Power for the Joyful Christian life.

Rodney Hedge

Living the Joyful Christian Life • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

Philippians 4:1–9

Joy

Christian Life

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Power to live the Joyful Christian life has a definate source. . . Christ Alone!

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Christ is the center

Stand Firm ()

Philippians 4:1 AV 1873

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

1. dearly beloved and longed for

2. Joy and crown--the achievement of my life

3. Stand fast--Stand firm--be unmoveable.

1 Corinthians 15:58 AV 1873

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

4. Dearly beloved

Philippians 4:2 AV 1873

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

1. Euodias (prosperous journey) and Syntyche (pleasant acquaintance) --apparently there was a problem with harmony between the two of these woman.

2. Same mind in the Lord

Philippians 4:3 AV 1873

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

1. Intreat

2. True yokefellow--fellow servants

3. They were once all about the gospel, but now that has changed

4. He also is asking other people to be spoken with, this must have now become a more wide spread issue. As they usually are, when left undealt with.

Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians 4:4 AV 1873

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Introduction:

Philippians 1:21 AV 1873

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 3:12–14 AV 1873

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 3:

Path to Pulpit Rock, Pocahontas Spring, Plateau Point. Difficult but peaceful. To keep trudging forward to the next obstacle seemed mundane and useless but became strength for the next leg of the journey.

Path to the presence of peace**** 7/12/17

Philippians 4:8–9 AV 1873

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Phil. 4:

Wholesome thoughts:

“Whatsoever”

this is a plural word, indicating that what follows are not single items but in fact multiples.

True— Avoid those things that are unreliable or at their core contradictory. Think on things that have a root in honest and truth.

Avoid those things that are unreliable or at their core contradictory. Think on things that have a root in honest and truth.

Honest— Live a life that reverent. The Bible also translates this word as “grave.” when speaking of how the deacons and their wives must live their lives. The Bible also addresses this in Titus when it speaks of the conduct of the aged men. In essence living a life worthy of respect.

Live a life that reverent. The Bible also translates this word as “grave.” when speaking of how the deacons and their wives must live their lives. The Bible also addresses this in Titus when it speaks of the conduct of the aged men. In essence living a life worthy of respect.

Just— Conformity to God’s standards. Not my version of God’s standards.

Conformity to God’s standards. Not my version of God’s standards.

Pure— No level of moral impurity. This goes to intention as well as action.

No level of moral impurity. This goes to intention as well as action.

Lovely— Only time used in the NT and speaks of what promotes peace rather than conflict. Are you a peaceable person? Jesus said:

Only time used in the NT and speaks of what promotes peace rather than conflict. Are you a peaceable person? Jesus said:

Matthew 5:9 AV 1873

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:

Good report— This words also is only used here. Simply put it is “admirable” Relates to being positive and constructive rather than negative and destructive.

This words also is only used here. Simply put it is “admirable” Relates to being positive and constructive rather than negative and destructive.

Catch all— Then all of these are hit again and described as Excellent and praiseworthy.

Then all of these are hit again and described as Excellent and praiseworthy.

Wholesome Deeds

Philippians 4:9 AV 1873

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Learned—Paul taught them to do wholesome things

Received—Paul brought them the truth and tools to do wholesome things

Heard—Paul continued to resound how to be live the Christian life in all he said.

Seen—Observed. Many times what people watch us do shows them how to do it.

The command then is “DO.” The result of doing these things is God’s peace. An active, deep and passionate relationship with the savior produces a life of peace. Paul wanted his relationship with Christ to replicated in the lives of the Philippian believers.

God’s Pronounced Provision

Contentment—Joyful Christians are content with God’s provision.

Phil. 4:

Philippians 4:10–13 AV 1873

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

v. 10 Grateful—for their care and God’s provision. Before Epaphroditus came they Philippian Christians cared and prayed for Paul, but he had no idea. He was still grateful for that, but then Epaphroditus came with their gift and showed outwardly what they had so desperately felt.

v.11-12 Content in any state. Paul did not need anything because the Lord was providing his needs.

Jonathan White from Costa Rica (do not mention name) was talking to me about getting a check every month verses every year or quarter. He said to me that when the check comes in, you are living high on the hog. You look at your account and exclaim “WE’VE GOT MONEY.” But then a month later, two months later. . . you feel broke and destitute.

Are content with the timing of God’s provision, with the tempo of God’s provision people of God’s provision? Do you know how to be abased in your emotional distress? Do you know how to abound in the awesome times of your life?

v. 13 on the heels of this awesome passage about God’s provision and finding contentment with it, Paul adds “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This verse is not just a basketball shoe quote, but a way for contentment.

The avenue through which I must travel for contentment is Christ’s strength. It is total faith in God’s provision that provides me with the ability to be content in whatever state I find myself.

Giving & Receiving—Joyful Christians give and joyful Christians know how to receive with grace.

Philippians 4:14–20 AV 1873

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:14–16 AV 1873

Consistent and regular giving—this is the life of missions. Paul was grateful for their consistency in giving. Our missionaries experience regular events where we have opportunity to give for their benefit. In and 17 Paul refers to these acts of consistent help in need.

Phil. 4:

Philippians 4:17–20 AV 1873

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

because of their gift, God would reciprocate blessing to the Philippian people.

Powerful conclusion

Philippians 4:21–23 AV 1873

21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cesar’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Phil. 4:

Closing remarks include instructions for kindness to all the saints. He also includes an encouraging remark regarding people in Cesar’s household being saved.

Finally the power of the conclusion is the prayer that the grace of Christ be with them.