Philippians 4
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Encouragement
Encouragement
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
There is 3 things happening in this scripture.
Exhortation, Encouragement, Prayer
Exhortation
Exhortation - an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something.
Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
He asks the church to help out. We are not in this alone. We are in this together. We as christians are written in the book of life and we all have a mission field.
Maybe your mission field is your home, maybe your mission field is you school, or doctor’s office or job.
Maybe your mission field is your church.
We all need to do something. If you see a fellow brother or sister in Christ, whether they go to this church or not, and they are doing something wrong, let them know. Let someone know. Hold accountable.
The 2nd part in this is
Prayer
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
We need to rejoice, we need to be reasonable to.
He tells us don’t be anxious. Easier said than done right.
We get anxious when we dont have something planned out, or when something planned out doesnt go the way we planned it.
Thats church service, thats speaking to someone about the Gospel. Sometimes things happen.
Stop, take a breath, and say a prayer
In the heat of the moment, we forget that God has everything under control. And I get it, I get that way too. But we have to stop, and take a breath. Once you get that breath, say a prayer. You dont have to close your eyes, just right then and there say a prayer.
Prayer is not only asking God for your needs or wants, prayer is to give you that comforting feeling that God is right there.
Then there is
Encouragement
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Paul says whatever and wherever there is any excellence, or anything worthy of praise, think about it.
What did you do?
What have you learned?
All of these things that cause truth, pure, commendable, keep practicing them. If it is helping the mission of spreading the Gospel, keep practicing it.
If it is hurting faith, Stop it.
Like I said earlier if you see something say something. Hold each other accountable.
Be concerned for people, But there is a way, you truly be concerned for them when they are in need, don’t tear them down when they are doing something and then say Im concerned for you.
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
He was content in his Faith, he knew exactly what to do.
Paul followed the 3 things above Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer.
He did exactly what God was urging him to do which was get the word of God out to the ends of the earth in whatever way you can.
He gave encouragement to the churches on what will happen when God is on your side. He prayed every day and the peace of God was over him during the times of sorrow.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
I can do all thing through him who strengthens me.
I want to say something. It is ok to be content in dying because we know where we are going.
It is not ok to be content with just sitting at church and being a chair warmer and not going out there to share the Gospel.
We all have a phone of some sort and we can call someone. We no longer have to wait for free nights and weekends, we can at all times and check on each other.
If we look at the Church of Philippi that had to wait for letters to be sent. and we all know how snail mail really goes.
But this church still wanted to share in the troubles that Paul was going through and still wanted to help.
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Paul says
Thank you
He says thank you, even when no other church wanted to accept me because of my past you did.
Even though I am in jail and in need, you send me gifts and help out just because you care.
HE says I don t ask for it and you still help out.
That is how we need to be. We need to help out.
We need to be there for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
There is a scripture in here I want us to all read again
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Just because we ask for help whether outside help or inside help does not mean we dont have trust in God that He will supply our needs.
He will supply our needs and sometimes that means we need to be humble and put our pride aside and ask for help.
I want to close with this.
The 1st step in asking for help, is asking to Change our mindset on how we look at things and start seeing things the way He wants us to see them and not the way we want to see them.