1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Good morning, family. 2 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:14,000 Good morning, guys. 3 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:16,000 This is Cliff. 4 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:23,000 You're a tall man. 5 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:30,000 So it happens when you're short. 6 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:31,000 All right. 7 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:35,000 If you guys would please turn to Philippians chapter 4. 8 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:42,000 We start our journey at the end of this wonderful letter. 9 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:43,000 All right. 10 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:44,000 Let's pray. 11 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:47,000 Father, I want to thank you so much for your goodness and faithfulness. 12 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:51,000 Thank you that you are whole and that you are strong. 13 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:55,000 Thank you that you are holy and good. 14 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:59,000 Lord, that you guide us in truth, Holy Spirit. 15 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:07,000 That you are so faithful to feed your people our spiritual manna, 16 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:11,000 our spiritual food that will continue to nourish us. 17 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:17,000 Lord, I pray that we would partake at your table every day. 18 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:21,000 And most of all, that we will enjoy your presence. 19 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:26,000 Lord, we thank you and praise you that you abide in us and us in you. 20 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:30,000 And we in the Father. 21 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:35,000 And so, Lord, I just ask that your word would speak. 22 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:39,000 That you would guide us in the full counsel of your word. 23 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:43,000 And that, Lord, by your grace I would rightly handle it for your glory. 24 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:44,000 We praise you and thank you. 25 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:45,000 In Jesus' name, amen. 26 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:50,000 A really good understanding of this wonderful letter that God has called, 27 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:54,000 again, us to be good Bereans, study the word of God, 28 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:57,000 and to be good Philippians, live the word of God. 29 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:04,000 And you'll see this clearly in Paul's statement in chapter 4, verse 1. 30 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:06,000 So chapter 3, verse 17, 31 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:12,000 Brothers, join in imitating me and keep your eyes on those who walk 32 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:16,000 according to the example you have in us. 33 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:22,000 For many of whom I often have told you and now tell you even with tears, 34 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:25,000 walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 35 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:29,000 Their end is destruction, their God is their belly, 36 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:35,000 they glory in their shame with minds set on earthly things. 37 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:38,000 But our citizenship is in heaven, 38 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:42,000 and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 39 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:48,000 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body 40 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:54,000 by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 41 00:02:54,000 --> 00:03:02,000 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, 42 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:06,000 stand firm thus in the Lord my beloved. 43 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:12,000 Now, that's really where the thought ends. 44 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:17,000 I'm a little confused why they would put chapter 4 there 45 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:23,000 and just not start chapter 4 at I entreat, but they don't. 46 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:26,000 That's okay, right? 47 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:28,000 But I want you to understand something. 48 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:29,000 He says therefore. 49 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:34,000 Therefore means all the things that we just got done talking about 50 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:37,000 that you're imitating him, 51 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:41,000 that you're also following the examples that were laid out for you, 52 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,000 that your citizenship is in heaven, 53 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:46,000 and that we await a Savior from there, 54 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,000 that your bodies will be transformed, 55 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,000 that you will have a glorious body like you do, 56 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:56,000 you will have a brand new, uncorruptible body, 57 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:01,000 and the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself, 58 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,000 the reality is that God is completely sovereign. 59 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:11,000 And if those things are true, therefore, stand firm in the Lord. 60 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:16,000 Principle number one, God entreats, he calls. 61 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:19,000 When God calls, he commands. 62 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,000 When God commands, you do. 63 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,000 That is your responsibility. 64 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:27,000 So when God entreats us, he calls us. 65 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,000 And when he calls us, he commands us. 66 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:34,000 When he commands, you are to obey. 67 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:39,000 Now, the word entreat means to earnestly beseech, 68 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:43,000 implore, beg, or petition. 69 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:47,000 That's according to dictionary.com and Webster's 1882. 70 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:50,000 It's a very good definition actually. 71 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:53,000 And why does he entreat? 72 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:57,000 Why does he implore us or beg us or petition us? 73 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:04,000 The first thing he entreats us to do is that we stand firm. 74 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,000 We stand firm in the Lord. 75 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,000 Don't be tossed to and fro. 76 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:11,000 Stand firm. 77 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:15,000 I want you to see Paul's heart for the Philippians. 78 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:21,000 I've told you that out of all the churches that Paul has established 79 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:25,000 and has preached and has taught, 80 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:29,000 the Philippian church is the church. 81 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:32,000 They are the main example. 82 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,000 Very important. 83 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:39,000 Now, he says that they are his joy and crown. 84 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:45,000 In other words, out of all the churches, you are the pinnacle. 85 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:49,000 Not perfect, not that they don't make mistakes, 86 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:53,000 but there's no open rebuke for their bad behavior. 87 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,000 They have committed to the ways of Christ. 88 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,000 They have committed their lives to the gospel of Christ. 89 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:03,000 They have committed their lives to the God of all creation, 90 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,000 Christ Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit. 91 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,000 They are fully committed. 92 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:13,000 And so he is the crown jewel, the Philippian church, the crown jewel. 93 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,000 He longs to see them. 94 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,000 He loves them deeply. 95 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:21,000 And they are an absolute joy to him. 96 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:25,000 A lot of times when I grew up as a kid, I always wondered why my mom, 97 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:29,000 I felt like my mom didn't give me all the attention that I wanted 98 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:33,000 because she was so busy giving my brother attention. 99 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:36,000 Well, I understand why. 100 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:39,000 I'm not the one who gave her all the hard time. 101 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,000 I was the crown jewel. 102 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:44,000 Not an issue of pride or being conceited. 103 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:49,000 The reality is that in my faithfulness to love my mom 104 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:55,000 as best as I could without Christ, she didn't have to worry about me. 105 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:58,000 And that's very similar to what Paul is saying here. 106 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:00,000 You're my joy. You're my crown jewel. 107 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:02,000 I don't have to worry about you. 108 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:05,000 So he entreats them. 109 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:10,000 First entreatment is to stand firm in the Lord. 110 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:13,000 Second, he goes on in verse 2 and says, 111 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:20,000 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Suntuke. 112 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:23,000 You're like, where did you get Suntuke from? 113 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,000 Well, that's her name. 114 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:27,000 Her name is Suntuke. 115 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,000 I'll explain it to you in a minute. 116 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,000 To agree in the Lord. 117 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:39,000 So he entreats both Euodia and Suntuke to agree in the Lord. 118 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:44,000 So anytime you see S-Y-N in Greek or the letter Y, 119 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,000 the letter Y is U. 120 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:51,000 Suntuke. 121 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:54,000 Don't ask me. 122 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:57,000 It's U and that's the way it is. 123 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:00,000 English language does all kinds of craziness. 124 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:05,000 We do all kinds of acrobatic verbiage and sounds. 125 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:09,000 So Suntuke, to agree in the Lord. 126 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:10,000 Very interesting. 127 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:15,000 This word agree means to be of the same mind or to be harmonious, 128 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:21,000 which really fits to what Paul says earlier in the letter. 129 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:25,000 That we should be of the same mind of that of Christ. 130 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,000 Chapter 2, verse 5. 131 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:33,000 Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus. 132 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:36,000 If we're going to have the same mind of Christ, 133 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:41,000 then we need to make sure that we maintain, keep, agree. 134 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:44,000 That we will be harmonious. 135 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,000 That's the point. 136 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:52,000 So he's telling Euodia and Suntuke, fix this. 137 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:55,000 This is not something that should be a problem. 138 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:58,000 There's a reason why he tells them this. 139 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:01,000 So that's entreatment number two. 140 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,000 First, stand firm. 141 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,000 Second, they need to agree in the Lord. 142 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:15,000 Third, yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women. 143 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:18,000 Treatment number three. 144 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:23,000 We, as God's church, are to help these women. 145 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,000 You're like, well, it says companion. 146 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:31,000 The word here really implies this idea of companions. 147 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:35,000 That if we are of one mind and we are the body of Christ, 148 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,000 then we are a true companion. 149 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:39,000 Interesting. 150 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:41,000 I ask you. 151 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,000 I entreat you. 152 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:45,000 I implore you. 153 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:47,000 I beseech you. 154 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,000 My true suzugos. 155 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:54,000 So this word suzugos means those united by bond of relationship, 156 00:09:54,000 --> 00:10:01,000 labor, or of a yoke fellow, a consort, a comrade, a colleague, 157 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:03,000 or a partner. 158 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:09,000 So as God's family, as the body of Christ, we are laborers, 159 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:15,000 partners, comrades, colleagues in this too. 160 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:19,000 It's important as a church because when we see brothers and sisters 161 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:24,000 messing up, our responsibility as the body of Christ is to come 162 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:25,000 alongside. 163 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:28,000 That's difficult because not everybody wants you to come 164 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:29,000 alongside. 165 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:38,000 But your responsibility as a true companion is to help these women. 166 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:40,000 We do that quite often. 167 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:44,000 It's one of the reasons why we do church discipline and work with 168 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:48,000 people to reconcile relationships. 169 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:55,000 There is more at stake here than your opinion about things. 170 00:10:55,000 --> 00:11:02,000 And this is what he says concerning Euodia and Suntuke. 171 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:09,000 He says, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together 172 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:16,000 with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers? 173 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:21,000 You have to maintain the unity of the faith. 174 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:26,000 Your testimony and the testimony of the church is at stake. 175 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:32,000 The work that has been accomplished for the gospel will be marred if 176 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:36,000 you do not continue to love one another. 177 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:42,000 They will know you're my disciples if you have love one for another. 178 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:47,000 If there is no love one for another, then there is a loss in that 179 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,000 relationship. 180 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:52,000 What a terrible testimony. 181 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:55,000 That's important reason number one. 182 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:59,000 Important reason number two, because your names are in the book of 183 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:00,000 life. 184 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:08,000 Not only should you help encourage, entreat reconciliation and healing, 185 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:13,000 but you should because your names are in the book. 186 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:16,000 You're part of the family. 187 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:22,000 It blows my mind when people have a very difficult time grasping these 188 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:23,000 truths. 189 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:27,000 They're more concerned about what they quote unquote believe instead 190 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:32,000 of really understanding and committing to the obedience of the word. 191 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:37,000 They have a very distorted and misunderstanding of what truth is. 192 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:41,000 They've determined for themselves what truth is. 193 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:49,000 And so they live lives that are contrary to the word. 194 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,000 Paul entreats them. 195 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,000 God entreats them. 196 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:54,000 Second principle. 197 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:59,000 To live in gentleness is to show you have the mind of Christ. 198 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:03,000 To live in gentleness is to show you have the mind of Christ. 199 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:08,000 In verse four and five a, he exhorts. 200 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:09,000 God exhorts. 201 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:11,000 Exhortation. 202 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:17,000 To address or communicate emphatically urging someone to do something. 203 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:20,000 The act or practice of exhorting. 204 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:24,000 The act of inciting a laudable deed. 205 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:29,000 Incitement to that which is good or commendable. 206 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:32,000 To give advice or counsel. 207 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:35,000 That's what exhortation means. 208 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:36,000 Listen to this. 209 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:37,000 Pretty amazing. 210 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,000 That was Webster's 1828. 211 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:41,000 Rejoice in the Lord. 212 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:44,000 It's not just about rejoicing. 213 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:48,000 It's about rejoicing because of your position with God. 214 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:53,000 You rejoice because your name is written in the Lamb's book of life. 215 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:57,000 Let's go back and read verse three. 216 00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:58,000 Yes. 217 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:00,000 I ask you also true companion. 218 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:04,000 Help these women who labored side by side with me in the gospel together with 219 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:08,000 Clement and the rest of my fellow workers. 220 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:10,000 Whose names are written in the book of life. 221 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,000 Rejoice in the Lord always. 222 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:15,000 Again I say rejoice. 223 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:19,000 Your name is in the book. 224 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:21,000 Do you get the point why he says it now? 225 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:24,000 It's not just rejoice because you're going through hard times. 226 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:27,000 It's rejoicing because you're part of the family. 227 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:30,000 It's specific. 228 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:36,000 Then he says in this amazing two verses, let your reasonableness, your 229 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:40,000 gentleness, your gentle spirit be known to everyone. 230 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:45,000 If you know your name is in the Lamb's book of life, you are rejoicing 231 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:49,000 because you're part of the family, then be gentle. 232 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:58,000 Chapter two, verse six, who though he was in the form of God did not count 233 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:03,000 equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself by taking the form 234 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:07,000 of a servant, being born in the likeness of man, being found in human form, 235 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:12,000 became obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. 236 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:14,000 It's the gentleness of God. 237 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:17,000 It's the mindset that Christ has. 238 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:19,000 That's the point. 239 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:26,000 To live in gentleness is to show you have the mind of Christ. 240 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:30,000 What an amazing thought. 241 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:34,000 Do we really grasp that understanding here? 242 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:37,000 To let your gentleness be known to everyone. 243 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:42,000 The only way that man will know, that the world will know that we are his is 244 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:46,000 we are gentle with one another, that we are loving and understanding. 245 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:49,000 We don't got to agree on everything. 246 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:55,000 But the one thing we do have to do is love each other well. 247 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,000 I don't want you to agree with me on everything. 248 00:15:57,000 --> 00:16:00,000 I want you to prove it. 249 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:06,000 Give me biblical proof as your pastor why you believe what you believe. 250 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:09,000 And if you can't, then we need to talk. 251 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:12,000 That's the point. 252 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:16,000 He says let your reasonableness, your gentleness, your gentle spirit be known 253 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:23,000 by how you love and reconcile and care and not put your own needs first. 254 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:25,000 Last principle. 255 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:32,000 To know he is near is to have full confidence he will keep his promises. 256 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:37,000 To know he is near is to have full confidence he will keep his promises. 257 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:38,000 I want you to get this. 258 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:41,000 This is important. 259 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:47,000 This is Philippians 4, 5B to 7. 260 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:53,000 Encouragement is the principle here, is the word that's used here. 261 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,000 Encouragement. 262 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:59,000 Encouragement is the action of giving someone support. 263 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:02,000 To build confidence or hope. 264 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:07,000 To the act of giving courage or competence of success. 265 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:12,000 To the excitement to action and to practice. 266 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,000 The incentive. 267 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:18,000 The idea here. 268 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:20,000 This is what he says. 269 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,000 The Lord is at hand. 270 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:29,000 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication. 271 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:34,000 This is not the Lord is at hand because he is close to his return. 272 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:37,000 Not what this word means here. 273 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:41,000 Kind of not happy with this word at hand. 274 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:43,000 I wish it could have been translated a little bit better. 275 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:47,000 The Lord is near. 276 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:50,000 It's the word engus. 277 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:55,000 Engus means near or of a place and position. 278 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:58,000 The access to God. 279 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:01,000 That makes a lot more sense now. 280 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:04,000 Because many would say, see the Lord is near. 281 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,000 You got to be ready. 282 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,000 Not taking out of context. 283 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:11,000 The Lord is close. 284 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:14,000 The Lord is in a position near you. 285 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:17,000 The Lord is you have access to him. 286 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:21,000 And if you have access to him, don't be anxious. 287 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,000 Now think about that. 288 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:29,000 So when he says do not be anxious about anything, what he's saying is that God is in you. 289 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,000 God lives in you. 290 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:33,000 Christ is in you. 291 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:39,000 He cannot be any more near than abiding in the tent of your body. 292 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:45,000 The word, the idea here is that he is so close by. 293 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:50,000 You have instant access all the time. 294 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:56,000 So if that's true, he gives us an imperative. 295 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,000 You know what an imperative is? 296 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,000 A command. 297 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:06,000 Do not be anxious about anything. 298 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:08,000 Imperative. 299 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:13,000 But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. 300 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:14,000 Imperative. 301 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:17,000 Let your requests be known to God. 302 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:18,000 Imperative. 303 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:19,000 Imperative. 304 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:20,000 Imperative. 305 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:22,000 Three imperatives here. 306 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,000 Do, do, do. 307 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:25,000 Do not do this. 308 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:26,000 Do that. 309 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,000 Do this. 310 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:28,000 With this. 311 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:29,000 Do this. 312 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:34,000 How many times have we gone to God because we're anxious and go, man, I hope he hears 313 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:35,000 me. 314 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:38,000 That's not knowing that God is near. 315 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:43,000 That's thinking he's far away. 316 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:46,000 He is not far. 317 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:52,000 So now we understand clearly because the Lord is close near, because we have access to him 318 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:56,000 instantaneously all the time, he is with me. 319 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:57,000 He is in me. 320 00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:59,000 I in him. 321 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:02,000 And we in the Father. 322 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:05,000 I can and don't have to. 323 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,000 I can go to him about anything. 324 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:10,000 I do not have to be anxious about anything. 325 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:15,000 Anxiety is not an option for the believer. 326 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:18,000 Let that stuff go. 327 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:21,000 Do not be anxious about anything. 328 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:24,000 But pray. 329 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:26,000 And bring supplication. 330 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:28,000 And be thankful for it. 331 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:29,000 Why? 332 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:31,000 Because you are in the Lamb's Book of Life. 333 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:32,000 Why? 334 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,000 Because I have access to God. 335 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:35,000 Why? 336 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:37,000 Because I'm a child of the living God. 337 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:38,000 Why? 338 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:41,000 Because I'm part of the family. 339 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:43,000 I can go. 340 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:46,000 And no, he will take away my anxiety. 341 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:48,000 And that's what he says here. 342 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:53,000 That if we do these things, if we don't be anxious, if we pray, if we bring supplication 343 00:20:53,000 --> 00:21:00,000 and we're thankful, and we bring our requests to him, this is what he will do. 344 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:02,000 Not will he, will he maybe. 345 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:04,000 He absolutely will. 346 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:14,000 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 347 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:21,000 You notice there's a major theme in many of the letters of the New Testament. 348 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:24,000 The mind. 349 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:27,000 The battle is in the mind. 350 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:39,000 You will give into sin and you will continue to lose and be defeated in your life because you have made up your mind to lose. 351 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:44,000 Because you have not understood God's will for your life. 352 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:46,000 Romans 12, 2. 353 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:55,000 Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you can test and approve what God's will is, it's good, pleasing, and perfect will. 354 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:58,000 You can know his will. 355 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:07,000 Secondly, to clarify the reality of this, Jesus gives us this statement. 356 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:11,000 Matthew 11. 357 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:14,000 He says in verse 25 to 20, to 30. 358 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:17,000 Matthew 11, 25 to 30. 359 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:21,000 And I'll show you how this links contextually. 360 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:34,000 At that time Jesus declared, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise in understanding and revealed them to the little children. 361 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:35,000 To little children. 362 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:41,000 Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 363 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:47,000 All these, all things have been handed over to me by my Father. 364 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:54,000 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. 365 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:56,000 All things. 366 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:58,000 Not little bits. 367 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:00,000 All. 368 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,000 Now I want you to get that. 369 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:05,000 Satan does not have dominion. 370 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:08,000 The living God has dominion. 371 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:16,000 He is totally and completely sovereign in all things, and the Son of God has been given all things by the Father. 372 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:23,000 No one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 373 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:25,000 And this is what he says. 374 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:28,000 Now I want you to get the same idea here. 375 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:35,000 This statement is the same idea that Paul's implying in Do Not Be Anxious About Anything. 376 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:47,000 Look what he says, come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. 377 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,000 Come to me with all your junk. 378 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:53,000 Do not be anxious about anything. 379 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:54,000 Come to me. 380 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:58,000 But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. 381 00:23:58,000 --> 00:23:59,000 Come to me. 382 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:01,000 Let your requests be known to God. 383 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:05,000 Come to me. 384 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:06,000 Then look what he says. 385 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:08,000 Life is not burdenless. 386 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:12,000 God does not promise to take away burden from your life. 387 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:17,000 He promises to take away your unnecessary burdens. 388 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:21,000 Burdens that are too heavy for you to carry. 389 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:25,000 So if he takes your burdens, he doesn't leave you without something to carry. 390 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:28,000 Are you ready for this? 391 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:31,000 It's called, this is where you get peace. 392 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:33,000 All right, here we go. 393 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:45,000 Learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 394 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:49,000 What does he give us to carry? 395 00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:51,000 His truth. 396 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:53,000 There's a responsibility. 397 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:57,000 His word. 398 00:24:57,000 --> 00:24:59,000 The peace of God. 399 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:01,000 It's not heavy. 400 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:03,000 It's freeing. 401 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:05,000 It surpasses all understanding. 402 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:12,000 And God will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 403 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:13,000 Why? 404 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:17,000 For his yoke is easy and his burden is light. 405 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:20,000 It's not too heavy. 406 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:24,000 We don't go through life not having responsibility. 407 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:28,000 We don't go through life not carrying something. 408 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:31,000 He carries all the heavy stuff. 409 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:33,000 And more. 410 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:35,000 And what does he give us? 411 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:36,000 Peace. 412 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:38,000 Joy. 413 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:39,000 Love. 414 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:40,000 Patience. 415 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:41,000 Kindness. 416 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:42,000 Goodness. 417 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:43,000 Gentleness. 418 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:44,000 Self control. 419 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:47,000 And we struggle with those things. 420 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:49,000 Do you not? 421 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:52,000 Do they feel like a burden? 422 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:56,000 To live a godly life, does it feel burdensome? 423 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:59,000 We make it burdensome. 424 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:02,000 Because we think, I can't do that. 425 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:05,000 With Christ, you can do that. 426 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:13,000 With Christ, the all things are possible or all his things are possible. 427 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:17,000 All his promises that are for you are possible. 428 00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:18,000 They are yes. 429 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:25,000 All those are worth carrying in your life. 430 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:34,000 So I hope we kind of grasp Philippians 4, verse 1 through 7 now. 431 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:42,000 God first and foremost entreats us, implores us to keep the faith, to stand firm in the Lord, 432 00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:52,000 to encourage each other to reconcile and work and to live in harmony with one another. 433 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:57,000 He then exhorts us that we should rejoice in him. 434 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:58,000 Why? 435 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:00,000 Because we are part of the family of God. 436 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:02,000 Our names are in the book. 437 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:07,000 And that we should walk in gentleness so that everyone can see it. 438 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:14,000 And then he encourages us that we trust him because he is close and near. 439 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:21,000 And that all of the things that we have in our life, all of our anxieties, we can bring to him. 440 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:27,000 And that he commands us not to be anxious. 441 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:35,000 And we should pray and bring supplication and be thankful and let our requests be known to him. 442 00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:40,000 He knows what you need before you ask. 443 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:43,000 The issue is, Lord, I need you. 444 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:45,000 Lord, I need you. 445 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:49,000 Oh, I need you. 446 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:57,000 And then the peace of God, which is what he gives us, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. 447 00:27:57,000 --> 00:28:01,000 Father, I want to thank you so much for your goodness and faithfulness. 448 00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:03,000 Lord, we give you praise. 449 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:10,000 Thank you that you have entreated us and begged us to trust in you. 450 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:17,000 You have begged us to keep the unity of the faith, to reconcile with each other. 451 00:28:17,000 --> 00:28:26,000 You have exhorted us to rejoice in you and to be gentle so that all may see that we are your people. 452 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:36,000 You have encouraged us to trust you in every way, not to be anxious because you are near. 453 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:40,000 But in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make our requests known to you. 454 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:43,000 And as a result, Lord, you give us peace. 455 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:44,000 Lord, we praise you. 456 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:45,000 We thank you. 457 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:48,000 You are faithful, good, and true. 458 00:28:48,000 --> 00:29:00,000 In Jesus' name, Amen.