An Acceptable Sacrifice - Philippians 4:10-20
An Acceptable Sacrifice - Philippians 4:10-20
By Pastor Lee Hemen
July 19, 2009 AM
Sacrifice is a quality that has been lost on many in the church today. Let me illustrate what I mean: According to a Worldmag.com article, “Of every dollar given to a Protestant church, the average amount that goes to overseas missions is two cents.” In fact, they noted that “In 1920, the percentage of giving to missions from the total offering was 10.09 percent, just over a dime out of every dollar.” Empty Tomb, of Champaign, Ill., has analyzed the contributions and spending patterns of American churches. They found that “Noticeably missing in this study of church giving is tithing.” The study shows that total giving for American churches was at about 2.5% for all religious contributions! They found that “If church members were to tithe 10 percent of their income, churches would reap an additional $156 billion.” Christians have forgotten what it means to sacrifice for the kingdom of God.
Interestingly, I also learned that while tithing is way down, vacationing for missions is way up. What does this teach us? Some speculate that it shows people want to be more hands on in their faith, but it may also show that it is more about how a person feels about themselves than how they actually sacrifice for the glory of God’s kingdom. It can be fun and enjoyable to raise money for your own mission experience, go and have a “life-changing summer,” and yet not tithe regularly to the church you belong to. It is far more difficult for today’s believer to be consistent in their living for Christ than it is in their experiencing Christ. Is this an acceptable sacrifice? Paul would say, “No.” Personal sacrifice is called for from every Christian but sacrifice by its very nature demands from us a personal price. What then can Paul teach us about what is an acceptable sacrifice? Let’s find out…
READ: Philippians 4:10-20
Paul had been raised in a well-to-do city, Tarsus, near the coast of Cilicia and probably was a member of a well-to-do family. How do we know this? It was only those few chosen ones who were considered for private schooling by the likes of Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3) Yet, Paul was willing to work as a tradesman, a tent maker, in order to see the kingdom of God established. Acceptable sacrifice for Paul was found in the gratification of the gospel. Why? We discover that…
I. Paul learned contentment is found in sacrifice! (vv. 10-13)
1. There is a contentment found in investing your life in Jesus! For Paul is was an easy matter to invest his life in the Lord. Jesus had found him and had changed his life and had given Paul a hope and a certainty he had never known before. Paul knew he owed Jesus everything in life. Therefore, Paul’s heart was made glad and he rejoiced “greatly in the Lord” for the Philippians’ generosity. They had not forgotten Paul and through them God had met his needs. What a testimony about these folks! They were concerned about Paul but evidently had no opportunity to show it. Notice too that Paul did not have to beg them for help, they willing give even though they were impoverished themselves! Why? It was an overflow from their hearts because of what Jesus had done for them! Not out of a sense of guilt, but of devotion and love. Paul had learned the lesson of contentment and had taught the Philippians where it came from as well. His changing circumstances did not affect the inner contentment he enjoyed. His life was one of personal sacrifice, because Jesus’ life was one of sacrifice, and now the Philippians were showing the same kind of sacrifice! The word for “content” here (autarkes) means “self-sufficient.” The Stoics used this word (only here in the NT) to mean human self-reliance and fortitude, a calm acceptance of life’s pressures. Paul used it to remind his readers of God’s provision no matter your personal circumstances. Paul had come to know a wonderful secret about personal contentment: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Have you learned this is your life in Christ? Paul could confidently state, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength,” because he knew contentment starts with sacrifice.
EXAMPLE: When Paul said he could “do everything” – whether living in poverty or living in plenty – it was only “through Him who gives me strength.” This was not some expression of puffed up personal pride in his own abilities but rather a humble declaration of the strength provided by Jesus. What would you consider sacrificing for the Lord? Where 80% of all households in America have cable or satellite TV; where 70% own a cell phone; and where 97% of American households own computers what would be considered sacrificial? Sacrifice costs the one doing it dearly. Dave Branon writes for RBC, “Teenagers amaze me. So many of them love life with grand passion and face it with unrelenting optimism. Sometimes they demonstrate the Christian life in ways adults can only hope to emulate. Such is the case with Carissa, a teen who loves soccer, basketball, friends, family, and Jesus. In 2000, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Carissa was just 12 years old, but she began helping to care for her mom. During the next few years, Carissa often fed her mom, dressed her, and helped her do anything she couldn’t do for herself. ‘It was so hard to learn,’ she said. ‘Can you imagine, a mother and daughter literally changing roles? I truly learned to be a humble servant.’ Sometimes, while her friends were out having fun, Carissa was helping her dad to take care of her mom. She continued to do so until the summer of 2004, when Carissa and her family said goodbye to Mom for the last time. As Carissa puts it, ‘God took her home and made her perfect.’” Sacrifice is not just a mere inconvenience. Paul would write the Corinthians about the Philippians “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” (2 Corinthians 8:2) Paul learned contentment is found in sacrifice.
Paul was never content to simply sit on the sidelines and let others do the dirty work of winning the lost to the gospel. He took very seriously the command of Jesus to “go into all the world,” and taught others that it demanded more than mere lip service. Paul had faced beatings, shipwreck, imprisonment, persecution, hunger, and poverty for the sake of the gospel. In this Paul discovered what was the meaning of acceptable sacrifice. In fact, we find that…
II. Paul taught others that God supplies all they need in sacrifice! (vv. 14-20)
1. There is a blessing found from giving and receiving for God’s glory! Although Paul had found contentment in whatever circumstances he faced, he was truly grateful for the sacrificial response of the Philippians to his personal needs. They shared even in Paul’s “troubles.” Can you imagine him using this kind of wording when in fact he was facing perhaps his own death? Troubles? I’ll say! The Philippians showed what it meant to sacrifice and to depend upon the Lord to provide. From the earliest part of Paul’s ministry “not one church shared with [him] in the matter of giving and receiving, except” only the Philippians! From the very beginning of their faith walk in Christ, they had shared with Paul! Perhaps Paul thought he had said too much and did not want the Philippians, who had already sacrificed so much, to think he was again “looking for a gift.” Rather, he was “looking for what may be credited to” the Philippians’ “account.” Paul was not trying to make them feel guilty, but to encourage them in what they were already doing! They had sent him “aid again and again when [he] was in need.” Evidently, what the Philippians had sent Paul had truly affected him. He knew what it had cost them to give. He describes their gift as “full payment and even more.” It was more than he had ever expected! And, he felt “amply supplied” because of their unselfish sacrifice on his behalf. Paul knew their wonderful gifts had become literally “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God,” because they gave it out of faith that God was using them to further Paul’s work. Paul fully understood what it had cost them to send him something and he was truly touched by their generosity. He prayerfully writes them, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Vv. 19-20) WOW! Paul taught others that God supplies all they need in sacrifice.
EXAMPLE: While more and more money is being raised for religious causes, less and less is being diverted per capita towards spreading the message of the gospel. Few who attend church in our day and age tithe and fewer still give sacrificially for the kingdom of God. It has become the norm for Christians to give God a tip rather than a tithe. More and more believers have swallowed the notion that Christ is felt more than lived. That they do not have to give up anything in order to be a vibrant Christian. We have lost the Philippian attitude of selfless sacrifice. Sacrifice is more than giving up broccoli for Lent or fasting for a few days in order to loose weight for the Lord. Joining a church, going to Sunday School, or serving within a church is not sacrifice either. It is not considered by God a sacrifice for you to pry yourself out of bed on Sunday to come and worship Him as you are supposed to do anyway. In fact, it could be seen as blasphemy if it is not done with the right attitude. Tucked away in Isaiah is an admonishment by God to His people. He tells them, “You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.” (Isaiah 43:24) Jeremiah tells us that “sweet calamus” is from “a distant land.” (Jeremiah 6:20) and it was used as part of the fragrant offerings given to God. The Israelite who sacrificially brought sweet calamus, which was both rare in Israel and expensive, was honoring God through their personal sacrifice of devotion. Ask yourself the following question: Is my life characterized by acts of self-denial, the gifts of sweet calamus that mean so much to the Lord? How grieved the Savior must be when we don't offer Him our worship the gifts that come from our personal sacrifice! Perhaps we have forgotten that it is God who gives us everything in life and we as His disciples are to be totally dependent on Him? Paul never forgot this and he taught others that God supplies all they need in sacrifice.
Conclusion:
What is an acceptable sacrifice? Paul learned contentment is found in sacrifice and Paul taught others that God supplies all they need in sacrifice.
---
This article is copyrighted © 2009 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission to use the entire article.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
July 19, 2009 AM
Sacrifice is a quality that has been lost on many in the church today. Let me illustrate what I mean: According to a Worldmag.com article, “Of every dollar given to a Protestant church, the average amount that goes to overseas missions is two cents.” In fact, they noted that “In 1920, the percentage of giving to missions from the total offering was 10.09 percent, just over a dime out of every dollar.” Empty Tomb, of Champaign, Ill., has analyzed the contributions and spending patterns of American churches. They found that “Noticeably missing in this study of church giving is tithing.” The study shows that total giving for American churches was at about 2.5% for all religious contributions! They found that “If church members were to tithe 10 percent of their income, churches would reap an additional $156 billion.” Christians have forgotten what it means to sacrifice for the kingdom of God.
Interestingly, I also learned that while tithing is way down, vacationing for missions is way up. What does this teach us? Some speculate that it shows people want to be more hands on in their faith, but it may also show that it is more about how a person feels about themselves than how they actually sacrifice for the glory of God’s kingdom. It can be fun and enjoyable to raise money for your own mission experience, go and have a “life-changing summer,” and yet not tithe regularly to the church you belong to. It is far more difficult for today’s believer to be consistent in their living for Christ than it is in their experiencing Christ. Is this an acceptable sacrifice? Paul would say, “No.” Personal sacrifice is called for from every Christian but sacrifice by its very nature demands from us a personal price. What then can Paul teach us about what is an acceptable sacrifice? Let’s find out…
READ: Philippians 4:10-20
Paul had been raised in a well-to-do city, Tarsus, near the coast of Cilicia and probably was a member of a well-to-do family. How do we know this? It was only those few chosen ones who were considered for private schooling by the likes of Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3) Yet, Paul was willing to work as a tradesman, a tent maker, in order to see the kingdom of God established. Acceptable sacrifice for Paul was found in the gratification of the gospel. Why? We discover that…
I. Paul learned contentment is found in sacrifice! (vv. 10-13)
1. There is a contentment found in investing your life in Jesus! For Paul is was an easy matter to invest his life in the Lord. Jesus had found him and had changed his life and had given Paul a hope and a certainty he had never known before. Paul knew he owed Jesus everything in life. Therefore, Paul’s heart was made glad and he rejoiced “greatly in the Lord” for the Philippians’ generosity. They had not forgotten Paul and through them God had met his needs. What a testimony about these folks! They were concerned about Paul but evidently had no opportunity to show it. Notice too that Paul did not have to beg them for help, they willing give even though they were impoverished themselves! Why? It was an overflow from their hearts because of what Jesus had done for them! Not out of a sense of guilt, but of devotion and love. Paul had learned the lesson of contentment and had taught the Philippians where it came from as well. His changing circumstances did not affect the inner contentment he enjoyed. His life was one of personal sacrifice, because Jesus’ life was one of sacrifice, and now the Philippians were showing the same kind of sacrifice! The word for “content” here (autarkes) means “self-sufficient.” The Stoics used this word (only here in the NT) to mean human self-reliance and fortitude, a calm acceptance of life’s pressures. Paul used it to remind his readers of God’s provision no matter your personal circumstances. Paul had come to know a wonderful secret about personal contentment: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Have you learned this is your life in Christ? Paul could confidently state, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength,” because he knew contentment starts with sacrifice.
EXAMPLE: When Paul said he could “do everything” – whether living in poverty or living in plenty – it was only “through Him who gives me strength.” This was not some expression of puffed up personal pride in his own abilities but rather a humble declaration of the strength provided by Jesus. What would you consider sacrificing for the Lord? Where 80% of all households in America have cable or satellite TV; where 70% own a cell phone; and where 97% of American households own computers what would be considered sacrificial? Sacrifice costs the one doing it dearly. Dave Branon writes for RBC, “Teenagers amaze me. So many of them love life with grand passion and face it with unrelenting optimism. Sometimes they demonstrate the Christian life in ways adults can only hope to emulate. Such is the case with Carissa, a teen who loves soccer, basketball, friends, family, and Jesus. In 2000, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Carissa was just 12 years old, but she began helping to care for her mom. During the next few years, Carissa often fed her mom, dressed her, and helped her do anything she couldn’t do for herself. ‘It was so hard to learn,’ she said. ‘Can you imagine, a mother and daughter literally changing roles? I truly learned to be a humble servant.’ Sometimes, while her friends were out having fun, Carissa was helping her dad to take care of her mom. She continued to do so until the summer of 2004, when Carissa and her family said goodbye to Mom for the last time. As Carissa puts it, ‘God took her home and made her perfect.’” Sacrifice is not just a mere inconvenience. Paul would write the Corinthians about the Philippians “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” (2 Corinthians 8:2) Paul learned contentment is found in sacrifice.
Paul was never content to simply sit on the sidelines and let others do the dirty work of winning the lost to the gospel. He took very seriously the command of Jesus to “go into all the world,” and taught others that it demanded more than mere lip service. Paul had faced beatings, shipwreck, imprisonment, persecution, hunger, and poverty for the sake of the gospel. In this Paul discovered what was the meaning of acceptable sacrifice. In fact, we find that…
II. Paul taught others that God supplies all they need in sacrifice! (vv. 14-20)
1. There is a blessing found from giving and receiving for God’s glory! Although Paul had found contentment in whatever circumstances he faced, he was truly grateful for the sacrificial response of the Philippians to his personal needs. They shared even in Paul’s “troubles.” Can you imagine him using this kind of wording when in fact he was facing perhaps his own death? Troubles? I’ll say! The Philippians showed what it meant to sacrifice and to depend upon the Lord to provide. From the earliest part of Paul’s ministry “not one church shared with [him] in the matter of giving and receiving, except” only the Philippians! From the very beginning of their faith walk in Christ, they had shared with Paul! Perhaps Paul thought he had said too much and did not want the Philippians, who had already sacrificed so much, to think he was again “looking for a gift.” Rather, he was “looking for what may be credited to” the Philippians’ “account.” Paul was not trying to make them feel guilty, but to encourage them in what they were already doing! They had sent him “aid again and again when [he] was in need.” Evidently, what the Philippians had sent Paul had truly affected him. He knew what it had cost them to give. He describes their gift as “full payment and even more.” It was more than he had ever expected! And, he felt “amply supplied” because of their unselfish sacrifice on his behalf. Paul knew their wonderful gifts had become literally “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God,” because they gave it out of faith that God was using them to further Paul’s work. Paul fully understood what it had cost them to send him something and he was truly touched by their generosity. He prayerfully writes them, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Vv. 19-20) WOW! Paul taught others that God supplies all they need in sacrifice.
EXAMPLE: While more and more money is being raised for religious causes, less and less is being diverted per capita towards spreading the message of the gospel. Few who attend church in our day and age tithe and fewer still give sacrificially for the kingdom of God. It has become the norm for Christians to give God a tip rather than a tithe. More and more believers have swallowed the notion that Christ is felt more than lived. That they do not have to give up anything in order to be a vibrant Christian. We have lost the Philippian attitude of selfless sacrifice. Sacrifice is more than giving up broccoli for Lent or fasting for a few days in order to loose weight for the Lord. Joining a church, going to Sunday School, or serving within a church is not sacrifice either. It is not considered by God a sacrifice for you to pry yourself out of bed on Sunday to come and worship Him as you are supposed to do anyway. In fact, it could be seen as blasphemy if it is not done with the right attitude. Tucked away in Isaiah is an admonishment by God to His people. He tells them, “You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.” (Isaiah 43:24) Jeremiah tells us that “sweet calamus” is from “a distant land.” (Jeremiah 6:20) and it was used as part of the fragrant offerings given to God. The Israelite who sacrificially brought sweet calamus, which was both rare in Israel and expensive, was honoring God through their personal sacrifice of devotion. Ask yourself the following question: Is my life characterized by acts of self-denial, the gifts of sweet calamus that mean so much to the Lord? How grieved the Savior must be when we don't offer Him our worship the gifts that come from our personal sacrifice! Perhaps we have forgotten that it is God who gives us everything in life and we as His disciples are to be totally dependent on Him? Paul never forgot this and he taught others that God supplies all they need in sacrifice.
Conclusion:
What is an acceptable sacrifice? Paul learned contentment is found in sacrifice and Paul taught others that God supplies all they need in sacrifice.
---
This article is copyrighted © 2009 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission to use the entire article.
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