Living The Jesus Life

This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.

Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That's why we've entitled the series, 'Living the Jesus Life'.

Today's focus is Philippians 4:1-9

Matthew 6 is right in the middle of Jesus teaching known as the sermon on the mount. It’s essentially Jesus telling his disciples how to live the Jesus life.

Jesus has covered some big and heavy topics so far. Things like adultery, divorce, telling lies, loving your enemies, how to manage your money how to pray. And right in the middle of that teaching, he addresses a topic that affects us all in some way or another. Worry.

Jesus has gone to detail to explain to his followers- If you really want the Jesus life; Don’t worry.

As we continue in our teaching series, the apostle Paul will join Jesus in the bold and assertive declaration- Do not be anxious.

I can imagine your question might be like mine-
"That’s all well and good Paul and Jesus- But how? How do I live the Jesus life, free of worry?"

That’s what we will seek to answer today in Part 8 of our teaching series, Living the Jesus Life.

As we begin today in verse 3 of chapter 4, Paul is coming out of the last turn, heading down the home stretch of his letter.

The final things, one last reminder, one last bit of encouragement for his friends before he signs off.

In the face of difficulties with the church, from outside the church, with life in general- CHOOSE JOY.

To choose joy is a lifestyle- a commitment to see the good in all things through the lens of God who controls all things.

Our joy is not haphazard happiness- it’s a firm confidence in Christ Jesus.

I wonder today, do you consider worry or anxiety a matter of your spiritual health? Do you take it as seriously as Jesus and Paul?

A quick google search reveals that anywhere from 20-30% of people will deal with worry or anxiety.
(My anecdotal experience would say it’s not any different within the church context.)

But it doesn’t seem like we deal with worry as decisively as some of Jesus other teachings-
If 30 out of 100 of us in the room today were lying or stealing on daily basis that would be a big deal, right?

If 20 of us were murderers- that would be problematic, and frightening.

But 30 people dealing with worry, do we sense that as needing decisive action for living our Jesus life?

The worry that Paul is warning about is the relentless internalizing, replaying, obsessing about the unknown, fear of the uncontrollable parts of life, playing out the worst case scenario’s about literally everything..

What are the things in your life that you worry most about? What are the things you internalize and obsess about? Lose sleep over?
- Perhaps about money- not having enough, or how to manage what you have.
- about our health, or the health of a loved one.
- The un-known of getting older, perhaps even about death.
- We worry about the future, our education, our jobs, our kids.

What is it for you?

Worry is real. And it’s a struggle. And it's not compatible with living the Jesus life.

The good thing for those of us who deal with worry- Jesus and Paul both give us weapons to tackle it.

The question will be: As you seek to live the Jesus life, will you take up the weapons to defeat worry in your life? It’s a fight worth fighting friends.

For Jesus- The answer to worry, is to look up. Look beyond ourselves to the immeasurable greatness and wonder of God.

So much worry comes from our own processing of how we can do it, how we can handle it, what we are going to do- Jesus says- Seek GOD first- take your eyes off yourself and what you can do- and seek the Lord- He will take care of you.

In every situation, through prayer, bring your needs to God. With a thankful heart, tell him what you need, what’s going on.

Again, there is a shift of focus right?

Take your worries to God in prayer, asking Him for what you need, and allow him to bring you His peace.

What a great exchange- your worries, for God’s peace.

This is the invitation of the Jesus life.
To bring all of our worries, our troubles, our anxieties before the Lord.

With a grateful heart for a father that knows us and hears us- tell him what’s on our minds, and what we need.
And receive his peace- live life in the power of his presence, not the antagonizing weight of worry.

With an offer so amazing, why wait?

I think Paul understood that if all we think about are the negative things in life, we will never break free from the cycle of worry.

If we focus on the bad, the negative, the broken, the ugly, we are inviting worry back into our lives.

Focus on the good things, allow God’s peace to guard your heart.

Live the Jesus life free of worry.