Jesus: The Helper of the Needy

Names of Christ • Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

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TEXT: Philippians 4:15–20 (NLT) As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. 18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

We often quote:

Philippians 4:19 (LSB) And my God will fulfill all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

As we look at this oft quoted verse (19), if we put it back into the context from which it came, we might understand it differently.

Maybe even correctly.

The context is thee Apostle Paul praising the Philippians for their generosity

In verses 15 and 16 he lays out their generosity — even when they were not the recipients of Paul’s preaching and teaching.

They truly had missionary hearts!

I am so thankful that THIS church does the same thing.

We give to advance the Kingdom of God.

Not merely because we have directly received a blessing.

In verse 17, Paul says:

Don’t misunderstand.

This is NOT fund-raising psychology or a fund-raising gimmick.

NO!

I want to bless YOU by genuinely recognizing and showing appreciation for what you have already given

No, Paul says in vs. 18:

Praise God! I have everything I need!

How often do we hear that message: “I have everything I need?”

I can’t remember EVER hearing such a thing.

There’s ALWAYS another project, another need.

But Paul says: I don’t need anything else right now.

He wants to Philippians to know that the same amazing God who has met his need will meet THEIR need.

That’s something we need to remember:

God will take care of us.

He has promised it over and over again.

Isaiah 46:3–4 (NIV) “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. 4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:31–34 (LSB) “Do not worry … , saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Jesus reminds us, like He Paul reminded the Philippians: Luke 6:38 (LSB) “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

The Fire Bible reminds us:

We are NOT Deists like some of the founding fathers of this nation.

We believe in the Providence of God — that He is intimately involved in His creation.

And Provision is a part of God’s Providence

Not only does God preserve the world that he created, but he also provides for the needs of the creatures upon the world.

When God created the world, he created the seasons (Ge 1:14) and gave food for humans and animals (Ge 1:29–30).

After the flood had destroyed the earth, God renewed this promise to provide with these words:

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Ge 8:22).

Several of the psalms testify to God’s goodness in providing for all of his creatures (e.g., Ps 104; 145).

God Himself revealed His creative and caring power to Job (Job 38–41), and Jesus made it clear that God provides for even the birds and flowers (Mt 6:26–30; 10:29).

His care for humankind covers not only their physical needs, but also their spiritual needs (cf. Jn 3:16–17).

The Bible reveals that God shows a special love and care for his own people—those who choose to follow him.

God values each of them individually (e.g., Ps 91; see Mt 10:31, note).

According to one of Jesus’ original disciples, John, God wants his people to “enjoy good health” and desires that things go well with them physically and spiritually (see 3Jn 1:2, note).

So, tonight let’s go to the Lord with the needs of others as well ass our own needs.