7 Practical Steps for Living the Impossible Life
Philippians • Sermon • Submitted
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Much of what we have studied so far in Philippians can seem overwhelming, impossible even.
Putting the Gospel First
Living our lives worthy of the Gospel
Looking to the interest of others rather than our own.
Valuing Christ above all else.
Passionately pursuing the Savior.
Even though we know this is how we ought to live our lives as Christians, it doesn’t always match our experience.
What practical changes can we make so that these truths become a reality for us?
This is exactly the emphasis of Philippians 4:1-9
In these verses we have at least 7 practical steps we can take to have a more Christ centered life.
Stand firm in Biblical unity.
This is a theme that Paul first presented at the beginning of his letter to the church at Philippi.
27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel,
In almost every letter that Paul writes to the churches there is included at some point a call to stand firm.
This is the idea that we are facing opposition, that we are under attack and therefore we must stand firm.
Believing the basic teachings of the Bible places us in opposition to a world that holds a very different set of values and standards.
Those who live for Christ must stand firm, without wavering.
8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.
10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Lone rangers will not make it. They will be picked off by satan like easy targets.
Only those who stand firm in biblical unity will endure to the end.
2. Rejoice in the Lord always.
Yet again we see Paul make his appeal for us to rejoice in the Lord.
Let us remember that Paul himself had been such a wonderful example of this.
Upon his arrival in Philippi, he and Silas were beaten severely and thrown into prison.
But they are found praying and singing songs to God. They are found rejoicing!
Not rejoicing in their circumstance but rather rejoicing in spite of their circumstance.
The Christian ought to be the most rejoicing person in the world.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
This doesn’t mean the Christian is never sad. It just means our sadness never overwhelms our joy. That even in deep pain, their is yet a deeper joy that is found.
There isn’t anything more unbecoming of one who claims to be a follower of Christ than for them to be irritable, angry, and bitter.
D.A. Carson says, “The cure for a crushed and bitter spirit is to see Christ Jesus the Lord and then to rejoice in Him.”
For this reason Paul reminds us again and again and again to rejoice.
No one has more to rejoice about than the one who has been delivered from sin and death, purchased by the blood of Christ, and adopted into the family of God.
Knowing this, is it even possible to be a Christian and not rejoice always?
3. Be gracious with others.
The word gracious here means to be kind and gentle.
Humility is closely associated with this.
The Christian should be known as a gentle and kind person.
After all, wasn’t this the very character that Christ Himself exhibited.
He was gentle and lowly.
The opposite of this is to be harsh and unforgiving.
I think about the parable of the unforgiving servant.
The Christian ought to never say, “I hope they get what they deserve.”
Thank God He didn’t give us what we deserve.
For that reason we ought to be incredibly gracious and gentle with others.
We speak the truth but we do it in love.
4. Live with an ever-increasing awareness of the Lord’s return.
When Paul says, “The Lord is near.” This most likely means two things.
One is that the Lord is near to us. He is not far away or distant.
The second refers to the nearness of the Lord’s return.
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
One of the most beneficial things we can do to improve our Christian walk is to remind ourselves often of the Lord’s return.
I believe many of the problems and sins that we fall into can be avoided by this one simple step.
In light of Christ’s return,
How should I spend my money?
How should I love my spouse and children?
How should I serve the church and community?
How should I conduct myself in the workplace?
How should I study my Bible and pray?
The early disciples lived their lives with an ever-increasing awareness of the Lord’s return and it radically effected the way they lived.
How much more should we have this same mind?
5. Prioritize Prayer
Paul offers prayer as the solution for anxiety and worry?
In reality, prayer is presented here as the opposite of worry.
But this is not just any kind of prayer that Paul is talking about.
This is not some 30 second prayer for peace before we go on about our day.
I believe what Paul is proposing here is an intentional, consistent time spent with God in prayer.
D.A. Carson says, “I have yet to meet a chronic worrier who has an excellent prayer life.”
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
If we are struggling with anxiety, one of the questions that must be asked is, How is my prayer life?
The effect of this type of prayer is incredible.
We have no promise from God that anything about our circumstance will change, but the promise we do have is so much better.
Surpasses all understanding!
That is, it defies all logic!
That we would have a peace of mind and heart that astounds and surprises a lost and fallen world.
It is a promise that we can have peace in the midst of some of the most trying and painful circumstances.
Don’t we all long for this kind of peace?
But will we actually do that which is prescribed?
Will we pray?
Will we pray consistently and persistently?
Will we pray about everything?
Will we pray with thanksgiving?
6. Change the way you think.
If you change the way you think, you change the way you live.
Old thought patterns must be replaced with new thought patterns.
Paul instructs us in what types of things we ought to be thinking about.
But where can we find such things?
7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey
dripping from a honeycomb.
11 In addition, your servant is warned by them,
and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.
Everything we allow into our minds must be measured by the perfect standard of God’s Word.
2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
What we watch matters, what we look at matters, what we listen to matters.
If it doesn’t line up with these things then it’s not worthy of our time.
This isn’t legalism, it’s just being wise.
7. Imitate godly leaders.
Paul says, “imitate me as I imitate Christ”
They had listened to Paul’s teaching, but more importantly, they had seen how the things that he taught were practically lived out in his daily life.
We need this so badly.
This is what true discipleship looks like.
It’s not simply listening to what someone says, it’s seeing how they actually live.
How they treat their wife, children, and neighbor.
How they serve, and how they work.
The Christian life is as much caught as it is taught.
I wholeheartedly believe if we will commit ourselves to these 7 principles we will make great progress towards the goal set before us in Philippians.
The goal of Christlikeness.