It’s All About Jesus…

What does it mean to be making a difference for the Lord? What does it mean to go all out to meet the needs of those around us even if it means doing something at our expense? That is not the main topic, but it was one of the 2 main points that I personally extracted from Pastor Daniel’s Studies on Paul’s Letters to the Philippians (yes, I was at DUMC’s Sunday celebration today).

* Going all out in service for Him. Is it only lip service, or should we be putting it into action? It is always easier said than done. But then again, who are we doing it for? Are we performing an obligation or does it come genuinely from our hearts when we see a need? Can we say, “Hey, I’m here for you if you need anything. Please do not hesitate to let me know if there are any areas that I could be of help,” or do we think twice of whether it would be of any inconvenience to us and reply, “I’m so sorry but I can't oblige because I have other things on mind.”

Personally, I would say that it is not easy to cultivate such qualities because there always is a price to pay and very few have actually lived it loud. Pastor Daniel threw us this question, “What is our response when friendship becomes costly? Are we still willing to go all out BOLDLY? 1 John 3:18-19 speaks of love not just in speech but in actions for it is true of the saying ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!! It is all about Jesus and whether we love Him enough to love the people He placed in our midst and who crosses our paths to be sensitive to their needs. It is all about following the examples of Jesus if we say we want to grow to be more & more like Him. Would we be able to achieve that quality that Jesus had and say, “I did it simply because I love my Jesus?”

* The Secret of Contentment. It has got nothing to do with how much we have. Contentment springs from the inside out, not outside in. If we learn to be contented on the inside, it does not matter what we have or don’t have on the outside because at the end of the day, what matters most is the qualities we carry on the inside of us. The word contentment made itself clear to me this morning. Why am I looking for something uncertain and far away when I know that all the assurance I should have found is in something near and dear to me, which is Jesus Himself? Learning also to be thankful for who we are & what we are. What we do with what we have and not aim for something that is not yet ours. Luke 16:10 explains more. Restedness of the soul in Christ Jesus and not to be anxious like what Philippians 4:6 says. All in all, being contented also shows our trust in Him to take care of everything else.

I love You, Lord
Greater than anything
I love You, Lord
More than my heart could sing
I love You, Lord
More than I love myself
I love You, Lord… I love You Lord… I love You, Lord

I worship You
High above everything
I worship You
With all that my heart could sing
I worship You
O let my life give praise
I worship You… I worship You… I worship You…

Alleluja, this is my song of praise
Allelujah, I’ll worship You all my days
Allelujah, all that I am is Yours
Allelujah… allelujah… allelujah…

A Glimpse of Pastor Daniel's Sermon Notes:

Studies on Paul’s Letters to the Philippians VIII
God’s Assured Provision in Ministry
(Phil. 4:10-23)


The Secret Of Contentment (v. 10-13)

1) Paul’s Attitude:
o Extremely thankful for the Philippians’ renewed concern (v. 10)
o The concern shown by others always puts one at ease and at rest.

2) Paul’s Posture:
o Learning to be content in every circumstances (v. 11)
o Knowing how to abase and to abound (v. 12)
o Knowing that our sufficiency and strength is in the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 13)


The Partnership In Ministry (v. 14-19)

1) The Philippians’ boldness in partnership (v. 14)

2) The Philippians’ faithfulness in partnership (v. 15, 16).

3) Paul’s perspectives of the gifts received:
o It is to the givers’ credit (v. 17) [Prov. 11:25, 19:17 & Matt. 5:7]
o A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Prov. 11:25)

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done (Prov. 19:17)

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matt 5:7)

o He is amply supplied (v. 18a)
o These are an offering pleasing to God (v. 18b)
o God is the ample Provider (v. 19)

4) Paul’s Doxology:
o To God be the glory eternally (v. 20)


The Connected Community in Affection (v. 20-23)

5) The final greetings because of the common bond:
o To all the saints in Phillipi (v. 21a)
o From Paul’s leadership team (v. 21b)
o From the Christian community in Rome especially Caesar’s household (v. 22)
o Wishing Christ’s continuous favour (v. 23)