Thank you for downloading this expository-style devotional from Truth Matters Church. This week's devotional is titled, A Fragrant Aroma, from our study in Philippians. I'm Associate Pastor Jeremy. We last saw how Paul commended the Philippian church for their generosity and support, and how they stood alone among all the churches in the region as the one who provided for the apostle in his gospel work and his physical needs while he was imprisoned. We pick up today with a continuation of this passage where Paul wrote, But I have received everything in full and have abundance. I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. That's Philippians 4 verses 18 to 20. We learned a little about Epaphroditus in chapter 2, where Paul mentioned that he was a brother and fellow worker, and that he almost died in service to the Philippians. And much like Timothy, Epaphroditus personally served and cared for Paul. Paul thanked the Philippians for sending a gift through his trusted friend that not only provided for all his needs, but was also a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. Perhaps you've never thought of it before, but when we give of ourselves and our resources, our gift rises to heaven like a sweet fragrance to God. As we look through Scripture, we see many places where God was pleased by the aroma of the sacrifice of His people. In the Old Testament, this was usually associated with a burnt offering, which quite literally had a pleasing smell. And in the New Testament, we're told how our love, obedience, giving, and praises are pleasing aromas to God the Father through Christ Jesus our Lord. In 2 Corinthians 2 verse 15, Paul wrote, For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to the one an aroma from death to death, and the other an aroma from life to life. In Ephesians 5 verse 2 he says, Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. And the writer of Hebrews in chapter 13 verse 15 says, through him, that would be Christ, then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, that give thanks to his name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. So, when we do such things, Paul promises that God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. We must remember that this does not mean that we get everything we want. As we've learned before, God often does give us things we want, but sometimes He doesn't. However, He promises to supply all of our needs. This is where we learn to be content in every circumstance, as Paul says in Philippians 4.11, and to surrender our will to God in every stage of life, trusting that our Heavenly Father always knows best. Paul finishes this encouraging exhortation with, This is what it's all about. We weren't saved to get a free pass out of hell, or because Jesus was lonely in heaven. Our created purpose was and is to bring glory to God. On earth, we are privileged to bring Him glory through our love, obedience, and sacrifice. Just as Christ lived in perfect obedience to the Father, as we see in Romans 5 verse 19, Philippians 2 verse 8, and Hebrews 5 verse 8, we too should do the same. And I expect that our purpose will continue into eternity as we are to bring glory to God forever and ever. Each day the Lord grants us life is yet another opportunity to shine as lights in our dark world, not only reflecting Christ and His goodness in our thoughts and our actions, but giving sacrificially to those in need. And that honors and glorifies our God and Savior, who sits forever on the throne in heaven. Again, thank you so much for downloading this expository-style devotional from our study in Philippians. For more information, you can reach out to us at truthmatterschurch.org. Have a blessed day.