Philippians 4:6-7

9-27-20 Sermon Notes “Pop Verses: Phil. 4: 6-7

Our last “Pop Verses” also come to us from the Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Pastor Andy shared Philippians 4: 13 with us the first week of September. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This Sunday’s Pop Verses come from the same chapter…just a few verses earlier. Paul writes,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4: 6-7 NIV)
Another translation, The Living Bible, says it a little more plainly… “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” The thing is…we do worry sometimes. 2020 might be dubbed the “year of anxiety” before it is all over. I don’t know about you, but when someone tells me, “Don’t worry about a thing,” I usually wait for the other shoe to drop. Call me cynical, but I want to say, “Spoken like someone who has never had anything to worry about!” Well…what about it? Has Paul, the one who wrote these words in a letter to the Philippians, ever had anything to be anxious over? Does this guy just go around wearing rose-colored glasses?
Turns out, Paul has been through more than his share of anxiety-producing trouble. For one thing, Paul was in jail when he wrote this letter. Let that sink in. He was in jail when he wrote the words, “Do not be anxious about anything…” He was locked in chains when he spoke of peace that “transcends all understanding.” He had an actual prison guard looking on when he talked about God’s peace “guarding your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
When false apostles were telling lies on Paul to the Corinthian church, Paul defended himself – not by telling of how strong he was – but by “boasting” of the hardships he had suffered in service to Christ. Just see what Paul went to while trying to spread the gospel…
…I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands. (2 Cor. 11: 23-30 NIV)
My point is, when Paul writes to us not to be anxious about anything, it is because he has already been through just about everything a person can go through…and he still has confidence in the One who captured his heart with peace. This Sunday we will look more deeply into Philippians 4: 6-7…at what they don’t mean, as well as what they do. Join us by livestream on Facebook Live, YouTube, or Sermon.net. If you like, you can come to our in-person service (with distancing and masks) at 9:00 or 11:00.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Sam