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Give your worries to Jesus… (3 things)
You cannot have true peace – rest in the knowledge we are forgiven – without Jesus!
1st – Paul worried… vs. 1-3
1st – The church of Philippi was the only church Paul called his crown… vs.1
This particular church – more than any other – was the joy of the Apostle…
There were several reasons why – first the church had very few problems…
Unlike the church of Corinth that Paul had to write letters of correction to…
Paul was able to write the church in Philippi a letter of encouragement…
Two sons – one who rarely needed correction / the other in constant trouble…
You would love both – but the one good son would be your joy!
God loves all of us VERY much – but it should be our desire to be His joy / crown!
To be those sons who seek to please and bring honor to our Father!
The church in Philippi also had a special beginning…
In Acts 16 Paul was looking for where to go next on his 2nd missionary journey…
The Lord gave him the vision from the ‘man from Philippi’…
So he came over and met Lydia – and a church began in her home!
The church was a direct result of Paul being open to the guidance of the Spirit…
When we step out in faith (walk by faith) and obey the leading of the Spirit…
We will find God directs our steps – and fills us with the Joy of following Him!
2nd – Paul was worried… vs. 1
Since the church in Philippi was so important to Paul – he wanted them to endure…
Paul was worried that the trials of life might make the believers loose faith…
So he commanded them to ‘hold their ground’ against their enemy…
Stand fast is a military term – a command to stand you ground in the day of battle…
They were in a battle – at war with satan – and a world that follows him…
Paul had peace because He knew the Lord was standing with them!
Sometimes it can be very hard for us to look beyond our problems – like HUGE wall…
We cannot see beyond them – we do not know what will happen next…
We can become discouraged – and even be in danger of stumbling in our walk…
II Corinthians 4:18 – “Do not look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”
It is by keeping our eyes on the Lord – we can stand fast in midst of the battle…
We can have peace knowing that we do not stand-alone – Jesus stands with us!
3rd – The problem in the church… vs. 2
There were two women – Euodia and Syntyche – who were not getting along…
It is thought they were two women – who both held Bible studies in their home…
One a Jewish-Christian Bible Study / the other was a Gentile-Christian Bible Study…
And the suggestion is that they were arguing over their different ‘denominations’…
The simple solution Paul gave – cut it out – we are all part of the same church!
Without unity within the church – there will be no peace…
When we choose to be divisive within the church – it causes arguments…
When we focus on our denomination – and think others are wrong…
When we choose to argue over unimportant things – it shatters peace in the church
We need to cut it out – instead realize that we all believe in the same Jesus!
4th – Paul had a lot of help within the church… vs. 3
Paul was in prison in Rome – so he could not be there to help the church…
But he knew there were others there in the church who were willing to help…
Paul talked about a ‘true teammate’ – though we do not know whom this was…
He talked about the ‘the women’ – perhaps a reference to Lydia and others…
He also mentions Clement – perhaps the jailer who Paul baptized – Acts 16
Paul had peace because He knew he was not alone – he had others to help him!
Many believers whose names were all written in the Book of Life!
Everyone has a role/purpose – gift – they have been given by God to be used for God…
We may be called to a position of prominence – pastor / evangelist…
Or we may be called to a role that no one will ever notice – janitor / dishes…
The tendency is to think that one role is desirable – the other regrettable…
But in truth it does not matter what role God has called us to fill…
We all have our place within the body of Christ – our purpose God has given to us…
Each role is vital for the church – the body of Christ – to function properly…
Now some of us might think we would rather be a pastor than a janitor…
But every part is important / every role is necessary for the church to work…
One person cannot do it all – God uses an army – not just an individual!
And peace comes when we realize we do not have to do all…
God has given us many brothers and sisters – to help us accomplish His work…
We are many different parts – but we all come together as one body/family in Jesus!
2nd – Give your worries to the Lord… vs. 4-7
1st – We are commanded to always have Joy in the Lord… vs. 4
Happiness is not the same thing as Joy – happiness depends on our circumstances…
Joy is far deeper – it is not based on your circumstances – it is based on Jesus…
Jesus never changes – the same Yesterday / Today / and Forever – Hebrews 13:8…
So no matter what our circumstances – we can ALWAYS have Joy because of Jesus!
In fact the only way to have Joy in life is through knowing Jesus and knowing His Word…
So if we want a Joy filled life – get into the Word – get into the presence of Jesus!
Psalm 16:11 – “In Your presence is fullness of joy…”
2nd – Let your gentleness be known to everyone… vs. 5
We are commanded to be gentle and kind to everyone – no matter what…
So whether someone is kind – or if they are ‘sabad’ – we are to be gentle with them!
Those who do not know Jesus – will still be kind to those who are kind to them…
Even the worst criminal takes care of his kids – his family…
When we are kind to mean people – something the world NEVER would never do!
We show the world we are different – we show them Jesus!
3rd – Do not worry – instead pray… vs. 6-7
When we worry about things – it kills us…
Life can have a tendency to throw challenges / problems our way…
We tend to spend much of our time worrying about those problems…
The problem is worrying about our problems does not help – it makes things worse
It can even make us physically sick – upset stomach / high blood pressure…
Proverbs 12:25 – “Worry weighs a person down…”
Satan loves to distract us from Jesus – by getting us focused on our problems…
When we worry about what we will eat / drink / wear…
When we focus on the ‘physical needs’ of this life – we are not focused on Jesus!
God knows what we need – so we do not need to worry…
Luke 12:29-31 – “Do not worry about food – what to eat and drink. Do not worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Worry is the opposite of trust– we are worried because we are not trusting in God!
So instead of killing ourselves by worrying – run to Jesus and find peace!
We trust God with our eternity – we trust He can save us from hell…
But somehow we have a hard time trusting Him for the food we eat…
If God can save us eternally – certainly He can provide for us today!
Instead of worrying we should pray…
Often when we face problems in life – our first response is to fret and worry…
It is only as a last resort – when all else fails – we go to the Lord in prayer…
Yet when we pray to God – we find whatever burden brought us to prayer is gone…
Our perspective changes – we see our circumstances in a new light…
We no longer see our problems – instead our God who is greater than any problem!
Our problems swallowed up in the praise of our incredible Lord!
So we have perfect peace – that will guard our hearts…
Even though we might not understand HOW God is going to provide…
We may not know HOW God is going to handle the problem we are facing…
We trust THAT He is going to be faithful – and work everything out!
Like little kids never question if there is going to be food – or clothes…
They have perfect trust in their parents to take care of their needs!
Peace comes from having simple faith in our Father to take care of our needs!
3rd – Thinking about what is good… vs. 8-9
1st – Watch what you think about… vs. 8
Our mind is going to be full of something…
So think about things that are true / noble / right / pure / lovely / admirable…
In other words set your mind on the things of God – fill your thoughts with Jesus!
This is why it is so important that we spend time in the Word…
Like a bath for our mind – it cleanses and purifies our thoughts!
If we do not fill it with God – then it is going to fill up with the filth of this world…
The poster of the half naked girl on the wall…
The latest ‘story’ we heard that we listen to – and share with others…
What we watch on TV – what we listen to on the radio (lyrics)…
If you find that you have no peace in your life – if you are filled with turmoil…
It may very well be that it is because you are not full of the Lord!
2nd – What you have learned do…
What you fill your thoughts with – will become your actions…
Our thoughts guide our actions – our actions define our character…
If we are full of this world – think about sin – then we are going to sin!
James 1:14-15 – “Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil [thoughts]. These evil [thoughts] lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death.”
We do not just wake up one day and decide to go and sin…
We allow our mind to dwell on a desire – when that desire turns to action – sin…
But if we are full of Jesus – think about Jesus – we are going to act like Jesus…
Then the God of peace will be with you…
There can be no peace in our lives – apart from Jesus Christ…
Without Jesus – we live in constant fear of the judgment we deserve…
Hebrews 10:27 – “There will be nothing to look forward to but the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.”
But when we have Jesus – we are forgiven – so we have the peace of God!
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