Philippians Week 9
Philippians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Review: We are in a Wednesday night series on the book of Philippians. Just to recap and catch you up:
Review: We are in a Wednesday night series on the book of Philippians. Just to recap and catch you up:
The story of how Paul Planted this Church is found in Acts 16
The story of how Paul Planted this Church is found in Acts 16
Remember this is a city of about 10,000 people
It’s located on a major roadway
Paul is supernaturally directed here
This is the first time in the New Testament where the Gospel makes its way into Europe
This was the place where Paul and Silas were placed in prison
Think of Philippians as a big thank you letter. Here a few things you should remember about Philippians:
It was written to the church in a City called Philippi
It was written by the apostle Paul
It was written while he was in Prison - Though there is considerable debate over where he was in prison when he wrote.
The Philippians Church was planted by Paul and they loved and supported him. They sent Epaphroditus to visit him in prison and check on him and take him a financial gift.
Prisoners in the ancient world had no food from local authorities. So their gift and visit was important for Paul.
Paul is writing primarily to thank them for their support –It’s like a missionary thanking our church for our prayers and support for his ministry
Opening Story/Illustration: Over the past few months as I have watched the news and interacted with people and just observed the world - I’ve come to the opinion that we live in a society that no longer knows how to deal with the stress of life. I’m not talking about deep struggles or suffering or deep pain - I’m talking about people no longer know how to deal with life in general. More people are depressed and down and broken. More are anxious and overwhelmed and unable to deal with life. Why is this? I believe that much of it comes from our refusal as a society to put God first. When we do not give God his rightful place, something else must take his place - and many times - what I believe becomes God is our Happiness. So life becomes all about me being happy. Look at the world around us and you will notice that this is true. Most people will do whatever they feel they need to do in order just to be happy. And this obsession with feeling good and being happy drives us to other things in order to fulfill it - So the alcoholic drinks to try and drown his sorrows and find some happiness. The shopper does a little “retail therapy” to try and make him or herself happy. And on and on it goes. We look to our career thinking if I can just get a better job or if I could just make more money everything would be good. Even the religious person uses God thinking that the role of God is to make life happier and easier. And we have no longer have room for anything that makes us uncomfortable or that is hard. We want it easy and we want to be happy. This has become the goal of life for most people.
Opening Story/Illustration: Over the past few months as I have watched the news and interacted with people and just observed the world - I’ve come to the opinion that we live in a society that no longer knows how to deal with the stress of life. I’m not talking about deep struggles or suffering or deep pain - I’m talking about people no longer know how to deal with life in general. More people are depressed and down and broken. More are anxious and overwhelmed and unable to deal with life. Why is this? I believe that much of it comes from our refusal as a society to put God first. When we do not give God his rightful place, something else must take his place - and many times - what I believe becomes God is our Happiness. So life becomes all about me being happy. Look at the world around us and you will notice that this is true. Most people will do whatever they feel they need to do in order just to be happy. And this obsession with feeling good and being happy drives us to other things in order to fulfill it - So the alcoholic drinks to try and drown his sorrows and find some happiness. The shopper does a little “retail therapy” to try and make him or herself happy. And on and on it goes. We look to our career thinking if I can just get a better job or if I could just make more money everything would be good. Even the religious person uses God thinking that the role of God is to make life happier and easier. And we have no longer have room for anything that makes us uncomfortable or that is hard. We want it easy and we want to be happy. This has become the goal of life for most people.
And the ironic thing - all of the places we search for happiness simply leave us needing something more. We are left more discontent and more broken and feeling more anxious than ever before. We think “I need this or that to feel complete and feel content - and then we get it and it doesn’t fulfill us. And instead of trying to find a better way we repeat the same cycle over and over and over again.
And the ironic thing - all of the places we search for happiness simply leave us needing something more. We are left more discontent and more broken and feeling more anxious than ever before. We think “I need this or that to feel complete and feel content - and then we get it and it doesn’t fulfill us. And instead of trying to find a better way we repeat the same cycle over and over and over again.
We are a discontent, anxious, and worried people. I would argue tonight that for the Christian there is a better way - But it is so easy for us to get sucked back into fitting into the mold of what everyone else is doing. If you are not a Christian, I would argue that this better way starts with giving your whole life to Jesus.
We are a discontent, anxious, and worried people. I would argue tonight that for the Christian there is a better way - But it is so easy for us to get sucked back into fitting into the mold of what everyone else is doing. If you are not a Christian, I would argue that this better way starts with giving your whole life to Jesus.
I want to talk about this different way. It comes not from pursuing happiness itself - but it comes from aligning our lives up with God’s word.
I want to talk about this different way. It comes not from pursuing happiness itself - but it comes from aligning our lives up with God’s word.
Transition to Text: In the New Testament we get this picture of man who in his own words, “Has learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” The Apostle Paul writes to the Church at Philippi and he is writing from prison. Yet, his letter has a very joyous and peaceful and content tone to it. I don’t know about you, but with all that Paul had been through, I don’t know if I could be as content as he appeared to be. Reading through this letter left me with a question - how did this man stay so content, so joyful, and so peaceful no matter his circumstance? How does he avoid anxiety? How does he keep an inner sense of joy and peace? How is he so content? Let’s see what he has to say about that. I want to spend the next couple of weeks diving into Paul’s secret of contentment.
Transition to Text: In the New Testament we get this picture of man who in his own words, “Has learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” The Apostle Paul writes to the Church at Philippi and he is writing from prison. Yet, his letter has a very joyous and peaceful and content tone to it. I don’t know about you, but with all that Paul had been through, I don’t know if I could be as content as he appeared to be. Reading through this letter left me with a question - how did this man stay so content, so joyful, and so peaceful no matter his circumstance? How does he avoid anxiety? How does he keep an inner sense of joy and peace? How is he so content? Let’s see what he has to say about that. I want to spend the next couple of weeks diving into Paul’s secret of contentment.
Text: Philippians 4:4-13
Text: Philippians 4:4-13
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Transition to Points: Before we dive into this I would like to point this out - It would be easy for us to write off Paul and say that he was naturally a calm person and this makes it easy for him to be content and peaceful - but notice what he says - I have learned the secret of being content.
Transition to Points: Before we dive into this I would like to point this out - It would be easy for us to write off Paul and say that he was naturally a calm person and this makes it easy for him to be content and peaceful - but notice what he says - I have learned the secret of being content.
Contentment, peace, joy - this is something that can be learned. Christian peace does not start by simply trying to get rid of negative thinking. It is not that we stop facing the facts - it is that we find a living power that enables us to face the realities of life.
Contentment, peace, joy - this is something that can be learned. Christian peace does not start by simply trying to get rid of negative thinking. It is not that we stop facing the facts - it is that we find a living power that enables us to face the realities of life.
Points
Points
Remember You are not alone
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
We must rejoice in the Lord - Not in our circumstance, but in the Lord.
He says it again to emphasize it!
Don’t look at your problem - Look to the God who is bigger than the problem.
Rejoice in the Lord.
This is why worship is so important - When we come together and rejoice in the Lord it is encouraging! It lifts you up!
Illustration - We have all had those moments where life was getting to us and we got in the car and turned on a worship CD and we began to just worship the Lord - and He showed up and gave us a sense of His presence and peace in the midst of whatever we were going through.
The phrase here “The Lord is at Hand” - means that the Lord is present to help.
You can rejoice because the Lord isn’t far away - He is right here in this moment with you.
Right there at your job. Right there at your school. Right there at home when the Kids are driving you crazy!!
If we could just grab hold of that one truth, it would revolutionize our lives - God is with you.
Even in the every-day stressful grind that is your life.
Even at the Job that you hate.
Even when the kids aren’t listening. God is with you!
The idea here of “Gentleness” means that you’re not being difficult to get along with.
You’re willing to put others before yourself. You’re not constantly fighting to get your own way.
Paul uses it elsewhere when speaking of the character of Jesus.
The world lies to us and tells us - Fight for your own way. We think if we want to be happy we must have everything exactly the way we want it. But the truth is that you will never have everything the way that you want it!
This doesn’t mean that you are a doormat
But it does mean you’re not to be difficult because you’re constantly trying to push for your own way.
You see Paul is telling us here - if you want contentment and peace - stop wasting all your energy fighting for something you will never attain and remember that God is close and rejoice in Him and be easy to get along with!
What does all this mean? - You can rejoice in a God that is with through every circumstance! The Lord is close by. He isn’t far away! Allow this to let you rejoice and to stop wasting your energy fighting for your own way.
Sometimes we just need to get over stuff, rejoice in the Lord, and let it go.
How much of your worry and your fear and your discontentment come because you are constantly fighting for your own way?
Those of you with that type “A” personality - this is difficult for you.
You want everything to be just right - to be perfect. Growth for us is learning when to let stuff go.
Remember the Bigger picture - This life isn’t all there is. Rejoice in the Lord and move on.
Remember You Have someone to talk to
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Prayer cures anxiety.
The way Paul puts it here literally means - STOP BEING ANXIOUS it’s a present imperative command - which means this - Make it a lifestyle. Stop it and keep stopping it.
Paul says - Instead of being anxious, pray.
To which many of us would reply - I tried to pray and it doesn’t work.
Illustration - I think we mess up here because we have the wrong view of prayer.
This is the way I look at Prayer - Prayer is a conversation with God.
We have different types of conversation every single day with different types of people. And this is key - different types of conversation.
When I talk to my wife we have several different types of conversation -
We have serious conversations - Like you better turn off the TV and give me your attention moments.
We have casual conversations throughout the day
We have conversations when other people are around and with other people!
We have conversation alone
We have fun conversations
We have deep, intimate conversations
We converse in the morning
We converse at Night
I think you get the picture
But when it comes to God - why do most of us only have serious conversations with him that we schedule in the morning and then that’s it.
So, if I said to my wife, let’s schedule our conversation at 7am tomorrow morning. You can have 20min of my time and i’ll tell you what you need to know for the day, I’ll give you my to-do list, you fill me in on what I need to know, and tell me what I need to do for you. - This isn’t going to go well. That’s not a relationship - that’s a business appointment.
Paul here says - Instead of being anxious - talk to God. take him your needs - oh and when you do it, throw in some thankfulness. Don’t treat God like some appointment to be kept - treat him like a friend who is with you and wants to talk to you all throughout your day on all sorts of different levels - tell him your fears your pain your hurt, your funny moments, your good moments, your bad moments - keep in contact with Him - and be thankful for what he is doing and will do in your life!!
This thankfulness part is important - because if you stop being grateful you are likely to slip back in to being anxious. Thankfulness reminds you of how good God is and it reminds you that things aren’t as bad as they may seem and it reminds you that God is going to come through.
As you do this, God is going to guard your heart and mind with his peace.
Remember to Think
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
When we first read through these verses, we may begin to wonder what in the world Paul is telling us to think about. He wants us to just think happy thoughts or something.
But this is not the case - As weird as this may sound - He’s asking us to think on some big issues - who God is and what God has done. The idea here isn’t to think happy thoughts - it’s to think about and focus on some core truths about who God is.
The word here for “Think” means far more than just simple thoughts. It means to count or to reckon - so count up these things.
In speaking of this idea, Pastor Timothy Keller says this:
“This is so completely different from what you will find if you walk into any bookstore and go to the section on anxiety, worry, and dealing with stress. Here is what you will never see: None of the books will ever say, “Are you stressed, unhappy, or anxious? Let’s start dealing with that by asking the big questions: What is the meaning of life?What are you really here for? What is life all about? Where have you come from, and where are you going? What should human beings spend their time doing?” Never!!
Paul is saying Christian peace operates in almost exactly the opposite way. Christian peace comes not from thinking less but from thinking more , and more intensely, about the big issues of life. It is not to get peace by jogging or shopping. It means “Think it out! Think about the glory coming until the joy begins to break in on you.” Someone reading this might say, “You are talking about doctrine but what I really need is comfort.” But think! Is Jesus really the Son of God? Did he really come to earth, die for you, rise again, and pass through the heavens to the right hand of God? Did he endure infinite suffering for you, so that someday he could take you to himself and wipe away every tear from your eyes? If so, then there is all the comfort in the world.
Peace comes from thinking through the implications of what you believe.
Another appropriate word here might be to meditate on God and his goodness. When is the last time you just fixed your mind on how good God is?
We get so worried and so anxious and so frazzled with life - and when’s the last time we just allowed ourselves to think about the goodness of God? When’s the last time we thought about the Cross and what he suffered for us? When’t the last time we thought about he fact that he is coming again?
We get so bogged down “thinking” about everything else. !
Notice what he says next - After we have spent time “thinking.” We are to “Put into practice.”
So if what I believe is true - how does my behavior need to change? How can I apply what I know? !
And when we put this into practice what does he say - The God of peace will be with you.
Conclusion
Conclusion
MI - Contentment and Peace are found by learning to think on and remember the right things.
You don’t have to be stressed, you don’t have to be anxious - you can learn how not to be. You can put these principles into practice - Be aware that God is with you, take your anxiety and fear and worry to him in prayer, and train yourself to think on his goodness.