Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Consider the news headlines from the past week… past month… past year

How would you describe the news you read and hear about?

Is it encouraging?

motivating?

uplifting?

positive?

OR not?

How does it make you feel? settled?

content?

restless?

worried?

concerned?

depressed?

Why?

This morning I would like for us to consider together a passage of scripture that identifies several characteristics of believers as they mature in their walk with God

Worry is never from God and He wants to show us how to cure this bad habit...

I have entitled the sermon “Marks of Maturity”

I have entitled this morning’s sermon “The Cure for Worry”

Sermon Text:

Sermon Text:

Paul concludes his letter to the Philippian church with some practical instructions that probably each one of us can put to practice

worry

Perhaps Paul was reminding himself first...

Worry is never from God and He wants to show us how to cure this bad habit...

I have entitled this morning’s serm

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Relational Challenge

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

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.

Apparently, two ladies in the Philippian church had trouble getting along

Paul doesn’t take sides but entreats each that they “agree in the Lord”

Paul further instructs that another person (true companion or yokefellow) help them

The Lord is at Hand

The fourth chapter begins with Paul expressing his deep love for the believers at this church… calling them his joy and crown

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

The theme throughout this letter is joy, and as he concludes the third chapter, he expresses that heartfelt joy about them

STAND FIRM in the faith… Paul is encouraging and calling them all to stay rooted and grounded in the faith

Don’t compromise

Don’t allow Satan to deceive

Stay strong

Paul then shifts to closing comments and admonition for the Philippian church

I entreat Euodia (e-vo-DEE-ah)and I entreat Syntyche (soon-TOOH-hay) to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Whatsoever is true

Apparently, two ladies in the Philippian church were having a long-standing disagreement

He singles them out to put into practice what he has been writing about in the previous three chapters… by reconciling with each other

Paul doesn’t take sides but urges each that they make amends by setting aside whatever differences they have and to seek peace with each other

Paul further instructs the rest of the church help make that happen… specifically a person (true companion or yokefellow) to help them

Why does Paul even care?

He knows that a divided church is a terrible witness

People don’t see Christ as beautiful when there is anger, grudges held, unwillingness to reconcile

He also knows that it is only through unity of fellowship among believers that authentic, deep, abiding joy is found

When the people of a church dwell together in unity of the gospel and collectively pursue the building up of one another in love, that is fertile soil for the roots of joy

Paul is not asking that they fake it… he is not saying they need to feel happy… he is asking they reach a mutual agreement!

And then he commands a specific action… (for them, but also for each of us)

Rejoice?

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

The Lord is at hand;

Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS!

Rejoice

He doesn’t stop with stating it once… he repeats it… in the same breath… REJOICE!

It is important… don’t gloss over this… don’t miss what is being commanded… REJOICE!

First of all… rejoice ALWAYS...

Always?

Yes, always

Like, when ___________________________

Yes, even then

But, what about _______________________

Then, too

But, surely not when ____________________

Do we exhibit an exuberant celebration in the Lord constantly?

No, even then, as well

Wait — always?

Yes, always!

Isn’t what Paul is commanding here simply unreasonable?

This joy (rejoicing) has it’s basis in Jesus Christ as addressed in the first three chapters

We will rejoice when we have the cause of Christ as our highest priority… nothing matters more than Jesus Christ!

We will rejoice when we follow the pattern of the character of Christ… especially that of self-sacrifice for the interest of others

We will rejoice as we comprehend who Jesus is… “that I may know him”

Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS… and again, REJOICE!

Mature believers in Christ rejoice in the Lord always!

Paul surprises us be connecting a dispute between two ladies 2,000 years ago with rejoicing...

Now he surprises us again by connecting rejoicing always - regardless of the intensity of a difficulty or suffering - perhaps even death… with REASONABLENESS

Rejoice always… let your reasonableness be known to everyone

Reasonableness should be evident

How is reasonableness NOT contradictory with rejoicing always?

How does that even make sense?

How is is reasonable to rejoice always when...

What is reasonable about rejoicing always??

… I have just been diagnosed with cancer (or other terminal illness)?

… a loved one is snatched from this life unexpectedly - in the prime of life?

… a young mother is incapacitated by a stroke?

… a teenager is suffering the emotional trauma of severe sexual abuse?

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone!

WHY?