Prison Letters Philippians 4:1-9
Prison Letters Philippians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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1 So then, my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.
This wraps up the section from last week.
21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.
1 So then, my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.
you are dearly loved and longed for my joy and crown
This is unique to the church at Philippi.
My crown
Festive garland, worn as a sign of gladness, or the wreath awarded to the victor at an athletic contest.
I like to think of the NFL Super bowl celebration. The owner often receives the trophy and then pass the trophy on to the coach and then coach to players.
That owner is proud of his players for winning the super bowl.
More than a game of football, Paul sees the Christians at Philippi as his crown. Definitely some words of affirmation for them.
Think back to last week when he encouraged them to join in imitating me.
These are his reward, the seal of his apostleship, the proof that his labor had not be in vain in the Lord.
Stand firm in the Lord
in spite of fears and attacks which come against them. Be aware of the false doctrine into their lives and stand firm against this.
Stand firm in the Lord.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
Agree/phroneo
sympathetic interest and concern, expressing as it does the action of the heart as well as the intellect.
It is the outworking of though as it determines motives, and through motives the conduct of the person involved.
A word like ‘concern’ based on the highest of interests of others.
This is the same word that is used in Philippians 2:2
2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.
3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.
I appreciate these 2 verses because Paul is working through some inner conflict while he is in prison.
Let them get along and help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side.
It gets real here. Apply what the letter says and live it out. Its one thing to read the letter but it is another thing to live the letter out. Help these women to live it out.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice
Let the sound of joy ring out from you.
Like a celebration that can be heard from a long distance a way
Celebrate the joy of the Lord.
Old Testament Joy
Jews rebuilding the temple
Place of worship
Nehemiah describes the celebrations that were taking place here.
43 On that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy. The women and children also celebrated, and Jerusalem’s rejoicing was heard far away.
This was a noise that could be heard.
Celebrate that Jesus is Lord. Get out into the streets and celebrate that Jesus is Lord.
5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Celebrate in this manner. Let your graciousness be known to everyone.
The Lord is near.
Let your Joy be heard.
Joy comes from knowing the nearness of the Lord
Joy comes from knowing what the Lord has done
Joy comes from knowing what the Lord is doing
Joy comes from knowing what the Lord is going to do
Celebrate!
6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
I have to wonder if the above conflict did not lead him to this scripture.
We see Paul in his writing struggling at times.
2 Corinthians he says I had no rest in my spirit or peace because I did not find Titus.
Worry/Anxiety:
To be pulled in different directions
Hope pulls one direction, fears pull us the other direction
To strangle
Spiritual point of view it is wrong thinking and wrong feeling about circumstances, people, and things.
Approaches to Anxiety/Worry
Over Anxiety:
It is good that we talk about anxiety but we tend to focus on the fears over the hope.
Getting on a tube
There are some fears but there is a lot of hope for having fun and enjoying it.
Ignoring Anxiety:
Trying to be over spiritual act as though there are things that don’t worry you.
Thinking it is best to not acknowledge that which worrys you.
Thinking that if you confess anxiety then you will not be spiritually mature.
The goal is not to worry about anything
Since we do have anxiety here is how we deal with them.
6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Tell the things you are worried about to God
Pray about them
Make your requests known to the Lord
Supplication
Earnest sharing of our needs and problems
Jesus says a great example in the garden. Jesus is sweating drops of blood in his prayer.
It is spiritually intense prayer. It is contending with the problem to the Lord.
Battle that problem in prayer
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the opposite of worry.
Oswald Chambers
Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary b. Encouragements to Prayer and Noble-Mindedness (4:4–9)
Do not be anxious is a negative command based on the idea that anxiety (merimna) betrays a lack of trust in God’s care and is a species of ‘unconscious blasphemy’ against him (so Oswald Chambers)
Thanksgiving is praising God for his care and provision. It is thanking him for his watch care over our lives.
Thanking God for that which makes you anxious.
God I thank you that I am coming to you today to provide for us because it reminds me again that you are the ultimate provider and you did it for me last time I was in this position so I am asking for you to do it again.
It is the recalling of God’s goodness and mercy
This saves us from the many pitfalls that await the ungrateful soul.
Over-concern with our immediate problems, forgetfulness of God’s gracious dealings with us in the past
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
God’s peace which is greater than our understanding
God’s peace like a row of angels will stand around you and guard you
Even though you feel the pressures of life around you
God’s peace will surround you in the troubles and protect your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Cast all your cares on the Lord
Once we have done this we have to let them go.
Have the courage to leave them with the Lord.
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 moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.
9 Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
