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St Mary's
Church Almondsbury
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To know God, build up each
other as Christians, and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord to our neighbours |
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ÒA Life Worth LivingÓ Sermon Series |
Philippians 4: 10 |
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Sermon 9: New Generosity Generosity is one person voluntarily giving resources to assist
someone else. The immediate background of this epistle is that the
Philippians had been generous to Paul, sending him a gift. It is a natural part of being a Christian. God is generous.
'For God so loved the world that he gave'. Always there 'you were concerned
for me' (v10) as part of Christian fellowship, they 'shared his distress'
(v14). In this passage I see four reasons for not being generous, two
legitimate, two illegitimate. 1. Generosity follows God's will It is a 'fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and
pleasing to God' (v18). It is part of our consecration to God. Our prime
motivation is to please him. What is God calling you to give to and how? Not to be generous
if not God's will. We can not meet every need. 2. Generosity can only do the possible It is physically impossible to assist - the Philippians had
been in this position 'you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to
show it' (v14). If God wants us to be generous he will open up a channel,
perhaps through us. 3. Coveted ness - defeated by contentment 'I have learnt to be content with whatever I have' (v11). Contentment is a discipline we learn so we do not need more
than we have. We decide not to covet, 'not referring to be in need' (v11) or
'seek the gift' (v17) Then in whatever condition 'I have learnt the secret of being
well-fed and going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need'. Contentment did not come easily. He learnt it bit by bit, test
by test, circumstance by circumstance. It needed discipline. It is a constant
battle. 4. Fear of the future is defeated by trusting God 'I can do all things through him who strengthens me' (v13).
Paul could never be beaten by anything because nothing could arise that could
be too much for Paul's God. God infuses power (dynamite) into Paul when the
need arises. 'And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according
to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus'. (v19). There is nothing we need that
is beyond the capacity of God to supply in glorious measure, the resources of
heaven laid at the disposal of Christians on earth. The key is to be in Christ Jesus. If we are 'in him'
trusting in him by prayer and trusting the promises of the Bible, we are
content, without fear for the future and free to be generous, to give to
those God calls us to give to and enables us to do so. |
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Contact
the Church Office Rev. Philip W. Rowe, Vicar of Almondsbury and
Olveston with Aust |
Email the Website Administrator |
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