Session 5: Draw Near to the Lord

Draw Near to the Lord

Philippians 4.4-9

Stress in Ministry

This is a reality that all who are in church leadership experience at some point.

As a church leader, you may be responsible for organization or administrative tasks in the church. You may be teaching in some capacity or hopefully you are discipling another believer or unbeliever.

As a pastor/elder, you bear the responsibility of shepherding the flock in accordance with godliness. You teach the Word of God, and like we saw yesterday in Titus, you are called to model a life for your church family in alignment with your teaching.

All of these things can lead to stress and anxiousness in ministry.

Stress in Cultural Context

Culture of Nepal vs. Culture of America

For the church in Nepal, you live in a place that can be very hostile towards the church and the gospel. In a very real way, you all can read the Book of Acts and see some of the same things happening around you. Many are coming to Christ and the cost of godly living here can be high.

For the church in America, we live in a very different context than you all. In the Southern USA where there are many churches, being a “Christian” is largely equated to being moral. In fact, there are many people that would tell you they are Christian, but they cannot tell you what the gospel is. The hostility towards the church and the truth of the gospel is growing, but at large we do not face hostility in the same way you do.

We all experience stress in ministry, but just in different ways. Regardless, as followers of Christ we must ask ourselves God has graciously given us in His Word for these things.

1. We Find Joy and Peace in the Lord (v.4-7)

(v.4)

The Struggle of Being Joyful in Ministry

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

This letter to the Philippians is considered the Epistle of Joy, but sometimes it seems difficult for us to be joyful during a church or personal struggle.

Paul issues another repeated command here to rejoice in the Lord.

In this letter, Paul speaks repeatedly about the joy he has in Christ and calls for the Philippian believers to join him in his joy.

What are a few things we know about the faith of the Philippians?

Paul described the Philippians believers as Partners in the Gospel (Phil 1.3-5), Faithful in Prayer (Philippians 1.18-19), and Obedient to Christ’s Commands (Phil 2.12).

Even in all of this, it is clear that Paul knew they needed to hear repeatedly what brought him joy and where true joy is found. Let’s look back at Acts 16 together when this church began

Paul and Silas in Philippi

Acts 16:23–26 ESV

23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.

Surely the Philippians remembered when Paul and Silas were beaten by the crowds with rods and thrown in prison.

The rest and joy they find while in chains came from praying and singing hymns together!

Paul’s exhortation here is to rejoice always! Regardless of circumstance.

APPLICATION

We often misunderstand the idea of being JOYFUL

CCE Philippians

“Most people think you get joy when you get what you desire. But real joy comes when you realize what you deserve. The realization of what you deserve (judgment) and what you’ve received instead (salvation) should lead you to great joy. It’s not about getting what you want; it’s about being grateful for all that you have in Christ Jesus.”

Every moment of every day, the believer always has reason to rejoice in the Lord because he/she has been brought from death in sin to new life in Christ.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 “14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.”

This is a command in all circumstances, not just good advice.

Psalm 40:1–3 ESV

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

(v.5)

The Struggle with Gentleness in Ministry

Philippians 4:5 “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;”

The translation here of the Greek word for “reasonableness” (ESV) in English has been difficult. Other translations read:

Graciousness (HCSB)

Considerate (NLT)

Gentle Spirit (NASB)

Gentleness (NIV)

In summary, the idea here is the willingness to yield your own personal rights and to show consideration and gentleness to others.

This exhortation is not surprising here when looking back at Phil 4.2-3 where Paul insists that two fellow believers should put aside their differences and “Agree in the Lord”.

In 1 Peter 2, we see the apostle’s description of our Lord Jesus’ gentleness amidst unjust treatment. With Christ as our model and aim in Christian living, We see that believers are called to gracious, considerate, and gentle in all things.

APPLICATION

In our missions together to make disciples, we will see little success if we are not displaying the same grace shown to us at the cross.

Is our graciousness, gentleness, and reasonableness evident to our friends, family, neighbors, and church family?

“The Lord is at hand…”

Either Paul is reflecting back on the end of Phil 3 when talking about God’s people awaiting the coming Savior who will make all things new….

…Or Paul is reminding the church that the Lord is present with His people and working for their good, shaping them to be more like Christ through these struggles.

Regardless, Christ’s return should cause us to live differently as citizens of heaven AND His closeness should cause us to seek Him in our attempts to resolve differences, be gentle, and overcoming anxiety.

(v.6-7)

The Struggle with Peace in Ministry

Philippians 4:6–7 “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.”

ANXIETY is not a modern day issue, but it certainly seems to be a struggle for those inside and outside the church.

This is a topic even our Lord Jesus spoke on directly, and is worthy of our attention.

What I have learned about anxiety is that the most unhelpful thing to say when someone close to you says “I am really anxious right now…” is to say in return “Well, just don’t be anxious”.

I do not think that is the instruction Paul is offering here.

The Greek term used for ANXIOUS here was also used in Phil 2.20 when Paul said Timothy would we “genuinely concerned” for their welfare. This is certainly a positive use of the term, unlike what we see in Phil 4.

In this chapter, the term clearly speaks of anxiety, fretfulness, or undue concern.

Paul’s Solution

Because the Lord is near to his people and His return is coming soon, when anxious feelings or thoughts arise, turn to the one and only God who is sovereign over all things for help!

BE PRAYERFUL

The answer to anxiety is seeking the Lord in prayer!

In all things, worship our Lord by thankfully making your requests/needs known to Him. Yes, the Lord wants to hear what you are struggling with.

BUT, in all prayer we follow our Lord’s example in ultimately seeking the will of the Lord to be done.

Matthew 6:9–10 “9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

APPLICATION

In light of our sanctification, our sovereign God allows us to walk through situations where we are tempted to give way to anxious feelings.

His will also might not be for us to be delivered from these situations, but its possible He desires to teach us through them.

As we respond in prayer, the Lord will faithfully guard our hearts and our minds with a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Such Peace is found in nothing else and in no one else but Jesus Christ! Peace is a person.

Our Great High Priest Understands Our Stresses and Worries

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

As we Draw near to the Lord in confidence during anxious or stressful time in ministry, He protects our hearts and minds from anxiety and despair.

The encouragement to PRAY through anxious times is wise counsel from someone who loves you dearly.

2. We Guard our Minds in the Lord (v.8-9)

Philippians 4:8–9 “8 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. 9 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’s concludes this section with an exhortation that extends to something that often remains hidden from most people - OUR THOUGHTS.

Our thoughts, left unguarded by the Word of God, lead us to temptations, sinful desires, and sin itself.

To be growing in Christlikeness, we need a renewed mind! Paul pointed the believers in Rome to a similar idea - BE TRANSFORMED

Romans 12:1–2 “1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

We need to transform the way we think and the desires of our heart.

Sin towards God and people, whether outward or hidden within, begins in our hearts and minds.

Knowing this reality, the apostle addresses where the thoughts of a follower of Christ should be focused.

How do we transform the way we think?

Praise God, for He “has blessed His church with His Word as the primary means of purifying our minds” (CCE Philippians).

Verses 8-9 is a call for the believer to center his/her mind on exalted things! Paul tells us to spend time mentally dwelling on things that are TRUE, HONORABLE, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, COMMENDABLE, EXCELLENT, and WORTHY of PRAISE.

We should find it no coincidence that all of these things describe the Lord Jesus well!

We will begin to see real change in our lives and we will find relief from anxiousness and stressfulness when we use the gift God’s Word to transform the way we think and understand this world.

APPLICATION

The wonderful reality from this passage is that the Philippians church, while being Paul’s joy and crown achievement, was just like any other church. It was faithful in some areas and had common difficulties as well.

Knowing this is true of us as well, let’s follow Paul’s instruction in doing the following:

STAND FIRM in the Lord. He will not fail us today, tomorrow or forever.

AGREE in the Lord. Cling to truth but put aside differences for the sake of Christ.

REJOICE in the Lord. Ecclesiastes 7:14 “14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other...”

FIND PEACE in the Lord. In anxious times, seek the Lord in prayer. He is our promised Peace, and He is with us.

DWELL in the Lord. Those who abide in the Lord, and the Lord in them, bear much fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.