13. Thanksgiving for the Philippians’ Gift and a Final Greeting (Philippians 4:10-23)

The Subject/Complement and Exegetical Outline

Note: We will not deal with the final greeting (i.e., vv. 21-23) as part of this lesson. You will want to mention it at the end though, just to bring the study of Philippians to a close.

Subject/Complement: The reason Paul gives thanks for the Philippians’ abundant giving in the present as well as in the past is not because he lacks contentment but because he wants them to enjoy the blessing of giving and to experience the faithfulness of God when he provides for all their needs.

A. Paul’s Thanksgiving for Their Gift (4:10-20)

1. Paul’s Thanksgiving Proper (4:10)

2. Is Not Because He Lacks Contentment (4:11-14)

a. Paul’s Various Circumstances (4:11-12)

b. Paul’s Secret (4:13)

3. Is Because He Wants Them To Be Blessed (4:14-20)

a. Paul’s Commendation of the Philippians (4:14-16)

i. For Their Present Gift (4:14)

ii. For Their Past Faithfulness (4:15-16)

b. The Blessing of the Philippians (4:17)

c. Paul’s Plenty Because of Their Gift (4:18-20)

i. The Nature of Their Gift (4:18)

ii. The Promise of Needs Met (4:19)

iii. The Glory to God (4:20)

B. Final Greeting (4:21-23)

Homiletical Subject/Complement and the Teaching/Preaching Outline

Underlying Question (vv. 2-8): How did Paul view the Philippians’ gift?

Underlying Homiletical Question: How should we receive financial help (or other gifts for that matter)?

Homiletical Subject/Complement (Big Idea): We should: (1) give thanks for the people giving because it shows that they are concerned about us; (2) not ask for help out of a sense of discontent: (3) thank others for their conscientious and faithful giving; (4) encourage others to give so that they can share in the blessings of God.

A. We Should Give Thanks for Gifts Received Because They Evidence the Giver’s Concern for Us in Our Needy Estate

B. We Should not Ask for Help Because We Lack Contentment (4:11-14).

a. Have We Learned To Live with Contentment in Various Circumstances (4:11-12)?

b. Have We Found Paul’s Secret (4:13)?

C. We Should Thank Others for Their Conscientious and Faithful Giving (4:14-16).

1. For Their Present Giving (4:14).

2. For Their Past Faithfulness (4:15-16).

D. We Should Encourage Others To Give So That They Can Share in the Blessing (4:17).

1. The Fruit that Goes to Their Account (4:18-20).

2. How God Views The Gifts (4:18-19).

E. The Goal of the Entire Process of Giving and Receiving: Glory to God (4:20).