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Principles of Christian Living

Principles of Christian Living. Lesson 5. Lesson Text— Philippians 4:4-7. Philippians 4:4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway : and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

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Principles of Christian Living

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  1. Principles of Christian Living

  2. Lesson 5

  3. Lesson Text—Philippians 4:4-7 Philippians 4:4-74 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

  4. Lesson Text—Philippians 4:4-7 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

  5. Lesson Text—Philippians 4:8-10 Philippians 4:8-108 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

  6. Lesson Text—Philippians 4:8-10 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

  7. Lesson Text—Philippians 4:11-13 Philippians 4:11-13 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

  8. Lesson Text—Philippians 4:11-13 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

  9. Focus Verse—Romans 12:2 Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

  10. Focus Thought The secret of a transformed life is found in keeping your mind on the good and righteous things of God.

  11. CULTURE CONNECTION A New Way of Thinking I. Living a Life of Peace In his article “A Transformed Mind,” Darrell L. Guder wrote, “Our culture puts emphasis on feelings, but the New Testament put the emphasis on thinking. Our conversion, for instance, powerfully transforms how we think. . . People conformed to this world often become mired in mental ruts, incapable of thinking outside certain boxes, lacking in spiritual imagination.

  12. When they encounter God’s love in Christ, He begins to remake their minds, reshape their assumptions, renew basic decision making. That’s biblical formation—a process of mental transformation to a new world of possibilities. . . . To think as a Christian is to see ourselves through new lens: from God’s perspective” What does this mental transformation do for a believer? For one thing, it changes his worldview. I. Living a Life of Peace

  13. In his unregenerate state, a person can only interpret life through a temporal, fleeting perception of events. What a difference it makes when his Spirit- transformed mind enables him to view life through the perspective of eternity. This new way of thinking empowers us to cultivate a life of peace, gentleness, contentment, and positive appreciation for life itself. No longer do we have to fall victim to the fear and anxiety created by the world of chaos that surrounds us. Rather, we are able to focus on the wonderful things of God and His church. I. Living a Life of Peace

  14. Contemplating the Topic I. Living a Life of Peace Perhaps more than ever before, people’s hearts are “failing them for fear” (Luke 21:26). Frightening news reports about “those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26) unsettle their minds and pierce their hearts. In the midst of such distressing times, as celestial and earthly signs clearly point to the not-so-distant end (Luke 21:25), the people of God need to “look up, and lift up [their] heads; for [their] redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).

  15. While chaos whirls around us, how can we actually accomplish this? Rather than focusing on alarming news developments, which can cultivate fear and anxiety, God desires that we concentrate on cultivating a right relationship with Him, so we “may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). Our attention must center on maintaining a heart, mind, and lifestyle that pleases God (Mark 12:30). I. Living a Life of Peace

  16. I. Living a Life of Peace While the world offers peace and safety, at best it grants only a false sense of security (I Thessalonians 5:3). The world also attempts to force us into its mold, but we must refuse and resist these efforts (Romans 12:2). With a transformed mind that focuses on the things of God (Philippians 4:8), we can enjoy the true peace and assurance that only God supplies (Philippians 4:9).

  17. Searching the Scriptures Living a Life of Peace I. Living a Life of Peace God originally designed humanity to experience the peace of God. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived in harmony with each other and with God. The Fall shattered this peace, however, and the pair soon experienced fear and separation from God (Genesis 3:8-10) as well as disharmony with each other (Genesis 3:12).

  18. I. Living a Life of Peace True to His word, God expelled Adam and Eve from the tranquility of the Garden and they began a new chapter in their lives of continual sorrow, toil, and pain (Genesis 3:16-24). Anxious thoughts troubled their minds; what could their future hold now? Thoughts such as these still trouble people’s minds and hearts. Ever since sin first entered the scene, problems, worries, and uncertainties have plagued mankind.

  19. At its inception, the church in Philippi experienced trouble and even violence. Later, apparently after hearing about their continued adversities, suffering, and conflict, Paul admonished the church at Philippi to experience a transformed mind. Incredibly, he wrote this joyful letter while he was in prison (Philippians 1:7, 13-16), where he lived out his own advice. From a natural perspective, he had plenty about which to be concerned. I. Living a Life of Peace

  20. I. Living a Life of Peace It was not even certain whether he would be released or sentenced to execution (Philippians 1:20-24). Nevertheless, Paul’s circumstances neither frightened nor depressed him; his outlook remained optimistic and joyful. He believed that Jesus Christ could reverse the human climate of fear and worry. A mind transformed by Christ brought peace, security, and freedom from troubling, anxious thoughts.

  21. Rejoice in the Lord A. Rejoice in the Lord Rejoicing in the Lord elevates our minds above our circumstances. David and other psalmists commended the practice of rejoicing in the Lord’s goodness. (For example, see Psalm 32:11; 33:1; 35:9; 40:16; 105:3; 118:24.) David wrote many of these psalms, praising the Lord for delivering him from his enemies. We also can look above our problems by rejoicing in the Lord and focusing our minds on Him (Psalm 121:1-2).

  22. I. Living a Life of Peace Near the end of his epistle to the Philippians, Paul began a series of exhortations (Philippians 4:1-9) by encouraging the church to continually rejoice. In fact, he felt so strongly about this that he repeated the injunction (Philippians 4:4).

  23. I. Living a Life of Peace The church in Philippi had faced many challenges: the beating and imprisonment of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:12-40; I Thessalonians 2:2); Paul’s current imprisonment in Rome (Philippians 1:7, 13-16); the near death of their messenger, Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30); potential danger from Judaizers (Philippians 3:2); and apparent discord among members (Philippians 4:2).

  24. I. Living a Life of Peace Yet the main theme of this epistle is joy (Philippians 1:4, 25; 2:2, 17-18)! Paul spoke repeatedly of the Philippians’ rejoicing (Philippians 1:26; 2:18, 28; 3:1, 3; 4:4) as well as his own rejoicing (Philippians 1:18; 2:16-17; 3:3; 4:10). Joy is a main factor in promoting a peaceful, transformed mind.

  25. Be Gentle with Others B. Be Gentle with Others In Philippians 4:5, Paul moved on to a second exhortation. The Philippians should let their “moderation” (KJV) or “gentle spirit” (NASU) be “known unto all men.” The transformed minds of believers should produce gentleness, a virtue that reflects a Christ-like nature. Paul encouraged his younger coworkers, Timothy and Titus, to be “gentle” (I Timothy 3:3; Titus 3:2, NKJV).

  26. I. Living a Life of Peace In his letter to the Thessalonians, he reminded them that when he and Silas first arrived in their city (I Thessalonians 2:1), they “were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children” (I Thessalonians 2:7).

  27. Be Not Anxious C. Be Not Anxious Anxiety is one of the hallmarks of our age. It is a debilitating mindset in which our thoughts are overcome by fears of what might or might not happen. However, Paul, in Philippians 4:6, wrote that they should “be anxious for nothing” (NKJV). We should not allow any circumstance, no matter how serious or troubling, to paralyze our minds with fear and worry.

  28. I. Living a Life of Peace Further, Jesus taught we should not be overcome with anxiety over the necessities of life, for God knows our needs (Matthew 6:25-34). Paul assured the Philippians that God would supply their needs (Philippians 4:19).

  29. Pray with Thanksgiving D. Pray with Thanksgiving In Philippians 4:6 Paul noted that the Philippians should not trouble their minds over anything. Rather, they should “be careful for nothing.” Paul prescribed “prayer and supplication with thanksgiving” as the best antidotes for anxiety. Rather than permitting our minds to be overcome with “cares of this life” (Luke 21:34), in everything—in all situations that might cause us worry or fear—we must make known our requests to God (Philippians 4:6).

  30. Instead of burdening our minds with worries, we should turn our worries over to the One who feeds the birds and clothes the grass (Matthew 6:26-30). “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (I Peter 5:7). Rather than allowing worries to weigh us down, we should hand them to God. The worries then dissipate, for we know He can deal with them infinitely better than we can! Luke illustrated this principle in Luke 10. I. Living a Life of Peace

  31. Two sisters from Bethany, Martha and Mary, invited Jesus to their home for dinner (Luke 10:38-42). Martha, who was “cumbered about much serving” (Luke 10:40), complained that her sister would not help with meal preparation and serving. Mary stayed “at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:39). Jesus characterized and differentiated the two sisters by observing that Martha’s real problem was anxiety; she was “careful and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). I. Living a Life of Peace

  32. I. Living a Life of Peace Conversely, Mary found the source of true peace at Jesus’ feet: “One thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

  33. Allow the Peace of God to Sustain You E. Allow the Peace of God to Sustain You The world claims to offer us a peace “package,” but inside is only care and toil. However, Jesus is the true Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He provides peace that surpasses explanation, a peace that “passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

  34. I. Living a Life of Peace During His farewell discourse, when Jesus announced His imminent departure (John 14:3), He told His disciples He would leave them with a peace unlike that of the world’s: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

  35. I. Living a Life of Peace Even today, Jesus offers peace to troubled, anxious people: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

  36. I. Living a Life of Peace Paul told the Philippians to seek God’s face when they experienced anxiety (Philippians 4:6). Once anxiety vacated their lives, a wonderful thing would happen: God’s peace would move in (Philippians 4:7)! God offers peace as a substitute for worry. Whenever we experience anxiety, we can give our cares and concerns to Him and in return encounter the Prince of Peace.

  37. Keep Your Heart F. Keep Your Heart As the Day of the Lord approaches, it is critical to keep our hearts pure. Jesus underscored this truth in Luke 21:34: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” The state of our hearts is extremely important, for in them lie the center of our being and actions: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

  38. I. Living a Life of Peace One way to keep our hearts is to saturate them continually in the peace of God. God’s peace, Paul noted, would keep the Philippians’ hearts (Philippians 4:7). While the hearts of those who do not know God are “failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26), “through Christ Jesus ” we can experience in our hearts a peace beyond comprehension (Philippians 4:7).

  39. Keep Your Mind G. Keep Your Mind God’s peace will also keep our minds (Philippians 4:7). As the time of his execution by the Roman government neared (II Timothy 4:6-8), Paul reminded Timothy that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7).

  40. G. Keep Your Mind While “a double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8), the gift of a peaceful mind is given to those who focus on and trust in the Lord: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

  41. Living a Positive Life II. Living a Positive Life Sin corrupted the human mind. In Noah’s day, God observed mankind’s wickedness, noting “that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Fallen from his original glory, man’s mind had become warped and twisted. Greed, lust, and violence began to occupy the forefront in man’s thinking. Little has changed today, and sadly this condition of the human heart will prevail until Jesus returns (Luke17:26).

  42. Recognizing that the human mind, apart from God’s regenerating power, dwells on depraved thoughts, Paul admonished the Philippians to reconstruct their thinking patterns. He outlined the kind of things that should employ their thoughts in order to resist the sway of worldly thinking. (See Philippians 4:8-9.) Since the sinful nature causes the mind to think perverse thoughts, they needed to reject the pervasive influence of worldly thinking and experience a transformed mind. I. Living a Life of Peace

  43. A. Positive Thoughts B. Positive Actions The world in which we live is undeniably wicked, but living in the first century was neither pleasant nor easy. The Book of Revelation, which probably was written around the end of the first century, depicted a world caught up in idolatry, corruption, sexual perversion, violence, and greed (Revelation 9:20-21; 18:1-16). In Philippi specifically, Paul and Silas encountered a pagan environment of divination and violence (Acts 16:16).

  44. I. Living a Life of Peace Paul taught the Philippians to shun evil by concentrating on things that were good, righteous, and edifying.

  45. Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

  46. I. Living a Life of Peace Thinking about true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and good things counteracts unsavory elements in the world that are correspondingly false, dishonest, unjust, impure, unlovely, and of a bad report. If individuals are not sure whether something is worth thinking about, Paul made the criteria clear: they should preoccupy their minds with virtuous and praiseworthy things.

  47. I. Living a Life of Peace This principle of meditating on good things to avoid the ways of the wicked is a longstanding one in Scripture. The writer of Psalm 1, for example, advocated meditation on the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2) as the path to blessing (Psalm 1:3) and alternative to the evil thinking of “the ungodly,” “sinners,” and “the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).

  48. I. Living a Life of Peace Likewise, attending to the Proverbs of Solomon would lead a person into the path of “wisdom, and instruction” as well as “understanding,” “knowledge and discretion” (Proverbs 1:1-5). Such a foundation in right thinking—in true wisdom—would help a person avoid the paths of evil (Proverbs 1:10-33).

  49. Positive Actions B. Positive Actions Although Paul had to leave Philippi shortly after founding the church there (Acts 16:39-40), he did have enough time to impart some of his teachings personally and for the Philippians to observe his character and behavior. For him, right thinking was no mere academic matter. Rather, a transformed mind resulted in a righteous, godly lifestyle.

  50. I. Living a Life of Peace Paul endorsed a life of imitation. In other words, he challenged the Philippians to emulate his godly character and to follow the traditions he taught them (II Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6), as long as he followed Christ (I Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17). Paul often admonished his churches to follow his example (I Corinthians 4:16; Philippians 3:17; I Thessalonians 1:6).

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