Sermon Tone Analysis
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This morning we will be considering an area some take as uncomfortable, awkward, or even offensive!
I however see it as an area of a GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY to reflect on the very character of our Great God!
The area I speak to is: GIVING… specifically giving of ones finances or resources!
I’m asked sometimes… how often do you speak on giving?
When scripture speaks to it!
“When you and I give we reflect such a powerful attribute of His character!”
CONSIDER OUR GOD in the area of giving:
He gives life
He gives needs
He gives joy
He gives hope
He gives peace
He gives salvation
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, He gave...”
God gives even to the undeserving… Jesus states Matthew 5:44-45
Paul continues the tone of REJOICING as he expresses his gratitude, commends them in their giving, and focuses his attention and his readers attention on the Lord… follow as we read Philippians 4:10-19
Thank You!
Genuine gratitude is less prevalent in our society these days… it even plagues the church.
There has come into peoples minds and hearts an entitled attitude that is robbing people of gratitude:
When children are young we teach them to say thank you for something recieved (the true value is not realized)
As they grow older we strive to teach children the VALUE of things (tangible or otherwise) so that there is an appreciation… genuine gratitude
Illustrate by taking kids out to eat
Paul here in our passage is genuinely grateful for several things:
For their concern and remembrance of him
For their gift financially to help
For the blessing they are learning and receiving in this process
REMEMBERED...
These people are very dear to Paul… he knows their concern for him
He knows their situation… “they lacked opportunity” vs 10… In 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 we see their plight:
Their concern for him brings… REJOICING!!!
Sent a message and a messenger
Sent help financially, a gift of love VALUED!!!
Paul out of his genuine appreciating expresses a truth concerning wealth and wants, and it’s wrapped up in a WORD… CONTENTMENT!!!
Verse 11… Paul is not speaking out of want, but of understanding VALUE and being in a place of contentment!
Whether very little or great abundance
Good circumstances or difficult circumstances
Rich or poor / great abundance or even suffering NEED
Going hungry or even being filled
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines CONTENT verb:
1: to appease the desires of
2: to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions
Scripture speaks to our contentment especially in the area of money or wealth:
In Hebrews 13:5 the writer states:
Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:6-8 the following:
God enables our contentment verse 13! Probably taken out of context more than most verses!
Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (4:10–13)
The “all things” refers to surviving the extremes of life.
To paraphrase: “Whatever ups and downs life sends my way, I can handle whatever comes, not through my own strength, but by the power of Christ.”
Nothing else suffices but Christ.
He alone gives the strength we need to endure.
Not education, not money, not political clout, not positive thinking, not self-assertiveness.
In other words… it is God who enables us to live content… regardless of our circumstances
WHY… HOW??? simply this a heart of gratitude, genuine, understanding the GREAT VALUE of what He has so richly blessed us with, what He has given!
AND… He gave His Son not only as our salvation (that would be enough!!!) but also as an example as Paul states in chapter 3!
Knowing their situation, receiving their gift, Paul commends these dear people!
Well Done!
Paul takes time to praise these dear people in verses 15-17!
We see body living lived out well as they engage in body living and Giving!
Body Living… They put action to their concern....
Beginning as soon as Paul went to Thessalonica
The ONLY church!
Sharing in affliction, mission, and contribution!
Body Giving!
Saw the need and gave!
Let’s send people (Epaphroditus)
Let’s send encouragement
Let’s send finances / support
AND THERE WAS BLESSING!
It blessed the one receiving (acknowledges full payment “thank you”)
It blessed the ones giving
Eternal rewards… God sees and is aware
Proverbs 19:17 (NASB95)
One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.
There is VALUE when we invest in the work God is doing!
When we engage in body living and body giving… we don’t seek the praise or even the blessing rather, knowing the VALUE of eternal things we rejoice and praise God!!!
Praise God!
Verses 18-19 demonstrate in a beautiful way that our giving of ourselves, our talents, and our resources (MONEY) is a LIVING SACRIFICE to God Almighty!
Our Giving and sacrifice is an act of WORSHIP!
When we give it is not ours that we even give… it is all His!
When we engage in giving to Him… we give to Him that which is rightly His already
We don’t give so people are impressed
We don’t give to receive status
We don’t give to get a tax break
We don’t give so Pastor sees… which I have no clue (Praise God)
We give as an act of worship and obedience to GOD!
The amazing thing… verse 19 (another one taken out of context) :
This is NOT God giving health wealth and happiness...
God is faithful to supply our needs (vs greed's) and…
Through His people supply for the work of the GOSPEL!
It is all according to His riches
And the focus remains on His Son and the Glory of Jesus Christ!
In closing this message I want to ask some questions:
Are you grateful (understanding the value)
Are you seeking comfort or contentment in this life
Are you seeking a sense of self entitlement or seeking self sacrifice for God and others
What is keeping me from contentment like Paul
What is keeping me from giving like the Philippians
Where do you need to start today to be a faithful conduit of giving
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