The Fruit of Generosity

Philippians 1:3–11 NIV

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Introduction: What does it mean to Fellowship? - Definition of Koinonia - Not just Milk and Cookies, not hangout time, Participation in....

11 - Generous Participation Produces Gratitude.

Paul is thanking God for the Philippians Participation in the Gospel. - vs 4

Paul in Prison & unable to go from town to town sharing the Gospel. So grateful that the Church is doing that without him.

“My Fruit Grows on other people’s trees.”

Richard Koerselman - I am happiest when you are working the hardest.

Pastors find a lot of joy when they serve and the Gospel makes an impact in someones life. They their joy becomes complete when the congregation or someone in their congregation makes a Gospel impact.

I believe not just pastors, but God is delighted....

Why? Because....

12 - Generous Participation Builds Others Up.

They are sharers of grace with Paul.

What does this mean. 1. possibly because they have given him a care package

Philippians 4:18 (NIV)

I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

2. Simply that they are living out the Gospel and sharing the gospel.

Either way Paul is being Built Up and encouraged

Paul wants them to be build up as well. vs. 6 & 8.

“We are commanded by God to be good stewards of the gifts He has given us. Good stewardship therefore compels us to know, understand and utilize our spiritual gifts to better fulfill our calling, and by doing so, bring our unique contribution to the body of Christ. Serving with our gifts is a powerful form of stewardship” (Diana Myers, “Stewardship of Spiritual Gifts,” FCA, July 23, 2019, https://www.fca.org/fca-in-action/2019/07/23/stewardship-of-spiritual-gifts).

Your Spiritual Gifts are given to you not for yourself - Different than other gifts, but for others.

1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

We will learn more about this in August as we do a full series on Spiritual Gifts.

Paul’s words to the Philippian believers were filled with encouragement about their gifts and who they were becoming. He promises that God isn’t done with them yet and that there is more work to be done to shape their gifts. The passage repeats this idea of shaping and overflowing a few times.

Reality Check on Stewardship...

16 - Producing Fruit Requires Rest and Pruning.

We can not give out of nothing.

Before you manage your time, you must manage your energy.

Jesus’ teaching on the Vine and the Branches from Building a Discipleship Culture.

Setting Good Boundaries so you are free to give.

Slow Down before you can move fast.

17 - Budgeting our Treasure - Pie Chart of Budgeting - 10% giving, 10% Saving, 80% Spending - taxes, living expenses, housing entertainment, and giving beyond the 10 % -

18 - Semi-Circle - 1 day of rest, 6 days of work. daily rythms, monthly, yearly, etc..

Stewarding your Spiritual Gifts. God given Passion - Where you serve, Gifts, What you do when you serve, Style - how you serve.

19 - Generous Participation Reaps Generosity from God.

Luke 6:37–39 NIV

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A 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.” He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?

Wisdom of Jesus - Proverbs.

You reap what you sow is another way of putting these parable.

You get out what you put in.

21 - Generous Participation Glorifies God.

vs. 11

Our Gifts, our Participation is a building up of others - Interdependence, but also Glorifies God.

Philippians 4:18 NIV

I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

When we participate in the in the Gospel and the Church’s mission - Giving of our Time, Talents, and Treasures - Notice that is called here worship.

1. Broaden the definition of gifts. With your group, brainstorm a list of skills and interests that are gifts. Ensure that all sorts of topics are included, such as music, writing, all kinds of fine arts, building and design of all sorts, caring and guarding of others, gifts of integrity and wisdom, gifts of strength and fortitude, and stillness. Invite students to add their own gifts to the list. Consider how these gifts may be used to serve God and our neighbors.

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Conclusion: When we participate in (ie fellowship) we sow into the Kingdom of God. Generous participation produces generous fruit. We build each other up, We Glorify God, and God brings generosity our way through the participation of others.