Paul, Shaul writing, and he said, "But I rejoice 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. Everywhere 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 strengtheneth 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 for Macedonia, no assembly communicated with me. I am fully 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 Apaphroditus the things which were sent from you in order of sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory." And according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Now unto God and our Father. Be glory forever and ever. Amen. 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. Amen. Well, this is the final words of Paul, Shaul, as he's writing to the brothers and sisters in the city of Philippi. You can see, brothers and sisters, that the passage we read is really tuning down as the Apostle Paul now not so much speaking about the Philippians, but a little bit more here about himself. Notice, about 18 times, the Apostle Paul wrote this word, "I, me, or my." 18 times, beginning from verse 10, "But I rejoice in the Lord greatly." Again and again, they use this expression, "I, me, and my," at the last portion of the epistle to the Philippians.

And I would like to remind you that we have talked about it quite a few times in our last ministry meeting that every chapter is divided into something that has to do with the person of Yeshua, the Messiah. We said that in chapter 1, verse 21, the Messiah became our life when he died for us on the tree. We said in chapter 2 and verse 5 that the Messiah become our example. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in the Messiah Yeshua." We said that in chapter 3, the Messiah become our object, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, Paul said in chapter 3 and verse 10.

But here in this fourth chapter, the Messiah became the strength of the believer as he or she walking here in this world. And the verse, of course, is in verse 13 where Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ, through the Mashiach, the Messiah, which give me the necessary strength in my life." And so Paul now, in this last portion of Philippians, he is now presenting before the brothers and sisters in Philippi the need not so much to have the peace of God that we read in the earlier verses of our chapter, but this time the importance of contentment in the life of the believer.

I don't know if you are like me, but at times in my life as a believer, I'm not content. It seems to be that there are certain things in my life that I wanted to achieve or to arrive to or to accomplish. And for one reason or another, I was not successful in that. You probably feel the same in your own life. It doesn't matter how many years you are believers. You might be a one-year believer or 25 years or 50 years as a believer in Yeshua, the Messiah. You notice that the experience of the believer is so real that many, many times we are not achieving what we had in mind to achieve, what we set as a goal in our lives as believers, but for one reason or another, the Lord has not allowed us to achieve that.

And the Lord is really teaching the believer to seek to be content, to be satisfied, to say that's what the Lord allowed me to have. That's what the path that you have allowed me to go. That's the accomplishment that the Lord allowed me to accomplish. And I am content in every situation that I find myself in. I remember an older brother years ago used to tell us all the time. In fact, he used to pray in the prayer meeting on his knees. He used to say those words. Abba Father, help us to acknowledge every situation where we find ourselves at. Help us to accept whatever trials, whatever challenge that we are experiencing today in our life.

He praying to the Father and asking the Father to help us to accept this and to be content in every situation we find ourselves. But of course, we know that because of our human nature. Because we are sometime acting not in the Spirit of God, not led by the Spirit, but allowing the flesh to have its own way. We are a time not content. And so this passage that Paul now writing at the end of the letter to the Philippians, he really emphasizes the importance of being content. And he set himself as an example. That's why we have here 18 times the word I, me, and my mentioned in those verses.

So there are a few things that he's highlighting here. First of all, the first thing that he's mentioned is found in verse 10 where we begin our reading. The need to realize that the Lord is sovereign over all. That God is sovereign. He knows everything that is going on in your life and in my life and in the life of all the children of God. God is sovereign. And notice what Paul is saying here in verse 10. But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at last your care of me hath flourished again, wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. You see what he's saying here?

He says, first of all, I rejoice in the Lord. You remember he said it earlier. Rejoice in the Lord always in verse 4. And again I say rejoice. But this time he doesn't tell them so much to rejoice. He already said it to the Philippians. But he's now saying about himself. And really what he's saying, he says, I rejoice in the Lord. He says, I rejoice so greatly in him because look what happened. Now at last your care of me hath flourished. In other words, they have intended the Philippian believers to support him, to help him, to care for him. And they were not successful every time.

But here now, this man by the name of Apophroditus finally have arrived and have given to him the gift that the Philippian believers wanted to bring to this apostle, the servant of the Lord. And so here the apostle Paul realized that God is the one who is sovereign over all the things that are going on. He knows his need because he's in Rome without the privileges of liberty which they have had. And God knows the situation that the apostle Paul finds himself in prison and all because of the gospel message. And at times he didn't receive the help that he needed and he wanted. And other times it was successful.

And he really realized that God is sovereign. It's so wonderful, beloved brothers and sisters, to learn in our lives as believers, to realize that God knows everything from the beginning to the end. And from the end to the beginning, he is sovereign over all things. His providence is upon the lives of all the believers. He knows every situation that you and I may find ourselves in. Even though sometimes to our shame and to our loss we don't realize it or we don't take it to heart. And we ask the question, where was the Lord when I needed him? Why does he allow for me to experience such a persecution and rejection and misunderstanding and trials and problems in my life?

But Paul, showing to us in verse 10, he says, I rejoice in the Lord. He is sovereign. He knows that I needed assistance and encouragement from the Philippian brothers and sisters. And yet he allowed me to wait on that. And in due time, he brought the necessary help for the apostle Paul. I want to mention a few things. God is not only before all things. God is also transcending above all things. He knows all things. He owns all things. He rules over all things. And he can do all things. Now, I know it's a nice thing to say theologically, but it is another thing to appropriate this to our own lives as believers.

And to learn to be content in spite where things are difficult, it is not easy thing to practice. But Paul encouraging the believers and he's saying to them, God is sovereign and I'm accepting the situation that I find myself today in prison. He is the one that sovereign who knows all situations. I want you to turn to Isaiah chapter 46. Israel, our people of old were told by the Lord in verse 9 and 10. Remember the former things of old. For I am God and there is none like me. Listen, declaring the end from the beginning. And from ancient time the things that are not yet done. Now, this is amazing.

God is saying to our people, Israel of old, who have been also going through trials and difficulties. He's saying to Israel, listen, I want you to remember. You know, we have a very short memory. We often only remember things that we shouldn't remember. And we forget the things that we should remember. And Paul learned that in his life as a believer. Listen, I know that God is sovereign and he allowed me to experience some things in my life today that I need to learn because he's caring for me and he wants me to learn to be content. Knowing that God is the one that is sovereign over all things.

We read in the book of Psalms 147. These are the words that were spoken by our people of old, the prophets of Israel and for our people of Israel in those days. But it's applied to you and I today as well. And look what it says in verse 5. Great is our Lord and of great power. His understanding is infinite. You can't measure the understanding of the Lord. He knows very well what situation you and I find ourselves at today. He knows the trial that you and I are going today. He knows the problems that you and I have today. And he wants to teach us to be content in every situation that we find ourselves these days, beloved brothers and sisters.

This is so precious when you think about those verses. I have multiple verses that we can read. I want to read just one or two more verses in the New Testament. If you don't mind to turn to Hebrews chapter 4. And I want to read verses 12 and 13. We know that verse 12 says, For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of thunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intent of the heart. And then look what it says in verse 13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight.

But all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. You see what the apostle was saying to the Hebrew believers. He said to them, Listen, brethren, everything is open before the eyes of the Lord. He knows your trials. He knows your problems. He knows your issues in your life. He knows the opposition that you experience. And he loved you so much. He loved his own people. He didn't save us in order to cast us out. He redeemed us so we will be conformed to the image of his son, to Yeshua the Messiah. And he knows everything about our lives.

All things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. And so the apostle Paul in prison writing to the brothers and sisters in Philippi, and he's saying to them, Brethren, I want you to realize that the Lord is sovereign. Whatever you go through in your life, he knows that. Whatever trials that you experience in your life, he knows that. Perhaps you and I had goals. I'm speaking for myself. I had goals and desires in my life. And for one reason or another, the Lord didn't give it to me. But does that change the fact that he loves me?

That he cares for me? It doesn't change this one bit. His love for us never change. And the fact that we need to learn to be content is being really presented before us here by the apostle Paul Shaul, who said God is sovereign. He knows everything about his own people. He knows everything about our life. One more verse I want to read. Famous verse that we all know very well by heart. Romans 8 and verse 28. Again, the writer is Shaul Paul. For we know, Paul is saying, not we think, not we feel, but we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

Now, brothers and sisters, listen. If God has a purpose for you and for me, and there is something in our life that hinders this purpose to be accomplished, do you think God is going to allow us to go in that way and yet to accomplish his purpose in our life? No. In fact, the opposite. Sometimes he will send trials in our own life in order to drive us closer to him. So we will be more like Yeshua, the Messiah in our life. And that's why sometimes we have some problems in our lives. Sometimes we feel like we want to grab our hair and pull them.

Why, Lord, me, why? I worked so hard towards this goal. I wanted so badly for this to be accomplished. And it didn't happen. Lord, why? And the answer, of course, is here. For we know that all things work together for good. Not only good things work together, but all things. Sometimes, some things need to happen in our life in order that God will accomplish his purposes in our life. What do you think he saved us for? Why did Yeshua die? Why did he suffer on the tree? Why did he cry, Elohi, Elohi, lama azavtani? My God, my God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?

Why was he forsaken? So you and I will carry on in our own life and not be driven closer to him? That's not the reason why he saved us. He saved us so we will follow him and live for him. And when we don't, it's not his fault, it's mine, it's yours, it's ours. And so the Lord is encouraging us through the apostle. And the apostle Paul wants to remind us, if you are going to learn contentment, you have to accept the fact that God is sovereign. He's the one that is before all things. He transcends all things. He knows all things. He owns all things.

He rules over all things. And he can do all things. He's sovereign. That's why he is God and you and I are not. He is from above. We are from below. He is the creator. We are the creatures. He is supreme. And we are here at his mercy. And he saved us. He loved us. Again, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him shall not perish. We who deserve to be perished, but to have everlasting life. That's the grace of God that our apostle Paul is exhibiting here in this passage. Well, the first thing to learn is that God is sovereign.

May the Lord help us, dear brothers and sisters, to learn this in our own life. He is sovereign. He know why he placed us in this country and not in another country. Imagine there are people who live today in countries that they don't have food to eat. They are scared to come to a meeting where the Bible is read because they have fear of those who oppose Yeshua, the Messiah. They have no home of their own. Imagine how blessed we are to live in this country with all the privileges the Lord had given unto us. Well, that's the first thing, verse 10. Now, in verse 11, 12, and 13, there's a second need that the believer have, not only to understand that God is sovereign, but also to realize that the Lord is able to provide in every situation.

And I told you this before, that there's one brother who said in his writings, "We trust God for our eternal soul, but we don't trust Him for a piece of bread." It's so interesting, isn't it? We have already committed ourselves to the Lord. We said, "Lord, I'm a sinner. I fail you, and I need forgiveness of sins." And we have entrusted to Him our eternal soul, that we're going to go to be with Yeshua in heaven. But don't you feel like we have everyday problems to trust Him for a piece of bread, to pay all the bills that we have and all the things that happen in our life?

We often can say, "Lord, I believe, I trust you, but help my unbelief." And so in verses 11, 12, and 13, look what Paul is saying. Something that again, you and I need to learn that not only God is sovereign, verse 10, but God is also able. Sometimes we sing that song, "He is able, He is able, I know He is able, I know my Lord is able to carry me through." Well, look what we read here. In verse 11, he says, "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 abase and I know how to abound everywhere, 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 Messiah, which strengtheneth me." Here is the theme of chapter 4. The Messiah is our strength. And so the apostle, Paul right now, is really encouraging the Philippians and speaking about himself again. He says, "Look about me. I have learned to be content." Now notice two words here. Number one, I've learned. And number two, the word content. It's very interesting. Actually, the word content here, in verse 11, is the Greek word, and I made a note, A-U-T-A-R-K-E-S. A-U-T-A-R-K-E-S. Any Bible teacher that is explaining this is saying the word content is independent of external circumstances. Now that does not mean that he became independent from the Lord, no.

But independent from external circumstances. That means that some days are beautiful days. Things are easy. Life seems to go very easy. Very little problems in the life of the believer. But there are some times in the life that things are coming without problems, difficulties, challenges, hardships in the life of the believer. And here the Apostle Paul says, "I have learned to be independent from external circumstances." In other words, if things are shifting, and things are not as good as they used to be yesterday, I've learned to adjust myself to this situation. Like the thermostat and thermometer. The thermostat here is adjusting the temperature to whichever temperature you want.

If it's cold, you make it warmer. If it's warm, you make it cooler. But a thermometer is not adjusting itself. It's being adjusted by circumstances. And the word for learning here is learning by experience. You see, you don't go to school to learn to be content. You cannot get a diploma in some Bible college that says, "Brother so-and-so, sister so-and-so become now a content person." You don't learn this from in school. The only school we learn this is in the school of God. In the school of experiences. And that's why the Apostle Paul said, "I've learned by experience to be independent of external circumstances." And so, he had some days that he had easier time.

And he had some days that he had difficult times. And right now, when he writes this letter, he is in prison. What would you and I do if we are in prison because of our faith? And when we are bound and chained to soldiers because we believe that Yeshua is the Messiah? Sometimes one wonders, how would we behave in a time such as this? Would we say, "Lord, thank you for allowing me to be here in this situation?" I'm not sure about that unless the Lord helps us to do so. You remember when the Apostle Paul was in jail, in prison, in Philippi. And he was there in jail with Silas.

And the jailer came to make sure that everybody is there. But then, in a miraculous way, the doors were open and the chains came off. At the same time, of course, the Apostle Paul was singing. You know, I was talking to my dear wife, Irene, and I said, "You know, when I was younger, I used to always sing." I was happy, singing in Hebrew, in Yerushalayim, to all the songs that we as Jewish people in the land of Israel sing. But it is interesting, when I became a believer, and when trial came along, when I should be singing and being much more happy in Yeshua the Messiah, all the time, when I look at my heart, and I look at myself, and I look at circumstances, I don't sing as much.

And why? It's not because the Lord is not good. It's because trials in our life, problems in our life, you become less and less happy the way you used to be years ago. But the opposite should happen because now we have Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord and our Savior who forgive all our sins. And yet, at times, brothers and sisters, because we are not content, and because we don't realize that the Lord is not only sovereign, but He is able to take care of us, it is our own fault that we are not thankful, we are not content, we are not independent from external circumstances.

And so the Apostle Paul is showing this to us here in this passage. Turn to 1 Timothy chapter 6, verse 6. Again, it was the Apostle Paul who wrote to his younger brother Timothy, and he said to him, Godliness with contentment is great gain. You know how we see a brother or sister who are maturing? Two things. Godliness and contentment. It's a gain. It's a gain. Spiritual gain. They become more vessels of blessing among the people of God. Because godliness and contentment become part of their lives. Here's another verse. Hebrews chapter 13, verse 5. The writer is writing and he says, Then let your conversation be without covetousness. And be content with such things as ye have, for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Of course, the Apostle was quoting what God said to Israel in Deuteronomy chapter 31, where God promised our people Israel never to forsake the nation of Israel. And what you think it is with the body of Messiah, the body of Christ. He promised every one of us never to forsake us. For he had said, I'll never leave you, nor forsake you. And so, Paul is really saying, not only that we need to know that God is sovereign, but we also need to know that God is able to take care of his own people. And Paul says, I have learned through experience to be independent of external circumstances as the Lord trains me in my life as a believer.

If you and I are honest with each other, we can honestly say that from the first day we became believers in Yeshua, we have more problems than before we became believers in Yeshua. And you ask yourself, why? Well, you have entered into a school. You have not only received a ticket to go to heaven, but you and I have entered into a school. We became now disciples, Talmidim of Yeshua the Messiah. And he's training us. We are in training. And the only graduating time will be when the Lord will take us to be with him in glory. When we're going to be absent from the body and present with the Lord, either dying here in this world, passing out of this world, or where they're catching up, going to be according to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4.

The rest of the time we are in training. And we sometimes fail. We need to get up. We need to continue on to trust the Lord. And the Lord restore us again and again and lead us on. So, in verse 11, I'm back to verses 11, 12, and 13. The need to realize that the Lord is able to provide for us. Notice what Paul is saying now, that I am instructed to be content. And again, that word instructed, M-Y-E-O, M-I-E-O in the Greek, is to be initiated into an intimate knowledge of something. We have been initiated into an intimate knowledge with our Lord Jesus Yeshua the Messiah. Look at this, what it says in verse 12.

I know both how to abase and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I am instructed. Both to be full and to be hungry. Both to abound and to suffer need. Now, it is interesting that he uses that word, I am instructed. This tells us that we have entered into a relationship with the Lord. And we are in training. And that's why he says, I am instructed. Only the Talmid, the disciple, is being instructed by his master, by his teacher. And the Lord is instructing us. And notice the apostle here used those six words here. To contradict us. Three duels, you might say.

And three opposite of one another. To have a little and to have a lot. To be well fed and to be hungry. To have plenty and to have a need. Do you know, it is amazing how true it is in our own life. We not always know how to be balanced when things are well with us. But only when things are bad, we turn to the Lord for help. And when things are good, we neglect to trust the Lord and still seek to go through this schooling. To be this instruction of following the Lord and accepting things in the life of each and every one of us.

When things are well with us, we neglect to stay balanced. We neglect to be content. But when things are poor, oh, then we turn to the Lord. And then we ask help, Lord. And then the Lord meet our need one way or another. And it seems to be that only then we turn our hearts to him. But when things are well, we forget the Lord. And we are not dealing wisely in this situation. I am reminded very clearly in the life of Yosef. This one favored son of Yaakov, Jacob our father. Yosef was sold by his own brethren to Egypt. To the Midianites, Ishmaelite, they took him down to Egypt.

And you remember he was in the house of Potiphar first. And then they cast him into prison second. And then in prison, there were the butler and the baker who had those dreams. And Joseph have interpreted their dreams. And you remember what he said to the one of them whose head had been lifted up and he was restored. He said, when things are well with thee, remember me. But he forgot about him. As long that he was in prison and he had the dream and he needed the help of Yosef, he came to him for help. But when things were well with him and he was restored to the position, he completely forgot about Yosef.

And it is only by divine design that later on God reminded him when Pharaoh had those dreams. And Pharaoh needed someone to interpret his dream. Then this man remembered, oh, there was a Hebrew. Ivri in prison. In prison. He is the one that gave me the interpretation of my dream. He will be able to help you. And sure indeed. And you remember what happened. He became second to the king of Egypt. Second to the whole land of Egypt. Yosef, this Hebrew, this boy that was sold by his own brethren, rejected by his own family and was in prison and in the pit and ultimately away from his family.

All of a sudden he became second to Pharaoh. And you can tell me that God is not sovereign? How is it possible? For 13 years, he was rejected. And then his very own brethren came down to him. And then they bowed to Yosef. And they acknowledged him. And of course, Yosef, Joseph, is a type of Yeshua, our Messiah. One of the greatest types in the Bible about our Lord Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah. So, we are not only to recognize and realize that God is sovereign. We are to realize that God is able to provide. And here we can see very clearly how the Apostle Paul have learned to be content in verse 11.

And he was instructed to be content in verse 12. He was the one that realized that he had been initiated to enter into this relationship with our Lord Yeshua. He knew how to live with little. He knew how to live with a lot. He knew how to be well fed. He knew how to be hungry. He knew how to have plenty. And he knew how to have need. And so now notice that. In verse 13. This is the theme of this chapter. And here the Apostle Paul declares, Notice again, it's I. Now he says in verse 13. Now he says in verse 13. I, this is Paul. He says, I can do all things.

But then, he doesn't say on my own. But he says, through the Messiah, which strengtheneth me. You know, it is so true, isn't it brothers and sisters. Things that we would never believe that we could have done those things. When we lean on the Lord and when we pray and read his word and trust him and wait on him. There are things that we can do with his strength. All things I can do through the Messiah, which give me the strength. We cannot do it on our own. We are not exhorted to trust ourselves and to trust our own ability to do things. We are exhorted to trust in the Lord with all our heart.

And not to lean on our own understanding in all our ways to acknowledge him. And he is going to direct our path. You know, Yeshua said in John chapter 15, in verse 5. He says, I am divine. Ye are the branches. He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. Why? Because for without me ye can do nothing. The source of the ability to do that which is honoring to the Lord in a world that is filled with trials is our link with Yeshua. Abiding close to him. And we can say with the Apostle Paul, I can do all things. Not on my own, but through the Mashiach, the Messiah, which give me the strength.

And that is so beautiful to see how Paul could say this to the Philippian believers. I can do all things through Yeshua, the Messiah, which give me strength. Now let's look at the last verses here. Verses 14 to 20. Here's the third thing that Paul wanted the believers to realize and he speak about himself. The need to know that the Lord is also faithful to his promises. You know, if there's anyone who is not faithful in our relationship with the Lord, it's not him to us, but it's us to him. If there's any that is unfaithful at times, it's not him, it's always us. And so you notice, first he commended the Philippians for their care for him in verse 14.

And he said, notwithstanding, ye have well done that ye did communicate with my affliction. He commended them and he says, listen, you care for me. You knew I was in affliction in prison and you've done well. Done well, he's commending them. Verse 15, Paul is reminding the Philippians that they only were the one who supported him while others have not supported him. He's saying to them in verse 15, now ye Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. Imagine the Apostle Paul ministering in various locations to the saints, teaching the word of God, and none of them ministered unto him, but the Philippians did.

The Philippians, according to his, did so. Turn with me to 2 Corinthians chapter 11 for a moment. There's a verse here that is very interesting. Paul said to the Corinthians who pride themselves, claimed to be so spiritual, and yet there was so much carnality in the local assembly at the Corinthians. Look what he says in verse 7. Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted because I have preached unto you the gospel of God freely? And then he said in verse 8, I robbed other churches, taking wages of them to do you service. You know what the Apostle Paul is saying? Listen, I ministered among you, Corinthians, and I end up robbing other local assemblies so you can benefit.

Because they were looking at him and they were accusing him. And he says to them, listen, you accuse me? I've robbed other local assemblies, other churches, so I can give you the time and the energy and the service and the ministry of spiritual benefits from the preaching of the word. And you accuse me? And then on the other side in the Philippians he says, only you have ministered to me concerning giving and receiving. See how interesting Paul is presenting himself before the Philippians. Now notice what he says in the next verse. I'm back to Philippians chapter 4. In verse 16 Paul is saying the Philippians were faithful to care for Paul for even in Thessalonica he sent once and again to my necessity.

Look at this. This is an amazing local assembly, the Philippians. Again and again they were trying to help him in his ministry. And finally the gifts that the Apophaditis have brought have arrived here. But it's amazing to see how the believers at Philippians thought so much about this man by the name of Paul and cared for him. And so in verse 17 now Paul says, I am so thankful for the fruit that is for the Philippians to show as before the Lord. And so notice it says in verse 17, not because I desire a gift he is saying to them, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Another, when the Philippians cared and ministered to the apostle Paul, in a sense they were serving with him in the gospel. They were participants with him in the work of the gospel. And he says, it's not that I'm desiring for you to give me a gift, but it is for your fruit. And it is for your account. And you know, God is looking at our lives, right? And he says, how do we live our life? How do we minister the word? How do we deal in many things in our life? And it's like an accounting you might say. And God says, you know what? Here is another fruit for their account.

And now notice what he says in verse 18. But I have all. And I abound. He says, I have plenty. I am full, having received of Apaphroditus. You remember this man by the name of Apaphroditus? We read about him in chapter 2. In verse 25, we read about him. He says, I suppose it necessary to send to you, Apaphroditus, my brother, my companion in labor, and fellow soldiers. But your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants, to my needs. Apaphroditus was a messenger that was sent by the brothers and sisters from Philippi to pass to the apostle Paul. And to share with him what was going on in Philippi.

So now he's saying, listen, I have all, I am abound, I am full, having received of Apaphroditus the things which are sent from you. And now notice what he's saying. That whatever they were sending to the apostle Paul become a sweet smell, a sacrifice that is acceptable and well-pleasing to God. You see, every time when we think of a sacrifice, through the word of God, we often think about a sacrifice as an animal that is being killed. It's blood was shed upon the altar, and God forgave the sinner who offered a sacrifice. But now we learn from the Brita Hadashah, from the new covenant, that the sacrifices are not only a blood of an animal that was shed.

And of course, the sacrifice of our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, who shed his precious blood in order to save us. But now we learn that there are many sacrifices that are really, as it says, like a sweet smell to the nostrils of God when he sees the believers practice those things. One of them is here is the gift that they were sending. They were sending a gift to the apostle Paul, and this gift become an order of sweet smell, a sacrifice that is acceptable and well-pleasing to God. You know that most of those who serve the Lord will never be able to do the Lord's work except the believers support them.

You know that our radio program of Holy Scriptures in Israel is supported by believers. And otherwise, we're not going to be able to be on the radio. And whatever we do, our livelihood, those of us who serve the Lord, are so thankful for the support of our brothers and sisters. And here's the apostle Paul, who was in prison, says, "Here is what Epaphroditus brought from the Philippians become a sweet smell, sacrifice, acceptable, well-pleasing to God." Notice a very interesting verse, 1 Peter 2:5. Peter said those words to all believers in Yeshua the Messiah. He says, "Ye also a living stones. You have built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood." Why we are now all holy priesthood?

For the purpose to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus the Messiah. You see what happened, beloved brothers and sisters? Really now, you and I, all believers in Yeshua the Messiah, not only believers who become part of the family of God, but we are priests. And we are also a royal priest, so we are to offer sacrifices that are well-pleasing to the Lord. So how our sacrifices are being presented? Notice here, there are various ways. In this case, in Philippians chapter 4 and verse 18, the gifts that the apostle Paul received from the Philippians became a sweet-smelling order, a sacrifice acceptable unto the Lord, unto God, well-pleasing to the Lord.

But not only that. Look at this. Romans chapter 12 and verses 1 and 2. Here's another sacrifice that you and I offer today. Paul again is writing and he says, "I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Even the way our bodies are being used, the Lord wanted to be used as a sacrifice, as it says here, unto God, well-pleasing to the Lord, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable or your spiritual service.

That's what he's calling a sacrifice again. Notice Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 15 and 16. The apostle is now mentioning there are additional sacrifices that the believers are to offer by him. This is by Yeshua the Messiah. Therefore, let us offer what we are to offer, the sacrifice of praise to God continually. You know, when we praise God, when we sing and praise him for who he is and for what we have done, we are lifting up these spiritual sacrifices to God. But now that's what he says in verse 16. But to do good and to communicate, forget not, for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased. You know, our good works and good deeds that we are doing, helping and ministering and comforting and visiting, these become sacrifices that God is well pleased.

These are spiritual sacrifices today. And we can go on, there are plenty of others that we can read. Even the ministering the gospel according to Romans 15 and verse 16 become a sacrifice that is very well pleasing to the Lord. And so now, beloved brothers and sisters, the apostle Paul in verse 19 and verse 20, Paul now assured the Philippians of God supplying now for them in return. Notice he says something that is very interesting. Notice, but my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by the Messiah Yeshua, by Christ Jesus. Notice he says, you have ministered to me, but let me tell you, beloved brothers and sisters of the city of Philippi.

My God, Paul is saying, he will supply your need. But then he's saying, according to his riches in glory. Notice he doesn't say from his riches, but according to his riches. In other words, God is able to supply to the Philippians according to his riches and it's going to be by the Lord and through the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. God is able to minister to the need. It's not only physical need, but also spiritual need. And it is according to his riches. If you read Ephesians chapter 1, you notice how many times the word according. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, who have blessed us with every spiritual blessing, according as he has chosen us in the Messiah before the foundation of the world.

The word according in chapter 1 of the book of Ephesians mentioned quite a few times. It's not from his riches, but according to his riches. And then verse 20, the Apostle Paul give all the glory to the Lord. And notice how beautiful. He says, now unto God and Father be glory forever and ever. In other words, he gave all the glory to the Abba, the Father. It is, of course, through the Ben, the Son, the Messiah. But it is to the Father. Whatever the situation that happened, the blessing that he had enjoyed through the believers in Philippi, all is giving the glory to God the Father. And he does it in the name of Yeshua the Messiah.

Look at the conclusion in verses 21, 22, and 23. Paul really acknowledges every believer, every brother, and all the brothers and sisters. He doesn't pass by. Everyone is important in Philippi. Everyone is there, part of the family of God. And notice how he concludes. He used the word "every" and "all" in those verses. In verse 21 and 22, he salutes the saints. He says, "Salute every saint." Now, what is a saint? A saint is a person who has accepted Yeshua as his or her Lord and Savior. Automatically, positionally, he or she became saints. In Hebrew, "mekudash," or "kadosh," "sanctified person." Positionally, even though at times they are not acting like saints.

Then he says, "The brethren which are with me greet you." Now notice, apparently, there were some believers. He was in prison in Rome and there were already brethren there. Well, how they became brethren there? You know, the Apostle Paul was busy sharing the Gospel. He was telling everyone that came across into his path, "Let me tell you about the one who loves you and his name is Yeshua, Jesus. He is the one who gave his life for you." And many turned to the Lord because of his faithfulness to share the message. And notice now in verse 22, he says, "All the saints salute you." And now notice what he did.

"Chiefly they that are of Caesar's household." Now you can see, beloved brothers and sisters, what happened even in the household of Caesar. The Kesar, we call it in Hebrew. The Kesar claimed to be God. And even in Caesar's household, there were those that now became believers in Yeshua the Messiah. And they are called saints in verse 22. "All the believers, all the sanctified ones are saluting you chiefly of they that are of Caesar's household." Now if you remember, and please bear with me, go to chapter 1, verse 13 and 14. Paul said, "So that my bones in the Messiah are manifest in all the palace and in all the other places, that many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident in my bones are much more bold to speak the word without fear." Notice that he was apparently having influence on the people that are in Caesar's palace.

No one could stand beside Paul without somehow to leave him with a sense that here is a man that is unique. He believed in someone that is special. And so by the time he ended the letter, he says, "Listen, there are saints already in Caesar's household. And they are now saluting you from Rome, all those that became saints in the household of Caesar." And so finally, in conclusion, we have the verse 23. He is wishing for the grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah to be with you all. And he says, "Amen." He wishes for grace. You know, if we are going to continue on, if the Philippians are going to continue on to live for the Lord, they need grace.

In Hebrew we call it Chesed. Chesed Yeshua HaMashiach. We need the grace of God every day of our life because if we don't get His grace, we are no match here for the enemy of God. We are no match for our flesh. We need every day the grace of God. He says, "Chesed Yeshua HaMashiach Adoneinu Im Ruchachem." The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you all. And he closed with the word, "Amen." We can also say "Amen" to that because we need grace. Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that is greater than all our need, we sometimes sing. Peter in his second epistle say, "Grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Yeshua the Messiah." May the Lord bless us now, brothers and sisters, as we continue in studying the word of God chapter by chapter and verse by verse.

May he bless what had been taught in the book of Philippians.