We have been talking about how the early church faced immense persecution because religious leaders did anything they could to try to keep the name of Jesus from spreading. One of the religious leaders was a man named Saul. Saul was a religious leader who made it his mission to destroy the church. In fact, he got special permission to arrest anyone who claimed to be a follower of Christ (Acts 9). Everything changed when He encountered Jesus in Acts 9:2. Jesus called out to Saul while he was on his way to arrest Christ followers and got his attention. From that moment on, Saul's life was changed. He became a Christ follower. His name was changed to Paul, and he started telling others about Jesus. He even wrote many of the books of the New Testament. He went from persecuting those who followed Christ to preaching the name of Christ. He went from causing suffering for Christians to suffering for the sake of Christ.
Paul wrote the book of Philippians while he was suffering in prison for preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus. This book of the Bible was a letter from Paul to the church in Philippi. As the book of Philippians came to a close, Paul addressed the concerns of the church of Philippi that they had for him because he was in prison. He wrote, “How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me” (verse 10). Then, Paul eased their concerns by saying, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little” (verses 11-12). Paul had learned to be content in every situation, the good, the bad, and the in-between. How was he content, even in the midst of suffering? Paul shared the secret to contentment in verse 13: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Because Paul had Jesus, He had everything he needed, even in the middle of suffering in prison. What an example he set for us to follow!
If Paul can be content in prison, we can certainly be content in all circumstances. What is the common denominator? The common denominator is Christ. Because we have Christ, we have everything we need in any and all circumstances. Christ gives us the strength to face anything. We have Christ, so we have everything we need. Always.
Take a few moments to memorize Philippians 4:13. If you are up for a challenge, memorize verses 12 and 13. Let this passage of Scripture remind you that with Christ, you can face anything. He will always be with you by your side, giving you strength.
1Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.
23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
