Think On These Things

Introduction

Last week we finished our passage with verse 1 of chapter 4. It talked about how we “Stand firm in the Lord.” So when we come to the next couple of verses, we hear Paul pleading for two women to agree with each other.

Philippians 4:2 NIV84

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

These two women were apparently NOT living up to their name.

Euodia—Prosperous Journey.

Syntyche—Pleasant Acquaintance.

Philippians 4:3 NIV84

Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Paul pleads for the church to intervene—encouraging them to agree (Greek, to agree with one another, to think alike). He wants them to agree in the Lord—in the matters of the Lord.

Paul pleads with with the church at Philippi, calling them loyal yokefellow or loyal or true companion—wanting them to help these two women, who Paul said have contended at his side in the cause of the gospel.

Another person, Clement is also mentioned as one who contended in the faith with him, along with others —who are not named.

Christ-like Living

Philippians 4:4–7 NIV84

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice in the Lord always! Rejoicing—or taking joy in things is more than simply being happy. Rather, Joy is a state of delight and well being that comes from knowing God and serving God. We are to find our delight in serving the Lord God.

Paul repeats it a second time—saying rejoice. Any time the Bible repeats itself, it is for emphasis. We are to delight ourselves in knowing and serving the Lord.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. One of the big problems in our churches today is that gentleness is not always seen in the people who name the name of Christ.

The reason we can be gentle is because the Lord is near. Greek—close at hand, on the verge of, or soon.

Do not be anxious about anything. This word anxious means loaded down with cares or to constantly think about.

Instead being loaded down with the worries and cares we are to:

Pray—speak to God, or ask God.

Petition—plea for others.

Thanksgiving—an attitude of gratitude, giving thanks.

Tell your requests to God.

Through prayer, petitions, and thanksgiving God’s peace comes. A peace that transcends all understanding will guard your heart and minds in Christ Jesus.

A Focused Mind

Paul says that we need to have a focused mind—and what we focus our mind on controls our entire life. Paul gives us a grocery list of things we are to focus our minds upon.

True—this is the opposite of lies, dishonesty, or falsehoods.

Noble—worthy of respect, dignified, of good character.

Right—correct, righteous, proper.

Pure—innocent, without defect, undefiled.

Lovely—pleasing, agreeable, aesthetically pleasing.

Admirable—praise worthy, commendable, worthy of praise.

Excellent—valour, brave, virtuous.

Praiseworthy—worthy of praise, approval.

These are the things that we are to think about—or focus our minds on.

Philippians 4:9 NIV84

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Paul concludes with a challenge, whatever you have learned, or received or heard from Paul, put into practice.

Then God promises that His peace will be with us.

SO WHAT?

Are you living in unity with other believers? We need unity among those who follow Jesus.

Are you helping others to live in unity with other believers? We need to encourage unity between those who follow Jesus.

We need to be joyful—delighting in the wellbeing that comes from knowing and serving God.

We need show our gentleness to everyone—because Jesus is coming soon! And He wishes that none should perish!

We need to be people of prayer! People who talk to God and plead for the needs of others.

We need to be thankful in every situation!

I don’t know about you, but I need God’s peace in my life!

What is your mind focused on? We need to focus on things that are: True, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy!

We need to follow the examples of godly men and women!

Paul says doing these things will help us experience God peace!