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Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always Philippians 4:4-7 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. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8-9 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.

Philippians 4:10-11 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Philippians 4:12-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.

You can be a witness to others . . . I. Through Your Prayer Life – v4-7

I. Through your prayer life A. Prayer is a cause of rejoicing Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! - v4.

I. Through Your Prayer Life 1. You can have real joy in your prayer life. Ephesians 5:19 - Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

I. Through Your Prayer Life 1. You can have real joy in your prayer life. Ephesians 5:19 - Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 2. You can be a positive witness when you rejoice in your prayer life!

I. Through your prayer life A. Prayer is a cause of rejoicing – v4. B. Prayer gives you hope Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. - v5

I. Through your prayer life B. Prayer gives you hope – v5 1. Because you know the Lord is “at hand”. I Corinthians 4:5 - wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

I. Through your prayer life B. Prayer gives you hope – v5 2. He Who is near understands. Hebrews 4:15-16 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

I. Through your prayer life A. Prayer is a cause of rejoicing – v4. B. Prayer gives you hope - v5 C. Prayer is the opportunity to ex-press your gratitude. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - v6

I. Through your prayer life A. Prayer is a cause of rejoicing – v4. B. Prayer gives you hope - v5 C. Prayer is the opportunity to ex-press your gratitude - v6 Ephesians 5:20 - always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I. Through your prayer life 1. Your life needs to be in a constant attitude of prayer because of the cross.

I. Through your prayer life 1. Your life needs to be in a constant attitude of prayer because of the cross. 2. Because of prayer you don’t need to be anxious about anything. The Lord is near!

I. Through your prayer life A. Prayer is a cause of rejoicing – v4. B. Prayer gives you hope - v5 C. Prayer is the opportunity to ex-press your gratitude - v6 D. Prayer is the source of God’s peace And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - v7

I. Through your prayer life 1. This peace transcends all understanding.

I. Through your prayer life 1. This peace transcends all understanding. I Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

I. Through your prayer life 2. Why can you have peace? I Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

I. Through your prayer life 2. Why can you have peace? You are divinely led Psalm 23:3 - He guides me in paths of right-eousness for his name’s sake.

I. Through your prayer life 2. Why can you have peace? You don’t have to be anxious about tomorrow Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

I. Through your prayer life 2. Why can you have peace? All things will work out together for your good Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

You can be a witness to others . . . I. Through Your Prayer Life – v4-7 II. Through What You Fill Your Mind With – v8-9

II. Through what you fill your mind with. A. Fill your mind with godly attitudes. 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. – v8

II. Through what you fill your mind with. 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. – v8 1. True worshippers will worship in Spirit and in truth. John 4:23 - Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth

II. Through what you fill your mind with. 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. – v8 1. True worshippers will worship in Spirit and in truth. John 14:6 - I am the way, the truth & life.

II. Through what you fill your mind with. 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. – v8 2. What are the elements of healthy thinking?

II. Through what you fill your mind with. 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. – v8 a. Truth.

II. Through what you fill your mind with. 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. – v8 b. Noble (σεμνός) = honest, respectful.

II. Through what you fill your mind with. 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. – v8 c. Right (δίκαιος) = justice, righteous, having a right relationship with God & His standards.

II. Through what you fill your mind with. 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. – v8 d. Pure (ἁγνάs) = undefiled, innocent, remaining unstained from the world.

II. Through what you fill your mind with. 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. – v8 e. Lovely (προσφιλής) = pleasing, agreeable, loving towards everyone.

II. Through what you fill your mind with. 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. – v8 f. Admirable (εὔφημos) = of good report, praise worthy, to be spoken well of by others.

II. Through what you fill your mind with. Finally, Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. – v9 B. Fill your mind with godly examples.

You can be a witness to others . . . I. Through Your Prayer Life – v4-7 II. Through What You Fill Your Mind With – v8-9 III. Through Your Patience – v10-13

III. Through your patience. A. Learn to be content in whatever circumstances you find yourself. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. – v11

III. Through your patience. 1. If continual dissatisfaction is plaguing your life – ask yourself these questions:

III. Through your patience. 1. If continual dissatisfaction is plaguing your life – ask yourself these questions: Is Lord Jesus at the center of everything I do?

III. Through your patience. 1. If continual dissatisfaction is plaguing your life – ask yourself these questions: Am I confusing my needs with my desires?

III. Through your patience. 1. If continual dissatisfaction is plaguing your life – ask yourself these questions: Could I be happy with less?

III. Through your patience. 2. Happiness doesn’t consist of the things you possess . . . . . . but what possesses you! I Timothy 6:6 - But godliness with content-ment is great gain.

III. Through your patience. B. Learn to overcome any obstacle with the Lord’s strength. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. – v13

III. Through your patience. B. Learn to overcome any obstacle with the Lord’s strength. – v13 Romans 8:37-39 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“Rejoicing in the Lord always” You can be a witness to others – Through your prayer life – Through what you fill your mind with – and Through your patience! “Rejoicing in the Lord always” – Philippians 4:4