My Needs and God’s Promise
February 4, 2024

• The book of Acts tells us the story of the first century church. It didn’t begin as an institution. It began as a movement.

ekklesia (Church) actually means: an assembly or gathering.

1. A SIMPLE MESSAGE.

2. AN EXPANDING MISSION.

3. A SERIOUS DEVOTION.

• Devoted means: To be earnest towards, to persevere, be constantly diligent, or to attend tirelessly all the exercises.

Acts 2:42-47 - They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

An amazing promise from God:

Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

I. THE CONDITION: WE MUST BE GENEROUS TO OTHERS.

Philippians 4:14-18 - Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Luke 6:38 - Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

PAUL GIVES US THREE REASONS FOR BEING GENEROUS:

1. OUR GIVING IS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO OTHERS.

Philippians 4:14-16 - Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days… not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.

Two results of giving:

A. IT GIVES US A WIDER MINISTRY THAN WE WOULD NORMALLY HAVE.

Philippians 1:3,5 - I thank my God every time I remember you…5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…

B. GIVING MAKES US LIKE CHRIST.

John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,…

2. OUR GIVING IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE.

Philippians 4:17 - Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

1 Timothy 6:18-19 - Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

3. OUR GIVING IS A SACRIFICE TO GOD.

Philippians 4:18 - I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Matthew 25:40 - “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

II. THE PROMISE: GOD WILL SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS.

Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

* The Source: “And my God will …”

* The Scope: “… will meet all your needs … “

This doesn’t include:

CONSEQUENCES OF LAZINESS.

ALL WE WANT.

James 4:3 - When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

WHAT HAS GOD PROMISED?

TO MEET ALL OF OUR LEGITIMATE NEEDS.

* The Supply: “… according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 - Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.