Joyful Provision

[0:00] But if we could, with the Lord's help and the Lord's enabling, for a short while if we could turn back to that portion of scripture that we read.

[0:11] Philippians chapter 4. Philippians chapter 4. We're looking this evening at verse 10 down to the end of the chapter, concluding the letter.

[0:25] But we'll just read again at verse 18. Philippians chapter 4. And verse 18. Where Paul writes, I have received full payment and more.

[0:37] I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. A fragrant offering. A sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus.

[0:55] To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Amen. Amen. Now if you remember a few weeks ago when we began our study of this letter to the Philippians.

[1:10] I showed you this commentary. I showed you this commentary. The commentary that I've been using to help prepare and preach on these different passages. And I showed you the commentary because on the front cover it doesn't have a nice picture.

[1:22] Like most books do. Like most books do. But on the front cover it gives you the promise of the book. And the promise, well the promise that's written on here to the reader it says, This is for you to read, this is for you to feed, helping you to meditate on God's word day by day.

[1:43] This is for you to lead, equipping you to teach the Bible to others. This is for you to read, which is for you to read, which is for you to read. And now having read the commentary, I know that, well it's true to its promise.

[1:57] But you know, as we said before, the promise on the front cover of this commentary, it's the same promise that the letter to the Philippians gives to us. Because when we started our study of this letter, we were assured of this same promise.

[2:13] This letter is for you to read, gazing at the joy of gospel faith. This is for you to feed, helping you meditate on God's word day by day.

[2:23] This letter is for you to lead, equipping you to teach the Bible to others. This is Philippians for you. And without doubt, Paul's letter to the Philippians, it has fulfilled its promise.

[2:39] Because as we have read through this letter, we have gazed at the joy of gospel faith. We have fed upon the word of God. And it has also led us and equipped us to live out the gospel and teach others how to live out that gospel.

[2:56] And that's because the letter to the Philippians, it's all about having or experiencing joy in the gospel. And we've said before that Paul mentions rejoicing or joy.

[3:08] He mentions it 16 times in his letter. And so what he's emphasizing to us is that through lasting Christian joy, it doesn't come from wealth or from the world.

[3:19] Because it can only come from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And Steve Lawson, he writes in this commentary, he says, Genuine joy is not dictated by your changing circumstances.

[3:34] Genuine joy is found in Jesus Christ, the unchanging Lord. And that's what Paul has reminded us in this letter. Because as we know, Paul's circumstances, they were far from perfect.

[3:48] He was under house arrest. He was chained to a Roman soldier day and night. And he was awaiting to hear if he will be put to death or not. And yet what we have seen in this letter is that Paul is rejoicing in the Lord.

[4:03] And he's urging the Philippians and he's urging us to rejoice in the Lord too. And we've seen that as we've studied this letter together. We saw back in chapter 1, Paul opened with his joyful prayer.

[4:17] Where he said to the Philippians, he said, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine. Making request for you all with joy.

[4:29] And then Paul spoke about joyful preaching. And that whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. And Paul said, in that I rejoice.

[4:40] When we went into chapter 2, we were confronted with this joyful paradigm. The paradigm of Jesus' humility and his love and obedience.

[4:50] His obedience unto death. Even the death on the cross. And Paul said to us, complete my joy by being of the same mind as Jesus. Having the same love and being of one mind.

[5:03] And then Paul went on. He told us about this joyful progression that's going on in our life. And that we must work out our own salvation. Because it's God who is working in you both to will and to do for his own good pleasure.

[5:17] And then we went into chapter 3. Paul showed us that we have received a joyful position. Because we have a righteousness that is not our own. But it's a righteousness that comes by faith alone through Christ alone.

[5:33] And then last week as we began chapter 4. Paul spoke about the need for joyful peace with one another. That we're not to quarrel with one another. But we're to rejoice in the Lord always.

[5:45] By bringing all our concerns to God in prayer. And so throughout this letter of having the joy of gospel faith. Paul has emphasized that through lasting Christian joy.

[5:59] It only comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And having spoken about all these different things. About his joyful prayer.

[6:10] The need for joyful preaching. Following the joyful paradigm. Seeing that we have a joyful progression. We have a joyful position in Christ. We also need joyful peace with one another.

[6:22] Having spoken about all that. Paul brings his letter to its conclusion. And he says finally that as a Christian. He has received a joyful provision.

[6:34] And that's how Paul brings his letter to the conclusion. He speaks about the joyful provision he has received. And there are just three things I'd like us to highlight from this closing section.

[6:49] Three C's. Contentment. Connection. And of course. Conclusion. Contentment. Connection. And conclusion.

[7:01] So first of all Paul talks about contentment. Look at verse 10. He says. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly. That now at length. You have revived your concern for me.

[7:14] You were indeed concerned for me. But you had no opportunity. Not that I'm speaking of being in need. For I have learned in whatever situation. I am to be content. I know how to be brought low.

[7:26] And I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger. For abundance and need. I can do all things through him or through Christ.

[7:39] Who strengthens me. And you know what Paul says in these verses. It's something that the society we live in today needs to hear.

[7:51] Because in our western world. Our society. It is in a constant state of discontentment. Because well.

[8:02] When we look at what's around us. When we're discontent with our wife or our husband. We go and get another one. When we're discontent with our job. We look for one with more pay. When we're discontent with our children's education.

[8:15] We move them to another school. When we're discontent with our home. Well we sell it. Or we take out a massive mortgage. And we get an extension. When we're discontent with our car. Well we trade it in.

[8:26] When we're discontent with the way we look. We get a makeover. Some people they get a facelift. Or implants. When we're discontent with our TV. Or a mobile phone. We upgrade it to the newest model.

[8:36] And you know. It wouldn't matter whether it's personal. Or politics. Or sport. Or fashion. Or whatever it may be. We are surrounded by discontentment. We're surrounded by people.

[8:48] Trying to fill that void in their life. So that they can have some form of satisfaction. And that feeling of worth. And sadly all too often.

[8:59] That mindset of discontentment. It can be found in the lives of Christians. Where we become discontent with what we have. And we think that we deserve better.

[9:10] Or we think that we'll only have true satisfaction. With the next purchase. Or the next activity. Or the next renovation. Or the next holiday. Or we think that if we look better.

[9:21] And we have nicer clothes. And a prettier hairstyle. And good makeup. And a fit body. That we'll have some form of self-worth. But you know my friend. I look at what Paul says here.

[9:34] And he reminds me that the only place. That I'm ever going to find contentment. And satisfaction. And worth. The only place I'm going to find it. Is through my relationship with Jesus Christ.

[9:47] Because true lasting contentment. Can only be found by having a personal relationship. With Jesus Christ. And that's what Paul had.

[9:58] Paul he says. That he learned the secret of contentment. Contentment. By staying close to Jesus. Paul learned the secret of contentment. By staying close to Jesus.

[10:13] And you know that's what David. Was reminding us. In the Psalms that we've been singing. We sang earlier in Psalm 34. And David opens Psalm 34.

[10:25] By blessing the Lord. And praising the Lord. And boasting in the Lord. And he had joy in the Lord. And he even exhorted everyone around him. To exhort the name of the Lord together.

[10:36] And David explained. In verse 10. He explained that his joy and contentment. Was wonderful. Because he says in verse 10. The lion's young may hungry be.

[10:48] And they may lack their food. But they that truly seek the Lord. Shall not lack any good. And like Paul. David had come to discover.

[10:59] That when we are close to Jesus. There is contentment. There is satisfaction. There is worth. Because we lack nothing. We lack nothing.

[11:11] And you know. Is it any wonder to us then. That David confessed. In Psalm 23. Our first Psalm. He said. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not be in want.

[11:21] My friend. David knew. That the secret of contentment. Is to stay close to Jesus. Because it is only through. Our personal relationship.

[11:32] With Jesus Christ. That we will experience. Contentment. Satisfaction. And worth. But as we all know.

[11:43] It is not easy. To stay close to Jesus. There are many distractions. Many temptations. That come into our life. And take our focus away. But Paul says here.

[11:53] That he learned. To be content. In whatever situation. He was in. And Paul only learned. This contentment. This satisfaction. This worth. He only learned it.

[12:06] Through some of the most difficult. And trying situations. In his life. And that is. Because. Well the Lord brings things. Into our lives. Not to drive us away from him. But always.

[12:16] To drive us to him. Always to. Make us get to know him more. The Lord brings. The Lord brings difficult. Circumstances. And crying situations. Into our lives. So that we will.

[12:27] Not seek out contentment. Or satisfaction. Or worth. From the world. But that we will seek it. In Jesus Christ. And you know. It is amazing.

[12:37] To read of how Paul. Learned. The secret. Of contentment. Because when he wrote. His letter to the Corinthians. Paul explained.

[12:47] How he learned. To be content. With weaknesses. Insults. Hardships. Persecutions. And calamities. He said. In 2nd Corinthians 11.

[12:59] He says. Five times. I received. At the hands of the Jews. The 39 lashes. Three times. I was beaten. With rods. Once. I was stoned. Three times. I was shipwrecked.

[13:10] A night. And a day. I was adrift. At sea. On frequent journeys. In danger from rivers. Danger from robbers. Danger from my own people. Danger from Gentiles. Danger in the city.

[13:21] Danger in the wilderness. Danger at sea. Danger from false brothers. In toil and hardship. Through many a sleepless night. In hunger and thirst. Often without food.

[13:32] In cold and exposure. And apart from other things. There was the daily pressure on me. Of my anxiety for all the churches. And Paul says. If I must boast.

[13:42] I will boast of the things. That show my weakness. But on top of that. Paul went into chapter 12. And he explained. That he received. A thorn in the flesh. And he says.

[13:52] Three times. I pleaded with the Lord. About this. That it would leave me. But the Lord said to me. My grace. Is sufficient for you. My power. Is made perfect. In weakness.

[14:03] Therefore. Says Paul. I will boast. All the more gladly. Of my weaknesses. So that the power of Christ. May rest upon me. For the sake of Christ.

[14:14] He says. I am content. With weaknesses. Insults. Hardships. Persecutions. And calamities. For when I am weak. Then.

[14:24] I am strong. My friend. The Lord taught. Paul. And Paul learned. To be content. In whatever situation. He was in.

[14:35] And he learned it. Through some of the most difficult. And trying. Situations. In his life. And Paul learned this. Because. What he came to discover. Was that in whatever situation.

[14:48] He was faced with. God's grace. Would always be sufficient. For him. And that's the promise. We have. As those. Who have confessed. The Lord. As our shepherd.

[14:59] We're still learning. And. We're learning that. In every situation. We are faced with. In life. We can know contentment. And satisfaction. And worth.

[15:10] Only because of. God's sufficient. And sustaining. Grace. And what's remarkable. Is that. It was because. Of God's sufficient. And sustaining.

[15:21] Grace. That Paul could. Go on to say. In verse 13. I can do all things. Through Christ. Who strengthens me. Paul was emphasizing.

[15:32] The all things. All things. Because. It's interesting. That in. The original language. That when. Paul wrote the sentence. The word order. It begins.

[15:43] All things. All things. I can do. Through Christ. Who strengthens me. Paul was emphasizing. The all things. And when Paul says. All things. He means.

[15:54] All things. And you know. Was that not what Jesus said? Without me. Without me. You can do nothing. But with me. All things.

[16:05] Are possible. And that's what Paul learned. He learned. Contentment. He learned. Satisfaction. He learned. Worth. Because of God's sufficient grace. And through God's grace.

[16:18] Paul discovered. That he could do all things. Through Christ. Strengthening him. But you know. It was because. Paul had learned. The secret of contentment.

[16:29] He wanted to teach others. He didn't want to keep it to himself. He wanted to teach the Philippians. He wanted to teach the Corinthians. And he also wanted to teach that. Young apprentice that he had.

[16:40] Timothy. Because when Paul wrote. His first letter to Timothy. He said to him. Godliness with contentment. Is great gain.

[16:51] And he goes on to say. For we brought nothing into this world. And it's certain that we can carry nothing out. Having food and clothing. With these. We shall be content. But those who desire to be rich.

[17:02] Will fall into temptation. And a snare. And into many foolish and harmful lusts. Which drown men. In destruction and perdition. For the love of money. Is the root of all evil. Through which some have strayed.

[17:14] From the faith. In their greediness. And pierced themselves through. With many sorrows. But you. Says Paul. But you. O man of God. Flee these things.

[17:24] And pursue righteousness. Godliness. Faith. Love. Patience. Gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold. On eternal life. To which you are also called.

[17:35] And have confessed. The good confession. In the presence. Of many witnesses. Because of his personal relationship. With Jesus Christ. Paul had.

[17:47] Contentment. He had satisfaction. He had worth. He knew that his identity. Was only in Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ alone. He had discovered.

[17:58] The joyful provision. Of God's. Sustaining grace. Through all things. And because of this. He wanted. Everyone else.

[18:09] To know this contentment. For themselves. And so in this. Concluding section. On joyful provision. We see contentment.

[18:19] But then secondly. We see. Connection. We see. Connection. Paul says. In verse 13. He says.

[18:29] Yet it was kind of you. To share my trouble. And you. Philippians. Yourselves. Know that. In the beginning. Of the gospel. When I left. Macedonia. No church.

[18:40] Entered into partnership. With me. In giving. And receiving. Except. You. Only. And so as Paul. Brings his letter. To its conclusion.

[18:50] He does so. With. An expression. Of gratitude. For. The ministry. Partnership. That. He. Continues. To maintain. And enjoy. With the Christians. In Philippine.

[19:02] And Paul. Says to the Philippians. It was kind of you. To share my trouble. And that word. Share. In verse 14. It means. Fellowship.

[19:13] Or. Partnership. Partnership. And it's the same word. That Paul uses. In verse 15. Where he says. And you Philippians. You yourselves. Know that. In the beginning. Of the gospel. When I left. Macedonia.

[19:24] No church. Entered into. Partnership. With me. In giving. And receiving. Except you. Only. So it's in verse. He mentions the word. Sharing. Or partnership.

[19:34] In verse 14. And in verse 15. But what's interesting. Is that this. Partnership. This connection. Which Paul had. With the Philippians. It must have meant.

[19:45] An awful lot. To him. Because it's one of the first things. Paul mentions. At the beginning. Of his letter. You'll remember. In chapter 1.

[19:55] Just after Paul. Is given his greeting. He says. In verse 3. I thank my God. In all remembrance. Of you. Always in every prayer. Of mine. For you all.

[20:06] Making my prayer. With joy. Because of your. Partnership. In the gospel. From the first day. Until now. So Paul mentioned. This partnership.

[20:17] At the beginning. Of his letter. And now he mentions it. Here again. At the end of his letter. Which only. Highlights. How thankful. Paul was. For the partnership. And fellowship.

[20:27] Of the church. In Philippi. Paul rejoiced. Because of his partnership. And fellowship. In the gospel. But you know. When Paul had fellowship.

[20:37] With the Philippians. They weren't taken up. With arguing. Over the finer points. Of theology. And going nowhere. No. For Paul. Partnership in the gospel.

[20:49] Fellowship in the gospel. It was all about. Sharing joy. In the gospel. They shared the joy. That they had. In salvation. They had fellowship.

[21:00] In the joy. Of the gospel. They shared about. How the gospel. Was shaping their lives. They shared with. Paul. About their. About how the word of God.

[21:11] Was affecting them. And challenging. Their Christianity. They discussed openly. And honestly. About their worries. And their doubts. And their struggles. And their temptations. They had fellowship.

[21:21] With one another. They had fellowship. With their pastor. Paul. And because they shared with Paul. And because they opened. Up to him. And when he was there.

[21:31] Planting the church. They let him into their homes. And into their families. And into their hearts. Their love for one another. Deepened. And their joy in the Lord. Increased. And you know my friend.

[21:42] That's what gospel. Partnership. Is all about. That's what true. Christian fellowship is. It's. Sharing our joy. In the Lord. And his.

[21:53] Wonderful salvation. But Paul says here. That his partnership. With the Philippines. It went. It went even further. And it went further.

[22:04] Because they provided. Financial help. For him. These. Monetary gifts. Which Paul received. From the church. At Philippi. It proved.

[22:14] That the Philippians. Had taken. Their partnership. With Paul. Seriously. It wasn't. This superficial. Partnership. We are praying for you. And that was it.

[22:26] It was. A partnership. Of love. A partnership. Out of a genuine. Concern. For the welfare. Of one another. It was. It worked. Both ways. And Paul explains.

[22:37] That. When he left. Philippi. After planting. The church. Ten years. Before he wrote. This letter. He says. There was no. Congregation. That supported him.

[22:48] Like they did. He says. In verse 15. Just to read it again. You Philippians. Yourselves know that. In the beginning. Of the gospel. When I left Macedonia. No church.

[22:59] Entered into partnership. With me. In giving. And receiving. Except. You only. Paul confesses. That it was only. The Philippians. Who had. Consistently.

[23:10] Given him. Financial support. For him. To continue. In his ministry. And then Paul says. In verse 16. Even in Thessalonica. You sent me help.

[23:20] For my needs. Once. And again. So after Paul. Left Philippi. Ten years ago. From this point. He traveled south. And we read it.

[23:31] In the book of Acts. He traveled. South. Through Greece. Until he came. To Thessalonica. But you'll remember. That when Paul. Preached the gospel. In Thessalonica.

[23:42] It caused an uproar. Just like the one. It did in Philippi. But through much. Tribulation. The church in Thessalonica. It was planted. And. At a.

[23:53] Such a difficult. And a demanding time. When. Well. Paul was stretched. Financially. The Philippians. They stood with him. And they gave him. Monetary gifts.

[24:04] Of support. They partnered with Paul. In the work. Of the gospel. And Paul explains. He goes on. In verse 17. To say that. He wasn't actually.

[24:15] Seeking. Financial help. From the Philippians. He wasn't asking for it. He wasn't even. Expecting it. But it was a gift. Graciously. And freely. Given. To him.

[24:27] And you know. That's what. Through gospel. Partnership. Is. It's graciously. Freely. And willingly. Giving. In order to support. The work.

[24:37] Of the gospel. You know. The truth is. We don't like to talk about money. No one wants to broach. The subject. No one wants to come out. And say. We need your money. But you know. Steve Lawson.

[24:48] In his commentary. And I've loved reading. This commentary. He says. In his commentary. Every believer. Should be one. Who invests financially. In the work of the Lord. We should be like.

[24:59] The Philippians. By supporting. Servants. And ministries. Who are faithfully. Proclaiming. The gospel. Of Jesus Christ. Because when we give. To the work. Of spreading. The gospel.

[25:10] We are wisely. Using. What has been entrusted. To us. For the greater. Glory. Of God. And you know. It's good for us. To partnership.

[25:21] With other ministries. And other missionaries. Across the world. Whether we do it. As a congregation. Or as individuals. It's good for us. To provide. Prayerful. And practical.

[25:32] Help. To those. Who are serving. The Lord. In other places. And we do that already. In some cases. With Gavino. And Suraj. And others. So.

[25:43] It's good for us. To help. And to support. The work. Of the ministry. But then. Paul goes on. In verse 18. To remind the Philippians. That their. Connection with him. And their contribution.

[25:54] To his ministry. He says. It's an act. Of spiritual. Worship. He says. In verse 18. I have received. Full payment. And more. I am well supplied.

[26:06] Having received. From Epaphroditus. The gifts you sent. A fragrant offering. A sacrifice. Acceptable. And pleasing. To God. Paul says.

[26:17] That he has received. Everything in full. And more. That's to say. To say. That his needs. Have been. Amply met. And he has an abundance. Of all that he needs.

[26:28] And these generous gifts. He says. That they were brought. To Paul. In prison. By this. Faithful servant. Epaphroditus. He had made this.

[26:39] 800 mile journey. To Rome. And as we saw. Back in chapter 2. It was a journey. That nearly killed. Epaphroditus. But Paul says. That their connection. And their contribution.

[26:50] To him. It was a fragrant. Offering. A sacrifice. Acceptable. And pleasing. To God. And by this. Paul is. Eager to express.

[27:00] To the Philippines. That their. Connection. With him. And their contribution. To him. It serves. A much higher. Purpose. Than simply. Meeting his needs.

[27:12] Because he says. Their stewardship. Was an act. Of worship. To God. You know. Paul uses this. Vivid illustration. By saying. Their financial gift.

[27:22] Was a fragrant. Offering. It was a. Sacrifice. That was acceptable. And pleasing. To God. And what he's giving. To us there. About the sacrifice. Or the fragrant.

[27:32] Offering. He's giving us. The Old Testament. Imagery. Of a sacrifice. Being offered. Upon the altar. And in that. Act of worship.

[27:44] When the sacrifice. Was on the altar. Incense. Would have to be poured. Upon the sacrifice. And. As the incense. Was poured. And as it was burned. There would be.

[27:54] This sweet smelling. Fragrance. That would rise up. And. That's what. Would bring. Pleasure. To God. That sweet smelling. Savor. And Paul says. To the Philippines.

[28:04] In a similar manner. Your gift. Is an expression. Of worship. That is well pleasing. To God. One commentator.

[28:15] Says about verse 18. He says. Here is the ultimate purpose. And the greatest motive. For our financial giving. To the gospel ministry. More than meeting.

[28:26] The needs of God's ministers. The highest aim. Is the pleasure. It brings to the father. Such sacrificial gifts. Are offered. As an act of worship. That brings pleasure.

[28:38] To God. But notice. In verse 19. That because of their sacrificial giving. Paul assures them. Of a promise.

[28:50] He says. My God. Will supply. Every need. Of yours. According to his riches. And glory. In Christ Jesus. Now this wasn't a promise. Of prosperity.

[29:01] Paul wasn't giving to them. The prosperity gospel. But he was assuring them. That if they give. To the work. Of the gospel. They will not be in want. If they seek.

[29:12] The extension. Of Christ's kingdom. They will lack. No good thing. If they seek. First the kingdom. Of God. Well. All other things. Will be added to them.

[29:24] And you know. This ties in. With what Paul was. Saying about contentment. That the secret. Of contentment. Is staying close. To Jesus. Because when the Lord. Is our shepherd.

[29:35] And when we contribute. To the work. Of helping. To make. Others know the Lord. As their shepherd. The shepherd promises. That his sheep. Will not be in want.

[29:47] His sheep. Will not. Be in want. But how does Paul. Conclude this section. He says. To our God. And Father.

[29:57] Be glory. Forever and ever. Amen. Even though Paul. Finds himself. In a difficult situation. He gives glory. To God. For the Philippians.

[30:08] And he gives glory. To God. For their goodness. Towards the work. Of the gospel. And so. In this closing section. Of joyful provision. We see. Contentment.

[30:19] We see connection. And then lastly. And briefly. We see conclusion. Conclusion. It says in verse 21. Greet every saint.

[30:31] In Christ Jesus. The brothers. Who are with me. Greet you. All the saints. Greet you. Especially those. Of Caesar's household. The grace. Of the Lord. Jesus Christ. Be with your spirit.

[30:44] You know. Paul's letter. To the Philippians. It was one of the most. Loving. And affectionate. Of all his letters. And in these. Concluding words. Of his letter. Paul wants to assure.

[30:55] The church. In Philippi. That he. And those. Who are with him. That they are praying. For the church. In Philippi. He's. That they're praying. For them. And you know.

[31:06] It would have been. A great encouragement. To the Philippians. To know that they're being. Continually remembered. And prayed for. And you know. It should always be. A reminder to us. That. If we are genuinely.

[31:17] Praying for someone. That we tell them. We tell them about it. To encourage them. Because there's nothing more. Encouraging. Than to know that. The Lord's people.

[31:27] Are bringing you. To the throne of grace. And that they're. Presenting you. To the Lord. In prayer. There's nothing more. Encouraging than that. And that's what Paul does here. He wants the Philippians.

[31:39] To know that he. And many others. They are praying. For them. And he says. Even those. Of Caesar. Especially those. Of Caesar's household. They were the most.

[31:51] Unlikely characters. They were the Roman soldiers. Who were. Chained to Paul. Day and night. And yet. Because Paul. Was chained to them. You'll remember. We read that. Many of them.

[32:01] Were being converted. They were being. Converted. Through his preaching. And yet. Now. They're praying. For the church. In Philippine. They're thinking. And praying.

[32:12] For these Christians. Whom Paul is writing to. But what are they praying for? They're praying. As he says. In verse 23. That the grace. Of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[32:23] Will be with them. They're praying. That this letter. The letter. That he's now written. And is ready to be sent. He's praying. That this letter. Will be used. To help them.

[32:35] Serve the Lord. Where they are. And ultimately. Bring glory. To God. It's wonderful. It's wonderful. It's a wonderful letter. And so.

[32:47] Having spoken about. Paul's joyful prayer. The need for joyful preaching. Following the joyful paradigm. Seeing joyful progression. Having a joyful position.

[32:58] In Christ. The need for joyful peace. With one another. And the joyful provision. That we have in Christ. You know. It's safe to say. At the conclusion. Of this letter. That it has fulfilled.

[33:10] Its promise. It has fulfilled. Its promise. Because when we started. Our study. We were assured. Of the promise. That's written on this book. This is for you to read.

[33:22] This letter. Is for you to read. Gazing at the joy. Of gospel faith. This letter. Is for you to feed. Helping you to meditate. On God's word. Day by day.

[33:32] This letter. Is for you. To lead. Equipping. You. To teach the Bible. To others. This. Is. Philippines. For you.

[33:44] It's a great promise. So may the Lord bless. Our study. And may the Lord bless. These things. To us. Now let us pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[33:54] Oh Lord. Our gracious God. We give thanks for thy word. We thank thee Lord that we have it in our own language. That we have the ability and even the understanding. To study thy word together.

[34:06] It is a great privilege Lord. To sit under thy word. And we pray that as we come to it day by day. And as we read it both in public and in private. That Lord that thou would us shape us.

[34:19] That thou would us give to us that joy in our faith. To know that we are redeemed by Jesus. That we are loved with an everlasting love. That we have the promise of his grace always being sufficient for us.

[34:31] And that Lord we have the indwelling of thy Holy Spirit. That we have a great promise that thou art one who will never leave us. And who will never forsake us. Encourage us then we pray.

[34:43] Bless our study to us. That it would strengthen us in our faith. That it would equip us to serve thee more faithfully. More diligently. That we oh Lord would give thee the glory.

[34:54] In all that we seek to do. Bless us Lord we ask thee. Keep us close to Jesus. Following his footsteps. Always looking to him. Knowing him and loving him.

[35:06] As the author and the finisher of our faith. Cleanse us then we ask. Go before us. For Jesus sake. Amen. Amen. We'll bring our service to a conclusion by singing in Psalm 89.

[35:25] Psalm 89 in the Scottish Psalter. Page 3, 4, 5. Psalm 89.

[35:37] We're singing in verse 15. Down to the verse mark 18. O greatly blessed the people are. The joyful sound that know.

[35:48] In brightness of thy face O Lord. They ever on shall go. They in thy name shall all the day rejoice exceedingly. And in thy righteousness shall they exalted be on high.

[35:59] Down to the verse marked 18 of Psalm 89. To God's praise. O greatly blessed the people are.

[36:14] The joyful sound that know. In brightness of thy face O Lord.

[36:28] They ever on shall go. The joy of the Lord. They in thy name shall all the day rejoice exceedingly.

[36:48] And in thy righteousness shall they exalted be on high.

[37:04] Because the glory of their strength doth only stand in thee.

[37:19] And in thy favor shall our Lord. And our exalted be.

[37:33] For God is our defense and he. To us the same he pray.

[37:49] The holy horn of Israel. Is our almighty King.

[38:05] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The love of God the Father. And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Be with you all. Now and forevermore. Amen.