Philippians 4

Introduction
We all worry at some point in our lives.  Maybe you are consumed with worry at this moment.  So many of us are or have been affected (usually negatively) in some way or other by worry.  Worry can be defined as giving way to anxiety or unease; to allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.  Worry takes place in the mind and it is often based on real and present issues in our life.  We worry about multiple things… finances, the future, life altering decisions, sickness, politics, religion, and so on.  There have been times in my life where worry had consumed me that I was nearly paralyzed with fear.  And let’s face it, worry is generally rooted in fear and anxiety.  There were times in my life where I worried about finding a job when I was unemployed.  I worried about making ends meet.  I worried about my health.  Worry, can take up so much of our mental energy and thoughts that sometimes we can feel paralyzed by fear and worry.

When I was a kid, I used to collect Mad Magazine.  If you remember Mad Magazine was an American satire magazine that poked fun at politics, pop culture and many times was just plain stupid.  The magazine had a mascot or fictitious cover boy named Alfred E. Neuman.  He had a saying or slogan that said “What, Me Worry?” I think he was on to something because this slogan, I believe, was intended to have the nonchalant attitude of, “Forget about it!  There’s nothing that’s going to get me down.  I don’t care what you think or what I may be facing, I’m not going to concern myself with worry!”  In some ways, this attitude reminds me of the Apostle Paul has a similar thought in writing to the Philippians as he continually goes back to this idea of not worrying and rejoicing.  

Today we are going to conclude our series in Philippians as we will spend some time in chapter 4 and Paul’s truly concluding thoughts.
  
Philippians 4: 1 – 7
Vs 1 – 3:  Chapter 4 begins with Paul dealing with first things first by mentioning two individuals in the church at Philippi who are apparently having a disagreement of sorts.  We are not sure what the issue is, but it obviously is concerning enough for Paul to address them.  These were women who worked with Paul at some point in his ministry and it is obvious these two women were believers in Jesus Christ, since their names were written in the book of life.  However, Paul admonishes these two women to drop their differences and seek unity in the Lord.  Which is always a good way to settle a conflict.  He continues to encourage unity in the church in order for the church to stand in the difficult times that they will be facing.

Now, Paul comes back to his continual exhortation to rejoice once again!  Rejoicing and joy is the common thread that is weaved throughout this letter.  Yet, this time he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”  The word “always” gives no exceptions to rejoicing regardless of circumstances.  Paul is continuing to tell the Philippians to find their joy in the Lord rather than in the reality they are facing.  I really, really think he is trying to tell the church and even us today something very important, because Paul says to “rejoice” and having “joy” about 16 times in Philippians.  He writes that regardless of life circumstances…Rejoice!  Why is Paul so determined for the people (and you and I for that matter) to rejoice?  If things are not going our way and we are facing difficulties in life what can possibly trump our current difficult situations?  The answer, we may rejoice, we will rejoice, we must rejoice because of what Christ has done.  We rejoice in Him!  

After Paul exhorts the church to rejoice in the Lord, he then reminds “The Lord is at hand” or the Lord is near, thus he encourages them, “do not be anxious about anything.”  Anything??? ANYTHING!  Instead of worrying and being anxious about the things that are overwhelming or looming over the Philippians, go to God in prayer.  Paul says, “Let your requests be known to God.”  This is another way of saying take your concerns to the foot of the cross and leave them there.  Do not let your anxiety and worry consume you.  Give it to Jesus and once you do, you will experience peace.  Not your regular peace which generally refers to the absence of conflict, but the true peace of God that surpasses all understanding.  Now, I realize it is not a logical peace.  It doesn’t make any human sense because the issues that are causing distress are still in front of you, but when you give your worry and anxiety over to the Lord you gain a true and genuine sense of peace that is rooted in Jesus.  When we experience this peace, it will guard our hearts and minds.  This means that in those times when worry or anxiety pop back into our heads or our hearts we can be protected from worry because we are in Christ Jesus.   

Philippians 4: 8, 9
Finally!  Here is that word again… But this time Paul means it. In response to all he has written Paul gives a practical suggestion in how we can find joy in turmoil and have peace instead of worry.  Since worry is an issue of the mind, Paul is telling the Philippians that instead of focusing on that which is causing worry, they need to think on these things… whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy.  These whatever’s are to become the new reality.  When you are at work, home, school, in the car, at church, etc. choose to think on these things or live in them.  Paul calls his readers to essentially write these virtues into their lives by putting them into practice instead of worry and anxiety.  There are so many things that can drag our minds and attitudes into dark places, but we cannot set our minds on those things, we must set our minds on God and trust that he can and will walk with us through our worry and anxiety, thus giving us the peace we long for. 

Philippians 4: 10 - 13
As Paul concludes we need to be reminded again of the context of Paul’s situation in writing this letter.  Paul is not vacationing on the beaches of Ostia near Rome, nor in a luxurious palace people waiting on his hand and feet, nor a comfortable home where he can relax and enjoy his time in Rome.  No, Paul is writing from prison.  He is in chains.  His living situation is not the ideal setting for having a thankful or joyful attitude, but Paul again and again tells his readers to have joy and explains that he is filled with joy as well… regardless of his situation.  

In fact, Paul says, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”  Paul admits that contentment was not something that came naturally, he had to learn to be content.  He had to learn because he knew what it meant to have much and to have little.  He had to learn because he knew what it meant to be respected and honored and to be low and humiliated.  He had to learn because he knew what it meant to have an abundance of food and to have nothing and face hunger.  He tells the Philippians I have learned that in any situation “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  We have all heard this verse.  It may be your favorite verse.  You may tell yourself this before you do something that you are scared to do.  You may tell yourself this to psyche yourself up before a sporting event, musical concert, a speak, a test, you name it.    We need to look at this verse in context.  This is not intended to be a kitschy wall plaque to hang in a locker room or in your front hall.  Nor is it a saying intended to cause you to look deep inside yourself and gather the faith you need to accomplish a difficult task.  Of course, this verse does imply that you can do whatever you want to do, if you just put your mind to it.  It is a truth of contentment.  Paul is saying that in plenty in want he can do what God is calling him to do.  Whatever comes Paul’s way, he has the strength to meet it.  I like how R. Kent Hughes writes, “If he is brought low, he is a man in Christ; if he abounds, he is a man in Christ.  In any and every circumstance he is a man of Christ he is content regardless of the situation.”  So, the verse taken in context would say that if you are following Jesus’ call in your life, you are serving him faithfully in these tasks that he has called you to do, then you certainly can trust and believe that whatever God calls you to do, you can do it through Christ who strengthens you.

Application
Now, as we conclude this chapter and this series, we can sum both up in the following truths and applications in our lives.

1. Rejoice Always – I do not think I need to spend much time on this application.  Paul is crystal clear on the topic of rejoicing and joy.  We cannot, let me emphasize CANNOT allow circumstances to affect the joy we are told to have.  The joy we have, and the rejoicing we are exhorted to do is based solely in Christ Jesus.  No matter what situations, difficulties, or dire circumstances you may find yourself in, remember Jesus died for you so you may have life and that you may have it abundantly.  He never promised an easy life, but he did promise an abundant life.  That life is rooted in Christ and there is nothing that can take or rob you of that joy.  None, whatsoever.  The joy of the Lord is our strength and our salvation.
2. Do Not Be Anxious – Worry, is a waste of time.  I tell you this as much as I tell myself.  The Bible says literally hundreds of times not to worry or fear.  We are told this not because we have nothing to fear, but because the God we serve, and the Savior we love and obey tells us not to because he is bigger than any fear or worry, we may have.  
   
   Matthew 6:25 – 34 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.   Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.   If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
   
3. Think on These Things – Worry is a matter of the mind. When we dwell on those things that cause us stress, anxiety, and unease we will eventually be consumed by them.  Paul tells us to meditate on what is truthful, honorable, trustworthy, noble, faithful, etc. and this all boils down to God and His Word.  It is important for us to read and meditate on the Word of God.  When we consume the Word of God it nourishes our hearts and souls and helps us take focus on that which in looming in front of us and cause us to focus on that which is most important. 
4. Contentment – Are you content where you are in life now?  Paul tells us that in whatever we have or do not have we are to be content.  If God has blessed us with much, then we are called to be content.  If God has entrusted us with little, then we are called to be content.  If we have nothing, then we are called to be content.  These may sound easy but being content is not an easy mindset.  The world is constantly telling us that we want, we need, we must have more, in order to be happy.  This is a lie.  When the rubber meets the road the only thing you and I NEED is Jesus.  
5. Dependent on Christ – Thus, in our contentment we must remember that whatever God has called us to for His glory, we can do it through Christ who is in us.  Remember the challenges I have issued in the previous weeks…the challenges of faithful giving, inviting someone to church, sharing the Gospel with someone this year, and the call to discipleship.  These are all things we can do in the strength and the Spirit of Jesus Christ.  Some of these challenges are very going to be difficult, but they are challenges that God has called us to do.  The only way we can be faithful in accomplishing them is through dependency on Christ.  Sharing the Gospel can be intimidating, but when you are dependent of Christ and His Spirit you can do it.  Entering into a discipleship relationship may feel overwhelming and time consuming, but when you are doing it in obedience to Christ and dependent on Christ and His Spirit, it can happen.  You may feel that giving can be difficult because you do not have much, but when you give in faith and in dependency on the Christ and the Spirit you will be surprised what you can do.