Sermon # 9- God's Unmatched Generosity Series

We read in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work.” (ISV)

Sometimes when we read this verse, and compare it with our situations in life we get perplexed as to why the promises of God, and the experiences we go through seem to be at variance. Let’s be reminded that God has given us these verses to encourage us, and bring us to the place that He wants us to come to. God’s word should build us, and take us to the place that God wants us to be in. God’s word will not return back void, because it is Spirit and it gives life. The purpose for which God’s word is sent will be fulfilled because it has the power and strength to do so.

God will supply all our need according to His riches

Only God’s word can turn a desert into a bountiful land. This is why the word of God is compared to a seed, and if the seed falls on good ground it will bring forth plentiful harvest. If our hearts are that good soil, God’s word will transform our lives to become a great blessing.

When Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, this is what he said as we read in, Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (KJV)

I would like to read this verse in four parts; ‘My God’, ‘Shall supply all your need’, ‘According to His riches’, ‘In Christ Jesus’.

The people in the church at Philippi were in want, and Paul encourages them that God would supply all of their needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

If we study the letters that Paul wrote there are 13 of them which are recorded as books in the New Testament. The reason for these letters was that wherever Paul went, he shared the gospel and established churches. After he got back to his own place, Paul would constantly enquire about the welfare of the churches that he established. This was Paul’s heart, and he would receive several messages about the respective churches. So, sometimes Paul would rebuke the church he wrote to. For instance he referred to the Galatian church as ‘foolish Galatians.’ Oftentimes Paul would write to encourage the churches, but he also wrote to admonish them and the believers in these churches took Paul’s rebuke well.

We too should have a heart to let God’s word correct us and teach us so that we can change in those areas that God wants us to change.

However, to the church at Philippi, Paul wrote to thank them for their support for the ministry.

The church at Philippi partnered with Paul

If we read in Philippians 4:15, “My friends at Philippi, you remember what it was like when I started preaching the good news in Macedonia. After I left there, you were the only church that became my partner by giving blessings and by receiving them in return.” (CEV)

The church at Philippi were those who stood by Paul, and partnered with him consistently. They took God’s work seriously, gave generously, and also received the blessings in turn. Only the church at Philippi understood the heart of Paul, and carried the same burden that he had for the souls that were lost. No wonder then that they partnered with him in every way.

Often when we come to God we do so with expectation as to all that we can receive from God. We forget that the heart that expects to receive from God must also be a heart that constantly desires to do something for God. In these last days it is sad that many believers who have the anointing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit evident in their lives are content with just spending an hour at church on Sundays. If this is so there is nothing we can do for the Lord. We have almost come to the end of the year, and the question we need to ask is, ‘how many people have we shared the gospel with and how many have we led to the Lord?’ Do we have the burden for those who are lost? These are days when we have to stop and ponder about these important questions. There is a widespread notion that this work of evangelism is the responsibility of Pastors, and other Christian workers while other believers continue with their own personal matters.

Let’s not come to church as mere spectators, but we have to become those who will know and understand God’s purpose and fulfill it.

At one point Paul was imprisoned in Roman prison, and Satan thought he was done with Paul so that the gospel would go nowhere. What happened was the opposite, because God’s word spread all throughout Rome because of Paul. No one could stop Paul, for even in prison Paul began to write letters to all the churches. God’s plan is unfathomable, because what Satan meant for harm God turned out for good, and the letters of Paul have blessed so many generations after him. Even up until today the epistles of Paul are encouraging us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.