Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Paul is slowly coming to an end to his letter to the Philippians.

With our passage today Paul is closing up his personal letter to one of his first churches he has established.

His letter of joy comes to a conclusion.

With what message does Paul end his letter though?

It is a message that describes the result and fruit of the joy we have in Christ: Give generously.

Yes, the joy we have in Christ is not only to be enjoyed by ourselves.

We are not seeking or pursuing the comfort and joy sitting in our lovely build churches for God is not raising up couch potatoes that sit in our lovely homes in the suburbs of the cities in the United States but He is raising up an army that is willing to work and fight for His kingdom.

Why?

Why would anyone do that?

Because of the joy we have in Him.

The question for our message is that “Can I really afford to give generously to others?”

The answer is yes, we can.

Not only can we afford, we must give for we have already more than enough in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Fellowship

Before, we talk about giving as Christians, I think we must make clear about what we mean when we talk about giving generously to others.

Without taking anything away for giving big tithing and offering, which can be a way to worship God, the reason why I want to address this is that the passage talks about it and we, especially in the Korean-American churches in the 21st century, have a very wrong view about our understanding of giving and especially “sharing in someones troubles?”

When we think about sharing in someones trouble, what do we usually think of?

Maybe sending a text, maybe visiting, maybe helping someone financially.

The older you get, the last option is mostly used, because many of us are busy ourselves with our own problems.

Also, it seems that it is also the best method to help someone.

That might be true in many cases.

Financial help is important and it was important to Paul as well as he was in need many times as we know as of now.

However, that is not the help and giving that Paul is talking about here.

When Paul describes the help of the Philippians provided to Paul, he is using the Greek word συγκοινωνέω which basically means “share”.

But the root here comes from the word κοινωνία which means “fellowship”.

What Paul was rejoicing in and was glad about was not that they were just sending materialistic help but he rejoiced that they pursued their fellowship with him!

That is why he says in verse 10 this:

He rejoiced simply in the fact that the church of Philippi was concerned about him showing him that the love for him was there.

This goes along with his message of love and what it means to be a true Christian.

Romans 12:

I love when he says rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

This is the brotherly love that we need and must pursue.

Look how the Psalmist describes such a relationship:

Of course, this passage is worthy of a separate sermon itself but basically, what this is saying is that nothing can be better when brothers dwell in unity - in fellowship - in koinonia - rejoicing and weeping together, giving to each other for each others needs.

This is the giving that Paul is talking about - a materialistic, emotional, and spiritual endeavor.

Our goal in life is to “Give”

But why are we to give?

Is it wrong to be less outgoing and to keep everything to myself?

Do we really need to give?

Can we really be giving?

Yes!

We can and we must.

There are two reasons for this and for now we are going to talk about the first reason: it is the command of God!

It is not a choice or an option we have in giving, it is the call that we have as Christians.

The problem today is that we are all coming to church to receive rather than giving.

Especially when college students look for a church, they are all looking for a place in which they can receive - they want to have fun, friends, events, etc.

It is funny when people are saying that they cannot find a good church, when their requirements are based on the merits they are receiving.

Look at Paul when he said this:

This is something that could be misunderstood.

What Paul means with this is not that Paul is not in need for the gifts that the Philippians are sending to him.

He is indeed grateful for those as he says in verse 18.

But he says this meaning that beyond just receiving these things, he rejoices in the fact that through those things, he can give them credit for their works.

He seeks the fruit that increase to your credit.

He is not only saying thanks for your gifts but he also wants to give back to them as well.

What can we learn is the fact that this is the system that we must have as Christians in relationship to others and to the church - what can we give?

For that is our goal.

We are called to be farmers to reap what we sow and to give to the seed as much as we can do so that the seed as it grows will give fruit, finishing the circle of giving.

It is the giving the call that we have in which God is rejoicing.

Imagine if this is happening in our churches, focusing on how we can give rather than receiving and even as we receive, we think first how we can give back.

Everybody receives and nobody lacks and nobody is bitter for he did not receive for in giving he already received.

We must change our mindset and goal as Christians to think that God must provide me with all things, the church is here to give to me the services that I needs, instead think of how you can give.

Just look at your parents and you can see how this works.

I am always impressed by the love of your mothers and fathers who so willingly and give, not only their money and support, but prayer, their time, their attention.

This is the example that we must follow and imitate in our group that as the older have received they give down to the younger the love they have experienced - I hope this is the way you will build up this church - instead of thinking of your merit or benefit - just give, give all that you have.

That leads us to the third point an second point to this answer to how we can really afford to do so:

The source of our gifts

Look at the source of your gifts that you have received and are giving away.

Why is Paul telling us to give and how was it possible for Paul, the Philippians or anyone particular during Paul’s time to give when as we know all of them were facing trials and hardships, financially, emotionally, physically, etc.

Because they stopped looking on what they have, or what they are receiving, but instead in faith have switched their perspective to what they already have gotten in Christ Jesus.

It was the same for me - instead of looking what I lacked, I looked at what I have - family, friends, church but most importantly, even if those other things are missing, I know I have one things that no one can take away from me - that is Jesus Christ my Lord, who loves me no matter what I do and have already proven it on the cross.

This is also the point that Paul is making in this letter:

In Christ Jesus, he knows that he has everything that he could ever want or need and knowing that Christ Jesus has died for him, was raised for him, and also is in union with him, Paul knew he is lacking nothing.

He tells them also to hold on to that faith as the Philippians believed in the same truth reminding them in verse 10 - God will supply every need of yours.

What a wonderful promise it is and this promise is also our to have.

In Christ you have everything but as you keep on giving God will keep on giving to you as well!

This is also how it is logical that this is working.

I know that if you think you have nothing it is hard to give.

Asking you to give if you think you have nothing is not the right message to give.

I know that some of us are sufferings, we all do.

Some of you suffer from loneliness, maybe even depression, maybe some of you may have even suicidal thoughts.

I know that high schoolers go through that.

I went through it as well as I was in middle and high school.

For a while my dream was to die young for I had enough of this world.

But it was only when I truly saw and even now, being a pastor I am seeing it again, that Christ gave me everything I need, I could do the things that I am doing

I mean look at Paul.

The normal procedure to take would be to thank them and to ask for more, for he is in prison suffering and being cold and weak.

Yet, he says, “I have received full payment, and more.

I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent,...”

He says he is content in his suffering because he is in Christ Jesus devoting all things to him - according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.”

Paul had joy.

His source gave him joy.

That even though he may be lacking in the secular perspective, he had everything and more.

What about you?

Do you feel lacking?

Do you feel you need more?

Maybe you really do.

But ask yourselves, where are you going to be filled.

Only in Christ can you be really filled - nothing else in this world can satisfy you and we know it - and in His joy and support, I tell you, you can really afford to give.