STUDY OF PHILIPPIANS (part-8)

Study of Philippians (part 8)

LESSON TITLE: Living In God’s Peace

PHILIPPIANS 4:

VERSE 1:
Even though most of them were Gentiles from a pagan background,
and they were not of Paul’s race or nation, he still loved them dearly
and wanted the best for them.
Note:
    He called them “brothers”, “sisters”, and “dear friends”.

Paul challenged them to stand firm in the Lord.
Question:
If someone asked you to “stand firm”, what would it mean to you?

VERSE 2:
Paul turns his attention to two women who were quarreling.
Question:
What problems occur when two people
in the church are continually arguing?
    – Others members of the church tend to take sides?
    – It could escalate and involve a large part of the church?
    – One would try to get members to turn on the other?
    – Gossiping would erupt?

Paul wanted them to patch up their differences.
Question:
Why?
    – So it wouldn’t have an adverse effect on the church body.

Note:
    We need to think about the legacy we are creating for ourselves.
        – Are we developing a reputation as a trouble-maker?
        – Do others consider us as someone who is hard to get along with?
        – Are we argumentative?
        – Can others depend on us?
        – Do we have animosities toward others?

A man went to see his doctor and after examining him, the doctor said,
    “You have rabies”.
The man took a sheet from his pocket and began to write as fast as
he could. The doctor said,
    “It’s not terminal and with proper treatment I can
      save you. There is no need to make out your will”
The man replied,
    “I’m not writing my will, I’m making
      a list of the people I want to bite”
    Note:
        Some people go through life with this kind of attitude;
        they are probably not peaceful people, and would love
        to have peace in their own lives.

VERSE 3:
Paul felt reconciliation for these two women was so important
that he asked another friend to help them resolve their differences.

As Christians, we have a responsibility to throw
water (and not gas) on the fires between others.
    Blessed are the peacemakers, for
    they will be called children of God.
    (Matthew 5:9)

Paul reminded them of the faithful work the two women had
performed with him. He was probably reminding them that
these two were good people, but they had allowed something
into their lives and attitudes that were not pleasing to the Lord.

He points to the “book of life”
    (possibly as a reminder that they are Christians and,
      as a result, they should put the gospel and the good
      of the church above their selfish interests).

VERSE 4:
Paul felt a joyful attitude was a sign of living in God’s peace.

Not only did he repeat the word “rejoice” in this verse,
he used the words “joy” and “rejoice” sixteen times in
his letter to the Philippians.

Question:
How would you describe Christian joy?
    – A state of peace that cannot be destroyed by external circumstances?
    – It comes from within, and is a gift from God?
    – It cannot be taken away.
          So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will
          see you again and you will rejoice, and no one
          will take away your joy.
          (John 16:22)

Paul tells us to rejoice – “in the Lord”.
    – A close relationship with the Lord is the vital source of our joy.
    – The Lord’s presence in our life brings joy and peace.

VERSE 5:
Paul goes on to say that others should be able to see our
gentleness (which is, a willingness to be tolerant of others).

Paul reminds us that the Lord is near at all times; and, as
a result, we must be careful about our attitudes and actions.

VERSE 6:
Paul realized the destructive impact of anxiety in our lives;
his antidote for anxiety is prayer.

Question:
If a lost person asked you to define prayer, what would you say?
    – Having a conversation with God?

Paul encouraged them to pray often and in all situations we
encounter in our lives; he also reminded us to always be
thankful for all the Lord has provided.
Question:
Have you ever had a time when your prayer was one of
thanksgiving only? If you have, were you surprised at the
length of your prayer?

Note:
    – Paul said we should give thanks in all things.
          Give thanks in all circumstances; for this
          is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
          (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
    Question:
    Is that easy to do? Why, or why not?

Question:
Why would Paul tell us to give thanks in all things?
    – It means we acknowledge that God is in control?

Question:
What kind of situations in our lives do we need to pray about?
    Trouble with relationships (with others, and with God)?
    Problems caused by our own selfishness and attitudes?
    Health issues? Financial problems? A struggle to have
    victory over a particular sin? Others?

VERSE 7:
Paul says we will be rewarded for taking
our anxieties to God with a thankful heart.
How will we be rewarded? We will be given….
    – A peace that is beyond human understanding
      and one that we cannot achieve on our own.
    – A peace that will protect our heart and mind.

He says we will be rewarded because Christ is living within us.
Note:
    Again he is emphasizing the importance of
    having a close relationship with the Lord.

VERSES 8-9:
Paul knew our thought life is important;
we may not be who or what we think we are.

An old proverb:
    Plant a thought, you reap a deed.
    Plant a deed, you reap a habit.
    Plant a habit, you reap character.
    Plant character, you reap life.
    Plant a life and you reap eternal destiny.
    Note:
        It all begins with a thought.

Paul lists six virtues that should characterize a Christian’s thought life.
Note:
    He tells us that these qualities are the
    building blocks which will result in God’s peace.

We should think about things that are:
    – True (authentic; real; enduring).
          – Don’t lie or mislead.
          – Be transparent so others can see the real person we are.

    – Noble (KJV – honest) (worthy of reverence).
          – Avoid cheap, unworthy, and dishonest thoughts.

    – Right (KJV – just) (fair and equitable).
          – Don’t let our emotions or feelings
            cause us to forsake doing what is right.
            Note:
                Satan is constantly looking for opportunities
                to cause us to fail and become discouraged.
                Question:
                Have you ever had a situation that was overwhelming
                and you decided to gravitate to committing some sin
                that you always struggle with overcoming?

    – Pure (clean and unstained).
          – Have moral and righteous thoughts that God would
            pleased with. Remember that, as believers, God will
            continually be sanctifying us (which means He will
            be constantly purging us of unrighteous thoughts and
            replacing them with righteous thoughts).

    – Lovely (pleasing; attractive; uplifting).
          – We should have thoughts that reflect Christian love.
          – We shouldn’t look for faults in others, and we
             shouldn’t participate in, or initiate any gossip.

    – Admirable (KJV – good report) (gracious).
          – This is also a part of the sanctification process of God.

Note:
    Developing these types of thoughts will lead to our saying the
    right things, lifting up others, and presenting an image that
    will cause others to respect us for who we are, and hopefully,
    appreciate our obvious love of God.

Paul groups all our thoughts into two categories:
    1. Anything of excellence.
    2. Whatever is praiseworthy.

Paul connects thinking worthy thoughts with living the
life of a Christian who loves God. He says our actions
should reflect our attitudes and convictions, and that
we should put our thoughts into actions.

SUMMARY
– Paul challenges us to develop attitudes
  that result from living in the peace of God.
      – Conciliatory attitudes toward others.
      – Maintaining joyful attitudes, even in difficult situations.
      – Showing a confident attitude (from knowing the Lord will provide).
      – Maintaining an attitude of right thinking (that leads to right actions).

– Attitudes are important; they reveal
  something significant about the focus of our lives.

– Our attitudes should reflect God’s joy and peace dwelling within us.

CHALLENGE
– Choose an area in our lives where we are not satisfied with our
  progress of living as a Christian, and start working on the type
  of attitudes we have which are not pleasing to God.
      – Mend a broken relationship.
      – Develop a greater consideration for others.
      – Stop gossiping.
      – Change our focus from material things and money, to spiritual things.
      – Start an active prayer life.
      – Discover our spiritual gift (given to us by God when we were saved) and
        find ways to use our gifts and talents for serving and glorifying the Lord.
        Note:
            God didn’t give us a spiritual gift to admire and be proud of;
            He gave it to us so we could participate in His earthly ministry.
            Don’t confuse a talent with a spiritual gift. More than likely
            our spiritual gift will be in areas we wouldn’t expect, or prefer.

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