Summary: Paul had set the example of joyfulness in difficult times. In prison, after beatings, Paul and Silas had sung praises. Now, in the difficult times of their life, Paul gives advice for believers in difficult times.

In Times Like These: A Message of Encouragement

Philippians 4:1-8

Calvary Baptist Church

October 19, 2008

INTRODUCTION

• The church at Philippi had fallen on difficult times.

APPLY! – We are in difficult times! (The economy, the election)

• The story of the founding of this church may be read in Acts 16.

• Paul had paid a price to bring the gospel to Philippi, and this church loved him for it.

• And Paul loved them (see the terms of affections in 4:1).

• Yet, in Paul’s imprisonment, they had of late been unable to help him.

• Only very recently had they been able to send an offering through Epaphroditus.

• Paul had set the example of joyfulness in difficult times.

• In prison, after beatings, Paul and Silas had sung praises.

• Now, in the difficult times of their life, Paul gives advice for believers in difficult times.

I. Our Stand in Times Like These (4:1-3)

A. Standing Faithful to the Savior (1)

Philippians 4:1-8 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

1. Paul’s Affection for the Philippians

2. Paul’s Admonition to the Philippians (Eph. 6:10)

“Stand fast” – Gk., steko, to remain stationary, take a stand, persevere.

• Here we have a command that many Baptists would welcome.

ILLUS: Sign at farm: “Don’t shoot anything around here that is not moving. It might be my help!”

• But Paul is asking us to stand by the stuff in hard times.

• We are not to let the essentials go undone.

• This is only possible “in the Lord.”

• There are times when we may not be able to make as much progress.

• But during such times, we must hold our ground and be faithful to what God would have us to do.

"Today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut that held its ground." (From an email from Wayne and Evelyn McWhorter)

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

B. Standing in Fellowship With the Saints (2,3)

1. The Appeal to the Women

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

• We know little about these women.

• Evidently, they were of some importance in the church at Philippi.

• Perhaps they were the wives of key leaders in the church.

• But we know that they were at war with one another.

• We should not be surprised that, even in the early church, this existed.

• But it so hindered the church that the Apostle Paul must take a portion of inspired

Scripture to admonish them!

APPLY! – The little things that can cause hurt feelings and turn into big things!

2. The Appeal to the Worker

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.

“yokefellow” – Gk., syzygos. The word can mean colleague, but may be referring to an individual believer by name.

“help” – Gk., syllambanô. The word, in its meaning "take" in the senses of "seize," "capture.” In this context, it means to hold together. It could be the two women or the entire church (as a result of their feud) that needed to be held together.

• Paul gives a command to the two women.

• But he does not know if that will be sufficient.

• He calls upon his friend to help the situation.

• He does not hesitate to make known the serious nature of the conflict.

• But he remembers that these women had been faithful helpers in the gospel.

• They had helped Paul, and Clement and other Christian workers.

• But now they can help no one.

• Any of us can find ourselves in that place.

• But we do not have to stay there!

• We should remember that we answer to Heaven.

• We are dealing with brothers and sister whose names are in the Book of Life

 

II. Our Spirit in Times Like These (4:4-6A)

A. The Rejoicing of Our Spirit (4; Ps. 34:1; Neh. 8:10)

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

“rejoice” – Gk., chairo. To be cheerful

• Paul tells us WHAT to do.

• He repeats it twice.

• We are to be cheerful.

• Paul tells WHEN to be cheerful.

• Alway!

• What kind of testimony to a lost world is a believer who is saying God is alive but is acting as if God were dead!

• “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10)

B. The Response of Our Spirit (5; Prov. 15:3; Pr 5:21; Jer. 16:17; 23:24; Heb. 4:13)

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

“moderation” = gentleness: This noun identifies a person who manifests a calmness and fairness of spirit. A person who is gentle is willing to sacrifice his or her own personal rights to show consideration to others. (NKJV Study Bible)

• Did you ever have to deal with a person who was easily “bothered” and hot under the collar?

• We feel the effects of hardships like any lost person.

• But if it embitters our spirit, and makes us an old grump, how are we any better than the lost man?

• We who claim to be filled with the sweet Holy Spirit need to be sweet and holy!

• And we must remember that the Lord is at hand.

• Perhaps it reminds us that He is watching.

• Perhaps it reminds us that He is coming!

• But it certainly reminds us of the truth …

Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

Jeremiah 16:17 For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

Jeremiah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

C. The Restraint of Our Spirit (6A)

6 Be careful for nothing;

“careful” – Gk., merimnaô. Lit., in nothing be anxious. This is a present imperative, meaning, “Stop being anxious.” (RWP) It is translated, “take no thought” in Matt. 6:25.

• Did you know that, in the Bible, there is a list of things not to worry about?

• TURN TO Matthew 6.

1. Do not worry about your life (Mt. 6:25).

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

2. Do not worry about your food (Mt. 6:25).

3. Do not worry about your drink (Mt. 6:25).

4. Do not worry about your clothing (Mt. 6:25).

5. Do not worry about your physical makeup (Mt. 6:27).

Matthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

6. Do not worry about tomorrow (Mt. 6:34).

Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

7. Do not worry about the anwer you will give to your persecutors (Mt. 10:19).

Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

8. Do not worry about “everything” (Lk. 10:41).

Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

9. Do not worry about anything (Philipp. 4:6).

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

III. Our Supplication in Times Like These (4:5B; Rom. 8:28)

6B but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

• My friend, if you have not yet learned to pray, you just hang on, you are about to learn!

• We are told what to pray for!

• We are to worry for nothing.

• We do this by praying about everything!

• Praying with thanksgiving involves trusting God.

• Four words are used here to describe a believer’s communion with God.

A. Prayer (proseuchç) describes a believer’s approach to God.

B. Supplication, Petition (deçsei) emphasizes requesting an answer to a specific need.

C. Thanksgiving (eucharistias) is an attitude of heart which should always accompany one’s prayers.

D. Requests (aitçmata) speak of definite and specific things asked for. (BKC)

QUOTE: When we pray, we must always remember three things. We must remember the love of God, which ever desires only what is best for us. We must remember the wisdom of God, which alone knows what is best for us. We must remember the power of God, which alone can bring to pass that which is best for us. He who prays with a perfect trust in the love, wisdom and power of God will find God’s peace. Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT).

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

• This is not merely a nice thing to do.

• It is not a suggestion.

• It is a command from God, the which, if we ignore it, we will suffer troubled hearts and minds!

 

IV. Our Strength in Times Like These (4:7)

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

A. The Source of Peace

1. God (Isa. 26:3; Philipp. 4:9)

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Philippians 4:9 [From our context] 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.

2. Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:14; 2 Thess. 3:16)

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

QUOTE: We do not usually learn that Christ is all we need until we reach that point where he is all we have! Vance Havner

B. The Surpassing Peace

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

“passeth” – Gk., hyperechô. To hold oneself above, to excel.

“understanding” – Gk., nous. The intellect, mind.

• The peace that God gives surpasses all understanding.

• When it makes no sense to be at peace, God can give peace.

• When the numbers do not add up, God can take His divine stamp and write “peace” on the ledger!

• In times like these, we must have the surpassing peace of God!

 

C. The Settling Peace (Acts 9:24; 2 Cor. 11:32; 1 Pet. 5:6-7)

“keep” Gk., froo-reh’-o. A compound of pro (before) and horao (to watch). The resulting idea is to watch in advance, to mount guard as a sentinel (a spy posted at the gate). Figuratively, it means to hem in, to protect, to keep with a garrison.

Acts 9:24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

2 Corinthians 11:32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

“heart” – Gk., kardia. The center of thoughts or feelings.

“mind” – Gk., noema. This refers to a thought, a concept of the mind. It is in the plural here, suggesting that Christ will keep our thoughts!

• Our God is able to calm our troubled heart and mind.

• A troubled heart is stressful, harmful to our body.

• A troubled mind takes away our peace.

• We cannot be free of our worry until we have freed our worries from our control!

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

QUOTE: The result of believing prayer is that the peace of God will stand like a sentinel on guard upon our hearts. The word that Paul uses (phrourein, ) is the military word for standing on guard. That peace of God, says Paul, as the Revised Standard Version has it, passes all understanding. That does not mean that the peace of God is such a mystery that man’s mind cannot understand it, although that also is true. It means that the peace of God is so precious that man’s mind, with all its skill and all its knowledge, can never produce it. It can never be of man’s contriving; it is only of God’s giving. The way to peace is in prayer to entrust ourselves and all whom we hold dear to the loving hands of God. Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT). 

CONCLUSION (3:20,21; 4:8)

The bookends of this passage

1. BEFORE THE PASSAGE: Remember the “therefore.” See the last verses of chapter 3. We are able to do all these things because of what is true in those verses!

Philippians 3:20-21 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2. AFTER THE PASSAGE: We are told what should occupy our mind that our minds might be at peace!

• Method of staying in God’s Peace (This would be a message by itself).

• We are to fill our mind with the things of God.

• They hymns of the faith should be upon our lips.

• The Word of God should occupy our heart.

• The communion with Christ should consume our thoughts!

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.

SEE NKJV STUDY BIBLE ON THIS WHEN YOU PREACH IT. ARTICLE ON VIRTUE.