In the Lord—Rejoicing

Philippians 4

Introduction—

§         Thank all of them for coming out to our Philippians Bible class—Chapter 4—Grateful to share this study with you this morning.

§         This chapter has been one I've referred back to often over my walk with God

§         I've actually been discipled to Christ from this chapter lately

§         Dave Michael, a friend of the Fergusons in Boston, recently preached a lesson from Philippians 4,

o        where he recounts one of the most challenging years I've ever heard of a disciple having and all that he learned about God—Supernatural Joy.

§         I've also been looking for laughter anywhere I can find it—"Frank impersonation show"

§         Joke leading into topic:

o        Mortal: "What is a million years like to you?"

o        God: "Like one second."

o        Mortal: "What is a million dollars like to you?"

o        God: "Like one penny."

o        Mortal: "Can I have a penny?"

o        God: "One second…"

§         Yeah, I think God is funny because He invented laughter and joy!

§         As we read Philippians 4, mainly focus on your "being in the Lord…rejoicing"

§         Read the whole chapter starting with 3:21

o        The exact statement "In the Lord" is mentioned 4 times, and 9 times if you include other wording of the concept.

o        Verse 22 gives evidence that Paul was probably on house arrest (Acts 28:30-31)

 

Main Points—

1.       Stand Firm in the Lord

·         Being "in the Lord" is where we stand firm

·         Transformation into the likeness of Christ happens in the Lord—we are being molded like clay into the shape and form of Jesus' character; we are being refined in fire to have a pure heart and faith like Jesus!

·         Stand firm because you are in the Lord!

·         You stand firm because you are becoming more like Jesus!

·         It is so exciting!  It makes me just REJOICE!

2.       Agree in the Lord

·         Paul addresses them as "dearly loved"; They were his crown, the picture of this concept is an object of honor presented at a banquet; He considers them his joy!

·         What gets your blood moving?  What do you think about?   What causes your greatest thrill?  Watching sports, movies, school, vacations, toys?

·         For Paul, it was people who were his greatest thrill and got his blood moving the most!

·         Does that test your heart? 

·         Keep in mind that these people were not Paul's physical family

o        They were once strangers Paul got to know and showed them Christ

o        It is natural to love your family or those you are closely associated to, but to love strangers is supernatural love.

·         There is a church study here—we see the kind of depth, concern, longing, and camaraderie that takes place in the Lord!

·         Imagine the disciples gathering around to hear this letter

o        How would you feel if you were one of the two here being singled out?

o        Sometimes it is obvious to everyone and sometimes not, but God always knows.

o        They were not in any sort of doghouse, rather he recognized them as special and important to him and them.

·         We can all relate because we do develop issues with one another

·         Plan to be reconciled when you have something against someone (Matthew 18)

·         And when you know someone has something against you (Matthew 5:23)

·         It is like Christ to do something about a situation of disunity in the body of Christ.

·         We may disagree on matters of opinion, but when we talk things through we can at least have unity with one another.

3.       Rejoice in the Lord (restate vs.4-7)

·         Rejoice can also be translated "celebrate"

·         This area of the world knew how to celebrate because they threw many parties surrounding their pagan worship.

o        They knew what he meant—like we know what it means to celebrate, party, have a great time—we need to celebrate in our relationship with God!

o        Some may be tempted to think, "you just don't understand my situation by saying 'rejoice' because life just doesn't allow me to rejoice!"

o        Paul wrote this while thinking of them—he was restricted and challenged when he wrote this.

o        The One we rejoice in is unchanging!

o        We experience joys and pleasures in this life.   A lot of times we are fighting for those temporary joys, thrills of life.

·         Supernatural joy comes when we rejoice in the Lord—we celebrate our relationships with God!

4.       Guarded in the Lord

·         Why are we talking about guarding in Philippians 4?

o        Because you will get wounded as a Christian

o        Satan's goal is to attack our minds and hearts and destroy our faith

o        I've discovered this exceedingly more over the last year serving in the paid ministry

·         Why the minds and hearts?

§         One of those expressions, like we see in the greatest commandment that means your whole being.

§         Also, the mind and heart is where we get the most messed up.

·        What does it mean the peace of God will guard your heart and mind?

o       Jesus saying, in John 14:27, "Peace I give to you," talking about the inner peace His salvation brings—peace with God because your sins are no longer counted against you.

o       His peace—connecting with your salvation—guards your heart and your mind!

o       We know He is really talking about the Holy Spirit, and studying the awesome way He transforms us will all the more convince you of that.

5.     Content in the Lord

·        Getting in touch with your presence in the Lord causes you to grow more content not less

·        These disciples excelled in their free will offerings, particularly supporting the work of advancing the gospel even when others weren't

·        In the Lord—you do believe you can do all things!

·        Because being in the Lord is not about how much money we have or don't have—it is all an opportunity to trust in God.

·        That doesn't mean it will be easy, chipper when bad things happen.

o       There is the "hunger and want" expressed here—we will have transitions (jobs and family situations)

o       We're in the Lord and it is an opportunity to trust in Him

o       Thank you Lord!  We have you to walk with through this journey.

Conclusion—

§         Thanks for focusing on God's word together with me this morning!

§         Philippians 4 is such a great book that will stick with us in our walk with God.

§         Just two practicals as we close:

o        Grow to see the significance of your position in the Lord

o        Grow to see the specifics mentioned here

§         Standing firm in the Lord

§         Agreeing with one another in the Lord

§         Rejoicing in the Lord

§         Guarding of your soul in the Lord

§         Real Contentment in the Lord