fellowship. Your residence inside Gods palace, inside Gods fortress. So while the world swirls around you, and it will from time to time, you will be safe and in Gods care regardless of your circumstances. Think about it.
End Of Lesson Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth. 
|
