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PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9
LESSON #06
JOY IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE
- Joy in any circumstance is the theme of this chapter. What circumstances in your life rob you of joy?
- The answers to that question usually fall into the following categories:
- Location robs us of joy (chapter 1)
- People rob us of joy (chapter 1)
- Pride robs us of joy (chapter 2)
- Things rob us of joy (chapter 3)
- Relationships rob us of joy (chapter 4)
- Circumstances rob us of joy (chapter 4)
- Notice that all 6 of these things that rob us of joy are covered by Paul in the book of Philippians.
- In chapter 4 we will see that relationships and circumstances can rob us of joy.
- Read Phi 4:1-3 Joy in relationships
- Paul begins by telling believers to “stand fast” (1)
- How do we do that?
- Maintain unity and agreement with other believers.
- Take your Christian walk seriously.
- Take responsibility for your actions.
- Love others.
- Ask Gods help.
- Seek others help.
- Replace worry with prayer.
- Become a master of your thought life. (8)
- Practice the Bible truths that you learn.
- The problem in the Philippian church:
- Euodia and Syntyche:
- These were two women who had some kind of relationship problem.
- They were both believers and both were very active workers in the church. They loved the Lord. They loved the church, and wanted to do Gods will.
- These women have resources that can help them maintain peace:
- The whole church is told to help these women maintain a peaceful relationship. (3)
- They love the Lord, so they have the help of the Lord available to them.
- Jesus knew that personal relationships are the most difficult problems for both believers and non-believers.
- That is why, in Jesus prayer to the Father before the crucifixion, he spent much time praying for believers through the centuries. He prayed, “that they may be one”. (Joh 17:11,21,22,33)
- Unity, having a single purpose in life, is one of the greatest causes of joy and peace in a persons life.
- If you have a good relationship with everyone, you live in unity and peace with them. That brings great joy. This is what we must strive for…peace in all our relationships. (Heb 12:14 )
- Notice that there is no such thing as a church without some relationship problems now and then. These two women in the Philippian church are not reprimanded for their dispute. They are only encouraged to straighten it out.
- What about relationships that never seem to be resolved?
- Sometimes, there are relationship problems where the other person is not a Christian, or does not love the Lord. He has no desire and no prompting by God to straighten out a bad relationship. No matter how hard you try, it never seems to get better.
- In situations like this, you can still praise God. You can still have joy and peace. How?
- =1= You can continuously pray for that person.
- =2= You can make sure that you are showing love in every way possible.
- =3=You can continuously look to the Lord for his guidance to open doors to making a better relationship.
- =4= Because there is always hope in Jesus Christ, there is a basis for faith that things will get better.
- If you are constantly aware of these 4 things, you can still have joy even if nothing changes in your relationships because you know you are in the will of God.
- Conclusion:
- Secret #5 in living a contented life:
- Live in harmony with others
- Read Phi 4:4-7 The secret of the peace of God
- =1=Rejoice and keep on rejoicing in all things.
- You never know how and when God is working behind the scene.
- By faith you rejoice even when you do not see things change immediately.(4)
- =2= “Let your moderation be known unto all men.” (5)
The word, “moderation” is having an enduring, yielding spirit. In other words, everyone will see how patient and kind you are, how you yield your will for the benefit of other people, even when others treat you badly.
- What a tremendous witness is this kind of spirit!
- This spirit is the spirit of a peacemaker.
- =3=”Be anxious for nothing”…instead pray (6)
- The word “anxious” means = to be troubled in mind, brooding, fearful. The word “anxiety” means = uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune.
- Anxiety is fear of what “might” happen. Usually those things never happen. This kind of fear is the opposite of faith.
- If you are living a contented life, you have peace instead of anxiety.
- Prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving:
- The word “prayer” is a general term. While the word “supplication” means your specific needs.
- By faith, you see how things ought to be but are not. Therefore, by faith you thank God for the answer to your prayer. You thank God before you can actually see the answer.
- =4= Being anxious leads to evil doing (Psa 37:8)
- Being anxious focuses on the possible problems of tomorrow. (Jam 5:13-15)
- Being anxious robs us of the joy of today. (Mat 6:33)
- Being anxious focuses on ourselves and our circumstances. (Mat 14:30)
- Being anxious accomplishes nothing of value. (Mat 6:27)
- Being anxious results in personal frustration. (Mat 6:27)
- Being anxious is a sin. (Phil 4:6)
- Being anxious smothers contentment. (Phil 4:6-7)
- The peace of God will keep your emotions and thoughts. (7)
- The results of doing the first 3 (rejoice, moderation, and prayer) will bring us is peace that will stand guard like a soldier in front of your heart. The word “keep” in Greek means = to stand guard.
- Conclusion:
- Secret #6 in living a contented life:
- Pray about everything
- Read Phi 4:8-9 the presence of the God of peace
- =1= If you want the presence of the God of peace, you must guard your thoughts.
- The defeat of joy usually first comes in our own mind. How do you guard your thoughts? Paul tells us to set the attitude of our thinking on the positive things.
- Read 2Cor 10:5.
- Especially in relationships, we color another persons action by our own emotions.
- For example, someone does not speak to you in public. You think he must be mad at you. You feel hurt. It is these kinds of “imaginations” we must cast down and replace them with positive thoughts:
- Things that are true
- Things that are honest
- Things that are just
- Things that are pure
- Things that are lovely
- Things that are of good report or gracious
- Things that have virtue or of moral excellence
- Things worthy of praise
- How you have set your mind is how you will be. It is like a sail boat that must set the sail so the wind will move it forward.
- How you speak will affect the unity of the body as well as the peace of those around you.
- Ask yourself before you speak:
- Will it give an accurate impression?
- Should it imitated or repeated by others?
- Is it appropriate to say?
- Is it motivated by pride or selfishness?
- Will it brighten the lives of those who hear?
- Will it damage anyone’s reputation?
- Will it motivate others to godly living?
- Will it edify all who hear?
- =2= The second thing Paul tells us to do is to put into action in our life the things we learn from Christian pastors, elders, and teachers like Paul.
- Conclusion:
- Secret #7 in living a contented life:
- Practice mental discipline
HOMEWORK
PHILIPPIANS 4:10-23
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.
- Application of Phil 4:1-9
- Is there a relationship with someone in your life that needs improving?
- What have you learned in Phil 4:1-9 that will help you improve this relationship, or help you maintain your joy in the midst of this trial?
- How successful are you in taking control of your thoughts about other people?
- What have you learned in this chapter that will help you avoid negative “imaginations” (2Cor 10:5) and replace them with positive thoughts?
- Preparation for Phil 4:10-23
- Read Phil 4:10-23
- Secret #9 in living a contented life is: Understand ownership
- Using Phil 4:10-19, explain what you think this means.
- Memory verse: Philippians 4:13
