Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Sermon Series / Philippians

Philippians 4:14-23 Part 2 09/28/03

Introduction:

ILL: ‘A church member was having trouble with the concept of tithing. One day he revealed his doubts to his minister: "Pastor, I just don't see how I can give 10 percent of my income to the church when I can't even keep on top of our bills."  The pastor replied, "John, if I promise to make up the difference in your bills if you should fall short, do you think you could try tithing for just one month?"  After a moment's pause, John responded, "Sure, if you promise to make up any shortage, I guess I could try tithing for one month."  "Now, what do you think of that," mused the pastor. "You say you'd be willing to put your trust in a mere man like myself' who possesses so little materially, but you couldn't trust your Heavenly Father who owns the whole universe!" The next Sunday, John gave his tithe, and has been doing so faithfully ever since.’  (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited)

EXP: We often think of God as too small: he can’t meet my needs, and everyone else’s at the same time.
         We often think God is too uncaring: he can’t care about me when there are others far worse off than I am.
         We often …don’t think of God: we don’t take the time to look around and see what God is doing in the lives of others, nor do we take the time to stop and reflect upon what God is doing in our lives.

I find it interesting that we will trust God to forgive our sins, save us from Hell and promise us heaven, while at the same time doubt he can meet our everyday needs.
 
Transition: This morning  we will continue exploring the connection between giving, glory and grace. Last week  we looked at vs 14-17 which dealt with the nature of our giving to the Lord’s work.

We began to look at how giving is connected to glorifying  God in vs 18-20. We saw first that giving is an act of worship that is pleasing to God. Today we will find that Paul promised God would supply all their needs.. And that the financial gift will bring glory to God.

Read: Phil. 4:18-20
 
2. That because of their financial gift, Paul promised God would supply all their needs.

     First notice that the supply is connected to the giving. The word ‘and’ indicates a connection to the giving in vs 18. To know God’s bounty we must be giving as we have been blessed by him. This is basic ‘you reap what you sow’ theology. If you don’t sow, if you don’t give, don’t expect God to abundantly provide when you are not being obedient to him.

 Paul was saying that while I may never be able to repay you for your financial help in my ministry, I know someone who not only can, but will…my God will supply.

     Second, notice Paul didn’t say the God or just God, but my God. God had become personal to Paul. He knew he was loved by his God and he knew that God loved the Philippians as well. Just as Paul’s loving God has consistently provided all that Paul had needed, he knew that God would do the same for his Philippians brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
    Third, notice that God will provide all your needs. Physical, spiritual, emotional, relational, intellectual…every need. I think we understand the difference between what we need and what we want don’t we? But, God, will often will provide many of our wants as well. God wants to see us joyful. But he first wants to see us obedient and faithful.

     Fourth, notice that Paul said that God would supply all their needs according to his riches. He didn’t say out of his riches. There is a difference that we need to know.

ILL: If a millionaire gave $20.00 to charity he is giving out of his wealth. If he gives a million or more, he would be giving according to his wealth.

God is not a stingy giver, he gives abundantly, according to his riches and the measure of God’s riches is staggering. Since there is no lack to God riches, we should realize that there is no lack in God’s ability to supply. This is expressed by Jesus himself in

Lk. 6:38 ‘Give and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’

 Jesus is saying, as you give to the Lord’s work, God will give back to you. It will be a good measure, pressed down, shaken together. That means it will not settle down to a lesser amount later.

ILL: Potato chip bag.

In fact God gives a heaping amount. It means, God will be true with his provision.

 Let me ask you. Do you really believe that God will supply all your needs? It is easy to say yes, when we have a great paying job, a healthy savings account, investment portfolio, and a secure retirement plan. But what would happen if that all were taken away? Would you still believe God will supply all your needs? We need to be faithful givers, in plenty or in want. Remember God’s promise in:

Mal. 3:10: ‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’ 

It is interesting that often in Scripture, we are told not to test God, but here God says come on, test me, see if I don’t do exactly what I say. God is waiting, he is chomping at the bit, if you will, to prove that he will provide for all your needs. Do what he says, put him to the test. You won’t be disappointed.

3. Their the financial gift will bring glory to God.

 The ultimate test of whether something is worthwhile is whether it brings glory to God. Paul’s time in jail brought glory to God as many were saved by Paul’s testimony… The Philippians faithful and sacrificial giving also brought glory to God.

 We may never know how God will use our giving for his glory. There is no telling how far your money reaches, how many lives it will touch. When you give to CBC, that money goes to support Kingdom building: to minister to you, to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our neighbors in surrounding communities and around the world.

 Andrew and Joy are two of those who will receive the fruit of our giving as they share the gospel in a foreign country. All for the glory of God, that some may come to faith in Jesus Christ. That is worthwhile. Your giving to this ministry will bring glory to God.

Transition: Giving is an act of worship that brings glory to God and the promise by God of the provision of your needs. Let’s see how grace is connected to all this.

Philippians 4:21-23                                             Grace

This is one of those texts where it is easy to read it quickly and go on the real important stuff.  You know what? This is important or God would not have included it in His Word.

Paul ends his letter as he began…greeting the saints and extending to them the promise of the grace of God. Notice that he just doesn’t greet the important leaders in the church, he sends his greetings, his love to all the Christians at the church in Philippi. Paul showed no partiality, neither does God.

And, Paul even sends the greetings of those in the palace who have come to faith in Christ because Paul shared the Gospel with them. But why did Paul need to specifically mention the new Christians in Caesar’s household?

 Because they were the fruit of the sacrificial giving of the Philipians.
 Because they had partnered with Paul by supporting his ministry, the new believers were their fruit, their blessing as well.

Paul said that God would supply all their needs. Paul’s prayer ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.’
Meant that Paul wanted the grace of God. His free favor and good will to be theirs in abundance.

Giving brings glory to God and you then become an instrument of his grace to others. Giving, glory, grace.

Conclusion

God’s grace is extended to and through those who give him glory with their faithful and sacrificial giving. Certainly it is not the only way God showers his grace upon us, but it is an important one we can all intentionally and regularly make a part of our Christian journey.

Summary and final challenge
It truly has been a joy journeying through the pages of Paul’s letter to his Christian friends at Philippi. We have learned that:

1. Philippians 1:1-11
 We are the body of Christ. Joy is found when we stand together, loving and serving God..and one another.

2. Philippians 1:12-26
 Joy in the Christian life comes when we rightly recognize our circumstances and say  ‘for me to live is Christ’.

3. Philippians 1:27-2:4
 Where Christ is head, where there is true Christian  community, there will be Joy, because there will be an US.

4. Philippians 2:5-11
 Joy is found when we acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

5. Philippians 2:12-18
 Joy is found when we, the church, you and I, are totally  sold out on being a community of God’s people who work out their salvation by displaying God’s love and extending God’s grace and forgiveness to all.

6. Philippians 2:19-30
 Joy is becoming friends of God through faith in Jesus Christ his son.

7. Philippians 3:1-6
 There are conditions placed on our expression of joy found in God’s Word. We rejoice, but in the Lord. We rejoice, but we watch out for false teachers. We rejoice, but we remember who we are in Christ.

8. Phil. 3:7-11
 The bottom line for experiencing true joy as a Christian is to know Christ.

9. Philippians 3:12-16
 Joy is found when we remember that the Christian has a past to forget, a present to live and a future to strive toward.

10. Philippians 3:17-4:1
 Joy for the Christian comes when we not only follow the right example, but become the right example.

11. Philippians 4:2-9
 Joy for the Christian comes when we follow the right advice found in God’s Word.

12. Philippians 4:10-13
 Joy for the Christian comes when we recognize that trusting God is the path to contentment in life.

13. Philippians 4:14-23
 Joy for the Christians comes when we make the connection between giving, glory and grace.

It has been a joy leading you through God’s Word.