Bible Study

The Gift of Eternal Life Berean Bible Study Course

PART III--The Way Of Serving God In Christ Jesus

A. Lesson 13--We Serve By Worshipping

8. READ: PHILIPPIANS 4:14-19

a. What kind of sacrifice is discussed here?

Answer: The aid sent to Paul by the Philippians (the act of giving) when he was in need is called "an acceptable sacrifice", which was pleasing to God, (verses 16 and 18).

MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• In 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Paul describes the unique and unmatched generosity of the Philippian church (along with other congregations), which was located in Macedonia, the northern part of modern-day Greece:

"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's Will."

• 2 Corinthians 8:7 says that Christians are to EXCEL in the grace of giving, an acceptable sacrifice which is pleasing to God:

"But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

• The good that we do--the giving that we should excel in--is acceptable and pleasing to God because of Christ's work FOR us:

1 Peter 1:5: "you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

• The good that we do--the giving that we should excel in--is also acceptable and pleasing to God because of God's work IN us:

Philippians 2:13: "for it is God Who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."