July 28th, 2024
Welcome to Gateway! It’s such a blessing to worship with you today. If you’re new to Gateway, we want to extend a special welcome to you. Please visit GatewayOnline.org/nextsteps to get more connected.
"Anxiety to Peace: Finding Calm in God" (Philippians 4:1-9)
Philippians 4:1-9
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 9 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.
1) Resolve our differences.
We don’t know exactly what was going on, but Paul calls out an issue between two women in the church named Euodia and Syntyche. Resolving their differences was so important that Paul tells the church to help them to be of the "same mind in the Lord." Disunity is devastating to the body of Christ.
Believers are sometimes the worst about addressing and resolving conflict because we want to be "nice." There's a difference between being nice and being kind. Addressing issues clearly and in love is kind, even if it doesn't feel "nice" at the time.
2) Rejoice in all circumstances.
The Greek word for "rejoice" has the same root as the word for "grace." Rejoicing means bringing the grace of God to the forefront of our thinking.
We can rejoice in all circumstances because we can always focus on God's grace. There's no situation where we are unable to focus on God's grace, so there's no situation where we are unable to rejoice.
3) Be anxious about nothing.
This is much easier said than done, but it can be done!
- Pray with a thankful heart.
"Prayer" is a broad term encompassing all kinds of praying. "Petition" is asking specific things from God. Being specific in what we are asking from God helps reduce anxiety.
Choosing to be thankful and focusing on the good God has done and is doing helps reduce anxiety as well.
God gives us peace that surpasses understanding. You really have to experience it to understand it. That peace "guards" our hearts and minds in Christ.
- Dwell on godly things.
We can't always choose the thoughts that pop into our heads, but we can choose what to do with them once they are there. We are to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).
A Prayer to Trust in Jesus
If you've never placed your faith in Jesus, pray this prayer to God:
Jesus, I believe in You. I confess that I’m sinful… but I thank you for dying on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. Right now I turn away from doing things my own way and I place my trust in You. I surrender to You as my Lord. I give my heart to You right now. Thank you for accepting me into Your family. I’m Yours completely. Amen.”
Did you place your faith in Jesus? Click the link below to let us know.
