Pastor Greg Temke
Sunday, September 27, 2026
www.rolfamily.com
The Book of Philippians
DON’T WORRY – BE HAPPY
Text: Philippians 4:1-7
At least once in your life, something so difficult and painful will happen to us and we will ask: “God, why is this happening to me?”
You’re not what you are you are, but who you think, you are. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
1. STAND FIRM. Vs. 1
1 Corinthians 15:58, “Stand firm. Let nothing move you.”
1 Corinthians 16:13, “Stand firm in the faith.”
Galatians 5:1, “Stand firm … and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
The will of God for you and me is to get up each day and do what we have to do—cheerfully if you can, grumpily if you must.
2. SETTLE YOUR DIFFERENCES.
Two leading women in the church: “Euodia” (meaning “sweet smell”) and the other “Syntyche” (meaning “friendly”) couldn’t get along.
MAKE A PERSONAL CHOICE TO AGREE- “Agree”=”to come to one mind”.
- Separate convictions from opinions.
- Be willing to ask forgiveness.
- Look for opportunities to show kindness in small ways.
- Pray for the success of the other person.
- Ask God to remove bitterness from your heart.
- Ask a friend to hold you accountable in this area.
RULES FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.
- Agree more … Argue less
- Listen more … Talk Less
- Produce more … Advertise less
- Confess more … Accuse less
- Laugh more … Fret less
- Give more … Receive less
3. REJOICE BY CHOICE. Vs. 4
Rejoice is mentioned twice because we tend to forget this admonition when dealing
with difficult people and the upsetting problems of life.
CHOOSE TO REJOICE
- Not an emotion: True joy does not wait for good feelings or easy circumstances.
- An act of the will: You decide to praise God and speak life over your soul even when life is hard.
- Rooted in faith: It relies on WHO God is and HIS presence, not on external events.
4. DEVELOP A GENTLE SPIRIT. Vs. 5
“Gentleness” = [“moderation,” “forbearance,” “mildness,” and “fair-mindedness.”]
MESSAGE: “Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them.”
This quality of “inner calmness” is especially needed in two situations:
1) When you are dealing with someone who is driving you nuts.
2) When you feel you are about to blow your top.
5. PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING. Vs. 6-7
Worry is wrong because it assumes that God can’t take care of you. God promised to care for you, but when you worry, you are saying, “Lord, I don’t believe you can take care of me so I’m going to take matters into my own hands.”
ADVICE FOR WORRIERS:
- Pray about everything—”In everything by prayer.”
- Pray with thanksgiving—”With thanksgiving.”
- Pray with expectation—”Present your requests to God.”
When we pray, God’s peace becomes a guard on our heart, protecting us from the cares of the world that could otherwise destroy you.