Sermon Tone Analysis

A secure mind - our spiritual resources, God’s peace (4:1-9), His Power (4:10-13), His Provision (4:14-23)

Practicing joyful living

​ NKJV1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always.

Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men.

The Lord is at hand.

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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

​a NKJV1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always.

Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, (4:1-6a)

my joy and crown

Q: Why His crown?

Q: Have you ever experienced a church split?

2 Women No unity.

Threatening a church split.

Elders, pastors have not dealt with the problem

Paul urges unity (cf )

These women (a) members of the church

(b) worked with Paul, enthusiastically in unity (4:3)

(c) something church related caused the split

(d) still objects of Paul’s effection

(e) they are Christians

true companion someone Paul is asking to resolve the argument.

When you have a problem, take someone with yoiu

Q: Why do we need spiritual stability in the church?

1.

People feel safe

2. Support each other

3. hold each other accountable

4 restore those who have fallen (cf )

5 admonish, encourage, help the weak (cf )

Quarrels cripple the church

Two quarreling women were endangering church stability.

Quarrels cripple the church.

(a) Doesn’t matter if you have a good worship team

(b) good doctrine

(c) disunity robs the church of power.

(d) if not treated, results in the root of bitterness (cf )

Not about Doctrine This was not a dispute about doctrine.

Paul would have corrected doctrine.

Paul rebuked Peter about doctrine (cf ) One of the darkest

days of the gospel - when Peter went over to the Judaizers.

John was direct to Diotrephes (cf 3 John 9-10)

e

whose names are in the Book of Life (4:3)

Q: What is the book of Life?

Book of Life cf ,

Antidotes to Anxiety

Antidote #1: Focus on the Lord

Focus on the Lord

Philip 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord

Philip 4:5 The Lord is at hand

Philip 4:6 Let your requests be known to God

Philip 4:7 The peace of God.. will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus

Philip 4:9 The God of peace will be with you

Q: Is it easy to be joyful?

Q: Even in the middle of change, what can I be thankful for?

Antidote #2: Rejoice in the Lord

Philip 4:4 Rejoice

Philip 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always.

Again I will say, rejoice!

(4:4)

Not easy to rejoice Paul repeats this twice

Joy is not Joy is not a feeling

Not easy to rejoice

Joy is Joy is a deep down confidence that God is in control of everything for the believers good and His glory

χαίρω (chairo) Rejoice.

present imperative: continual habitual practice of rejoicing.

Be thankful (cf ,)

Antidote #3: Gentleness in Hope

Be Kind Be kind, gentle to everyone (cf Philip 2:4) to because the Lord is near

Philip 4:5b-6a Let your gentleness be known to all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, (4:5b-6a)

ἐγγύς (engys) Near in time or near in space (chronological).

in terms of time There is a nearness in Christ’s return (cf Philip 3:20-21, Philip 1:23)

Nearness in presence near to hear our cry, near to give us strength (cf )

in terms of our salvation (cf )

near to all who call upon him (cf )

because he is near we should not be anxious, fearful, wavering, collapse but be strong (cf )

Philip 4:6 Be anxious for nothing (4:6)

One way to handle anxiety

Human way The human way.

Preloaded at birth on the hard drive of our hearts.

The Invictus approach (William Henley’s 19th cent.

poem)

“I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul.”

Stiff upper lip, self-reliance

The other way

God’s way Directs us to a life anchor that goes deep, withstands the storms of circumstances.

Peter’s anxiety But what about him?

(cf )

Not Ashamed and blessed is he who is not offended because of me

Jesus Jesus’ sermon on the mount dealt with anxiety (cf ).

The folly of anxiety - be anxious for nothing

Antidote #4 React to problems with Prayer

Pray with thanks Prayer, antidote for worry, cure for anxiety

-7

Philip 4:6b -7 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

(4:6b-7)

Q: How many different ways does Paul refer to prayer?