Focus

We exist in a culture enamored by distractions. We cannot see that we are citizens of heaven because priority belongs to being citizens of the U.S.A. We cannot hear wisdom because the chimes of our texts and emails. We cannot understand the word of God because we are in a frenzy caused by fear of current events! If we’re being honest with ourselves our focus is a off!

God tells us through the apostle Paul in the epistle about how our minds ought to work. And what exactly we should be focused on. As Paul is at the end of this epistle he addresses a situation between two Christians who are at odds with each other. They both agree on Christ but they still beef! And that is not a very productive environment when trying to spread the Gospel. Let us read the text in its entirety.

Philippians 4:1–9 NRSV

1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. 2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-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 everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

The Focus Breaker 4:2-3

Philippians 4:2 NRSV

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.

Euodia (yū ōʹ dĭ ȧ)- name that meant pleasant fragrance.

Syntyche (Sĭnʹ tĭ kē) - name that meant pleasant acquaintance.

Both names had a meaning that pointed towards being pleasant and yet neither of them could be pleasant towards each other.

It is very similar to how we are as Christians today. Wearing the name of the anointed one. Being representatives of God and yet we allow external things like politics, traditions, and race separate us! We are teammates!

Philippians 4:3 NRSV

3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

loyal companion (yokesman)

Sitting by in silence while others falter is not OK.

Being silent because it is not your business is not OK

Witnessing and silently seeing sin is not OK

These two were supposed to be about kingdom business yet they were at odds with each other. Many things in life can break our focus. We face physical focus breakers, mental focus breakers, relationship focus breakers.

They are akin to how when you perfect the perfect combo in a fighting game and then your opponent breaks it at the very end! Focus breakers come all of a sudden, when you least expect them. And most often when you THINK you are untouchable!

Paul’s Powerful Prescription 4:4-7

Philippians 4:4 NRSV

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

Philippians 4:7 NRSV

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

phil 4

Rejoice- to enjoy a state of happiness and well-being

Inner joy

Not based on outside circumstance

Controlled by you and your relationship with Jesus

Philippians 4:5 NRSV

5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Gentleness- Forebearing, yielding, gentle, kind, courteous, tolerant)

TO EVERYONE!

The Lord is near!

Paul is saying there is no time to insist on your way! We have to be about THE WAY!

Philippians 4:6 NRSV

6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Worry or Anxious- The word anxious is a pulling apart of self.

It is your THINKING (HEART) and your FEELING (FEAR) pulling in opposite directions!

The word anxious is a pulling apart of self.

Wrong thinking can lead you in all kinds of bad places

headaches, neck pains, ulcers, back pains. Affects our thinking, our digestion, and coordination.

Prayer- Requests to God in adoration. Describes a believer’s approach to God.

This is what we do first when faced with trials. Acknowledge God FIRST!

Supplication- That which is asked based on urgent need. “I need an answer to a specific need!”

These are the 911 prayers.

“God I know that I may believe that there are faster options but I need you to act now!”

Thanksgiving- To express gratitude for benefits or blessings. It is an attitude of heart which should always accompany one’s prayers.

Saying thank you for what you asked for before you get it!

That’s some faith talk there!

Philippians 4:7 NRSV

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

Peace of God- inner tranquility.

Tranquil- Free from agitation of mind or spirit.

surpasses all understanding- It is beyond our capability to understand BUT...

It will guard- “to protect or garrison by guarding.

Soldiers on watch protecting a base don’t wait until the enemies enter the protected area to do something about it. They keep the bad things from entering.

Hearts & Minds= EMOTIONS AND THOUGHTS!

I remember as a child I was afraid of my shadow! We had two bathrooms one had a bathtub and a sink and the other had a toilet and a sink. And When I would have to take a bath I would look out the door and all I saw was this big ugly water heater with fire at the bottom! Being in this huge blue tub was terrifying! And then I would also have to take out the garbage from the kitchen to the giant dumpster in the alley! And when those times came all I could think about was Freddy Krueger coming down the alley with his arms stretched wide and running after me. I had a talk with my dad and he told me that all I had to do when I was scare was sing Gospel songs and I would be OK. And I promise you every time I felt fear, even when I knew there was no such thing as Freddy and that the water heater wouldn’t release a ghost, I would sing Gospel songs and it was as if my FEAR would disappear! I BELIEVED that with the chance these things WERE real, GOD is too! So I know He’s got my back!

This prescription of Paul involves Prayer, Supplication, & Thanksgiving! With this God WILL guard your heart!

Fundamental Focus 4:8

Philippians 4:8 NRSV

8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

True- pertaining to being in accordance with historical fact.

(Imaginary, never happened, out of our control)- THE DEVIL IS A LIAR!

Honorable- pertaining to appropriate, befitting behavior and implying dignity, worthy of respect.

Just- being proper or right in the sense of being fully justified by God’s standards.

DOES THIS MEAN HIDE YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND? NOPE! BUT DON’T FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON DISHONORABLE THINGS AND ALLOW THEM TO CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS.

Pure- without moral defect or blemish.

Pleasing- that which causes people to be pleased with something. Speaks of what promotes peace rather than conflict.

Commendable- worthy of praise, root word is “to say”, if it is something said that is praise worthy. Relates to what is positive and constructive rather than negative and destructive.

Paul then sums up these things in two categories. If it there is any excellence/admirable or worthy of praise...

Excellence- Moral (right & wrong behavior) excellence.

Worthy of Praise- Something which people should praise.

Think- Ponder, Reason.

Ponder- To weigh in the mind. To think about.

Fundamental Focus or right thinking can only exist when there is daily meditation on the word of God and consistent conversation with Him.

Laudable Living 4:9

Philippians 4:9 NRSV

9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Paul asks them to do 4 things.

Continue in doing these 4 things

What you have learned

received

heard

seen in me...

The Life of Paul

He was a former murderer of Christians who when only forcefully shown the way relented and obeyed. He was humbled, humiliated, and honored by God. Then he devoted his life to making sure that everyone could be a part of this great family of God. He speaks the wisdom of God. And here in this epistle of Philippians wisdom is calling out as SHE did in .

proverbs 8

Proverbs 8 NRSV

1 Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice? 2 On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; 3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out: 4 “To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live. 5 O simple ones, learn prudence; acquire intelligence, you who lack it. 6 Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right; 7 for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 9 They are all straight to one who understands and right to those who find knowledge. 10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; 11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. 12 I, wisdom, live with prudence, and I attain knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. 14 I have good advice and sound wisdom; I have insight, I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; 16 by me rulers rule, and nobles, all who govern rightly. 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity. 19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, 21 endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries. 22 The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. 23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth— 26 when he had not yet made earth and fields, or the world’s first bits of soil. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race. 32 “And now, my children, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34 Happy is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord; 36 but those who miss me injure themselves; all who hate me love death.”