Sermons

TFBC Friends,

As we finish up our series on “Shining Brightly in an Increasingly Dark World”, I’d like to bring us back to the practical reality of living a Christ-centered life. Too often we get distracted from the greater purpose of our lives and become focused on the temporal rather than the eternal.

Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things would be added to you.” As we look to the future, may we further strive to be unmistakably identified with Christ.

See you Sunday!

Danny

UNMISTAKABLE IDENTITY

Throughout this letter to the Philippians, Paul expresses great concern about a number of things. He has joy, warmth and excitement in his tone, but he also expresses a sense of urgency. Paul thought he may be executed before the Philippians even received the letter, so this was his last chance to help them with their challenges.
The last chapter again, calls us to focus on eternal things that are true… noble… just… pure… lovely… admirable… praiseworthy” (v.8). If, like Paul, we confess to an intense commitment to Christ, we obligate ourselves to identified with Christ and work for reconciliation which was brought to its fullness by the cross of Christ.

Read the following passage from Philippians chapter 4 and discuss the questions in your small group:

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Small Group Questions:
Open:

• Who makes peace in your family? How do they do it?

Dig:

• What would someone marked by verses 4-6 look like?
• Paul has already recommended rejoicing in the Lord in chapter 3, yet he comes back to it in verse 4. What is so important about rejoicing?
• What interferes with rejoicing and what can help you rejoice?
• In this chapter, Paul pleads for peace (vv. 2-3, 7, 9). How do these qualities relate to Paul’s peace objectives?
• D.L. Moody says of verse six: Be careful for nothing; Be prayerful for everything; Be thankful for anything! Do you agree with his assessment of this verse? Why are these things so hard for us?
• What result does Paul promise when we pray vs. worrying?
• In chapter 2, Paul held up Jesus as the model for our attitudes and in verse 9 he refers to himself. This could be regarded as egotistical. Why is this not the case for Paul? In what situations would it be right and even necessary to offer yourself as a model?

Reflect:

• Augustine said “Sinners are attracted to Jesus by the joy of Christians.” What is the secret to experiencing joy in every situation?
• On a scale of 1 (“I’m going nuts!”) to 10 (“I could lead a stress management seminar”), what is your anxiety level now? Why? What in this passage could help relieve it?
• How can this group pray for you?