Philippians 4:19 Introduction The government pays so much money for Medicare and Medicaid that many doctors and hospitals refuse to treat anyone without cash, credit, or insurance. If you can t assure payment, there will be no service. How differently we approach our divine doctor for healing. He subordinates our need to nothing save his grace and mercy. He addresses that need above all and ministers to it immediately, knowing full well that some will not pay him the debt of gratitude owed and will not keep the promises made. He helps from the depths of his love. The fact is: I. God Desires to Meet Our Needs In the Sermon on the Mount in Mt. 6, first in the context of prayer, Jesus says, 8 Do not be like them (hypocrites), for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8) Then in the context of worrying, Jesus says, 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them (necessities of life). (Matthew 6:32)
2 Then Paul tells us in B. Philippians 4:19 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19) You may be struggling, wondering why God hasn t met all your needs II. Some Reasons God Doesn t Meet Our Needs Are: A. It could be that you don t call upon him. 2 You do not have, because you do not ask God. (James 4: 2) 1. God wants you to ask because by doing so you link your mind to His and become dependent upon Him. B. It could be that you ask with the wrong motive. 1. James teaches in 4:3 that, 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, (James 4:3) 2. Our prayers should not be selfishly motivated. 3. We should pray taking into account God s will. 4. Unless we spend time discerning God s will, it s probable that our prayers are almost always entirely selfishly motivated.
3 5. The antidote to selfishness is sacrifice. 6. Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2, 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:1-2) C. It could be that you doubt when you ask 6 When he asks, he must believe and not doubt (James 1:6). D. Or it could be that there is sin in your life either unconfessed or intentionally practiced. - God cannot and will not meet your needs when you re like that. E. It could be that you deal with symptoms not needs. a. Man prefers to cosmetically change and not deal with his real need: redemption from himself, sin, lies, greed, hatred, greed, idolatry. b. You have to resolve to deal with the symptoms once and for all.
4 c. That means, discover what your real need is; our greatest need is God! F. It could be that you reject His methods. 1. God disciplines those He loves! 2. You must react to God s methods correctly or you suffer for nothing. G. It could be that you want to do it your way just like Adam and Eve Pride. What s the key to God meeting our needs! We must know what our basic needs are. What are our needs? III. Our Basic Needs The fact is: 1. I hate pride and arrogance (Prov 8:13) 2. Pride goes before destruction (Prov 16:18) A. Sense of belonging you belong to the family of God B. Sense of worthiness you re somebody worth knowing. C. Sense of competence you are competent to do anything God calls you to do. IV. The Way We React to Things Is often How we Learned to Deal with Problems/Rejection as a Child.
5 We build structures of survival to meet needs our own way. We have to learn God s ways to deal with problems and rejection. - Otherwise, it s a vicious cycle. - It only causes frustration and alienation from God. V. The Ways We Deal with Pain A. Denial B. Avoidance C. Projection D. Lying E. Acquiescence F. Conformity VI. Baggage. A. Normally the more painful your childhood the more abundant and thicker your structures. B. It means it will take more effort to appropriate God s promises, to make them yours. VII. I Want to Describe a Way of Dealing with Needs A. Acknowledge need. 1. Some of us need to be driven to our knees.
6 2. Healing will not happen any other way. B. Claim His promises don t accept counterfeit solutions. o Know His promises and claim them for yourself. D. Seek His direction listen to His voice. E. Wait on Him don t act until you know His will for you individually. F. Thank Him in advance because you know He ll respond. VIII. Here s How to Talk to the Lord about Our Needs A. Ask Him to help you distinguish between real needs and symptoms B. Ask the Lord to show you the structures you have used in dealing with needs. CONCLUSION Only this way can God meet your needs. Only this way will you believe Paul s words, 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19)