Don't Worry!

We live in a culture where there is a ton of stress. Our lives tend to be filled with worry.

Paul ends Philippians 3 by reminding us that we are to live differently than those in the world who don’t know Jesus.

Philippians 4:1

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

Therefore is referring to what he has just said. We are to stand firm because of who we are in Jesus.

The world has a way of leading us to forget who we are in Jesus or wearing us down to the point of not caring who we really are.

The word worry or anxious in Greek means to be pulled in different directions. Our hopes pull us in one direction and our fears pull us in another direction.

The English root from which we get our word worry means to strangle. Worry can strangle our hope, joy, and peace. It can paralyze us.

Worry affects us in many ways. It affects us physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Paul had many reasons to worry:

Divisions in the church in Philippi

Divisions in the church in Rome

Possibility of his death

Philippians 4:2 shows us one of the things that could have caused Paul to worry.

Philippians 4:2

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

Two people in the Church at Philippi were causing conflict and division.

Philippians 4:3

Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, to help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Paul asks the other members of the church to help these women to work out their problems because they are fellow believers and in order to bring unity to the church.

Paul had many reasons to worry. How did he overcome worry and walk in faith and trust in Jesus?

Philippians 4:4-5

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

We need to let Jesus give us the right attitude.

Our focus should be on rejoicing and praising Jesus.

Many times, we focus on the negative and that leads to an attitude of whining, not rejoicing.

Our focus should be on gentleness and compassion toward others.

That doesn’t mean that we just coddle or enable others to live in a destructive lifestyle.

It means we see others as Jesus does.

We don’t see them as the enemy but as victims of the enemy.

We don’t see them as beyond hope but as people who can know Jesus as their hope.

We don’t see them as people to hate but as people that Jesus loves.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is allowing God to form in us the right attitude.

Philippians 4:6-7

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 minds in Christ Jesus.

We need to practicing right praying.

The number one antidote to worry is prayer.

In prayer, we:

Bring all our needs and concerns to Jesus

Thank Jesus for His answers before we see the answer

Rest in God’s peace

Let God’s peace guard our hearts and minds

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is bringing our fears to Jesus and trusting Him.

Philippians 4:8

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.

We need to let Jesus direct and control our thinking.

Focus on what is:

True

Honest and Just

Pure and Good

Worthy of Praise

Full of Virtue

What we think about, what we let our minds dwell on, will determine what our actions will be. Our actions will determine our lifestyle.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about letting Jesus direct our thinking and what our minds focus on.

Philippians 4:9

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.

We need to let Jesus make what we know the reality of our lives. We need to practice what we say we believe.

Following Jesus is not just about what you know; it is about living out your faith.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is living out our faith in Jesus.

No need to worry! With the peace of God to guard us and the God of peace to guide us – why worry?

In Trust and Obedience Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                               Joe