12 - Don't Worry, Be Happy 2008

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.”—vs. 4-5

Chapter 4 began with Paul instructing two of the leading spiritual women in the congregation to drop their differences and get along for the sake of the body.

Now he advises ongoing rejoicing. The Greek reads “Be rejoicing” present tense. We are to make the choice to rejoice. This is accomplished by putting on spiritual glasses that enable us to see the bigger picture.

Illus. If I can’t see outside this room, I’m totally affected by what happens in it. Hence, keeping my eyes on Jesus and on the promises of God enables me to maintain a perspective bigger than my immediate circumstances.

Next, Paul counsels against worrying:

“Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.”

And why should we even bother with this? Because a worried mind is a distracted mind. Even the very word “worry” is taken from the Greek word Mer-im-nah’o.

The first part of the word “Meri” means “to divide”. The second part “naho” means “remembrance, memory.”

So the whole word means “to go back and divide up or rehash memories, causing fear, doubt, uncertainty.”

Paul’s whole issue with worry is that if you’re preoccupied with things that produce fear, uncertainty and doubt, you can’t go forward in God!

So Paul says, Rather than worry about it, pray about it. It’s your choice.

Worry is a darkroom where negatives are developed. Worry solves nothing. The Bible teaches plainly that:

Prayer is the bouncer that kicks worry out of your house.

Thanksgiving slams the door shut and locks it.

God’s peace keeps watch over the door lest the thief come back in.

When we pray about what’s worrying us, the Bible promises:

Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. You will experience His peace. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”—vs.6-7

Notice the progression in this chapter so far. Walk in love, walk in joy, walk in peace.

If only the church did just these three things, our Christianity would be irresistible to observers!

Next, Paul advises against “stinkin’ thinkin’”.

“Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”—vs. 8

If it’s true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or brings a good report; if it has virtue or is praiseworthy, direct your thoughts to these.

Principle: You cannot displace stinkin’ thinkin’ unless you replace it with righteous thinking.

Lustful thoughts, fearful musings, worrisome considerations…these and other types of counterproductive, destructive thinking are only displaced when they are replaced by the Word of God.

Then Paul says something that only someone who walks very closely with God can say: “The things you learned, received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”—vs. 9

He didn’t just talk the talk, He walked the walk and they all saw it.

Then in verse 10 he praises them for renewing their interest in his ministry.

But he adds a testimony that he has learned how to be content whether he receives help or not.

“Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.

I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.”—vs. 12

What was the recipe, the secret Paul discovered to contentment?

“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in Christ who makes me who I am.”

Another version says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Then he adds:

“I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.”—vs. 13

Do you hear the joy in the Attitude King’s voice?

This is why Philippians is called the Joyful Letter. He is brimming over with inner victory that he has obtained through Jesus Christ!

In verses 14-19 Paul recognizes the principle of sowing and reaping in the Philippian church. He reminds them in 15 and 16 that they had been the only church that gave financially into his ministry, and they had done it “once and again.”

In verse 17 he reiterates that, being content and taken care of by Christ Himself, he didn’t seek their gifts. But he did seek a blessing for them. Listen to his words carefully:

“Not that I'm looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.”

And look at the effect their gifts had on God Himself:

“…The gifts you sent with Epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God to no end.”—vs.18

Next follows the verse we all know so well. But as we read it, remember the context of their generosity to Paul.

“You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity.”—vs. 19

God was taking care of them through the principle of sowing and reaping. They had a right to expect blessing was coming because of what they’d sown!

In verses 20-23 Paul blesses God and issues forth various greetings. Let’s stand and read these closing verses of Philippians together.

“Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”