Unusual Christians in Unusual Places

Philippians 4:19–23 — “Unusual Christians in Unusual Places”
Theme: God supplies, sanctifies, sends, and strengthens believers—no matter where they are found.

I. God Supplies Their Need (v. 19)
Paul closes his letter by reminding the Philippians that God rewards faithfulness.

• Their gifts supplied Paul’s need.
• Paul believed God would in turn supply their need, because:
  

  “God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” — Hebrews 11:6

• What they did for Paul, God would repay abundantly.

Application: When you meet the needs of God’s work, God meets your needs according to His riches, not yours.

II. God Receives All the Glory (v. 20)
Paul directs all praise upward. Every provision, every convert, every victory in this letter ultimately belongs to God.
Supporting Scriptures

• Exodus 15:18 — First mention of God reigning forever.
• Psalm 10:16; 45:6 — God’s eternal kingship.
• Revelation 22:5 — Last mention of God reigning forever and ever.

Truth: From the first book to the last, God is King, and He alone gets the glory.

III. God Sanctifies the Saints (v. 21)
A saint is not a super-Christian—it is anyone sanctified and set apart in Christ Jesus.

• 1 Corinthians 1:2, Isaiah 13:3 confirm this definition.
• Paul greets the saints in Philippi, reminding them of their spiritual identity.
• The “brethren with Paul” are their brothers in Christ, united by the Spirit.

Application: Before God ever uses you, He sanctifies you—sets you apart for Himself.

IV. God Sends Saints into Unusual Places (v. 22)
This remarkable verse records greetings from “saints… chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.”
What This Reveals:

• There were converts inside Caesar’s palace (cf. Phil. 1:13).
• The gospel had reached the very heart of the Roman Empire.
• Even while Paul was in bonds, God used him to win souls in unexpected places.

Illustrations of God using people in unusual places:

• Moses — backside of the desert.
• Joseph — pit, slavery, and prison.
• Esther — a captive turned queen.
• Daniel — faithful in Babylon, and even in the lions’ den.

Truth: Sometimes God places us where we would never choose, to accomplish what only He could plan.

V. God Strengthens Through His Grace (v. 23)
Paul ends where every believer must begin and end: grace.

• No matter where you go,
• No matter where you end up,
• No matter what situation you find yourself in…

You will need the presence and power of God’s grace.
Supporting Scriptures:

• 2 Thessalonians 3:18 — “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
• Revelation 22:21 — The Bible closes with a final reminder of grace.
  
  

Closing Thought
God supplies your need.
God deserves the glory.
God sanctifies you.
God sends you.
God sustains you with grace.

And sometimes…
God places unusual Christians in unusual places to do unusual things for His glory.