Summing it all up: Chapter 4, a Study on Philippians

Chapter 4
4:1
-Paul opens up in spiritual encouragement
4:2
-Paul advices to put petty world differences aside and seek Him
4:3
-when supporting and guiding other believers remember to be gentle and that they are fellow brothers and sisters
4:4-5
-Paul says keep Him at the centre of everything
    -this makes it that He is the only thing you seek
        -He will come back some day and all he asks is that you be ready for it
4:6-7
-Paul tells the church in Philipi bot not worry
    -rather lift it up to Him
        -once you do this fully and with full faith you will have no concern, and a sense of wholeness will be there
4:8-9
-Fill your mind with pure things
    -replace all that is sinful and worldly with Godly and Holy things
        -if this is done fully and full of faith, God will provide
            -things will start to come together and make sense

Reflection on 4:1-9
Paul, like everything in this book, opens with encouragement, showing that every encounter, weather good or bad, should be opened with encouragement and support. He then continues to show spiritual concern and guidance, touching on issues such as being in fellowship with each other not fighting, keeping Christ as the centre. The last two sections are those filled with prayer, advising to lift your worries up to God and then keep a self restraint on the mind, giving it over to Him so He may show you the way.

4:10-14
-Paul again opens with encouragement
    -He then says that he has found true happiness
        -one that is not filled with worldly desires, but with a Godly heart
            -one that will never suffice outside of Christ
4:15-18
-The church in Philipi shows there true nature
    -Paul says they are a church of a giving spirit
        -that when he needed help the most, even when he didn't ask for it, they gave it to him
            -this shows that when one is found in Christ all they want to do is give, not get
4:18-20
-There spirit of giving is shown even more
4:21-22
-Paul encourages them to welcome and share with all there brothers and sisters in the faith
    -the church in Philipi is shown here to be a true church of God
4:23
-ending with encouragement

Philippians 1-4 Reflection:
Like said at the beginning this book can be summed up in one word; Encouragement. Paul continuously encourages the church in Philipi, giving them encouragement in all areas, in prayer, faith and life. He lends his advice in areas dealing with people who are only in the faith to see how much they can get out of it, with this ye says to welcome them and show them through a life style what it truly means to be a Christian. Showing that even in jail he has a mission field, Paul shows that the church is not the only place of spiritual growth, but anywhere there is a follower of Christ. Telling the people in Philipi, he shows that being reminded of certain things is not bad, for he continues to warn and advice them. Chapter 4 then is a summing up of everything, continuing to encourage and pray for the church in Philipi.

Application:
Encourage your fellow brothers and sisters, support, advice, pray for them, we are all on different laps of the race, but in the end we run through the same finish line. If some fall, help them up with His encouragement, if others are having trouble support them and pray for them through His spirit. Encourage!