PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 - ADVENT 3 - December 11, 2005 (Outline)
INTRO: This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it proclaims the psalm writer. Are you happy? Are you happy enough to be constantly rejoicing? At times earthly sorrow sometimes saps the joy of salvation. Worldly worry and media fear mongering tries to rob us of enjoying the very blessings of eternity here and now. No wonder Paul reminds us twice in today’s text – Rejoice! Scrip-ture adds: "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand"(PSALM 16:11). Our gracious God has shown us the path of eternal life and fills us with as we stand in his presence. We stand in the presence of God whenever we hear God’s word, study God’s word, and learn God’s word. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS.
I. With a gentle spirit,
II. With a prayerful life and,
III. With the peace of God.
I. REJOICE: WITH A GENTLE SPIRIT
A. As we read Philippians we soon discover it is a thank you letter of Paul.
1. Paul thanked God for his faith. Paul thanked God for faithful followers.
2. Chapter 4 is the conclusion to this letter. 4:4 describes rejoicing for all God has done.
B. Believers display this joyful living with a gentle spirit in verse 5. Not just talk – but live faith.
C. Rejoice always with a gentle spirit is Paul’s excellent Advent advice to us today. What did you see or hear about at the start of this year’s shopping season? People lined up for hours coveting the best deals at every store. The doors were opened and people rushed in – pushing, shoving, and trampling others. All of this happens for selfish reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with the gentle spirit of a Christian. Rather than push our neighbor out of the way or to the floor we are to be concerned about their interests. "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up"(ROMANS 15:1,2).
D. Rejoice always with a gentle spirit. It is not always easy to live concerned about the welfare of others before our own interests. We do not see that attitude in the world around us. We can easily be-come infected with the philosophies of this wicked world. But selfishness and self-centeredness are the exact opposites of the gentle spirit the Christian possesses. God tells how we can cultivate our true Christian nature in the face of worldliness. "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (COLOSSIANS 3:12). We are anxious to add these characteristics to our lives because we are God’s chosen people.
Transition: Rejoice in the Lord always. I. With a gentle spirit. II. With a prayerful life.
II. REJOICE: WITH A PRAYERFUL LIFE
A. A reminder that Paul penned this thank you letter while in prison.
1. Each word Paul wrote, each sentence, paragraph echoed the clang of chains on his wrists.
2. Yet Paul still had an intense attitude of gratitude as seen in verse 4.
B. Paul had this attitude because he was not going to worry.
1. Verse 6 encourages not to be anxious (worry) about anything
2. Instead bring everything to the Lord in prayer – in general and specifically.
3. The believer can pray to God with all thankfulness. Paul thus prayed while a prisoner.
C. Worldly care can almost overwhelm us during this time of the year. We wonder, worry and fret about mailing cards, getting the house ready for company, buying gifts, and in the end paying all of those bills! All of this in addition to the normal, everyday worries that nags one daily. We heard at Thanksgiving not to worry – God is still, truly in control. God controls all things for the benefit of his believers. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"(MATTHEW 6:34).
D. How can we overcome all this anxiety – whether real or mostly imagined? The Lord does not leave us on our own to tackle life’s problems. Our God, the Lord almighty who made the heavens and the earth and everything in it invites to come to him in prayer. Our God invites us anytime, anywhere, to make our requests to him. "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need"(HEBREWS 4:16).
Transition: Rejoice in the Lord always. II. With a prayerful life. III. With the peace of God.
III. REJOICE: WITH THE PEACE OF GOD
A. As Paul was in prison the end of his life was ever closer in sight. Verse 4 – REJOICE!
1. Paul was not out for revenge. With a gentle spirit he was able to rejoice.
2. Paul was able to know and accept God’s will for him with a prayerful life.
B. Now God provided Paul with another blessing in his imprisonment, his peace.
1. Verse 6 describes God’s passes beyond understanding. It is not a worldly peace.
2. God’s peace – which is heavenly, forgiving – guards believers’ hearts and minds in Christ.
C. God’s peace surpasses understanding because so many in this world simply do not understand God’s peace. Jesus did not come to end wars. God did not send his Son to stop fighting among men. But God’s peace is that peace which Jesus left with his disciples at the end of his ministry. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid"(JOHN 14:27).
D. Still today God’s peace is one of the most important gifts God gives to his children. We do not find peace in the gifts of this world. We are not content with those things that moth and rust destroy. No, God’s peace is far greater that anyone could ever imagine. God’s peace is that our sins are for-given. Our gracious God gives us his forgiveness through his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. This di-vine forgiveness brings peace to every troubled soul. It is God’s free gift that we do not deserve, can-not earn and cannot even buy. "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our in-iquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed"(ISAIAH 53:5).
CONCL: Rejoice in the Lord always. Believers can and do rejoice every day. Unlike an unbelieving world we know and confess that Christ is our Savior. Every day can and ought to be a celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our rejoicing is not in this world. Our rejoicing is in the Lord always! True, sometimes it does take an extra effort to enjoy a life of rejoicing. But it is well worth it. Paul gives us how can learn to rejoice always. Today’s text encourages us to rejoice always with a gentle spirit, with a prayerful life and with the peace of God. As the second reading of Advent 3 re-minds us: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18). Amen.
Pastor Timm O. Meyer
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
ADVENT 3 Readings: ISAIAH 61:1-3, 10-11; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-24; JOHN 1:6-8,19-28
