Inward Christian Qualities Series

Inward Christian Qualities

Text: Phil 4.4-9

Introduction:

1. The Christian life is not conformity to an outward standard, like the Pharisees, but rather inward qualities that are developed and lived from the inside out.

2. Our series on Philippians has uncovered a great many of these inward qualities: Graciousness, Love, Courage, Unity, Commitment, Boldness, Unselfishness, Humility, Steadfastness, Faithfulness, and Purpose are some of the inner qualities we have studied.

3. In the text today we read about 3 inner Christian qualities and 3 strategies on how to develop these qualities.

I. Three Christian Qualities

A. Joy – 4.4

1. cairo - Present Imperative tense, lit.

“Be rejoicing” (“again” – see Phil 3.1)

2. Definition of Christian Joy = “It is a

quality of peace and strength that

enables believers to rejoice even amid

trouble and sorrow. “ - Don Fleming.

3. ILLUSTRATION: Are you a carrot, an

egg or a coffee bean?

B. Moderation – 4.5

1. Epieikhs – “appropriate”, “reasonable”,

“mild”.

2. "Moderation," says Dr. Macknight, "means

meekness under provocation, readiness to

forgive injuries, equity in the management

of business, candour in judging of the

characters and actions of other

sweetness of disposition, and the entire

government of the passions." —Adam

Clarke’s Commentary

3. ILLUSTRATION: Foggy night in London- man shuffled into a music shop-Clutched under arm a violin. "Will you buy -I’m starving. - I already have several violins," - Will a guinea ($5.00 at the time) help - "Oh, yes," - took the money and disappeared -picked up the violin, took the bow and drew it across the strings. -a deep mellow tone. Surprised, - inside the violin. - these words: "Antonio Stradivari...1704." Moderation is to life as a Stradivarious is to sound.

C. Freedom from worry – 4.6

1. “Be anxious for nothing” – The greek here

prohibits the continuance of an action

already going on – IOW = “Stop

worrying”!

2. “nothing” = lit. “not one thing”. Wuest –

“Stop perpetually worrying about even one

thing.”

3. “Keep” = rather “guard”, i.e. against worry

and anxiety.

II. Three Christian Strategies

A. Prayer – 4.6-7

1. “prayer” as an act of worship and

“supplication” a personal request (no

need for a human priest).

2. Adam Clarke “This peace passeth all

understanding; it is of a very

different nature from all that can

arise from human occurrences; it is a

peace which Christ has purchased, and

which God dispenses; it is felt by all

the truly godly, but can be explained

by none—Adam Clarke’s Commentary

B. Right Thinking – 4.8 “Think” = “careful

reflection”. IOW Reflect carefully on…

1. True things.

2. Honorable things.

3. Righteous things.

4. Pure things.

5. Loveable things.

6. Attractive things.

7. Excellent things.

8. Praiseworthy things.

C. Proper Behavior – 4.9

1. Proper behavior proceeds from the

heart and is not legislated from the

outside. Moral behavior is based upon

and proceeds from moral principles,

these are inward in nature.

2. Earlier it was “ and the peace of God”,

here it is “and the God of peace”.

Conclusion:

*Anonymous quote: “Safety consists not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.”

Invitation: