PHILIPPIANS
Chapter 4, Verse 5-6
But Then David!
[7-10-16]

Review; What To Do? What To Do? Rejoice!

Philippians 4:1-4) [KJV] Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

QUESTION: What is the “therefore” there for?

Philippians 3:20-21) [KJV] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21) 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 things unto himself.

2) I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

4) Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Philippians 1:28-29) [KJV] And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

29) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Acts 5:38-41) [KJV] And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Acts 7:59-60) [KJV] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60) And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 12:1-2) [KJV] Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

2) And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

NOTE: What about these crazy 1st century Christians? They rejoiced after they had been beaten, glad that they had been “counted worthy to suffer shame” for Jesus. They forgave their executioners, and possibly their informers, and fell asleep. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting that if any of us suffer persecution to the extent of death that it won’t hurt. Of course it will hurt. I’m suggesting that in the middle of unbelievable pain there stands Jesus, along side of us. I’m suggesting that immediately following the pain that ends in death there stands Jesus escorting us to the glories of Heaven.

On To This Week’s Lesson, “But Then David”:

Philippians 4:5-6) [KJV] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

“moderation” – “1) seeming, suitable; 2) equitable, fair, mild, gentle” “[Thayer].

“[KJV] – gentle 3, patient 1, moderation 1; 5” [Online Bible].

(CEV) Always be gentle with others. The Lord will soon be here.

(GNB) Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon.

(GW) Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near.

QUESTION: What does, according to the definition, according to how it was rendered the other 4 times, and according to other renderings of this verse, “let your moderation be known unto all men” mean?

ANSWER: We are to demonstrate to all a “gentle” “and considerate” attitude, regardless of the situation, and regardless of how someone is treating us. This means that even if we are being persecuted we are to be “gentle” and “considerate” with our persecutors.

QUESTION: How can we and why should we show such an attitude to those who hurt us?

ANSWER: “The Lord is at hand” (KJV). “The Lord will soon be here” (CEV). “The Lord is coming soon” (GNB). “The Lord is near” (GW). We should draw strength and courage from the fact that rather they kill us or just beat us JESUS IS COMING SOON TO TAKE US TO HEAVEN. That means that whatever happens to us in this world WE WIN!!

6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

“careful” – “1) to be anxious” [Thayer]. “better, be anxious” [Vincent]. “stop being anxious” [Robertson].

(RV) In nothing be anxious;

(TLV) Do not be anxious about anything.

NOTE: About ½ of my translations render it “anxious;” the other ½ render it “worry.”

QUESTION: What doesn’t God want us to do when we go to Him in prayer?

ANSWER: He doesn’t want us to be overcome with unbelief because we have given up hope that prayer can change things. He wants us to pray in faith; He wants us to believe that He can answer prayer.

John 16:33) [KJV] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

“tribulation” – “a pressing, pressing together, pressure” [Thayer].

QUESTION: How can we pray in faith when our troubles are pressing up against us, bringing unbearable pressure to bear?

Matthew 6:9-13) [KJV] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11) Give us this day our daily bread.

12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

ANSWER: In the midst of confusion we bring order to our prayers:

* We recognize our relationship with God; He is our Father.

* We recognize His authority, that He reigns from Heaven.

* We recognize that everything belongs to Creator God; everything is subject to His authority.

* We pray for something we know will happen; God’s Kiingdom will come to earth.

* We pray for something else we know will happen; God will have His way on this planet in His timing.

* Then, we pray for the situation that has brought such turmoil to our lives.

NOTE: If we truly take time in prayer to recognize God’s power, God’s relationship with us as His very children, and His corresponding love for us, and we recognize that everything must be subject to Him then our faith will begin to be renewed. Then we pray that God will do His thing; that is, that God will subject all things to His power, to His will, and will move in our lives, in our situations. However, by this time we will not be praying from a platform of anxiety, but from a platform of faith.

1 Samuel 30:6) [KJV] And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

NOTE: David was “greatly distressed” because the Amalekites had invaded their land when they were off to war, and had burned their city and taken captive their wives and children. His men were so distressed that they were speaking about stoning David. But, David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTE: David was “greatly distressed; perhaps one of you is going through something that has you “greatly distressed.” Yeah! “But David;” Yeah! But you! Yeah! But “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” Yeah! But you are going to “encourage” yourself “in the Lord” your “God.” David recovered everything that had been taken from him and his soldiers because he didn’t wallow in his troubles. He encouraged himself! He then prayed in faith! He then defeated his enemy and recovered everything they had taken from him and his men. What will you do?

QUESTION: How do you “encourage” yourself “in the Lord” your “God”?

* You start off by reminding yourself of past victories that had been won when you had thought that all was lost.

* With David it was his victory over the lion, over the bear, over Goliath.

* With you it might be reminding yourself how you came through some difficulty with bills, with sickness, with employment, with your marriage, with your children.

* Then you pray in the “manner” in which Jesus taught us to pray. Praying in that order will get our minds into the proper perspective. Then we can pray in faith.

A CLOSING NOTE: Discouragement overcame him, but then David. Discouragement might be suffocating you, but then you!