Add Nothing To It

Philippians 4:18-20 "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, well pleasing to God. [19]  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. [20] Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
 
 

Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Person asked a young Engineer fresh out of MIT, "And what starting salary were you looking for?" The Engineer said, "In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of  5 weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every 2 years - say, a red Corvette?" The Engineer sat up straight and said, "Wow!  Are you kidding?" And the interviewer replied, "Yeah, but you started it."

Those of you who were present when we studied Philippians remember the background of the writing. We never studied the last few verses of the Chapter, so the Lord gave me direction to cover them now.

If you'll remember, Paul was in prison, waiting to be tried as a traitor under Roman Law. You see, during Roman times Caesar was considered to be god. When Paul, as he moved from area to area building Churches, taught that Jesus Christ was Messiah, and Yahweh the One True God .. well, this upset the Roman as well as Jewish authorities. I could preach a whole sermon on living your faith, regardless of consequences, though I won't right now.

Paul lived his faith and suffered for it. He was not a particularly physically strong man, and the Roman prisons were notoriously wet and damp. Paul, that beloved Apostle, sat in prison, in misery, and focused on the work that God called him to do. And for all that Paul had done, for all that he did in the power of God the Holy Spirit, only one Church reached out to support him in his time of need. The Church at Philippi.

Notice what Paul said about this giving:

Philippians 4:18 "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, well pleasing to God."

When we sacrificially give of ourselves, of our time, of our tithes and offerings - and I want to emphasize the word sacrificially, God blesses us as a body. When we are pitiful in our giving of ourselves, of our time, of our tithes and offerings, God turns away from that Body.

As we discussed this morning, Our God, Yahweh, is the Creator of all things. We cannot walk and function as a Church unless we operate exactly as our Father operates. What was the major operating principle that Jesus showed throughout His earthly ministry? What distinguished Him as God in the flesh, the Messiah? Was it not the fact that everything He did came from a graceful attitude, an attitude of giving without expecting in return, a sacrificial life and a sacrificial death. Look at how our Jesus operated:

His beginning was lowly, entering this life in a manger, a place fit only for the animals. This was unfitting that the King of all Creation have such a start, yet fitting that the sacrifice for our sins would start this way. For one day our Precious Jesus would hang on a wooden altar, taking the place of the Mosaic offering, taking the place of the animals that could not save us, and die a lowly death for our sins.

He took on manhood, stepping down from the glories of Heaven to willingly be clothed as we are clothed, in bodies of flesh. He felt it when He stepped on a sharp stone, felt hunger, cried as we cried, laughed as we laugh.

There was no where He would not go, no one He would not reach out and touch. He often offered help to the most pitiful of humanity. The alcoholics, tavern owners, and whores came to Him, and He never turned them away.

Luke 7:34  "The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!"

Even at the risk of His own reputation He did good, He functioned by Grace. Grace was how He operated, and through that sacrificial giving of Grace He blessed all those who came into contact with Him.

When we, as a Church, each begin sacrificially giving to one another and to the world as we are called, we will be blessed with growth. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Light:

John 1:9-12 "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [10]  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11]  He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12]  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"

And when we let Jesus shine through us, when we do and say all things through the Grace He taught us, then we become the light as well:

Matthew 5:14-16 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [15]  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

When we operate, as a Body, each giving of him or herself sacrificially, God honors this in the Church. Our Creator owns all things, and will bequeath all things to us when we operate as He has called us. Notice what Paul says:

Philippians 4.19  "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

There are five greats in this sentence that I want you to notice.

1. We have a Great Provider: But my God. Our God is the Creator of all things, both visible and invisible. When we keep our eyes on Him, He will provide our every need, be it physical or spiritual. Brothers and Sisters, I know this phrase has been worn out, but it is true: You cannot out give God!

2. We have great provisions: all your need. The Bible says:

Psalms 50:10-12 "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. [11]  I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. [12]  If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof."

As humans we are often selfish with our resources because we think that we must hoard them, hold onto them. We look at what we own as expendable resources. Yet our Father owns all things, and can richly recompense us for whatever we have given in service to Him. For He has:

3. Great resources: according to his riches in glory. Our God dwells in majesty and glory (Jude 24-25), possesses bottomless wisdom and power (Romans 11.36), is clothed in honor and majesty (Psalm 29.4), and His glory is a consuming fire (Exodus 24.17). The tighter we hold on to our own feeble resources, the farther we drive ourselves from the great resources that Our Father has to offer.

4. We have great assurance: my God shall. God is not a man that He should lie, and has promised to bless us as we bless others.

5. Finally, we have a Great Mediator: by Christ Jesus. God did the most for us at the point of salvation by providing us Grace through Jesus, and continues to provide Grace through Our Lord. Jesus sits at the right hand of God, ever making intercession for us. God's Grace provides for us in life: should we not, as lights for Christ, submit ourselves to Him for service?
 

Flying (Roger Dean Kiser, Sr., Florida) Once upon a time there was a little boy who was raised in a orphanage. The little boy had always wished that he could fly like a bird.  It was very difficult for him to understand why he could not fly.  There were birds at the zoo that were much bigger than he, and they could fly. "Why can't I?" he thought. "Is there something wrong with me?" he wondered. There was another little boy who was crippled.  He had always wished that he could walk and run like other little boys and girls. "Why can't I be like them?" he thought.  One day the little orphan boy who had wanted to fly like a bird ran away from the orphanage.  He came upon a park where he saw the little boy who could not walk or run playing in the sandbox. He ran over to the little boy and asked him if he had ever wanted to fly like a bird. "No," said the little boy who could not walk or run. "But I have wondered what it would be like to walk and run like other boys and girls." "That is very sad." said the little boy who wanted to fly. "Do you think we could be friends?" he said to the little boy in the sandbox. "Sure." said the little boy. The two little boys played for hours.  They made sand castles and made really funny sounds with their mouths.  Sounds which made them laugh real hard.  Then the little boy's father came with a wheelchair to pick up his son. The little boy who had always wanted to fly ran over to the boy's father and whispered something into his ear. "That would be OK," said the man. The little boy who had always wanted to fly like a bird ran over to his new friend and said, "You are my only friend and I wish that there was something that I could do to make you walk and run like other little boys and girls.  But I can't.  But there is something that I can do for you." The little orphan boy turned around and told his new friend to slide up onto his back.  He then began to run across the grass.  Faster and faster he ran, carrying the little crippled boy on his back.  Faster and harder he ran across the park.  Harder and harder he made his legs travel. Soon the wind just whistled across the two little boys' faces. The little boy's father began to cry as he watched his beautiful little crippled son flapping his arms up and down in the wind, all the while yelling at the top of his voice, "I'M FLYING, DADDY.  I'M FLYING!"

We are called to love one another, and to offer ourselves in service to Our King. To add anything to our calling is outside of God's will. To offer only service in return for service is the way of the world, not of Christ. Add nothing to your service, nothing but love and obedience to Our Saviour.
 

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