Philippians 4

Let's get the world praying.

But without further ado, we are in Philippians 4, verse 6 for a mid-morning time.

As we're on the school run, I know the world is hectic right now at this hour, but let's get straight into Philippians 4, verse 6.

This is the title of our prayer together.

Do not be anxious about anything.

Lord, we walk in miracles.

Father, we thank you for the love of God that is so strong.

But Lord, you tell us through the beautiful prayers, the beautiful book of Philippians 4, 6.

So yeah, if we look at that, take no thought, it's the Greek word merimneo, merimneo, and it means to be anxious about.

If we can pull up Philippians 4.6, I think this gives it a clearer understanding of this word.

In Philippians 4, 6, it says, be careful for nothing.

And that same word careful is that same word here where it says thought, where it says take no thought, right? Be careful for nothing.

So it's saying be anxious for nothing.

Um, for 2 Corinthians 5:8, um, it says it, I'll put it up here for you, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." Paul's saying, "This is what's gonna happen.

When you're absent from the body, you'll be present with the Lord." Um, that's why Philippians, Paul...

Remember when Paul was saying, "Man, I almost kinda wish I could die, 'cause I just wanna be with Jesus." And if you read the whole context, he ends, he ends up saying, "But I know I need to be here, and I got work to do, so I'm gonna do my best here.

But I wish I could die right now." 'Cause to be dead today...

Verse 16, rejoice evermore.

Do you got it yet? Are you awake? [laughs] Yeah, you got a Bible verse.

1 Thessalonians 5:16, "Rejoice evermore." And, uh, I'm not gonna, um, talk as much about that, 'cause the whole Book of Philippians was about rejoicing in the Lord.

And by the way, um, Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." This was a major theme of Paul's epistles, uh, rejoicing.

You can't do whatever you want and be successful in the kingdom.

The context of Philippians 4:13 is being content in every circumstance, and that seems impossible for somebody whose life and hope is wrapped up in what this world has to offer.

But for those who are hoping in eternity that begins when Jesus returns, those who are hoping in the resurrection of life that is available to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ understand that their reward begins when Jesus returns.

And therefore, even when everything is stripped away, even when they're stoned and left for dead because they're speaking the truth, they are content and they're able to rejoice.

That is the miracle of Philippians 4:13.

May God bless you today as you ponder these things.

May He fill you with His Spirit and reveal Himself to you for His glory and for your good.

I think struggle is a part of the sanctification process in this life as we await glorification.

The questioner quotes Philippians 4, 6, and 7, "...be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." And Paul here in Philippians 4, 6 is encouraging the Philippian church to not be anxious, but rather to take those anxieties and turn them over to God in prayer.

It's the same Paul who speaks in 2 Corinthians 11 of all the physical tribulations and trials he is experiencing.

And then he says in verse 28, "...and apart from the other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches."

And so I don't want, especially moms, to have this false guilt, like, oh, I must not trust God.

Well, no, I think God has designed men and women differently, right? so that there are these concerns that are legitimate, are warranted.

Now, that doesn't mean that you still don't practice the truths of Philippians 4.

Prayer, supplication, thanksgiving, you bring these concerns and cares, requests to God, and then allow the peace of God to guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Mm-hmm.

Uh, you know, you go back to Philippians 4:13, "I can endure all things through Christ who strengthens me." Romans 8:28, "Even in this all things come together for the good for those who love Him who've been called according to His purposes." Um, you go back to the word of God.

Amen.

And, and, and, you know, when...

In verse 33, Jesus also said, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Then I was like, well, what else does God say about worry? And that's what led me to Philippians 4, 6.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

And so now what I say is that when we're going through those struggles and that's all we could focus on, I say, write a piece of paper out and write all your things you're thankful for and pray to God individually for each one of them.