Sermon: Rogation
…a sermon
about Philippians 4:6, 19
by Chris Cumming
According to Halley's Bible Handbook, Paul founded his first European
church at Philippi in about AD 51 while he was on his second missionary
journey. He was able to visit Philippi about six to seven years later
before going to prison in Rome in about 61 AD. This is when he wrote
the letter to Philippi. Some commentaries state that this letter had
multiple topics of discussion but at least one or two feel that it
generally is speaking to the all-sufficiency of Christ and our rejoicing
in tribulation.
The message for today is found in the fourth chapter. Let us read the first 20
verses for context.
Philippians 4:1-20
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so
stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the
Lord.
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with
me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose
names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in
me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath
flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state
I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in
all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and
to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my
affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I
departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and
receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your
account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the
things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
acceptable, well pleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by
Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
In this letter of multiple topics, I want to discuss one. It is the idea and
concept of going to God in prayer and petition for all your needs. It takes two
verses to put this together. Let us read them.
Philippians 4: 6, 19
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by
Christ Jesus.
The title I chose for this sermon is the word, "Rogation." This word means,
solemn supplication from the stem word, "rogare'" "to ask," apparently a
figurative use and meaning literally "to stretch out the hand." Words related
to Rogation are:
Appeal
Beseeching
Entreaty
Petition
Request, including request for help
Supplication
Worship
There is another word I want you to be familiar with today. The word is, "Providence." We often talk about providence in relationship to what God provides for us, especially in light of Philippians 4:6 and "letting your requests be made known unto God." However, providence means much more than the good things we receive of God. It means everything we receive of God; good and bad. By bad, I mean all the elements and events He allows to happen. Let us see a prime example:
2 Corinthians 11:23b-30
23...I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons
more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered
shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by
mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils
in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in
fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the
care of all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine
infirmities.
First Paul enumerates the bad events in His life. He then says that he glories
in these things. None of these, take note, were the results of personal sin,
but those things which took place in the life of one who followed Christ.
Notice what he says later in the same letter:
2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I
strong.
This sermon is about much more than taking your prayers to God. The purpose of
my sermon today is to encourage all of us to surrender to the providence of God.
Surrender to the providence of God.
In a way, this is our sermon,
Assiduity, Part 2. In that sermon, we learned
to put all things into the hands of God. In this sermon we learn a bit more
about the concept of, “all things.” In addition, we learn to do all of this
with joy.
Personally I am seeing a side of Paul I had not thought that much about before.
He lived his life before God. He took what came at him day-by-day whether it be
blessing or tribulation. He smiled at both knowing that all things were in
God’s hands. He was looking far beyond these things and right into the Kingdom
of God. He knew this was all temporary. Surely he smiled at every blessing and
every answered prayer but he also had a smile in his heart [if not on his
face] with every labor, every peril, every persecution, every beating and
every shipwreck. He never allowed the cold, the hunger or the thirst to take
away his joy or giving the glory to God.
Let us again read the two key verses from Philippians 4.
Philippians 4: 6, 19
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by
Christ Jesus.
What we are going to do is immerse ourselves into these two connected verses to
get the full meaning.
6. Be careful for nothing
Be careful for nothing - That is, be not anxious or solicitous about the things
of the present life. The word used here - merimnate - does not mean that we are
to exercise no care about worldly matters - no care to preserve our property, or
to provide for our families (compare 1 Timothy 5:8); but that there is to
be such confidence in God as to free the mind from anxiety, and such a sense of
dependence on him as to keep it calm; see the subject explained in the notes on
Matthew 6:25. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses
1 Timothy 5:8 [See
Lesson]
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he
hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or
what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the
life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Be careful for nothing - Be not anxiously solicitous [concerned]; do not
give place to carking [distressful] care, let what will occur; for
anxiety cannot chance the state or condition of any thing from bad to good, but
will infallibly injure your own souls. ~Adam Clarke
Be careful for nothing - This must be understood not in the most extensive
sense, but with a limitation and restriction. There are many things that saints
are to be careful for, as men and Christians; they are to be careful of their
bodies, as well as of their souls; of the health of them, which is to be
preserved by all lawful means, and not exposed to unnecessary danger; and for
their families, to provide things honest for them, proper food and raiment, and
the necessaries of life; for whoever does not do that, denies the faith, and is
worse than an infidel; and even for the things of this world in a moderate way,
using all diligence and industry in obtaining them; men ought to be careful to
discharge the duties of their calling in civil life, and to care and concern
themselves for the honour of God, the interest of religion, and the support of
the Gospel; and that they offend not God, by sinning against him: but the
carefulness the apostle speaks of, is an anxious solicitude for worldly things,
an immoderate concern for the things of life, arising from diffidence [fear],
or negligence, of the power, providence, and faithfulness of God: saints should
not be anxiously, or in a distressing manner concerned for the things of this
world, but be content, whether they have less or more; nor be over much
pressed with what befalls them, but should cast their care upon the Lord, and
carry every case to him, and leave it there: ~John Gill…emphasis mine
6. But in everything
But in everything - Everything in reference to the supply of your wants, and
the wants of your families; everything in respect to afflictions,
embarrassments, and trials; and everything relating to your spiritual condition.
There is nothing which pertains to body, mind, estate, friends, conflicts,
losses, trials, hopes, fears, in reference to which we may not go and spread it
all out before the Lord. ~Barnes Notes
But in everything - Instead of anxiety, just lay the case before God, and trust him to do all things well. Three elements enter into the appeal to God: Prayer, the outpouring of the soul; supplication, stating our wants; thanksgiving; we must always come to God, not in a complaining spirit, but with thankfulness for present mercies. ~People's New Testament
But in everything - The Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it, "in every time": always, constantly, every day, as often as there is opportunity, and need requires. ~John Gill
6. By prayer and supplication
By prayer and supplication - The word rendered “supplication” is a stronger
term than the former. It is the mode of prayer which especially arises from the
sense of “need,” or “want” - from deomai, “to want, to need.” ~Barnes Notes
The next three paragraphs are from the Adam Clarke commentary.
By prayer and supplication - God alone can help you; he is disposed to do it,
but you must ask by prayer and supplication; without this he has not promised to
help you.
By prayer - solemn application to God from a sense of want.
Supplication - continuance in earnest prayer. With thanksgiving, for innumerable
favors already received; and for dangers, evils, and deaths turned aside. And
let your souls be found in this exercise, or in the disposition in which this
exercise can be performed, at all times, on all occasions, and in all places.
~Adam Clarke
6. With thanksgiving
With thanksgiving - Thanksgiving connected with prayer. We can always find
something to be thankful for, no matter what may be the burden of our wants, or
the special subject of our petitions. When we pray for the supply of our wants,
we may be thankful for that kind providence which has hitherto befriended us;
when we pray for restoration from sickness, we may be thankful for the health we
have hitherto enjoyed, and for God’s merciful interposition in the former days
of trial, and for his goodness in now sparing our lives; when we pray that our
children and friends may be preserved from danger and death, we may remember how
often God has interposed to save them; when, oppressed with a sense of sin, we
pray for pardon, we have abundant cause of thanksgiving that there is a glorious
way by which we may be saved. The greatest sufferer that lives in this world of
redeeming love, and who has the offer of [the Kingdom] before him, has
cause of gratitude. ~Barnes Notes
Recap from that commentary:
---with every burden there is something to be thankful for.
---think about the times God provided for you before.
---think about previous healings and your life of good health.
---think about all the times He interceded on your behalf.
---think about all the times God protected your children and friends.
---think about all the times you were forgiven sin.
---think about eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
6. Let your request be made known unto God
Let your request be made known unto God - Not as if you were to give him
information, but to express to him your wants. God needs not to be informed of
our necessities, but he requires that we come and express them to him; compare
Ezekiel 36:37. “Thus saith the Lord God, I will yet for this be inquired of by
the house of Israel to do it for them.” ~Barnes Notes
19 But my God shall supply all your need.
My God shall supply all your need - As you have given to me in my distress, God
will never suffer you to want without raising up help to you, as he raised you
up for help to me. ~Adam Clarke
Note: Another commentary I read made an interesting statement, “Nothing
is lost, even in the present life, by doing good.”
19 According to his riches in glory.
According to his riches in glory - see Ephesians 3:16. The word “riches” here
means, His abundant fullness; His possessing all things; His inexhaustible
ability to supply their needs. The phrase “in glory,” is probably to he
connected with the following phrase, “in Christ Jesus;” and means that the
method of imparting supplies to people was through Jesus Christ, and was a
glorious method; or, that it was done in a glorious manner [Ed. Both I say].
It is such an expression as Paul is accustomed to use, when speaking of what God
does. He is not satisfied with saying simply that it is so; but connects with it
the idea that whatever God does is done in a way worthy of Himself, and so as to
illustrate His own perfections. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
Ephesians 3:16
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Note: This is fantastic information both about God and Paul. There is
something continuous in the mind and attitude of both these beings. God does
everything by glorious method and manner. God is constantly looking for ways to
give and spread riches and prosperity in all aspects of our lives. He is the
supply for all things in all situations and in every, and I mean every aspect of
our lives. Hence the reason we constantly put everything into His hands. Paul
knows this absolutely. Virtually his whole life and ministry and thinking was
that this is the God he loves was his abundant supply for everything,
everywhere. With every action, Paul was acknowledging to himself that God was
coming forth with all his needs.
According to his riches - His fullness is infinite; and through Christ, whose
followers we are, he will dispense every requisite blessing of providence,
grace, and glory, to you. ~Adam Clarke
According to his riches - God is rich not only in the perfections of his nature,
which are inconceivable and incommunicable; and in the works of his hands, of
creation and providence, the whole earth is full of his riches. He gives all
things richly to enjoy, plenteously and abundantly: ~John Gill
In glory - in a glorious manner, so as to show himself glorious, and make his
people so, to the glory of his rich grace; and "with glory", as it may be
rendered, with eternal glory; he will not only give grace here, and more of it
as is needful, according to the abundance of it in himself and in his Son, but
glory hereafter: and all ~John Gill
19 In Christ Jesus.
By Christ Jesus - and through him, who is full of grace and truth; who is the
Mediator in whom the fullness of it lies, and through whose hands, and by whom,
it is communicated to the saints: or "with Christ Jesus"; along with him God
gives all things freely, all things pertaining to life and godliness: or "for
the sake of Christ Jesus"; not for any worth or merit in men, but for the sake
of Christ, in whom they are accepted, and on whose account respect is had to
their persons, and so to their wants. ~John Gill
By Christ Jesus — by virtue of your being “IN” (so Greek, not “by”)
Christ Jesus, the Giver and Mediator of all spiritual blessings. ~Jamieson,
Fausset, Brown
By Christ Jesus - The union with Christ will constitute the chiefest reward. It
is not ‘by’ Christ that the fulfilment will be wrought, but He Himself shall be
the fullness of their joy. ~Popular Commentary
In the beginning of this letter to the Philippians we read the following.
Philippians 1:4
Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.
We have learned that in all assiduity we are to pray about everything. Philippians 4:6 says, "in every thing by prayer and supplication." That prayer is to be given in joy. Indeed, we are to be in joy in everything, good and bad. We are to surrender to the providence of God.
The Biblical Illustrator speaks volumes to this concept. Let me share a few thoughts from that commentary.
Christian joy
I. What does this precept mean?
1. Joy, like every other simple emotion, cannot be defined; it must be felt
to be known. The text enforces that form of joy which we should call habitual
cheerfulness as:
(1) Opposed to gloom and dejection.
(2) As distinguished from levity and mirth. Mirth is an act, cheerfulness a
habit. Mirth is like a meteor; cheerfulness like a star. Mirth is like crackling
thorns; cheerfulness like a fire.
(3) As distinguished from indifference and insensibility.
2. The text requires that cheerfulness should be habitual.
(1) It is required of us in working. We are to earn our bread by the sweat of
our brow or brain joyfully, not counting work a hardship.
(2) There should be cheerfulness in giving, which God loves.
(3) In Christian communion.
(4) In general social intercourse.
(5) In suffering.
(6) In worship.
3. The precept directs us to derive our habitual cheerfulness from the Lord. No
creature was ever happy in itself separated from God. You must not, therefore,
try to get it from yourself.
(1) You will never get it from increase of wealth. That brings increase of care.
(2) Nor from the Church;
(3) but from Christ; His character, advent, death, righteousness, exaltation.
~Biblical Illustrator
Some words from Job. Tell me if Job shows any traits of Paul.
Job 5:17-27 …for when the bad things happen
17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the
chastening of the Almighty:
18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil
touch thee.
20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the
sword.
21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be
afraid of destruction when it cometh.
22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of
the beasts of the earth.
23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of
the field shall be at peace with thee.
24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt
visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.
25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the
grass of the earth.
26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in
in his season.
27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy
good.
Joy, rejoice and rejoicing in Philippians:
Rejoicing: 1 time in 1 verse.
Rejoice: 10 times in 8 verses|
Joy: 6 times in 6 verses
Rejoicing:
Paul uses it 9 times in 9 verses in 7 books of New Testament
In Philippians:
1:26
That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to
you again.
Rejoice
Paul uses 22 times in 19 verses in 7 books
In Philippians:
1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Joy
Paul uses 26 times in 24 verses in 8 books.
In Philippians:
1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
So be like Job and be like Paul and…surrender to Providence.