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.

Arm Yourselves

June 11, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:1-6 Prepare to suffer Is. 50:6-8a I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. The martial language indicates that discipline and grit are needed to live the Christian life, particularly in view of the suffering believers encounter. -Thomas R. Schreiner Some people won’t like you if you follow Jesus When a culture abandons biblical standards, when extramarital sex, cohabitation, and birth outside of marriage become normal, people attack the church for its moral snobbery and judgmentalism. Peter warns us that if we do take a stand, we need to expect slander, not applause. -Daniel M. Dorian This is one of the hardest things a new Christian has to face. Your friends liked you because you shared in “the same flood of debauchery.” It seemed great fun at times, but then you came to embrace Christ… But your friends have not… They will be surprised when you say “No.” -Juan Sanchez. Keep an eternal perspective Our outcome is glorious Suffering is good for us Let’s remember that suffering accomplishes God’s purposes. It exposes what or whom we are trusting (1 Peter 1:6–7). - Juan Sanchez Ecc. 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Discipleship Questions: Verse 1 tell us to arm ourselves by thinking as Christ did about suffering. How did Christ arm himself for and against sufferings? What does it look like for us to do that? Have you ever lost friendships (or had them change) because you were following Jesus? Do you fear that we (or our kids) will experience greater persecution in the future? If yes, how should we handle that fear?

I Believe That We Will Win

June 3, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 3:18-22 Jesus suffered and died in order to bring us to God Jesus conquered death by his resurrection “A wonderful text is this, and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other in the New Testament, so that I do not know for a certainty just what Peter means.” —Martin Luther Problem #1 - he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison —Jesus preached through Noah to those who lived at that time (1 Peter 1:10–12) —Jesus proclaimed His victory to evil angels (see Genesis 6:1-4) Problem #2 - baptism now saves you —Scripture is clear - we are saved by grace not works —baptism pictures our salvation from God’s judgment through the resurrection of Christ “The waters of baptism, like the waters of the flood, demonstrate that destruction is at hand, but believers are rescued from these waters in that they are baptized with Christ, who has also emerged from the waters of death through his resurrection. Just as Noah was delivered through the stormy waters of the flood, believers have been saved through the stormy waters of baptism by virtue of Christ’s triumph over death.” —Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude —in baptism we are appealing to God for a good conscience "This appeal is an act of the heart looking away from itself and from all human instruments and calling on God, appealing to God, for grace to save.” —John Piper —in baptism we are pledging to God to live in a manner worthy of the gospel Jesus ascended to heaven and now reigns over everything “We can face suffering as Christians with confidence rather than panic, and hope rather than despair, because the road marked with Christian suffering is, no matter what its twists and turns are, the road to vindication and glory. The God who vindicated Jesus will vindicate you, and he will sustain your faith until that day.” –Juan R. Sanchez, 1 Peter For You Discipleship Questions: How does Jesus’ death and resurrection encourage us when we suffer? Why did we need Jesus to suffer and die to bring us to God? How does Jesus’ victory over death give us eternal hope? What are your thoughts regarding some of the problems in this passage? How does what Peter says about baptism elevate the importance of baptism? When were you baptized and how does this passage inform your understanding of baptism? How does knowing our victory is secured help us with all the things this life throws at us?

Who Can Be Against Us?

May 27, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 3:13-17 Nobody can (truly) hurt Christians Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Rom. 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? The train of thought is as follows: “No one will be able to harm believers on the future day if they are zealous for good” (v. 13). Indeed, even present suffering is not a sign of punishment but of blessing both now and especially in the future, on the day when God rewards his people with eternal life. -Thomas R. Schreiner Honoring Christ Erases Fear Share your faith with strength and gentleness Embrace balance Be prepared to share The truth of the gospel is a public truth that can be defended in the public arena. This does not mean, of course, that every Christian is to be a highly skilled apologist for the faith. It does mean that every believer should grasp the essentials of the faith and should have the ability to explain to others why they think the Christian faith is true. -Thomas R. Schreiner Be prepared to suffer “I’ve spent a number of years in India and Africa where I found much righteous endeavor undertaken by Christians of all denominations; but I never, as it happens, came across a hospital or orphanage run by the Fabian Society [a British socialist organization], or a humanist leper colony.” -Malcolm Muggeridge Be bold! We will likely suffer as Christians in this world, but that suffering is slight and temporary compared to the eternal inheritance that awaits us. The worst thing that can happen to us is that we die and receive our promised inheritance. Can you imagine how emboldened Christians would be if we only believed what Peter is saying? -Juan R. Sanchez Discipleship Questions: Does the fact that nobody can (truly) harm us comfort you? What would change if we lived like we really believe that? Are you a more confident person as someone who knows Christ? Does your security in Christ embolden you to take some risks in life, knowing that the worst that could happen is death? How equipped / prepared are you to give a reason for the hope that you have? What would grow your confidence and competence in that? Have you considered joining Michael Clark one day for evangelism at the harbor? Well….you should….
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