Audio Access Available Above
“Let's Get Personal” • 4.6.14 •
Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- As Philippians
draws to a close, we recall that the Apostle Paul has written primarily to
thank the church for it's financial gift given to him while in prison.
- While Paul had their attention, he took the
time to warn them of the dangers of false teaching in chapter 3. Unfortunately, not all danger is
found outside of the church.
- In Phiippi, there was one more danger within
that had to be addressed: Unresolved, personal conflict which threatened the
unity and therefore the vitality of the church.
- How do Christians handle personal conflict
that arises from non-essential areas of belief? Philippians 4 is a treasure trove of inspired information available
to help us on this point.
Text
• Philippians 4:1-3 : "Therefore, my beloved and
longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same
mind in the Lord. And I urge you
also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with
Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of
Life." : On account of all that
Paul has written, from the first notes of chapter 1, through the end of chapter 3.
- On account of his suffering for the gospel and the fruit that it
was producing. On account of Christ's suffering and exaltation.
- Because there are excellent examples to follow and false teachers to
avoid, Paul called them now to stand fast in the Lord! Does he address them
Apostle to subordinates? Not at all!
- Paul tenderly loved the Philippians and has written all that he
has written from that vantage point. My beloved and longed for brethren, my joy
and crown.
- They were his family, the crown jewel of his ministry efforts. What
else would he want from them than to have them continually stand fast, to
persevere now and always in the Lord!
- There are disciplines that grow your walk in Christ. Keep doing
them! Keep your prayer life in order. Keep the Word open before you. Keep
seeking out genuine fellowship with believers.
- These are our life lines! Alternately, you and I must also keep ourselves
from activities that rob us of our enjoyment of Christ.
- Paul's command to the Philippians then is just as relevant to CCFians
now! Stand fast in the Lord! Persevere through every temptation that would lead
you astray!
- "What shall we begin with?" Paul turns to a personal,
yet very public issue, summoning by name, two women among the Philippian church.
- Paul waits four chapters to address it. Why not lead with this? A
reminder of the truths presented in the first three chapters may have already
fixed the issue!
- Paul has laid a ground work, practically and theologically that
inevitably leads to reconciliation.
- Euodia and Syntche. "Sweet Fragrance" and
"Lucky" needed to be persuaded to be of the same mind in the Lord
meaning that they had gotten in the habit of being "other minded."
- Paul leaves no doubt as to who was to blame, as he takes the time
to implore them both!
- "Be of the same mind!" The same word was employed in
chapter 2 when Paul spoke of the
mind of Christ! Don't change her mind, change your minds to His mind if you
don't mind!
- The mind of Christ sought the advantage of others over Himself
though He deserved to seek His own advantage! Seek each other's advantage in
the things of the Lord. That's the mind needed!
- Things had digressed enough that there is now a need for his
companion, his true yokefellow, perhaps the Pastor in Philippi, to step in.
- He requests that this person "help" these ladies, a word
which every other time it's used, is translated "seize!" "Arrest
them!"
- Paul is calling upon this person to stop them in their tracks!
Don't take sides, but assist them in correcting their thinking.
- The fact that he has to ask someone to seize them, let's us know
that they had tolerated this for a time.
- Presumably, what began as a private distaste in something
non-essential, became a public feud that sought to claim a majority in the
church!
- There is an urgency in the matter, as implicitly we understand
that this sort of factious behavior is completely out of place and detrimental
to the body. Remember the Corinthians!?
- You might think, "Well, maybe these ladies were simply
immature and sort of new to the culture of the church." You know, because
we can't conceive of anyone mature acting this way!
- Wrong! These were ministry veterans! "Well, what sort of
ministers were they assisting? It could not have been healthy examples?"
- They had worked with the Apostle Paul, author of at least 13 of
the 27 books of the New Testament and founder of at least 6 churches.
- Euodia and Syntche also worked with Clement, possibly the future
bishop of the church in Rome, whose name means "Calm!"
- Other influences included the rest of Paul's fellow workers. Paul
is refreshing their memory. They had already been participants in wonderful
service to the Lord's body.
- They had enjoyed the presence of the Lord together. They had
prayed for the salvation of people that they jointly concerned themselves with.
- Their names were recorded in the registry of heaven, the only book
anyone in their right minds would want to be included in. What conflict on
Earth is worth sacrificing all that for?
• Philippians 4:4,5 : "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is
at hand." : Church, rejoice in the
Lord!
- Ladies, rejoice in the Lord! Delight in the presence of the Lord
all the time!
- This is the answer to your conflict, whatever it is! There is a
greater joy than being right or proving the other person wrong in the Kingdom! Joy
is found in our posiiton in Christ eternally!
- Real joy is found in pulling together for the sake of Christ,
encouraging one another to walk rightly and to pursue godliness.
- Instead of being known for your contention, be known for your
gentleness with one another. Be fair, equitable, mild with one another. Be
willing to yield on non-essential points of preference.
- Instead of insisting upon your way and clashing until one complies
with your thinking, gently share with one another and when you disagree, like
Paul, consign their response to the Lord!
- "If any of you think otherwise, the Lord will reveal even
that to you!" Lord, show it to them. Reveal your heart to them!
- Let that kind of response be what marks of our fellowship! Let it
be that we major on a willingness to let the Lord resolve our conflicts. Why? Because
the Lord is at hand!
- This means one of two things, both of which are true. The first
refers to proximity in their midst spiritually and the other refers to Christ's
second appearance physically.
- The Lord dwells with His people as they gather in His Name. His
presence is near to us. We sense Him closely, intimately.
- This bears out scripturally, as the Lord tells his people to cover
over their refuse when camped together because the Lord walks in their midst. (Deuteronomy 23:12-14, Revelation 2:1)
- On the other hand, the Lord is at hand in terms of making His
second appearance on Earth! The Lord is coming soon, and every day it's closer
than the last!
- In our conflicts, we act as though He is not present with us and
we concern ourselves more with the things of this Earth! What's wrong with us?
Don't we discern His presence or the time?
- "So what are you saying Paul? Should we simply ignore the
areas of our conflict and act as if nothing matters to us?" Oh, not at
all!
• Philippians 4:6,7 : "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." : For nothing. There is not a category that is
exempted. For nothing, be anxious which speaks about being drawn in different
directions.
- That is poignant picture of anxiety which tends to paralyze us
into uncertainty because we are not sure which direction to go!
- Concern, anxiety, apprehension, are all a part of our human
experience. We would be fools to believe that we can simply turn off an
automated response.
- But that is quite a different thing than giving into our anxiety
and accepting it as a way in which to live. Paul understands this, which is why
he adds the "but."
- This is the response that we are to have with regard to our
anxiety. That energy is to be channelled toward the One who is able to deal
with multi-directional thinking!
- In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let
your requests be made known to God! Everything big and every small detail needs
to be let out in prayer and supplication.
- I've become convinced that the word "prayer" here is our
regular routine of praying, while supplication refers to the more spontaneous,
urgent meetings we have with the Lord!
- We're to come communicating with grateful hearts that the Lord
both hears our heart and will respond from heaven. Give these petitions unto
the God of the universe! This is our part.
- "But I've tried that and I still have anxiety!" If you
believe that you can simply lay aside a strong human tendency with a single
attempt, you are greatly mistaken!
- Prayer and supplication is to become our habit and lifestyle! This
is a repeated pattern to follow when the emotions which react to our
circumstances erupt in our hearts!
- Only those who learn to respond in communion with the Lord will
find this next part applicable to them! As we practice a life of prayer and
petition, the Lord promises His peace!
- It's the peace that God experiences. It's a settled, tranquil
state and it's ours to share as His children! When there is inner turmoil, He
meets us with His peace.
- When we can't figure something out, His peace goes beyond! It
transcends and exceeds the limits of our understanding!
- When others cave under the weight, the believer is carried through
and their hearts and minds are kept, protected, guarded with military grade
protection.
- "I'm worried sick about what will happen when they ignore my
pleas for them to consider their lifestyle." "I'm afraid that her
side will draw people away from the Lord!"
- Are you hearing Paul today? Whatever you are concerned about with
regard to conflict, no matter how legitimate, bring your request to the Lord
and watch Him change your heart!
- Is that all I do? Just give it to God and He'll take care of it?
No, there is more to the equation.
• Philippians 4:8,9 : "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. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw
in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." : What is your perpetual focus after you have
given your anxiety to the Lord?
- One cannot expect their heart to change if their mind doesn't
change! This list gives us some guidelines to set our vision toward. Are we
looking to think on these very positive, godly things?
- Truth, nobility or that which is honest and honorable, justice or
righteousness, purity, pleasing things, kindness expressed through words, then
actions and that which is commendable.
- These are things that you and I are to meditate on, adding these
things up! See them as they really are!
- When we are in conflict, it's much too easy to focus on the
negative and to center our minds on that which inflames or aggravates the
situation.
- It's easy in a church to look at what's not happening, or what
isn't happening like it's happening somewhere else. It's much more productive to
add up what is happening by God's grace!
- The same is true in each other's lives! Yes, Euodia was perhaps
too syrupy sweet, but the truth is she was trying her best to bless others.
- Syntche was always taking risks on people that perhaps didn't
belong, but it was right of her to try and the Lord is pleased with that!
- These are the things that the Phiilippians learned in Paul's
sermons. They had added this to their lives. They had heard it from Paul and
saw it in his life!
- If they do this now, God will grant them the peace that they
desire. Paul finishes, not only with a few pithy words, but a final example of
what he has been talking about!
• Philippians 4:10-13 :
"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that
now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care,
but you lacked opportunity. Not
that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to
be content: 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. I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me." : Folks, the man
is in prison. What does he have to be joyful about? Their great care for him!
It came to full bloom! It came at the right time, even though they were not
able to send it earlier.
- Paul doesn't mention this because he had need of their care. In
fact, in every state that he was in, he was sufficiently supplied, happy to
have what he had without thought to what he lacked!
- Here's an excellent companion to add to what we think about. Do I
have to respond to that which I think I need or can I see what I have as what I
need, so what I want I already have!?
- How many of us are waiting to catch up to the proverbial carrot on
the stick? "If I can just make a little more money, have a few more
things, achieve a higher status."
- Can you and I as Christians practice a lifestyle that contents
itself with what God has deemed to give to us? Something to ponder.
- Being content is not something that comes stock. This was a
learned set of responses that Paul had become educated or initiated in.
- He'd learned what it was like to be abased, to be on the bottom
rung of the corporate ladder as well as in a place of full flourishing wealth!
He had been on both sides of the fence!
- Paul had been at the table when it was full and he was satisfied
and there were times when he went away famished.
- Whichever was the case, he was capable of going through each
season, enduring all through Christ. In every season, with every temptation,
Paul recognized his need for Christ's strength.
- Yes even in times of success and plenty, Paul needed God's
strength to love Him more than what he had. Of course, in the times of
difficulty, he needed strength to keep from losing heart.
- In every season, the Lord was there to empower the Apostle. He
could live well on the power that the Lord strengthened His heart with!
• Philippians 4:14-20 :
"Nevertheless you have done well that you
shared in my distress. Now you Philippians
know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia,
no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my
necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I
seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed
I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things
sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing
to God. And my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and
ever. Amen." : You can almost hear
Paul saying, "I've gone too far. I don't want them to think that I'm
ingrateful! " He did appreciate them.
- There was a time when they were the only church that shared with
Paul, seeking to meet his travel needs.
- Paul is not selfishly looking to his own benefit. He sees their
gift as a fruit of their walk with the Lord, indeed a sacrifice that brought
pleasure to the Lord!
- I love that Paul sends back now what he can: An assurance that
what they have given will not be forgotten and that their gift, perhaps in
spite of their own need, would be met with God's resource.
- God would supply or fully re-fill their stock. How? According to
His riches in glory by Christ! His bank account is inexhaustable! What a
wonderful promise to those that give unto the Lord!
• Philippians 4:21-23 : "Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.
The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but
especially those who are of Caesar’s household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you all. Amen." : "Every Christian you see, give them my love!" It is a
painful experience to be away from those that you love. These words were heart
felt! Paul wished he could physically greet each one.
-
Paul was without the Philippians, but not alone! There were brothers that were
there with him that sent their greetings to the Philippians. Of note were those
who were a part of Nero's house!
-
These were more than likely servants and guards, but who knows if there weren't
a few close relatives involved. Imagine that! We'll never know the true extent
of Paul's influence.
-
Paul ends with his favorite word: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! The grace
that saved a persecutor like him and the grace that saved them! It's found only
in Jesus! There is no other grace!
-
May that be with you all, the Philippians then and the CCFians today!
Conclusion
- Personal
conflict is a part of the life of every church. There will be grey areas that
upset you and will test your patience with one another. The road of
sanctification is a bumpy one.
- Understand
that there is more at stake in the Kingdom of God than who is right and who is
wrong! Rejoice in the Lord! Lay your cares at His feet in prayer! Change your
mind's focus!
- Remember that
a healthy church is the hope of the World and that there are some in Caesar's
Palace that are being reached for Christ on account of your faithfulness.
- That's what
matters! That is the beauty of His grace extended to you! Extend that grace
today to those around you!