Philippians 4:1-9 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Philippians 4:1-9, which is full of good verses to remember. Let’s go!
Philippians 4:1 (NIV)
1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
On verse 1: You can feel Paul’s affection for his church in Philippi by the tender words he uses to describe them: “you whom I love and long for”, “my joy and crown”. This tells me two things:
1. If Paul’s affection for his church in Philippi is a reflection of Christ’s affection for His Church (see 1:8), then to Jesus you are his joy and crown, one whom Jesus loves and longs for. You are the object of Christ’s affections.
2. To be an effective pastor, your heart has to be in it. That is probably the biggest reason why pastoring (or shepherding people) is a tough gig. It’s because from time to time your heart will be tested, challenged, stretched, and even broken, pierced and stepped on, both by the people around you and by the situations you face. Pastoring is certainly not for the faint of heart. But if you’re called to it, there’s also nothing more rewarding and nothing that brings more fulfillment and joy.
Philippians 4:2-3 (NIV)
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
On verses 2-3: It was difficult for Paul to see two prominent women in his church not getting along, so he pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to reconcile with one another and invites the church to help them get along. In a church community, just like in any family, there are bound to be times when individuals get into conflicts. The key is not avoiding conflict at all costs, but learning to deal with conflict maturely. It’s about learning to “fight well”, as we say at Thrive. May we not allow grudges, bitterness and dissension to fester in our relationships, but may we learn to resolve conflicts maturely and quickly. After all, we are all part of the same family and, as Paul reminds in verse 3, our names are written in the same book of life.
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
On verses 4-7: These verses are worth memorizing. Especially if you could use more peace in your life, I urge you to memorize verses 6-7.
These verses show us the key to experiencing God’s peace even in our most difficult circumstances. If you want to experience God’s peace, bring your problems to God in prayer and remember to be thankful. When we get into God’s presence through prayer and thanksgiving, God’s promise is that His peace which we cannot fully understand will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. No prayer, no peace. Little prayer, little peace. Much prayer, much peace.
Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers, 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.
9 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.
On verses 8-9: These two verses are also worth memorizing! Earlier verses 6-7 tell us that if you want to experience God’s peace, pray. Now verses 8-9 tell us that if you want to experience God’s presence and let others experience God’s presence through you, do two things:
1. Focus your thoughts on things that are excellent and praiseworthy (v8). What do you focus on mostly — things that make you go “WOW!” or things that make you go “What the…”? If you focus on the former — things like the blessings in your life, the cross of Jesus Christ, the promises of God — then God’s presence will fill your life (“The God of peace will be with you.”) But if you focus on the latter — things that anger you and disappoint you — God’s presence will feel far away. It’s because how much of God’s presence you experience will depend on what you choose to focus on.
2. Put into practice the good things your church leaders teach and model for you. As Paul says, “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.”
What are some qualities you see in your church leaders that you admire and want to emulate? What are some of the lessons they have taught you? Make it a point to put those traits and lessons into practice.
When you do these two things, not only will you experience more of God’s presence, but others will experience more of God’s presence through you.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making Your peace and Your presence available to me. May we go to You in prayer as our first resort and experience Your peace. May we focus our thoughts on things that are excellent and praiseworthy and experience Your presence. May we put into the practice the good things we have learned from our pastors and other church leaders so that we, and others through us, can feel Your presence. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
