Ver. 19.-.A / ull supply. The Philippians had "sent once and again unto" St. Paul's need (ver. 16). Jn return the apostle assures them that the recompense which is beyond his power will be made for him by his God, who will supply all their need. We are most enriched when we most sacrifice ourselves (Prov. xi. 24). What we give to the work of Christ we sball receive back with far more than the worth of our uffcri11gs. I. \\!:: ALL HAVE GREATNEEDSTHATONLYGOD CAN FULFIL. "Everyneedofyours." What a vast field this expression covers! 1. Eartlily need. Few but are pressed by l'\l(;\, r.ted in. some direction, and often to an extent that no human aid can satisfy. Hut we o...w,t observe that what God will supply is the need, not the desire; the two cover very different ground. God will not give what we wish, but what is requisite ~ I.IA. Morer1ver, we cannot distinguish between the real need and our idea of what we CU, IV, 1--~3.] THE EPISTLE TO 'l'IIE PlllLIPPIANS. 10!)
neecl. It is the former only that God will supply. 2. Spiritual need. This is far larger nnd more importnnt thnn all material wants. We need forgiveness, purification, strength, knowledge-great and glorious graces that no man can give. II. GoD WILL FULFIL EVERY NEED OF HIS FAITHFUL SERVANTS. 1. He willfalfil the need. The fulfilment will not be as we expect it; perhaps because the need is not exactly what we imagine it to be. As God only knows the real wants of our lives, ho only c~n rightly supply them. But not one true need will he ultimately leave unsatisfied. There is a royal abundance in the treasury of Divine grace and an unstint- ing generosity in the gifts from it. 2. This assurance is only for those who are faith- ful. St. Paul gives it to the Philippians after they have given abundant evidence of their devotion. It is not every one who can rightly be promised that his every need shall be fulfilled, nor to the nnspiritual will the Divine supply of the soul's true needs seem to be such, as they will be blind to these wants and at the same time much con- ccmcd with fancied needs of no real importance which God will certainly not supply. III. THE souncE OF THE DIVINE SUPPLY IS IN CHRIST JESUS. 1. The riches with which to supply our poverty are found in Christ. His unsearchable riches (Eph. iii. 8) consist in tbe grace that he brings to us in his advent and the grace that be secures for us by bis death and resun-ection. As we receive the highest blessings for Christ's sake they may be regarded as riches that are stored up in Christ. 2. The method of sup- plying our need is through sharing in the glory of Christ. The riches are in glory. 'l.'hey are the fruits of the triumph of Christ. Fighting under our Captain's banner, we share his trinrnr,h, enter into the same glury with him, and so enjoy bis wealth of blessings.-W. F, A. HOMILETICAL INDEX '1'0
THE EPISTLE OF
ST. PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS.
CHAPTER L TBEICB P.1.Gll: 'l'IIEID PA.GR The Apostle's Intercession and Assur- The AddreBB 7 ance ... 22 St. Paul an Example to ell Chlistia.n The Gospel promoted by Persecution 23 Ministers 8 Life here and hereafter 24 St. Paul's Prayer for the Philippians 9 The Gifts of Faith and of Suffering 25 The Apostle's own Circumstances ... 10 Introduction 25 St. Paul's own Hope 10 Expression of Interest 2-7 The Great Alternative, Life or Death 11 Thoughts suggested by his Captivity 30 Practical Exhortation 12 Paul's Salutation 36 Apostolic Address and Salntation . .. 13 Paul's Gratitude for Good Men 39 Thanksgiving for their Fellowship in Personal Christianity 40 the Gospel 13 The Augmentation of Christly Love The Gronnds of the Apostle's The.nks- assures the Improvement of the ~ving 14 whole Man 41 A Double Explanation of the Origin of .A. Grand Principle and a Splendid this Confidence 14 Example 42 Tbe Apostle's Prayer 15 The Magnifying of Christ the Supreme Forthera.nce of the Gospel through E~~Ll~ ~ the Apostle's Impiisonment 16 An Idea.I Life blooming into a Happy A Sigrii.ficant Difference among the Death 46 Apostle's Brethren 16 Self-Love and Social Love 4i The Bee.ring of his Varioos Trio.ls upon .A. Life of Consistency, Unity, e.nd his SeJvo.tion ... 17 Courage 48 'l'he Grand A.lternati ves 17 The Philippie.n Church (the Firstborn The Apostle's Dilemma 18 Church of Europe) a Type of the The Apostle's Persona.I Conviction e.s Ce.tholio Church 49 to his Future Course 19 Chl'istian Joy not dependent upon Pre.otioal Counsel for Holy o.nd Con- Outward Ciroumste.nces 50 sistent Living ... 19 The Truest Guarantee of Perseve- The Privilege of Suffering 20 re.nee 60 Saints, Bishops, e.nd Deacons 21 The Communion of Saints 51 ii INDEX.
THEIR PAQR nnu111 l'AOB 'l'he Life of God in the Soul of Man 51 Exho1tat!one 87 The Benefits conferred npon Men by Timothy and Epaphroditne 91 the St.eadfast Confession of onr Genuine Sooia.lism apostolioally urged 96 Faith... 51 The Moral History of the Christly The Spirit of Fuction 52 Spirit 97 The Gain of Death 52 Salvation a.s a Work in the Soni 99 Fruit a.nd Ga.in . . . 52 Church Activity ... 100 Exhortation to Unity: Motfres for it 53 Christly Love 101 An Ancient Letter 58 Too True Spirit of Christian U sefulnese 101 Begnn, continued, a.nd ended in God l'i4 True La.bonrere for Christ 102 The Things that excel 64 Exhortation to Unity: the Testimony Christianity promoted by being per- of onr Spiritual B.Dd Moral Con- secuted 55 science 103 Christ preached in Sectarian J ealonsy 55 Exhortation t.o Unity: Causes of its " To me to live is Christ" 56 Breach 104 A Strait 57 Ex:b.orra;tion t.o Unity: its Highe~t Suffering in Bebalf of Christ SS llotive· a.iia most Powerful A.gent , 104 The Humiliation of Christ 101. CHAPTER ll. Exaltation through Humiliation 105 Eiliortation to Unity 64 The Emltation of the Son of Man 10:i The Exa.znple of the Lord :IeBIIB 66 "Onr own Salvation" r-. .'. 105 The Christian Life : its Effect _upop. _• '° '' ,. What should be the ReSlllt of Chri_st's the World 106 E:r:ampleP 67 The Law of Sacrifice ; . , '106 The Salvation of the Philip_pi&Ds t.he Two Characters, representing . Two· . Apostle's Joy 68 Aspects of Christiam Work ;,. , ·106 Timothy 69 Epaphroditns 70,110 Brotherly Union ... ., . ~·: , 1'97 Selfishness ... .. . .. ,. 107 Christian Like-lfindedn.ess 71 The Mind that wa.s in Ohri~t Jesus;;; ' 108 The Qualities of Christian LikB- llindedness 71 Working out our own Salvatioil • 'fifo Lights_ ... ,., 'fo9 1esns Christ the Supreme Example of ~ ,l l