Applying Big Truths to All Things

Notes: Applying Big Truths to All Things

Valor

Philippians 4

Pastor Adam Eaton

February 23, 2016

Philippians 4:1-9 NLT

[1] Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. [2] Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. [3] And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. [4] Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! [5] Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. [6] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [8] And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Big cruise ships now have stabilizers that keep them from moving as much when they are floating out at sea.

We need to have stabilizers in our lives. We live in turbulent times.

Some people love change, they are constantly making big changes in their lives.

In our walk with the Lord we need to have stability. We need to have internal stabilizers.

Paul had awesome stability. He would write from prison cells while chained to guards and say things like:

Philippians 4:6 NLT

[6] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

A single phone call or text could change everything for us.

Use big truths for small situations:

1. There is a God

That is a huge truth. That means there is hope.

2. Because He is God, He is in control

Psalm 115:3 NLT

[3] Our God is in the heavens, and He does as He wishes.

3. God is Good

Psalm 100:5 NLT

[5] For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

These big truths can be used in every situation of our lives.

Romans 8:28-29 NLT

[28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. [29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

With these truths we can weather anything and face it with joy.

Hebrews 6:19 NLT

[19] This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.

This is good in theory, but how do we do this?:

1. Rejoice always

Philippians 4:4 NLT

[4] Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!

In every circumstance I am to rejoice. Even when I stub my toe.

This requires practice and we have to choose this.

Philippians 4:2 NLT

[2] Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.

He is asking these two ladies to choose the Lord, agreeing in the Lord.

In everything agree in the Lord with your fellow believers.

This joy is not blind happiness. It doesn't mean you will always be in a good mood. It is an underlying attitude in your whole life of joy.

No matter what happens...I still have Christ.

God is working and He is working to make us more like Christ.

2. Be gentle

Philippians 4:5 NLT

[5] Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Men have a tendency to not be gentle, that tendency doesn't tend to work well with relationships.

The way you deal with people, reflects God.

We need to be gentle.

When life gets hard that's when I tend to not be gentle.

Be a good reflection of Jesus to people.

The same people we need to be gentle with, many times will be the people we need to cry to for help.

3. Pray about everything 

Philippians 4:6 NLT

[6] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

The number one killer of joy is anxiety.

We need to pray in everything for everything.

Missing one day of prayer should be looked at as a catastrophic event in our lives.

Pray with thanksgiving regardless of the outcome.

If I am thankful regardless of the outcome, knowing that God is in control, then I am not worried because I know God is in control.

Philippians 4:7 NLT

[7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Applying big truths to small situations.