Philippians 4: Standing Strong in the Lord
How can a person’s love be measured?
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John 14:15 “If you love me, you will do what I tell you to do.”
John 15:13 “There is no greater love than for a man to sacrifice his life for his friends.”
John 21:15–17 After they had eaten, Jesus said, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than the others?”
“Yes, sir, you know I do.”
Jesus said to him, “Take care of my lambs.” Again, Jesus said, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”
“Yes, sir, you know I do.”
Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” A third time, Jesus said, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”
Peter was offended that his love had been questioned for a third time. “Sir, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
“Take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
Philippians 4:1 My dear friends, I love you and long to be with you. I’m so thrilled with joy, proud of you. Stand tall and strong in the Lord, greatly loved.
King James
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 21:15–17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Can we do anything to deserve love? Why?
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John 14:21 “Those who receive and obey my instructions are the ones who love me. My Father loves those who love me, and I will love and reveal myself to them.”
Romans 8:35 Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? No affliction or tragedy, peer pressure or embarrassment, poverty or peril—not even the threat of death—was enough to make him change his commitment. Our love for him should have the same kind of commitment.
Philippians 4:1 My dear friends, I love you and long to be with you. I’m so thrilled with joy, proud of you. Stand tall and strong in the Lord, greatly loved.
King James
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
What do you think Paul was asking Euodia and Syntche to do?
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Philippians 4:2 Euodia and Syntche, I beg you to know the mind of the Lord and be at peace with each other.
King James
Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Which women was Paul seeking help for? Why?
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Philippians 4:3 My partners in ministry, please help these women, who have worked with me in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, as well as Clement and other coworkers whose names are written in the Book of Life.
King James
Philippians 4:3 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.
How is it possible to rejoice in all situations, even the tragedies?
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Philippians 4:4 Always rejoice in the Lord. I cannot overemphasize our need to praise the Lord, rejoicing in every situation.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 No matter what the circumstances are, be thankful, because this is the attitude God wants you to have in Jesus Christ.
King James
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Why should our consideration of others be obvious?
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Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, you should let your kindness shine before men so they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.”
John 13:35 “If you love one another, people will know you are my disciples.”
Philippians 4:5 May your consideration for others be evident to everyone around you, for the Lord is coming soon.
King James
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Two thousand years ago, Paul said the Lord was coming soon. Do you think that’s true? Why?
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Philippians 4:5 May your consideration for others be evident to everyone around you, for the Lord is coming soon.
King James
Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
What does surrendering to God’s will have to do with not having to worry about anything?
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Philippians 4:6–7 You don’t have to worry about anything. In prayer and praise, express your desire to God, surrendering to his will and his peace, which the world cannot understand, will bring calm reassurance through Christ Jesus that everything will be all right.
King James
Philippians 4:6–7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
What are the benefits of positive thinking? The liability of negative thinking?
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Philippians 4:8 Finally, my friends, focus your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right—those things that are clean, loving, and respectable. Look for the good, not the bad, what you can praise instead of what you might condemn. Make those thoughts topmost in your mind.
King James
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Why did Paul think people would benefit from following the example of his life? Why might that have been better advice than saying, “Do what Jesus did”?
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Philippians 4:9 Keep doing those things you heard from me, saw active in my life, and accepted as true. Then the peace of God will be with you.
King James
Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
What reasons did the Philippians have to care about Paul’s wellbeing?
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Philippians 4:10 I’m delighted to hear about your care for me, although I know you’ve always cared but didn’t have an opportunity to express it.
King James
Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
How did Paul learn to be content, no matter the circumstance?
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Philippians 4:11–12 I have no reason to speak of my needs, because I have learned to be content, no matter what the circumstances are. I have lived in poverty and prosperity. I have gone hungry and at other times have feasted. I know what it’s like, both to abound and to suffer desperate needs.
King James
Philippians 4:11–12 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
How does poverty or prosperity typically affect people’s attitude toward God?
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Matthew 19:23–24 Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is nearly impossible for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It is harder for a man of great wealth to enter the Kingdom than for a camel to get through a needle’s eye.”
Philippians 4:13 In all situations, no matter how little or how much I have, I must depend on Christ for my strength and guidance.
King James
Matthew 19:23–24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
If Paul was content in having less, why did the Philippians do well in giving him more?
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Philippians 4:14 Even so, you did well to help me in my current hardship.
King James
Philippians 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
What do you think Paul did with the money he received from the Philippians?
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Philippians 4:15–16 You know, the believers in Philippi were the only ones to support me financially when I left Macedonia, when I was first spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. When I was in Thessalonica, you sent money, not once but twice.
King James
Philippians 4:15–16 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
How did Paul view the blessing he received?
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Philippians 4:17–18 I’m not saying this because I want your gifts. I want to see you blessed because of your giving hearts. I have everything I need, full and overflowing, after Epaphroditus brought your offering, which was like the odor of a sweet-smelling sacrifice, acceptable and most pleasing to God.
King James
Philippians 4:17–18 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
How well does God supply people’s needs?
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Matthew 6:7–8 “When you pray, do not repeat empty words like the pagans, who think they will be heard because of their incessant babbling. Do not be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask.”
Matthew 6:30–33 “If God clothes the wildflowers that are here now and gone tomorrow, don’t you suppose he will care for you? Why do you have such weak faith? Do not trouble yourselves with questions like ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ People who do not know God seek such things, but your heavenly Father already knows what you need. Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and he will give you everything you need. “
Philippians 4:19 Out of his glorious resources in Christ Jesus, my God will take care of everything you need.
Revelation 3:17–18 While you say, “I am rich, my business is thriving, and I have everything I could want,” you don’t realize how pitifully poor, blind, and naked you are, spiritually destitute. 18 You should seek treasure from me because my gold is 100 percent pure, of the highest value. Then you really will be rich. Buy my finest garments, and you will be free from embarrassment and shame. Accept my prescription for your eyes, and you will see clearly.
King James
Matthew 6:7–8 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Matthew 6:30–33 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Revelation 3:17–18 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
In the midst of tragedy, how can we say God is worthy of all praise forever?
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Philippians 4:20 Our God and Father is worthy of all the praise and glory forever. Absolutely!
King James
Philippians 4:20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
What is the value of asking others to give what you cannot give?
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Philippians 4:21–22 Please extend my greeting to all the followers of Christ Jesus. Those who work with me in ministry send their greeting, as well as the believers in Rome, especially those of Caesar’s household.
King James
Philippians 4:21–22 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.
Why would greeting of those in Caesar’s household be important to Christians in Philippi?
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Philippians 4:21–22 Please extend my greeting to all the followers of Christ Jesus. Those who work with me in ministry send their greeting, as well as the believers in Rome, especially those of Caesar’s household.
King James
Philippians 4:21–22 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.
What kinds of blessings was Paul wanting for the Philippians?
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Philippians 4:23 I pray that all of you are abundantly blessed in your walk with our Lord Jesus Christ. Let it be so.
King James
Philippians 4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.