Sunday Morning, July 12, 2026
Philippians 4:2-9: "Thinking and Doing"
Philippians 4:2-9: "Thinking and Doing"
[7] Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Our faith is something to train and exercise!With these two basics of life: Thinking and Doing
- The hope of the Resurrection
- Train and practice for that!
[2] I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement 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 reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
[2] I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
- Even believers face this!
But for Paul, this is important enough to call out by name so that the work of the Lord in Philippi isn't hindered by personal conflicts.
His command: "Get along!"
[2] I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
- With the "mind of Christ"
[27] Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
[1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
This more than just compromise or ignoring a problem, it must be dealt with according to who they are in Christ with humility, gentleness, and love. This can only happen "in the Lord."
- Our conflicts point to our need.
- These were strong leaders.
- Yet they needed this reminder.
How many conflicts arise because we are not thinking with the "mind of Christ"?
How can we get our minds right?
Verses 4-7: The Right Source
Paul connects the dots here.
- The root of the conflict
Joy in the Lord shines in all circumstances because it points us away from ourselves and toward Christ.
This includes our stress, worry, anxiety, and daily burdens!
The root is discontentment.
[4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Theme of entire letter: Joy!
- In our identity in Christ
[5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
[5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
"Reasonableness" = Gentleness, mildness, patience
This kind of midset preempts and precludes all bitterness, anger, and resentment and it can only come from finding satisfaction in Jesus!
[6] do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.
[1] What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? [2] You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. [3] You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Doscontentment breeds jealousy, envy, hate, and anger because it is from a mind set on the wrong goal.
Paul wants to correct that!
[6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
"Anxious" = Burdened, weighed down
- But there is a warning!
Do not let those things govern your thoughts and your life over and above the Kingdom and the Lord of that Kingdom!
[25] “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? [27] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [28] And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [29] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? [31] Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. [34] “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
That's why this is such a deadly sin!
- Unsatisfied with God's provision
- Can be rooted in idolatry
That's why Paul turns us from ourselves and to God.
[6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And this comes with a promise!
[7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Not because everthing is Ok
- But even when it is not!
And this is not just peace for the moment, this is an ongoing, guarding, protecting peace... in our very minds!
How would that change the first problem in verses 2-3?
How would that change your thinking?
How would that change your worry?
Verses 8-9: Mind and Practice
[8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. V
Here is the gym for this training!
[9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
[17] Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
Again, we see the promise of God's peace.
Peace, not based on your circumstances, but supernatural peace when it doesn't make sense; peace which produces the fruit of the Spirit; peace which looks to God's faithfulness.
1. Think and do... in Jesus.
The basics of all life... but we live them in Christ.
Train your spiritual muscles in this thinking!
All things, everywhere, always in Christ.
2. Think and do... in worship.
Focus- Not self, but "to God"
Action - Not stress, but "prayer"
Heart- Not demanding, but "thanksgiving"
It's easy to halfway obey this...
[7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
3. Think and do... in peace.
This is the "Epistle of Joy"! But that joy is rooted here in this "peace which surpasses all understanding."
This is a Godward, Christ-centered focus that orients everything to him in thanksgiving and worship.
- Peace that roots out bitterness
- Peace that roots out worldly cares
- Peace that roots out bad thinking
- Peace that trains us to live in Christ
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