Philippians 4. Joy in All Things. 

1. What is the significance of the first verse? Verse 1. 

   1. This “therefore” means Paul is drawing from what we read in Chapter 3. Here, he is saying that because Christ has sovereignly saved us we are to continuously pursue Him (to know Him more and to serve Him). In other words, we are to stand firm in our faith. Our salvation is based on Christ, whose work cannot be undone and who does not change (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, we cannot base our salvation on our own works but on the finished work of Christ. When we base our salvation and our fight against sin on our own strength we fail miserably and crumble. We do not stand firm in our faith. However, when we rely on the finished work of Christ and work from that then we stand firm in our faith! 

2. What does it mean to labor in the gospel? Verses 1-3. 

   1. Laboring in the gospel does not mean we are working in order to receive the good news of the gospel nor the benefits thereof. To labor in the gospel refers to walking out our salvation in an effort to further the kingdom of God here on earth. 

   2. What are some examples of laboring in the gospel?

      1. Sharing the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). 

      2. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, all so that you may share the gospel with those you’re serving (Matthew 25:41-46). 

      3. Exercise so that you may share the gospel more (1 Timothy 4:8). 

      4. Live a righteous life, above reproach so that others may notice this and begin to question who your God is (1 Peter 2:12). 

         1. Notice how all of these examples are centered around spreading the gospel. This is why it is called laboring for the gospel. If you do these good works yet cower from sharing the gospel then you offer nothing of eternal value, those whom you have served will go to hell thinking you’re a good person. 

         2. Does your life reflect that of someone laboring for the gospel? Why or why not? 

3. What is the book of life? Verse 3. 

   1. The book of life is what contains the names of God’s elect (Revelation 21:27). All those whose names are written in the book of life will be saved, but those whose names are not in the book of life will perish. Paul writes this to show that despite there being conflict among Euodia and Syntyche, he desires they come together under Christ and he is confident that they are both true believers. 

4. What is the prerequisite to having the peace of God? Verses 4-7.

   1. In order to have the peace of God, you must first have peace with God. 

   2. Being at peace with God is different from the peace of God we receive through prayer (Philippians 4:6-7). If we are now at peace with God then we had to have been at war with God (Romans 5:10, Ephesians 2:1-10). While this statement is certainly frightening, the most terrifying part about it is that it also means God was at war with us (Psalm 5:4-10, 1 Corinthians 15:25). 

   3. Those who are at peace with God also have access to God, hope in God, the love of God, and the Spirit of God. For further explanation: 

      1. A right relationship with Him. Not only are we in a right relationship with God but we are able to approach Him with confidence! He cares so deeply for His people! This is a stark contrast to what the OT high priests had to do to have access to God. 

      2. We have hope in a future glory, that we will not face God’s judgment but will have eternal life in the presence of our Heavenly Father. There is no hope outside of God. 

      3. Justification is more than just paperwork somewhere in heaven. It is not less than a legal transaction, but it is more. We now have the love of God poured out in our hearts and can show this love to others (1 John 4:19). 

      4. Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). This means God will never forsake us (Romans 8:38-39, John 10:27-30). 

5. Why is it not enough to simply pray our requests to God? Verse 

   1. When all you bring to God is your problem, all you really walk away with is… your problem. When you only focus on what you bring, you’ll likely leave with what you brought. However, when you focus on all the other gifts, you’ll likely leave with something new. This is why we are to pray with thanksgiving. Why? 

      1. It is one thing to mortify sin, that is, to cut out the depraved and wretched thoughts and desires that tempt us to sin. It is another thing to vivify righteousness. Mortification and vivification are two sides of the same coin, you cannot live a life of one without the other. 

      2. When all we do is present our problems to God without focusing on thanking Him for the grace and mercy He has lavished upon you we leave frustrated or at best with a short moment of peace. 

      3. The issue is that when we do not replace our thoughts on our problems with thoughts on things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, etc. then our thoughts of our problems will just come flooding back. This brings us back to worry, fear, and stress. 

   2. We must not only bring our problems to God but do so with thanksgiving. When you truly look at your life and see all that you have to be thankful to God for you will realize just how spoiled you have been. Praise God for His provision!

6. How are we to be content in all circumstances while resisting complacency in our laboring for the gospel? Verses 10-13. 

   1. Contentment is a state of being satisfied with one’s circumstances, body and mind. It is a form of happiness. It hates greed and shuns envy. Rather than getting what you want, you’re appreciative for what you have. 

      1. Greed is an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. When you’re content you will hate this desire. 

      2. Envy is a feeling of discontented (dissatisfied) or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or “luck.” When you’re content you will shun out envy. 

   2. The positive attributes of contentment involve satisfaction and humility. 

      1. Satisfaction is when you can derive joy from what you have. 

      2. Humility is a lack of pride, desiring to put others’ wants and/or needs before your own. If you’re content with your own life then you will desire to help others. 

   3. If this is general contentment, what is the difference with “spiritual contentment”?

      1. The Greek word that Paul uses in Philippians is autarkés. This word refers to contentment and self-sufficiency because of Christ’s work.  

      2. Paul writes about contentment in Philippians to illustrate that Christians can be independent of circumstances if trusting in God’s perfect will. 

   4. How are we to remain content but not complacent? 

      1. Complacency can disguise itself as contentment if we are not careful. The contentment that we can experience in Christ is not associated with our hunger for HIm. Complacency is being pleased, especially with oneself or one's merits, advantages, situation, etc., often without awareness of some potential danger or defect; self-satisfied in ourselves instead of Christ. 

      2. We must have the same feeling of indebtedness to Christ that Paul has! We must continuously strive towards finishing the race of faith!

      3. We must not become complacent with the sinful things in our lives, instead we should continuously work towards driving them out and pursuing the righteousness of Christ in all that we do. 

      4. Pursue Christ in all you do! Labor for the gospel!

   5. Be satisfied in Christ, not in your own abilities of achievements. This closely relates to not putting confidence in the flesh but in Christ alone! 

   6. Be content because of what Christ has done, but God forbid you be complacent because of what you have done. Your “good works” are like filthy rags to God, humble yourself and live a sacrificial life to the God who has created and saved you from your own sins. What more could you ask for? Nothing. 

7. What is the significance of a fragrant offering? Verses 14-20. 

   1. In the OT a fragrant offering is one used to describe the burning of an animal or grain that provided a pleasing aroma to the Lord. The emphasis is not on the smell itself, but on what it represents, the substitutionary atonement for sin. 

      1. This is seen throughout the OT in passages such as Genesis 8:21, Leviticus 1:9,13, and 23:18. It is also used in the NT to describe the sacrifice of Christ who was the only One able to provide the perfect, eternally pleasing sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2). 

   2. We no longer live under the requirements of the sacrificial system and neither did the Philippians or Paul, he is saying that their sharing of gifts and resources with him is an expression of worship that is pleasing to the Lord. 

      1. This shadows back to when we discussed what it means to be poured out as a drink offering in Chapter 2. We are to live a life that is acceptable and pleasing to God, this is comparable to a fragrant offering in that our righteous lifestyle (that comes from thankfulness to God) is like that of a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 

8. What are three massive points of Philippians 4? Verses 1-23. 

   1. Peace and joy are choices we must make. 

   2. Peace is always available through Christ. 

   3. Joy is always available through Christ. 

9. Resources: 

   1. ESV Study Bible (ESB). Crossway. 

   2. ESV Reformation Study Bible (RSB). R.C. Sproul. 

   3. CSB Spurgeon Study Bible (CSB). Lifeway. 

   4. The MacArthur Bible Commentary John MacArthur. 

   5. Enduring Word Bible Commentary David Guzik. 

   6. Philippians Commentary R. Kent Hughes. 

   7. The Institutes Of The Christian Religion John Calvin. 

   8. Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth John MacArthur. 

   9. Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary Ralph P. Martin. 

   10. Layman's Bible Book Commentary Malcolm O. Tolbert. 

   11. Mortification and Vivification Gentle Reformation, Barry York. 

   12. What is the Book of Life? Got Questions. 

   13. Can I Be Blotted from the Book of Life? desiringGod, John Piper. 

10. Sermons: 

    1. Philippians, Vol. 04 (4:1-23)