God's Supply
Notes
Transcript
Intro: VBS and serving
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Before we break down our text today I want to take just a minute and look over at a text out of Isaiah that I believe will help us understand the depth of our text when we get there.
1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
Here we see the Holiness of God on display. He is completely other. Unstained by sin, perfect in all His ways, we stand in AWE of Him.
Why is it important today we see the clarity of the Holiness of God? It is because the Holiness of God and the Glory of God are so intertwined that there is no discerning where one ends and the other begins. John Piper put it this way,
“The glory of God is the manifest beauty of his holiness. It is the going-public of his holiness.” - John Piper
Today we will see in our texts two truths about our lives and how they declare God’s Glory.
God’s Glory is displayed in our contentment in Him. (vs. 10-13)
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
I have rejoiced in the Lord greatly
You always loved and supported me but didn’t have opportunity.
Paul isn’t rejoicing over the money, Paul is rejoicing in the Lord for their concern for Him.
Paul’s view on money or anything else is not contingent upon circumstances, it is contingent upon the Lord. Due to that, he finds contentment in all circumstances.
Contentment isn’t complacency. Too many Christians say, “I’m content in Christ.” Yet what they actually are is complacent. The difference is passivity vs. activity.
A passive person is a complacent one.
They will read when life is easy and stop when life is hard.
They will pray when life is hard and stop when life is easy.
They will attend Church when it is convenient.
They will make excuses about why they cannot serve or be involved in Bible Studies and Small groups when they have time to do other optional activities.
All the while they say, “I am content in Jesus” When in actuality, their faith is not contingent upon Jesus but feelings and circumstances.
True contentment says,
“Circumstances Change but Christ does not, so I find my contentment in all circumstances in Him.”
You cannot be passive to have this contentment. You must be active. You must look to His Word, Prayer, and the body of Christ to see His greatness, goodness, and grace. If you do not, you will not find this contentment but when you do, His glory will be on display in your life.
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Whatever situation:
When my marriage is great or struggling
When my kids are sweet or unrecognizable
When my job is satisfying or draining
When my bills are paid or staring at me written on colored paper
When my relationships are plenty or have vanished
When I’m on my couch or in the hospital bed
When the days are sunshine and rainbows or storm clouds and tornados
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!
When this is our life, God’s glory is on display. It’s not your strength that shines though but His.
How you handle life’s circumstances expose if your are actively content in the one who is above your situation and the solution for it.
God’s Glory is displayed in our generosity for His Mission. (vs. 14-20)
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Church at Philippi supported Paul when no one else did, but Paul was not seeking their money He was seeking the benefit they would receive in Jesus. The gift to him was a sacrifice unto the Lord.
OT Imagery
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Prosperity Gospel lie.
Paul was content and cared for in the lowest points and He will supply what you need too!
We do not give to get, we give to give God Glory.
The goal of giving is the glory of God for the advancement of the mission of God.
GOSPEL
When we are content in Jesus, giving isn’t a struggle but a joy.
