Think About These Things. Philippians 4:8-9 Part One

Transcription

1 Think About These Things Philippians 4:8-9 Part One

2 Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Paul commanded the Philippians to have joy. A lot of people view joy as simply an emotion.

3 Some people view joy as being synonymous with happiness. It appears that many of the believers in Philippi were letting circumstances rob them of their joy.

4 Some might take Paul s comments on joy and draw the conclusion that Christians are never to be sad. There were things in Paul s life that caused him sorrow.

5 Philippians 3:18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

6 The joy Paul was talking about isn t an emotion. It s not based on circumstances. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

7 We need to have a biblical perspective on joy. We have to move past the notion that joy is simply an emotion or a feeling. Much like agape love, true joy is found in having the proper perspective, not the ideal circumstances.

8 Agape love is a love of the will. We could also say, agape love is a love of obedience. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

9 Joy isn t a feeling; it s the deep-down confidence that God is in control of everything.

10 2 Corinthians 11: Are they servants of Christ? I speak as if insane I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.

11 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.

12 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;

13 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

14 Paul s circumstances were inconsequential to him. If anything, his trials, tribulations, and persecutions caused him to find even greater joy.

15 James 1:2-4 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

16 When we re in Christ, we realize that there s purpose in our pain.

17 Philippians 4:6-7 6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

18 Our natural tendency is to get pulled down and overwhelmed by the trials, tribulations, and persecutions of this life. Prayer is the cure for anxiety. God loves us, He is sovereign, and He promises to take care of our every need.

19 Romans 8: The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

20 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

21 Philippians 3: Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

22 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith

23 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

24 Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, Suffering should never cause us to lose sight of the joy that is found in our relationship with Christ.

25 We all choose our focus. When we have the proper focus, not only will we experience true joy in the Lord, we will also have the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.

26 The peace of God, that Paul talks about in Philippians 4:7, is a result of doing the things that we re called to do in this passage.

27 Philippians 4:6-7 6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

28 There s a right way and a wrong way to deal with negative circumstances in life. The wrong way is to be anxious and to allow them to steal your joy. The right way is to view everything in its proper perspective, then come to God in thankful prayer.

29 Philippians 4:8-9 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

30 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Where are we going to place our focus? Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

31 Colossians 3:1-3 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

32 Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

33 Ephesians 4: But that is not the way you learned Christ! 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,

34 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

35 In Philippians 4:8, Paul lists eight things that believers should dwell on. whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, any excellence, anything worthy of praise.

36 In Ephesians 4:20-24, Paul said to be renewed in the spirit of your minds. And, he said that truth is in Jesus.

37 John 8: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

38 John 8: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

39 2 Samuel 7:28 Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth Psalm 119:160 The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. If we don t focus on His Word, we ll end up believing all kinds of unbiblical stuff.

40 We must hold to the absolute truth of God s Word and reject the ever-changing truth of relativism. God s Word, both the written Word and the Word incarnate are truth.

41 Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God will stand forever. Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

42 Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. If God were to change for the better, that would mean that He would currently have to be less than perfect.

43 Deuteronomy 32:3-4 3 For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God! 4 The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.

44 If God were to change for the worse, He would become less that perfect. Malachi 3:6 For I, the LORD, do not change

45 in Philippians 4:8, the first thing Paul tells his readers to do is to dwell on the truth of God s perfect unchanging Word. It will set us free from the power and penalty of sin in our lives. John 8: 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

46 Philippians 3: that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.