2. Christianity is not a self help group
We pick and choose verses that look great on a plaque
We ignore the parts in between
Today, I preach on the parts in between

3. Phil 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength
Phil 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 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; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. 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. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

4. 1. Making Missions Happen is Fun!
2 ways to make Missions happen
Be the goer In this case Paul
Be the financier In this case, the Philippians
Sometimes we have to “go” first, before everything is in place!

5. Phil 4:14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles
Phil 4:14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 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; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.

6. Acts 17:13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. …they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

8. 1. Making Missions Happen is Fun!
2 ways to make Missions happen
Be the goer In this case Paul
Be the financier In this case, the Philippians
Sometimes we have to “go” first, before everything is in place!
When I left Macedonia, nobody else gave me money to go to Athens, except you.
Not the Thessalonians
Not the Bereans

9. 2. When you give to God’s kingdom…you invest
Making Faith Fun impacts your bank account
You cannot be tight fisted and enjoy the life of faith
Deut 15:7 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. …10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

10. 2. When you give to God’s kingdom…you invest
Making Faith Fun impacts your bank account
You cannot be tight fisted and enjoy the life of faith
Making an impact as we cross boundaries will always cost… It is just a reality
You don’t have a heart for people who need Jesus until you take part in funding the expansion of the gospel.

11. 3. When you give to God’s kingdom… THEN God meets your needs
I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
God meeting your needs is linked to you meeting the needs of others
10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to

12. SO WHAT? It’s Counter Intuitive
If you want to have your needs met; give to God’s work on earth
If you want to have fun with your money; give it away
If you want to really invest your money; give it to the work of the kingdom, not a high yield account.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE FAITH FUN AGAIN, SUPPORT A MISSION YOU BELIEVE IN!
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE FAITH FUN- GIVE TO THOSE IN NEED ANNONYMOUSLY!
“Who was that masked man?”

13. SWOOP!