Philippians 4:1-9 encourages us to stand fast in the Lord. There are a number of things which Paul mentions in this section of scripture which will help us to stand fast in the Lord.
2. Philippians 4:1-9 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for
brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord,
beloved. (2) I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of
the same mind in the Lord. (3) And I urge you also, true
companion, help these women who labored with me in the
gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers,
whose names are in the Book of Life. (4) Rejoice in the Lord
always. Again I will say, rejoice! (5) Let your gentleness be
known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7)
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8)
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things
are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good
report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy--meditate on these things. (9) The things which
you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do,
and the God of peace will be with you.
3. STAND FAST
A. Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my beloved and
longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so
stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
B. 1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we live, if you
stand fast in the Lord.
C. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the
faith, be brave, be strong.
D. Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the
liberty by which Christ has made us free, and
do not be entangled again with a yoke of
bondage.
E. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren,
stand fast and hold the traditions which you
were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
4. I. LIVE IN HARMONY
A.Phil 4:2-3 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche
to be of the same mind in the Lord. (3) And I urge
you also, true companion, help these women who
labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also,
and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names
are in the Book of Life.
B.Phil 2:2-3 make my joy complete by being of the
same mind, maintaining the same love, united in
spirit, intent on one purpose. (3) Do nothing from
selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of
mind let each of you regard one another as more
important than himself;
C.Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one
another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate
with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own
estimation.
5. I. LIVE IN HARMONY
D. 1Cor 1:10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and
there be no divisions among you, but you be made
complete in the same mind and in the same
judgment.
E. 1Pet 3:8-9 To sum up, let all be harmonious,
sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in
spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult,
but giving a blessing instead; for you were called
for the very purpose that you might inherit a
blessing.
F. Eph 4:1-8 — I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,
entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling
with which you have been called, 2 with all humility
and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance
to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
6. II. REJOICE IN THE LORD
A. Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say,
rejoice!
B. 1Thes 5:16 Rejoice always;
C. Jas 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when
you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the
testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let
endurance have its perfect result, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
D. 1Pet 4:13 but to the degree that you share the
sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also
at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with
exultation.
E. Phil 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.
To write the same things again is no trouble to me,
and it is a safeguard for you.
7. III. BE GENTLE WITH ALL
A. Phil 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men.
The Lord is at hand.
B. Jesus was gently - Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke
upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
C. Paul was gentle - 1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we were
gentle among you, just as a nursing mother
cherishes her own children.
D. A bishop (elder) is to be gentle - 1 Timothy 3:2-3 2
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of
one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good
behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to
wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle,
not quarrelsome, not covetous;
8. III. BE GENTLE WITH ALL
E. Servants (ministers) should be gentle - 2 Timothy 2:24
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be
gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
F. Christians should be gentle - Titus 3:1-2 1 Remind
them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to
be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no
one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all
men.
G. Gentleness is wise - James 3:17 But the wisdom that
is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality and without hypocrisy.
H. Wives are to be gentle - 1 Peter 3:3-4 3 Do not let your
adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair,
wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- 4 rather let it
be the hidden person of the heart, with the
incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which
is very precious in the sight of God.
9. IV. BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
A. Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made
known to God; (7) and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus.
B. Don’t be anxious, pray - Philippians 4:6-7 6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God; 7
and the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.
10. IV. BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
C. Don’t worry, God will take care of you - Matthew 6:27-34
Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his
stature? 28 So why do you worry about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they
neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of
these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,
will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31
Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or
'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For
after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly
Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its
own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
11. V. THINK POSITIVELY
A. (Philippians 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatever
things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are
pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever
things are of good report, if there is any
virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--
meditate on these things.
B. Replace bad attitudes with good ones -
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, wrath,
anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away
from you, with all malice. (32) And be kind to
one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
12. V. THINK POSITIVELY
C. God made each day - Psalm 118:24 This is
the day the LORD has made; We will
rejoice and be glad in it.
D. Everything will work out for good -
Romans 8:27-28 Now He who searches
the hearts knows what the mind of the
Spirit is, because He makes intercession
for the saints according to the will of God.
(28) And we know that all things work
together for good to those who love God,
to those who are the called according to
His purpose.
13. VI. PRACTICE GOD’S WILL
A. (Philippians 4:9) The things which you learned and
received and heard and saw in me, these do, and
the God of peace will be with you.
B. Paul was a pattern for us - Phil 3:17 Brethren, join
in following my example, and note those who so
walk, as you have us for a pattern.
C. We should imitate Paul as he imitated Christ - 1Cor
11:1
D. We should follow Paul and other spiritual leaders
and the Lord - 1Thes 1:6 And you became
followers of us and of the Lord, having received
the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy
Spirit,
14. ARE YOU STANDING FAST IN
THE LORD?
A. Are you living in harmony with others?
B. Are you rejoicing in the Lord?
C. Are you gentle with all people?
D. Are you free from anxiety?
E. Are you thinking positively?
F. Are you following the right people to
do God’s will?