Providence Church of San Diego

2022-01-02 The Whole Life Prays_HANDOUT

Main Text: Philippians 4:8-9

Main Idea: Healthy Christian thinking leads to healthy Christian living.

1. Healthy Christian living requires healthy Christian thinking. (vs. 8)

[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.

- Honorable

2. Healthy Christian thinking leads to healthy Christian living. (vs. 9)

[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.

Main Text: Proverbs 23:23           

“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding”

I. Truth and the Trinity:

All truth belongs to God, and it comes from him. It did not originate in man, and any truth we do have came from God.

II. How do we Buy truth?

Gideons International –

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God it’s end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgement, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

Don’t sell it – But always share it!

I Peter 3: 15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Main Text: Philippians 4:4-7

Main Idea: The transforming gospel of Jesus Christ empowers us to rejoice in the Lord, to be reasonable with everyone, to overcome anxiety through thankful prayer, and to experience the supernatural peace of God.

You can always find joy in the Lord. (vs. 4)

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Because the Lord is near, you can be reasonable with everyone. (vs. 5).

[5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

Anxiety is overcome by thankful prayer. (vs. 6)

[6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

A central experience of the Christian life is the internal, supernatural peace of God. (vs. 7)

[7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“What is God’s peace? The unruffled serenity of the infinitely-happy God, the eternal composure of the absolutely well-contented God.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Main Text: Proverbs 10:18-21

I. The principle of words: God speaks; speech is a gift of God, to be used for His glory.

II. The power of words.

III.  The blessing of words.

IV. The potential danger of words.

V. The permanence of words.

IV. A prayer for our words.

Q. 144. What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

A. The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice . . . a ready receiving of a good report . . . love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth . . .

Q. 145. What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, . . . calling evil good, and good evil . . . raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense . . .  Westminster Larger Catechism

"In the inner man, the heart is the main thing to be kept; in the outer man, the tongue."  Charles Bridges

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, a tongue that delivers out salutary instructions, wholesome advice and counsel; a healing tongue which pacifies contending parties, and heals the divisions between them.  To have the benefit of such a man's company and conversation is like being in paradise."  John Gill

"The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life, a fountain of living water, continually running and flowing with water, wholesome, reviving, and refreshing."  John Gill

"The soft answer need not be a weak one, nor should it imply any compromise of truth, nor any yielding of righteousness.  It may be firm in substance, though soft in language and spirit."  John Gill

"Wise words proceed only from practiced lips.  We do not acquire the sacred art of wise and helpful speech in a day or even in the year; it is the happy and exquisite product of patient effort, it is a growth, it is a holy and beneficent habit, it is a grace to be cultivated; we may begin poorly enough, but by earnest endeavour we shall succeed and will continue in well doing."  Matthew Henry

Main Text: Philippians 4:1-3

Main Idea: The transforming gospel of Jesus Christ empowers us to stand firm in the Lord by living in harmony with other Christians.

The transforming gospel of Jesus Christ empowers us to stand firm in the Lord. (vs. 1)

[1] Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

One way we stand firm in the Lord is by living in harmony with other Christians. (vs. 2-3)

[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.

I. The cry of wisdom, 1-4

II. The content of wisdom's cry, 5-9

III. The economics of wisdom, 10-12

IV. Loving and hating the right things, 13.

V. The governmental authority of wisdom, 14-16

VI. The prosperity of wisdom, 17-21

VII. The eternity of wisdom, 22-31

VIII. Receiving wisdom by watching daily at wisdom's gates, 32-36

"Listen now to the calls of heavenly wisdom--to the voice of the Son of God. Doth not wisdom cry, and that not in the hour of darkness and in the secret corners, but in the high places, the paths of the city, the doors of thy house? Has she not followed thee in thy places of business, of diversion, of sin? Has she not put forth her voice in the Bible, in family devotions, in the preached Word? The loudness of her cry betokens earnestness in thy friend, and danger in thy condition. For would she have cried so loud, or continued so long, if she had not loved thy soul, or if she had not known the wrath that was hanging over thee?" Charles Bridges

"The acquisition of wisdom demands earnest attention, hearkening, watching, waiting. Something much more than a casual 'putting in an appearance' at the sanctuary. It implies an earnest heedfulness of spirit; a diligent, intelligent, patient inquiry of the soul; a hungering of the mind for the saving truth of God." William Clarkson

"Contrasted with sensual allurements are the advantages of divine wisdom, which publicly invites men, offers the best principles of life, and the most valuable benefits resulting from receiving her counsels. Her relation to the divine plans and acts is introduced, though more fully, to commend her desirableness for men, and the whole is closed by an assurance that those finding her find God's favor, and those neglecting ruin themselves." David Brown

"Watching daily at wisdom's gates--here is the devoted servant waiting for the master to come out with his instructions for the day, or the citizen expecting an important announcement from the king's chamber, or the beggar waiting for the rich man's servant to throw out some scraps for him to feed on. The intensity of concentration on the part of such is what we need in relation to the wise sayings of the word of God." Eric Lane

"Those are blessed that watch and wait at wisdom's gates; even their attendance there is their happiness; it is the best place they can be in. Those are blessed that wait there, for they shall not be put to wait long; let them continue to knock awhile and it shall be opened to them. They are seeking wisdom, and they shall find what they seek." Matthew Henry

Main Text: Philippians 3:17-21

Philippians 3:17-21, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 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.

I. The power of a positive example.

A. Imitate me (as I imitate Christ). Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. I Corinthians 11:1

B. Imitate others (as they imitate Christ). For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. II Thessalonians 3:7-9

C. "God has no more precious gift to a church or an age than a man who lives as an embodiment of His will, and inspires those around him with the faith of what grace can do." Andrew Murray

D. "We ought to hear good instructions and good counsels of anyone, let him be whom he may. But yet we are under special obligations to hearken to the good instructions and examples of those whom God has made our teachers. For that is the very office to which God has appointed them to teach and to counsel us." Jonathan Edwards

II. The danger of a negative example.

A. They are enemies of the cross--they oppose everything for which the cross stands, the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

B. Their end is destruction--the trajectory of their lives tends toward ruin.

C. Their god is their belly--their every motivation is sensual, earthly.

D. Their glory is their shame--that which would shame a godly person is their delight.

E. They mind earthly things--they reject the mind of Christ for an earthly, secular perspective.

F. Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 23:30-32

G. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15

H. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14

I. "Beloved, I would rather have a thousand devils out of the church, than have one in it. I do not care about all the adversaries outside; our greatest cause of fear is from the crafty 'wolves in sheep's clothing,' that devour the flock. It is against such that we would denounce in holy wrath the solemn sentence of divine indignation, and for such we would shed our bitterest tears of sorrow. They are 'the enemies of the cross of Christ.'" Charles Spurgeon

J. "Whenever the true message of the cross is abolished, the anger of hypocrites and heretics eases, and all things are in peace. This is a sure token that the devil is guarding the entry of that house, and that the pure doctrine of God's word has been taken away. The church, then, is in the best state when Satan assaileth it on every side, both with subtle slights and outright violence. And likewise it is in the worst state, when it is most at peace. . . No man understands the Scriptures, unless he be acquainted with the cross." Martin Luther

K. "It becomes us to be so affected, that when we see the place of pastors occupied by wicked and worthless men, we shall sigh, and testify, at least by our own tears, that we are deeply grieved for the calamity of the churches." John Calvin

L. "They call themselves spiritual, yet they live for earthly things; indulging their appetites, living for self, yet pretending to be Christians, whereas selfishness is the very reverse of Christianity." Charles Spurgeon

III. The foundation of a godly life: the realization that our citizenship is in heaven.

A. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2

B. Our citizenship (Greek politeuma, the source of the English word 'politics') is in heaven; new life, new standards, new goals, new priorities.

C. Because of His resurrection, we live in the expectation of our resurrection.

D. "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. . . It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth 'thrown in;' aim at earth and you will get neither." C.S. Lewis

IV. The promise of the future life: the subjugation of all things to Jesus Christ.

A. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:18-23

B. The what: the transformation of our body like unto His glorious body.

C. The how: by His all-conquering power.

D. "What is meant by our being citizens in heaven? Why, first that we are under heaven's government. Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; the laws of glory are the laws of our consciences; our daily prayer is, 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.' The proclamations issued from the throne of glory are freely received by us, the decrees of the Great King we cheerfully obey. We are not without law to Christ. The Spirit of God rules in our mortal bodies, grace reigns through righteousness, and we wear the easy yoke of Jesus. Thine are we, Jesus, and all that we have; rule thou without a rival." Charles Spurgeon

E. "What heart can conceive, or tongue recount--the daily, hourly triumphs of the Lord Jesus Christ's all conquering grace? We see scarcely a millionth part of what He, as a King on His throne, is daily doing. What a crowd of needy petitioners every moment surrounds His throne! What urgent needs and woes to answer! What cutting griefs and sorrows to assuage! What broken hearts to bind up! What wounded consciences to heal! What countless prayers to hear! What earnest petitions to grant! What stubborn foes to subdue! What guilty fears to quell! . . . Sitting on His throne of grace, His all seeing eye views all, His almighty hand grasps all, and His loving heart embraces all whom the Father chose--whom He Himself redeemed by His blood--and whom the blessed Spirit has quickened into life by His invincible power! . . . O could we but see what His grace is--what His grace has--what His grace does--and could we but feel more what it is doing in and for ourselves, we would have more exalted views of the reign of grace now exercised on high, by Zion's enthroned King!" J.C. Philpot

I. The sinful nature of pride

II. The fearful judgment of pride

III. The deceptive influences of pride

IV. The victory of grace over pride

Main Text: Philippians 3:12-16

[12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Main Idea: Christian maturity is a life-long process marked by an attitude of pressing on towards the eternal goal of perfect communion with Jesus Christ.

Christians mature, but never arrive. (vs. 12a)

[12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect

Mature Christians press on in response to Jesus’ great salvation. (vs.12b)

...but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Mature Christians press on with focused concentration on eternity. (vs. 13-14)

[13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Mature Christians are patient with the immature. (vs. 15)

[15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

Mature Christians don’t go backwards. (vs. 16)

[16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained.