Opener:
Welcome and good morning everyone ! So blessed to see everyone here today! If you do not know me, my name is Pastor Steven and I am one of the Pastors here at Family of Christ.
This morning we are concluding the book of Philippians. We started this journey four weeks ago and that first week we were introduced to this wonderful book. We talked about how this book shows us a compassionate side of Apostle Paul. That first week, we talked about how God loves us and rejoices over us and there is a privilege in suffering for the Lord.
The second week we dissected Philippians two and talked about the importance of unity, how we need to work to empathize with others and to offer ourselves sacrificially to the Lord.
Last week, we talked about laying down the past and reaching forward for the Lord. We talked about how legalism can be a hindrance to growing spiritually. In chapter three, it encourages us to press forward to the goal for the prize in Christ. Paul was reminding us that we are citizens of heaven and to live our lives accordingly.
The title of our message here this morning in our final installment of Philippians is Rejoice in the Lord always.
In April of 1854 at the ripe age of 19 this pastor started preaching and leading London’s famed New Park street chapel. This pastor continued to preach and by the time of his death had preached nearly 3,600 sermons. His preaching was not without some controversy and criticism. In fact, during this time period, slavery was a common practice and this pastor came out very strongly against it. So much so that people came out against him and he endured a lot of ridicule as a result. Yet, this pastor continued to preach the Word. This pastor is none other than Charles Spurgeon. Charles is quoted to saying this:
“There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful; but this, which is the best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste, and comforting to the heart. This blessed joy is very contagious. One dolorous spirit brings a kind of plague into the house; one person who is wretched seems to stop all the birds from singing wherever he goes . . . [But] the grace of joy is contagious. Holy joy will oil the wheels of your life’s machinery. Holy joy will strengthen you for your daily labor. Holy joy will beautify you and give you an influence over the lives of others.”
I. Paul’s crowning achievement
A. Paul’s joy
a. Everything that Paul shared in Chapter 3 really is building here to this final chapter.
b. The first verse in our study here today Philippians 4 – NKJV 4 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
c. Paul here was calling the Philippians to stand against the Judaizer and immoral Christians that would lead them astray.
d. Truly, this church was Paul’s joy and crowning achievement. He was proud of the Philippians and how far they have come in their faith.
e. There were a lot of good things going on there in the church. However, there was a problem and Paul does not beat around the bush and addresses the problem.
f. The problem was that were two Christian sister that had a running disagreement. The bible does not give specifics but my guess is they didn’t like each other’s hair color. Joking..lol
g. Whatever the root of this disagreement was, Paul encouraged these two ladies to lay aside their pride and to be of the same mind.
B. Rejoice always
a. Paul goes on to encourage the church to rejoice in the Lord at all times.
b. If you would turn with me to verse 4&5 of our text which says: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
c. Now this may seem like we have discussed this already in our study and you would be right. Paul mentions this three times in Philippians. The takeaway from him saying it so much in this shorter book really speaks to the importance of it.
d. That word rejoice in the original Greek translation is the verb chairo which translates to being in a state of happiness.
C. Not seeking just an experience
a. As believers, we are not just seeking after an experience of joy, it is having a heart and life full of joy.
b. If you struggle with this in your life, ask Jesus to help you to rejoice in him.
c. Know that God takes great joy over you. In fact, there is a bible verse that epitomizes this fact and is found in Zephaniah 3:17 – NKJV-17 The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
d. Allow God to guide you in this area of your life and rejoice in Him as He rejoices over you!
e. I must say this too, that this rejoicing is not for just a special occasion, rather, it is to be constant. It really is a mindset!
II. The cure for anxiety
A. Finding peace
a. Paul seems to then shift gears a bit in our next text. He begins to teach about finding God’s peace even when there is turmoil surrounding you.
b. Starting in Verse six: 6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.
c. Have you ever seen the movie “What if?”
d. It is a Christian based movie that a man was called to be a preacher and ended up pursuing a business career. He was very successful businessmen and God gave him a glimpse of “what if” he would have choose the preacher route.
e. So have you ever had one of those moments that you wonderer “what if”
f. Maybe you have gotten up in the middle of the night and a problem captured your mind and thoughts and worry began to creep in.
B. Put your mind at ease
a. Well Paul gives us some practical advice in verse six. Let’s look at it again : 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God
b. Paul would not have given this warning if it was not a concern. When these words were written, life was a lot simpler and yet they were still dealing with this.
c. When we look at being anxious, it really is the direct opposite to trust.
d. So when we worry or are anxious, in that state, we are not trusting God in our lives.
C. The prescription to worry
a. I love what 1 Thessalonians 5:16 which says: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
b. The prescription of worry or being anxious is to take it to the Lord in prayer.
c. So turn those things that you are anxious about into your prayer list.
d. While you are praying for these things, you thank God that His will is going to be accomplished through your life.
e. When you do that, as verse seven says, the peace of God will then guard your mind, and heart.
f. God’s peace really transcends the logic and reasoning of the world. It is a powerful peace! It is a peace that transcends beyond our world! It is a heavenly peace!
III. Positive thinking
A. Think about this stuff
a. After teaching us the cure for anxiety, Paul encourages the church to change the way that we think.
b. Let me say this, it is very easy to get into negative thinking patterns.
c. Here are some of the traps of negative thinking:
i. All or nothing – This is only seeing things one way. If a situation fall short, then you consider it a total failure. It is seeing things only in black or white.
ii. Jumping to conclusions- This is a really easy trap to fall into. This is when you interpret things in a negative when there are no supporting facts for you conclusion.
iii. Not seeing the positives- This is when you discount the positives and don’t celebrate the victories in your life.
iv. Too hard on yourself- The last trap and I am sure that there are many others but is when you are too hard on yourself. This is when you beat yourself over and over again about a mistake. While you may be thinking that this is a way of holding yourself accountable, really this can be a trap of the enemy and is not healthy.
B. Positive thinking
a. Paul gives us advise on what to think on here in verse eight 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
b. Learning to control your thoughts will give you victory in living the Christian life.
c. When you are at your job, I think you would all agree that it is important to pay attention to what you are doing. Also, it takes discipline every day to be a good employee.
d. It is not different than walking with the Lord, it takes discipline.
e. While we cannot banish anxious thoughts, we can choose to think about something else.
C. What to think on
a. Paul gives us some of the things that we can think on to help improve our mental makeup.
b. Those this are these:
i. Whatever is True – What is truth? Pilot in a jesting way asked Jesus this. Jesus said in John 18:37 –NKJV “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
ii. Think on things that are noble, right and pure – there are so many pure things to think about such as the divinity of God, and all the love that Jesus has for us!
iii. Think on things that are lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
c. Work to select something worthwhile in your mind to focus your mind on. This will take effort to train your mind. This work is far worth it and you will benefit tremendously in your spiritual life.
D. Putting these things into practice
a. The only way that this shift in your thinking that Paul is proposing here will work, is if you put it into practice.
b. Paul says in verse 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
c. Here, Paul is really appealing to the church that knew him well, to follow in his foot prints
d. Many of the spiritual lessons that we learn are by observing others handling themselves.
e. That is why it is so important to find someone to come under and allow this “mature believer” speak into your life and disciple you.
f. I was talking with Randy Miller, who attends our church, and he shared an insightful comment which is: “ I’ll do my best and the Lord will have to do the rest.
g. This statement is so true and when applied, we will experience a breakthrough in our lives.
E. Paul’s commandment of church
a. Paul goes on to thank this church for their care for him and their financial support.
b. He then shares that he has learned a valuable lesson while following the Lord. That lesson is to be able to live content whether you have a lot or little.
c. Paul goes on in verse 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
d. Notice there that God will supply all our needs.
e. The Lord doesn’t just stop there though, Psalm 37:4 says: NKJV - 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Closing:
As we close our time here this morning, we need to put away that stinking thinking that once controlled our lives and turn that into positive thinking. Thinking good about yourself and others. We need to work to not allow our thoughts to veer into an unhealthy territory. Think on the Scriptures, think about all the wonderful things that God has done in your life. This positive thinking will help you gain the victory of being worried about things. Remember when you are anxious or worrying it is because you have not placed your trust in the Lord in this area of your life. Jesus said in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 6:34 – NKJV- 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Jesus was teaching His followers not to worry about tomorrow. He was telling His disciples, “Hey, I got you covered, don’t worry about tomorrow cause that isn’t going to help and trust me today because I got your back!”
