We’re almost done with the Book of Philippians, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and Advent begins the following week.  It’s hard to believe we’re almost at the end of the year.  And it’s been quite a year — full of trials and testing, relational conflict, and filled with cultural disruption.  As someone famous once wrote, “It’s been the best of times … it’s been the worst of times.”  But they still have been … our times.

Perhaps they were going through something similar in Philippi nearly 2,000 years ago, because our text for this week, Philippians 4:2-9 seems to sound so … well, current.  The Apostle Paul is laying down some practical instructions for the Philippians.  And if you think about it, it’s very interesting that we usually look at these verses and apply them individually.  However, it’s easy to forget that they were written to the church and meant to be applied both individually and corporately.  Paul is, quite frankly, telling us how to act when we’re together.  He’s encouraging us to put some thought into how we respond to each other, how we worship together, and how we pray together. 

But what do we do when the disruption comes from another member of the church?  Can we deal with those folks gently?  How do you respond when people seem to be going through the motions at worship?  What are you going to tell them?  How do you get your mind calmed down when you come to church? There are so many distractions, the activity of many children, the unfamiliar song that’s sung, not to mention the sometimes convicting, sometimes annoying preaching you have to endure (Well, at least no one’s fallen asleep, fallen out of a window, and broken their neck during the sermon!  That actually happened to Paul once – Acts 20:9).

So, no falling asleep and we’ll see what Paul has to say about those issues this Sunday.  It should be interesting, I hope to see you there, Dr. Dave