The document emphasizes the biblical command to rejoice always, highlighting that Christians have hope through their faith in Christ. It defines anxiety as an overwhelming sense of fear and apprehension but encourages turning to prayer and thanksgiving in the face of concerns. Ultimately, it stresses that while anxiety can arise, it should lead to a deeper reliance on God and gratitude for His provisions.

1. Joy vs. Anxiousness
by
Brian Birdow
Philippians 4:4-8
www.cmcoc.org

2. We are commanded to rejoice
• Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always:
and again I say, Rejoice.
• At all times rejoice!
• In all situations rejoice!

3. Why rejoice at all times?
Because at
no
time is
the
Christian
without HOPE!

4. The Christian hope
• Ephesians 2:12 That at that time you were without
Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers from the covenants of promise, having
no hope, and without God in the world:
• Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who
once were far off are made near by the blood of
Christ.
• Ephesians 2:14 For HE is our peace, who has made
both one, and has broken down the middle wall of
partition between us;

5. Peter Rejoiced when what?
• Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when
they had called the apostles, and beaten
them, they commanded that they should not
speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
• Acts 5:41 And they departed from the
presence of the council, rejoicing that they
were counted worthy to suffer shame for his
name.

6. Anxiety defined
• Strong's G3309 - merimnaō
• to be anxious
– to be troubled with cares
• to care for, look out for (a thing)
– to seek to promote one's interests
– caring or providing for

7. Anxiety defined
• an abnormal and overwhelming sense of
apprehension and fear often marked by
physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and
increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality
and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about
one's capacity to cope with it
• painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually
over an impending or anticipated ill
• fearful concern or interest

8. Common anxiety
• Unemployment
• Financial problems
• Terrorist attacks
• Health issues
• Public speaking
• Acceptance
• Rejection of peers
• Divorce
• Family
• Marital problems
• Children
• Government
takeover
• Fear of the unknown
• Losing status
• Losing house
• Being perceived
wrong

9. Don’t be anxious!
• Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in
everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God.
• Not saying we won’t have concerns of this
world but we are to have such hope in God
that when faced with them we turn to God in
prayer knowing HE will provide!

10. Anxiety is not wrong if…
• It leads to prayer!
• Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in
everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God.
• Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which
passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.

11. Supplication
• The word rendered supplication is
a stronger term than the former. It
is the mode of prayer peculiarly
which arises from the sense of
need, or want--from

12. Thanksgiving
• We can always find something to be thankful
for, no matter what may be the burden of our
wants, or the special subject of our petitions.
When we pray for the supply of our wants, we
may be thankful for that kind Providence
which has hitherto befriended us; when we
pray for restoration from sickness, we may be
thankful for the health we have hitherto
enjoyed, and for God's merciful interposition
in the former days of trial, and for his
goodness in now sparing our lives;.

13. Thanksgiving
• when we pray that our children and friends may
be preserved from danger and death, we may
remember how often God has interposed to
save them; when, oppressed with a sense of sin,
we pray for pardon, we have abundant cause of
thanksgiving that there is a glorious way by
which we may be saved. The greatest sufferer
that lives in this world of redeeming love, and
who has the offer of heaven before him, has
cause of gratitude. (albert barnes)

14. Thanksgiving
• Psalms 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who
daily loadeth us with benefits, even the
God of our salvation. Selah.
• Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with
thanksgiving, and into his courts with
praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his
name.

15. Thanksgiving
• Psalms 119:62 At midnight I will rise to give
thanks unto thee because of thy righteous
judgments.
• 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give
thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.