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Faithfulness in Hardship: Lessons from Philippians 4
This podcast episode from Middletown Baptist Church focuses on the importance of being steadfast in life's circumstances, particularly through the lens of Philippians chapter four. Pastor Josh emphasizes that God desires for us to remain faithful, not only in our commitments to the Gospel but also in our prayer lives. He shares personal anecdotes to illustrate the struggles of anxiety and fear, reminding listeners that even in difficult times, we can find joy and peace through our relationship with Christ. The message encourages believers to rely on God's strength and to maintain a thankful heart, reinforcing the idea that true joy comes from trusting in the Lord. As the episode unfolds, listeners are invited to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and the importance of unity within the body of Christ.
The Middletown Baptist Church Podcast delves into the profound message of Philippians chapter four, highlighting themes of faithfulness amidst life's challenges. Pastor Jon Budd shares a personal narrative that resonates with many: the experience of feeling overwhelmed and anxious, akin to being trapped in an unyielding situation. Drawing from his childhood fears of floods, he connects these feelings to the contemporary struggles of anxiety faced by individuals today. The core message emphasizes the importance of maintaining joy in Christ, even when circumstances seem bleak. Pastor Budd reminds listeners that the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians from prison, yet he focused on joy and encouragement, urging believers to find solace and strength in their faith. This episode encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives, assess their levels of anxiety and worry, and look to God for peace and stability through prayer and steadfastness in the Gospel work.
In a detailed exploration of Philippians, Pastor Budd breaks down the text to reveal two essential commands: to be steadfast in Gospel work and steadfast in prayer. He emphasizes that believers are called to support one another as a spiritual family, fostering unity and cooperation within the church. The discussion also touches on the significance of gratitude in prayer, urging listeners to present their requests to God with a thankful heart. The peace of God, which surpasses understanding, is presented as a divine promise that guards hearts and minds, providing a refuge in turbulent times. Pastor Budd's encouragement to rejoice in the Lord and maintain a gentle disposition toward others reflects the essence of Christian living, encapsulating the idea that joy can be a powerful antidote to anxiety.
The episode is a rich tapestry of personal anecdotes and biblical teachings, weaving together the importance of community, joy, and prayer in the life of a believer. Pastor Budd’s heartfelt delivery and relatable stories create an environment where listeners can connect their struggles with the timeless truths of Scripture. This thoughtful message serves as a reminder that regardless of the trials faced, God calls us to remain faithful, anchored in His promises and empowered by the Gospel. The uplifting nature of this episode is a call to action for believers to engage in their faith actively, to support one another, and to cultivate a heart of thankfulness and joy in all circumstances.
Takeaways:
- Pastor Josh encourages listeners to find joy in Christ even during life's hardships.
- Being steadfast in prayer and the Gospel work is essential for believers.
- Paul wrote Philippians from prison, yet he emphasized the importance of joy.
- The peace of God can protect our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
- Thankfulness in prayer is key to overcoming anxiety and worry in life.
- Reflecting on God's past blessings helps us trust Him in difficult times.
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This podcast is produced by Ralph Estep, Jr., host of the Ask Ralph Podcast, a daily podcast on Christian Finance you can find it at https://www.askralphpodcast.com/
Transcript
Hello and welcome to the Middletown Baptist Church Podcast, where we are proclaiming the truth to the world.
Pastor Josh:My name is Pastor Josh and I want to thank you for listening to this podcast.
Pastor Josh:I hope that this podcast can be a blessing to you and strengthen you in the word of God.
Pastor Josh:Now come along, let's look into the Bible and see what God has for us here today.
Speaker B:We'll be in Philippians chapter four tonight.
Speaker B:Philippians chapter four.
Speaker B:If you ever been tied up, maybe not like physically you have been like bound down, you felt like you can't escape.
Speaker B:And if anybody's ever been, I don't know, maybe one of those, like, you know, box tubs of water, we have to like, you know, figure out, watch one of the shows, how to untie this whole rope knot, whatever, and.
Speaker B:But I remember when I was a child, we used to live in New York.
Speaker B:I'm originally from New York, if you didn't know that.
Speaker B:And our first house that we lived in New York, I had this horrible dream, this horrible dream.
Speaker B:You know, those in Florida probably relate to this experience, but I had this horrible dream that this flood, the sweeping flood, came through the entire community and just completely like, washed us out of the house, lost everything, complete destruction.
Speaker B:And I woke up terrified, crying for my dream.
Speaker B:I went running to my parents room and I was like, mom and dad house with whole neighborhood and everything.
Speaker B:And what did my dad do?
Speaker B:Well, he came over, took you by the side, he walked me back to dad, talked to you for a few minutes, said, john, it's okay.
Speaker B:It's trust the Lord, trust me, it's going to be fine.
Speaker B:So then I would have that continual fear going to bed every night.
Speaker B:So I remember a few nights later, right as I'm going, I'm being put down for bed.
Speaker B:Mom, dad, mom and dad, I'm terrified.
Speaker B:I can't fall asleep.
Speaker B:There's a flood going to come across the entire community and take out our house.
Speaker B:And my dad comes walking in graciously in the bedroom, along my bed there, looks at me in the eyes and he says, son, okay, trust the Lord, trust me.
Speaker B:And I know telling that story, people have gone through some pretty traumatic experiences with floods in our country recently, right?
Speaker B:So there are little, you know, little current events we can relate that to.
Speaker B:But how many of us this year have found ourselves with thoughts of anxiety, thoughts of a loss of control?
Speaker B:How do I handle this situation?
Speaker B:I feel overwhelmed.
Speaker B:I feel overburdened with something.
Speaker B:And Paul is writing to the Philippians here, he's encouraging them.
Speaker B:But where Is Paul writing this book from.
Speaker B:Paul's not writing this book on the beaches of Pensacola, Florida, Right.
Speaker B:He's not writing this down in Rehoboth beach, down in southern Delaware, drinking some lemonade?
Speaker B:No.
Speaker B:He is shackled up in prison for sharing the Gospel of Christ with a pagan society around him.
Speaker B:And what is the focus of this book?
Speaker B:The focus of this book is to remind the Philippians to have their joy in Christ.
Speaker B:And who more could talk to that than Paul himself?
Speaker B:Have he been imprisoned, focusing on the gospel, focusing on Christ.
Speaker B:Now obviously the author of this book of Philippians is Paul, right?
Speaker B:Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ.
Speaker B:In Philippians chapter one it talks about that Paul's indication of his fate being decided in chapter one places his book's writing to around AD 61, which was towards the closing of the apostles two year Roman imprisonment.
Speaker B:Key verse in the book of Philippians, Philippians 1, verse 20.
Speaker B:Paul writes this.
Speaker B:He says, according to my earnest expectation and my hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.
Speaker B:As we're going to be digging into this book a little bit and getting working towards chapter four, I'm going to ask you, where has your heart been lately?
Speaker B:There's been a lot going on this year, right?
Speaker B:We had, we had major political days going on and major wars around the world and storms, personal life storms and health storms, tribulations going on in our personal lives.
Speaker B:Has your heart been troubled?
Speaker B:Has your heart been overburdened with cares in your life, the cares of this world?
Speaker B:Well, let's echo with Paul here as we're looking at this, the Christ we magnified in our body, whether it's in our life now through all of our experiences, or whether it's by death.
Speaker B:Paul says that he was ready, he was ready to give his life for Christ, if that's what God had called him to.
Speaker B:So what was the book of Philippians written for?
Speaker B:It was written to encourage the believers of Philippi to keep having their source of true joy and hope.
Speaker B:In the purpose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there may be terror and a temptation to fear, but there is a special and unique calling to embrace the power of the Gospel in one's regular day to day life.
Speaker B:So what does the book of Philippians break down with chapter one we see that Paul, we see Paul's reading a testimony in the Gospel and indicated that with Philippians 1, 20, last part of Philippians 128 through chapter 2 talking about Paul's exhortations standing firm persecution, being united in humility of mind, the humble mind of Christ, remembering Christ's example of humility, how he humbled himself for us the death of the cross whereby after he went through the process of humbling himself, being killed, being buried, rising again, being exalted at that name every knee will bow, every tummy will confess that Jesus Christ is God is just Lord, the glory of God the Father, that miraculous example of Christ's humility and submission to God the Father's purpose.
Speaker B:And then in the last part of chapter two, it talks about how we're called to shine as lights in a dark world around us.
Speaker B:Philippians chapter last part of Philippians 2 talks about Paul references a few partners in the Gospel people have been shining that light in that community around them.
Speaker B:And then in chapter three there are some warnings that Paul gives about sticking true to knowing Christ.
Speaker B:Philippians 3:10 that I may know him the power of his resurrection, the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death and then Paul's admonition in the first part of chapter four, his thankfulness and his farewell.
Speaker B:So tonight we're going to focus on the idea of having a thankful heart of prayer.
Speaker B:And In Philippians chapter 4, verses 1 through 7, we're going to see that God wants you to be faithful in life's circumstances.
Speaker B:God wants you to be faithful.
Speaker B:Don't throw in the towel, stick through with it.
Speaker B:Be faithful what God has called you to be.
Speaker B:And how are we going to see that tonight?
Speaker B:We're going to see that through being faithful by observing two commands found here in Philippians chapter 4.
Speaker B:The two commands are this.
Speaker B:Number one, you must be steadfast in the Gospel work and number two, you must be steadfast in prayer.
Speaker B:Let's look at Philippians chapter 4.
Speaker B:Starting at verse 1.
Speaker B:Paul writes, Therefore my brethren, dearly beloved, and long for my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord.
Speaker B:My dearly beloved, I beseech Judeus and beseech Syntych, that they be of the same mind in the Lord and I entreat thee also true yoke fellow, help those women which labor with me in the Gospel, with Clement, also with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
Speaker B:Rejoice in the Lord alway and again I say, rejoice.
Speaker B:Let your moderation be known unto all men.
Speaker B:The Lord is at hand.
Speaker B:Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving Let your request be known unto God and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Speaker B:Let's pray.
Speaker B:Dear Lord, I thank you for this encouraging reminder, Lord, for us to keep out to be faithful through life circumstances, Lord, being faithful to what you've called us to do, Lord, in the gospel, Lord, faithful to you've called us to be as your children, Lord.
Speaker B:And I pray that you please help us tonight, Lord, to be reminded to be steadfast in your gospel work and be steadfast in prayer, Lord, be with this time.
Speaker B:Let's look at your word.
Speaker B:In Jesus name I pray.
Speaker B:So the first point tonight, link faithful and life circumstances.
Speaker B:First, be steadfast in the gospel.
Speaker B:Philippians chapter 4, verse 1.
Speaker B:It says, Therefore my dearly beloved, and long for my joy and crown.
Speaker B:What's he referring to there?
Speaker B:Right, that first word, therefore there.
Speaker B:Pastor Josh has referenced his other sermons before.
Speaker B:The word therefore there is referring to something in the previous context, right?
Speaker B:It isn't just.
Speaker B:Okay, here's his thoughts.
Speaker B:Let's go back to chapter three.
Speaker B:And Paul talks about the conversation or the lifestyle that we're called to live as Christians.
Speaker B:Philippians 3:20 it says, For our conversation or our lifestyle is in heaven.
Speaker B:See, I say the same ideas in Ephesians chapter two.
Speaker B:We're called that.
Speaker B:We're called in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:We're focusing on Christ.
Speaker B:We are focusing on his eternal plan for our life.
Speaker B:We're focusing on his eternal purpose for what he has called us to do.
Speaker B:And what is that ultimate purpose?
Speaker B:Glad you asked.
Speaker B:Verse 21 it says, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all these unto himself.
Speaker B:Colossians chapter one talks about this, how Christ is the originator.
Speaker B:He is the creator of all things.
Speaker B:He is the sustainer of all things.
Speaker B:And it sums it up here in verse 21 that these ideas and it says of talking about Jesus Christ, who is even to subdue all things unto himself.
Speaker B:So what does that mean, the situation that the Philippians are dealing with, the hardships they were going through, tribulation, persecution, pain, peril, even for Paul being in prison, being in prison for the Gospel, what does that mean for them?
Speaker B:Jesus Christ has all things.
Speaker B:He has the eternal purpose.
Speaker B:Romans 8:28 we know that all things work together for good to them that are called, unto them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose, according to God's purpose And what is the ultimate purpose that were changed to become made like Jesus Christ.
Speaker B:Isn't that exciting?
Speaker B:That's awesome.
Speaker B:But what does Paul say there in verse one?
Speaker B:He says, so we're referring to this.
Speaker B:He says, therefore my brethren.
Speaker B:Now this is awesome.
Speaker B:I love this.
Speaker B:Because this isn't just, you know, okay, we're just, you know, going.
Speaker B:And it's not like a blood relation.
Speaker B:This is a spiritual relation.
Speaker B:We are part of a family and specifically we are part of an ancestry.
Speaker B:Paul knew that even though he may be separated by prison pars, even though he was miles and miles away from the city of Philippi, they were still a part of his spiritual family who are all a part of that spiritual family here in this building online.
Speaker B:You're watching, you can't be here tonight, but you're a part of God's family also.
Speaker B:We're all a part of God's family.
Speaker B:And that brings unity, that brings that, that, that, that brings encouragement.
Speaker B:Cuz we can rely on each other being a part of the body of Christ.
Speaker B:And that's what Paul was leading on.
Speaker B:Paul had talked about that Philippians, you guys pulled through Philippians, you have been faithful to sending people to help me in my time of need.
Speaker B:And that was reciprocated, right?
Speaker B:That was that.
Speaker B:That went both ways.
Speaker B:Paul was supporting the Philippians, Philippians were supporting him.
Speaker B:There's that relationship that was going on.
Speaker B:We're a part of the spiritual.
Speaker B:And so I mean, he says my brethren.
Speaker B:But he goes on, how does he describe his brethren?
Speaker B:He says, you are dearly beloved.
Speaker B:A dearly beloved here means it is an esteemed or a favored or worthy of love.
Speaker B:Now is everybody perfect?
Speaker B:Those mistakes, right?
Speaker B:There are mistakes in the different churches that Paul addressed during Paul's day.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:But even though there is this, even though there is this disunity, even in chapter two he talks about that, how people.
Speaker B:And he emphasizes this later on in verse two, where he says being of the same mind, he talks about it.
Speaker B:They're indicating there's people of dissing or differing agreement, differing ideas here in the church of Philippi, right?
Speaker B:But still be of the same mind, still be of the same focus in the Lord.
Speaker B:And that brings this natural esteeming of building up each other.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:Philippians chapter two talks about this.
Speaker B:It says he calls us to esteem others better than ourselves.
Speaker B:That word esteem there means to place a value on.
Speaker B:And then he says to esteem others better than yourself.
Speaker B:So it's saying to place a higher value on.
Speaker B:Who said he set the ultimate example for that.
Speaker B:What was the Lord Jesus Christ himself, because he came and he humbled himself and took on the form of a servant, was made in our likeness and was born literally in a manger.
Speaker B:Everybody celebrate that here.
Speaker B:In a month too, he humbled himself.
Speaker B:The death of the cross for us.
Speaker B:And God calls us to follow that same manner, to humble ourselves before him.
Speaker B:But what made them highly favor, highly loved and favored of Paul.
Speaker B:Verse 1, there, second part of verse 1.
Speaker B:It says, My joy and crown now, Philippians 1:6.
Speaker B:Paul having had told the Philippians, he said, being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Speaker B:Paul knew that there was a good work that had been established in the.
Speaker B:In the Church of Philippi.
Speaker B:And God knew that that good work had not only started, but that God was going to continue it.
Speaker B:God was going to be the one that would ultimately bring them through to that.
Speaker B:That day of Jesus Christ, right?
Speaker B:Going back to chapter three, verse 21, right?
Speaker B:Being made like Jesus Christ.
Speaker B:And so ultimately the focus all comes back to Christ.
Speaker B:It all comes back to that purpose, right?
Speaker B:Being steadfast in the Gospel work of redeeming, striving to seek out the people who lead Christ, living Christ, smiling Christ to those around us.
Speaker B:That's what the Philip.
Speaker B:That's what Paul was encouraging the Philippians with.
Speaker B:Paul was going through difficult times, but he looked to the spiritual successes in his life and ministry.
Speaker B:Maybe you're going through a discouraging time right now.
Speaker B:Maybe you're going through an intense hardship, but how has God blessed you in your life this year?
Speaker B:If you say, well, this year has been very difficult, think back in your past.
Speaker B:How has God blessed you?
Speaker B:How have you seen his goodness and provision in your time?
Speaker B:Have you seen him just overflow his blessings upon you with his grace?
Speaker B:Have you given him praise and gratitude for that?
Speaker B:Have you recalled that the old.
Speaker B:The old hymn, Count your many blessings right near them, one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord have done.
Speaker B:You know, it's.
Speaker B:It's so easy.
Speaker B:Um, I.
Speaker B:I could find myself caught.
Speaker B:I find myself getting.
Speaker B:I get caught up with this, where I get all of this, these discouraging thoughts that come to mind.
Speaker B:And I have to remind myself, God, you are good.
Speaker B:God, you are faithful.
Speaker B:God, your love endures forever.
Speaker B:Your faithfulness reaches the skies.
Speaker B:And you've done so much, truly in my life, all around me in the body of Christ and in my life personally.
Speaker B:But it is through the difficult season as we fix our eyes on him, that he reminds us where we came from.
Speaker B:And we.
Speaker B:So the reason why we can remember these things is because it helps us to remind us, right, of the past, of what God has done in a good way.
Speaker B:Am I saying to go back to be like, oh, I had this horrible cramp, you know, 20 years ago and I almost fell over dead.
Speaker B:No, but afterwards, right, man, God, you healed me from that.
Speaker B:You gave me the grace.
Speaker B:You healed my body from that.
Speaker B:I praise you for that.
Speaker B:Thank you.
Speaker B:And right now I'm going to trust you.
Speaker B:And what I'm doing right now, I'm going to trust you, your purpose, and you plan for what you have for.
Speaker B:But not only were they his crown and joy, but they also had this giving and receiving relationship.
Speaker B:Look at Philippians 4, verse 15.
Speaker B:Paul writes, he says, now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving.
Speaker B:But ye only.
Speaker B:What's Paul saying here?
Speaker B:He's saying the other churches did not communicate with me as well as you did.
Speaker B:You were communicating with me.
Speaker B:You were supporting me as I was getting whipped, as I was being shipwrecked, as I was being bitten by snakes for the gospel, as I've been in prison here.
Speaker B:The number one person who comes to mind is you guys.
Speaker B:Is that how we feel about each other?
Speaker B:Thank you.
Speaker B:So thankful to be wonderful, wonderful body of Christ that God has here in our church by giving and receiving, relationship, reciprocating.
Speaker B:Paul was thankful for them.
Speaker B:Paul was thankful for that reciprocated relationship.
Speaker B:Hey, you know, you still, you've been faithful in this fellowship in the Gospel.
Speaker B:Have you been faithful this year?
Speaker B:Have you been faithful in the last month or two, as maybe some, you know, some really difficult times have come on?
Speaker B:Have you said, you know what, maybe I've forgotten that we get back on track.
Speaker B:You can do that tonight.
Speaker B:Do that tonight by reminding yourself of what God has done for you.
Speaker B:But what caused Paul to long for the Philippians?
Speaker B:He knew they had differing opinions, and he encourages them to be of the same mind.
Speaker B:Verses two, two through three, and in the Lord, look at verse two again.
Speaker B:It says, I beseech Judeus and beseech Chintzentik to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Speaker B:And right here Paul is saying, these two people need to be on the same page about whatever it is in that church of Philippi.
Speaker B:They have to be unified in that same mind in the Lord.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:He longed for that he longed to be there to have that fellowship.
Speaker B:But it was in the Lord.
Speaker B:But also verse three, it says that they had worked alongside him for the gospel.
Speaker B:Verse 3.
Speaker B:I entreat the also true yoke fellow help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, who with other my fellow laborers whose names are in the book of life.
Speaker B:I can think about people.
Speaker B:People have been faithful to serving God through the years.
Speaker B:People who have passed on, who aren't here anymore.
Speaker B:Their testimony shine as lights in this world because they were faithful to thee.
Speaker B:Are you being faithful to the end with what God has called you to go through?
Speaker B:Are you being faithful to living in the Gospel that no matter what happens, you're keeping your hope and your focus on God?
Speaker B:So he knew they had differing opinions.
Speaker B:He encouraged to be of the same mind of they had worked alongside him for the Gospel.
Speaker B:Some were named, others were unnamed, by the way, but all of the names were in the book of life.
Speaker B:Those who were known, those who are unknown.
Speaker B:God knows.
Speaker B:And God knows you.
Speaker B:Maybe you're at home right now and you're like, has God forgotten me?
Speaker B:No, he hasn't.
Speaker B:God is still faithful.
Speaker B:Keep being faithful with the gospel.
Speaker B:Verse 4.
Speaker B:It's my page here.
Speaker B:Which one is on first?
Speaker B:Philippians 4.
Speaker B:4.
Speaker B:It says, Rejoice in the Lord alway.
Speaker B:And again I say rejoice.
Speaker B:And what does this word rejoice here mean?
Speaker B:Obviously they go, hey, what?
Speaker B:Joyful, right?
Speaker B:Joyful.
Speaker B:Joyful.
Speaker B:We adore.
Speaker B:The chrysos is coming up being joyful for the Lord, but specifically to make happy, to lift someone's spirits, to fill them with joy.
Speaker B:And I mean, this is not just an external thing.
Speaker B:This is not just.
Speaker B:You're walking by.
Speaker B:Maybe you're going through the.
Speaker B:Through the.
Speaker B:To the grocery store.
Speaker B:Maybe you're going through Walmart because decorations are up and you're like, it's nice, but I hate Christmas.
Speaker B:I don't know.
Speaker B:I'm just saying for an example, right?
Speaker B:I've been there before a couple of days.
Speaker B:I'm like miserable.
Speaker B:And I'm like, no, you know, I'll walk by with me or whatever.
Speaker B:Oh, yes, decorations.
Speaker B:I'll walk out of the store like, oh, that's over with.
Speaker B:My energy's done.
Speaker B:But this is that true inward joy, right?
Speaker B:It's like Buddy the elf, right?
Speaker B:Someone like that where someone who's truly joyful, whereas it's coming out of your heart, you're just joyful in Christ.
Speaker B:This is this inward reality that's not being Manufactured.
Speaker B:It's not being fake.
Speaker B:It's just real.
Speaker B:The real deal between you and God and between others around you.
Speaker B:Paul encourages the Philippians.
Speaker B:He says, rejoice in the Lord always.
Speaker B:Now let me ask you a question.
Speaker B:When a guy is interested in the girl, does the guy just sit back and be like, oh, that's great, you know, she's a nice girl, she's cute.
Speaker B:Is that how guys are?
Speaker B:No, guys are like talking about it, right?
Speaker B:They're calling their friends or texting their friends and they're like, oh, you know, you know, I'll give you an example, Joy, right?
Speaker B:So I remember I was working construction down in Florida and Joy and I started.
Speaker B:I.
Speaker B:I had gone to um, her.
Speaker B:To her brother's, my brother in law's wedding, your sister's weddings.
Speaker B:And afterwards, I remember I was, I actually this time I kept the secret to myself.
Speaker B:I wasn't sharing it too much at first, but I remember I was out there, you know, I was like, I was texting when I was, you know, trying.
Speaker B:I was cutting concrete actually.
Speaker B:It's a huge concrete saw.
Speaker B:So I'm out here and I had these concrete lines.
Speaker B:So this is on the campanile, by the way.
Speaker B:They can't see if any crooked lines or anything.
Speaker B:That's why.
Speaker B:But, but I remember I was getting the concrete sauce it up and I was texting Joy and literally my mind just wandered and the psalm wandered with it.
Speaker B:There was a horrible crooked line.
Speaker B:I had to go and actually cut it straight and actually take out more concrete because I got distracted by it.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Maybe some of you guys can relate.
Speaker B:Maybe some of you girls can relate.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:And you're like, yes.
Speaker B:You know, there's lights that shine as bells that ring.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Potential life, mates, a friend for the rest of my life.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:But why?
Speaker B:Well, for a guy it brings, it brings a lot of excitement to think about the potential of having a lifelong partner and help me.
Speaker B:I remember the first month I got married, guys, the first month I got married.
Speaker B:Nazi.
Speaker B:I was single until I was 26 years old.
Speaker B:I was in Florida for about five years post college.
Speaker B:Came out to Baltimore by myself, left all of my friends, came out to Baltimore.
Speaker B:Dark city of Baltimore.
Speaker B:Okay?
Speaker B:For 18 months I had no friends around there.
Speaker B:I tried, but it was.
Speaker B:But who I had as a friend, Joy.
Speaker B:And I remember the first month we were married, it was so weird because I walked, I walked through the living room and I'm like, oh, Joy's home.
Speaker B:This is true.
Speaker B:My best friend.
Speaker B:My best friend I've been talking to you for three years, and it's like, wow, I know that sounds silly, but that's the fulfillment of that, you know?
Speaker B:But.
Speaker B:But what is.
Speaker B:But what is that rejoicing for us?
Speaker B:It's that longing with Christ.
Speaker B:It's that longing with being with him for all eternity, thinking about how we're going to see him face to face to be able to behold him in all of his glory.
Speaker B:The Lamb of God, which has taken away the sin of the world.
Speaker B:My Redeemer.
Speaker B:Your Redeemer.
Speaker B:Being able to see him face to face.
Speaker B:Being able to know, you know what.
Speaker B:Yeah, there were two relations on earth, but now it's all passed away.
Speaker B:No more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain.
Speaker B:Able to rejoice in the presence of Christ Jesus.
Speaker B:How is your relationship with God?
Speaker B:When you have the opportunity to get a glimpse of God, how do you respond?
Speaker B:Now we can fast forward.
Speaker B:I think I mentioned this before in my previous message with spousal eye contact.
Speaker B:I'm not sure if you heard of that before, and I've heard the thing.
Speaker B:Maybe you can confirm or not, but spousal eye contact, basically, when a spouse is being intentional in the relationship, they're making direct eye contact, right?
Speaker B:But if they're not being intentional, they're like intentionally, like, you know, kind of looking away, you know, and they're not making that intentional eye contact because, like, there's an issue going on.
Speaker B:Whatever.
Speaker B:I want to talk about it.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:But is that how.
Speaker B:How is that with us, with God, you know, and myself included in that?
Speaker B:There's times where I have to watch myself, because a lot of times I can just be so down the grindstone that I can forget to look up at Christ.
Speaker B:I can forget to remember my purpose.
Speaker B:I get so caught up with the motions of my life that I forget to rely on him for help, for his strength.
Speaker B:But when you have the opportunity to get a glimpse of God, how do you respond?
Speaker B:Paul here encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always.
Speaker B:And he says again in Ephesus, here again to rejoice.
Speaker B:So let's go down to the next verse.
Speaker B:Verse 5.
Speaker B:Let your moderation be known unto all men.
Speaker B:The Lord is at hand.
Speaker B:And moderation here, I love this moderation.
Speaker B:The word simply means this good, gentle or patient.
Speaker B:Titus 3:2.
Speaker B:This word is used to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all man.
Speaker B:The word gentle there is the word for moderation, right?
Speaker B:Be gentle to all those around us.
Speaker B:James chapter 3, verse 17.
Speaker B:Talking about God's wisdom, the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily being treated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.
Speaker B:Gentle.
Speaker B:There once again is mentioned first Peter 2:18, the last verse for this word for reference here, servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also the fro word.
Speaker B:So there is a natural inclination, right?
Speaker B:We have a gentle master who we're working for.
Speaker B:They have a gentle.
Speaker B:They have that gentle nature.
Speaker B:It's easy to follow them, right?
Speaker B:And as, and as we are discovering we are knowing God, we are seeking that relationship with Him.
Speaker B:We know of his gentleness and his natural overflow that comes in and through us as we have that relationship with Him.
Speaker B:But by rejoicing in the Lord, we learn from his kindness and goodness and we learn to yield things to Him.
Speaker B:Now here specifically, it is things related to within God's control and is not, is not supposed to be us.
Speaker B:And this is why Paul writes unto all men, right?
Speaker B:Not, not just a certain things.
Speaker B:But this is written for everybody.
Speaker B:But it says the Lord is at hand.
Speaker B:Remembering the near coming of the Lord helps us to stir up within us the reality of his soon coming return.
Speaker B:What does that mean, Christ's return?
Speaker B:Everything's gonna be resolved eventually when we can relinquish any problem or struggle to God.
Speaker B:By having this disposition of yielding this to God, it puts us into a focus of prayer towards him.
Speaker B:We the last two verses give an explanation to be done.
Speaker B:Philippians, chapter 4, verse 6.
Speaker B:It says, Be careful for nothing.
Speaker B:But in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God.
Speaker B:The first phrase there, be careful.
Speaker B:I know Pastor Josh references before, be careful for nothing.
Speaker B:Don't be anxious.
Speaker B:Don't take things with the burden with a burden.
Speaker B:God has not called us to carry the burden to ourselves.
Speaker B:We're called to give it to Him.
Speaker B:I love the reference.
Speaker B:Matthew chapter 6, verse 25.
Speaker B:Christ says, Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body what ye shall put on.
Speaker B:Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment?
Speaker B:This is the exact same idea what he's talking about.
Speaker B:Take no thought for your life.
Speaker B:Maybe with how things have gotten more difficult, more difficult, more difficult to afford things like food, clothing, housing, maybe even different things like that.
Speaker B:Christ says, don't.
Speaker B:They don't take a one thought of anxiety about that.
Speaker B:Give it to God.
Speaker B:Give it to Him.
Speaker B:Turn those struggles over to Him.
Speaker B:But Jesus used the wording here.
Speaker B:He says, be careful for nothing.
Speaker B:Sorry, Paul says this.
Speaker B:He says, but by saying this, though, he's saying, don't take no doubt for one's life.
Speaker B:Don't get overworked, concerned, right?
Speaker B:Maybe for the college bills, maybe for whatever burden there is in your life.
Speaker B:Don't get overburdened with it.
Speaker B:Don't get overworked about it.
Speaker B:Don't you believe that God would take care of you?
Speaker B:Isn't that what Christ told His disciples?
Speaker B:You know?
Speaker B:Don't you believe that God the Father will take care of you?
Speaker B:If he cares for a small sparrow that falls out of a tree, how much more does he care about you?
Speaker B:Does he care about Me?
Speaker B:What's the cure for worry?
Speaker B:The cure for worry will be done.
Speaker B:Second part of verse six, it says, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be known unto God.
Speaker B:And the peace of God that passeth all understanding should keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Speaker B:First word, there is prayer, disposition towards God.
Speaker B:When we're praying to God, we are talking to him.
Speaker B:We are looking at Him.
Speaker B:The second word he uses there is supplications.
Speaker B:These are petitions or earnest requests for bringing before him, right?
Speaker B:So we're.
Speaker B:We're praying, we're turning towards God.
Speaker B:We're bringing these petitions before Him.
Speaker B:But it says that it comes with thanksgiving.
Speaker B:That's gratitude.
Speaker B:And this is an active, grateful language.
Speaker B:So as you're mentioning this, you are having gratitude.
Speaker B:What does that mean?
Speaker B:The result may not be what you want it to be.
Speaker B:You thought about that before.
Speaker B:Maybe you've had an issue that you've been praying about and you're like, lord, I really, really, really want this.
Speaker B:Why?
Speaker B:I really, really, really don't want this.
Speaker B:I have situations like that in my now, in my life where I'm praying about and I'm like, lord, I really, really want this.
Speaker B:But is that what you want?
Speaker B:You know, and what it comes down to is yielding both situations, both results to whatever it is, and giving it to him, yielding it to Him.
Speaker B:Because at the end of the day, who's really in control of it?
Speaker B:God is.
Speaker B:So let's give it to him and have that gratitude and that thankfulness by yielding it to Him.
Speaker B:And then verse seven, the peace of God which passeth all understanding.
Speaker B:The peace of God here is tranquility.
Speaker B:Now we use the beach vibe in a good way, right?
Speaker B:How many love going to the beach, love going mountain hiking in the mountains.
Speaker B:Whatever your release is, maybe you just like, you know what, I'm sitting the couch and read a good book, right?
Speaker B:Whatever it is, fill in the blank with, oh, you know what if I can just sit down and, and do nothing.
Speaker B:Maybe the opposite.
Speaker B:Maybe you're someone who has to go to something crazy like go on vacation or whatever, I don't know.
Speaker B:Or whatever it is, right?
Speaker B:Think about that moment where it's just like, oh, that's so nice.
Speaker B:That's the peace of God, tranquility, that rest.
Speaker B:And also it ties in with security and safety, right?
Speaker B:If you're relaxing, are you fearful about getting hurt?
Speaker B:No.
Speaker B:And that's.
Speaker B:But that's also tied in with this peace of God.
Speaker B:Here it says, the peace of God's passage of understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, God is going to protect you.
Speaker B:That word keep their means to protect by a military guard so the power of God will sustain you and bring you through the tribulations in your life.
Speaker B:So my last question is this.
Speaker B:Will you be faithful in your life circumstances?
Speaker B:Will you be faithful in living by the Gospel?
Speaker B:Will you be faithful through living a prayer life of thankfulness before God?
Pastor Josh:Thank you again for listening to the Middletown Baptist Church podcast.
Pastor Josh:I hope that this sermon has been a blessing for you.
Pastor Josh:If you would like to find out more information about our church or this sermon, you can find us at middletownbaptistchurch.org or find us on Facebook or YouTube.
Pastor Josh:You can also email me directly at joshmasaroiddletownbaptistchurch dot com if you've enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and follow along for future podcast and updates.
Pastor Josh:Thank you so much.
Pastor Josh:God Bless.
Pastor Josh:Have a wonderful day.
