We Can Rejoice in the Lord Because We Can Bear One Anothers Burdens (Philippians 4:14-18)

A Brief Review Our lesson for today represents our next to the last installment in this 20 lesson series in the book of Philippians. In this series we are learning reasons why we should rejoice in the Lord. We have undertaken this series of lessons so that we can illustrate how wonderful it is to be a child of God, increase our faithfulness, and improve our outreach to those who have yet to taste the goodness of Gods salvation.

We Can Rejoice in the Lord Because We Bear One Anothers Burdens Our text today of (4:14-18) addresses the beauty of one who brought the gospel message to them. The story of the birth of the church at Philippi and Pauls work there is found in Acts (16) and is a very moving one.

From Our Text We will see a perfect definition in (4:14) for what it means to bear one anothers burdens. We will also see that bearing one anothers burdens involves: –A proper demonstration (4:15,16) –A personal deposit (4:17) –A pleasing donation (4:18)

A Perfect Definition Verse (14) speaks of the perfect definition of what it means to bear one anothers burdens when Paul writes, …you shared in my distress. The brethren at Philippi truly cared about the tribulations and distresses Paul faced concerning the inward pressures he felt as well as the outward persecution he had to endure on behalf of the gospel. (II Cor. 11:22-28)

A Perfect Definition Should we have any less care and concern for one another as the church at Philippi did for Paul? Should we not share the burden of the distresses that others are carrying? Are we not commanded to do so? (Galatians 6:2)

A Proper Demonstration In verses (15,16) Paul praises the church at Philippi for the multiple gifts sent to him by them for his necessities. The help sent to Paul involved: –The right thoughtfulness –The right timing –The right things When we demonstrate that kind of care it helps us to express properly our faith (James 2:14-17) and love (I John 3:16-18).

A Proper Demonstration Our help in bearing the burdens of others should involve the same elements of the right thoughtfulness, timing, and things. In addition, like the church at Philippi our perfect demonstration of bearing the burdens of others ought to involve continual action (you sent aid once and again…).

A Personal Deposit The beauty of sharing in the distresses of others is the fact that God blesses us in return for our efforts. Paul says in verse (17), …but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. I believe this thought is connected with the words of Jesus found in Matthew (6:19-21).

A Pleasing Donation The fruit that abounds to our account happens because God is well-pleased with our efforts to ease the distresses and burdens of others. What we do for others is seen by God as a sweet-smelling aroma and an acceptable sacrifice to Him. What is truly amazing is the fact that what we do for one another is viewed by God in much the same way as He views the sacrifice Jesus made for us. (Ephesians 5:2)

Why Should We Rejoice in the Lord When We Bear One Anothers Burdens? Because we know we are fulfilling Christs command to love one another Because we know we are storing up treasures for ourselves in heaven Because we know what we are doing is pleasing to God