Finding Joy in Christ, Week 7

When we first started out on this journey through Philippians, the book to us looked like this:

 



 



 Seven weeks later we find ourselves looking at Philippians chapter 4 like this:

 

That's right! This is our last week looking through the book of Philippians.

 

Now, just because we won't be opening up to Philippians every week doesn't mean you should mentally check the book of Philippians off your "Books in the Bible to read before I die" list, never to open it again. Come to Philippians regularly when you need to look at the truths that you found here.

 

That being said, let's dive into Philippians chapter 4 together:

 

"1Therefore, 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.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

Isn't it amazing that Paul considers the church of Philippi his crown and joy? He views them as such a blessing in his life.

Paul then continues on to encourage a member of the church (possibly Syntyche--the unpronounceable name of a person Paul was close to) to help reconcile two women in the church who's disagreement was affecting the church.

From there Paul says to rejoice. "4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

I love what my study Bible had to say about this verse: "In the midst of difficulties, in the midst of all situations, Christians are to rejoice. The joy of Christians is not based on agreeable circumstances, instead it is based on their relationship to God. Christians will face trouble in this world [true that!], but they should rejoice in the trials they face because they know God is using those situations to improve their character (see James 1:2-4)."

Amen. That is the nugget of truth that is supposed to help us press on when the going gets tough: we know God SOMEHOW is at the very least using the situation to better something in us, or should I say God is able to use the situation to better something in us if we let Him.

Paul addresses what a gentle character means and then goes to talk about prayer. This verse for me is well-known, much-quoted, and often watered down by what we think it means. You know when you can taste that juice is watered down? It's flavorless and that much less enjoyable? Well, let's bring the flavor back to Philippians 4 verse 6.

"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."

Chuck Smith, who founded Calvary Chapel, has a lot to say about this verse. He said first off that the answer to worry is prayer. Short and sweet, simple and pure. The answer to worry is prayer.

He said that prayer is a very broad term that refers to communion with God. So when Paul here uses words like prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, he's not just getting greedy with Thesaurus.com, he's describing different elements of prayer.

 "Through my years I have come to the conclusion that it is more important that God talk to me then that I talk to God. I am convinced that what God has to say to me is far more important than what I have to say to God. And I started to develop that listening side of prayer. Prayer is communion with God. Listening for him to speak to my heart. Waiting upon him. Worshiping him. Loving him. All are a part of prayer."

Supplication is a word that refers to our requests, both about ourselves to God as well as intercessory prayers, prayers on behalf of others. It's true, prayer is both listening and being listened to.

Along with prayer also comes thanksgiving, thanking God for what He has already done.

We often think prayer is a monologue. A long speech we make to God, listing out where our needs need be met. Chuck Smith says that prayer in fact is a dialogue with God. (Mono= one, di= two, so a two-way convo instead of a one-way convo with God.)

So let's look at this verse again, freshly squeezed of its goodness:

"6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by (1) prayer and (2) supplication, with (3) 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."

The peace of God. Somehow through communion with God, admitting that God has the control, not us, God knows that we're then vulnerable and in need of having our hearts and minds guarded through Christ against anything that would try to come against us.

It takes faith to realize a problem, a need, a request, realize that God is the only one that can do anything about it, put our trust and faith in Him by praying over it, and believing that God has it handled, and we no longer need to store up all of these thoughts and worries and concerns over it. It rests in God's hands. God has the control.

"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."
 The Philippians didn't just dress like Paul and talk like Paul and become little Paulites, they took what Paul had taught them and actually walked it out and let it change who they are. We can still do that today! In fact, we will be doing this tonight. We will look at what we've learned in Philippians through Paul and we'll put into practice what we're going to do about it.

But before I spoil the ending, let's finish this chapter strong:

"10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

The Philippians were able to give Paul a gift while he was in jail. Perhaps this was the whole reason Paul started out to write this letter! To thank the Philippians for their generosity and prayers on his behalf.

Nevertheless, Paul says something here that is quite profound. He says that he's learned in whatever state he is, to be content.

Now, the theme we've been talking about throughout the book of Philippians has been...?

That's right, good job! Finding joy in Christ.

Paul says he's learned to be content in all things, in being hungry, in being full, in being humbled, in being exalted, and how is that? Well, true sufficiency, true contentedness is found in the strength of Christ.

So I'll ask you now, where does authentic, long-lasting joy come from? Where is it found?

You know it! In Christ.

So this is where our great journey through Philippians will come to an end. Tonight at youth group, everyone will be getting this sheet:

 

We are going to split into our small groups and everyone will have this paper. In groups we're going to come to each other and share what we've learned through reading Philippians, what we remember from our seven weeks of going through it. Then we are going to take our papers and answer the practical question of: How will you strive to find joy in Christ? Paul has mentioned method after method in how to find joy in Christ. So we are going to look at our Bibles and discover individually what truth hit home for us.

 

Then we're going to reference the verse that is going to stir us on.

 

For example, if mine was: "I will strive to find joy in Christ by praying instead of worrying", my fighter verse would be Philippians 4:6-7, which I would write out.

 

I hope that we can hang these on our walls, in our lockers, by our beds, wherever we can see them in be reminded.

 

Thank you for joining us through this series.

 

God bless you and keep you!