Generosity

Nikolle Bauder • September 7, 2022

From Scott Sutton's message on Philippians 4:14-23.


This past Sunday, we wrapped up our time in Philippians by studying Paul's words as he closes out his letter.


Paul says, "Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble..." With the "YET," Paul seems to be indicating that he doesn't want there to be any misunderstandings.


As Scott noted on Sunday, this last section is awkwardly humorous. Remember, this letter to the Philippians church was likely being read aloud to a house church (a group of real people) who had taken the time to gather for a financial gift to be delivered to Paul. So, they sent the gift, and Paul's letter came in response. So, imagine what it would be like to give someone a gift in hopes of it being a blessing to their ministry, and then you receive a letter that says... "I don't need your money. I have learned in whatever situation to be content. I am ok with my troubles. I don't have any needs."


The room was probably feeling a big awkward... thinking, "that's so great that he is content and doesn't need anything from anyone.... so I wonder if he got our gift..."


And then Paul jumps in with a "YET, it was so kind of you to share in my troubles."


Paul is not being insincere in this. As a whole, his letter shows patterns of trying to make sure that the Philippians church is thinking correctly so that they might live correctly. Paul does not want them to think that his contentment minimizes the importance of their generosity.


(1) Contentment increases generosity

When we're worried about how much money is in our bank account, or the things we don't have, or what might happen... it doesn't leave a lot of room for generosity. Removing unhealthy worry for ourselves creates more room for very healthy concern for others.


If you have fallen into the lie that you provide for yourself, then this will be hard for you. The Lord provides for His people. The Lord sustains His people.


Paul is calling the church here to consider and battle their excuses when it comes to serving others, blessing others, or even being inconvenienced.



(2) Paul isn't seeking generosity (v. 17)

He is emphatic about how terrible it is to use ministry as a means for dishonest gain. Paul had previously gone out of his way to make sure his needs never hindered the gospel.


(3) Paul IS seeking the fruit that increases to their credit (v. 17-18)

We only deposit that which has value, particularly monetary value. There's a different kind of currency and a different kind of account when it comes to the Christian life. In this section, Paul is asking the Phillippians what they value most -- is it things or accumulating more stuff, or is it being generous with everything because of what it says about Jesus?


Paul is talking here about laying up treasure in heaven. There's a different economy in heaven where monetary value is used as the means to a different end, where the main currency used is that which makes much of Jesus. When we get to heaven, every single person will have an account showing all the ways they were able to live and show that Jesus is who He says He is. The treasure is the glory of Jesus. This is infinitely more valuable than stuff, and greatly impacts the way we use our stuff to be generous in the name of Jesus.


"If laying up treasures in heaven is the opposite laying up treasures on earth, then probably laying up treasures in heaven will not be laying up treasures on earth but giving them away in ways that magnify the worth of Jesus."

- John Piper


Paul calls the Philippians' generosity a "fragrant offering," a phrase only used one other time in the New Testament (see Ephesians 5:2, "Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering to God.")


It's worth noting again here Paul's words regarding the gift he received, "a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God" (v. 17).


In this, Paul tells that WE CAN PLEASE GOD.


In Christ, we have cancelled imperfections. When God looks at what you bring, He sees a fragrant offering. He sees a beautiful sacrifice.


(4) Generosity is not driven only by need, but by worship (v. 19 - 20)

Our generosity is driven by the generosity of God.  In verse 19 of our text, Paul tells us that God will supply every one of our needs! This is generosity! He does so (1) according to His riches; (2) in glory; and (3) in Christ Jesus.


God's generosity is extravagant. He is generous with salvation, but also with comfort; energy; spiritual fruit; spiritual gifts; listening (He's quick to hear); patience (He's slow to anger); and love.


Generosity for us should look like giving to others in sacrificial and strategic ways that make much of Jesus.



(5) Greeting is a form of hospitable recognition (v. 21-22)

So many people in our world are hurting and feel unseen. The church is designed by God to be a place where you are seen. A place where people greet you and recognize your presence.


Paul closes with,  "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."


In every word and in every action, let's carry this with us and make much of Jesus.

Freed to Serve

April 28, 2025
Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 2:11-17 This is the beginning of a section addressing how God's people now function in this world. It begins with aliens and exiles and continues with servants, wives, husbands, and finally, all of you. 1.) Our identity defines our actions. We are sojourners and exiles (temporary, passing through, not at home) We have a heavenly citizenship Actions We abstain from the passions of the flesh Keep conduct among the Gentiles honorable (our conduct is for the benefit of other people) Honorable conduct wins souls… sojourners, exiles, and soul winners “Peter’s point is that believers’ behavior creates a context in which people will listen to God’s word. He is not teaching that ‘good deeds’ in themselves convert unbelievers, but they establish an environment for the Gospel-word to do so.” -Barnett 2.) Our identity defines our expectations (Unbelievers will respond to honorable conduct in 1 of 2 ways) Some will speak evil against us as though we are evildoers Some will see our good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation 3.) Our identity defines our view of authority (Does anyone here ever just want to do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it? That’s why laws exist) Be subject to every human institution (for the Lord's sake) This includes governors and emperors (no distinction between good/bad) The will of God... by doing good, we silence the ignorance of foolish people 4.) Our identity defines our view of freedom Don't use freedom as a cover-up for evil We are freed to serve God Honor, Love, and Fear Discipleship Questions: 1.)Why is it so important to understand our identity before talking about our behavior? 2.) How might this reality impact your parenting? For real, what are 3 ways that you can apply that this week? 3.) How is good conduct a form of evangelism? 4.) What do these verses say that we can expect from others? 5.) How can we honor a government that isn't always honorable? Seriously, what are 5 things we should immediately stop doing and 5 things we should immediately start doing? 6.) What are some tangible ways to honor others? Love the brotherhood? Fear God? Honor the Emperor? 7.) Should we fear the Emperor?

Cornerstone

April 22, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 2:4-10 Everyone must accept or reject Jesus. He is the cornerstone. We choose to accept Him as the foundation of our lives or toss the truth aside. When we come to Jesus… We become part of His People 1 Pe 2:4-5 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. The cornerstone is The New Temple. From this we learn that following Christ entails joining his community, the church…The freelance Christian, who follows Jesus but is too good, too busy, or too self-sufficient for the church, is a walking contradiction. -Daniel M. Doriani We join a royal, holy, priesthood 1 Pet. 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Because of who Jesus makes us. We receive God’s mercy Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms….Now repentance is no fun at all. It is something much harder than merely eating humble pie. It means unlearning all the self-conceit and self-will that we have been training ourselves into for thousands of years. It means undergoing a kind of death. Acts 17:30-31 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Discipleship Questions: Why is it impossible to be neutral about Jesus? Why do you believe that Jesus truly is the Son of God? Do you ever have doubts about this? If yes, what are they? According to 1 Peter 2:9, who are we after we come to Christ? Why does Paul say (in 1 Corinthians) that if Christ is not risen, our faith is in vain?

Born Again

April 16, 2025
Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 2:2-3 Why do our souls ache for certainty? We are so eager for certainty that we will look for it in all the wrong places. - Certainty in our Finances [show slide from news] - Certainty in our Jobs [Acts 17:24-27] - Certainty in our Health [Covid] - Certainty in our Abilities [Ecclesiastes 3:11 “God has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”] “Things that have never happened before are happening every day.” -Morgan Housel In these verses, God gives us what our souls ache for! 1.) You must be born again of imperishable seed - We have all been born of perishable seed o Impure souls o Disobedient to truth o Unloving insincerity toward others o Lack of loving effort o Impure hearts - We are withering grass and falling flowers - The imperishable seed is the living and abiding Word of God o Does not wither o Does not fall o Does not let us down o It remains forever o It MUST BE PREACHED! But still, how can we be certain that we have been born again? 2.) If you are born again, hope will be seen in your relationships When your relationship with God changes, God changes your relationships! - Sincere brotherly love - Love earnestly - Put away… o Malice o Deceit o Hypocrisy o Envy o All Slander 3.) If you are born again, hope will be seen in your appetite for God’s Word - Like newborn infants - Long for the pure spiritual milk Discipleship Questions: 1.) Where are some unhealthy places where you look for certainty? 2.) Why do you do that? 3.) What were some evidences of your perishable seed before you came to Christ? Any of that still lingering that needs to be repented from? 4.) Why does Peter call the Word of God the imperishable seed? 5.) In light of the text, how would you describe being "born again" to a 5-year-old? 6.) How has imperishable hope proven itself in your relationships? OR How might it if you lean into loving others earnestly? 7.) Why does Peter tell us that hope will be seen in our appetite for God's Word?
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