Sermon Notes - Philippians 4:2-9 - Practice - Rising Sun Baptist Church - August 16, 2026

1.        Open your Bibles to Philippians chapter 4.

2.        We will wrap up Paul’s letter to the Philippians next week.

a.        Pray with me for the Lord’s guidance on where we go next.

3.        Have you ever had one of ‘those’ mornings?

a.        The ones where it feels like everything is going wrong.

b.       Did not sleep well.

c.        Slept through the alarm.

d.       Forgot your coffee cup on the table as you walked out the door.

e.        Starting the day wishing you had handled something differently yesterday.

4.        Those types of mornings are not fun.

a.        A morning like that can lead us to be distant, difficult, or even unyielding.

b.       But if we take time and talk to our God.

c.        Remembering how He has worked in us.

d.       It can change our outlook.

e.        It can help us to soften, to be engaging, and encourage us to want to work with others.

5.        Prayer helps us to seek God’s will for the situation instead of our own agenda.

6.        Let’s take a look at what Paul has to say this morning.

7.        Philippians 4:2-3

a.        We don’t know a whole lot about these ladies.

b.       And we don’t know much about their disagreement.

8.        What we do know is that they are both Christ Followers.

a.        They helped Paul to share the Gospel.

b.       From what we read here, their names are written in the book of life.

c.        But something has divided them.

9.        The conflict itself was not Biblical in nature.

a.        If it was, Paul would have called out one of the ladies.

b.       He is not bashful.

10.   Like us having one of those mornings.

a.        If we focus on the problems, it can be hard to see God’s way.

b.       These ladies were so focused on their issue.

c.        That they were not remembering that they were sisters.

d.       They were family.

e.        And that one day they were going to be reconciled through the Gospel in glory.

f.          So why not reconcile on this side of eternity.

g.        Why not be restored with each other and carry forth the Lord’s Gospel?

11.   When frustration hits, it can be hard to look past the moment, the pain, the desire to be right.

a.        But if through the gift of Jesus, we are restored to God the Father.

b.       A bridge that only He can build.

c.        Why not let use that same bridge to reconnect with others.

12.   Sometimes all it takes is a conversation.

a.        Other times it takes someone else stepping in and helping.

b.       Either way, it is the Gospel of Jesus, that helps us mend our bridges.

13.   Philippians 4:4

a.        This is the 4^th time in this short letter that Paul is reminding us to rejoice.

b.       We are all dealing with things.

c.        We may be grumpy because we forgot our coffee.

d.       We may have one of those relationship challenges we need to work through.

e.        Or we could be facing a life altering issue for us or one of our loved ones.

f.          All of these to varying degrees can make it hard to be happy.

14.   But Paul is not telling us to be happy.

a.        Happiness is hard when we have a headache because we forgot our coffee.

b.       We are not going to be happy that we had a blow up with someone.

c.        Happiness can be hard when we are facing life altering situations.

15.   But we are to rejoice in the Lord.

a.        Rejoice in Jesus Christ.

b.       Rejoicing in Him is not situationally dependent.

c.        It is future dependent.

d.       We can be thankful for what Jesus has done for us, even when we are dealing with a personal conflict.

e.        We can be praising God for the amazing gift of everlasting life, especially when facing health issues.

f.          We can even rejoice that we have Jesus when we forgot our coffee.

g.        As a Christ follower we cannot be separated from our God.

h.        Nothing can take away the victory we have in Jesus.

i.          Let us rejoice in the Lord!

16.   Philippians 4:5

a.        Some translations say…

b.       Graciousness, reasonableness, or gentleness.

c.        It is a reminder of things we have already read.

d.       If you are being gracious, reasonable, or gentle…are you focused on your way or are you serving others?

e.        James 3:17-18

f.          As God works in us, as we draw near to Him, we will be thinking less of our desires and wants.

g.        And be looking to serve Him and others.

h.        Showing graciousness and gentleness, being humble towards others.

i.          It is a process as our God works in us.

17.   Philippians 4:6

a.        Is this an easy one?

b.       I wish.

c.        Worry or anxiety is one of those things that can eat away at us.

d.       Thinking about that problem at work or that big presentation, can cause anxiety to spike.

e.        Wondering how we are going to deal with that big bill we just got hit with.

f.          These things cause worry.

18.   How can we deal with them?

a.        Pray about it.

b.       That is what Paul is telling us here.

c.        Re-read vs. 6.

d.       Approach the creator of the universe with your relationship issue.

e.        Stress at work, talk to God about it.

f.          Wonder how you are going to dig out of the financial hole.

g.        Psalms 50:10 tells us that our God has cattle on a thousand hills.

h.        Meaning He is over all things.

i.          He has more resources than we can imagine.

j.          Go to God in prayer.

k.        Ask for Him to intervene.

l.          Trust that His will, WILL be done.

m.     We may not understand it, but trust that He is working in your situation and your life.

19.   “Petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”

a.        Here is one way to get past those mornings and the stress of the day.

b.       Remember what God has already done.

c.        Remembering that He has saved you from your sins.

d.       Thank Him for working in your life.

20.   As a child of God, do you think we are approaching a throne of judgement or one of grace?

a.        We are blessed that when we come before our God, we are approaching His throne of Grace.

b.       Scripture tells us that our God is for us.

c.        He is with us.

d.       He has shown us mercy.

e.        He has provided us with the greatest gift of all.

21.   When we approach our God, we are going before one who loves us.

a.        Who already has done amazing things in our life.

b.       I can think of no better place to go when we are in need.

22.   Philippians 4:7

a.        And… is important here.

b.       As a result of rejoicing always.

c.        As a result of being gracious to others and drawing near to God.

d.       As a result of not letting anxiety get the best of you.

e.        As a result of praying.

f.          And being thankful.

23.   As we seek our Jesus and approach Him with the things that could get the better of us.

a.        We will be filled with the ‘peace of God.’

b.       Not peace dependent on things unfolding as we want them to.

c.        Not peace because we have all the answers.

d.       Not peace because we have a $1M in the bank.

24.   No, it is the Peace of God.

a.        A peace that is beyond our understanding.

b.       We may not have our answer.

c.        But we will have His peace.

d.       Because we have gone to God with it.

e.        Thanking Him.

f.          Remembering that our trouble is a mountain before us.

g.        But our God created the mountains.

h.        He knows what we are facing.

i.          AND He will never leave us for forsake us.

25.   Joshua 1:9

a.        God is with us.

b.       As we pursue the prize He has promised us.

c.        Growing in our knowledge of Him.

d.       Seeking His wisdom.

e.        God’s peace will be with us.

f.          A peace that will guard our hearts and minds.

g.        Because our Lord, Emanuel, is with us and will never leave us or forsake us.

26.   Philippians 4:8

a.        Think, dwell, meditate, or however your version states it.

b.       We are to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, moral excellent, and praiseworthy.

c.        If we are focused on the conflict we had yesterday.

d.       The medical challenge our family is dealing with.

e.        A financial strain.

f.          Or something as simple as forgetting our coffee.

g.        If we are letting these things get between us and Jesus that is a problem.

h.        We need to dwell on the things listed in this verse.

i.          We need to be looking to our Jesus.

27.   Hebrews 12:2

a.        Fix our eyes on Jesus.

b.       He is the author and perfector of our faith.

c.        He will help us walk through whatever is before us.

d.       He will help us work out our salvation.

e.        He started the good work in us and will carry it to completion.

f.          Focus on Jesus.

g.        Think about our Creator.

h.        Dwell on our Savior.

i.          Meditate on the one who is The Truth.

28.   Philippians 4:9

a.        A common theme in this letter.

b.       We are not saved by it.

c.        But we are to live our faith.

d.       Practice…

e.        What we have learned.

f.          What we have received.

g.        What we have heard.

h.        And what we have seen others do in service to God and others.

29.   Take all of that.

a.        Practice it.

b.       Live it.

c.        Pursue righteousness.

d.       Draw near to God.

e.        Seek Him daily.

f.          Share what you have learned, received, heard, and seen with others.

g.        Point people to Jesus.

30.   And know that not only will you receive His most amazing Peace.

a.        But that the God of Peace is with you.

b.       The author and perfector of your faith is at work in you.

c.        Our God was with Joshua during one of the most challenging times of his life.

d.       He will also be with you each and every day as you practice these things.

31.   It is absolutely amazing.

a.        Not only did our Lord Jesus die for us.

b.       But He is with us!

32.   We have a lot to be thankful for!

a.        Which gives us a lot to rejoice over!

33.   How about you?

a.        Are you seeking Jesus!

b.       Are you ready to rejoice over all that He has done, is doing, and will do in and through you?

c.        Are you ready to join RSBC family?

d.       Are you ready to follow Jesus in water baptism?

34.   Thoughts for the Road…

a.        Are you dealing with that you need reconciliation? Talk to Jesus, He restored us to the Father, He can work in your situation.

b.       If worry or anxiety is getting the better of you, start by listing what God has already done in your life and then thank Him for it. It helps.

c.        How can you start practicing what you have learned, received, heard, and seen?

35.   One more question, are you ready to surrender your life to Jesus?

a.        That question is for all of us, we all of things in our lives we need to surrender to Jesus.

b.       With it comes that most amazing Peace that is beyond anything we can comprehend.

c.        As a Christ follower surrender all to Jesus.

d.       For those that don’t know Jesus… Jesus loves you.

e.        He died for you to for our sin.

f.          He defeated death to offer you a new everlasting life.

g.        You need to believe.

h.        You need to repent.

i.          Give your life as it is today to Jesus and receive so much more.

j.          If that is you this morning and you are ready to follow Jesus.

k.        Please come forward and we will pray during our closing song.