Introduction

Paul’s circumstances

6 Commitments to see God at work in your life:

Commitment #1. AGREE TO DISAGREE AGREEABLY.

GRUDGE

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Commitment #2. CELEBRATE SOMETHING.

Rejoice = Celebrate

Gentleness = Big-hearted generousity

LAMENT

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Commitment #3. WORRY ABOUT NOTHING.

Do not be anxious about anything, Philippians 4:6a

Worry = assuming responsibility

ANXIETY

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Commitment #4. PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.

but in everything, by prayer and petition, Philippians 4:6b

Don’t be general but be specific

REPRESS

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Commitment #5. THANK GOD FOR ANYTHIING.

…with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6c

GRATING

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Commitment #6. THINK ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS.

Finally, brothers,

whatever is true,

+ whatever is noble,

+ whatever is right,

+ whatever is pure,

+ whatever is lovely,

+ whatever is admirable –

= think about such things. (means:

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.

SUBTRACT

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SO WHAT?!

The result of putting these 6 commitments to work in your life is…

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9c

Pray First: 21 days of prayer and fasting in 2021

#4. SUPPLICATION

Philippians 4, January 24, 2021

Pastor Ed Kemp

Prayer Requests:

Read out loud: Philippians 4

Group Discussion: What’s the difference between legitimate concern and unjustified worry? Name something that you worry about that’s unjustified. Name something else for which you have legitimate concern that is justified.

In verses 1-3 Paul says we need to help one another remove conflict from our lives. Euodia and Syntyche are having conflict and Paul instructs the church to help them resolve and reconcile their differences. Have you ever been involved in helping people reconcile their differences? If you’re going to help 2 people reconcile gentleness (gracious attitude) is a key, why? If you have kids have you ever commanded your kids to stop fighting, have you ever used gentleness? What did those two look like?

Verses 4-7 Paul is encouraging prayer because prayer connects us with God who is the ultimate answer to all problems. Can you name a time or problem when prayer really helped you see the way through a difficulty or gave you insight into how to repair a problem or to endure it? How often and how long do you pray? In what practical way does it help your attitudes and actions? Who is the best prayer you know?

Verses 8-9 is a strategy for handling worry. Paul says to focus on “whatever” is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and of good. In essence Paul is saying to count your blessings therefore, what blessings have you encountered from the hand of God this week? Then Paul says to practice things in your life that you admire in others lives, so who are you copying, and how?

Verses 10-13 Paul reiterates that Christ is his main and only source of strength to face difficulties. Describe a time when Christ strengthened you to face a problem or difficulty. What character trait did Christ have to strengthen for you to make it through the problem?

Finally in verses 14-19 Paul says that God will supply all of our needs. Notice he doesn’t say He will supply all of our wants! What’s the difference between needs and wants? Is it okay to have wants as well as needs? How have needs and wants changed over the last 50 years?

Family Time: Read Phil. 4:6 to your kids. Ask them for 3 prayer requests each. Spend just a couple of minutes morning or evening or both for 1 week praying with them for their requests.