Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, (3) remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and Father, (4) knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. (5) For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

The letter to the Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul. In our verses today Paul omits his identification as an apostle, apparently not feeling the need to remind the young church of his apostolic authority which says a lot about the faith of the believers there. He continues in his introduction to give thanks to God rather than commending the Thessalonians because God chose them as believers of salvation apart from any human qualification they possessed. In verse 5, salvation through the gospel was identified as due to the power of the (indwelling at moment of faith) Spirit.

The doctrine of election is a frequent theme in Scripture. It’s God’s choice of us not our choice of Jesus; God’s elect, chosen by God. You know you are elect of God if He has powerfully changed your heart through your reception of the gospel. Election does not negate prayer but encourages it since salvation is God’s doing – Paul refers to his repeated prayers. Scripture shows how God always accomplishes God’s purpose – God sent Jesus to save his people and doesn’t leave that up to sinful human will. God ordains the means as well as the end. Because election is God’s purpose which cannot fail, it results in changed lives. Paul could see the results of election stemming from faith. We are saved by faith apart from merit on our part and apart from works; but real faith always results in works which are all of the good deeds we are called to do as believers. The doctrine of election in verse 4 is mentioned to remind the Thessalonians that in the midst of trials there is security in God.

The results seen in the Thessalonians were not just from the gospel but also from the power of the indwelling Spirit. So great was the change in the Thessalonians lives – real conversion – that others noticed it too. Ask God to give you a teachable heart – you know you are elect if God has powerfully changed your life through your reception of the gospel.

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (14) Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress………(19) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (20) Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen

The letter to the Philippians was written by the apostle Paul while imprisoned in Rome facing possible execution over false charges – he tells us how to find contentment. It is not self sufficiency, not complacency but an inner sense of rest or peace that comes from being right with God and knowing He is in control. It is a steady assurance that God is for us and will not forsake us. Contentment can be an elusive pursuit reflected in consumer debt, high rate of mobility, seeking a better job, life style, the high divorce rate where the same problems reoccur – we never quite get there. Paul learned to be content in all conditions – it didn’t come naturally but is a process. The key to understanding and learning everything is under God’s sovereignty. Our attitude in trials and deliberate submission to sovereignty is crucial. We are not in desperate situations by chance. A small crisis or a major life threatening crisis calls for us to submit to and trust God and contentment will come from Him.

Our text today concerns freedom from anxiety and contentment in our soul. This includes growing in personal holiness; the all sufficient indwelling Christ was Paul’s source of strength and contentment. The believer needs to learn not only how to get along in times of need but also how to live in abundance – we need a trusting and thankful heart. All things for Paul means he can do everything God has called him to do and God will give him power to do it. There is a balance between Gods part and our part – taking too much emphasis on human responsibility or conversely, being passive. Vital personal union with Christ provides for the believers every need to become an emotionally stable person. He is the believers life and the believer must follow Him as their pattern and look to Him as their goal.

The biblical meaning of contentment is a state of satisfaction anchored to our confidence in God and resulting in a joyful celebration of life. Contentment is not natural, not “just doing” something to be content. We need a new perspective, a new attitude, a deepened faith, not anchored to the circumstances of life. We brought nothing into this world and take nothing out of it. It’s about living with satisfaction one day after another. Don’t let our appetites get us to compromise our principles to get what we think will make us happy or dictate our values. Discontentment inevitably leads us away from God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. (9) The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The letter to the Philippians was written by the apostle Paul. In our verses Paul writes that Christian thought life forms the basis for our behavior and not just our outward behavior. The gospel does not just add to our life, it is a new life where we are changed at the core through faith in Christ. God opens the minds of the believers. Paul exhorts the Philippians to pray about their circumstances instead of worrying about them – to commit them to God in prayer, trusting He will provide deliverance. Anxiety is the most common mental disorder; anxiety over health, finances, children etc, and Paul advises us to pray with thankfulness about every concern. Anxiety comes from a lack of faith and the wrong focus on things of this world. Paul wants Christians to have God’s joy in every situation. Prayer is the procedure and peace is the result.

Our verses are a wonderful promise in connection with prayer – the Lord warned against anxious thoughts. When we are in the midst of trouble nothing is gained by worrying and trouble only seems more exaggerated when we try to carry our own burdens. The Spirit of God points the way out and wants to bring everything – great and little perplexing conditions and trying circumstances – into the presence of God and leave them there. We are to make our requests to God and God will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus with the peace that passes all understanding. We cannot obtain this peace for ourselves. We are in a relationship with God; in all things He is our refuge. Our prayers may not always be answered as we want to have them answered. God alone knows what is best. We put our cares before God and He puts His peace into our hearts; Gods hears the faithful.

Prayer needs to replace worry in the Christian life. It is the recipe for conflict resolution. Prayer realigns us and restores peace – peace that comes from God, not peace with God and this is the promise of our verses. Anxiety brings no peace but praying does. In chapter 5 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous, the introduction to how it works, millions of suffering alcoholics are told “Without help it is too much for us. But there is one who has all power – that One is God. May you find Him now! Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked for His protection and care with complete abandon.” Rejoice in Christ always, be forbearing with all people, pray about difficult situations, think about wholesome subjects and practice apostolic teaching.

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, (2) fulfill my joy by being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (3) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

The joyful letter to the Philippians was written by the apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome facing potential execution for preaching the gospel. Paul had a deep emotional bond with the Christian Philippians – he wrote them to thank them for “gifts” and to rejoice in them while he was in his fraught circumstance. Paul encouraged the church in Phillipi to be selfless and united and preached Christ as the ultimate example for believers to follow. There is the world’s way of conflict resolution and God’s way. All we have is due to God’s grace and the Christians are to do nothing from pride or selfishness – we are to think about others and not just from our perspective.

The believing Philippians manifested humility and lowliness of mind among themselves and to Paul. They were only able to walk in such a manner made possible in those born again in faith in Christ Jesus. Natural man is not capable of following Paul’s advice. True lasting joy is found in Christ regardless of circumstance – love likes to be a servant but selfishness likes to be served. The principle in our verses is putting ourselves aside to regard others more highly. To live to self is the root of all sin, and leads to a loveless life. We are told to examine our motives and actions and to look first to our faults. We have the all sufficient promise of Christ never to leave us. We have the comfort of Christ and His example that our love doesn’t depend of the response of the other person. We have the indwelling Spirit and the affection and compassion of Christ shown to us and we must show to others even though they might not deserve it.

The consideration of the needs of others is the theme of our verses and the basis of Christian humility. The reason for submission is to fulfill God’s purposes. This life style will result in fellowship, humility, tenderness and sympathy. The Spirit of God works lasting communion with and among the Christians. The doctrine of our Lord’s self emptying himself of divine prerogatives is simply presented as the supreme illustration of lowliness of mind that should characterize all who profess to be followers of Christ. Oh, and yes, living this way will focus our minds and bring us joy.