Philippians 4:4-9
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This is the seventh week in our series Joy in Christ: Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. This sermon is called "Gospel Living"
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
Connect Write a note that says, “Jesus is Lord” and place it somewhere so it is the first thing you see each day.
Warm-Up
- Has anyone ever given you some ‘final instructions’ when they left you with something precious (of theirs) to look after in their absence? How seriously did you take it?
- Why is it important not to ‘skip over’ the final words of a letter like this?
Read Philippians 4:4-5
- What do you think Paul means by ‘rejoice’? What are the clues that Paul really thinks this important?
- How is it clear that Paul exhorts our lives to be full of continual praise?
- Who is the cause and object of our praise? What shape should our rejoicing take?
- Do you find it challenging to ‘rejoice’ continually? What helps you to rejoice?
- What are the two meanings that Paul could have intended by ‘the Lord is near’? How are both helpful reminders that push us into praise?
Read Philippians 4:6-7
- What do you think can most cause Australians to be anxious? How about you?
- When does Paul say we should be anxious? What should be our response to feeling anxious?
- How often do you pray, petition, and present your requests to God? How can all of these things be shaped—or at least include—thanksgiving? How do you shape your prayer life with thanksgiving?
- As we come to God with our anxiety, what are we promised? When have you experienced this?
Read Philippians 4:8-9
- Have you ever considered the importance of having thoughts that are pleasing and in praise of God?
- What does Paul encourage us to think about? Can you give some examples from real life?
- How does this type of thinking require correction? How does it also involve some input?
- What helps you to think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy? What is one thing that you could do in the coming week to shape your thinking in this way?
- What is one helpful improvement this year that you have made to your reading of the Bible this year?
How would you love your reading of God’s Word to increasingly shape your thinking and life? - What are some of the things that Paul taught the Philippians and showed with his life?
Apply Out of these three rhythms of life—praise (continual rejoicing), prayer (indiscriminate thanksgiving), and practice (praiseworthy thinking)—which of these do you need to develop the most?
Prayer
Gracious Father, please help us to respond to the Good News that Jesus Lord, through lives of continual rejoicing, indiscriminate thanksgiving, and praiseworthy thinking. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Front Line this Week
What is one change you need to make to follow Jesus in a way worthy of imitation?
For Families
- Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org
Listen, Watch, and Read
- Listen: “Incarnation” by Tim Keller:
https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/incarnation/ - Listen: “Gospel Mindset” by Pete Wilkinson:
https://stebbes.org/sermons/gospel-mindset/ - Listen: “Gospel Thinking” by William Taylor:
https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/56121/
Series Resources
- Book: “Reading Philippians: A Theological Introduction” by Nijah Kupta
(Available in the Church Library) - Commentary: “Philippians (New Combridge Bible Commentary Series)”: by Mike Bird and Nijay Gupta. (Available in the Church Library)
- Video: “Joy” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chara-joy/
- Video: “Book of Philippians Overview” by The Bible Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE9qqW1-BkU
- Audio: “The Joy of Jesus” from St Bart’s series on the Fruit of the Spirit: https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermons/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-the-joy-of-jesus
