Mind
(Back
to Study Home Page) (Sermon
May 4, 2008)
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Philippians
4:2-9)
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
1.
How did Paul feel toward the Philippian congregation?
(4:1)
2.
What did Paul exhort the Philippian believers to do? (4:1)
3.
Why did Paul plead with Euodia and Syntyche? (4:2)
4.
How had Euodia and Syntyche helped Paul in the past? (4:3)
5.
What was Paul's relationship with Clement? (4:3)
6.
How could Paul count on his "loyal yokefellow"?
(4:3)
7.
What did Paul encourage his readers to do? (4:4)
8.
How did Paul tell the Philippian Christians to treat
others? (4:5)
9.
How should an awareness of Christ's imminent return affect
a person's attitude? (4:5-7)
10.
What did Paul say about anxiety? (4:6-7)
11.
What were the Philippians to do instead of worrying?
(4:6-7)
12.
How can a believer enjoy the peace of God? (4:6-7)
13.
What are the qualities of wholesome thoughts? (4:8)
14.
What were the Philippians to put into practice? (4:9)
15.
How can believers enjoy the presence of the God of peace?
(4:9)
Get It
16.
How have disagreements between people affected your
church?
17.
When have you been involved in helping Christians resolve
differences?
18.
How can you have a peaceful spirit?
19.
If you were more thankful, joyful, and gentle, how might
your family and friends be affected?
20.
What does it take for you to think worthy thoughts?
21.
What does it mean to live a righteous life-style?
22.
In what areas of your life do you need to follow Paul's
example?
Apply It
23.
What can you do today to reduce your level of anxiety?
24.
How can you be an effective peacemaker this week?
Notes
Philippians 4:2-3: Paul did not warn the
Philippian church of doctrinal errors, but he did address some relational
problems. These two women had been workers for Christ in the church. Their
broken relationship was no small matter, because many had become believers
through their efforts.
4:3 Those "whose names are in the book of
life" are all who are marked for salvation through their faith in Christ
(see also Luke 10:17-20; Rev. 20:11-15).
Philippians 4:4-5: 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.
4:4-5 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.
4:5 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.
Philippians 4:6-7: 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.
4:7 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.
Philippians 4:8: What we put into our minds
determines what comes out in our words and actions. Paul tells us to program
our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable,
excellent, and praiseworthy. Do you have problems with impure thoughts and
daydreams? Examine what you are putting into your mind through television,
books, conversations, movies, and magazines. Replace harmful input with
wholesome material. Above all, read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help you
focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be
done.
Philippians 4:9: It's not enough to hear or read
the Word of God, or even to know it well. We must also put it into practice.
How easy it is to listen to a sermon and forget what the preacher said. How easy
it is to read the Bible and not think about how to live differently. How easy
it is to debate what a passage means and not live out that meaning. Exposure to
God's Word is not enough. It must lead to obedience.