Message Outline

Happy With Here

Epistles

Pastor Jonathan Stockstill
Sunday, Nov 26, 2023

Philippians 4:2 (NLT) — 2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.

Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT) — 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8–9 (NLT) — 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:11–13 (NLT) — 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

1. Settle your disagreements

  1. Philippians 4:2 (NLT) — 2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.
  2. It's hard to settle when things aren't settled
  3. Matthew 5:23–24 (NLT) — 23 "So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God."
  4. If it's in your power to settle something, do it.

2. Pray about everything

  1. Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT) — 6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
  2. Paul consistently tells people to pray without ceasing, pray at all times, pray on every occasion, pray about everything! 
  3. If you're carrying your worries, there is reason to be discontent, but you shouldn't be carrying your worries; you should give them to God.

3. Fix your thoughts

  1. Philippians 4:8–9 (NLT) — 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
  2. Fixing thoughts is difficult in this day of unceasing restlessness. 
  3. Paul gives us a list: true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, worthy of praise. How do you get all of these things? Think about God!

4. Learn Contentment

  1. Philippians 4:11–13 (NLT) — 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
  2. Contentment is sufficiency and independence.
  3. Philippians 4:13 (NLT) 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
    1. Christ GIVES him power.
    2. Christ IS his power.

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