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Joy in Unity, Prayer, sound thinking
Philippians 4:1-9
Introduction
Something I worked hard for that paid off –
(Degree, 25th anniversary – 3 pieces of paper
in my office – 2 degrees – ordination)
Main Point: Joy is rarely found in
something that comes easily, or quickly.
Joy is more often found in something that
comes with hard work, challenge, time, and
discipline.
Transition: As we finish this incredible
letter and journey on Joy, Paul finishes with
some practical encouragements that remind
us of how we can have joy. The first is:
I. Joy in church unity.
Philippians 4:1-3
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and
long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus
in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia
and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
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3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help
these women, who have labored side by side
with me in the gospel together with Clement
and the rest of my fellow workers, whose
names are in the book of life. (ESV)
A. Concern for the church comes from
love for the church. (V. 1)
1. Paul loves this church.
2. I hope you love your local church
– I never understand people that
walk around their local church
with disdain for it, bitter at it.
3. If that is you make it right – have
a conversation and get your
attitude right – if it is theological –
then leave and find a church you
agree – but love your church.
4. Paul actually sees the people and
their eternal home as his crown.
5. If this is, people in heaven, how
large will your crown be in
heaven?
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6. A Couple weeks ago, I asked the
question, when you get to heaven,
will there be disciple there that
you have invested in?
7. Paul loves this church.
Transition: And because he loves this
church, he wants the people to be unified.
B. Agree in the Lord.
1. These 2 church members are not
getting along, and this is hindering
the gospel of Christ from going
forward in and through this
church.
2. And Paul says, twice, I urge –
urge you to get along in the Lord.
3. BTW: this is not a theological or
doctrinal issue, or surely Paul
would have weighed in and
corrected the issue with right
doctrine.
Main Point: This is matter of conscience
stuff (Meat sacrificed to idols – 1
4
Corinthians 8). Some wear masks, some
believe in big government, some go trick or
treating at Halloween, some believe we
should quarantine, some think we need to
open up, some think we should get all the
vaccinations available for our children.
Some even like the Dallas Cowboys.
Matters of conscience – get along for the
good of the gospel If necessary, seek…
C. Seek outside counsel. (V. 3)
1. This is where church leadership
may step in, in a good and healthy
way.
2. This is where we resolve
conscience issues for the good of
working together – the bigger
picture of the gospel going
forward.
Transition: Joy in unity. Secondly, in
wrapping up his letter…
II. Joy in prayer.
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Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say,
rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known
to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be
anxious 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. (ESV)
A. Prayer is rejoicing.
1. Verse 4 is the summary of the
letter.
2. I want to suggest that praying is a
form of rejoicing in the Lord.
3. It is submitting our plans, joys,
hardships, difficulties to the Lord
in such a way that we understand
God is sovereign – and therefore
we rejoice in Him.
B. Overflow of rejoicing is
reasonableness.
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1. This is a fascinating thought.
2. We rejoice, and live lives that
honor the Lord, in simplicity and
sincerity of faith. Paul says it this
way in…
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind
your own affairs, and to work with your
hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you
may walk properly before outsiders and be
dependent on no one. (ESV)
3. And sometimes in our obedience
to the Lord it rubs this culture the
wrong way, and this is why I think
the Paul says, the Lord is at hand,
the Lord has our back.
Illustration: Shadrack, Meshack, and
Abednego – living a quiet life honoring the
Lord and Nebuchadnezzar threatens them to
be thrown into the fire. Their answer:
Daniel 3:16-18
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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
answered and said to the king, “O
Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer
you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God
whom we serve is able to deliver us from the
burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us
out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it
known to you, O king, that we will not serve
your gods or worship the golden image that
you have set up.” (ESV)
C. Pray as a help to worry/anxiety.
1. This letter about Joy, begins and
ends with prayer.
2. In everything – you can pray about
anything.
3. Supplication: Bring any request.
4. With Thanksgiving:
a. There is tremendous joy in
Thanksgiving.
b. We can bring all our prayers to
God with Thanksgiving.
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c. Even difficulties and trial – we
can consider Joy and
opportunity to give thanks.
d. Week 1 I said prayerlessness
leads to joylessness – I will add,
thanklessness leads to
joylessness.
5. To God – Can you imagine that
God hears, and God answers our
prayers!!
Prayer will bring you…
D. Peace of God.
1. Surpasses all understanding –
being around people suffering or
dying (Martha Bennis)
2. How does that happen – guarding
your heart (Emotions, fear,
anxiety).
3. Guarding your mind – from worry
and spinning and thinking
fearfully over and over and over.
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BTW: Thinking, and what we allow our
minds to dwell on over and over and over is
critical to our lives, critical to peace, critical
to having joy. That is why Paul concludes
this thought by saying:
Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever
is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
commendable, if there is any excellence, if
there is anything worthy of praise, think
about these things. 9 What you have learned
and received and heard and seen in me—
practice these things, and the God of peace
will be with you. (ESV)
III. Joy in thinking and obeying.
A. There is joy in thinking on the truth.
The importance of the mind in
Christianity:
The Bible describes our minds apart from
Christ this way:
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1. Depraved (1 Timothy 6:5)
2. Focused on the flesh. (Romans 8:5)
3. Hostile towards God (Romans 8:7)
4. Foolish (1 Corinthians 2:14)
5. Hardened to spiritual truth (2
Corinthians 3:14)
6. Blinded by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4)
7. Futile (Ephesians 4:17)
8. Ignorant (Ephesians 4:18)
9. Defiled (Titus 1:15)
Main Point: Aren’t you glad you came to
church this morning, for a little uplifting.
Listen, our minds apart from Christ are
hopeless, lost, and joyless. That doesn’t
mean unsaved people can’t think and do
great things (Build bridges, invest well,
etc…), it does mean they can’t think like a
spiritual man or woman. Their minds (And
our minds before Christ) can’t find hope and
joy in eternal things. Only earthly and
fleshly things is the hope and joy that the
unsaved have – and as we know that does
not last and is fleeting.
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By Contrast the Christian mind: Is to
worship God in Spirit and in Truth. (John
4:4). John MacArthur says it this way based
on these couple verses: “True faith is a
reasoned response to Biblical truth.”
Paul says that a Christian mind is to think or
even dwell (Thinking over and over,
Meditating) on:
1. What is true: Word of God, what is
true in the world and in the culture.
2. Honorable: Worthy of respect (some
thoughts and movies are just not
worthy of respect).
3. Right: Righteous, thinking about
what is Holy.
4. Pure: Things without moral defect,
things that are innocent (Definitely
not porn).
5. Lovely: Gracious and sweet.
6. Good repute: Highly regarded,
worthy of praise.
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Think on these things – let your mind dwell
on these things. We can be thinking
thoughts that are not necessarily evil, just
lazy, and worthless.
Illustration: My wife asking me what I was
thinking, early on in marriage, I told her it
would disappoint her. She said what, I was
thinking about all the injuries to the
Seahawks offensive line. Not wrong, just
not the best…
Men: All Godly men that I know are
readers. Readers of Christian books that are
not necessarily easy to read.
Transition: And the overflow of the kind
of thinking that Paul encourages is a life of
obedience. Your life is the product of your
thoughts. And the product of your thoughts
is:
B. Joy of repeated obedience.
1. I would call this spiritual stability.
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2. Paul says to “Practice” the things I
showed you – Practice is doing
something over and over and over
until it becomes 2nd nature.
3. This is growing in sanctification,
growing in Holiness and
righteousness.
4. We practice Biblical and Godly
thinking, and even behavior
(Sometimes until our emotions catch
up)
5. And a life built upon minute by
minute, daily, weekly, monthly,
yearly, decades, and finally a
lifetime – is a lifetime of impact, a
lifetime of discipleship, and finally a
lifetime of Joy.
Main Point: And Paul finishes with, not
you will have peace, but rather: “The God
of peace will be with you.” – Incredible!!
Conclusion
(A time I observed peace that passed
understanding – Martha Bennis??)
Read Philippians 4:1-9 and discuss the following questions together.
I. What is the theme of this passage? a. As with many of the recent texts, there are several themes, but the primary one
is “Standing Firm,” drawn from verse 1. b. Additionally, the passage touches on our relationships and how they affect
ministry. It deals with the importance of partnering with other believers in humility and keeping our focus on the most important things.
c. The passage also addresses the issue of anxiety, and some of the antidotes that are offered to the Christian to achieve peace.
d. Lastly, this section talks about the importance of controlling our thinking. We must learn to be responsible for what we focus our mind on.
II. What challenged you in this Scripture? a. Let a little silence happen as people mull over the message and their response to
it. Encourage people to offer things that really caught their attention. b. There could be any number of specific challenges to be taken, including unity in
the body, learning how to choose rejoicing over anxiety or even the reality that we can (and must) control our thoughts.
c. Feel free to pursue discussion about any of these topics as they apply to your small group members.
III. In what ways does this passage help you appreciate Jesus more? a. The fact that Christ makes it possible for us to enjoy unity, peace with God and a
godly thought life should be plenty of reason to grow in your appreciation of the Savior.
IV. How is this passage calling you to further obedience in your walk with God? a. Ask your group what some of the primary causes of disunity are in the church.
Maybe they have some examples of what it looks like to be a ministry partner with individuals that they have disagreements.
b. Anxiety is the most commonly diagnosed emotional and mental health condition in America. It is likely that someone (or more) in your group have dealt with it. Talk about how this passage relates to our anxiety and what it does to help us deal with it. Those who have personal experience with managing anxiety may be helpful to others who are struggling with it right now. Let the body work together to help bring healing.
c. Spend some time challenging your group to talk about the matter of changing our thinking. It’s easy to let this be very general. Don’t let the group get away with generalities…encourage them to be specific. What are the ways we think differently than what is said in the section? How can we think differently about specific situations that your group members have dealt with?
V. How can this passage of Scripture shape your prayer life? a. It should strengthen the confessional aspect of our prayers. Possibly we have
people with whom we are disunified. If we need to approach them and return to a partnership in the gospel, this might be a good place to start.
b. The focus on rejoicing in the second section of the passage is something we all need to grow in. Even when we have things that we are burdened about, it is important to come with thanksgiving when we come to God.
c. If there are those in your group that are struggling with anxiety, this would be a great opportunity for intercessory prayer. Encourage your group members to pray for each other.
d. Spend some time together praying for our nation. Last week was a bitter and contentious election. Pray for God’s church to demonstrate grace and confidence in God regardless of the result. Our hope is in God, not in our political process.
VI. What are three practical takeaways from the sermon you listened on this passage?
Small Group Questions Joy of Unity, Prayer, and Mind
Phil 4:1-19 November 8, 2020
*You do NOT have to answer or discuss every question. Feel free to just pick a few. These are meant to guide you in truth. If you are having trouble answering a question, ask your small group leader to help you. They are committed to helping you develop as an authentic follower of Christ.
The COMMUNITY QUESTION:
1. What would the title of your autobiography be?
Into the WORD/APPLICATION:
Here are some suggested sites in order to dive deeper into God's Word: blueletterbible.org, desiringgod.org/articles/all, biblos.com, ccel.org, logos.com, connect.ligonier.org, thegospelcoalition.org/channel/bible-and-theology. 1. Read the scripture verses listed above and discuss the following
questions together. What is the theme of this passage?
2. What challenged you in this Scripture?
3. In what ways does this passage help you savor Christ more?
4. How is this passage calling you to further obedience in your walk with God?
5. How can this passage of Scripture shape your prayer life?
6. What are three practical takeaways from the sermon you listened on this passage?
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Coastal Yorktown | November 8th 2020
PRAYER & QUESTIONS:
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IN RESPONSE TOTODAY ’ S SERVICE . . .
I’d like to know more about accepting a relationship with Jesus.
I. Joy in C H U R C H U N I T Y .
A. C O N C E R N for the church comes from L O V E for the church.
B. A G R E E in the Lord.
C. Seek O U T S I D E C O U N S E L .
II. Joy in P R A Y E R .
A. Prayer is R E J O I C I N G .
B. O V E R F L O W of rejoicing is R E A S O N A B L E N E S S .
C. Prayer as a help to W O R R Y /A N X I E T Y .
D. P E A C E of God.
III. Joy in T H I N K I N G and O B E Y I N G .
A. There is joy in T H I N K I N G on the T R U T H .
B. Joy of R E P E A T E D O B E D I E N C E .
1 1 .08.20 | PASTOR SHAUN BROWN
Philippians 4:1–9
I N U N I T Y, P R AY E R , A N D S O U N D T H I N K I N G
I’M INTERESTED IN:
I’d like to know more about membership at Coastal.
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