DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7

The Grammy Award Winning song for 1989 was written by Bob Marley and sang by Bobby McFerrin. The song was entitled “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” This was a very popular song and it became a very popular saying. Why was it so popular? Its a good way to live your life. It is a Biblical thought.But its not new. In Philippians 4:4-7, Paul puts it a little different, but the thought is the same. We are told Not to Worry To Rejoice Let our gentleness be known Its a good philosophy.

Rejoice We are told not to just rejoice, but “Rejoice in the Lord.” Someone once said that it looked like some Christians were “born in cumber patch, weaned on a sour pickle, and baptized in vinegar.” Does this describe you? There are times we need to be sad and even mourn. Sin should make us sad A world of lost sinners When a brother or sister falls away When we give-in to temptation When a friend dies lost When we fail to teach or keep other commandments. They shouldn’t stop us. They should move us to take action. These things should make us sad.

RejoiceBe HappyWe need to loosen upWhy? Because we have reasons to rejoice. Rejoice you are in the Lord Rejoice your name is written in heaven Luke 10:20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.'' Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, Rejoice that there is no condemnation Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! In spite of the bad things we are still told to rejoice.

Temptation I Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. The World Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. I John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Rejoice that you can overcome:

Rejoice because your sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ which continues to cleanse still today. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Rejoice because you have an advocate and a mediator I John 2:1 These things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Rejoice because you may be the only Bible your friends, family, or even your acquaintances, may ever read Rejoice for you have access to all other spiritual blessings Eternal SalvationThe churchYour talents We as Christians, above all other people, have reasons to rejoice and be happy I Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice Always!

Let Your Gentleness Be Known To All Men When you think of people with gentle spirits several come to mind. He healed the sick Forgave sins Went about doing good Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.'' Joseph is another person with a gentle spirit. He was gentle and forgiving to those who done him wrong. Jesus

His brothers Potiphar’s wife The butler who forgot about him Joseph never tried to retaliate against them He was a gentle man. As Christians we also need to be gentle when Helping those in need Teaching a lost soul Our patience have been stretched thin Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Gentleness is part of the Spirit, Galatians 5:23 As Jesus and Joseph was forgiving and gentle we also must act in the same manner. When we are willing to turn the other cheek and go the second mile we are showing the world we have a gentle spirit.

Don’t Worry Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing… Instead of worrying we should pray to God. Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; King Hezekiah and prayer, II Kings Sennacherib, King of Assyria, was coming to invade Jerusalem. Hezekiah prayed. The night before the invasion an angel of the Lord came and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. The next morning Sennacherib packed up and went home.

II Kings 20:1, Isaiah the prophet tells Hezekiah, “Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.” Hezekiah praysGod adds 15 years to his life. King Darius made a decree that no one was to make a petition to anyone but him, Daniel 6. Daniel continues to pray to God He’s thrown in the lions’ den God delivers Him. PRAYER WORKS! In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us not to worry but to trust in God. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

What is the result when we Are HappyAre GentleDon’t Worry? Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY FOR LIFE? DO YOU HAVE THE PEACE OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE?

Given by David Hamlin on am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ