Philippians 4 Cure for Anxiety (2) parts in one outline

As we come to the end of our study of having Joy in Our Hearts we must be reminded of all the things we have learned over the past several months. As Paul is in prison awaiting trial for a Capital Offense there is division in the Church at Rome and his friends in Philippi are in disagreement with each other… the man had reasons to be anxious. However he tells us to be anxious for nothing… how can this be? Because He had the right mindset within himself, if you remember in Chapter 1 we learned of the Single Mind, in Chapter 2 we learned of the Submissive Mind, and in Chapter 3 we learned of the Spiritual Mind. Now as we move into Chapter 4 we see that the culmination of these mindsets gives us the Secure Mind… The mind that is guarded by the peace of God!

What is Anxiety? It is an emotional state that comes about when the mind thinks about problems and the problems weigh the heart down. It is the wrong thinking and attitude towards people, circumstance, or things. The Word “Anxious” in modern translation or “Be Careful” in the KJV is the Greek word mĕrimnaō which literally means “to be torn apart,” anxiety comes when the thoughts in our mind and feelings in our heart pulls us in different directions and “tears us apart.”

But, a careful study of Philippians Chapter 4 reveals to us that the Apostle Paul was not emotionally torn apart by people (1-5), circumstances (10-13), or the material things of life (14-19). His mind and heart was at peace and could not be disturbed!

Anxiety is nothing but a thief that robs us of peace and joy but we don’t have to fall victim to it!

CPS: Though circumstances in our lives may seem troublesome, we can experience the peace of God and have exceeding joy in our lives as we learn to trust Christ Jesus in all things.

So over the next two meetings we will look at God’s fourfold cure for anxiety. Today I will share with the first two with you.

The cure for anxiety rests in the Presence of God! v 1-5

Nine times in these 4 short chapters the apostle uses the verb rejoice, at least four times it is used in the form of a command. Rejoice is the Greek word chairō, it means to be glad! Look at the emphasis Paul places on rejoicing he says it twice, Rejoice… Rejoice! Rejoice in who… the Lord! Rejoice How often…. always!

No matter how good things are around you rejoice in the Lord, no matter how dire your situation seems rejoice in the Lord. This is a principle found throughout Scripture in fact, my favorite example of this principle is Habakkuk and his prophecy. Habakkuk is living in a day of high immorality to the point where God is about to deal with Judah and send them into Babylonian exile, the Babylonians were well known for their tactics of war. They would besiege a town and wait until the city was at its weakest point on the break of starvation when the men of war couldn’t muster up the strength to find then they would invade. The prophet Habakkuk speaks that regardless when this takes place he will still rejoice… listen to what the prophet speaks… Although the fig tree shall not blossom, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Hab. 3:17-18)

Habakkuk rejoices when faced with absolute destruction of his home and land that he loved so dearly, Paul rejoices as he sits in a Roman prison cell void of freedom and facing the death penalty, certainly the circumstances of life aren’t quite as desperate as these… yes we can rejoice!

Then Paul gives us the secret to rejoicing in all things, it is the presence of the Lord is near to you always! He writes the Lord is at hand! It is the Greek word ĕggus, (eng-goos) which means near. This statement does not have eschatological meaning, (the Lord’s return is near) but that He is near in His presence. He is close right now in order to help us!

Regardless of our situation the presence of the Lord is with us, bringing us strength and comfort, this truth is seen throughout the Scriptures whether it be His people leaving their home, He promises “I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of (Gen 28:15), or entering into battle, God promises “I will never leave you nor forsake you (Josh 1:5). If, it’s during the darkest hours of your life, God promises “though ye walk through the valley of the shadow of death though art with me, thy Rod and Staff comforts me”

App: God is the promise keeping God who is always near us, surrounding us in love, protection, and comfort…. but we must practice the presence of the Lord, seeing Him in every situation of life and allow Him to work out His perfect will in our lives… when we can live in this arena there will be no worry or anxiety to be found because the Lord is at hand!

The cure for anxiety rests in the Peace of God! v 6-9

Now by grace through faith in Jesus we have peace with God, meaning we are no longer under His wrath for the sin committed in our lives, He has forgiven our inequities and cast His judgment onto the Lamb, Christ Jesus. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: But, how many of us truly experience the peace of God?

Paul tells us that the peace of God will safe guard our hearts and minds if meet the conditions that he gives. The word “Guard” is the Greek word phrŏurĕō, (froo-reh´-o) which means to hem in, and protect with a garrison of soldiers.

Right Praying 6-7

What does Paul mean by prayer? This is love, enjoying the presence of God, honoring Him in worship. How is your prayer life? Too often we rush right in and tell God what we need Him to do in the moment then speed away without any acknowledgment and reverence for who He is. We treat God as our personal little genie in a bottle not the creator, sustainer, and savior of the world.

If you want to experience the peace of God you must learn to pray right..

Adoration: praise God for who He is and what He is like

Confession: acknowledge and turn away from our sin

Thanksgiving: be grateful to God for His works and gifts, especially His grace in the gospel

Supplication: Ask God to help you and to meet your spiritual and physical needs

Consecration: COMMIT yourself to obeying God’s will

Intersession: Ask God to meet the needs of others

Right Thinking 8

Peace involves the mind… The Bible tells us as a man thinks he is… Paul writes, for the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. (Rom. 8:6). Wrong thoughts will lead you into discouragement and unrest. We are being told to think about the right things, the things which are pure and honest. The only thing in this world that is pure and honest is the Word of God. As the Psalmist sings, “Those who love Your law have great peace” (Ps. 119:165). Meditation on God’s Word always brings peace.

Right Living 9

Paul again says as you have seen in me, do, and the peace of God will be with you. Live is Christ, only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel, and work out your own salvation with trembling and fear!

Conclusion: Do you long for the albescence of anxiety in your life then take up the secure mind that Paul teaches by resting in God’s presence and peace, along with what we will learn next week, God’s power and provisions and the anxieties of life will be replaced with abounding joy in your heart.

Philippians 4:10-23 “The cure for anxiety” part 2

Intro: Hudson Taylor, missionary to China and founder of what is today known as the Overseas Missionary Fellowship, gave this excellent advice: “Let us give up our work, our plans, ourselves, our lives, our loved ones, our influence, our all, right into [God’s] hand; and then, when we have given all over to Him, there will be nothing left for us to be troubled about.”

CPS: Though circumstances in our lives may seem troublesome, we can experience the peace of God and have exceeding joy in our lives as we learn to trust Christ Jesus in all things.

The cure for anxiety rests in the Power of God! v 10-13

The over ruling providence of God (v 10)

One must remember Paul’s imprisonment was most likely not in a Roman prison cell but in a small house that he was responsible for. Being chained to two prison guards kept him from earning money by his trade to pay for the rent of the house, therefore his circumstances called for financial help. The Philippians had wanted to help Paul for sometime but opportunity had not arisen. But now by the providence of God opportunity arose.

The word providence comes from two Latin words: Pro meaning “before” and Video, meaning to “see.” God’s providence simply means that God sees to it beforehand. It does not mean that God simply knows beforehand, because providence involves much more. It is the working of God in advance to arrange circumstances and situations for the fulfilling of His purposes.

His hand ruling and over-ruling in the affairs of life

Joseph (Genesis 45:5/ 50:20)

Paul (Romans 8:28)

God in His providence had caused the church at Philippi to become concerned about Paul’s needs, and it came at the very time Paul needed their love most!

The unfailing power of God (v 11-13)

Verse 13 is one of the most misquoted verses in all of Scripture.

This verse is often used as a motivating force for one to achieve his/her athletic goal. A look at the soles of Golden State Warrior’s All-Star point guard Steph Curry’s shoes confirms this. Since his days at Davidson College Curry has written “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The context is of this passage is of circumstances, Paul learned to be content regardless of His circumstances. The word content is being used as an adjective it means that Paul was in a state of peaceful happiness in spite of being in Roman chains and having great need.

ILL: There are two types of Christians in terms of contentment: The Thermometer Believer and The Thermostat Believer. The Thermometer Believer’s satisfaction is totally dependent upon outside circumstances. He simply registers the prevailing spiritual temperature. But, the Thermostat Believer, his satisfaction is independent of the outside circumstances. He is not only unaffected by it, but actually controls that area surrounding him.

“I can do” ἰσχύω (ischuō) = to be able, to have power. To Have Strength

“Strengthens” ἐνδυναμόω (endynamoō) = cause to be able, give strength

This text is not about personal achievement its about Christ’s achievement and a constant dependence on Him regardless of one’s situation in life, good or bad. It means I can do all things like be rich or poor, go hungry, be wrongfully jailed, have cancer, be killed and still have peace of mind and heart and rejoice during it all.

Perhaps the best translation of this “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency”

Application: Without Jesus we are powerless, Jesus Himself tells us so John 15:5b, apart from me ye can do nothing. THE SECRET OF PEACE… HIM WHO STREGNTHENS ME!

The cure for anxiety rests in the Provisions of God! v 14-23

The Need

In Verse 14 Paul mentions his afflictions, the word affliction means anguish, burden, or troubles.

The Resource

Its important to note who Paul is talking too, the Philippians. They gave out of their limited resources but God will give to them out of His unlimited riches. I am convinced that giving is tied to God’s supply.

The word according kata, kat-ah´; in varied relations

Ill: It has often been remarked that God supplies the needs of His people—not out of His riches, but according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. If a millionaire gave a dime to a child, he would be giving out of his riches. But if he gave a hundred thousand dollars to some worthy cause, he would be giving according to his riches. God’s supply is according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, and nothing could be richer than that!

God has not promised to supply all our “greeds.” When the child of God is in the will of God, serving for the glory of God, then he will have every need met. Hudson Taylor often said, “When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will not lack for God’s supply.”

Application: When the child of God is in the will of God, all of the universe works for him; but when the child of God is out of the will of God, everything works against him.

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