Even In The Storm

Philippians 4:4–9 NASB95

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. 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.

Philippians 4:4 NASB95

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

In all circumstances, including suffering, God’s people must learn to rejoice and gain strength by recalling the Lord’s goodness, faithfulness, nearness and promises.

Rejoicing in the storm makes one a living testimony

Joy is not an accident of temperament or an unpredictable providence; joy is a matter of choice.

J. I. Packer

Philippians 4:5 NASB95

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

(Gentle Spirit) this is not only a description but also an action.

How would others describe you? (Gentle, or rash, harsh, cold, dishonest, unteachable…)

Philippians 4:6 NASB95

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

This is probable one of the hardest verses to swallow.

Fret and worry leads to a lack of trust in God’s wisdom, sovereignty, or power.

Delighting in the Lord and meditating on His Word are a great antidote to anxiety.

God wants to hear our concerns, but it also says for us to come with thanksgiving

Philippians 4:7 NASB95

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Two major promises here, peace and protection.

Peace: The world cannot understand the peace that comes from the Lord during life’s storms.

Protection: Grounded hearts and sound/sober minds.

Philippians 4:8 NASB95

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.

To experience God’s peace and freedom from anxiety, believers must fix their minds on these things

The result of allowing our minds to be occupied with the ungodly things of the world is that the joy, nearness and peace of God are lost and our hearts are no longer guarded

Whatever occupies a person’s thinking will eventually work its way out in words or actions

All of this is back by modern psychology, but the truth is aside from God and salvation from Him that is all this is.

If one is not saved and fully surrendered their life to Jesus they will NOT find this peace or joy.

The first step is always Yes Lord, Save me and Forgive men

The second is always live it out.

Without these steps one cannot have lasting peace or joy.

Philippians 4:9 NASB95

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.

WALK IT OUT!

Take Home?

Are You Walking It Out?

Communion