Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

The Pilgrims (who were a group of British separatists who struggled for religious freedom) had fled Britain to Holland in 1608 in search of religious freedom.

Being in poverty and treated poorly in Holland, they set out across the Atlantic in 1620.

During the 9-week journey, due to suffering on the journey as well as a cruel New England winter, about half of them died.

These Pilgrims had set out for religious freedom.

They sought to be able to worship God freely and without the government’s interference.

With their hearts struggling to find what God was doing in the midst of their suffering, they were greatly blessed when a Native American named Squanto taught them how to grow corn, use fertilizer, stalk deer, and catch fish.

His giving of his time and energy was lifesaving to these Pilgrims.

And what is oftentimes missed is the giving of Squanto by God to this struggling group of people.

You see, Squanto was no average Native American.

He spoke English!

He had been kidnapped by an English explorer named Thomas Hunt who had sold him into slavery in Spain.

Squanto escaped slavery and ended up back in England where, as God’s providence would have it, eventually allowed him to take a ship to the New World in no other year than 1619 (the very year before the Pilgrims landed)!

God was sovereignly working even when it seemed like all hope was lost for the Pilgrims.

William Bradford, the governor of Plymouth, called Squanto, “a special instrument sent of God for good beyond our expectations.”

Because of the bountiful harvest of 1621, Bradford declared a new holiday.

This term was meant in the truest of terms - it was a new Holy Day.

A day of remembrance of what the Lord had done.

Today we are going to be talking about giving.

As God’s sovereignty would have it, we are entering the final stretch of Philippians and it deals with none other than Thanksgiving.

What a wonderful blessing for us as we start to read the Scripture for today:

Join me as we read Philippians 4:14-23

Prayer

Today we are going to discuss three Biblical reasons that you should give generously.

The first is:

I.

You Should Give Generously…Because God is Working (14-16)

Paul could have ended this letter in Philippians 4:13.

He had just said that he had learned the secret of contentment and that he could do all things through Christ who strengthens him.

This was a very true and real statement.

It was a lesson that he had learned in his life.

Yet, it may have left the Philippians wondering if their support had made any difference or if they were faithful in their giving.

Paul, wanting to be clear of his appreciation of the church in Philippi one last time, lets them know that they were kind to share in his trouble.

He starts off verse 14 with the transition word ‘yet’ with some translations using the word ‘nevertheless.’

He wants to transition from the truth that Jesus is always enough to the fact that we still appreciate what Jesus is doing through others.

The ESV translates the Greek word kalōs (ka-lose) as ‘kind.’

This word is more commonly translated as ‘well’ or ‘good.’

He is saying the Philippian church has done very well in aiding his ministry.

The word here translated ‘trouble’ can also mean affliction.

Paul referred to his ministry as his trouble or affliction because trouble had seemed to find him wherever he went!

Although he counted Christ more than worthy, he understood the sacrifice of being a missionary and Apostle of the Lord.

In verse 15 we see Paul look back to the planting of this wonderful church.

Ten years ago he had first preached the Gospel in Philippi.

Upon leaving Philippi, he was blessed to have their financial support to go and preach the Gospel in Thessalonica.

He praises them for entering into partnership.

This partnership is one that is not formal but intimate and close.

The word ‘partnership’ here actually stems from the word koinonia - meaning fellowship.

It is the term that is used for the church family.

This is the kind of partnership they had with Paul.

They were fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and wanted to support the Gospel.

How did they partner or fellowship?

The end of verse 15 states through giving and receiving.

All of the churches recieved the gift that Paul brought which was the ministry of the Gospel.

But not all churches gave back to him.

Paul was blessed by the church of Philippi for not just being takers.

They saw God working through Paul and saw hearts changing because of the power of the Gospel.

This matter of giving and receiving is actually found in more business terminology.

It is often used to refer to accounting especially.

Paul noted that the Philippians saw their investment in God’s work through the spreading of the Gospel as worthy to invest in.

Do we see God’s work as worthy in to invest in?

When we look around us and see all of the ways that we can spend money, is the advancement of the Gospel the first thing we think about?

Or is something for ourselves, or our children, or our parents?

This is not to say that we don’t give generously to others as well.

We are called to live generous lives in every way.

But brothers and sisters, we should always first give generously to the advancement of the Gospel because God is certainly still working and there are so many in need of hearing the message of salvation.

Next we see that....

Scripture References: Philippians 4:13, Acts 2:42

II.

You Should Give Generously...Because God is Worthy (17-18)

In verse 17, we see that Paul reiterates that he is pleased with the gifts from the Philippians not because of the gifts themselves, but because of the heart behind them.

They are giving to the work of the Lord and they are giving because they see that God is worthy of their gifts.

Not only that but he also is encouraged because of the future reward they will have in heaven.

The Scriptures are filled with references to credit or account.

Some, who are unbelievers, will give an account in a negative way whereas those who are believers will be rewarded based on their faithfulness to God.

We see that we all will give an account of our lives before God.

We also see that our works and gifts are going to be judged by more than just what we do.

The heart behind them will matter as well.

We must give and serve not for our own glory or gain - but for the glory of Christ.

We must build on that foundation alone if we want to see any reward for our labor in Christ.

We see that we are saved not by our works but by grace here.

But we also see that our works will be judged through the fire of testing by the Lord.

Those works that are self-exalting will be burnt up and we should expect no reward for them.

Only what is done for Christ will last.

I encourage each of you to spend some time thinking about the motivation for what you do.

Think not only about what you do but think much deeper - think why you do it.

You may do some wonderful things.

But is it for the glory of God?

Or is it so that people think you are a good person?

Is it to advance the Gospel?

Or is it to advance yourself?

God knows the very thoughts of our minds and hearts.

He will not be deceived.

Pray that God gives you a heart for His glory for He is worthy of all honor and praise..

Verse 18 reminds us of Paul’s contentment again.

He has all he needs.

He is well supplied.

He is content in his current circumstance despite the fact that he is in prison!

Yet he appreciates the financial gifts and the gift of service that Epaphroditus has brought on behalf of the church in Philippi.

He refers to these gifts as a fragrant offering and an acceptable sacrifice which is pleasing to God.

For us today, we may miss the meaning of this term fragrant offering.