Our Gifts to God - Peace Church, Loyal OK

Our Gifts to God

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 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. Philippians 4:10-20

Last week we talked about the gifts that God gives us. This week we will look at the gifts we can give to God.

In our text Paul was thanking the Church at Philippi for the gifts they gave so he could continue in the ministry. Paul was a tent maker by trade, but there were times he did not earn enough to meet his needs. The church at Philippi was very perceptive and supported him as much as they could. Paul was often in bonds, imprisonments, and suffering need. In all of this, he learned to be content, and make the best of his situation. The church at Philippi could not always help, but when they could, they did!

Part of our gifts to God is to help other Christians and missionaries that are having problems. It is our normal godly nature to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, and to do what we can to help them.

Paul learned the secret of being content even in the worst of situations – that is not always an easy lesson to learn, because pride, unbelief, and always wanting something we do not have will make us discontented even when everything is going right! Being content and happy is a hard lesson to learn!

The temptations of that come during times of prosperity can be more than the temptations of affliction and want.

Paul did not urge them to give more to him for his needs; he did encourage them to give so that they would receive greater rewards in heaven.

Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through Him we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by Him, let us do all things for Him, and to His glory.

Even though a person in need has learned to be content, God still expects us to minister to him or her.

There are a number of gifts we can give God.

First, of course, is our life – when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we are giving God our life.

Secondly, God wants to fellowship with us daily.

When Roberta and I were married we pledged to love, honor and obey each other for the rest of our lives. We have kept that vow for over 44 years now, and it has continued to be a very gratifying experience for me. I trust that she is equally pleased!

I have always appreciated her love and support, but in the last few months I have been overwhelmed at how much love and care she gives.

Friday we were putting up some Christmas. After a few trips up and down the ladder my legs got shaky and it was time to stop and rest. I said, “I’m starting to think about our next house where we won’t have to do so much work.”

She didn’t fuss, didn’t complain, didn’t condemn. She simply stated, “It was just a few weeks ago that you couldn’t even get on a ladder.”

This is the relationship God wants with us… He understands our weakness and frailty. He encourages and enables us to do His work through the power of the Holy Spirit and through the cooperative effort of other members of the family of God.

Our Christmas program Thursday evening was a wonderful example of God at work through the Body of Christ.

Our love for God must extend to others. In Micah we are instructed to “do justly”; “love mercy”; “walk humbly with thy God.” In Matthew we are taught to love our neighbor as our self, to love the Lord with all our heart, all our soul and our entire mind. We are also taught to do God’s will.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

In Timothy we are taught to seek the Lord with all our heart and all of our soul, bearing in mind that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

God wants us to obey Him with a willing spiritual sincerity, not just in token compliance. Actually, we cannot worship God without obeying Him! Jesus asked "And why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Obedience in love to God, "in spirit and in truth," is the foundation of worship.

God also expects us to walk in love. “If a man loves Me, He will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.” (Jesus, in John 14:23)

In reality, anything we do for others in the right spirit is considered a gift to God. Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine you did for Me.”

Proverbs 19:17: “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.”

Matthew 10:42: “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, I tell you the truth, he will not lose his reward.”

In the Old Testament Hannah told the Lord that if He would give her a son she would give the son to the Lord. That son’s name was Samuel – a great prophet of God.

Hosea 6:6: (God is speaking) “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

Romans 12:1 “…offer your body as a living sacrifice…”

The shepherds came to worship Jesus at His birth – then told everyone they saw the good news. They did not have money, but they did what they could.

When the wise men came about 2 years later they brought gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Each of these gifts had significance. Because they recognized that Jesus was a King they brought appropriate gifts. In their culture one could not properly approach a king without gifts!

Gold: For the King of Kings

Frankincense: Appropriate for a priest… Jesus is our High Priest

Myrrh: The gift for one who was dying – it was used in embalming

However, since Jesus was not going to be a king, priest or die for a number of years the gifts had another value – they could be sold for travel money. We know from the dove that they took to sacrifice when Jesus was circumcised on the 8^th day that Mary and Joseph were poor. So when they fled to Egypt to save Jesus’ life they had money they needed.

As Paul noted in our opening scriptures, God will supply all of our need!

We have asked seven people to bring gifts this morning…

1. SELF – “Lord, I love You with all my heart, my soul, and my strength.”

2. MY NEIGHBOR – Lord, I will love my neighbor as myself and seek ways to bring my neighbor to You as Savior if he or she is unsaved.”

3. MY ENEMIES – “Lord, you tell us to pray for our enemies and give them food and water when they are hungry or thirsty. I will do my best to win my enemies to You so that we can become friends and fellow citizens of Your kingdom.”

4. FORGIVENESS – “Lord, if I have any ill feelings against anyone – or if I know of anyone with ill feelings toward me, I will seek to forgive and be forgiven. When I am angry with myself I will also forgive myself!

5. COMPASSION FOR OTHERS – “Lord, I realize that I am Your hand of love and mercy extended to those around me. I will do my best to show Your love to everyone I meet.

6. WORRIES – “Lord, You told us to come to You when we are weary and heavy laden. Today I bring all of my problems to You and commit myself to deal with each situation as you teach me.”

7. CUP OF COLD WATER – “Lord, you said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, I tell you the truth, he will not lose his reward.” Therefore, here is my cup of cold water!

Ira F. Stanphill wrote "Follow Me" in 1953. "These are the words He (Jesus) gently spoke to me: 'If just a cup of water I place within your hand, then just a cup of water is all that I demand.' " You can hear a recording of Mr. Stanphill singing his song at www.sacred-music.org.