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Philippians 4:19 - All Our Needs Fulfilled In Christ.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

INTRODUCTION

This is one the great promises of Scripture. [Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible]

We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we actually need on earth he will always supply, even if, like Paul, it is the courage to face death. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort and pain. We may not get all that we want. But by trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

Jesus Fulfills Every Need
   What are you seeking today? Do you have a need for worth? For deeper companionship? Calm in the midst of a storm? Significance? Peace and satisfaction? Maybe you're seeking purpose, love, or acceptance?
   All of those needs ... Jesus fulfills them, and the Enemy does all he can to exploit them. When you feel down, it's usually because some need of yours isn't getting met. That's when the Enemy comes along and whispers, If you want to feel better, I'll give you a thrill. I can help you meet your needs.
   Those whispers might be enticing, but Remember That Nothing Can Satisfy Your Heart Like God. Nothing Keeps You From Sin Better Than Seeking After Christ. When you begin to learn God's Word, it's a pathway to knowing Him and His character. When you walk with Him in continual prayer, you learn His ways. When you rest in God, you discover your true identity, worth, and purpose. It is by His Spirit alone that you will ultimately find true fulfillment for your every need. You can trust Him to fill your cup today.
   Dear God, You are the most trustworthy and most dependable. Let my heart cry out again, "The Lord is my rock and my salvation!" [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio]

COMMENTARY

Life in Balance
   I'm thankful that God overrules some of my prayers. Imagine, for example, what would happen in a family where parents gave their children everything they wanted. The kids want hot fudge sundaes for dinner and demand everything at the toy store. Whatever they want, their parents give it to them.
   What those parents will end up raising are spoiled, undisciplined, hyperactive brats. And they will live to regret it because their children never will move out of the house. Parents need to teach their children responsibility, including how to work for things and how to save.
   God knows what is good for us as His children. He knows what we need, and He also knows what we don't need.
   A Christian might pray, "Lord, I want to be incredibly wealthy. I want to be as wealthy as Bill Gates or Warren Buffett. Give me billions of dollars."
   For some people, probably most even, receiving a great amount of money could be the worst thing ever to happen to them. It would come with a lot of responsibility as well as a lot of temptation they may not be facing right now.
   The apostle Paul wrote, "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19 NLT).
   Notice Paul said that God would supply all your needs - not all your greed, or even all your wants or desires.
   The writer of Proverbs 30 prayed, "Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name" (verses 8-9 NLT).
   In other words, "Lord, don't give me so much that I would forget about You. But don't give me so little that I would feel that You had forgotten about me. Give me as much as You think is right. I leave it in Your hands. I just want Your will for my life."
   We can go through life saying, "I need this" and "What about my needs?" Or, we can say, "God has blessed me. He has provided for me. I had a meal this morning. I have clothes on my back and a roof over my head. What can I do for someone else?"
   When we start thinking of others instead of ourselves, one day we will wake up and realize that we're happy. But it won't be the result of chasing after the things we thought would fulfill us. Rather, it will be the result of having our priorities in order.
   If only we would do things God's way. Then we would be able to say, like Paul, "I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little" (Philippians 4:12 NLT).
   If we have our lives in balance, we can be confident that God will provide. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]

As You Wait, God Is At Work
   If fear is battling to take over your heart, if anxiety is rising within you - find a quiet space, slow down, and think about the cross. Think about what Jesus has done to ensure that you can be alive with Him. Redirecting your mind away from the spiral of fear takes time, but as you wait, God is at work both in you and through you.
   Use these truths to steer you back toward His love.
   He is and always will be in full control. Surrender your need to be in charge over to Him.
   He is and always will be for you. Find your affirmation in Him and not in the people around you.
   He is and always will be present with you. Release your past and submit your tomorrows to Him.
   From a place of surrender, you can get out from under the anxiety that's weighing you down and look up to your Good Shepherd. He is there with open arms, ready to lead you to be full of peace.
   Dear God, You have met every need and overflowed my joy through Your glorious riches. I surrender my self-sufficiency again today. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio]

CLOSING PEARL

Palace Or Prison?
   If you were offered a palace with no Christ or a prison with Christ, which would you choose?
   In ancient Rome, the emperor Nero had the palace, but no Christ. The legacy of his reign is deceit, fear, murder, and a severe abuse of power. Eventually, he died alone. Deified, but alone. Rich, but alone. Powerful, but alone. In the end, he had everything except happiness.
   Paul, on the other hand, had nothing but happiness. Yet he literally had nothing. He was imprisoned during Nero's time. His tired body carried the marks of whippings, shipwrecks, and disease.
   But if you were to ask Paul to choose between the palace and the prison, he would be quick to answer. My purse may be empty, but my Father's is not.
   That's the promise. That was the discovery of Paul. That is the hope of the believer. Though your "Nero" might attempt to incarcerate you, your Lord will provide for you. He will give you everything you need. A palace with no Christ is a prison. A prison with Christ is a palace. [You Can Count On God by Max Lucado]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Philippians 4:19 - All Our Needs Fulfilled In Christ.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230509-0914.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220421-0835.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/