Phil. 4:14-23; Matt. 6:25-34, Supply (2)

We have seen that the Church at Philippi was involved at every geographical level in the preaching of the gospel.  In light of this, and in that context …

·        What assurances does Paul give to the Philippian believers?

o   There would be fruit to their account (4:17).  That is the very reason Christ called us to Himself: that we might bear fruit that lasts (Jn. 15:16).  That is the reason we partner with those who take the gospel beyond our immediate hometown.

o   They would please God (4:18).  A sweet smelling aroma comes from an offering that has been accepted by God.  Cornelius, the first Gentile believer, was such an offering (Acts 10:4).  Supremely, Christ was a sweet-smelling offering (Eph. 5:2).  The prayers of the saints in Rev. 8:3-4 likewise are pleasing to God.

o   Their needs would be supplied (4:19).  Paul assured them God would be their sufficiency (El Shaddai, God Almighty).  To supply means to fill up.  God would supply all they needed for every good work (2 Cor. 9:8).  And He would be faithful to supply every life-need: food, drink and clothing (Matt. 6:25-34).

·        What role does Christ play in “strength” and “supply”?  We noted previously that Jesus was/is God Almighty (El Shaddai).  In 4:19 we see that God’s supply for the believers is according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  It is because Jesus is the Mediator of the New Covenant that we have such abundance from our Father.

o   2 Cor. 8:9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

o   Eph. 1:3-14: Every spiritual blessing is the believers’ in Christ Jesus (v3).  We have the adoption of sons through Jesus Christ (v5).  In Him we have redemption and forgiveness (v7).  In Him we obtained an inheritance.

o   Rom. 8:14-17: Believers have a blessed relationship with God: they call Him Abba, Father because they are sons, and joint heirs with Christ.  Our inheritance is tied to the promise of the Father to His only Son.

o   Rom. 8:32: He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

The writer to the Hebrews told those folks what Paul is telling the saints at Philippi: For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister (Heb. 6:10).  Let us be faithful to our calling, to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20).  And let this faithfulness be grounded in the all-sufficiency of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  We can do all things through Christ.  Our God will supply all our needs.