Driven By Eternity-3-The Power Of Partnership

This morning, as Pastor Brad teaches us about The Power Of Partnership, we finish the Driven By Eternity series.

Pastor's Notes:

TEXT
Philippians 4:10-19 NKJV
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your[a] care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to [b]be abased, and I know how to [c]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through [d]Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I [e]have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

INTRODUCTION
Good morning, everybody!
I’m super excited to be here with morning. Thanks to everyone who has continued to keep my family in your prayers during this difficult time.
It is with great joy that we’re anticipating our upcoming FIRE Conference with Christopher Alam. As we have shared before, please invite your lost loved ones and those you know who are ill and need a touch from the Lord. It starts THIS Friday night at 7 pm. We hope you will be here.
Today, I will be finishing this series with a message entitled “The Power Of Partnership”.

ILLUSTRATION
Many of you are familiar with start up businesses. If you look around you, everything had a beginning. Starbucks, Wal Mart, Apple, Samsung, Chevrolet, etc.
The one thing that shares a commonality among all of these is stock. Most companies today that are thriving have astronomical stock prices.
If you would have bought into Apple and Wal Mart in the 80’s and Amazon in the late 90’s, you would be a millionaire by now. Today, a single stock comes at a hefty price.
However, the thing about stock is that buying stock is investing in a product. In essence, you are getting ownership into the company.
When the company wins, every shareholder wins. When the company goes broke, well, everyone goes broke.

TRANSITION
The great think about the Kingdom of God is it isn’t like that. It isn’t going broke, nor will it ever!
Yet, when we give into the kingdom, it’s like investing stock into a booming company.
Now, before you get all sideways with me, I’m not trying to tell you that you give to get rich. That is totally the wrong motive for doing anything.
We give out of an obedience to God and His word. We also give because of our love for His work!
What we do for eternity is literally the only thing that will last for eternity.
Yet, just like a stock can pay out, our dividend is souls yes, but also many other blessings! God blesses those who bless the kingdom.

BACKGROUND
In our text, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church at Philippi.
According to history, the Apostle Paul founded the church on his second missionary journey.
He actually wrote this letter to thank this church for partnering with his ministry.
It’s been told throughout the years that a church will often take on the personality of it’s leader. Here, it’s apparent that Paul imparted a missionary spirit and a heart of generosity into his people.
Praise God!
There’s a blessing that comes when people catch a heart for the work of God.
Let’s look at our text


APPLICATION
1. It keeps giving (vs. 10)
- I want you to notice that Paul said it “flourished again”.
- This implies that their giving had continued to be a blessing.
- It likely not only continued to help him spiritually, but I’m sure it helped him emotionally. It helps people to know that others are “with them”.
- When we give to missions, we are “a part of the team”.- It’s a great thing to know people love you and are supporting you.

2. It’s a Blessing (vs. 14)
- Notice that the words, “shared in my distress”.
- Literally, they lifted a burden.
- Week after week, month after month, I get requests from missionaries. I wish I could say yes to all of them. The number one thing they have need of is not only prayer, but resources.
- There are projects that need completed and people that need to be reached.
- Sure, the Gospel is free. Plane tickets, Bibles, vehicles, etc. are not.

3. It’s Partnership (vs. 15-17)
- The biggest thing I wish I could communicate with people is that when we are giving to ministry, we aren’t giving it people. Yes, it goes into the hands of people, but it goes into the hands of God.
- It’s not just giving. That’s what the church has taught all these years. Notice Paul said giving AND receiving,
- They sent consistent aid to Paul.
- He told them it was going into their account. Did you know that you have a heavenly account? How do you put stuff in it? Giving!
- An account is meant to put stuff in AND to take stuff out.
- Your blessing account gets full when you’re a giver and generous towards the work of God.

4. It’s Sacrifice (vs. 18)
- I’m not sure how much they gave, but Paul recognized it as a sacrifice.
- You only sacrifice when something is valuable. If you’re putting $2 in the missions offering but paying $100 on a cell phone, thats not sacrifice. Oh come on, somebody!
- I’m not trying to beat you up. I’m trying to let you know that God blesses us when we truly are generous. Notice was Paul said in 2 Corinthians 9:6 “But this I say, He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. “
- Notice there are only two levels of giving with God: Sparingly or bountifully. Or as a I like to say it, stingy or generous.
- Don’t be mistaken. The amount doesn’t determine which one that is, but rather proportion and attitude.

5. It’s Security (vs. 19)
- Notice Paul starts off the verse with “and”. That means it’s connected.
- This is a verse that is often taken as a promise isolated and out of it’s context.
- However, the promise of God “supplying all your need according to His riches in glory....” is directly connected to missions giving.
- Point blank? When you take care of God’s business, you don’t have to fret and worry. People are all financially messed up when they put themselves first, and then maybe if anything is left, they might give a little to God.
- No! I’m challenging each of us to be generous when it comes to giving, but especially to missions!
Why?

CONCLUSION
Because we are driven by eternity! Souls Souls Souls!
We have to pray, we have to go, and we have to give!