Living The Jesus Life

This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.

Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That's why we've entitled the series, 'Living the Jesus Life'.

Today's focus is Philippians 4:10-20

Last week as we came into the home stretch of the letter, we heard Paul’s final parting thoughts as he is bringing this to a close.

- First a reminder to rejoice in the Lord.
- He encourages them to be gentle and gracious in their relationships with one another.
- And finally, he shares his decisive teaching about worry-

True to form, although Paul’s parting to-do list is complete, he isn’t done bringing the encouragement.

You may recall that Paul began his letter expressing his thanks and gratitude for the Philippians partnership in the gospel.

As we get to the end of the letter, Paul returns to share his thankfulness for their generosity and friendship. And he wants them to know that their friendship and love has made this gift so special.

As we have come to the end of our study and I have been reflecting on our journey, I have been really amazed by something Paul didn’t say. For all of the great things Paul has said about living the Jesus life- what he hasn’t said has easily made just as much of an impact.

Not once do we find him ranting about the stupid government and how they are doing him dirty by keeping him locked up. No cries of injustice.

Not one word about how aggravating it is to be chained to another human being.

No complaints about living conditions

Not one word.

He’s in a first century Roman prison. Dirty, dark, no air conditioning, no running water, or indoor plumbing.

All because he is telling people about Jesus. He doesn’t know how the future will go- if he will be released from prison.

Yet he says “I’m good guys- I’ve learned to be content no matter what”

To be content is to be self-sufficient or self-satisfied, to be satisfied, to be at peace internally- regardless of circumstances.

The secret to living the Jesus life content- is to live in the strength of Christ.

Through the ups and downs, Paul had learned to find his peace and satisfaction in the person of Christ, regardless of what was happening around him.

For Paul, so many things were stripped away- he couldn’t lean on possessions or comforts- he had to learn to be content in Christ. To be satisfied knowing the presence of God was with him.

And this all-star, hall-of-fame Christian, the Apostle Paul, had to LEARN this in his life. It wasn’t automatic. It wasn’t easy. It didn’t happen on the first time, every time. He wrestled with it, he failed at it, he got it some and missed it some.

But over the years, he has learned to find peace in the midst of any circumstance. That’s living the Jesus life, learning to be content in Christ, no matter what comes our way.

Through all of Paul’s ups and downs, shipwrecks and beatings- he had learned the faithfulness of God. Not to always give him what he wanted, but to provide what he needed.

And it’s that faithfulness that Paul assures his readers will be there’s living the Jesus life- God will meet your needs.

Throughout this letter Paul has shown us by example what it means to live the Jesus life.
As he brings things to a close- he makes sure to share his secret of life.

Living life focused on knowing Christ, no matter what.

To have deep peace and satisfaction, regardless of what’s happening around him.

And it’s Christ who gives the strength to live like that.

Will you commit to learning with Paul- Learn to live the Jesus life content?