"THE PURSUIT OF THE RACE PART II"
Notes
Transcript
Do you worry?
Share a personal example –
I completed XL in June of 2008. As of July 1st I did not have a job, nor a way to provide for my family. I was very worried about what the Lord was going to do. I was praying that God would provide. Nevertheless I was extremely worried. But God opened the door and provided for me and my family. As of July 1st I was fired as a full time youth pastor.
Last week we learned the following - If we are going to stand firm in the Lord we must; 1) think harmoniously, 2) act harmoniously, 3) rejoice in the Lord, and 4) contentment in our circumstances.
Proposition - This morning by the grace of God we are going see the fifth thing that we (believers) must do if we are going to continue to stand firm in the Lord. 1) the command to put off and 2) the command to put on, 3) think Godly, and 4) we will act Godly.
Interrogative question - How are you doing at standing firm in the Lord?
1. Command to put off – vs. 6
1. Command to put off – vs. 6
A. Anxiousness
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Paul provides the church at Philippi with a negative command – “Do Not be anxious”
About anything – nothing – adjective
Do be Anxious – worry about – verb, present, active, imperative –
Paul tells the church at Philippi that if they are going to stand firm in the Lord then they must not worry about anything. Take note of that term “anything”
· How would you do if I told you do not worry about money?
· What if I told you do not worry about anything?
The Greek word for “Anxious” is used 17 times throughout the Bible. I tell you that just to reinforce the importance of not worry about things.
I would like us to look at one of these cross references – turn to Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 6:25–34 (NASB95)
25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
General observations –
Jesus himself commands us not to be anxious (about anything)
Example of birds – if God provides for the birds He will certainly provide for you
Anxiousness benefits no one (can you add more days to your life?)
God clothes the lilies – He will take care of us as His children
Forsake anxiousness – seek Christ likeness – vs. 33 key
The command that Paul gives is a verb, present tense, active voice, and an imperative command. The point is that if you are going to stand firm in the Lord you will not worry. You do not have the option rather you have the obligation not to worry about anything. The command that Paul gives the church at Philippi applies to all believers. If you and I are going to stand firm in the Lord we must lay aside anxiousness. (take off)
Certainly this is not an easy thing to do –
Illustration – someone who is submerged in anxiety –
You and I cannot just stop worrying rather we have to replace it with something. As we look at the rest of the vs. we will come to understand what we must replace worrying with.
2. Command to put on – vs. 6
2. Command to put on – vs. 6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
A. The attitude of prayer
But – certainly – conjunction, logical contrastive
Prayer – pray earnestly, place of prayer – noun
If you notice the context of the verse you will see how we are told to put off the attitude of worrying. Now Paul changes gears and tells the church to put on the attitude of prayer. The term prayer as used here refers specifically to developing an attitude of prayer.
When we as believers begin to worry we must replace that with an attitude of prayer. We must have the mindset that when I start worrying I am going to stop and replace that worrying attitude with a prayerful attitude. The idea is this rather than worrying I am going to go to my place of prayer and then take it to my God. The sovereign God, almighty God, creator, king, master, my rock, my fortress and my God that is who I am going to go to.
B. Act of prayer
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Supplication – plea, request, petition, literally means to ask for something – noun
When we start to worry we must immediately cast that off, and then replace it first with the attitude of prayer. And then you will bring your plea before God who is the sovereign one and the preeminent one.
Thanksgiving – Gratitude – noun
Paul says that as you do this you will do it with thanksgiving.
Why do you think Paul says this?
I believe he does b/c as believers we can be thankful b/c our God already knows what is going to be accomplished, and for that we are thankful. It does not mean that it will be done according to our plans or our desires.
Notice how verse 6 ends –
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Request – demands, request (general request)
He is simply reminding us of what he has just said previously.
Illustration –
There was a seventh grade guy named Scott who transferred from a small private school to a large middle school in mid year. Could you imagine what that would have been like? Scott had to make numerous adjustments and hated every one of them. He constantly complained about having to attend the new school.
His father wanted to help and encourage him, so he prayed with him every night telling me not to worry things will all work out.
He responded, “Dad, it’s not that easy. It’s hard not to worry.”
A couple of months later his father noticed he hadn’t said anything about disliking the new school. “Scott,” I asked, “You seem more relaxed than you were a month ago. Are you still having problems adjusting to school?”
He answered, “Yes I am, but I quit worrying about it. I found out that worrying was harder on me than actually going through it.”
Many people never learn that it’s usually more draining to worry than it is to experience the thing they dread. Prayer can remove the weight of worry.
Now let us quickly look at verse 7 –
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
C. Benefit of prayer
If we put off anxiousness and put on an attitude of prayer, letting our supplications be known to God with thanksgiving then we will receive the benefit which is the freedom from worrying.
Peace – freedom from worry – noun
Which surpasses – surpasses in value – verb, present, active voice
Understanding – way of thinking – freedom from worry is so far beyond the human way of thinking.
Will guard – protect – the church at Philippi is well aware of what a guard does
Heart – inner self
Mind – thoughts
Remember the last illustration?
There was a seventh grade guy named Scott who transferred from a small private school to a large middle school in mid year. Could you imagine what that would have been like? Scott had to make numerous adjustments and hated every one of them. He constantly complained about having to attend the new school.
His father wanted to help and encourage him, so he prayed with him every night telling me not to worry things will all work out.
He responded, “Dad, it’s not that easy. It’s hard not to worry.”
A couple of months later his father noticed he hadn’t said anything about disliking the new school. “Scott,” I asked, “You seem more relaxed than you were a month ago. Are you still having problems adjusting to school?”
He answered, “Yes I am, but I quit worrying about it. I found out that worrying was harder on me than actually going through it.”
Many people never learn that it’s usually more draining to worry than it is to experience the thing they dread. Prayer can remove the weight of worry.
Prior to diving into our text I would like us first to look at several passages in hopes that we will better understand the power of the mind –
Verses on the power of the mind prior to Christ – (God’s sovereignty over the mind)
Romans 1:24–28 (NASB95)
24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
All of these verses make the point that prior to coming to Christ with our minds/intellect we were against the cross. That which is allowed into our minds has an effect on our conduct.
Verses on the call of the mind to act –
37 And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
GIGO – Computer acronym (Garbage in, garbage out) – What goes into your mind is going to affect your conduct.
Our minds affect everything that we do –
Illustration –
Matt Zimmerman – Suicidal – allowed his mind to affect his conduct.
3. Think Godly - vs. 8
3. Think Godly - vs. 8
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Finally – the rest of, remaining – adjective – Paul is bringing this section to conclusion.
Brethren – fellow believer – noun – those who are partakes of the grace that God freely offers
Whatever (this word is used six times among 20 words) – as many as, as much as, to the degree that – pronoun that refers back to the noun which in this case is brethren
Is – exist, happen – verb, present tense, active voice, indicative mood – one of assertion
Paul provides us with six virtues –
True – Real
Paul tells us that we must think on things that are true –
Word of God And the God of truth
17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
151 You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth.
The point that Paul is making is that to the degree that it is real and honest then you church at Philippi should think on these things.
16 “Because he who is blessed in the earth Will be blessed by the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Will swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My sight!
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
Honorable – Worthy of respect (Greek term for Honorable is used only in 2 Tim 3 and Titus 1)
What and who is ultimately worthy of respect?
Right – Righteous, perfect harmony with God’s eternal, unchanging standards.
Pure – Innocent, holy
Lovely – pleasing, gracious, sweet, agreeable (only time used in the NT)
Good Repute – well thought of
Excellence – moral excellence or virtue
Worthy of praise – commendation
Dwell – Reason about, dwell on, consider - imperative command to –
Guys and Gals do you understand that we cannot do any of the previous commands if we are not thinking Godly things.
Are you anxious?
Are you rejoicing in the Lord?
Are you in harmony with fellow believers?
We live in a world where so-called Christians are being –
Divorce/failing marriage
Falling into homosexuality
Pornography
Child abuse
Sexting
The issue is one of two things either they are not saved, or they are neither dwelling on nor thinking Godly.
You and I cannot do these things if we are not thinking on godly things. That’s why the Psalmist wrote Psalm 119 –
Let us look at Psalm 119 –
Psalm 119:9 – “How can a young man…”
Psalm 119:11 – “I have stored up your word in my heart…”
Psalm 119:15-16 – “I will meditate on your precepts…”
Psalm 119:24 – “Your testimonies are my delight…”
Psalm 119:27 – “Make me understand…”
Psalm 119:29 – “Put false ways far from me…”
Psalm 119:31 – “I cling to your testimonies…”
Psalm 119:33 – “Teach me, O Lord…”
Psalm 119:35 – “Lead me in the path of your…”
Psalm 119:97-98 – “Oh how I love your law…”
How are we going to do this?
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
We must control the things that go into our minds.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Now, we are going see how Godly thinking leads to godly living –
4. Live Godly vs. 9
4. Live Godly vs. 9
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Learned – been taught
Received – welcomed
Heard – literally means to hear
Seen – experienced it in me (Paul)
What an encouragement this must have been for the church at Philippi!! Paul did not just come in and say do as I say not as I do. He says I taught you the truth, you listened to the truth, you accepted the truth, and you witnessed the truth in my life.
Practice – imperative command to do
That’s why the Word is so clear about the fruit that will be seen in a believer’s life –
Matthew 7:15–20 (NASB95)
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
17 “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits.
As Paul brings this section to a conclusion, he ends by telling believers the benefit.
If we will dwell on Godly things that leads to Godly living, As you do things let the benefit is that the God of peace is with you.
MacArthur – “Believers must be disciplined to add to their faith the proper attitudes, thoughts, and actions described in this passage. Only then will they develop spiritual stability in their lives.”
SO WHAT?
What do you enjoy dwelling on the most? (answer honestly this is between you and God)
Determine if what you dwell on is honoring or dishonoring to the Lord –
What do you want to dwell on?
Are you living in harmony with one another?
Are you at odds with a believer? If so seek to be restored –
Are you allowing personal conflicts to cause division and or conflict among believers?
Are you at odds with another believer b/c of personal preferences?
What is the biblical thing to do if you are at odds with someone?
How can you resolve the issue this week?
Honestly what are you rejoicing in right now?
How are you letting your contentment be known?