Philippians 4 (This lesson can be watched/listened to here on YouTube)
Introduction
- Philippi was situated on the Via Egnatian, the highway running east and west linking Rome to Byzantium (Istanbul). Leading City of that district of Macedonia. Modern day Greece.
- Paul had a vision of the “man of Macedonia” in Acts 16, and then he and his companions set sail immediately for Macedonia. Willingness to follow a visionary.
- They passed through a few cities and then focused on Philippi – it was the leading city, that is the pattern in the scriptures. Plant the church in the prominent city then from that city evangelize the surrounding areas.
- The first two conversions in Philippi? Lydia, the dealer in purple cloth – powerful woman – along with her household. The Philippian Jailer and his family. God Opens hearts and so we need to open our mouths!
- We learned from Chapter 1 that we need to be praying for each other, deeply, that each other’s love may about in more and more depth of insight, knowledge, and discernment.
Chapter 1 (A Deep Trust In Man, Or A Shallow Focus on God – Phil 1:9)
- Need to be praying for each other!
Chapter 2 (Think Different – Philippians 2:1-5)
- Think Different Phroneo “to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience)”
- The word “to think” or “phroneo” – occurs 11 times in this epistle, more than any other book.
Chapter 3 (Preparing For The Resurrection – Philippians 3:13-21)
- Spiritual circumcision, done by the hands of Christ, Colossians 2:9-13. Necessary part of preparing for the resurrection.
- Stand firm by forgetting what is behind, strain towards what is ahead, and following Paul’s example!
This brings us to Philippians 4…”To our God and Father be glory forever and forever…”
Phil 4:1
Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
- What is the therefore there for? I wanted to review this and crystallize it.
- How do you stand firm in the LORD? Where am I doing the spiritual wobble?
- Where am I not standing firm? (Greek word, “stationary” e.g., unmoving, persevering)
- Missions? Commitment? Righteousness? Depth in relationships?
- Got to go back and think about the context for myself!
(1) What Is The “Therefore” there for?
Phil 3:13-14
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
- “Therefore” is there for the purpose of clarifying how we are to stand firm in the Lord.
- 3:13-14, Forget what is behind, strain toward what is ahead! Press on to the goal – which is heaven. Refuse to live in or by the past! Live by faith, not by sight.
- Chris Chloupek – Kicked by the Giraffe? Get up. Fallen off your horse? Get up. Depressed because of your sins? Get out of regret and get up in repentance! Why let the evil one win twice!?
- Smith Wedding. Good to have them back, refreshed, ready to serve. Good to see you radiant.
- 3:15-16, Live up to what we have already attained! Refuse to backslide. Refuse to backpedal. Refuse the temptation to serve God any less. Hold your ground in the Lord.
- Don’t listen to the negative thoughts that are in there, coaxing you into self-dooming prophecy. That does not come from the Holy Spirit! Evil suspicions, anticipating mistakes in yourself or others.
- Deepen in your connection to God, live up to consistency, live up to devotion to the body, live up to the consistent sacrifice, live up to the daily evangelism, live up to the weekly discipleship, live up to the greatest commandment – to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength!
- Live up to deeper relationships, deeper love, with each other! Greater devotion. Refuse to pull back! Urge you to be early.
- 3:17-19, Join with others in following Paul’s example! He mentions here why we should do so, there are enemies of the cross that live by their appetites, glory in their shame, and have their minds on earthly things. They think they way of the earth, that is their mindset. This is opposite the pattern that Paul lived. What was that pattern? What was that example?
- 3:13-14, Forget what is behind, strain toward what is ahead! Press on to the goal – which is heaven. Refuse to live in or by the past! Live by faith, not by sight.
(2) Join With Other’s In Following Paul’s Example
Acts 20:17-35
18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
- How did he live? Served the Lord with GREAT humility and tears.
- Can I say that I’ve served the Lord with humility and tears? When was the last time I wept because I wanted to serve the Lord or was serving the Lord? When I had that deep of concern for my brothers and sisters and for the lost?
- He did not hesitate to preach anything that would be helpful, taught publically and from house to house.
- Do I hesitate in my preaching? Do I hesitate in discipling – in getting it or giving it? Do I hesitate to preach anything? Am I so man focused that I fear men more than God so I shut in all my qualms and quiet reservations? (They are loud to God!)
- Am I afraid of conflict with men or do I truly love God?
- A conflict avoider has rejected sincere love and real friendship with God, not just with those in their lives that they are gossiping or slandering.
- It is an insidious form of cowardice and teaches you to be fake in your relationships. There is no fear in Love. Love drives out fear, love does not just “live with it.” 1 John 4:18. Fear is the absence of God. Man focused.
- I want people to walk into this room and feel the presence of God in each and every one of you members of this church. Filled with God. Filled with love. Deeply focused on him, deeply attuned to HIS Word, His Will, and His purpose!
- Acts 20:21-22 And what I preach, is it helpful!? Does it build faith, conviction, and love for God because I am diligently applying the bible? Is it true, is it necessary, and is it the right time to truly help!?
Acts 20:23-24
23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
- Do I consider my life worth nothing to me for the sake of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace? What is more valuable than that in my time?
- Prayer with Chad and Mark, “God, help us give up our free time for the sake of your Gospel!”
- A lousy time with God starts with how I spent my time the night before.
Acts 20:25-35
25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
- Paul preached the Kingdom with others to others! Do I? Do you? Do you really even know what the Kingdom is? do I proclaim the will of God? Do I know the word of God even well enough to do that?
- Am I warning disciples night and day with tears?
- Savage wolves. They will not spare the flock. From your own number, arise, distort and draw disciples away.
That is the pattern! Live that way and it is part of standing firm!
(3) God’s Cure For Anxiety!
Phil 4:2-3
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
- Plead with them? He labors to plead, to beseech, both of them to be of one mind, there is that word again, Phroneo – “to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience)”
- “You” here is singular. Either this is someone’s name, (Syzygus) or this is a reference to someone who “knows who they are” or this could be, “anyone who is with me…” whatever the case, there is a plea for unity and a plea for help from Clement.
- Names in the book of life. Amen. They were struggling to get along, and yet their names were in the book of life. These were prominent women in the church in Philippi, but did not agree with each other. They contended at Paul’s side and were each united with him, but not united with each other.
- I am not sure what is going on with Clement, but whatever it is, Paul had to ask that he get help. Paul asked the whole church to help, amen!
- Issues? Get people involved!
Phil 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
- He shifts (apparently) from talking about these divided relationships to rejoicing in the Lord, and just how to do that.
- From verse 5 – he is still addressing dynamics in our relationships. How does a lack of joy affect my relationships? The actual word is akin to the word “Cheerful!”
- chairo – calmly happy
- Indeed – he brings up relational dynamics, “let your gentleness be evident to all!” It is as if he’s still addressing Euodia and Syntyche.
- What happens to me when I stop rejoicing? I am not gentle.
- What happens to me when I forget that the Lord is near? I am not gentle.
- When I am anxious, it hurts my relationships around me as well, not just my relationship with God.
- Anxiety is practical atheism.
The cure for Anxiety is
- Prayer – proseuche, “worship” implied, oration.
- Petition – deesis, “a petition” – not the people with clipboards on ASU campus or going door to door, but as the dictionary puts it, “a request made for something desired, especially a respectful or humble request, as to a superior or to one of those in authority; a supplication or prayer: a petition for aid; a petition to God for courage and strength.”
- Thanksgiving – Present requests to God.
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
- Think about such things. In the church. About this church. Kids class workers.
- Amen – put what you learn, receive, hear, or see into practice!
(4) The Secret In The Heart To Sacrifice
Phil 4:10-23
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
- Contentment – whatever the circumstances. Content with your standard of living, or even a lower one.
- Scott – midweek service for the men. Excellent job teaching them.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
- 2 Cor 8:1-7. They excelled in Giving.
- Missions, car washes!
Three main areas of support for world missions.
(1) Plantings in 2013
- Las Vegas, Nevada – Jason and Sarah Dimitry, Inaugural service will be May 19th. Las Vegas is about 5 hours from here, I am going to encourage as many of you as possible plan to attend that service to support the work in our new sister church…also…in the desert!
- Sydney, Australia – Joe and Kerry Willis
- Denver, Colorado – Jeremiah and Julie Clark with Mike and Dene Sanicola, support of which is being handled by the Washington DC church, which is led by Ron and Tracey Harding.
- Atlanta has been tabled for consideration in 2014
(2) Ongoing Missions Support
- Africa – Kinshasa (won over the ICOC, that church joined our movement of churches)
- India – New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai
- Kiev
- Manila
- Mexico City
- Santiago
- Sao Paulo (ICOC ministry couple, Artur Alvin, 15 joined us)
- Paris
- Boston, Orlando, (Led by disciples from Pheonix) and San Francisco.
(3) Ministry Training, Travel and Relocation
- Argo and Anu Arenson – Russia
- Kyle and Joan Bartholomew – Manila Planting
- Tyler and Shay Sears – Dallas, Tx
- Oleg and Alianna Sirotkin’s – Moscow
- Joe and Kerry Willis – Sydney
(1) What Is The “Therefore” there for?
(2) Join With Other’s In Following Paul’s Example
(3) God’s Cure For Anxiety!
(4) The Secret In The Heart To Sacrifice
Our 55,000 on May 5th will be a ” They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God!”
Philippians 4:20-21
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
