Trees Of Eden

—Roman Miles:

I journeyed almost 900 miles from Rome to Philippi. Not for the first time I might add. The last eight weeks of walking, sailing, riding, and more walking are a blur. It’s a relief to be back. But, I also miss my friend. Not sure my lungs will ever fully recover. I can’t stop yawning. My head’s splitting. I’m wearing a dirty tunic and a crown of gnarled hair. But more important than my appearance is the message I carry for my church family. Lydia’s walls are bursting with brothers and sisters eager for news. The elders are reading it aloud now.

“I…[Paul], send to you Epaphroditus…”

[ that’s my name, Paul’s talking about me…]

“…he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.

Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to fulfill what was lacking in your service to me.” (Ph. 2:25-30)

Those next to me squeeze my shoulders. They pat my back and give me approving nods.

“Well done, Epaphroditus.” Paul says, “Your sacrifice matters. What you did built me up. The fruit of your life encourages me. It is sweet to taste and a delight to my heart; a fragrant incense pleasing to the Lord.”

Encouraging words such as these make a difference in our lives. They’re an elixir to the weary—a challenge to the complacent. Receiving audible-courage from friends; knowing God sees your life as valuable, is good. We need to know that what we do matters.

—Our Text: (Ph. 4:10-20)

Turn in your Bible to Philippians 4:10-20. Famously this is where Paul teaches on his secret, not-so-secret source of strength to endure both in difficulty and in ease. But he slips that in almost as an aside in the middle of concluding this humbling letter of thanks and encouragement. More than what Paul is saying, notice what Paul is doing. He is doing the work of an encourager. He shows them, and now us, that encouraging words matter.

—Revived: (v.10)

Paul says, “at length you revived your concern for me.” Like a tree waking in the warmth of spring, you have revived. He acknowledges what opportunity has revealed to be true. And he reminds them that he sees them. He sees their diligent participation in the mission. He sees God at work — in and through the Philippians.

—Teaching Contentment: (vv.11-13)

What comes next is almost predictable. A “Pauline detour.” He says, “Not that I’m in want. I have learned I am to be content in whatever situation.”

He weaves in this reminder that he was not in poverty. He was not in want. He didn’t need more of their stuff. He had the riches of God’s glory at his disposal because he was in Christ and the Spirit of Jesus Christ was in him. The joy of the Lord supplied the strength he needed to be content. He found rest in the knowledge of the Lord.

So this isn’t just, “You guys are great; you’re so wonderful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” But he used even this as a teaching opportunity.

What an example to us. Teaching is essential. Showing people that God is the Great Shepherd throughout every circumstance is vital. But praise is important, too. And we can do both at the same time.

Which one comes more natural though? I have words of teaching loaded and ready to fire at people daily. That’s easy. “Let me tell you how to do Christianity better. Let me take pride in sharing my knowledge and experience.”

But the humility required to thank others for what they do for me…? Sharing every good word… outdoing each other in showing honor…? That’s the challenging bit.

I wonder how many of you feel similar to me—advice in the chamber, but praise is nowhere to be found.

—Need is a Creature Word: (v.11)

So, Paul’s needs weren’t the point. And yet, Paul spoke of contentment in contrast to needs. Normally that would be counterintuitive since need is a creature word, and Paul was a creature. Contentment doesn’t negate needs. Unless…Paul was rolling needs and wants into one. This is precisely what he did with another lesson in view. We already know Epaphroditus provided for his need (v. 2:25). But God provided for his need in the want-sense—his desires. Contentment was satisfied by desiring to be found in Christ (vv. 3:8-9). Needs often serve to reveal desires of the heart, and desires are satisfied in the strong name of Christ.

Paul’s “detour” set him up to boldly encourage the Philippians later in verse 19, promising that “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” All fall short of the glory of God (Rm. 3:23). But through Christ, God supplied riches of glory. His eternal abundance overcomes our greatest need. Knowing that that need and desire had been met, Paul was content despite the challenges of his ministry.

—Him Who Gives: (v.13)

That’s what “I can do all things,” is about—contentment. It’s a zinger, and how many have distorted this verse in attempts to leverage it for personal accomplishments? It’s shameful. When we transpose a verse of Scripture into the key of “self-help” we are neither helped, nor are we any closer to our truest self. Self-help prioritizes the self. But we must become as ones fully taken up with God; not self. Humility and self-giving by faith is the way of the cross (Lk. 9:23; 10:27; 2 Thes. 3:5).

We must not read our own wishes into the text. Instead, let’s look at the phrase, Him who gives, and ask, “what does God give his children?” Scripture teaches that: God gives good gifts and good discipline; He gives more grace; He clothes us in righteousness; He is working for the good of those who love and obey; and all things are done according to the counsel of His will (not ours). God gives not just the strength we need, but also the situation that requires us to seek His strength. He’s not our personal vending machine. There is no indication that you can win your football game through God’s strength, or you can get that promotion at work because, “I can do all things.” Those might happen. But He gives far more than these because he is “able to do more than we can think or ask.” He gives us what we need most. He gives us himself through Jesus, his Son, so that we may be called sons and daughters of God (Rm. 8:32; 1Jn. 3:1). That’s encouragement on steroids!

The right questions lead us to understand that all things does not mean any-thing. And, all things is limited by Paul’s own description of the range of things he does by God’s grace. The strength we might be tempted to abuse for selfish gain is in actuality strength for contentment. Straight dependence with rejoicing. And, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1Ti. 6:6).

But if you insist on squeezing answers out of the text in order to fulfill your wishes you will come away with applications that leave you disappointed. You’ll wrongly blame God for not fulfilling what He never promised. If you fall into this trap, as I know I have, take courage in knowing that God’s arm is long enough to reach you (Eph. 3:17-19). But don’t resist His salvation. “The backs of the proud will be broken.” (C.S.L.).

—Trees of Eden: (vv. 14-19)

Now what was alluded to above is expressed more fully. Paul was rejoicing on account of their fruit, not their gift. “Not that I seek the gift,” he says, “but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” “The season to bear good fruit arrived. And like branches that receive sap again in spring, you have budded. You are still a fruit-bearing tree. Praise the Lord!” Paul understood the danger of getting cut out of the olive tree. And fruit doesn’t grow on dead branches. So he rejoiced and praised their work on account of their fruit. This is the type of encouragement we should hope for.

“The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good,” (Mt. 12:35). The Philippians treasured the word that Paul preached to them. Out of that treasure came a return on his investment. The one who is taught isn’t supposed to reap for himself (Gal. 6:6). God’s purposes don’t terminate with you. Therefore, for others’ sake, do not give up. Be encouraged! Take every opportunity to do good with your harvest, especially within God’s household (Gal. 6:9-10). God transforms his children from trees of exile into trees of Eden, planted along a river of living water. “Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” (Ez. 47:12).

—Wrap it up in Love:

Did you feel Paul’s personal and genuine care along with Epaphroditus at the beginning? Did you catch glimpses of how Paul not only taught encouragement but also put it into action? I hope you see how significant encouraging words are. They matter in your own life. They matter to others. And they matter to God. God uses encouraging words to answer human needs. And God uses needs to encourage people on the path to discovering that all our needs are satisfied in the Godhead.

What’s next for us though?

Reading Paul’s letter is the easy part. Doing something about what it says on the other hand…

Just two questions to spur you on to more love:

•Who rejoices in the Lord on account of your works?

•And, seeing how vital encouraging words are, what would it take for you to cultivate a little encouragement in your life?

I hope your answers don’t lead you to simply fill your schedule with endless activities. Rather, thoroughly acquaint yourself with God through his Word. “Draw near to God, in faith, and He will draw near to you.” (Heb. 11:6; Js. 4:8). And then follow the Spirit’s prompting in your life. Just don’t excuse yourself when He prompts you to do something uncomfortable.

If encouragement seems absent in your life do not despair. God sees you. Trust Him. After all, noticing your good works isn’t the important point. They simply bear witness to the fact that God took notice of you. When people are blessed through your good works it is the result of the LORD guiding you, as only the Good Shepherd can. He knows his sheep.

Contentment. Strength. Glory. Joy. Rest. Fruit. True Life. All these belonged to the Philippians who learned them from Paul who found them in Christ. Participation in Christ brings these to fruition. Jesus came to give fullness of life. He is the Life. He came so that we can participate in His life. Apart from Him there is no life. This gospel (life through the resurrected Lord) was the foundation for the friendship Paul shared with the Philippians.

If you don’t already know this Lord, come and welcome to Jesus Christ. Repent. Believe. Be baptized. And do it today. Enter the rest of the Heavenly Father; the God of Noah, Abraham, and Jacob.

If you already know the Lord, hear these words from the message Epaphroditus carried:

“…if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (vv. 2:1-3).

Graft this into your life. Remember and practice this teaching for your good, the encouragement of others along the way, and always for God’s glory.

—Peace Unto You: (v. 20)

Ultimate peace will not be found in the word of a friend. We will not be so easily satisfied. But they will spur us on. They’ll help us cross the finish line. The Peace we shall know then, all encouragements will have only hinted at. It is because they hint at it that they are good. It’s fitting to speak them. It is helpful to hear them. They are a tool for glory in the hand of the One who is faithfully shepherding you, equipping you, and strengthening you till that day you meet face to face and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into my rest.” 

To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

—Philippians 4:20, 23