Good afternoon.
Take your Bibles, if you will, and open them to the book of Philippians.
Philippians chapter 4.
The church at Philippi was one who loved Paul, and Paul loved them.
They were diligent to send support to Paul time and time again as they had opportunity, though there were occasions where they were not able to send the support, though they
desired to do so.
They were not without their problems.
There's mention even within the text in the beginning of chapter 4 of two ladies within the congregation that were having problems with one another, and the congregation was
instructed to help them work through that problem.
But the church there at Philippi doesn't seem to have many of the issues that some of the other congregations had.
There isn't a strong focus in the text of Paul setting correct things that were wrong.
Rather, it was more an exhortation to continue doing what was right.
But over in Philippians chapter 4, we read in verse 4, rejoice in the Lord always.
Again, I will say, rejoice.
This afternoon we're going to talk about joy in our Savior.
As Paul writes to the church at Philippi, he calls upon them to rejoice.
He calls upon them to have joy.
As we go through life, we will encounter individuals, some of whom will be joyful, some of whom will be
curmudgeonly, some of whom will just be downright angry at the world.
But Paul calls upon Christians to rejoice.
He doesn't just say, rejoice, he says, rejoice in the Lord.
Is it true at times that there will be things in our lives, circumstances that we're surrounded with,
things that we go through that we will not enjoy.
certainly.
Will there be circumstances at work or circumstances at home or circumstances among relationships we have where those circumstances don't bring us any joy?
Certainly.
But there's one relationship in which
if we are Christians, if we are faithful to Christ, if we are faithful to His commandments, we ought to always be able to rejoice in.
And that is our relationship with Jesus Christ.
And so I want us to spend some time here in this text looking at what Paul tells this church to do as he commands them to rejoice and to do so
always.
You begin down in verse 6 and you notice that Paul says if we are to have joy in our Savior that we need to guard that joy by supplicating.
If we're going to keep the joy that we have, if we're going to maintain the joy that we have, we're going to grow the joy that we have in Christ, we are going to have to pray.
Paul will write to the church in verse 6 and says, be anxious for nothing.
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God as Paul influences and encourages and exhorts this congregation he tells them
that they need to be communicating to God
Sometimes people will wonder, well, why should I pray?
After all, Scripture tells us that God's all-knowing.
Certainly if God's all-knowing, then He knows what I need, He knows what I want, He knows what I should have and what I shouldn't have.
Shouldn't I just expect God to do His part?
Jesus will teach us that though God knows what we need, God desires for us to ask for what we need.
God desires for us to build a relationship with Him.
As we look at our lives, as we examine our actions, our choices,
our path in life, and the things that we strive to do every day, are we thinking about those things in view of discussing those things with God?
Are we bringing the things that we desire, the things that we are looking towards, the plans that we are making, the questions that we have, the uncertainties that we deal with,
are we bringing those things to God?
Jesus would teach his disciples concerning prayer.
If you'll turn uh back to the book of Matthew.
Jesus in Matthew chapter 6 will say beginning in verse 5, when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites.
He gives a matter-of-fact statement in the form of a command.
You shall not be like the hypocrites.
He says, "'For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.
Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.'"
There is a time for public prayer.
There is a time for private prayer.
But there is never a time to pray to be seen by others.
To pray for reputation's sake only.
I've seen occasions where individuals will pray in public, maybe in a restaurant somewhere, and they'll be praying because they were embarrassed because somebody else was
praying.
And they wouldn't normally do it, but because somebody else was praying, they're kind of embarrassed into doing it.
Number one, we should never be embarrassed to pray.
We ought to be, as Paul tells Timothy to instruct the men in the congregation at Ephesus to be, we ought to be those who are holy individuals lifting up hands in prayer wherever
we happen to be in appropriate times to pray.
But Jesus says we ought to never pray to be seen by men.
He further says, you, when you pray, go into your room.
And when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the heathens do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Therefore, do not be like them.
For your Father knows the things that you have need of before you ask him."
Jesus points out as he instructs his disciples and as he instructs those who are around him how to pray, he says you can do it in private.
You can do it in secret.
You do not have to pray openly before everyone so that everyone can hear, so that everyone can know what you're looking for.
If we pray...
and we pray for the people who are around us to hear and we're really just praying so they know what is important to us.
We're doing it wrong.
We ought to be praying so that God hears.
We ought to be praying so that God can know what it is that we ask for and what it is that we need.
We ought to be praying so that we communicate to the Father what it is that we are in need of and Jesus says the one who hears in secret knows how to reward in public.
You remember the example of Daniel.
Daniel was one who would pray.
And the indication of the text is that every day he would pray.
Three times a day he would go into his house to pray.
Daniel didn't go to the king's house to pray.
Daniel didn't go to the street corner to pray.
Daniel went into his own house to pray, but when the order came from the king no longer to pray, Daniel didn't do a thing different about what he had always done.
He simply went home and prayed.
But consider as well, Jesus says in this manner therefore pray, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
That is, holy is your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Jesus will teach us that God knows what we need and yet
God desires for us to ask for what we need.
And He also desires for us to ask for what we already have been given.
Did you notice in the text there in verse 11, He says, you should ask for your daily bread from God.
You say, well, wait a minute, I've looked in the cabinet, we've got seven days stored up, I don't need to pray for that today.
Jesus says, yes, you do.
Yes, you do.
You need to recognize where everything from your daily provisions to your long set aside uh investments, where they all belong.
They all belong to God.
They are all that which he provides and he can remove.
You remember there was the man who saw the crop come in.
And the harvest came in and he realized there's not enough room in the barns for this harvest.
God tell you what, go ahead, tear down the barns and build bigger ones.
So we have room to store it up and then I will say to myself, self, eat, drink, be merry, because you have sufficient.
Except that very night, God required his soul from him.
So the question was asked, whose will these things be?
Which you have provided.
We need to be reminded that what we have every day belongs to God and every day should belong to God.
And if we are going to maintain and to guard our joy in Christ, we are going to have to do it by praying and asking God for those things which we need, those things which we desire
to have.
But also, you remember Paul said that we are to offer thanksgiving to God.
One of the struggles that we face in this life is satisfaction and contentment.
One of the problems that we have in our country, but it's not unique to our country, it's a problem that exists in humanity, is that we're not satisfied with what we have.
We're not content with what we have.
Now, should we ever be satisfied with our relationship with God or should we always be seeking to make it better?
we should always be seeking to make it better.
But the idea of contentment is if this is what the Lord has said I have and this is what is sufficient and I can do His will, then I'll do His will with what I have if I have
nothing.
And if the Lord blesses me with an abundance more than I have ever had before, I'll do His will with what I have because it belongs to Him.
And so Paul tells
these brethren in Philippi he says rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice let your gentleness be made known to all men the Lord is at hand be anxious for nothing but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
Let your request be made known to God." Paul makes it clear if you can't be thankful for what you have, then you should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
And so Paul teaches these brethren to be thankful.
Verse 7 says, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Consider in the second point,
that to guard our joy in Christ we must always meditate.
That is to think on the things of God.
Paul will write in verse 8, finally brethren, 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,
think or meditate on these things.
As we examine our lives, as we look at the things that we focus on, we need to be careful to examine the things that we dwell upon.
Now we all realize we're going to experience things in life and we're going to
ah observe things in life that are not always going to fall into these categories.
Paul's not really discussing the nature of everything we see and hear.
know, the see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil.
That's not really what Paul's discussing.
Paul's talking about where do we allow our heart and our mind to dwell.
what things do we spend our time thinking?
Proverbs tells us that based upon the things that we think, so we are.
If we spend our time dwelling on things that are evil, we will become evil.
If we spend our time dwelling on things that are unjust and things that are untrue and things that are not noble, we will become those things.
But we might even bring this a little closer to home if we realize that it's not just the things that are evil, it's not just the things that are sinful that we are to avoid.
But if you notice the list again, notice what Paul says.
He says, whatsoever things are true.
Have you ever thought about, have you ever interacted with someone who was notoriously bad about lying to themselves about themselves?
They wouldn't accept a compliment if a hundred people lined up and said the same thing about them, if it was good.
But if you say one bad thing about them, if they hear one negative thing, they're going to repeat it to themselves over and over and over and over again.
Very first qualification, Paul says, for maintaining our joy in Christ is we're going to have to think on things that are true.
Now if we look at ourselves and we examine ourselves and you know what?
If I tell myself the truth about myself, I've got a lot of things to work on.
That may be true.
But do I give myself credit for the things that I do that are right?
Do I give myself credit for the things that I do that are good?
Or do I only give myself criticism for the things that I do where I fail and discount all the things that I do that are good?
We ought to be those who are humble, that's true.
But we also ought to be those who are honest about ourselves.
Paul says we ought to dwell on things that are true, even about ourselves.
But he also says whatever things are noble.
Americans, we don't spend a whole lot of time thinking about nobility.
Other cultures that have monarchs and have had monarchs in their past have a tradition of nobility.
They have a history of nobility.
We have a history of defying nobility.
but noble is the idea that it is that which is upright, it is that which is honorable, it is that which is of good report, it is that which is kingly, if we could give it a
description.
And Paul says, you need to be thinking about things that are honorable, that are upright in their very nature.
You need to be thinking about things that are noble.
If you turn over to 1 Peter, Peter as he writes to the Christians will speak to them and he will encourage them to do what's right.
It's actually 2 Peter that I'm going for.
uh
Chapter 1 in verse 5, I know this is maybe impeding somewhat on what some of the ladies are going to be discussing in their retreat, but Peter writes and he says, also for this
very reason giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue.
The idea of virtue is that strength which comes and is willing to stand up for what is right.
It is the willingness of someone to say, because this is right, I will do it.
Paul uses a similar concept when he says we ought to be thinking about that which is noble.
He also says not only whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, but whatever things are just.
Those things which are not only true, but accord with the very justice and judgment of God.
You know, the thing that we need to remember is if we think about things that are just, we're going to think about things that are good for people and condemn people.
Because the justice of God applies to both those who are righteous and those who are wicked.
When you see the just nature of God, you see someone who will
benefit and will uplift those who are righteous and will condemn and destroy those who are wicked.
Over in Psalm chapter 15, the psalmist writer will ask the question, who will dwell in the holy hill of God?
Psalm 15 and in verse 1, Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks the truth in his heart.
He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend, in whose eyes a vile person is despised." Did you notice
that?
One of the characteristics of the person who will dwell in the very presence of God is someone who despises the evil person in their evil actions.
He says, in whose eyes an evil person is despised, but he honors those who fear the LORD.
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.
He who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved." The psalmist writer makes it clear that God expects us to view the world the way He does.
He expects us to view people and their actions the way He does, and He is a just God.
Paul says we're going to have to dwell on these things.
Truth, nobility, justice, purity.
It is a challenge to be pure in an ungodly world.
It is a challenge to think pure thoughts when the world is continually sending incessant
impure things at you.
But as we examine the life that we are to lead, we are to challenge ourselves to dwell on things that are pure.
One of the easiest ways that exists, if we would but use it, to avoid impure thoughts is to be too busy thinking about things that are pure.
But as the saying goes, idle hands are the devil's workshop.
If we spend too much time in idleness instead of dwelling on things that are true and noble and just and pure, we open ourselves up to temptation.
Paul says, whatever things are lovely.
Through some of the associations that I've had through the years, I've met a number of preachers and one of them, his background is in Ireland.
And he just uses the term lovely.
Well, isn't that lovely?
And that's just not a phrase that ever existed in my growing up years or in my background.
It's just not a phrase my family used to call something, I mean, you might see a uh flower and call it lovely, but...
That's just not the way we talk about people.
But it's a phrase he uses and it always makes me smile.
Well, isn't that lovely?
We need to be those who consider the things that God made, the things that exist around us, and the people, and the choices they make, and remember to appreciate and dwell on
things that are lovely.
They're worthy of
love.
But he also says, whatever things are of good report.
One of the things that's always encouraged me about Brother Bill who spoke this morning is he always has something good to tell you about somebody.
I've never ceased to be amazed at all the people he's met in his life and all the people he knows and all the places they've been, but there's always somebody doing something good
that he can give you knowledge of the good that they're doing.
Why?
because he focuses on good reports.
He dwells on good reports.
And certainly that's something that I think is a characteristic of missionaries.
They share encouraging and uplifting things because they go through some things that are very much not.
And through the hardship you need good reports.
You need good things to dwell on.
But Paul then says if there's any virtue
If there is anything praiseworthy, think on these things.
Meditate on these things.
Now does that mean Paul was certain that he was never going to have to deal with any of them that would cause his mind to stray into any thoughts that were unfortunate or
untoward or events or circumstances where he would say that doesn't qualify under any of these categories?
No.
Paul dealt with the Jews and the Romans.
Paul dealt with those who were persecuting him and who were persecuting Christians, and Paul had some memories of some things he had done that were also not described by these
things.
But as Paul focused these brethren, you go back to Philippians chapter 1 and Paul will remind them, beginning in verse 19, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance
through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness.
As always so now also in Christ will be, so also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death, for me to live as Christ and to die as gain.
But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit for my labor, yet I will, what I shall choose I cannot tell."
For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better.
Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you for your progress and joy in the faith.
That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again." Paul has already written to them and has already told them
I'm going to continue working for your joy, for your benefit, for your rejoicing.
And so Paul is one who set the things that were behind him aside, and as he says, he pressed towards the mark of the high calling of God.
But also we consider that to guard our joy in Christ, we must always imitate.
We must be those who are willing to imitate others.
Verse 9 of chapter 4, says, the things which you have learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do.
And the God of peace will be with you.
As Paul lived his life before others,
He made choices, He determined actions, He set forward His path and the things that He would do so that He would set an example for others to follow.
As we look at our lives, if we desire to maintain our joy in the Savior, if we desire to put our hearts and our minds in a position of rejoicing continually, then we're going to
have to lead people down a path
they should actually go.
when Paul wrote to Timothy.
He wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy chapter 1, and he says, verse 18, this charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies made concerning you, that by them you may
wage a good warfare, having faith in a good conscience which some having rejected concerning the faith have suffered shifreq.
of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I deliver to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme." Paul says of these two individuals, had caused their own faith to be
shipwrecked.
And Paul is making sure Timothy knows he can't follow in their path.
He has to maintain a good warfare.
He has to maintain a set of actions and a lifestyle so that others can follow him.
He will give instruction to them in 1 Timothy, give instruction to him in 1 Timothy chapter 3 that Timothy ought to know how to behave himself in the house of God.
how sad it is when Christians look back over their lives and they realize that the way they've behaved and the actions they've participated in and the lifestyle that they lived
caused others to be lost.
Because others looked at that lifestyle and it became a temptation to them and it became a stumbling block to them.
When individuals look back through the years and they cannot identify those who they've helped bring to Christ, they can only identify those who they've helped lose their souls.
It's a sad state.
Paul says, things which you learned and received and have seen in me, those things you do.
He's telling them not do whatever I do because I'm perfect.
No, no, no, that's not Paul's message.
He's telling them the same thing that he told the Corinthian brethren in 1 Corinthians chapter 11 in verse 1 where he instructs those at Corinth to follow me as I follow Christ.
Paul is telling these brethren, you've watched it, and you've been told it, and you've heard it, and you've witnessed it, now go do it.
And we need to follow the same path.
Paul assures the church at Philippi, if they will do these things, then the God of all peace will be with them.
They will be able to rejoice in the Lord always and
again rejoice.
They will be able to guard their hearts and their minds with the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
Why?
Because they will be those who communicate with their Father.
They will be those who dwell on that which is good, and they will be those who follow the path of righteousness.
And if you'll do those things, communicate with the Father, dwell on those things which are good, and maintain good works, then you'll have something to rejoice in.
And you may always be able to rejoice.
We need to take encouragement from the lessons that Paul gives to Philippi.
And we need to encourage ourselves
to grow in these matters so that we might be able to have joy in our Lord.
If you're here this afternoon and you're outside the body of Christ, if you're going to have joy in the Lord, you must first be obedient to the Lord.
You must be willing to put His name on and wear His name.
And you become a part of His body when you become obedient to His commands.
to hear the Word of God and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Why?
Because Jesus said, except you believe that I'm He, you shall die in your sins, John 8.24.
Because Jesus said, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.
We're going to have to repent because, let's face it, we all realize that where we started is not where God would have us to be.
We're going to have to change our mind to change our actions.
But we also have to confess His name.
If there is rejoicing that is found in Christ, it is most certainly true that there is not rejoicing found outside of Christ.
Not the kind that God would have us to have.
And so we're going to have to confess the name of Christ.
And we're going to have to be immersed in water for the remission of our sins, because if we continue in our sins, we won't have joy.
We won't have rejoicing, we'll have condemnation.
And so we must be immersed in water for the remission of our sins that we might rise to walk in newness of life and having had all of those past sins washed away, we can have
rejoicing.
Because truly we can think about ourselves and think, you know what?
If it was just me, I'm not worth much.
But me with Christ.
Now that's something worth something.
If you're here this afternoon and you have need of the invitation of Christ to put Christ on in baptism, to wear his name, to have joy in the Lord and peace in our God, you can do
that this evening.
If you're departed from the right path and departed from God, you can come back and you can once again have joy in our Lord.
If you have need of the invitation for any reason, why not come now as we stand
and as we sing.