TEACHING NOTES Introduction In this series we have been learning how to “work out your own salvation” or live out/exercise your salvation. Each week we have been adding to the list of ways that we can live out our faith. Last week we learning to stop living in the past and focus forward. Today, we’re going to learn that we must redirect our attention from the wrong things to the right things. ‌ How to Live Out Your Salvation: ‌Phil. 1:1-11 — Partnership in the Gospel ‌Phil. 1:12-26 — Live for Christ and Others ‌Phil. 1:27-30 — Work Together as a Family ‌Phil. 2:1-11 — Live Like Christ ‌Phil. 2:12-18 — Exercise Your Salvation ‌Phil. 2:19-30 — Follow Godly Examples ‌Phil. 3:1-11 — Live for Eternity ‌Phil. 3:12-21 — Focus Forward ‌Phil. 4:1-9 — Redirect Your Attention ‌ Philippians 4:1–3 1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. ‌ Stand firm thus in the Lord = Grk. stekete houtos en kyrio - continue to be steadfast in this way. Paul’s use of “therefore” and “thus” here indicates that everything he has said previously and will say next is meant to tell us how to remain faithful to Christ (exercise our salvation). ‌ Euodia and Syntyche = Apparently, these two Christian women had been in some kind of disagreement with one another. Paul “entreats” (Grk. parakalo - urge, implore, call on) these women to “agree” (Grk. autos phroneo - be of the same mind). Paul tells them to do this “in the Lord” meaning that their relationship with Christ should compel them to be unified. ‌ True companion = Paul seems to be addressing a single person here, but it is unclear who he is referring to exactly. We know from Phil. 1:1 that Paul addressed this letter to the church and its overseers and deacons. So this “true companion” is likely one of those church leaders. ‌ Help these women = While Paul strongly “entreats” these women to be in agreement or unity, he asks a church leader in Philippi to help these women find unity. For Paul, any disunity is bad for the people of God, especially if the dispute if over a minor issue. ‌ Labored side by side with me = Euodia and Syntyche are not portrayed as rebellious women, but as committed members of God’s family. They had worked side by side with Paul in making disciples. They are important women to Paul and the church. They have influence in the church, so they need to solve this issue before it causes more problems. ‌ Clement = Early church writers after the New Testament identified this Clement as Clement of Rome, who was the bishop of the church in Rome and wrote a letter to Corinth (1 Clement) in AD 95-96. Apparently, before his leadership in the church in Rome, Clement was an influential leader in the church in Philippi. Clement’s writings were so influential in the ancient church that two of his letters were included as an appendix in Codex Alexandrinus (a manuscript of the Bible dating to the late 400s AD). ‌ Names are in the book of life = The idea that the names of the righteous are written in heaven is seen throughout the Bible (Dan. 7:10; Luke 10:20; Rev. 20:11-15). The idea that God has written your name in heaven is about knowing God in relationship. ‌ Philippians 4:4–7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ‌ Rejoice in the Lord always = A study of Paul’s life and ministry helps us to see that Paul means what he says here. Paul is not exaggerating when he says, “rejoice in the Lord always.” He means that we should literally rejoice in the Lord no matter what is going on. To rejoice in Lord always is to thank God at all times and in all situations. ‌ Reasonableness = Grk. epieikes - gentleness, consideration for others. ‌ The Lord is at hand = Grk. ho kyrios engys - The Lord is near. It would be easy to think that Paul is referring to the return of Christ. However, this phrase simply means “the Lord is near to you or next to you.” The idea is that we should live like the Lord is really with us and watching us. ‌ Do not be anxious about anything = Again, Paul is not being hyperbolic here. He literally means that Christians should not be anxious/worried/afraid about anything. Paul got this idea from the teachings of Jesus where He commanded, “do not be anxious about your life” (Matt. 6:25; Luke 12:22). In Luke’s account Jesus even says, “which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25). This may seem impossible, but Paul is about to tell us how we can live a worry-free life. ‌ In everything by prayer = In Jesus’ teachings, the passage about worry is connected to prayer and not chasing worldly possessions. In other words, if we focus on prayer (Matt. 6:9-13) and stop storing up treasures on earth (Matt. 6:19-24), only then we can be free of worry (Matt. 6:25-34). If we truly believe that God is all-knowing (omniscient) and all-powerful (omnipotent) and all-loving (omnibenevolent), then we can trust Him with our worries. As Peter says, “casting all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). ‌ Supplication = Grk. deesei - urgent request, plea, petition. This is more than simply asking for something you want. Supplication is pleading with God for an urgent need. ‌ Thanksgiving = Grk. eucharistias - thankfulness, being grateful. Prayer should not be limited to making requests of God. Prayer should always include thanking God for all He had done, is doing, and will do. Also, the Lord’s Supper is also called the Eucharist ‌ Requests made known to God = Whereas “supplication” is about more urgent needs, “requests” are more like general needs or desires. Although our God holds the universe in place, He is still concerned about our requests (1 John 5:15). The power of prayer is that it reminds us that we are completely dependent on God. ‌ The peace of God = Grk. ho eirene tou theou - In the Bible peace, rest, and comfort are all the same idea. Paul is likely getting this process of prayer that leads to peace from Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed [dependent] on you, because he trusts in you.” Prayer is focusing our minds and hearts on God and learning to trust in Him. Therefore, the more we pray the more peace we will have. ‌ Guard your hearts and minds = Data and facts can help us function in reality, but facts cannot guard us from anxiety. In many ways, the facts can cause anxiety. But prayer and dependence on God can actually guard our deceitful hearts and minds, because prayer brings us into the peace of God. ‌ Philippians 4:8–9 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any virtue, if there is anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. ‌ True = Grk. alethe - (plural adjective) “the true things.” ‌ Honorable = Grk. semna - special respect. ‌ Just = Grk. dikaia - righteous, morally right. ‌ Pure = Grk. hagna - holy, dedicated to God. ‌ Lovely = Grk. prosphile - pleasing, delightful, agreeable. ‌ Commendable = Grk. euphemos - worthy of honor, what makes one glad. ‌ Virtue = Grk. arete - good character. ‌ Worthy of praise = Grk. epainos - admirable, approved. ‌ Dwell on these things = Grk. logizesthe - consider, keep in mind, reason. ‌ Practice these things = Grk. prassete - do, accomplish, bring about actively. ‌ The God of peace will be with you = Being with God is the ultimate goal of the Christian life. God with us is also God’s goal in all that He has done. To know that the God of peace is with you helps to destroy anxiety and fear. For example, in the story of Joseph—which is filled with anxiety causing circumstances—the repeated phrase is “and the LORD was with Joseph” (Gen. 39:2, 21, 23). ‌ Application: ‌What you focus on grows. ‌Choose your focus wisely. ‌ Hebrews 12:1–2 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ‌‌ How to Respond ‌Prayer: Ask God to reveal what needs to change. ‌Repentance: Agree with God and repent of sin. ‌Worship: Thank God for what He is doing in you. ‌Communion: Take Christ in and renew faithfulness.