Title: “The 5 P’s of God’s Provision” Script: Phil. 4:19
Type: Expository Series Where: GNBC 9-10-23
Intro: “A young woman brought her fiancé home to meet her parents for thanksgiving dinner. After dinner, her mother told her father to find out about the young man. The father invited the fiancé to his study for a talk." So what are your plans?" the father asked the young man. "I am a biblical scholar," he replied." A Biblical scholar. Hmmm," the father said. "Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in?" "I will study," the young man replied, "and God will provide for us."
"And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?" asked the father. "I will concentrate on my studies," the young man replied, "God will provide for us." "And children?" asked the father. "How will you support children?" "Don’t worry, sir, God will provide,". The conversation proceeded like this, and each time the father questioned, the young idealist insisted that God would provide. Later, the mother asked, "How did it go, Honey?" The father answered, "He has no job and no plans, and he thinks I’m God!" (Andrew Chan – Sermon Central). Provision is topic on everyone’s mind, not just young engaged couples! All of us are concerned.
Prop: Examining Phil. 4:19 we’ll see the 5 Important “P’s” of God’s Provision.
BG: 1. Coming to the end of the letter. Again, in some ways a thank you letter for financial gift.
2. As Christians, we can have assurance of God’s care for us and provision.
3. Final message in Phil. Hope you have enjoyed.
Prop: Let’s examine Phil. 4:19 to realize 5 Important P’s of God’s Provision for the believer.
I. The Provider: “my God”
A. First, we must realize the Importance of correctly Identify our Provider.
1. Paul personalized his relationship with the believer’s Provider. Notice, in writing here to the Philippians, Paul didn’t use the inclusive term, “our” God, or the term “your” God. In ancient Phillipi people worshipped many deities. Illust: In our day if something good happens to someone if they receive some windfall, the average American is inclined to credit “Karma” with that provision. Paul would be quick to correct that misconception and make absolutely certain that it’s not the impersonal force of Karma, but rather the Person of Jesus Christ Who is our Provider.
2. Paul not only makes this specific, but he also makes it personal: “my God”. Paul is speaking from experience! This is the God of the Bible. This is the same God who the great heroes of the faith trusted in the OT. Illust: If you were to go to Hebrews 11 and begin to read, there you would see a list of those heroes. You would see such notable characters as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, David, and Samuel. Do you know what those individuals would have had in common? Each one of you could tell you stories of how their God supernaturally provided for them!
B. Have You Correctly Identified Who Your Ultimate Provider Actually is?
1. If you want to have confidence in God’s ability to provide, we must be specific about which God we are ultimately speaking. (Read Col. 1:15-18) In this passage we see the supremacy of the Person of Christ. In relation to God, in relation to His creation, and in relation to His Church!
2. If we want to have confidence in God’s ability to provide, we must know Him personally. It’s not enough, when talking about God to say: “Well Pastor, your God will provide., but rather, do you have the confidence to say with the Apostle Paul, “My God!”?
a. The Names of God in the Bible make for a great study. However, more than simply a theological assignment, the names of God should infuse the Christian with confidence in the Lord’s character. Jehovah Jireh means “the Lord will provide,” and it’s one of the most popular names for God. To understand this name for God more fully, we need to go back to the story where we first hear this name for Him. Jehovah-Jireh is first used in the Old Testament with a story of Abraham. There in Gen. 22:2, the Lord instructs Abraham to take his only son, Isaac, and sacrifice him. Abraham went to an undisclosed location to sacrifice his son, only to have God stop him at the last moment. Then Abraham saw a ram caught in some thorny bushes, sacrificed it, and called the place, "Jehovah-Jireh" - "The Lord will Provide."
b. Abraham calls the place, “God will provide.” The word there is richer than our English denotes. “Provide” in Hebrew is also “see to it,” which is similar to the name a woman named Hagar calls the Lord in Genesis 16:13 – “The God who Sees.” That Hebrew word also means “perceive” and “experience.” When Abraham calls God Jehovah-Jireh, he isn’t just saying, “God gives the goods!” He is saying, “You see/experience all this need of mine and make provision for it.” It is deeply personal.
C. Applic: Do you want to experience confidence in God’s provision? Do you know the God Who provides?
II. The Promise: “shall supply”
A. Second, we must realize our Personalize Provider has made a Promise to His People.
1. Again, let’s notice the specific wording the Apostle uses in this passage. Paul does not speak in the past tense, although he certainly could have. He had witnessed God’s provision in the past. He does not say, “My God has supplied”. He doesn’t even refer to the present, as in relation to the gift he received from the Philippians. He doesn’t say: “My God is supplying.” That too would have been true and wonderful to think about. However, he is addressing the confidence we can have in God in the face of that which causes us the most anxiety: THE FUTURE! “My God shall supply” – future.
2. Illust: The Bible tells us that the manna and quail which were God’s provision for the people of the Exodus began on the 15th day of the 2nd month, and lasted 40 years until they reached the Promised Land. (See Ex. 16:13-15,35). Every day, Israel was allowed to get just enough food for that day. Unless the next day was the Sabbath, to take too much would only result in the food rotting. What was the lesson in this provision? Israel had to have faith to trust that God would provide for the following day. The lesson was not to store for the future, but rather to trust God for tomorrow. The God Who you trust today is the God Who will provide for tomorrow. Not just for 1 day, 1 week, or even 1 year! But for 1 entire generation!
B. Do you Realize and Trust that God is Able to Provide for Your Future?
1. Again, it is essential that we trust that God is able to provide for our future needs.
a. Mt. 6:25-34 – Please notice two of the most important verses in the passage: v. 27 and v. 34. Worrying about the future and worrying about His provision is futile. We worry and worry and cannot extend our life by one hour. We worry and worry about today, and tomorrow will have its own new set of troubles. But, we can TRUST that God “will supply”.
b. Illust: I’ve told the story before, but it bears repeating. When we realized Carol was pregnant with Mary, our 4th child, our eldest child, David, astutely observed, “Mom and Dad, we are going to need a bigger car!” We had been driving a VW Golf & Mazda 626. About 8 months out, kids praying . Long about 4 months into pregnancy a man called out of the blue: “The Lord has blessed my investments. Go shop for a minivan up to X$$$. Call me when you are ready” About a month later called very generous man. “I am sorry, had an unforeseen setback. I cannot right now.” Thanked him. Prayed harder. All the while Carol is getting bigger. 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th. Now into 9th month. Man calls back again. Fortunes have reversed! Please go buy a van! We were out the door driving for Swisher! Bought a van that night! Mary was born the next week! God provided, but we had to have faith that He was able even when thru death of a vision.
2. The second important truth in Philippians 4:19 is found in this promise: "My God shall supply." Take note of how this thought follows logically upon the first. The expression "my God," used also by Paul in Philippians 1:3, gives assurance that one who is rightly related to God will have his needs supplied. There is to be no doubting, no hesitation, no apprehension. Our Lord said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7). "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matthew 21:22). There is positive assurance in these promises.
C. Applic: May I ask what you are worried about that you need in the future? Can you say it with me? “My God shall supply…” Are you rightly related to the Father thru the Son? Then He SHALL!
III. The Provision: “all your needs”
A. Third, we must realize the Extent of our Provider’s Promised Provision.
1. What is Paul’s Meaning in this Passage?
a. Paul is apparently speaking of a material need that the Philippians now had. They had sent a large financial gift to Paul and now, apparently, they were in need. Paul however, couldn’t repay them, that would be a loan and not a gift. However, he could encourage them and boy did he! He encourages them with the truth that God is ABLE to provide for our needs.
b. Illust: I remember 4yrs ago when Pastor Z and Edyta came from Poland to visit IC. Had the goal of raising money for his school. You all gave very generously! Over $10k in one weekend! Amazing! Awesome! But, what many of you didn’t know if that financially, we were running pretty tight that year. I know this isn’t very spiritual to admit, but I had a momentary thought: “Well, if they gave $10k there, that’s $10k that can’t go here!” I needed to be reminded of this passage. And guess what? That year God provided for the church in wonderful ways and we not only made budget but went beyond! PTL!
2. Paul Summarizes “The Provision” in three simple words.
a. Let’s examine the provision spoken of in Philippians 4:19. The apostle summed it up in three words, "all your needs." Not some of your needs, not much of your needs, nor most of your needs, but all of your needs. That is bountiful provision! God can meet the many and varied needs of His children because of His infinite and inestimable riches.
b. Illust: Now, again, as I made mention last week, as the late Dr. Warren Wiersbe once said: “God promises to meet your needs, not your greeds.” We must know the difference between the two. I was reading this week of an interesting survey taken in 1900 and again in 1950. In 1900 Americans wanted 72 things, 18 of which he regarded as necessary. But by the mid-century mark, 1950, the list of American wants had grown to 496 things, 96 of which he regarded as absolute necessities. That shows something of the pressure we are under to have our wants regarded as needs.
B. We Need to Realize that the Personal God has Made a Promise to Provide for My Needs.
1. Illust: Dr. Harry Ironsides used to say he went into Woolworth’s 5&Dime to show himself how many things he didn’t need! Now, I am not a huge fan of technology. I don’t need the latest do dads and electronic gadgets. I rarely go into Best Buy. Some people salivate like Pavlov’s dog when they hear those 2 words: “Best Buy”. I go in and overwhelmed by technology and noise and flashing lights and beat retreat to the door asap. Pretty spiritual when in BB! Pretty content like old Dr. Ironsides. Now Menards….Another story!
2. “But God knows us, and your actual need may be to learn how few things you really need, and He will supply that need. He promises to supply all of them, and that is not only physical but in every realm of our lives. Our need for companionship. Our need for purity. Our need for a challenge, to give us something to follow, some work to do. Or even that nameless something we feel but we never can express or explain. He can supply that need, and he will in Christ. Remember what Jesus said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink." He didn't specify the thirst. He didn't say, if any man thirst for alcohol, or water, fame, food or power--anything, just if you thirst, whatever it is. He said, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water". He satisfies that clamant desire of the human spirit, making us satisfied in Christ.” (Ray Steadman, “To Be Content”)
C. Applic: Look at that section of the verse again. How many needs? What percentage? ALL!
IV. The Purse: “His riches in glory”
A. Paul has introduced the Provider, told us the Promise, and detailed the extent of the Provision, so now he let’s us Examine the Size of the Purse!
1. Paul is essentially telling the believer to examine the size of God’s purse. His bank account.
a. Illust: There used to be a phrase, “As sound as the Bank of England.” Investors could trust the Bank of England. Secure. Trustworthy. In our nation, 4 little letters (FDIC) guarantee depositors in FDIC insured banks, per ownership category, up to $250k. Now that seems pretty secure. But who or what is FDIC? The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency created by the Congress to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation’s financial system. (When it comes to how our Congress handles OUR money, maybe that should terrify us instead!)
b. Well, I admit the Bank of England has a pretty big purse, and FDIC seems to have a very sizable purse. But friend, I can tell you Who has a purse bigger than both combined: God does! He is secure. He is trustworthy!
2. The psalmist prayed, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches" (Psalm 104:24). Notice that it is the earth which is full of God's riches, and it is on the earth where God has put us. The psalmist linked man and God's riches together when he wrote, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they who dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1). The apostle Paul quoted this verse from the Psalms twice. He did this to remind us that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:26, 28). The Lord Himself said, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and all the fulness thereof" (Psalm 50:10-12). Our great Provider created and controls all of the provision.
B. As His Children You Can Trust in Your Heavenly Father to Provide for You.
1. Christians can trust God to provide. Illust: Do you know one of the main reasons I thoroughly enjoy gong on mission trips? I love to see how God will provide. Not just for me but for others. Every year we try to take a few people who have never gone overseas before. It’s important to expand their view of the Church and Christianity. It is also important to see individuals maybe get first lesson in learning to see God provide. Evey year, someone will come up to me in private. “Pastor Chris, I don’t know how God is gong to provide.” With a big smile on my face: “I don’t know either!” (Rarely instills them with confidence!) Then I ask, “Is that your biggest objection or concern about going?” “Yes.” You’ve got nothing to worry about! Do you believe God is calling you to go? Then you can trust God. He always pays for what He orders!
2. How vast is the wealth of God? How rich is the Provider? I doubt that we will ever fully know in this life the extent of God's riches. He said to His people Israel, "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel" (Isaiah 45:3). Yes, God has hidden riches in secret places about which we know nothing. The apostle Paul mentioned "the riches of his goodness" (Romans 2:4), "the riches of his glory" (Romans 9:23; Ephesians 3:16), and "the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7; 2:7). What an amazing provision!
C. Applic: Remember when we were kids? Brag in our neighborhood. “My dad…” My dad is bigger…my dad is stronger…my dad makes more money…” How big is the universe? That’s how big God’s purse is.
V. The Person: “in Christ”
1. Finally, Paul lists the Person Central to God’s Provision for the Believer.
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, our relationship with the Father becomes very personal to Him. We become His own redeemed children by adoption. And it is through this personal relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ that we can now be assured of all the rest of what this verse tells us.
2. Who is Jesus? I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness
B. Knowing Christ Gives Us Complete Confidence of His Ability to Provide.
1. Illust: J. Wilbur Chapman was a 19th cent. Indiana evangelist. Family tragedy forced him to travel to the West Coast. A banker who attended his church visited with him just before he left. As they talked, the banker took a piece of paper out of his pocket and slipped it into his pastor’s hand. Saw it was a check signed by the banker. Momentarily stunned, he asked, “Do you mean you are giving me a signed check to be filled out as I please?” “Yes, exactly,” said the banker. “I don’t know how much you might need, and I want you to draw any amount that will meet your need.” Gratefully took check but never had to use it. Chapman commented, “It gave me a comfortable, happy feeling to know that I had a vast sum at my disposal.” Our supply is as sufficient as the Bank of Heaven, a blank check for all our needs.
2. Blank checks are no good if the person who signs them is destitute or a crook. But if the check is signed by “my God,” the God I know personally, the God who is also our Father (4:20), the God who has never in human history failed His children, the God who demonstrated His great love for us by giving His only Son on the cross, then the check is good! “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). If we meet the condition by giving faithfully, the promise is certain--our God and Father will meet all our needs. You can count on it! (Steven J. Cole sermon)
C. Applic: So; here in this one verse we see the 5 “P’s” of God’s provision. We see the Provider, we have His Promise to supply, we have the Provision for all our need, we have the Purse of all the riches of heavenly glory as our resource, and we have the Person of Jesus Christ by which it is all secured to us. Later this week reflect on this wonderful little verse and God’s provision for His children.
