Philippians 4:11 says, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  Paul said that he wasn't speaking to them about their helping him because he had wanted anything more for himself.  Paul said he had learned to be content whatever state he was in physically.  We need to learn to be the same way.  If we are following Christ to have great material wealth, or become disappointed in God when we struggle in the world, then we are following Him for the wrong reasons.  We need to be content in God, no matter what our physical or financial state may be.  Verse twelve states, 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.  Paul said he knew how it was to have more than enough and to not have near enough and to be hungry and full.  Sometimes, I believe that we are more faithful, or close to God, when we are in need than we are when we have an abundance.  It is important that we remain faithful, no matter our status in the world.  Verse thirteen declares, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  This is quite a statement of faith.  I believe that Paul meant that he could do all things that God led him to do through his faith in Christ.  We can do everything though the power of Christ if what we are doing is in accordance to His instruction and is for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.  Verse fourteen adds, Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.  Paul again commended the Christians at Philippi.  Paul never just bragged on himself for the purpose of having others glorify him, but always gave God the glory and acknowledged that others were being faithful to God as well.  If we begin to extol our own virtue so that other people might glorify us for our faith in God, then we have lost our focus.  Verse fifteen says, 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.  Paul said that when he departed Macedonia, that the church at Philippi was the only one to ask him about giving and receiving, which meant to support him in his travels to spread the gospel.  We today need to be very supportive of missionary work around the world.  We may not be able to go, but we can give.  Verse sixteen adds, For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  Paul said when he was in Thessalonica that they sent him support on more than one occasion.  We need to be noted for our support of mission work in the world today.  Verse seventeen continues, Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  Paul said that he wasn't acknowledging them because he wanted anything from them, but because their giving brought them a blessing from God.  We today should never give in order to bring a blessing to ourselves, nor should we ask others to give that we might be better supported.  Both giving and receiving should be done for the glory of God.  Verse eighteen declares, 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, wellpleasing to God.  Paul said he had everything he needed and more because of their generous giving, and that their giving was a sweet smelling sacrifice to God.  When we give generously to the work of God, it is a sweet smelling sacrifice to Him.  Verse nineteen adds, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Paul told the believers at Philippi that God would supply their every need according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ.  We cannot interpret this to mean that God is going to give us everything we desire.  Paul was in prison when he wrote this, and he wasn't writing to a bunch of rich people in Philippi, but to struggling Christians.  If we ask for something material from God, it must be so that the gospel might be spread further and that God may be glorified, and never just so that we may be enriched.  Verse twenty proclaims, Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  Paul said that everything that he had told them was to be for the glory of God the Father forever and ever, amen.  All that we do today should also be done for the glory of our heavenly Father.  Verse twenty-one states, Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.  Paul was closing his letter, and asking the Christians at Philippi to salute every saint in Jesus Christ and sending greetings from those that were with him.  Saints are not super religious people, but those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.   As followers of Christ, we are all saints, and no one has to declare us so.  Verse twenty-two adds, All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.  Paul said that their were even believers in Caesar's household, and they especially saluted the believers at Philippi.  We should never be surprised at where we find Christians today.  Then verse twenty three concludes, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.  This was written to the Philippians from Rome.  Paul closed by asking that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with them.  The best thing that we can do for fellow believers today is to ask for the grace of God to be with them.  We will next look at the book of Joshua.

Philippians 4:1 says.Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.  Paul spoke very highly of his fellow believers at Philippi.   Then, he asked them to stand fast in the Lord.  Even if we are highly spoken of because of our faith in Christ, we must never falter, but stand fast in that faith.  If we do falter, then we must ask forgiveness and return to that steadfast faith.  Verse two states, I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.  Paul speaks of two women, Syntyche and Euodias, who it would seem were disagreeing with one another, asking them to be of the same kind in the Lord.   As followers of Christ, if we disagree with another believer, we should pray that God would lead us to be of the same mind in Christ.  If we are, then we will always do what is right.  Verse three says, And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, 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.  Paul did not demand that the other Christians help these two women, who he called fellow laborers of his in the gospel, but he humbly asked them to.  Paul had no doubt that their names, as well as Clement and others, was written in the book of life.  If we have disagreements with other Christians, that does not remove their name or ours from the Book of life.  Once we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, we are forever saved.  Verse four states, Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Paul did not say occasionally rejoice, or when things are going well rejoice, but to rejoice always in the Lord.  Paul was in prison, yet he was rejoicing in the Lord.  When we rejoice based on our earthly situation, we may not often rejoice, but if we rejoice in our redemption through our faith in Christ, we always have a reason to rejoice.  Verse five declares, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Paul asks them to live in moderation, because the Lord is at hand.  Paul said they were to do this because the Lord was at hand.  Through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life if we are a Christian, the Lord is always at hand.  Verse six states, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  Verse seven adds, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Just as Paul told the Christians at Philippi then, we aren't to live in fear, but we are to make our needs known to God by fear and supplication.  Paul didn't say we were to make our wants known, but our needs, and that we were to do so with thanksgiving.  When we turn everything over to God, then we will know the peace of God, which we can not truly understand with human thought.  Verse eight declares, 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.  Paul called on them to seek those things that true, honest, just and pure.  These would be the things of God, and these are the things that we today as followers of Christ should be seeking.  Verse nine adds, 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.  Paul held himself up as an example, not from his life before he became a Christian, but from his time after.  If we hold ourselves up as an example of what it means to be  Christian, we better be sure that we are living by the principles that God teaches us.  Verse ten concludes, 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.  Paul said that he rejoiced in their care for him during the last year.  He said he knew before that they lacked the opportunity.  We can only help others when we have the opportunity, and we cannot help everyone.

Philippians 3:16 says, Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.  Paul told the Christians to walk according to the salvation that they had already attained by faith.  They were not to obey God to attain salvation, but because they already had by accepting Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  Like them, we are to walk in obedience to our faith, not to attain salvation, but because as followers of Christ, we have already attained it.  Verse seventeen states,  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  Paul said that they were to look to him as an example.  At this time, he was imprisoned for his faith.  Of course, Paul did not say that he was the only one that they could use for an example of faithfulness to Christ, but he did say that any others that they used should walk in faith as he did.  I believe too often today we use those who profess to follow Christ and are very successful materially as examples to follow.  At times, they may even encourage us to use them as example if we want to be materially successful, but we were never promised material success in the world, so I believe that we need to be wary of them.  It is not impossible to be a Christian and be rich, but when someone declares that if we are faithful enough to Christ that He will make us rich, then they need to look at Paul, who instead of being rich was imprisoned.  Verse eighteen adds,  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  Then verse nineteen concludes, Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)  I believe that this is as clear a warning as there can be that not all who profess to be Christians really are.  Paul said that he had already warned the followers of Christ at Philippi about them, and that he did so with weeping.  Paul said that these who professed to follow Christ but didn't were ruled by their belly, or material things.  We need to be just as concerned about those who proclaim any way of faith other than the way of the cross.  If we are only following Christ for material success, then we are attempting to follow for the wrong reason.  Verse twenty declares, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  Paul said their conversation was in heaven from whence they looked for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul was referring too all those whom it was good to follow as an example.  Our life today should point others to Jesus Christ and should always be lived in obedience to Him.  Verse twenty-one adds, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.  I believe that Paul was referring to a change that will occur as soon as we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Though we may still live in this same old body for the rest of our life, we are to become a new creature by Christ.  Though we will not be perfect, we are a part of the family of God from the day we accept Jseus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and it should change our very nature.

Philippians 3:8 says, Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  Paul had been a powerful man in the Jewish religion.  He was well educated and looked up to by his peers.  He said counted this all as nothing but a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ as his Lord.  I don't believe that this means he had given up so much, but that what he had before, no matter how of much importance it was viewed by the world and by himself, was worth nothing.  Paul was saying not that he had sacrificed, but that he had gained.  We need to have that same attitude today.  We cannot look back feeling that we lost anything when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse nine states, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  Paul said he found righteousness through Christ and not through the law.  Righteousness can only come by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  We might try to find a right relationship with God through the law of God, and if anyone could, Paul could have, but he knew it was impossible.  Righteous, being in a right relationship with God, comes only through faith in Christ.  Verse ten declares, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  By faith. Paul could know Jesus Christ.  By faith, we can know Jesus Christ.  Paul knew the power that came from the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ defeated sin and death by his resurrection.  Paul said that by faith he could know the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ.  We need that same type faith today.  We are not called to great affluence and power when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, but are called to be humble servants, taking up our cross daily.  Paul was willing to follow Jesus Christ even if it cost him his life.  The question is, "Are we?"  Verse eleven adds, If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  I believe that Paul was saying that he would willingly give up everything, even his life, to have an everlasting relationship with Christ.  I don't believe that he was questioning whether he might have this relationship, but was stating the truth of the fact that he did.  We today can have that same assurance.  Verse twelve continues, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Paul said he knew had not attained perfection, but that he strived for it through his faith in Christ.  He said he had been apprehended by Christ.  We today, as followers of Christ, are not perfect, but we are to strive for perfection through our faith in Christ.  Everything in our life should be apprehended, or controlled, by our faith in Christ.  Verse thirteen states, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  Paul said he hadn't achieved perfection, but that he did not look back on what he had before becoming a Christian, but that he looked ahead to what he was through his relationship with Christ.  Likewise, we cannot look back but must look ahead by faith in Christ.  Verse fourteen adds, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Paul said he pressed on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God through Jesus Christ.  We should recognize what a great calling we have through Christ today, and daily walk by faith in Him.  Verse fifteen concludes, Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  Paul asked that all the believers in Christ in Philippi be of a like mind as he was.  This is still the way that we should be as followers of Christ today.

Philippians 3:1 says, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.  It might seem strange to start a chapter with finally, but we have to remember that Paul did not write chapters and verses but a letter.  Chapters and verses were added many years later, but they in no way change the message.  Paul said that the Christians at Philippi were to rejoice in the Lord.  We should always rejoice in the Lord if we are followers of  Christ.  Paul said wetting these things was not grievous to him and for them it was safe.  Sharing God's word with others should never be grievous to us, and if it is accepted, it should bring spiritual safety to those who accept it.  Verse two warns, Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.  These dogs were not the four legged creatures, but people who would lead the believers in Christ at Philippi away from God, as were evil workers and those that would lead them to concision, or arguments and disagreements.  We need to beware of these same type people today, and we certainly should never be one of them.  Verse three adds, For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  Circumcision was a physical act that identified the people of Israel as the people of God.  Paul said that those who believed in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord were the circumcision, or people of God, now.  This was not a physical act, but a spiritual one, and they were to have no confidence in any physical acts to bring them into a right relationship with God.  Salvation is a spiritual relationship and always has been, even when the people of Israel used a physical act to identify as God's people.  The people still had to personally believe in God as the Creator, Sustainer, and ultimate Redeemer of humanity.  Verse four declares, Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:  Paul begins to give his credentials, not to say that this saved him, but to say that it didn't.  We can come from the best Christian family and be educated in the best Christian schools and it does not save us, just as Paul's earthly credentials did not save him.  Verse five adds, Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;  It would be hard for anyone to have a better heritage than Paul did, but he knew that his had only left him a lost person in the eyes of God.  Verse six adds, Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  Paul said that he was a very zealous Jew, persecuting Christians wherever he could.  We may not physically have persecuted Christians today, but if we have not accepted Christ and have spoken out against Him, we are just as guilty as Paul was.  Verse seven concludes, But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  This heritage that Paul had been proud of, that he counted for his credit, he now willingly counted them as loss for Christ.  We must likewise count everything that we did before accepting Christ as a loss, or of no value.

Philippians 2:19 says, But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.  Paul did not say he was just sending Timotheus, or Timothy, to them, but he was doing so under the guidance of the Lord Jesus, in Whom he put his trust.  Paul wanted a first hand report of the state of the Christians at Philippi.  As Christians, no matter what we want, we need to make sure that when our plans are made that made by the guidance of Christ and by our faith in Him.  Verse twenty states, For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.  I believe that Paul was saying that Timothy was of the same mind as he was and shared in his concern for the Christians at Philippi.  Paul wanted someone that he felt he could trust to go to them, and we should have other Christians that we can trust to do God's work if we cannot do it ourselves today.  Verse twenty-one declares, For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.  Paul said that too many of the others around him sought their own will and not the will of Christ.  I believe that Paul was referring to others who professed to be following Christ.  Hopefully, we would be one that Paul would send and not one seeking our own will.  Verse twenty-two adds,  But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.  Paul said that Timothy actions spoke to his obedience to Christ and that he was like a son to Paul.  Timothy had grown into a man of great faith.  We may not always start with great acts of faith, but we should always grow in our faith and our acts should speak for themselves.  Verse twenty-three says, Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.  Paul said he would send Timothy soon, since he thought that he would soon see how things would go for him.  Had Paul been set free, he might have gone with Timothy, but he was making plans for his not being set free.  If we were to be imprisoned for our faith, we would need to make plans for the work that we are doing for Christ to be carried on by others through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty-four adds, But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.  Paul was still trusting in the Lord that he would be able to come to them soon.  This did not mean that his trust would falter if he wasn't.  We should always trust that God will work out things for the best, but it may not always be the way that we want it to work out.  Verse twenty-five states, Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.  Paul said he planned to send Epaphroditus, his brother and fellow laborer in Christ.  Verse twenty-six adds, For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.  He said that Epaphroditus wanted to come to them, but that as they had heard he had been sick.  Verse twenty-seven continues, For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.  Paul said that God had healed Epaphroditus, much to Paul's relief.  We should feel a sadness when we hear of our fellow Christians being sick or otherwise suffering for the gospel.  Verse twenty-eight says, I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.  Paul said that he sent Epaphroditus more carefully, that when the Christians at Philippi saw him they could rejoice at his recovery.  Paul also said that this would make him less sorrowful, I believe because he knw that Epaphroditus would be in good hands.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:  Then verse thirty concludes, Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.  Paul asked them to receive Epharoditus with all gladness, because he had almost died because of his work for Christ, without regard for his own life.  We should pray that people can say the same thing about us today.

Philippians 2:12 says, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  Paul commended the Christians at Philippi for always being obedient, not to him, but to God.  Paul said they had done this when he was with them, but they did it even more so since he had been gone.  We do not obey men but God, and we should do so whether the preacher is present or not.  I have heard people say or do something wrong when a preacher is present and apologize to him, but God is there all the time and He is the One Who should be apologized to.  Then, Paul said that they were to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.  This did not mean that they could do anything to save themselves, other than accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord,  Until we accept the salvation of Christ personally, we should fear and tremble at our standing with God.  Verse thirteen states, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  Paul clarifies that it is God Who works to bring about their salvation and their calling.  It is because of the good pleasure of God that salvation is even possible, and it is also at His good pleasure that we are called to serve Him.  God does not need us to do His work, but He allows us to be a part of it.  Verse fourteen declares, Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  Murmurings and disputings are nothing new in the church.  Paul warned against them to the Christians at Philippi, and the warning still applies today.  Too often, church members, those who are supposed to be Christ's representatives in the world today, get mad at another member and leave the church.  If we are to be effective in presenting the gospel to the world, then we must learn to at least get along with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Verse fifteen adds, That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  Paul said that they were to do this so that they could be blameless and harmless sons of God without rebuke.  He also acknowledged that they were to do this in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation.  We may see the nation today as crooked and perverse, but we cannot be like those who do not know Christ.  We cannot lash out with hatred and anger.  We are called to be a shining light in the world, and we cannot do this if we act the same as the rest of the world.  Verse sixteen continues, Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  Paul said that they, like him, were to hold forth to the word of life, the gospel, so that they could rejoice together in the day of Christ, the judgment day to come.  If we are to rejoice in that day, we likewise must hold forth to the gospel, living by faith in Christ.  In verse seventeen Paul declares, Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.  Paul said that if he were to die so that others might come to know Christ and live as faithful Christians that he would rejoice with them.  Do we have that same type of faith today, or do we think that we should be happy no matter what is happening to other Christians and even the lost people of the world?  Verse eighteen adds, For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.  Paul said that the followers of Christ at Philippi were the same way.  We today need to rejoice in God, even if our faith leads us to suffering at the hands of those who do not know God.