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Intro

Well we have made it to the final chapter of the book of Philippians. We started out speaking about being found blameless, and how the only way we can achieve that is by taking on the righteousness of Christ. Then we talked about being humble, and making our life about Christ. Last week we spoke about being watchful and making sure that we arent allowing other beliefs to slip in and take over. This week we wrap up Philippians with conquering our anxiety

Conquering Anxiety

When someone is writing a book, normally the most important points of the book they tend to put at the beginning and and the end. This is because people tend to be like me when Kevin texted asking me about where the football stadium was for the tailgate. I read the first line and replied with the complete wrong answer, which I would have known had I actually read the whole message.

So here in the final chapter and the last few paragraphs Paul tells us this.

Philippians 4:4–7 (NIV)

Final Exhortations

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We hear this passage quoted frequently by many different people for many different reasons, but very rarely is the whole passage quoted at the same time, and in my opinion this causes it to truly lose its meaning.

First I do want to mention that anxiety can be caused by many different things, and I am no suggesting that this is going to completely replace seeing a counselor or a therapist, because I know there are many situations that it is needed. However I believe that if we follow along with this passage as we deal with issues it is where we can truly be set free.

Rejoice in the Lord

As we go through out life we have to remember to always Rejoice in the things that God has given us. Even when it seems like everything is going wrong around us, we can rejoice in the fact that Jesus Christ has saved us, and if you are a believer in Jesus then this world is the worst it will ever get. And that is something to celebrate.

Pray to God

Now you notice that this does not mean just pray like most of us do over our meals. It mentions by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving to present our requests to God.

Rest in God’s Peace

After we have rejoiced in what God has done, then Prayed asking God to work in our lives, then we must trust that God will continue to do what is best in the situation, and again know that no matter what the outcome is if we are a believer then earth is the worst place we will ever experience.

If we are able to do those three things, suddenly our anxiety will calm, because we are no longer trusting in ourselves, but we are reminding ourselves of who our God is, and what He is capable of.

Paul then gives us a real life example of himself trusting in God as he had to find contentment in God instead of his own surroundings.

Finding Contentment

Philippians 4:11–13 (NIV)

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Here in this passage we can see that Paul was able to be content no matter what his circumstances were because of the fact that he went through the steps I mentioned earlier as he conquered any anxiety.

As Paul wrote this book he had been in prison for about 5 years already. So as Paul is telling them that he can do all things in Christ, He is actually stating that he is able to survive with luxury or with nothing and still be able to give Christ the glory for everything that he has, and is still able to rejoice about what God has given him.

Philippians 4:13 is a lot less about being able to actually physically do something but more so about being able to trust God, and rejoice in what God has provided in every situation.

Conclusion

I dont know where all of yall are at spiritually. I know quite a few people raised their hands a couple of weeks ago at fields of faith, but the book of Philippians brings up a lot of different situations. I want to encourage you If you cant say that you are blameless due to putting your faith in Jesus, please talk to someone tonight.

If you are struggling with being humble with what God has given you, today give that back over to God, and thank Him for what He has blessed you with.

If you feel like you have allowed other things to creep into your faith and distract you from God, repent and come back to Him. God is waiting and willing to accept you back with open arms,

If you are dealing with anxiety, know that you are not alone, that we are here to listen and help walk with you through whatever it is that life is throwing at you. Paul didnt make it through his time in prison alone, and we dont want you to go through life alone either.