Philippi Missions Conference

03/03/2019 13:25

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Date: 28 February, 2019
Text: Philippians 4:10-20
Title: Philippi Mission Program
 
Introduction: 
Most of you know that our church has a church missions program. We have on the back table a globe which is actually a bank. Everything that is given their goes to support the cause of missions.
 
We currently support the Kelly Family as they reach addicts with the Gospel.
New Life Residential Centre
Reformer's unanimous
Men's home outreach into the local community.
 
We have had an increase in our missions giving and we have voted to put 10 percent of our church income into our missions program. This has allowed us to prayerfully consider taking on another missionary.
 
Three weeks from today, our church has the blessing of hosting the Calin Family at our church. Brother Stefan and their family are missionaries to Romania. They are going to present their field of Romania to our church.
 
What they will do when they come is what Paul and Barnabus did when they reported to the church at Jerusalem.
 
Acts 15:3  And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4  And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
 
I want to prepare us for their coming by preaching on missions giving. There are some very good examples of missions giving in the Word of God.
 
The church at Macedonia is a great example used by Paul.
2 Corinthians 8:1  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
 exp. What an example of giving they were as Paul challenged the church at Corinth to give like them.
 
The example God put on my heart to share with us today is the church at Philippi. 
 
I want to charge our church today - to develop a church of Philippi Missions Program. 
 
text: Philippians 4:10-20
 
To give to missions like the church at Philippi, we must....
 
I. Be personal in our giving.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
exp. They obviously had a personal connection with the missionary, the Apostle Paul.
question: How had this relationship come about?
A. Paul had been brought by God to them.
Acts16:9  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10  And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11  Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12  And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
B. Paul had led some of them to the Lord.
ill. Lydia - 14  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15  And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
  C. Paul had suffered with them.
22  And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23  And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24  Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
D. Paul had visited them twice since then.
 Acts 20:1  And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2  And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
6  And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
 ill. The Southern Baptist Church in the USA is one of the largest Baptist Denomination. The way they have given money to missions is that people give throught the State conventions to their national missions organization. (IBM - international mission board.)
exp. The problem is - you don't know the missionary - and you may disagree with that missionaries doctrine.
 app. As an Independent Baptist Church, we believe it is important to know your missionaries like the church at Philippi knew Paul. We want to be personal in our giving. 
 
II. Be bountiful in our giving.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
A. We need to be giving to God consistently. (flourishing again)
exp. Like the daffodils coming up each spring or a river being brought back up to spate - their giving was refreshingly available again. It was bountiful.
ill. Spring is coming (if this past week wasn't our summer.) I'm looking forward to my garden growing and am praying already that God will bless our gardening.
 note: I don't like annual plants - live for one season and then die. I like perennials. They bountifully come back to live, year, after year, after year.
note: You can count on them!
app. Can God count on you - are you a perrenial in your giving?
B. We need to be living in the present in our giving. "and flourish again"
ill. Pa Pa Webb - lovely old man who had the same wonderful story to tell you every time you saw him. To be honest, I loved hearing it over and over again.
exp. Some Christians live their Christian life like that. They gave significantly one time to missions and they relish the memory instead of seeking greater opportunities.
Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
app. Are you bountiful in your giving? Is it flourishing again?
 
III. Be careful in our giving.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
def. careful - to interest oneself in
 exp. These believers made it their interest to know how Paul was doing and what he needed.
question: Why would you give to something in which you have no interest?
 quote: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
note: To drink he has to be motivated and interested in drinking?
 ill. Lord willing, I will drive our men to New Hope Residential Centre to show them the good work God is doing there. They will also get to know the men from the men's home at camp. 
 ill. We're going to see the presentation of the Calin's field of Romania.
ill. We read prayer letters every Thursday. We pray for missionaries.
 app. You can either sit and be disinterested. Or you can get interested in the cause of the Gospel in these foreign fields. We'll never give as God desires us to give without being "careful" in our giving.
 
IV. Be watchful in our giving.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
exp. Because they were interested, they were aware of when Paul had a need.
 ill. When we read prayer letters, the missionaries will at times make us aware of a need for prayer and for us to pray about giving.
- Matt Jones - Thailand - trip to minister to MKs in Peru
- Caribean Radio Ministry - radio towers
- Layton Kelly - new bus for their men's home.
app. God may not have us give to all of those things. But, we ought to pray for God to supply and be ready to give when needed. If God puts on our heart to give, we ought to take the opportunity.
 
V. Be thoughtful in our giving.
 exp. The church was thoughtful to provide for the servant of God who was doing the will of God.
11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
note: If any thought ill of the Apostle receiving of the generosity of the church.
He was not being greedy - He knew God would provide for him and he was content with little or much.
However -  It was right for the church to support Paul as a servant of God. 
1 Timothy 5:18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
ill. Paul had to rebuke the church in Corinth because they were not thoughtful enough to meet his needs.
2 Corinthiasn 11:7  Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8  I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 
app. We will be grudging givers to missions if we aren't thoughtful enough to realize that God's plan is to provide for His servants financially through the church.
 
VI. Be tangible in our giving.
14  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
 exp. The church at Phlippi didn't just write a nice letter telling Paul that they cared and that they were asking God to provide for his needs. They mailed that letter by the hand of a courier who also brought tangible evidence of their concern.
note: There is a time to pray - and there is a time to participate.
ill. James 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
 app. If God has given us the means to assist and we have an opportunity we need to pariticipate in a tangible way. We are not participating in missions if we are only praying for missions.
Pro 3:28  Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee
 
VII. Be faithful in our giving.
15  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
exp. Not every church is going to be faithful in giving to missions. We'll have to decide to be that church.
 ill. When God called our family into missions - I knew he had called me to come to Scotland and start a church. However, I didn't not feel called to deputation. However, one of the great blessing of deputation was getting to see the vision many churches had for missions.
- wall with missionaries picture and current prayer letter
- world map - with places marked with their missionaries
- my home church - Hudson Wi- World Clocks with current time on those fields
app. Oh, we ought to ask God to help us lead as a church in missions giving by being faithful to communicate (give) to missions.
 
VIII. Be profitable in our giving.
17  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
exp. Paul encouraged them in their giving because he knew that they were going to get so much out of their investment.
Matthew 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
 ill. Buying our first home - no money - only been married a year and a half. They had a government loan back then that allowed us to get a home without a downpayment. But, we had to pay closing costs which were close to 2,000 USD. Our church had a need - we gave significantly of what we had. God held up the sale of that property until we had the closing costs.
Two years later we sold that property - having built onto it - rezoned it - split it - and profited by 35,000 dollars - which God used for our mobile caravan for deputation.
app. You aren't going to outgive God. Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
 note: stingy giving isn't profitable - but giving like the church at Philipi is profitable.
 
IX. Be acceptable in our giving.
18  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
exp. Better than the blessing of God renumerating our giving is the fact that IT DELIGHTS THE HEART OF GOD TO SEE A GIVING CHURCH AND GIVING PEOPLE. (Sacrificially giving for the cause of Christ.)
exp. Did you know that God is watching the way in which you give?
 ill. the widows mite - Mark 12:41  And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
exp. Our Lord knew that the rich people weren't digging deep to give to God. But, this widow woman was and GOD KNEW IT.
 ill. If God didn't pay attention to giving - Annanias and Saphira would never have died for lying to the Holy Ghost. But, he knew they did not give what they said they were giving.
app. There is a wonderful joy to give in a way in which God is pleased. Is your giving acceptable to God. It will be - IF it is like the church at Philippi.
 
X. Be sustainable in our giving.
19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
exp. Are you worried this morning that your needs will not be met if you meet the needs of God's servants? There is a wonderful promise the Apostle gives to those who give to His servants.
MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS!
 note: People love this verse and it is often claimed out of context. It is a promise to people who faithfully give.
exp. The person worried about money, is the person who has not learned to give back to God in tithes and offerings. When you care for God's things - He cares for your things.
 ill. Haggai 1:3  Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4  Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
5  Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
6  Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
8  Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
app. If you will obey God and give to support God's house and God's servants - God will not fail to support you. Mal 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
 
XI. Be humble in our giving.
20  Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
exp. They had been praised by Paul for their ministry to him in giving to meet his needs. He has gloried in what they had achieved. But, what had been done rather than bringing glory to themselves, had instead brought glory to God.
note: We don't give to be seen in the eyes of men.
Matthew 6:1  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
app. What you give is between you and God alone. I'll rejoice at times as our missions giving goes up. But, the wonderful reality is that God's kingdom is being furthered and that he is doing a glorious work in the hearts of our church people.
 
conclusion: We are in on the ground floor in our church of building our church missions program. Let's model it after the church at Philippi and give to missions as they did. To do that we need to be....
1.) Be personal in our giving.
2.) Be bountiful
3.) be careful
4.) be watchful
5.) be thoughtful
6.) be tangible
7.) Be faithful
8.) Be profitable
9.) Be acceptable
10.) Be sustainable

Date: 28 February, 2019

Text: Philippians 4:10-20

Title: Philippi Mission Program

 

Introduction: 

Most of you know that our church has a church missions program. We have on the back table a globe which is actually a bank. Everything that is given their goes to support the cause of missions.

 

We currently support the Kelly Family as they reach addicts with the Gospel.

New Life Residential Centre

Reformer's unanimous

Men's home outreach into the local community.

 

We have had an increase in our missions giving and we have voted to put 10 percent of our church income into our missions program. This has allowed us to prayerfully consider taking on another missionary.

 

Three weeks from today, our church has the blessing of hosting the Calin Family at our church. Brother Stefan and their family are missionaries to Romania. They are going to present their field of Romania to our church.

 

What they will do when they come is what Paul and Barnabus did when they reported to the church at Jerusalem.

 

Acts 15:3  And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

4  And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

 

I want to prepare us for their coming by preaching on missions giving. There are some very good examples of missions giving in the Word of God.

 

The church at Macedonia is a great example used by Paul.

2 Corinthians 8:1  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

4  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

 exp. What an example of giving they were as Paul challenged the church at Corinth to give like them.

 

The example God put on my heart to share with us today is the church at Philippi. 

 

I want to charge our church today - to develop a church of Philippi Missions Program. 

 

text: Philippians 4:10-20

 

To give to missions like the church at Philippi, we must....

 

I. Be personal in our giving.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

exp. They obviously had a personal connection with the missionary, the Apostle Paul.

question: How had this relationship come about?

A. Paul had been brought by God to them.

Acts16:9  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

10  And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

11  Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

12  And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

B. Paul had led some of them to the Lord.

ill. Lydia - 14  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

15  And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

  C. Paul had suffered with them.

22  And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

23  And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

24  Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

D. Paul had visited them twice since then.

 Acts 20:1  And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

2  And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

6  And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

 ill. The Southern Baptist Church in the USA is one of the largest Baptist Denomination. The way they have given money to missions is that people give throught the State conventions to their national missions organization. (IBM - international mission board.)

exp. The problem is - you don't know the missionary - and you may disagree with that missionaries doctrine.

 app. As an Independent Baptist Church, we believe it is important to know your missionaries like the church at Philippi knew Paul. We want to be personal in our giving. 

 

II. Be bountiful in our giving.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

A. We need to be giving to God consistently. (flourishing again)

exp. Like the daffodils coming up each spring or a river being brought back up to spate - their giving was refreshingly available again. It was bountiful.

ill. Spring is coming (if this past week wasn't our summer.) I'm looking forward to my garden growing and am praying already that God will bless our gardening.

 note: I don't like annual plants - live for one season and then die. I like perennials. They bountifully come back to live, year, after year, after year.

note: You can count on them!

app. Can God count on you - are you a perrenial in your giving?

B. We need to be living in the present in our giving. "and flourish again"

ill. Pa Pa Webb - lovely old man who had the same wonderful story to tell you every time you saw him. To be honest, I loved hearing it over and over again.

exp. Some Christians live their Christian life like that. They gave significantly one time to missions and they relish the memory instead of seeking greater opportunities.

Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

app. Are you bountiful in your giving? Is it flourishing again?

 

III. Be careful in our giving.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

def. careful - to interest oneself in

 exp. These believers made it their interest to know how Paul was doing and what he needed.

question: Why would you give to something in which you have no interest?

 quote: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

note: To drink he has to be motivated and interested in drinking?

 ill. Lord willing, I will drive our men to New Hope Residential Centre to show them the good work God is doing there. They will also get to know the men from the men's home at camp. 

 ill. We're going to see the presentation of the Calin's field of Romania.

ill. We read prayer letters every Thursday. We pray for missionaries.

 app. You can either sit and be disinterested. Or you can get interested in the cause of the Gospel in these foreign fields. We'll never give as God desires us to give without being "careful" in our giving.

 

IV. Be watchful in our giving.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

exp. Because they were interested, they were aware of when Paul had a need.

 ill. When we read prayer letters, the missionaries will at times make us aware of a need for prayer and for us to pray about giving.

- Matt Jones - Thailand - trip to minister to MKs in Peru

- Caribean Radio Ministry - radio towers

- Layton Kelly - new bus for their men's home.

app. God may not have us give to all of those things. But, we ought to pray for God to supply and be ready to give when needed. If God puts on our heart to give, we ought to take the opportunity.

 

V. Be thoughtful in our giving.

 exp. The church was thoughtful to provide for the servant of God who was doing the will of God.

11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

note: If any thought ill of the Apostle receiving of the generosity of the church.

He was not being greedy - He knew God would provide for him and he was content with little or much.

However -  It was right for the church to support Paul as a servant of God. 

1 Timothy 5:18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

ill. Paul had to rebuke the church in Corinth because they were not thoughtful enough to meet his needs.

2 Corinthiasn 11:7  Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

8  I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

9  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 

app. We will be grudging givers to missions if we aren't thoughtful enough to realize that God's plan is to provide for His servants financially through the church.

 

VI. Be tangible in our giving.

14  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

 exp. The church at Phlippi didn't just write a nice letter telling Paul that they cared and that they were asking God to provide for his needs. They mailed that letter by the hand of a courier who also brought tangible evidence of their concern.

note: There is a time to pray - and there is a time to participate.

ill. James 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

 app. If God has given us the means to assist and we have an opportunity we need to pariticipate in a tangible way. We are not participating in missions if we are only praying for missions.

Pro 3:28  Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee

 

VII. Be faithful in our giving.

15  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

exp. Not every church is going to be faithful in giving to missions. We'll have to decide to be that church.

 ill. When God called our family into missions - I knew he had called me to come to Scotland and start a church. However, I didn't not feel called to deputation. However, one of the great blessing of deputation was getting to see the vision many churches had for missions.

- wall with missionaries picture and current prayer letter

- world map - with places marked with their missionaries

- my home church - Hudson Wi- World Clocks with current time on those fields

app. Oh, we ought to ask God to help us lead as a church in missions giving by being faithful to communicate (give) to missions.

 

VIII. Be profitable in our giving.

17  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

exp. Paul encouraged them in their giving because he knew that they were going to get so much out of their investment.

Matthew 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 ill. Buying our first home - no money - only been married a year and a half. They had a government loan back then that allowed us to get a home without a downpayment. But, we had to pay closing costs which were close to 2,000 USD. Our church had a need - we gave significantly of what we had. God held up the sale of that property until we had the closing costs.

Two years later we sold that property - having built onto it - rezoned it - split it - and profited by 35,000 dollars - which God used for our mobile caravan for deputation.

app. You aren't going to outgive God. Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

 note: stingy giving isn't profitable - but giving like the church at Philipi is profitable.

 

IX. Be acceptable in our giving.

18  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

exp. Better than the blessing of God renumerating our giving is the fact that IT DELIGHTS THE HEART OF GOD TO SEE A GIVING CHURCH AND GIVING PEOPLE. (Sacrificially giving for the cause of Christ.)

exp. Did you know that God is watching the way in which you give?

 ill. the widows mite - Mark 12:41  And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

42  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

43  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

44  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

exp. Our Lord knew that the rich people weren't digging deep to give to God. But, this widow woman was and GOD KNEW IT.

 ill. If God didn't pay attention to giving - Annanias and Saphira would never have died for lying to the Holy Ghost. But, he knew they did not give what they said they were giving.

app. There is a wonderful joy to give in a way in which God is pleased. Is your giving acceptable to God. It will be - IF it is like the church at Philippi.

 

X. Be sustainable in our giving.

19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

exp. Are you worried this morning that your needs will not be met if you meet the needs of God's servants? There is a wonderful promise the Apostle gives to those who give to His servants.

MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS!

 note: People love this verse and it is often claimed out of context. It is a promise to people who faithfully give.

exp. The person worried about money, is the person who has not learned to give back to God in tithes and offerings. When you care for God's things - He cares for your things.

 ill. Haggai 1:3  Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

4  Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?

5  Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

6  Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

7  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

8  Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.

app. If you will obey God and give to support God's house and God's servants - God will not fail to support you. Mal 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

 

XI. Be humble in our giving.

20  Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

exp. They had been praised by Paul for their ministry to him in giving to meet his needs. He has gloried in what they had achieved. But, what had been done rather than bringing glory to themselves, had instead brought glory to God.

note: We don't give to be seen in the eyes of men.

Matthew 6:1  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

app. What you give is between you and God alone. I'll rejoice at times as our missions giving goes up. But, the wonderful reality is that God's kingdom is being furthered and that he is doing a glorious work in the hearts of our church people.

 

conclusion: We are in on the ground floor in our church of building our church missions program. Let's model it after the church at Philippi and give to missions as they did. To do that we need to be....

1.) Be personal in our giving.

2.) Be bountiful

3.) be careful

4.) be watchful

5.) be thoughtful

6.) be tangible

7.) Be faithful

8.) Be profitable

9.) Be acceptable

10.) Be sustainable

 

11.) Be humble

11.) Be humble
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