Philippians 4:4-7
I forgot to record the morning sermon. Below are my notes for those who are interested. My thanks to Duncan Brisk for his help. God bless
Philippians 4:4-7
Longer sermon this morning. I want to begin simply by laying out the commands in these few verses. These are the points of this mornings sermon.
1. Rejoice in the Lord always
2. Be gentle to all people
3. Don’t be anxious about anything
4. Pray in all things
Notice the alls. Always. Everyone, nothing. everything. These commands stretch to all times, all places, all people, all things. It is as though there is absolutely no circumstance where Paul would not have us rejoice, be gentle, and have the peace of God guarding our hearts.
But notice that every one of these commands (if you take the last two as a pair) have something to do with what we would normally call our emotions. Rejoice in the Lord always. Let your reasonableness, literally your gentleness be known to all. Do not be anxious about anything. It has been said the scripture is not just concern that we think right and do right but that we feel the right thing.
But that obviously raises a problem. How can we lead our emotions. There is a silly sketch someone once did. A comedian pretends to be a psychiatrist. Someone comes in. I am anxious in confined places. I have some important advice. Life changing. I will write it down. That won’t be necessary. Take note. STOP IT. Funny because we know that is not enough. Trying to control our emotions can sometimes feel like trying to tame an elephant.
But, God does not mock us. This is not him having a laugh at you and asking you to do something that you could never do simply by saying stop it, but somehow must be something that you can begin to do in the power of his Spirit. Like all his commands we only make beginnings in this life, but you can really truly learn to in some sense rejoice always, be gentle with all, and anxious about nothing.
All sorts of things to say, Just as we begin therefore I want to address two errors that we can make when thinking about our emotions. we’ll call this point 0.
0. Two errors in our thinking about our emotions.
The first error is if I can put it like this, is that we can control our emotions a bit like how I can control my arm. They are entirely and really in some sense immediately under my control. Normally that view says our emotions are entirely to do with our soul. They are simply reflections of what we believe deep down, and we can control them simply by reasoning with our beliefs and so bring them into line.
Now, clearly there is some truth in that. Most obviously these passages call us to believe certain truths and lead our emotions by what we know and love.
However, it is not the case that what we feel always reflects what we know and love. Because of the fall, sometimes we are anxious or we are sad, and we have no idea why. Or we know why, and we are fighting with the truth, but our emotions don’t keep up.
This leads to a second view which is if I can put it like this is that we have no control over our emotions. Controlling my emotions is a bit like how I can control my liver. This view normally says that our emotions are entirely to do with our body and lower parts of our brain and soul. And so they don’t reflect what we believe, and we can’t really control them all we can do is kind of hope that they will relax with things like time off, sleep, medication.
Clearly some truth to that too. Emotions are clearly bodily – feel them all over. Anecdote – about Martin Lloyd Jones. Brilliant preacher. Doctor first. People came anxious, down. He apparently would send them away for a week and tell them to Sleep. Eat. Exercise. And apparently 50% of cases were cured. If we are so busy we can barely get 4hours sleep a night, do no exercise, eating rubbish. No wonder we feel terrible..
But clearly that cannot be completely right for that undermines these scriptures, which we must believe, which command us to rejoice and not be anxious. So what are we to think?
Diagnosing the issue: Am I sinning if I have no joy in the Lord, anxious or harsh? The answer, I think, must be at least in some sense yes because of the alls. Always rejoice, in nothing be anxious. We must be sinning because we are breaking these commands. (why we so often feel deeply ashamed of the way we feel) but it may not be for the reason we think or in the way we think. Sin is erupting from us but perhaps not because we don’t really trust God deep down, we may do, but maybe we had a terrible experience, we didn’t get a good night sleep, we have gout in our feet like Spurgeon, or are enduring some other trial, we’ve formed some bad habits and our body and soul is reacting badly, or it may be we’re struggling to trust God, or most likely a combination, by which I mean a mess, of the above.
Prognosis? Change is possible but difficult. To use illustration from the psychologists it’s like remoulding plasticene, and how old we are and what we have gone through will effect how tough as it were that plasticene is to remould, but it is always possible. With God’s help. He can help us rewire the way we think, and feel in given situations.
How do we fight these things? We are a union of body and soul, and our emotions touch both, so we need to find solutions touching both body and soul. Above all, we need to fight wrong thoughts behind these emotions with the truth. that is most important. That is what I am going to major on in this sermon because that is what the passage majors on. but we also need to think about what we do with our bodies. This is why the church has been massive in the past on the importance of forming habits. Habits, which we form, shape how we feel, way more than we realise. For example, if we are always on our phone, if we allow every beep to interrupt us, we are way more likely to be anxious, than if we have learned to use it with discipline. If we have gotten into the habit of praying three times a day like Daniel, or praying through the psalms every month (as the old Anglican Prayerbook would have you) we are far less likely to be anxious than others who have not. Habits Of prayer, or thanksgiving, of rejoicing, of singing, and of singing psalms, going to church, fasting, walking, meditating are vital to the cultivating of good and right emotion. I also don’t want us to think that we have failed if we see a doctor for help.
That is a long introduction a really simple set of commands. But anxiety and depression are huge issues in our culture. And we need to engage wisely with them.
1. Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice.
Images… A child waiting for their father to come home from work. Daddy Daddy daddy. Daddy gives them a great big hug. And everyone is happy. Someone is upset with you and you long for the relationship to be restored. Forgive you. Watch your child succeed something they’ve been working at for ages. They handle themselves well in a difficult situation. Rejoice. So we are to rejoice in the Lord. The greatest good that we possess, who has forgiven us our sins and dwells in everlasting joy.
Aquinas said that joy follows on from love. Either because we have what we love, or because what we love has what is good for them. We may want to add the joy of forgiveness. And so we can always rejoice in the Lord.
Just to repeat what I said last week, it does not say, rejoice in your circumstances, rejoice in the way the world is going. It does not say rejoice that your life is hunky dory. It does not say rejoice that children are well behaved, or you have written a marvellous sermon. It does not say rejoice that your church is going well, your job is going well, your degree is going well. That you have a job or a job lined up, or an good situation at home. Because if it said anything like that we could certainly not rejoice always. But it says rejoice in the Lord. And that we can do always.
If you are a Christian, no matter what rubbish is going in your life around you. You have Christ and so now to live is Christ and to die is gain (1:21). We have a saviour who gave up every right and privilege to enter into our lowly state, so that we could be forgiven and raised up to his heaven (2:6-11). We have God working in us, to make us how we were meant to be, so that we shine as lights with his goodness and glory (2:13, 15). We have a citizenship in heaven, and from it we await a saviour who will transform our bodies to be like his glorious body (3:20-21).
This does not mean that we are always super cheerful. There are many reasons why we may be sad and sorrowing as Christians. The psalms lament all sorts of things. Jesus commands us to mourn over our sin and wickedness and the wickedness in this world. But always we seek to tell our soul to hope and praise God.
I don’t know about you but So often, I can be like a miserable child on a lovely holiday. Don’t know if you have seen that, a child on holiday, somewhere absolutely lovely, beach, sun shining, sea is warm, family all around, they are miserable because they didn’t get to use that spade brother is playing with, or didn’t get an ice cream this time. Sulk.
We have so many blessings, and 1000s, 10s of 1000s of others, if only we could see them. Many of us have wonderful families, we barely want for anything, food (and what good food), clothes, and a roof over our heads (return to that thought soon in philippians), we have each other at church, good work to do, friends who pray for us, above all God who loves us, Christ who died for us, the Spirit who dwells with us, hope of everlasting life and because something or other is not going my way, car in front is going too small, I am miserable and grumpy. Something bigger happens, and my joy explodes with it.
Tell my soul, You have been forgiven by God, who dwells with you who loves you, and who will bring you home. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS. I will say it again rejoice.
Perhaps you are thinking I can’t change. I will never be joyful. I am Eeyore kind of person. So easy to be down. With God’s help you can. If you are a believer in Christ, GOD HAS BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU AND HE WILL COMPLETE IT. His Spirit is almighty and he dwells in you. Fight to lead your emotions with the truth that you have the Lord.
If I may let me suggest three habits. Firstly, already mentioned this, is the singing and praying of the psalms on a regular basis. They help us express our woe and lament our misery but also lead us to God. So many psalms start down in the dumps but by then end, praising God. So helpful. Secondly, one that Hannah does with me when I am down in the dumps. I want a thank you list. Write down everything that you are thankful for. When I am really grumpy starts pretty slow… I suppose I ate something today. But then you get into it. Notice more and more the Lord has done and you rejoice. Finally, make the most of Sundays. A rest. We need our rest to rejoice. Don’t work Sundays. Work hard the rest of the week not Sundays. But then rest to praise God for what he has done. Make the most of services. E.g. confession and the assurance. God has forgiven me. Make the most of the readings and the sermons. Christ is addressing me, telling me how much he loves me. And you hear the blessing, hear it as Christ blessing you personally. Praise him. Sing with all your heart. Sing loudly. And pray for your heart to catch up. HABIT. MAKE IT A HABIT. And slowly over time, God willing you will begin to rejoice more.
Rejoice in the Lord always.
2. Be gentle to all people
Vs5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
The word here, it is translated reasonable that is ok. It is also translated gentle, my hunch is that is better. Not violent but gentle. Not quarrelsome but reasonable. Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason. It is opposed to quick fire harshness and anger.
I don’t know about you but my instinctive reaction when I am hurt is to hurt back. Car cuts me up, so I shout and complain. Child speaks rudely to me so I snap back at them.
Let your gentleness be recognised by everyone. People should be able to see that you do not react to insult and injury just like everyone else, that if you are hurt by others, you will not respond with wild and out of control rage or bitterness or harshness. But provocation does not stop you from being able to think and love so you respond with reasonableness, with care, and with gentleness. You are not someone who loses their cool.
What does it look like? So rather than shouting at your parents because you think they’re being so unfair, bossing you around. Perhaps when you have done what they say you say, daddy please may I do this first. Or could I do this instead next time. Or rather than shouting at your children, when they disobey you or muck around, smash something, you evaluate why is this happening, and then respond in the way that you can best think will help them. When your spouse does that thing, or your sibling irritates you, rather than declaring WW3 in whatever way is most likely to annoy them, you wait, and in a quiet moment address it with them, and forgive them. Or you just let it go under the bridge. Church… gentle and kind and considerate.
Some people, we use the expression, you have to walk on egg shells around them. If anything is going wrong in their lives, something will soon be going wrong in everyone else’s lives. They spread their misery. Another I heard was – some people to live with, it is like living on the slopes of an active volcano. They may think that they are pretty reasonable and only very rarely lose their cool when seriously provoked. But really because of the violence and suddenness of the eruptions, so often when so gently provoked, everyone is terrified to be anywhere near them at any time.
Some people have compared our emotions to being like riding an elephant. Well if so our anger can be like a rhinoceros. You may be thinking. How do you tame a rhino. GOD HAS BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU AND HE WILL COMPLETE IT. His Spirit is almighty. You can change with his help.
Firstly, fight with the truth. Truths, I am a sinner just like you. I have been shown grace which is what you need to. I can never think that I am better than you, or you are worthless. Whatever you do to me, cannot take away from me, the source of my joy. Indeed everything that you do to me will be used by my Lord for my good. He will take what you purpose for wicked and turn it for my good. The Lord is near. Near to me to comfort me. And near to come when he will judge.
Get those things in our head. They will have to answer for what they have done to God. They will not have to answer to me. Help us be reasonable.
HABITS. Psalms so helpful. David – in the psalms asking God for justice against his adversary. Taking his complaint about Saul constantly to God. But then what did he do with Saul. Spared him, protected him and honoured him. Practical ones, When I was angry as a boy. Dad used to send me out to chop up wood. Reading a book about a man who found Breathing exercises begin to get control on some of his emotions. This is not very spiritual but you are not entirely spiritual. More spiritual habit, we must consider using if anger is a big problem. Fasting and prayer. Lord help me help me help me overcome my anger.
Warning. By our anger we can undo all our work for the gospel in a moment. It is really unattractive. But if you are gentle with your opponents you will win them.
3. Do not be anxious about anything
Big one. Do not be anxious about anything. But I find it easy to be anxious about everything. From, when I get up to when I go to bed, anxious about my children, how you are all doing, whether my sermon is any good, what you think of me, what you think of me, and did I mention what you think of me, admin, all the jobs I need to do, exams, the list goes on and on.
And like anger anxiety can be a disaster. John Piper “Think for a moment how many different sinful actions and attitudes come from anxiety. Anxiety about finances can give rise to coveting and greed and hoarding and stealing. Anxiety about succeeding at some task can make you irritable and abrupt and surly. Anxiety about relationships can make you withdrawn and indifferent and uncaring (or we might add weird, overly attentive, sucking up to people). Anxiety about how someone will respond can make you cover over the truth and lie. If we can deal with our anxiety we will cut the root of many other sins.
DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING. HOW?
Now here he tells us how to fight this. This is worth memorising cold. Get this in your heart.
BUT IN EVERYTHING. Not in some things. Not in the odd and occasional thing. Or in the really big things only. Not on Sundays and at no other times, but rather in EVERYTHING. BY PRAYER AND PETITION WITH THANKSGIVING (that element is so important) PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD.
So often the reason we’re anxious is we don’t trust God. We see something looming on the horizon of the future and we think it will go badly. It will lead to some sort of disaster. What is going to happen to me if I don’t get this work done, if I fail that exam, if I preach a bad sermon… and we kind of believe deep down that it will all go to pot. It all rests on us, and so we are doomed, because we are not in control. And we basically forget that God is in charge that he loves us, that it will be ok.
Silly illustration. My children’s and my mother’s experience of my driving. So when I drive my children they are not worried in the slightest. They are totally relaxed at least about my driving. Mucking around, stamping on the back of my chair. Daddy will get us there, he’s in control, it will all be fine. Mum on the other hand. Gripping the handle. Stamping her foot when she thinks I ought to be breaking. Shouting slow down, slow down. Now, who has a greater handle on my driving is a debatable question. My children trust my driving in a way that my mother does not, and so my mum is anxious in a way that my children are not.
Who’s in the driving seat of all of your life, and all of the whole word. The God, who in love sent his Son to die for you.
So why do we pray. Prayer, breath of faith, because we remember in that moment, Lord you are in charge, so much so, you already know what grades I am going to get this term, you already know what I will be doing in the future, you know what I will have to go through. You are totally in charge of all that happens in my life right down to the very smallest detail. And you love me and want the best for me. And then by prayer you take all your cares and all your worries and all your concerns and you cast them, throw them on to Jesus Christ. whether they anxieties our children, our parents, our friends, our church, our futures, our finances, our walls falling down, our cars breaking, the tap dripping… bring it all to him, with thanksgiving, thanking him for all that he has done for you, all that he is doing for you, all that he will do for you, and so as it were you place yourself and your life in his hands. you can get on with life without the worry because God is a good driver. And he will get us home.
THE HABIT OF PRAYER, so easy to go to bed having not really prayed and cast all your cares on God, and so when you wake up in the morning, or in the middle of the night they are all still there. Grown a little worse. So let us not be anxious about anything but in everything prayer.
AND THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL OUR UNDERSTANDING WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.
Anxiety can lead to all sorts of others sins. But here the idea is God’s peace guards us, fortifies us, so that we as we live through difficult and challenging times, do not sin against him but honour him.
And it transcends understanding. Emotions transcend our understanding so does God peace. Perhaps this is helpful if you are praying, praying, praying, with thanksgiving and you don’t feel particularly peaceful. Has the promise failed. Well possibly you have failed to meet the condition. My friends how little do we pray, and how anxious do we feel. This verse says they are likely to be proportional. But it is also possible that the promise to coming to pass in a way you don’t understand yet. And when the moment comes you will find that peace of God that will help you in the moment you most need it.
There’s an old heraldic phrase. Deo adjuvante, non timendium. With God’s assistance there is nothing to fear. Imagine a Young man brought up in a house like that, proper old school. Tell each other that each day. But time has now come to fight his first battle. Can you imagine that. Stomach doing somersaults but he prays and he knows, with God’s help there is nothing to fear. Takes up his sword, does his duty, dies for his God and his country. Whatever he felt his actions showed he believed something else more deeply. And the Peace of God guarded him though he felt little peace in himself or in life.
Another story. Of two men to be burnt at the stake for their faith in God the following day. One anxious about dying, about recanting, praying and praying and praying. One so calm that he went to sleep. But both died for their Lord in the morning. The peace of God guarded them both, though one felt it more than the other
So may you also obey this command, and find the peace of God guarding your heart, though as it were, your body is yet to catch up!
As we close, May not be a Christian here this morning. I hope you have seen that here Jesus offers something that the doctors can never give you. A reason to rejoice at all times, and help in the face of sadness, anger and anxiety. Without him, our lives will be to greater or lesser extents marked by these things, and likely marked by them all the more as we face death. Anxiety is worry about our future, death lies at the end, then judgment. But in Jesus Christ there is forgiveness to be found, hope in the face of death, but above all a God of love who rules over all this world and can save us forever more.
Put your trust in Jesus Christ and then rejoice in the Lord always. Let your gentleness be known to all. Do not be anxous about anything but in everything bhy prayer and petition present your requests to God. Because truly with God there is nothing to fear.
Let us pray.
