A Daily Pursuit

Intro

Q: What is more import

Hard to know someone without spending time with them.. We should spend time with God so that we get to know him. Spend time with God every day helps us to know him more fully

“Beautifully True Video - Desiring God”

Setting

Paul established the Church of Philipi

Story

Man named jon

Bring it in

We all do good at taking care of the physical, but what about the spiritual?

Spiritual Dehydration

Health of our souls will come from drinking water that comes from Jesus

Part 1

Philippians 4:4–5 CSB

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Phil 4:4-5

What is an experience you had that made it difficult to be joyful?

Joy, even when life is tough

Found in God

Q? What is the difference between joy and happiness?

Happiness is based on what happens

Joy, on the other hand, is based on the eternal perspective

Paul’s circumstances

Hardship will come no matter what.

Focus on Difficulty vs Focus on the good God does do.

Reasons to rejoice

The King rules over creation

He has defeated sin and death

Our eternity doesn’t depend on us - victory has been won in Christ

How will you shine forth Christ? through your focus on difficulty or through your focus on the good?

1. When was the last time you really rejoiced over something?

2. What’s your favorite way of expressing praise to God?

Part 2

Philippians 4:6–7 CSB

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:6-7

The medicine for worrying is centering our lives on Jesus.

Paul tells us to focus on three things

Prayer

When we don’t pray, its because it’s not important to us.

Petition

Thanksgiving

This is how we can experience peace

3. What are some obstacles to experiencing the joy and peace of God?

4. Why do we often neglect to bring the little things before God?

5. How is prayer the answer to worry?

Part 3

phil 4:8-9

Philippians 4:8–9 NET

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

Many of you have gone on a vacation, we can’t bring everything

Our minds can often be crowded with the wrong things. We need to get rid of those things to make room for what should be there

Paul gives a list of things we should fill our minds with

True, not false, refers to wisdom found in Gods word

Honorable, not disgraceful

Just, not unfair, refers to those things which are right in God’s sight and are a picture of the righteousness Christ will one day establish when he judges the world

Pure, not obscene

Lovely, not ugly

Commendable, not dispicable, refers to thoughts and behaviors thought of highly by God

Morally excellent, not currupt

Praiseworthy, not shameful

Thinking on these things will not just change our minds, but our lives.

These things show christ

Joy and peace will be natural biproducts of spending time with God.

6. How does the world tempt us to think on negative things?

7. Which of Paul’s commands in verses 4-9 are easiest for you? Which are difficult?

8. How can we focus our minds on the things that are pleasing to God?

11. How will you use the following to impact lost friends?

Joy in Christ

Peace from God

Prayer, Trust, and Gratitude