How to be Happy. Beyond Damascus #10 Philippians 4:1-9

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1 How to be Happy Beyond Damascus #10 Philippians 4:1-9 Argo Christian Fellowship Sunday, August 27, 2017 When we study what Paul did, what he said, we find out who he is. When we study what we do, what we say, we find out who we are. Paul wrote 13 books (if Hebrews, then 14) Galatians (AD 47) 1 and 2 Thessalonians (AD 49 51) 1 and 2 Corinthians and Romans (AD 52 56) Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians (AD 60 62, during Paul s first Roman imprisonment) 1 Timothy and Titus (AD 62) 2 Timothy (AD 63 64, during Paul s second Roman imprisonment) 1. Stand. Vs Get. Vs. 2, 3 3., again, I say,. Vs Be, and let everyone see it. Vs Don t. Vs. 5b, 6a 6. Turn over. Vs. 6b 7. your thinking. Vs. 8,9

2 How to be Happy Beyond Damascus #10 Philippians 4:1-9 Argo Christian Fellowship Sunday, August 27, 2017 When we study what Paul did, what he said, we find out who he is. When we study what we do, what we say, we find out who we are. Paul wrote 13 books (if Hebrews, then 14) Galatians (AD 47) 1 and 2 Thessalonians (AD 49 51) 1 and 2 Corinthians and Romans (AD 52 56) Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians (AD 60 62, during Paul s first Roman imprisonment) 1 Timothy and Titus (AD 62) 2 Timothy (AD 63 64, during Paul s second Roman imprisonment) 1. Stand firm. Vs Get along. Vs. 2, 3 3. Rejoice, again, I say, rejoice. Vs Be reasonable, and let everyone see it. Vs Don t worry. Vs. 5b, 6a 6. Turn it over. Vs. 6b 7. Transform your thinking. Vs. 8,9

3 How to be Happy (according to Paul) Beyond Damascus #10 Philippians 4:1-9 We are studying Paul s life. What happened to him, what he did, and today what he said. - Study what he did, what he said find out who he is. - Study what you did, what you say find out who you are. - Paul wrote 13 books (if Hebrews, then 14) Galatians (AD 47) 1 and 2 Thessalonians (AD 49 51) 1 and 2 Corinthians and Romans (AD 52 56) Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians (AD 60 62, during Paul s first Roman imprisonment) 1 Timothy and Titus (AD 62) 2 Timothy (AD 63 64, during Paul s second Roman imprisonment) Paul s letter to the church at Philippi - Paul is writing this from prison (most likely in Rome, Phil. 1:13, gospel spread throughout the praetorian guard) for creating a public disturbance - On trial awaiting his possible execution - Observation o Do you know who the Roman emperor was at this time? Nero o Nero was a prolific writer yet has any of you read something by him? Even know something he wrote? o Yet, here we are today with Paul s writings translated in every known language and millions of copies in print worldwide. o One scholar says, we name our dogs Nero and our sons Paul. - Letter to a church at Philippi Paul s favorite church - This church gave generously to Paul not out of wealth but of poverty (nothing but good came out of this church)

4 What would your advice be on how to be happy? Here is Paul s 1. Stand firm. Vs. 1 A. Stay strong in the faith do not compromise. 1) What is worth keeping our whole life? 2) What in our lives is not worth wavering in? B. Paul brought many to the Lord encouraged many in their faith. 1) my brothers my joy and my crown 2) Paul treasured his brothers stand firm in the Lord C. You are someone s joy and crown 1) Someone labored over you, prayed for you, sacrificed for you 2) Whose spiritual legacy, are you? 2. Get along. Vs. 2, 3 A. People in conflict are not happy. 1) Stir up problems 2) Play the victim 3) Rude and caustic to others pick fights 4) Hide behind being outspoken and honest B. Disagree agreeably. 1) Keep the harmony 2) Unity happens one disagreement at a time (racial unity) 3) Illustration : Grizzly bear and skunk C. Believers should have unity agree in the Lord 1) Be united in Kingdom work 2) Both names are written in the book of life 3) Going to spend eternity together

5 3. Rejoice, again I say, rejoice. Vs. 4 A. Focus on being thankful and grateful. 1) We have more to rejoice over than we have to complain over. 2) Illustration : Pastor Chuck Morris B. People who are able to rejoice 1) Live for a higher purpose than themselves 2) Know Who is in control 3) Realize who they are and their problems are insignificant C. Rejoicing in the Lord is not about feeling, but obedience 4. Be reasonable, and let everyone see it. Vs. 5 A. If you want to be happy be gentle 1) Not go through life as an ogre 2) reasonableness or gentleness is yielded rights B. Go through life ready to forgive known to all men 1) America has a few people who are non-reasonable 2) Look for anyone, anything that offends them that is the way the natural man/sinful man is. 3) Believers model forgiveness just like Christ 5. Don t worry. Vs. 5b A. The Lord is at hand or the Lord is near 1) Both time and location 2) The Lord is right here at your hand 3) Illustration : Panic when you lose your child only to find them standing next to you B. Don t be anxious about anything Vs. 6a 1) What in our life can our God not handle? Nothing 2) Don t be gripped with worry

6 C. Worry is a sin just like stealing, adultery, homosexuality, murder, drunkenness 1) Worry is a complete lack of faith 2) It is hard to call something a sin that we allow in our lives everyday 3) How to not worry? Look at what Paul says next! 6. Turn it over. Vs. 6b A. Whatever it is, it needs to go to Him. 1) You cannot be happy carrying everything on your shoulders. 2) The weight of life is not meant for us let your requests be known to God. B. Paul s life and impact on others was because of his dedication to prayer. 1) His prayer life made him successful 2) His prayer life changed not only him, but the lives of others 3) His prayer life gave him: courage, purpose, determination, wisdom, faith C. Question : Believer, why try to do life without God when He is available, willing to take over anything? D. Look at the result of prayer brings! Vs. 7 1) Take it from someone who knows Paul 2) Peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus 3) Illustration : We cannot go through a day without coffee. So is coffee more important to our daily lives than prayer?

7 7. Transform your thinking. Vs. 8,9 A. Look around you and see what God has done, made and is doing! 1) Whatever 2) is true, honorable, right/just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy things. 3) Our tendency is to see the negative Paul says to think on things that are pure. Homework : Compare this passage with Matthew 6 4) Jesus said Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God B. Whatever 1) you have learned 2) you have received 3) you have heard from me 4) you have seen in me 5) put these things into practice. Conclusion 1. Could your life use some happiness? - Would your best friend say you are happy? Why? - If it is not because of these principles that Paul outlined that happiness will not last. - What is the reason for your happiness? (job, raise, spouse, child, boyfriend/girlfriend, new car, house?) Take the happiness challenge incorporate Paul s wisdom into your daily life. Apply these things.