Philippians Lesson 4

(Chapter 4)

Introduction by narrator accompanied by a cappella singing:

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Spreading the soul-saving message of Jesus. And now, Timothy Sparks and Ben Bailey.

Ben Bailey:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). I’m Ben Bailey.

Timothy Sparks:

And I’m Timothy Sparks. Welcome to our study of the Book of Philippians. This message is being brought to you by individual members and congregations of the church of Christ. We invite you to attend the church of Christ. We would be happy to put you in contact with the church of Christ in your area. As always, these broadcasts are being recorded. We would be glad to provide copies for you, completely free of charge. If you would like a CD or DVD, if you will visit our website at www.thegospelofchrist.com and fill out the request form you’ll find there, we will promptly send you whatever you need.

In our study today, we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Philippi whom he loved so much. He wants them to strive for unity. He tells them about the joy they can have in Christ. And he remind them about the salvation that is available to them.

Ben Bailey:

Paul begins chapter 4 by saying, “My beloved and longed-for brethren, my crown and joy, stand fast in the Lord” (vs. 1). Paul wants these people to know that he loves them dearly. They are truly Paul’s crown and joy. Philippi was Paul’s “sweetheart congregation.” He loved this church dearly. He worked diligently with them. The church in Philippi was a faithful congregation of God’s people. But Paul wants to remind them, “Stand fast. Stand strong in the Lord.” If you could say one last thing to a certain group of people, what would it be? Wouldn’t it be something like this?—“Don’t ever give up on Christ. Remain faithful. Yes, there will be trials and difficulties. But you must have joy even in these. Whatever you do in life, don’t give up on Christ. Don’t let the devil or the world pull you down so that you forget what’s really important. Strength will be required. Stand up and be accounted for God!” As Paul begins this last chapter, you can see how dearly he loved these people, and how concerned he was about their faith.

Timothy Sparks:

He tells them, “You are my crown and joy.” This might remind us of 1 Thess. 2:19-20, where Paul said something very similar to the Christians at Thessalonica. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the sight of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.” On occasion, Paul told Christians that they were “his glory” and “his joy.” Faithful Christians should always bring joy to others. Paul held the congregation in Philippi in high esteem, which is why he referred to them as “my joy and crown.” He tells them, “Stand fast.” The theme and the thesis of this book goes back to Philippians 1:27, where Paul said, “Stand firm in one spirit, striving for the faith of the gospel.” He wanted them to be united. and he wanted them to hold to the truth. So he repeats that at the end of this little book—a four-chapter jewel in which he writes to the congregation that had brought him such immense encouragement and joy that he was able to rejoice in every situation. He’s going to tell Euodia and Syntyche to “be of the same mind.” Here, Paul is once more pleading for unity. He doesn’t want there to be any division, but great joy instead. That’s why he makes the statement that is perhaps the most familiar statement in the entire Book of Philippians—“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice” (4:4). Paul is writing from prison, yet he writes a letter of encouragement to Christians who are free! Paul understood, long before the poet wrote, that “stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage.” Paul is writing concerning joy. He’s not necessarily talking about just having a smile on your face all the time. Paul’s talking about inner joy—joy that can overcome any obstacle in life. We know that Jesus had joy even as He went to the cross. He may not have had a smile on his face. And He may not necessarily have been happy, as we think of happy. But He was joyful. We learn from Hebrews 12:2 of Jesus, “Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Paul is able to write from prison—with joy!—to tell others to rejoice, just as our Lord did when He went to the cross with joy.

Ben Bailey:

What awesome, awe-inspiring examples Paul and Jesus provide. Even in times of difficulty, they still could have joy. The lesson here is that we must look for joy in every situation. The reason that Jesus and Paul could rejoice was because they understood that, ultimately, Heaven was worth it all. In Romans 8:18, Paul says, “I consider that the sufferings of this present world are not worthy to be compared with the joy that is given to us in Christ.” It’s all about Heaven. The joy that we are supposed to have must be focused on Heaven itself. But as Paul moves from this point of rejoicing, he talks to the Christians in Philippi about being good Christian examples. He says, “Let your gentleness be known to all men” (4:5). Why? “The Lord is at hand.” Paul wanted them to let their gentleness, their meekness, their humility, and their submissive nature be known to all men. Christians must serve as a good example because we are the only “Bible” some people may ever read. Paul once wrote, “You are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read by all men” (2 Cor 3:2). The life a Christian leads may be the only Gospel some people ever read. We must be an example to such people. We must remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16 when He said that no one takes a lamp and puts it under a basket. You don’t take a light and then hide it under something, but instead you set it on a hilltop where everyone can see it. Jesus therefore said, “Let your light shine among men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven.” We are examples. We cannot afford to let people see us as harsh, unkind, or unfriendly. Rather, we need to be gentle, kind, and loving in every way. We need to show people that we are humble, and that we are submissive (like we are taught to be to governmental authorities—1 Peter 3 and Romans 13). Why? Because the Lord is at hand! The Lord’s watching now, and we are in view of a coming Judgment Day when the Lord returns.

Timothy Sparks:

In Philippians 4:6, Paul says, “Be anxious in nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.” Christians can rejoice, and do not have to be worrysome and anxious all the time. Jesus addressed this in Matthew 6:34 when He said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Jesus said that tomorrow’s cares are enough for one day. Today’s troubles are enough for one day. Don’t be worried and perplexed. Paul is stressing that same concept. Be anxious in nothing. How is it that we can “be anxious in nothing”? How is it that we don’t have to go through life as worry-warts? It’s made possible when we put our faith and our trust in God. That’s exactly what Jesus said. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Mt. 6:33). When people worry, fret, or are anxious, they don’t have the type of trust and faith that they need to have. If you’re anxious and worried, you’re not going to have the joy that Paul discusses when he says, “Rejoice always.”

In Philippians 4:7, Paul says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” We are not to be anxious; rather, we are to take our concerns to the Lord in prayer. Peter tells us, “Cast all your cares on the Lord, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). Prayer is the Christian’s pain reliever and anti-depressant. According to James 5:13-15, we are to be people of constant prayer. Paul stressed this to the Christians at Thessalonica as well when he said that we are to “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Paul says that when we are anxious or concerned, we should go to God in prayer. “In everything, with prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). One of the passages that we recognize in conjunction with this would be 1 John 5:14-15, where John says that we have great confidence that if we ask anything according to God’s will, He is going to hear us.

Ben Bailey:

The only real way to have joy and peace is to have it in our minds. It all begins with the mind. Our minds will be comforted by the Word of God if we go to God in prayer, and if we cast all our cares on Him (1 Pet. 5:7). We are not to worry or fret. Rather, we are to cast all of our cares, worries, and anxieties upon God, because He cares for each and every one of us. In Philippians 4:9-10, Paul mentions some things that can help us have a peaceful mindset. It’s interesting how we get the peace of God through the God of Peace being in our lives, and by the power of prayer and thinking on the right things. In Philippians 4:8, Paul writes, “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.” We sometimes hear it said, “You are what you eat.” According to the Bible, you are what you think. The writer of Proverbs said, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7). That passage clearly teaches that what I filter through my mind is responsible for what I am in life. There are several important lessons that we can draw from this. We have to be very careful in regard to what we think about or what we see. The images that come into our mind can affect our soul. If you look at pornographic pictures, if you watch dirty movies, or if you hear ungodly language, how is it possible that you can filter those things through your mind and it not affect you adversely in some way? Paul said, “We ought to abstain from every appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). Be very careful what you see and what you think about. We need to meditate on good things. We need to have good thoughts. We need to be meditating on the things of God that are pure, just, and holy. There is nothing greater on which we can mediate than the Word of God. In Psalm 119, the psalmist repeatedly says, “Oh how I love your law, I meditate on its precepts day and night.” Do you want to have pure thoughts? Do you want to have a holy mind? Then fill your mind with the Word of God. Fill your mind with godly and spiritual things, such as the hope of Heaven. Then you will allow God a place in your heart,and you will begin to see the peace of God in your life.

Timothy Sparks:

Paul says, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). Whenever you, as a faithful Christian, begin to worry, and you become so depressed that you have to go to the doctor to get pain medicine, perhaps you are in a state of the mind that can be helped by simply coming to God’s Book and by taking your problems to the Lord in prayer. With some people, the problems they experience are a direct result of the fact that they do not have God in their lives. They don’t have the God of Peace, and therefore they don’t have the peace of God. Sin is a great problem. But there is a solution in Christ and the Gospel. Paul says, “The things that you learned and received and saw in me, these do. And the God of Peace will be with you” (vs. 9). The God of Peace will be with us as long as we do what God has instructed us to do. We’ve received His Word. But now that we have it in our hands, are we going to receive it into our lives as well? If we will, then we will have the God of Peace. This is a great phrase. God is referred to as “the God of all comfort” (2 Cor.1:3-4). He’s the God of all hope and the God of encouragement. The God of Peace gave to us Jesus, Who is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). Paul wrote, “I know how to be abased and I know how to abound” (vs. 12). How was Paul abased? For one thing, he was in prison. As Paul stood before King Agrippa in Acts 26, Agrippa said, “Almost you persuade me to become a Christian.” Paul replied, “I wish that not only you, but all those here today would become almost and all together just as I am, except for these chains” (vs. 29). He didn’t wish imprisonment on anyone. Yes, Paul knew how to be abased. Fortunately, he also knew how to abound—even in prison—because he had his citizenship in Heaven, as he said in Philippians 3:20. He knew where he was headed. He understood that this life is short and fleeting. And so in whatever situation he found himself, he was content because he had the peace of God, and because the God of Peace was with him.

Ben Bailey:

If we’re really going to have a life that is worry free, we’ve got to learn how to be content. Paul said, “I’ve learned how to be content in whatever state I’m in.” I believe the number one problem with which people worry and struggle is worldliness. What Paul says goes right to the heart of worldliness. So many people want to have more. They want bigger and better things. And before they know it, they’re so steeped in debt they can’t dig themselves out with both hands. Paul wouldn’t do that. Instead, he’d say, “In whatever state you’re in, be content.” Paul said that he had learned to be poor, he had learned to be rich, he had learned to be full, and he had learned to be in need. Yet he knew that God would take care of him and provide for him. Wherever you find yourself, be content! That’s not to say that you can’t try to grow and develop. It doesn’t mean you can’t try to find a better job. We’re not saying that. But we shouldn’t always be striving for the all-mighty dollar, or to possess more and more “stuff.” We should learn to be content with the things we have, and to strive for godliness. What is the source of our power to do that?

Timothy Sparks:

We learn from Philippians 4:13 that Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me.” The power we need in life comes from Jesus Christ. There’s also power in the Gospel, as we learn from Romans 1:16. Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation.” The word “power” comes from the Greek word dunamis, from which we get our English word “dynamite.” Jesus is our power in life. Paul is saying, “I have strength in every situation through Christ Who empowers me.” Christ can empower each and every person to stay on the straight and narrow road, to escape sin, and to escape eternal and everlasting death and destruction (Mt. 7:13-14). It doesn’t matter what you go through if you’ve decided you’re going to be faithful to Christ. You have the avenue of prayer. You have the avenue of diligently studying God’s Word. You have the avenue of strength that comes from other Christians. We receive all of this power through Jesus Christ, Who set the perfect example for us. He came, endured life, and lived it perfectly. He is the One Who gives us the power to overcome, to prevail, to be victors, and to be able to triumph over sin, Satan, and our own weaknesses.

Ben Bailey:

What a wonderful teaching this is for each of us to take into our hearts and into our lives. Truly, Jesus Christ is our source of power. In the Book of Philippians, we see that the overriding theme is to walk worthy of the conduct of the Gospel. How do we do that? Each chapter will give us different insights. Philippians 1:21 tells us that we have to have the proper purpose in life—“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” What’s your overall purpose? Why are you here? What’s life all about? Are you walking worthy according to the Gospel? Do you have joy? Maybe you don’t have the right purpose and priority in life. In chapter 2, we learn that we must have the proper person and the proper pattern. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus.” And so it’s about purpose. It’s about pattern. And it’s about realizing the proper priority and price. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul says, “I press on toward the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul was going to the proper place. Paul said in Philippians 3:20-21, “Our citizenship is in heaven.” Are you pressing toward the goal of going to Heaven? Do you have the proper strength for power? The proper power is Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “We can do all things through Christ.” The opposite of that is that without Christ, we can’t really accomplish very much. Philippians is a very encouraging book—a book that tells us about God’s love and God’s power. Paul is going to conclude this idea with the fact that God is also the proper provider of the needs of those in Philippi. Paul was able to say, “My God shall supply all your needs in Christ Jesus.” It’s important to notice that Paul did not say, “My God will supply everything you want,” or “My God will supply every dream you have,” or “My God will grant your every wish.” That’s not Paul’s point. His point is that God will supply all our needs in Christ Jesus. God is going to supply us with the things we need—the necessities of life. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches a wonderful lesson about worry. Some were worried, but Jesus taught them not to be anxious. And He gave them several examples. God cares for the animals. He cares for the flowers. He care for His entire creation. Jesus’ point was that we shouldn’t worry about today. Today will take care of itself. We must seek first the kingdom of God, and all God’s righteousness, and everything else—food, shelter, clothing—is going to be provided for us. We always need to ask, “Am I really putting God first? Am I really seeking first the kingdom? Am I even a part of that kingdom? Have I done what the New Testament teaches me I need to do to obey God’s will?”

Timothy Sparks:

God is the One Who provides all of our physical needs—our food, our clothing, and our shelter. But more important, God is the One Who provides for our spiritual needs. God has provided a plan of salvation. He has provided a way for you to leave sin, to leave Satan, and to overcome your selfish wants and desires. You can live for Jesus. God is the Great Provider. He doesn’t leave us without hope. He doesn’t leave us without a way to come to Him. He provides for us the way to Heaven. God is our Provider in every way. But we have to be willing to humble ourselves in order for Him to be able to lift us up. As James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” God will provide, if we are willing to yield. As we think about the Book of Philippians, we need to think about all that God is doing for us. We learn that God is the One Who provides us with purpose (Phil. 1:21). He’s the One Who provides us with Jesus as our pattern (Phil. 2:5). He’s the One Who provides us with our priority as citizens of Heaven. We are not to have our minds focused on earthly things. Rather, we are to concentrate on our citizenship in Heaven. If we do, we will find that God provides peace—the peace that surpasses understanding (Phil. 4:7). Do you have that peace in your life? If you don’t, you can. It is available. But you have to be willing to submit to Jesus as the Son of God. If you really believe, then you have to repent. Once you repent, you must make the good confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Then you must be baptized into Christ, immersed in water to have your sins washed away by His blood. Then you have to live for Jesus, to have the God of Peace rule and reign in your life.

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STUDY QUESTIONS FOR philippians lesson 4 (Chapter 4)

1. What does Paul mean when, in Philippians 4:1, he refers to the Christians in Philippi as his “crown and joy”?

2. Explain the connection between Philippians 1:27 and Philippians 4:1.

3. Paul was in prison when he penned the Book of Philippians, yet he still was able to say “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice” (4:4). Why was Paul able to “rejoice”?

4. Explain the meaning of the phrase in Hebrews 12:2 about Christ, “Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross.”

5. What is the connection between 2 Corinthians 3:2 and Philippians 4:5?

6. What is the message of Philippians 4:6 and Matthew 6:34?

7. Explain the connection between Philippians 4:7 (“peace that surpasses all understanding”) and Isaiah 9:6 (“…Prince of Peace”).

8. Something in this lesson is described as “the Christian’s pain reliever and anti-depressant.” What is that “something”?

9. Explain the relationship between 1 John 5:14-15 and James 1:5-6.

10. What is the point of such passages as Proverbs 23:7 and Philippians 4:8?

11. Discuss the importance of Philippians 4:13 to Christians today.

12. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:22, what should be the Christian’s reaction to things that might be considered “evil”?

13. What is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 teaching us?

14. How does Paul’s instruction in Philippians 4:6 impact his comment in Philippians 4:7?

15. Explain the relationship between Matthew 6:33 and 1 Peter 5:7.

16. What did Paul mean when he said, “You are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read by all men” (2 Cor 3:2)?

17. What is the main thrust of Matthew 5:14-16?

18. Paul wrote the Book of Philippians to encourage Christians. If you loved a group like Paul loved these people, and you had one last chance to say something of importance to them, what would it be?

19. What is the connection between James 5:9 and Philippians 4:5?

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