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November 21, 2001 - Philippians 4:4-7

Open It

1. How do you tend to respond when things don't go your way?
2. What does it take to live at peace with difficult family members or colleagues?

Explore It

3. How should an awareness of Christ's imminent return affect a person's attitude? (4:5-7)
4. What did Paul say about anxiety? (4:6-7)
5. What were the Philippians to do instead of worrying? (4:6-7)
6. How can a believer enjoy the peace of God? (4:6-7)

Get It

7. How have disagreements between people affected your church?
8. When have you been involved in helping Christians resolve differences?
9. How can you have a peaceful spirit?
10. If you were more thankful, joyful, and gentle, how might your family and friends be affected?
11. What does it take for you to think worthy thoughts?
12. What does it mean to live a righteous life-style?
13. In what areas of your life do you need to follow Paul's example?

Apply It

14. What can you do today to reduce your level of anxiety?
15. How can you be an effective peacemaker this week?

It seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to rejoice. But Paul's attitude teaches us an important lesson: our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. Several times in this letter, Paul urged the Philippians to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this. It's easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If you haven't been joyful lately, you may not be looking at life from the right perspective.

Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. Christ is near, and at his second coming we will fully realize this ultimate joy. He who lives within us will fulfill his final purposes for us.

We are to be gentle (reasonable, fair minded, and charitable) to those outside the church, and not just to fellow believers. This means we are not to seek revenge against those who treat us unfairly, nor are we to be overly vocal about our personal rights.

Imagine never being "anxious about anything"! It seems like an impossibility--we all have worries on the job, in our homes, at school. But Paul's advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray.

God's peace is different from the world's peace (see John 14:27). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety.

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