Philippians 4:1-9 with Brother Josiah Shipley - THE PEACE OF GOD, THE GOD OF PEACE

We're gonna be in Philippians 4 guys, you guys can go ahead and turn there.

We're gonna be in Philippians chapter 4.

I do want to go back to something that we normally do on Sunday nights.

We're meeting together.

I don't know exactly how it'll work but normally on my Sunday night class what we do

is The last 10 minutes or so we save for questions.

They can be questions about what we talked about.

They can be questions about any part of the Bible and I will do my best to Answer them.

Get some oddball questions.

Sometimes that's okay.

I like working with those.

We had a good one from From Johnny last night during the Q &A and I like doing that kind of stuff.

So Char is gonna kind of be looking out for me in the comments.

But if you have a question that you want me to answer towards the end of class With 10 -15 minutes left. I'll stop wherever I'm

at and we'll try to answer that question as best we can on the spot.

And if we can't for whatever reason then What I normally do is I write it down and then next week

when I come on I start by answering that question before we Continue in the passage.

So again, if you have a question put in the comments Char will be on the lookout for me and we'll either answer it at The end of the lesson

tonight or at the beginning of the one next week time permitting.

Okay, so just keep that in mind.

Especially if you guys are like me when someone's talking and preaching I often have questions come up in my mind.

And write them down put them in the comments at the end.

Alrighty, well.

Let's go ahead and get to reading guys Philippians chapter 4.

I don't think we're gonna get through the whole chapter tonight.

All right Philippians chapter 4.

I'm gonna read 1 through 9 and then we'll talk about that.

I'm only read 1 through 9 and we'll talk about that.

So here we go Philippians chapter 4 now remember.

Those you already here who wrote Philippians.

Put in the comments.

I'm ready.

I want to.

I want to interact with you guys a little bit.

I know it's a little bit of a delay.

Who wrote the book of Philippians first one to put it wins.

Normally, it's either Sadie's or Vicki.

I don't see Sadie's right now who wrote the book of Philippians.

Someone put it on there.

Those you just joining in we're in Philippians chapter 4.

I need to know someone tell me who wrote the book of Philippians.

Yes.

Very good Mr. Mike.

Okay Mike my wife got it.

So I'm gonna say she got it first.

Sorry, man.

Yeah, there we go.

So Paul wrote it.

Okay, and how many letters did Paul write?

How many letters did Paul write.

New Testament has 27 books?

How many of them did Paul, right?

You already knew I was gonna ask that question.

So someone go ahead and put it down.

How many did Paul, right?

Mmm, no, you don't win a haircut.

Well, I tell you what Mike if you tell me how many letters Paul, right?

And you're the first one to say it.

I'm not gonna promise you a haircut cuz you probably don't want a haircut for me.

Close close.

We're getting close a little less.

It's pretty good though,

no, it was Mike first, it's okay.

I didn't agree to anything.

Yeah, Paul wrote 13 guys.

Paul wrote 13 letters.

Philippians is one of his prison epistles.

Okay.

It's one of the ones that he wrote why he was in prison, right.

Philippians Colossians Ephesians and Philemon, okay.

That was a good guess.

So here we go.

We are on the last chapter of Philippians so far.

Paul's talked a lot about unity a whole lot about unity and you need unity being in

Christ as brother Jeff talked about this.

He's talked a lot about who Jesus is and then at the name of Jesus on that day.

Every single knee will bow and every tongue will swear allegiance.

And confess we talked about how that Passage is a quote from the Old Testament from

Isaiah and that it says at the name of Yahweh every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.

Conclusion, of course was Jesus was God.

Jesus is God.

We've talked about the striding and straving and working out your own salvation.

We've talked a lot about sanctification both positional progressive and perfected.

So now we're here in the last chapter of Philippians and that's enough of all that time to read Philippians 4 1

through 9.

Therefore my brothers whom I love and long for my joy in my crown.

Stand firm thus in the Lord

my beloved.

I 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 verse 4 rejoice in the

Lord always again I say rejoice let your reasonableness or gentleness be known to everyone.

The Lord is at hand.

Don't be anxious about anything.

But in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.

Let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding

will keep in.

Guard your hearts and minds in Christ.

Jesus verse 8 finally my brothers whatever is true.

Whatever is honorable, whatever is just whatever is pure.

Whatever is lovely.

Whatever is commendable.

There's any excellence and if there's any thing worthy of praise think about these things.

What you have learned received heard and seen in me.

Practice these things and the God of peace will be with you.

Amen.

Alright guys, let's go over those nine verses before we move forward.

Paul starts Philippians 4 with saying therefore or so then no church.

When you see the word therefore always ask yourself, what's the word therefore therefore?

Why does it say so then because it wants you to keep in mind?

What was just said so you can know in Context what's about to be said so

when it says.

So then or therefore, let's look at the very last part of chapter 3.

So I'm gonna read chapter 3 because remember guys.

The Bible is not original originally written in chapters and verses.

This is a letter.

We added the chapters and verses in later as reference points to help us find things right think about the book of

Isaiah as long as it is if we didn't have chapters and verses we would never be able to find a certain passage we're looking for.

It's hard enough with chapters and verses.

Those were put in to help us as reference guys much like when you see the line numbers on a poem.

Right much like that.

So since this is a letter, it's important for us to remember that Paul never intended it

to be broken up where that's chapter 3.

This is chapter 4 and they have nothing to do with each other.

So let's read the end of chapter 3 so we know the context of chapter 4.

You with me.

So chapter 3 verse 20, but our citizenship for true believers our citizenship is in heaven.

Where we await a Savior of the Lord Jesus Christ notice our citizenship is in heaven.

Even though we're in earth right now.

That's why Peter calls us foreign residents.

It's amazing how Peter and Paul Writing two different things to different groups of people and they come to the same

conclusions.

Almost like the same spirit was inspiring them both.

Our citizenship is in heaven and we await a Savior of the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly

body to be like his Glorious body.

It's like our conversation from last night.

By the power that enables him to subject all things to himself.

Okay, did you catch that?

Since we serve a God Who can subject all things to himself and our

citizenship is already in heaven, even though we're not there yet.

Our citizenship is already in heaven.

Okay, and we await our Savior for that day for a final saving.

Since you know that he can subject all things to himself.

We can according to verse 1 chapter 4 stand firm.

So Therefore my brothers whom I love and long for my joy my crown stand firm thus in the Lord.

Because our God has the power to subject all things to himself and he will on that day.

Keep in mind guys we often sing praises and we should Thinking about that day where

at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every time will confess for Those who do not

believe.

That will be an awful day.

He will subject all things to himself.

We can stand firm because that's the kind of God that we serve notice.

He says my brothers whom I love and long for my joy and my

crown my Beloved even in prison.

Paul's love for his believers what's giving him joy?

His love for Jesus.

And if you love Jesus You're gonna love the children of God.

You're gonna love your brothers and sisters in Christ gives them joy even imprisoned.

Verse 2.

I entreat I beseech I beg you Odea and Syntyche.

I'm pronouncing those the best I can guys.

So Paul is begging these two women to agree in The Lord.

Okay.

So here we have Paul correcting two women not overly harshly.

Remember Paul has the authority to command Them to do right and Paul does that sometimes?

But instead much like in the book of Philemon Paul humbly and

lovingly Corrects these women to agree not with each other.

But to agree in the Lord, okay.

Now this disagreement at the church at Philippi the congregation filled by Must have been

pretty severe because Paul from hundreds of miles away is Writing a letter

and names them by name.

Okay.

Now Paul does this a few times in his letters.

Sometimes he's vague about it.

He's like there's someone in your congregation that's doing this there.

So but when Paul calls you out by name, you know, it's serious enough to call his attention.

It's time for somebody to get right.

Okay, hey miss Carrie so Paul calls these women out by name.

Okay.

And from what we're about to read I think it's pretty clear that within the church.

Someone's already tried to correct these women and they weren't hearing it.

So this disagreement Paul calls them out by name, but he says I beg you I entreat you he doesn't

humbly and lovingly.

To agree in the Lord notice again and pastor Jeff did a great job of speaking about this this morning.

Not agree with each other but agree in the Lord now I know my little drawing is backwards because I have the selfie came on but

here's what we got.

We have you and we have me we have two believers right here.

Okay?

And the top part says Jesus.

I know it's backwards it's not Greek it's just Jesus you and me now.

Guys the answer to us being more unified is Not

for us to try to draw closer together that is not the answer.

The answer for us being more unified is as it says here to be unified

in The Lord to agree in the Lord if we both have one common goal.

Like team sports like pastor Jeff mentioned this morning.

We both have a common goal notice the more each individual

draws near that goal.

The closer we come together you see that the more you and I both Press on towards

Jesus and strive for Jesus the closer you and I get together.

Okay, you see that we become more unified when we have a common goal a common prize a

common Common in goal that we're both straining

for that we're both striving for and the more we Strain and strive for that common goal the closer we

get together just like the triangle, right?

So when Paul tells these women to agree in the Lord He could have just said agree, but

that's not good enough for believers agree in the Lord if you're both seeking

Making your attitude that of Christ Jesus Philippians 2 5 like we read a couple weeks ago if we're

both trying to make our attitude if we're both trying to make our desires if we're both trying to make our

our lives pattern after Jesus Christ.

Then we're gonna grow closer together.

Remember and I said this before guys.

I love I Love my fellow believers.

I love my local congregation at Witten, you know.

That's something I don't have to pretend.

Josiah Shipley loves his fellow believers at his congregation and it's not and I said this last week.

It's not because we have a lot of things in common on an earthly standpoint.

Okay, like we've talked about before it's because we both have a common goal the thing that matters

most in life.

We share in common.

We are all striving to that end not because we all said some prayer at some point when we were a kid.

But because every day we're all striving for the same thing.

That's what teamwork is, right?

Paul is telling these women to put aside their individual Differences in their heart and both strive for God

in doing so they'll come closer and closer together.

These women have worked side -by -side with Paul before along with Clement now.

Clement is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament.

He is mentioned outside the Bible.

There is a Clement who was a pastor the bishop the elder of the church in Rome later on in the first century.

We have a couple letters attributed to Clement.

Don't know if that's the same Clement.

It could be it very well could be but the point is

These are believing women and They're acting a little silly.

These aren't lost.

They're acting a little silly.

We can act silly even after being saved.

Can't we church?

And that's when we need somebody to come and correct us like Paul is doing here and notice it says in verse 3.

Yes, I ask you also true companion that word syzygous.

Maybe actually someone's proper name some of your Bibles might say true partner or loyal companion.

That may be someone's proper name his may his name translates as companion that may be his name.

But Paul is urging probably a leader in the church to help these women who have

labored or strive side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my Fellows workers whose

names are in the book of life.

Real quick on the book of life.

Okay.

No, not a silly Disney or Pixar movie or whatever it is.

The book of life right now.

John in Revelation speaks explicitly about the book of life.

Luke 10 mentions names recorded in heaven.

There is some allusions to the book of life.

You can study for yourself Psalm 69 Daniel chapter 12, but it's not super

explicit.

So someone may ask well, how did Paul know about the book of life clearly if John had written written

revelation yet.

My answer is well, he could have read Psalm 69 and Daniel 12 and figured it out by then.

You know the illusions but quite honestly simply the reason real reason he knew it is because God.

Because God wanted to reveal that to him and him included in here guys.

Remember, please.

How the Bible was written?

Okay, 1st Peter chapter 1 verse 20 and 21 is one of the most helpful Passages to think about how these

guys wrote the Bible now, it's obvious when we read it.

They all have their own writing styles.

They have their own personalities, but the Bible says no prophecy has ever come from the will of man.

But men spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

You know what?

That means if it's in this book that God wanted to be in there.

So even the passages where Paul talks about someone bring me my favorite cloak and some

parchment paper and Whatever we read God wanted in here for a purpose, right?

Verse 4 Rejoice in the Lord always again.

I say rejoice not much you think about this when we talk to people we repeat themselves a lot.

Those who Sit under my teaching know that I repeat myself a lot because repetition Helps people remember

things.

Jesus repeated himself a lot truly truly.

I say unto you.

Amen.

Amen barely barely I he who has ears to hear let him hear again.

I say he who has ears to hear let him hear but when you're writing It's

not often that you would repeat yourself because they can just reread it.

It's not like they missed it and didn't hear it.

Think about how important the idea of rejoicing is for Paul.

I mean, that's how Paul started chapter 3, right?

Finally my brothers rejoice in the Lord and then chapter 4 he's gonna say rejoice in the Lord always again.

I say rejoice in chapter 4 verse 1 that we just read.

He says they're his joy in his crown.

Seems like the word rejoice and rejoicing the Lord is a big idea for Paul.

Since we have this letter for Philippians It's only four chapters long and he wanted to repeat this so many times.

He must think it's pretty important now rejoice in

The Lord, okay.

What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord?

Well?

We're gonna read more about that later in chapter 4, but basically It means in

any and all circumstances to find your joy not in anything earthly but in Jesus.

Set your mind on things above not on things below.

You Know it's like in chapter 3 and all this stuff where Paul talks about being a prisoner for Lord in

Ephesians where he says I urge you to walk worthy of the calling right our joy is in the Lord.

Because that's the only true satisfying joy there is that is the true satisfying joy, and

that's the only source of it.

Everything else is fleeting.

Okay, the kingdom, you know the little one verse parable in Matthew.

Mike actually talked to me about this before.

Man finds a treasure in a field.

He goes and sells all he has to buy the field for that one treasure.

He found buried and He did it for the joy that lay before him.

I want you to think about that the kingdom of heaven is like that that man sold all his earthly

possessions and in exchange for all the things of the world.

The kingdom of heaven.

It was a good trade.

Now, of course, that's not teaching you by your way to heaven.

The point is that all earthly possessions on this planet as Paul has already mentioned before

compared to the joy of knowing Christ Jesus more and more every day is as filth as

Rubbish as dung as King James says all the treasures on the planet.

All the happiness joy the best job.

Everything compared to knowing Christ Jesus.

Knowing him is worth Surpassing more than everything else the surpassing

value of knowing him is worth all of that.

Let me just read it.

So I don't.

So I don't miss quote anymore Chapter 3 and

I'll read.

Yeah, let me read verse 7 8

9.

It's chapter 3 verse 7 8 9.

Whatever I gain I've counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Indeed, I count everything as loss in view of the surpassing worth of knowing

Christ Jesus my Lord.

For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that may gain

Christ.

And be found in him not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law.

The one that comes through faith in Christ the righteousness from God that depends on faith.

That I may my goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection guys.

The point is this we're back in chapter 4.

The point is this Guilty and below joy in the Lord.

Amen bill.

Paul says everything he's ever accomplished on this planet in View of knowing Jesus

more and more.

Paul in his old age Knows the Bible if you will more than all of us combined

says his goal is to know Jesus more and more every day and Knowing him more sir is

worth more surpassing value of everything else infinite or more than everything else.

That's the kind of joy that you have in Jesus that he is worth the loss of all things because all this is fleeting.

Rejoice in the Lord always again.

I say rejoice.

This is the day.

This is the day the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad in it ever thought about that verse that Psalm 118 24.

The part of that verse that kind of gets you.

This is the day the way it's worded tomorrow when you wake up.

Guess what?

That's the day the Lord's made.

It's time to rejoice to be glad in it and the next day when you have trouble at work.

That's the day the Lord's made.

Let us rejoice to be glad in it.

It's written in the present tense guys and the next day.

When that happens when something whatever trials come your way, that's the day the Lord has made.

Let's rejoice and be glad in it.

This common repetition in James and Paul and Psalms of Rejoicing in hard times

is because we're shifting our focus on things above and not on things below and if our focus is

on him.

Though we'll experience trials and tribulations.

We can count it as all joy.

Because it's worth it if we're obeying Jesus.

Let your reasonableness and your gentleness be known to everybody says verse

5.

Let your reasonableness and gentleness be known to everybody.

Okay guys.

Here's a question.

Apparently the dissension caused in this chapter by these women is through words, right?

They're arguing is what it says.

But if the reasonableness and gentleness is gonna be known to everybody.

Well words aren't gonna do it because they're not gonna get talked to everyone.

It's got to be through action, right?

Think about it the disagreement and the problem, excuse me that these women have stirred up was through words.

But it's gonna take action to fix it.

They can't just say we agree in the Lord.

People have to see it.

People have to see them agreeing in the Lord if their reasonableness and gentleness is going to be Seen and shown

and evident to everyone who just looks at them.

We quote this verse every week guys.

Matthew 5 44.

Let your light so shine among men that they can see your good works and glorify your father, which is in heaven.

Maybe words are the catalyst for this disagreement.

But action is required to mend it and restore it.

1st John 3 18.

Little children.

We must not love in word or speech, but in truth in action.

Okay, very good.

Verse 6 and 7.

Here we go.

Let's spend a little time on verse 6 and 7.

I've got two pages of notes just on these two verses.

I Need everybody including myself to hear what God's words about to say to you if you don't hear another thing.

I want you to hear these two verses.

Philippians 4 6 & 7.

Do not be anxious about anything.

But in everything by prayer and supplication or petition with thanksgiving.

Let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses

all.

Understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ.

Jesus.

Of course, there are different types and anxiety or worry.

This type of anxiety and worry mentioned here is The type that keeps you from acting.

It keeps you from trusting in God.

So think about Matthew 6.

Don't worry.

Matthew 6 33 and 34 seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and then all these things will be

added to you.

Don't worry.

Don't be anxious about tomorrow.

For tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble on its own.

So think about that logically for a minute the type of worry or anxiety that Paul is

talking against here is The type that keeps you from acting on what's in front of your face.

Matthew 6 34 like we just said Don't be so anxious about tomorrow.

You're not worried about the trouble that's in front of you today.

Sufficient today is the evil thereof or each day has enough trouble on its own.

So this type of anxiety or worry is the type that keeps you from acting and trusting in God.

Here's an analogy.

Deuteronomy 31 6 is one of many places in Scripture where it says fear not have courage.

Fear not have courage now at first that sounds silly.

Because there's no such things as there's no such thing as courage if there's not an aspect of fear, right?

You can't be courageous If you're not at first afraid.

So what does the Bible mean when it says fear not have courage?

It means even though you're don't afraid don't let that fear keep you from doing what you know.

You're supposed to do ie. Don't let that fear keep you from obeying having courage guys.

And God is not saying it's a sin if you have fear in your heart the sin the

wrongdoing the messing up is when you allow that fear to keep you from obeying what you know, you

ought to do and The same thing here when it says don't be anxious.

It doesn't mean if you get stressed out you're sinning against God.

What it means is if you allow that stress word anxiety, whatever to keep you from obeying God.

Then that's what he's telling you to fix.

And how do we know that because it says right here be anxious for nothing, but instead in

Everything through prayer and petition or prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving.

Let your requests be named known unto God.

It's not.

The wrong is not in worrying or or being anxious in and of itself.

But it's allowing that worry anxiety keep you from trusting in God.

No look again in everything church it says in

everything.

Just in the good times not just in the bad in everything with prayer and petition or prayer and

supplication.

I want everyone to hear this.

I've never caught this until recently.

Prayer and supplication a prayer and petition.

What's the difference?

You see.

Sometimes all of our prayers are really supplications or petitions.

All of our prayers really the second part.

That's when you ask God for something right, which is not wrong.

The Bible is commanding you to Petition to ask God right the Bible is commanding you to do that right here.

But I have a question for you, is that the only time you pray to God is when you need something is

Your only type of prayer a petition is that the only time you pray see it says with prayer and

supplication prayer and petition guys.

Your prayers should not only be requesting a need.

No, it is not wrong for you to pray for individual needs.

The Bible tells you to right here.

That's not what I'm saying.

But if your only idea of prayer is asking God for things I Would encourage you to rethink

your idea of prayer prayer and petition.

Think about the Lord's Prayer.

Jesus's prayer right when you pray pray like this.

He starts our Father who is in heaven Hallowed

honored be your name notice where he starts his prayer God you are way higher.

You are way more important.

You are way more worthy of honor and glory than us.

This is who I am.

That's who you are.

There is a separation.

There is a holiness that you have that I don't there starts with a proper view of who you are in relation to

who God is right.

He's not a genie in a bottle.

That's right Richard.

So.

Yes, exactly Mike exactly.

So Jesus starts with a proper view who God is in relation to who man is.

Your kingdom come your will be done on earth where we are your will be done

as it is in heaven, right?

So guys.

The prayer starts off like that.

Right, and then it gets on to the petitions.

I'm not trying to suggest you there is a certain order in your prayer that you must follow for God to hear your prayers.

I'm not saying that at all.

Right.

I am NOT saying that at all.

Okay, not every prayer is modeled exactly in that word order in the Bible.

There's numerous examples.

My point is this.

Sometimes God we need to praise God for who he is not just for what he does for us.

Yes, we are to praise God for the grace for the for the mercy for things He's given us.

We are to praise God for that the Psalms speak of that a lot.

But the Psalms also speak of praising God for who he is God.

You are creator God you are holy God.

Your name is above every name.

Praise him for who he is.

Not just for what he has done what he has done and also for who he is.

If God gave you nothing you should still praise him for who he is because we don't deserve anything.

We don't deserve anything.

It's by his grace.

We receive anything at all.

Every good and perfect gift is from above.

We thank him for who he is and what he's given us.

Still in verse 6 but in everything by prayer and petition with

Thanksgiving have you noticed the Thanksgiving is already present before he's answered your prayer.

Let me say that again.

The Thanksgiving is already present before he's answered your prayer.

You're supposed to pray with Thanksgiving already in your heart.

Enter his courts with Thanksgiving in your heart.

I'm sorry enter his gates with Thanksgiving your heart enter your courts with praise.

That sound like a song to you.

And we will say this is the day the Lord has made Psalm 100.

Psalm 118.

So Psalm 100 is where we get that song from right?

We come into his gates with Thanksgiving already in our heart.

And enter his courts with praise.

We already had that Thanksgiving in our heart.

Well, if he hasn't answered our prayer, then what am I thankful for guys?

Remember what we said about the proper view of who God is in relation to who we are.

It's by the very mercy and grace of God.

That any person on this planet is breathing right now.

Acts 17 says he gives life and breath to every creature at this moment.

Guys real mercy is not you not going to hell when you die.

You deserve hell now.

I deserve hell right now.

We all deserve hell right now.

It's by the very mercy of God that anyone on this planet is breathing right.

We're experiencing his grace now guys, I've said this every week, but it bears repeating if your only

idea of grace is A one -day idea at your conversion

or God showed me grace one time if your testimony Starts and ends with the day

you got saved God you need to rethink your testimony.

You need to rethink your testimony and I don't mean to offend anybody but listen to me for a minute if your

testimony is About one day that happened 20 years ago and God hasn't done anything in your life in the

past 20 years.

You may want to reconsider what happened 20 years ago cuz guys look John said this is the

testimony.

This right here what I'm writing to you right now is a testimony of what God is doing in John's life as he's writing.

It's not just about what God did a long time ago.

Right.

It's about what God's doing in your life right now.

He's molding you.

He's sanctifying you, right?

He is molding you into the image of his son.

We've used the analogy many times before and it was actually mentioned this morning by brother Jeff.

We're all being knitted together in the body of Christ and each person has been made into whatever body parts

of the I can't say.

The year I don't need you and you know, I've used the analogy of my MCL when I hurt my MCL in high school, right?

I'll briefly mention it again.

Because of that one body part that was injured.

The rest of my body suffered guys as the body of Christ when you don't pull your weight the other

members feel it.

Right, but I mentioned this in the comments this morning yeah, we

bear one another's burdens and We feel the effects when our other brothers and

sisters are not pulling their load.

But if we're sin abounds grace abounds even more.

How much more do you think our brothers and sisters will feel the effects of our obedience and our sacrifice?

If they can feel the effects of our wrongdoing, but we're sin abounds grace abounds even more how much more will they feel the effects?

Right of our obedience of our conforming to the image of God.

We've gone over many examples like this before but just to.

The Bible in Genesis 6 7 8 says there was one righteous man, but eight people got on the boat, you know, why?

You know why.

Because God blessed Noah and showed mercy to his family.

Rahab had faith.

Remember Rahab at Jericho had faith in Yahweh.

Not the gods of the Canaanites or whatever.

And her whole family was saved because of her obedience, right?

Now was saved from the conquest.

I mean, of course.

So Thanksgiving is already in our heart a proper attitude of who God is in relation to who we are.

Okay, but Josiah, why would I make my request known to an omniscient God verse.

Verse 6 says let your request be made known unto God.

Why am I gonna make my request known?

Unto God.

Because it's not for his knowledge silly.

You don't make your request known on the God so that he's aware of them, right?

The effects of making these requests known are for you.

What's the effects of making your request known to God.

Verse 7 the peace of God?

Guys proverbs 3 5 & 6 trust in the Lord with all.

Your heart lean not on your own understanding in all your ways.

Acknowledge him.

He already knows what your ways are.

He already knows.

He already knows what will happen.

He he already knows the hairs on your head.

He knows from he declares things from the beginning.

He declares things that have not yet been seen.

He's already declared them, right?

Nothing on this planet happens outside the hands of our sovereign God.

Nothing.

Our God has never been surprised and he never will be.

So why make our requests known to him for our benefit.

For our benefit.

And when you do that the peace of God comes into your life

and You feel the peace of God When we acknowledge him.

What that means of proverbs 3 5 6 is that you give credence that he's in charge and I'm not that he is

God and I'm Not that his ways are higher than my ways that his words are far higher than my words.

Right as the heavens are above the earth.

So we acknowledge that he is God in every situation.

We acknowledge that he is sovereign in every situation in every situation in every situation that he is

sovereign.

Not us guys.

We have got to rid ourselves of the idea that okay, I'm gonna give God this.

I'm gonna give God this and I'm gonna let him see this but this is in my control.

Guys, you should have such a view of God that remember what we've talked about in James.

You shouldn't even say I am gonna go to this town tomorrow and I am gonna do this and I'm gonna do

this and I'm Gonna make a profit.

I'm gonna do this and I'm gonna just be you say if God allows if the Lord wills.

Because he's in that much control.

And what better type of God to serve than a sovereign God?

Who in Matthew chapter 10?

Oh man.

Are not two sparrows sold for one penny and not one of them falls to the ground.

He dies without your father's will.

And the very hairs on your head are numbered.

Therefore don't be afraid because you're worth more than many sparrows.

I Know it may seem awkward to some of you, but I want to repeat that verse again.

This is in Matthew chapter 10, I believe 10 31 and 2

are not two sparrows sold for one penny and Yet not one of them falls to the ground

without your father's consent.

But the very hairs on your head are numbered therefore.

Because you know that not a meaningless bird in anywhere on the planet falls to the ground or dies without

God's without without God's notice.

And how much more for you you don't have to be afraid therefore because you're worth more than many sparrows.

You have been redeemed from the empty way of life not with gold or silver or perishable things.

But with the precious blood of Jesus Christ God holds you in high value.

He gave his life to redeem a people for his own possession.

You're part of that people if you're a believer knowing that.

What type of father when a son asked for bread gives him a serpent or a stone.

Guys he hears our requests and Praying to him is not so he'll be aware

of it.

The prayers of a righteous man do a lot of good right and we understand that.

But it doesn't change the character of God.

Verse 7 here we go.

When you do that and make your request known to God and acknowledge him in all your ways in everything.

Please don't miss the word everything in verse 6 not just when you're feeling down, but in everything.

With prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving late request be known to God and then the peace of God.

Which surpasses all?

Understanding the peace of God that surpasses all.

Understanding the human mind cannot comprehend the peace of God if you're a believer.

You know what I speak of?

Pastor Ben the other day in one of his timeouts in the morning and if you haven't seen those yet.

They're on YouTube.

Whitney a ministry.

They're awesome.

They're real short and they get your day started right every day at 10 Monday through Saturday.

He spoke about Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20.

I want to read that real quick.

Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20 it says this.

Now to him who was able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think or above and

beyond.

All that we ask or think according to the power at work with within us now once you think about this

God can do above and beyond all that you can ask or think about.

Think about something God can do.

The Bible says he can do far more abundantly than what you just thought of.

That's the kind of guy we said guys.

This is not just a book this is the Bible this is the Word of God.

So when it says he can do far more abundantly than all you ask or think I think it means he can do above.

Far more abundantly than all you can ask or think of that.

God Wants you to make your request known to him.

And when you do the peace of God.

Why.

Because you know the sovereign God you serve the peace of God that surpasses all understanding all

Restlessness all things that keep you up at night.

Surpasses all that will guard your heart and your mind.

Your heart the seed of your emotions your inner core who you are and your mind.

Your personality your brain, right?

We'll keep and guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

To my unbelieving friends.

No, not just atheists, but anybody who has not submitted their lives to the Lord

Jesus Christ remember.

If he's not your Lord, he's not your Savior to to any Unbeliever out there.

I'll tell you this guys and I say this in love.

We heard it this morning speak the truth in love.

If I love someone I'm gonna tell him the truth.

It says will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

You will never experience Unbeliever, if you're not in Christ Jesus the level of peace described here

outside of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can't do it those you that remember your life before conversion know what I speak

of you will never experience Real true lasting eternal peace outside of

Lord Jesus and I don't mean to say that when you get saved.

You're never going to experience trials and tribulations.

The Bible says you will.

The Bible says.

And you know Jesus said to his disciples I've told you these things John 16 33 so that in me you can have

peace.

I have a tattoo of this verse in this world.

You will have tribulation but be of good cheer.

I've overcome the world.

That peace that's watching over you protecting you guarding you.

It's guarding the hearts and minds.

It's protecting the hearts and minds of those that are in Christ Jesus.

Well, how are you in Christ Jesus the sovereign work of God?

Guys.

How are you saved by faith not by works?

Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved for whosoever calls on the name of the Lord

Shall be saved.

What does that mean?

Real simple have an understanding what the word Lord means.

He's master.

What was mentioned this morning a prisoner of Christ Jesus he's master he's Lord.

You were a slave to sin now.

You're a slave to Jesus, but this slavery is freedom for the first time in your life.

You serve your Lord who has set you free.

John chapter 8 Speaks to this we're gonna get into this in just a second, but John

chapter 8 says.

Those who the Son has set free are free indeed no Hillsong and whoever else didn't come up with that.

It's from John chapter 8.

We're gonna get in that in just a minute.

Titus 3 5 He saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done.

But according to his mercy to the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

Very good, brother Richard.

Hey, Matt guys this piece.

The reason that we can smile in whatever may pass and whatever lies before us.

It's because we know the God we serve.

If you don't know that peace, please I beg you hear me.

Submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ obey him and you will know a peace that you have never

experienced before ever.

And the more questions you have about that I urge you To go to his word reach out to us.

If you have questions go to the inbox go to messenger.

Don't go another day.

Don't go another day without submitting to a Lordship of Jesus Christ

verse 8.

Mmm.

Okay, we have 10 minutes left and I don't mind continuing but but first off let me stop

here.

Let's try this for a minute.

Does anyone have any questions?

Even hey Rhoda It wrote is here.

Even if they're not doing with Philippians 4 if anyone has any questions.

This is normally when we're together when I stop and I answer any questions.

Anyone may have or I thought of and I mentioned this at the beginning.

I want to get back to doing this on here.

It'll be a little tougher.

But if anyone has any questions.

This is normal where we stop and answer those put them in the comments and we'll answer those.

As we continue or we'll even stop and answer those so put them in the comments.

I'll try to see him char.

Be on the lookout for those if anyone has any even if it has nothing to do with Philippians 4 guys I don't care.

I'm here to help.

Look.

I am here to help.

Okay, I am no master.

I'm just a beggar showing another beggar where to find the bread.

But if you have any question you want to answer we got 10 minutes left put in the comments and I'll try to answer it.

Okay, so I'll be looking at those as we continue and I have no problem stopping this and answering that question because we can Continue this

later.

I want to read verse 8 to you.

Are The women mentioned oh, here's a question are the women mentioned in verse 2 mentioned anywhere else?

No, these women are only mentioned here.

All it says is that they've worked side -by -side with Paul.

So they have met Paul in the flesh before.

But now these two women are not mentioned anywhere else.

So again guys, we have 10 minutes.

I don't mind continuing but this is normally in my class my class in our class on the night.

Forgive me.

Our Sunday night Bible career these last 10 minutes normally where we open up for questions does not matter the question.

Even it has nothing to do with Philippians 4.

So if you have one put in the comments now, and we'll try to answer it with the time we have remaining.

I'll read verse 8 while I wait for anyone the type of question verse 8 says this.

Finally brothers, it's like the second or third time Paul has said finally.

He's like a Baptist pastor.

Finally three more points later.

Finally brethren, whatever is true.

Whatever is honorable.

Whatever is just whatever is pure.

Whatever is lovely.

Whatever is commendable.

There's any excellence and there's anything worthy of praise.

Think about or dwell on these things.

Verse 9 what you have learned have received have heard and seen in me.

Practice these things and the God of peace will be with you.

We'll get to that part more next week.

But notice the peace of God is given to you in verse 7 and the God of peace will be with you.

It's not just his peace, but the God who is over peace will be with you.

We'll get to more than that in a minute.

Okay, I'm not seeing any more questions.

So I don't mind continuing Word by word in verse 8 but stop me guys again.

This is normally where I do it.

Stop me if you have any questions about anything, even if it's in a whole different book.

I don't care.

Okay.

Spiritual gifts, I may have missed the context.

I'm not sure what you mean there.

But yes.

Okay.

Finally brothers.

Whatever's true.

All right.

Let me just stick on that word for me because there's a whole list here.

You know true pure a lovely commendable.

If there's anything excellent praiseworthy think about these things.

Okay.

Whatever's true.

And the one doesn't mean when it says in Philippians 4 8 whatever is true, what is truth.

Well, it's funny Bible answer man.

I am NOT Bible answer man.

Don't do that to me.

I Just like answering people's questions.

It's funny when you ask what is truth that was asked of Jesus a lot in the Gospel of John in

John chapter 18.

Pilot you can go read this for yourself.

Write it down if you need to and John chapter 18 pilot asked Jesus point -blank.

What is truth and.

Then he walks out.

Doesn't wait to hear the answer.

Makes me wonder if pilot already knew the answer because Jesus had already said it before.

But pilot and John 18 asked Jesus point -blank.

What is truth?

And then he walks out and goes back to the crowds.

Well in John chapter 8 the believing Jews.

Not the Jews that ignored him, but the believing Jews asked Jesus.

What is truth?

I'm gonna read that Passage for you.

I'm not seeing any questions right now.

John chapter 8 read this for just a minute.

John chapter 8.

I'm gonna start in verse 31.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him.

These are believers if you abide my word you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the

truth will set you free, okay now.

Anyone who's used this to show their?

Children or whatever that you're not supposed to lie.

Well, that's true.

But this verse goes way far beyond telling the truth with your words and you will know the truth and the truth will

set you Free verse 33 and they answered him.

We're the offspring of Abraham.

We've never been slaved to anybody.

Yeah, okay.

How can you say we'll become free?

Jesus answered him truly truly.

I say to you everyone who practiced sin is a slave of sin.

The slave does not remain in the house forever.

The son remains forever.

So if the son sets you free you will be free indeed.

Okay.

So The people that believe the Jews that believe will know the truth and by knowing the truth they will be set

free.

Well, then he says if you know the Son You will be free.

Who the Son has set free is free indeed.

He says even more plainly in John 14 verse 6.

Thomas says Jesus show us the way and Jesus says I am the way I am the truth.

I am the life.

No one comes to the Father but by me no one comes to the Father but through me I am the way I am the

truth.

See when Pilate and John 18 asked Jesus.

What is the truth?

He asked the wrong question.

He should have said who is the truth because the answer is Jesus Christ.

Romans 3 4 let God be true and everyone else be a liar.

I love that verse.

Jesus is the truth.

God is the truth.

Let God be true and everyone else be a liar.

I am the way I am the truth.

Jesus says He told that to the Jews he told that to Pilate that's who the truth is.

So whatever is true is whatever is of.

Jesus talked about truth and love this morning.

Amen.

Whatever is true is that which is of?

Jesus, okay.

All right, we're gonna stop there in verse 8.

So we're gonna pick up in verse 8.

Next week if there's any more questions type them in guys.

We can try to answer a quick one.

I love answering questions one of my favorite things to do.

Okay, we'll pick up there in verse 8 we might finish the chapter we've got a lot to do next week

please read the rest of Philippians 4 starting in verse 8 through the

end of the chapter it's not that much more and There's some familiar verses in here and particularly verse 13 I

would ask you to read it with fresh eyes read it for what Paul has to say not

how.

Some people take out a verse out of context and want it to mean okay, so we

can have people Who love Philippians 4 13, but don't believe?

Don't believe what it really teaches.

Okay, so read the rest of Philippians 4 in context.

Let the Holy Spirit speak to you and we'll go over that more next week.

Are there any more questions that I need to answer or announcements or anything like that?

Got a couple minutes.

If I remember right brother Jeff is not on tonight.

This will be our last live post of the day.

Any more questions, so it's okay if I go a little over because I'm not gonna be bothering.

Anyone so any more questions.

Thank you, brother.

Mike, thank you sure

very good that is correct.

Oh finally I said something right that's nice.

I know some of you joined late.

Obviously you can go back and watch Andrew our music minister

normally.

Post all the lessons on the YouTube page normally by the next day.

Edited and all that makes it look nice and all that stuff and the YouTube page is Witten media ministry now for those of you Familiar with

YouTube, you know, the more subscriptions we get the more things we can do with it.

So if you haven't yet make a YouTube Account and just subscribe to Witten media

ministries.

You know, I like using YouTube you can change the playback speed to watch things a little faster if you're driving to work or whatever.

What's after Philippians?

Char asked what are we gonna do?

Well, I think we'll be in Philippians next week.

Maybe one more I don't know.

What's after Philippians.

I haven't decided I was asking to let you guys Tell me what you want.

And we can look at it that way, but I've got a couple things in mind.

Maybe another New Testament letter, maybe an old who knows.

Would the origin of the Bible be a study for this class one day?

It's fascinating.

Well, I'll tell you what depending on what you mean by the origin of the Bible I have no problem talking about that after

Philippians.

We could talk about that if you guys wanted if you guys like Mike's idea like that comment.

And I'll know that people like it Mike said with the origin of the Bible be a study for this class one day.

It's fascinating if you want to study that guys like that and I'll know.

Or something else just put in the comments.

Okay.

Well, if there's nothing else guys, I love you guys very much.

I really do.

Those you who've been watching our question -answer Sessions on Saturday nights keep putting

questions in the message box and we try to get to as many as we can we've done.

We've done a couple already.

I think they've been You know pretty good.

We've been of course still getting used to doing the things live.

We're not all fancy and used to this but guys look we're believers who study God's Word and want to share what we know with Other

people that's what we want to do.

That's what we're about.

Okay?

We're not fancy.

We're just genuine believers who love God and love our fellow believers and

We just want to share what we have found in God's Word with other people.

That's all we are.

Witten is doing a lot of things with this.

We have Wow moment with Vicki and Mercedes on Thursdays.

We have pastor bands timeouts Ten o 'clock Mondays through Saturdays.

Jeremiah has been doing roundtables.

He's our youth director on Wednesday nights

and Yeah, I mean, of course pastor Jeff does his a lot of good stuff him histories with

Andrew.

Those are always pretty cool.

So, yeah, there we are.

Thank guys.

I Love all you guys.

I'm gonna I'm gonna end in prayer.

Okay, is that okay with you guys?

Well, we're going to whether it is or not.

So here we go God, thank you for you giving us

forgive us where we fail God we really do.

Love you.

We want to love you and we want to know you more God I pray that everyone who hears this including myself

I pray this prayer that our love will keep on growing and knowledge and every kind of discernment.

So we can approve the things are superior and be pure and blameless in the day of Christ Jesus

God I want to hear well done though good and faithful servant or we fail convict us of our sin

lead us to repentance.

God thank you for grace and mercy.

We pray for those who are sick.

We pray that this Shut down this virus this pandemic and soon so we can be back together

God we love you and praise you in all things.

Amen.

Bye guys, I love you all very much.