STUDYING THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS #13
Phil. 4:1-7
By David J. Riggs
I. Phil. 4:1
A. Paul begins this section with the word "Therefore."
1. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we are looking for the
Savior to come and change our lowly bodies into glorious
ones.
2. As we await this glorious event, we have the following
instructions and exhortations to help us during our stay in
this world.
B. "My beloved and longed-for, my joy and crown" - Paul truly
loved these brethren.
C. "So stand fast in the Lord, beloved." - We need to walk
steadily with the Lord, close and constant.
1. Let us stand fast in His strength and grace. As our great
High Priest, He is more than able to aid and comfort us.
Heb. 4:14-16
2. Christians need to stand firm and not be swept away into
sin, or drift away by conflicting interests, or by being
deceived by error.
II. Phil. 4:2-3
A. The names "Euodia" and "Synthche" have the feminine ending in
the Greek; thus, these were sisters in Christ.
1. Evidently these two women were at odds with each other.
B. "Be of the same mind" - Do not be quarreling and/or
contradicting each other.
C. "And I urge you also, true companion" - Literally: "True yoke-
fellow." It refers to one who is joined with another under a
yoke such as is literally done with oxen.
1. We do not know who this person was. It is probably some
well-know evangelist such as Timothy, Titus, or Luke, who
was there at the time.
D. "Help these women who labored with me in the gospel" - For
example, encourage them to be like-minded, and join and aid
them in their work.
1. Women were very active in the N.T. church, not in public
teaching before men, but in many other ways; e.g., Phoebe
and Priscilla. Rom. 16:1-4
E. "With Clement also" - We know nothing more about this fellow
Christian.
F. And the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book
of Life.
1. We cannot look into that book and see whose names are
written there, but we can conclude that those who have
obeyed the gospel and are faithful serving the Lord have
their names in it. Rev. 3:5
2. The greatest and most wonderful personal blessing is to have
one's name in the Book of life. Luke 10:17,20
III. Phil. 4:4-7
A. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!"
1. Rejoicing in the Lord is an important theme in this book.
a. Even in the worst circumstances on earth, there is
reason to rejoice in the Lord.
2. We are not to rejoice in riches, possessions, or pleasure.
a. Only the Lord can bring deep, lasting happiness.
B. "Let your gentleness be known to all men." "Moderation" (KJV);
"Forbearance" (ASV)
1. Apparently the Greek word for "gentleness" (NKJV) is one
of those words hard to translate into an appropriate English
word.
2. Vine, in defining the word, says, "It expresses that
considerateness, that looks humanely and reasonably at the
facts of the case."
3. We need to analyze our problems and determine to be wise
and patient as we seek to solve them.
4. Also, we are not to run to extremes; e.g., in our treatment
of others.
a. We are not to be unduly rigorous, not overly strict, not
judging people too severely.
C. "The Lord is at hand."
1. Notice that Paul did not say, "The coming of the Lord is at
hand."
a. Some translations have: "The Lord is near."
b. When burdens bare heavily upon us, remember that the
Lord is near.
c. We sing the songs: "nearer still nearer," "nearer my God
to thee," "nearer precious Lord"; yet, when some
problem comes into our lives, we panic, and forget how
near the Lord is.
2. Consider the holding of the hand of a little child. When
walking through darkness at nighttime, a little hand will
reach up to grab the adult's, and they feel safe as long as
they are holding the firm hand.
a. The Lord has a strong hand to hold to. Psalm 89:13
b. Indeed, it is wonderful to know that our Lord is near.
Let us not forget Him when our burdens get heavy.
D. "Be anxious for nothing."
1. Don't be filled with worry. Don't be filled with cares.
Don't let your burdens get you down.
a. We, as Christians, should live above emotional tension,
depression, nervous breakdowns, and mental illness. Isa.
26:3-4
2. God's answer or God's antidote is "prayer and supplication."
Psalm 88:9
3. We need to learn how to pray. If there is a fault among
members of the church, it is that we haven't learned to
pray. We have learned how, fairly well, in the public
assembly, but we haven't learned how in a private sense.
a. We need to learn when we have worries, when our
burdens become very heavy to bear, to pour out our
hearts to God.
b. God is ready and able to bear the heaviest of burdens.
Psalm 55:22
4. "With thanksgiving" - Let us not forget the ways in which
God has already blessed us.
a. Let us always approach Him with grateful hearts.
5. "Let your requests be made known to God." - God wants us
to offer special requests in prayer. We should not use vague
generalities, and meaningless formalism.
a. God is ready and willing to help us. 2 Chron. 16:9;
James 5:16
E. "And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding" - It
is an inward peace of the soul, a peace that transcends the
power of the human mind to understand. Job 34:29
F. "Will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
1. The word "guard" in the original is a military term. God
will place a military garrison to guard the intrusion of
anxious fears and worries.
a. When one's heart and mind is protected, his whole being
is protected.
b. Notice, too, that the protection is in and through Christ
Jesus.
c. God the Father, along with His Son, Jesus Christ, will
guard the hearts and minds of those who call upon Him.
IV. WRONG AVENUES OF PEACE.
A. All human beings face a certain amount of adversity in their
lives. Eccl. 7:14
B. Instead of turning to the Lord, as the verses suggest, many
turn to these things. (See chart below).
1. Strong drink.
a. This is wrong because it is sinful. Gal. 5:19-21
b. Drunkenness is condemned in the Bible, and when one
takes one drink, he is one drink drunk.
c. Drinking won't take care of your problems. It will only
bring more problems. It can quickly become addictive
and destroy you physically and spiritually.
2. Drugs.
a. Many Christians wouldn't think of taking a drink of
liquor, but turn to prescription drugs to escape or find
relief from tensions, frustrations, and disappointments.
b. We live in a society that looks for a pill for every
ailment, both physically and mentally.
c. Drugs are wrong, for the same reasons that drinking
liquor is wrong. Rev. 21:8 - "sorcery" or "witchcraft"
includes "the mixing and taking of drugs."
3. Suicide.
a. We suggest some reasons why people commit suicide.
(1) "It will take all my problems away." No, it will only
do so here on earth.
(2) "I'll get my revenge on those who are hurting me."
This is a lousy way to get revenge, to say the least.
Revenge belongs in the hand of God.
(3) "I want to punish myself for the evil I have done."
This seems to be why Judas hanged himself. Such
punishment on oneself accomplishes nothing.
b. Suicide is altogether wrong because:
(1) It is selfish. It only multiplies the problems of
those who care about you.
(2) It is sinful. It is self-murder. Rom. 13:9
(3) It may be an escape, so far as this world is
concerned, but not for eternity.
c. Though we are uncomfortable talking about this to
others, we must seek to show them that suicide is not
the answer.
4. Some just drop out of society.
a. They throw off all responsibility and become "drifters"
or "homeless," letting society take care of them.
b. It is not the way for the Christian. 1 Thess. 4:11-12; 2
Thess. 3:7-10
5. Some blame God for their problems.
a. Paul didn't take that attitude. 2 Tim. 4:16-17
b. Brother L.A. Staffer, whose loving wife died, leaving
him with four young daughters to care for, said he had a
strong temptation to blame God, but he overcame and
survived.
c. The time of tragedy is not a time to turn from God, but
to God.
6. Some turn to worldly counselors.
a. Worldly counselors often work on this principle: (1)
You were in terrible shape before you came to me. (2) I
have the ability to help you. I can even delve into your
subconscious mind to see the true cause of your
problem. (3) After you have given them much of your
time and money, they then convince you that you are
better and happier now than you have ever been.
b. Psalm 118:8-9; 146:3-5
Concl.
A. What should we do when we have something that we are worried
about, when we have a heavy burden to bear?
B. Read Phil. 4:4-7 again.
1. Turning to God is the answer. When we do, He will help us
and bless us.
Chart:
Wrong Avenues Of Peace
Strong Drink
Drugs
Suicide
Some Drop Out Of Society
Some Blame God For Their Problems
Some Turn To Worldly Counselors