God meets our needs
Phil 4:19(KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19(RSV)
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19(NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19(TLB)
19 And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.
Personalized identification. Demonstrates how our spiritual needs are met in the Lord.
I. God meets our needs when we are in a right relationship with Him
A. A right relationship is based upon mutual commitment one to the other. A relationship is held together by commitment / covenant!
B. The Shepherd’s relationship to me begins with His commitment.
Sacrifices. "The good shepherd giveth His life" (John 10:11).
Transforms. "He cares for and restores my soul" (Ps. 23:3).
Cares. "Calleth His own sheep by name" (John 10:3).
Guides. "He leadeth me" (Ps. 23:2).
Faithful: He has promised to never leave or forsake me and the scripture tells us that He is married to the backslider. When we are cold in our spirit or get far away from Him, He hunts us down and haunts us so that we can never live unhappy and say that God didn’t try to help us out of our misery.
C. Because the shepherd is committed to me, I should be committed to the Shepherd.
I Jn 4:19(KJV)
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
1. I must put Him FIRST in my life before other things (Mat. 6:33)
Many believers seek after the blessings, but fail to seek the one who blesses.
Many believers are busy seeking God’s hand rather than seeking His face.
2. I need to LISTEN & OBEY. "He leads me in right paths" (Ps. 23:3).
3. I need to FOLLOW Him closely. As long as I am close to the Shepherd, He can take care of my needs.
II. God meets our needs when we are totally and completely reliant upon Him for our provision
A. The principal roles of God in the scripture always name God as provider
1. Father: We are His children
2. Shepherd: We are His sheep
B. Why are we likened to sheep?
We often have no sense of danger. Sheep have no instinct to warn them of snakes, wolves, bears, parasites, etc.
We are defenseless w/out the shepherd. Sheep have no weapons to defend themselves, no claws, teeth, fangs, etc. "The wolf catcheth them" (John 10:12).
We are Dumb about many things, We don’t really know what we need. "As a sheep before a shearer is dumb" (Isa. 53:7).
C. Why is the Lord likened to a shepherd?
He knows us and what we truly need. "I am the good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of mine" (John 10:14).
He relates to us personally. "He calleth His own sheep by name and leadeth them out and when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice" (John 10:3,4).
He loves and cares for the sheep. "He (Jesus) was moved with compassion on them, because they were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd" (Matt. 9:36).
He provides for the sheep. "I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
He sacrifices for the sheep. "The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:10). "I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:15).
He protects the sheep. "Thy servant (David) kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went after him . . . and caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him" (I Sam. 17:34,35).
He feeds the sheep. "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" (Ps. 23:5).
D. As the people of God, we need to place ourselves into the hands of our Shepherd Lord so that He may care for us.
John 14:1(KJV)
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
1. Comes from a gr. Word meaning to entrust ones spiritual well being to Christ.
2. Similar to placing your money in a bank for safe keeping and peace of mind.
3. It’s a simple thing for God to care for us when we entrust ourselves completely to Him. - Luke 12:22-31
4. The Lord has promised to personally direct our life only when we completely entrust ourselves into His hands. - Pro. 3:5-6
Not many people enjoy going to the doctor, but according to Reuters, in 1994, one London accountant to that to an extreme. The 63 man needed bladder surgery, but he couldn’t overcome his fear of doctors and hospitals. So he self-reliantly did what had to be done. He tried to perform the surgery upon himself. Tragically he got an infection and died. The coroner said, “Unfortunately, his drastic remedy went wrong. A simple operation would have solved the problem.” Just as many don’t trust doctors and hospitals, many people wont trust God. In their self-reliance, they destroy themselves.
III. God meets our needs when we trust in what Christ has already done for us
A. When Jesus died upon the cross and rose from the grave, He completed the work of salvation and provided for all of humanity an answer to their suffering, pain and malady of soul (sent them back gifts). Thus the answer for every human dilemma is the cross of Jesus Christ.
1. He has already sent these answers back as gifts/ promises to us. (Eph. 4:8-9)
B. Regarding Christ promises to us
1. Made by One who cannot lie. "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. "—Titus 1:2.
This needs to be established in our minds once and for all: what God says He means, and what God says is eternally true.
2. They Change not. Wars and conflicts, turmoil and strife do not change the promises of God. What He has said abides. The Father does not turn or change. With Him there is no shadow of turning.
3. Cover every situation. Yes, there is a promise for every need. Are you lonely? Then listen to the word of Jesus for He said, .lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:20).
Are you sick? Then hear His word to the Apostle Paul, ". . .My grace is sufficient for thee. . ." (II Cor. 12:9).
Are you discouraged? Then listen to the psalmist, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (46:1).
Do you feel a great weakness? Then listen to Isaiah, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (40:31).
Are you burdened with many cares? Then listen to I Peter 5:7, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." A promise for every situation!
C. The promises of God are relevant to the greater needs of mankind?"
The greatest "needs" in life are the needs of the “inner-man” or “the person inside”.
(Love) Love me. "He gave His love to us" (Rom. 5:8).
(Acceptance) Accept me. "He that comes to me, I will not cast out" (John 6:37).
(Redemption) Salvation of the soul.
(Involvement) Fulfill/ Involve me. "
(Security) Protect me. "My sheep . . . no one shall take them from Me" (John 1 0:27,28).
IV. God meets our needs from the abundance of His riches in glory
A. What a divine exchange! We give Him are limitations and He opens to us the unlimited storehouse of Heaven.
Matt 11:28-30(KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
B. When God is your Father, you will not be in want. The Apostle said, “My God "shall" meet my need according to His riches in glory”. The Psalmist said, “I shall not want.”
Purpose of the will. I can make definite plans about the future. This is a word of intention.
Faith-desire. I expect the Lord to take care of me. "Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matt 21:22).
Biblical Assurance. I know the Lord will care for me. "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (I Thess. 5:24). Additionally, (Psalm 37:25), “ I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
C. In fact, God will bless you until your cup is running over !
1. It’s not …
a Personal cup. Not "the" cup runs over.
Parent’s cup. Not the "parent’s cup" runs over.
Pastor’s cup Not the "pastor’s cup" runs over.
Just on Sunday cup. Not the "Sunday cup" runs over.
Empty cup. Tells you to go fill it up.
Half-filled. Drink this and I will give you more.
Filled to brim. The law required exact fulfillment, but grace gives abundantly more.
It is filled w/Abundance. What is meant by "runneth over"?
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Eph. 3:20).
D. The message of the Cup?
What happens when you stick your face down into a pond to drink?
Hard to swallow!
Inconvenient kneeling.
Messy.
God doesn’t want us to get the impression that we have to fight to receive His blessings and love. He desires to bless us more than we desire to be blessed.
When the Shepherd gives you a drink, He does not make you kneel down to suck up the water, but He gives you a drink from your favorite cup.
SO… Why does the Shepherd use a cup?
He wants to make it as convenient as possible.
He cares that you drink the right way and that you drink the right stuff.
F. What fills your life?
Salvation. "The cup of salvation" (Ps. 116:13).
Satisfaction. "Filled the hungry with good things" (Luke 1:53).
Happiness. "Filled our hearts with . . . gladness" (Acts 14:17).
Peace. "Filled you with joy and peace" (Romans 15:13).
Holy Spirit. "Be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18).
The Shepherd wants to satisfy you and meet your needs. Will you turn yourself and every situation over into the hands of the Shepherd Lord today so that He may supply you with the riches of Heaven? God can:
Bring water/honey from a rock - Deut. 32:13; Exo. 17:6
Cause it to rain manna from heaven - Exo. 16
He can make a banquet in the wilderness/ cause the
Ravens to serve you. - 1Kings 17:4-6
He can make the oil and flour fail not - 1Kings 17:10-16
He can feed multitudes of (7 loaves/few fish) 4000/5000 (5 loaves/2 fish) with just a few pieces of bread and fish (5000 /12 baskets over – 4000/7 baskets over)
