Christian Life Church
November 8, 2023 - 7pm
PHILIPPIANS PRACTICING INTO PEACE (6-9) PHILIPPIANS BE CONTENT (10-14)
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
PHILIPPIANS NOVEMBER 8, 2023
PRACTICING INTO PEACE (6-9)
SCRIPTURE
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9, NIV
INTRO
Practice (prasso) is an ongoing word.
If you will pray and partner your thoughts and practice a lifestyle, peace will follow.
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
PAUL’S EXAMPLES
1/ “Whatever you have learned from my teaching.”
“I defy you to read the life of any saint that has ever adorned the life of the Church without seeing at once that the greatest characteristic in the life of that saint was discipline and order. Invariably it is the universal characteristic of all the outstanding men and women of God. Read about Henry Martyn, David Brainerd, Jonathan Edwards, the brothers Wesley, and Whitfield—read their journals. It does not matter what branch of the Church they belonged to, they have all disciplined their lives and have insisted upon the need for this; and obviously it is something that is thoroughly scriptural and absolutely essential.” D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression
2/ “Whatever you have received from me in the Spirit”
3/ “Whatever you have heard about me from a distance”
4/ “Whatever you have seen in me up close”
“Paul is saying, in effect: What was on my mind when I was with you? What did I talk about? What did I read? What was the burden of my conversation? What did I value? What did I do to improve my mind?” D.A. Carson
PHILIPPIANS
BE CONTENT (10-14)
SCRIPTURE
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:10-19, NLT
“Paul was deprived of every comfort, and cast as a lonely man on the shores of the great strange metropolis, with every moment of his hand clanking a fetter, and nothing better him but the lion’s mouth or the sword.” F.B. Meyer
CONTENTMENT IS LEARNED
1/ Contentment can be learned in famine.
Notice: Contextually, Paul is talking about peace and contentment centered in the mind.
Having less can help us appreciate what we do have.
Most of us have all we need, but not all we want. It isn’t wrong to have wants, as long as they stay in their proper place of priority.
2/ Contentment can be learned in feast.
It isn’t wrong for you to have a lot of stuff. It’s wrong for a lot of stuff has you.
It’s ironic, but we often become discontent when provision flows. This is called “The Diderot Effect.”
“Let my example teach you a lesson. Poverty has its freedoms; opulence has its obstacles.” Denis Diderot
3/ Contentment can be learned in friendship.
Even when down, our care and concern for others fuels contentment and gratitude.
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
What is Paul’s secret?
He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” Job 1:21
PRACTICING INTO PEACE (6-9)
SCRIPTURE
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9, NIV
INTRO
Practice (prasso) is an ongoing word.
If you will pray and partner your thoughts and practice a lifestyle, peace will follow.
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
PAUL’S EXAMPLES
1/ “Whatever you have learned from my teaching.”
“I defy you to read the life of any saint that has ever adorned the life of the Church without seeing at once that the greatest characteristic in the life of that saint was discipline and order. Invariably it is the universal characteristic of all the outstanding men and women of God. Read about Henry Martyn, David Brainerd, Jonathan Edwards, the brothers Wesley, and Whitfield—read their journals. It does not matter what branch of the Church they belonged to, they have all disciplined their lives and have insisted upon the need for this; and obviously it is something that is thoroughly scriptural and absolutely essential.” D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression
2/ “Whatever you have received from me in the Spirit”
3/ “Whatever you have heard about me from a distance”
4/ “Whatever you have seen in me up close”
“Paul is saying, in effect: What was on my mind when I was with you? What did I talk about? What did I read? What was the burden of my conversation? What did I value? What did I do to improve my mind?” D.A. Carson
PHILIPPIANS
BE CONTENT (10-14)
SCRIPTURE
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:10-19, NLT
“Paul was deprived of every comfort, and cast as a lonely man on the shores of the great strange metropolis, with every moment of his hand clanking a fetter, and nothing better him but the lion’s mouth or the sword.” F.B. Meyer
CONTENTMENT IS LEARNED
1/ Contentment can be learned in famine.
Notice: Contextually, Paul is talking about peace and contentment centered in the mind.
Having less can help us appreciate what we do have.
Most of us have all we need, but not all we want. It isn’t wrong to have wants, as long as they stay in their proper place of priority.
2/ Contentment can be learned in feast.
It isn’t wrong for you to have a lot of stuff. It’s wrong for a lot of stuff has you.
It’s ironic, but we often become discontent when provision flows. This is called “The Diderot Effect.”
“Let my example teach you a lesson. Poverty has its freedoms; opulence has its obstacles.” Denis Diderot
3/ Contentment can be learned in friendship.
Even when down, our care and concern for others fuels contentment and gratitude.
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
What is Paul’s secret?
He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” Job 1:21