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.

Everything We Need

July 29, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:3-4 We have everything we need for a godly life. Sentence has: 68 words 9 prepositional phrases 5 dependent clauses God called us. “By His divine power” The word here is summon Like Lazarus, come forth. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 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. By revealing Christ to us. “Through the knowledge of Him” Side note, ambiguity: The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We need to note that this comes to us by grace, but also that we have a part to play here. Effort is not a 4 letter word. You have no excuse for: Pornography- You have everything you need. Substance Abuse- You have everything you need. Pride- You have everything you need Laziness- You have everything you need Anger- You have everything you need. Prayer and Scripture Reading- You have everything you need. Evangelism- You have everything you need. He’ll go on to mention supplementing He has given us what we need for godliness now, and He promises us even greater things to come. We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature 2 Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature Unusual word… The “divine nature” (Theos) appears only here and in Acts where Paul addresses the Areopagus an odd work choice and would have appealed to his pagan readers. Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. Redefining what it means to become like God. Christ shared in our nature that we might share in His. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. In 1:3, it’s through the knowledge of Christ that we are called to Him. Here, we see that a fuller revelation of Christ will conform us even more fully into His likeness. How so? Purity Immortality Restoration to Eden Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, We have everything we need for a godly life. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 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. The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. Purity Immortality Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable.’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. Discipleship Questions: 2 Peter 1:3 says we’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness… Do you find that verse encouraging, challenging or both? Are there any areas of your walk where you struggle to believe that you already have everything you need for success? Do you ever make excuses to yourself or others for a lack of godliness? If yes, explain. How much work does it take to live as a Christian? What does it mean that we will be “partakers in the divine nature”?

The Genuine Gospel

July 21, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:1-2  Peter is warning us about counterfeit teaching and false teachers The genuine gospel came from Jesus through His apostles —servant (humility and honor) —apostle (called, unique, sent) The genuine gospel is just as precious to us today —received and believed “How does someone become a Christian? One person might say, ‘Because I believe,’ and another, ‘Because God chose me.’ According to Peter, both ways of stating it are correct. On the one hand, we believe. It is a fundamental definition of a Christian that he or she is a ‘believe-er’; that he or she ‘has faith’ But Peter also knows that it is not our feeble faith that holds us close to God. It is God who does all the holding, and that is the reality behind the word received.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus —God —Savior —Christ —Lord “This fourfold description of Jesus is important because it puts him at the focal point of human history. As God, he guarantees that his words and his works cannot be replaced or revoked; as Christ, he fulfills all the Old Testament promises; as Savior, he died on the cross for our salvation in the past, present and future; and as Lord he claims the right to our individual love and obedience—notice how Peter calls him our Lord.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel transforms us as we grow in knowledge of Jesus —grace and peace multiplied Discipleship Questions: Why is false teaching so dangerous? How does remembering and focusing on the true gospel help us stand against false teaching? In what ways is the gospel just as precious to us as it was to the apostles? How do you relate to Jesus as God, Savior, Christ, and Lord? What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him?

The God of All Grace

July 16, 2025
Notes from Zach Snow's sermon on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:8-14 Why is the lion roaring? Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to be quiet…subtle…sneaky, in an attempt to “devour” Christians? I think that Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, was very intentional with his description here of the devil being a roaring lion. Went into a rabbit hole on a lion's roar…there are some spiritual applications to these: Can reach up to 114 decibels…almost as loud as a jet engine taking off They roar for social reasons (territory, create bonds, locate other members of their pride) as well as for purposes of intimidation. One of the primary purposes of the lion's roar is to strike fear in the heart of their prey. The lion will always start with a psychological advantage Fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hatred - these things can absolutely paralyse you spiritually The lion is not necessarily trying to kill you, but to destroy your faith Prayer: Be sober-minded - Have a clear and self disciplined mind - Titus 2 Exercise self control in thoughts, words, and action this is the 3rd time Peter has said this to us in 1 Peter - 1:13, 4:7 - it’s a call to remain alert and focused Being sober-minded means waging war against the things that are detrimental to the mind: fear, hatred, anxiety, depression, anger I believe these are specific things the enemy uses to derail our mental health and cause us to take our guard down Be watchful - this is the same word that Jesus used in the garden before he was arrested and crucified - this is a call to pray Prayers for others - Eph. 6:18 - Ephesians 6:18 - [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Prayers for yourself - James 1:5 - 5 j If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. So here’s the question… Do you believe in prayer? How much do you trust that God can do the things that you are not able to do? Do you trust God with the big stuff AND the small stuff? Discipleship Questions: 1.) In your personal life, what does being sober minded and watchful look like to you? 2.) Who are the people who help you stand firm in your faith the most? 3.) As a CG look at each of the points of the Theology of Suffering and find Scripture to support each one of those statements: God is ALWAYS good God is ALWAYS enough God will ALWAYS love you 4.) Discuss ways that the God of all grace has restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established you.
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