Heavenly Perspective (Philippians #19)

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Text: Philippians 4:1-7

“Therefore” begins chapter 4 and is based on that a child of God’s conversation is in heaven. If you’re conversation isn’t in heaven then you’ll be derailed by questions like, “Why do bad things happen?” Why do evil people stay in power? Why do children die? Why does God let bad things happen?

On the other hand, a heavenly conversation, a heavenly perspective leads to what we’ll study tonight. It leads to the peace of God that keeps hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.

Between the Therefore in verse 1 to the Finally in verse 8, there is a list of things that a heavenly perspective will affect.

Reward of faithful souls (vs 1)

When your life is hid with Jesus Christ, your affections are set on things above, and you’ve taken your stand in the Lord, there is no blessing like the blessing of faithful souls.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
One day the Lord will make a new heaven and new earth. The only redeeming product of the current heavens and earth are the people prepared to be with their God.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
- Satan working against this joy by physical separation.
- Or he could do it by mental separation.

Right thinking (vs 2)

Be of the same mind in the Lord. Your flesh will keep your thoughts on earthly things and derail your service and fellowship with those who are serving.
A heavenly perspective provides the right psychology in this world
Renew your mind (Romans 12:3) is the transformation that leads to knowing and doing the will of God. Renew: Making new again; repairing; re-establishing; reviving; renovating. We react to things the way the world tells us to react and not the way God tells us to.
We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). So you may not have access to a glorified body, but you do have access to a glorified mind.
Let this mind be in you (Philippians 2:5). This was a part of his mind that dealt. with service to others.
Humbleness of mind (Colossians 3:12)
Be not soon shaken in mind (2 Thessalonians 2:2). Expectations are right.
Sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
Sober minded (Titus 2:6). Sober means to think of yourself as you really are. Drunk thinks he’s 10 foot tall and bulletproof because he’s drunk.
Gird the loins of your mind (1 Peter 1:13)
Be of one mind (1 Peter 3:8)
Armed with the mind of Christ (1 Peter 4:1)

Yoke yourself with those who have made heaven’s business their business (vs 3)

…intreat thee also true yokefellow…

Joy is in heaven (vs 4)

Rejoice in the Lord
Joy is an element of the fruit of the spirit. The fruit of an orange tree is round, orange, sweet, citrusy, juicy, and refreshing. All of that describes one fruit. Just like Galatians 5 describes the fruit – SINGULAR – of the Spirit. And Paul gives nine descriptions of that fruit.
Paul says it over and over again because it’s safe as he says in 3:1. The opposite of rejoicing in the Lord is dangerous.
Fruit of the Spirit is a product of a heart that loves the Lord, a mind stayed on the things of God.
Rejoicing is and will be the natural state of the child of God.
Joy, like fruit, can be consumed for energy
- Joy of the Lord is your strength…
- Joy is your strength, joy is your supply of energy. Rejoicing is the act of joy.
- Rejoicing is the answer to the circumstance. We use to eat oranges after a soccer game to replenish our bodies. I didn’t eat an orange because I was full and had need of nothing.
- Lose your joy you lose your strength and motivation to serve God is squeezed out.
Fruit sours when the world gets to it
- When the elements of the world get to a piece of fruit, that fruit rots.
- The world will make the enjoyable things of God a burden.
- Have you ever sunk your fingers into a rotted orange? You ever gone to get some strawberries and some of them were covered in that white fur?
- I enjoy being with Christian brothers and sisters. And if I don’t enjoy being with brothers and sisters in Christ at church, I know the world has found its way in.

Balance in this life is in heaven (vs 5)

Let your moderation be known…
See 4:11-13
Not given over to excess

Prioritize your life according to heavenly perspective (vs 6)

Be careful for nothing…
Get God’s direction on it.
Take your desires to the throne of grace and get your marching orders from the throne of grace.

Results of this heavenly perspective (vs 7)

…and the peace of God…
Passes understanding because a person relying on the Lord, when they know the Lord is working doesn’t need to have understanding of all things to have peace. Peace is the presence of God.
That is what keeps hearts and minds through Jesus Christ who bodily subdued all things back in 3:21 and now all thoughts should be brought before him.