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Introduction

A letter to a church ten years after it started

Paul is under house arrest in Rome and has been in chains for the last few years leading up to the righting of this letter

Communication is coming and going through messengers

Some of the big ideas of the book:

The Gospel moves forward

even when the messengers face difficult circumstances

even when people have bad motives

Thinking rightly lends itself to joy

Thinking and doing are paired throughout the letter and we will encounter it again in this text

Paul’s call to action is first and foremost a call to church unity

Chapter 3:

be on guard against legalism and understand the righteousness of Christ described in 3:9

living out the righteousness of Christ means we have purpose and direction

Last Week: Understanding Gender Roles in the Church

Tonight our text has 5 Commands and 2 Mandates

These actions primarily deal with the private life of the individual.

These actions primarily deal with the private life of the individual.

Most of these commands can be obeyed privately.

They do not hinge on a corporate gathering of the church or society.

Most of these commands can be obeyed privately.

They do not hinge on a corporate gathering of the church or society.

Rejoice

Command #1 and #2

Joy and Rejoice is found more times in this letter then any other letter written by Pal

“joy” is found 5 times in Philippians.

Also there is χαίρω or Chairo which means rejoice.

It is found 9 times in Philippians

Here are the passages in Philippians where Paul has already talked about joy or rejoicing.

always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

What then?

Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,

fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.

For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Gentleness

4 Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again: Rejoice!o 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near.p

6 Do not be anxious about anything,q but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.r 7 And the peace of God,s which transcends all understanding,t will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near.

o ; ; ; See ; ;

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near.p

p ; ; ; ,

q

p Ps 119:151; 145:18; Heb 10:37; Jas 5:8, 9

r ;

s ; See

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Php 4:5.

t

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .

tolerant or lenient towards deviations from moral rectitude.

It is a gentleness.

Mandate #1

Definition: “tolerant or lenient towards deviations from moral rectitude.

It is a graciousness.”

Also found in ,

In 2 Cor.

10:1 Paul beseeches his readers by the ‘gentleness’ (epieikeia) of Christ, coupled with his ‘meekness’ (praÿtēs).

epieikeia suggests the yielding of a judge, who, instead of demanding the exact penalty required by strict justice, gives way to circumstances which call for mercy.

This definition brings to mind

Jesus has dealt with us with gentleness.

Illustration: My dad taught me that other people's bad behavior is an opportunity to shine.

When people behave badly... are rude... it gives you an opportunity demonstrate graciousness and wisdom.

It give Jesus a good name when we respond with gentleness.

Anxiety

Command #3 and Mandate #2

Note: This is situational anxiety or event based anxiety.

Paul is not talking about a biological based anxiety that is detached from life but present non the less.

Word Definition:

Uneasy feeling of uncertainty, agitation, dread, or fear

In the Bible anxiety is frequently depicted as the common human reaction to stressful circumstances.

Saul’s father was anxious about his lost donkeys, and then about Saul’s failure to return from looking for them (1 Sam.

9:5; 10:2).

The psalmist confesses that anxiety is “great” within him (Ps.

94:19).

Anxiety is portrayed in the Scripture as being inconsistent with trust in God.

19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me,

Your comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 127:2

2 It is vain for you to rise up early,

To sit up late,

To beat the bread of sorrows;

For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Proverbs 12:25

25 zAnxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

But aa good word makes it glad.

Jeremiah 17:7–8

7 “Blessed lis the man who trusts in the LORD,

And whose hope is the LORD.

8 For he shall be mlike a tree planted by the waters,