Sermon Tone Analysis

Open with prayer.

We’re in chapter 4! Some of you are breathing a sigh of relief and saying, “Finally!”

Since early September we’ve been looking at this letter of the Apostle Paul that we refer to as the book of Philippians.

This chapter begins Paul’s wrapping up of his subject matter and so he begins sort of this compilation of several ideas that he gives in short bursts.

Paul has just completed is entreaty that we be about imitating him and others like him that live as an example of what it is to follow Christ.

In vs. 1 we read, “Therefore”, and “whenever you see Therefore, you must ask yourself what is it there for?”

He’s warned us against those that walk now as enemies to the cross of Christ and let us know what their end will be - destruction.

He’s described those people and what they follow - their appetites, with their minds set on earthly things.

And he’s contrasted that with where we - if we’re following Christ - are focused.

“Our citizenship is in heaven” and he points us to the return of Christ, “from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself.”

And then the conclusion,

Let’s read our text for today:

So now we begin these short bursts of ideas which are not uncommon to Paul in his letters.

It’s like he has several things he wants to say before he wraps up the letter but time and space are now limited because of everything else he has said.

There are three in our passage:

So now we begin these short bursts of ideas which are not uncommon to Paul in his letters.

It’s like he has several things he wants to say before he wraps up the letter but time and space are now limited because of everything else he has said.

There are

Verses 2-3

Verses 4-7

Verses 8-9

Paul begins with a theme to many of his letters, and one of the themes in Philippians, pleading for unity in the Philippian church.

Only this time he specifically calls out two women by name!

Paul begins with a theme to many of his letters, and one of the themes in Philippians, pleading for unity in the Philippian church.

Only this time he specifically calls out two women by name!

This is an odd tactic since these letters were not only read to the entire congregation, but then were passed along to other churches as well.

So to do so demonstrates that Paul viewed their disagreement as unusually significant.

Paul begins with a theme to many of his letters, and one of the themes in Philippians, pleading for unity in the Philippian church.

Only this time he specifically calls out two women by name!

Notice that he gives praise for their service in the gospel, and names others that no doubt the congregation would know as prominent leaders within their cause in this young church.

But, he’s also pointing out that their disagreement was having an impact on the church and the Gospel.

So he asks one of the unnamed recipients of the letter to mediate and help them understand their need to focus on the gospel rather than their quarrel.

The second of these short burst ideas is actually a collection of thoughts and we read them in vs. 4-7.

Verses 4-7 contain 4 commands for us:

“rejoice”

“Let your reasonableness be known”

“do not be anxious”

“present your requests”

Now these seem to be short positive themes for us to apply to our lives, but on closer examination and looking into the background of the words we see that the word that is translated “reasonableness” or in some translations, “gentleness” was often used to indicate an attitude of kindness where the normal expectation might be retaliation.

The word for “be anxious” can refer to being unduly concerned about anything.

This word is often used within the contexts of persecution.

Both Matthew and Luke use the word in their warning for the disciples to not be concerned about what they will say before the local councils because the spirit will speak for them.

Even the term “guard” is a figure that points to areas of conflict.

So what do we make of this?

Persecution: The Philippians were suffering under opposition from their pagan neighbors.

All of these commands by Paul could be taken as “Despite your persecution...

“Rejoice!”

“Let your reasonableness be seen”

“Do NOT be anxious...”

“turn it over to God.”

This understanding gives that little word “and” in verse 7 new light.

This is the result.

AND -

And what?

The PEACE of God

What about it?

It surpasses all understanding.

It’s bigger than you can imagine.

It is an overwhelming sense of contentment.

It is serentity.

What will it do?

It will GUARD your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

No matter what’s going on outside, you are guarded in Christ.

That term guard is speaking of the conflict that they are in with their culture, but it is also saying they are protected.

Protected from that outside influence if they are doing these things: rejoicing, demonstrating their reasonableness, not being anxious, letting their requests be made known to God...

AND...

AND...

Not But - it’s not cancelling out all of those things, it is in addition to all those things.

The next paragraph begins with “Finally,” and is a group of virtues,

Phil 4:8-virtues that could be used from any positive list - Christian or otherwise.

In other words this list is not necessarily distinctively Christian.

Paul, however, gives a special emphasis to the breadth of these qualities.

These virtues could be used from any positive list - Christian or otherwise.

In other words this list is not necessarily distinctively Christian.

Paul, however, gives a special emphasis to the breadth of these qualities.

These virtues could be used from any positive list - Christian or otherwise.

In other words this list is not necessarily distinctively Christian.

Paul, however, gives a special emphasis to the breadth of these qualities.

Where Paul is known for dropping words that apply to everything - one thing that can make his letters difficult to translate.

Here he emphasizes a word, hosa.

Whatever - not in the sense of a teenager.

It’s like “IF ANYTHING”

Listen to the list again:

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.

Contrast that with his list of the fruit of the spirit:

There was nothing preventing Paul from simply saying:

Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable; if there is any excellence or praiseworthy thing, think about it.

But now, Paul writes:

Do you see how it focuses your thoughts.

Paul is saying to focus on the good, no matter what.

Rejoice in the Lord, Always.

Again, I say rejoice..