Text: Philippians 4:1-3
INTRODUCTION:
We have two of the most gifted & influential Christians, women, who are a very big part of this church at Philippi, and they are at odds with each other. It is such a clash that it has disrupted the harmony in the whole body.
Many believe that in the first three chapters that Paul had been laying out spiritual truth, that if obeyed could cure this problem.
Philippians 1:9
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Philippians 1:27
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 2:2-4
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2:12A
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
Philippians 2:14
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Philippians 3:17
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
* Every conflict in our lives can be resolved if we obey the Word. So many conflicts arise because we have not obeyed the Word.
Paul was able to be blunt and sharp and he was also able to be delicate and we will see it in our text.
I. WORDS OF ENDEARMENT: (V. 1A)
* “therefore” connects these thoughts with the last message of Chapter 3:20-21.
THREE TERMS OF ENDEARMENT
A. Affection = “my beloved” = a word used to express deep love and affection. It is a word used of Christ’s divine and sacrificial love; it is plural which means Paul loves all of those he is about to correct.
B. Separation = “longed for brethren” = the deep pain of being separated from those you love.
C. Celebration: “my joy & crown” = they understand they were the fruit of his ministry and he delighted in his relationship with them. The victor’s crown referred to the victories they had won together as they served God together. There was a genuine relationship between Paul and these people.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
Illustration: If people don’t know you love them, they will not allow you to correct them.
You can’t correct just because you have a position, but because you have earned a place in their hearts.
II. WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT: (V. 1B)
* “Stand fast in the Lord” = A military command, a soldier standing his post. Christ has already taken this ground, we are to just hold it.
Watchman Nee the Chinese Evangelist: “Our Lord has already taken the whole realm of darkness that belonged to satan. We don’t need to fight to obtain anything, we just need to hold the ground Christ has won and given to us.
Matthew 16:18
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Ephesians 6:10-17 = READ The whole message is Standing:
Question: Are you standing on the promise of our Lord or are you falling for everything that satan is doing?
Illustration: Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Truth: God sees all our conflicts and He has already won the victories but He has chosen that we face and confront all conflicts and deal with them and then He will deal with them from heaven.
III. WORDS OF ENCOUNTER: (V.2)
Note: Greeks were given Christian names at their Baptism.
Euodias (U-o-Di-As) means sweet fragrance; one who has arrived; her life was evident of her walk with God.
Syntyche (Syn-ti-key) means polite, courteous, gracious, plesant acquaintance; she made everyone feel welcome and at home. She was an incredible greeter.
Note: Paul is confronting the problem: Personal: He calls their names: Direct: He goes directly to the issue. Even though we don’t know the details of their problem, they certainly understood.
His Concern: (V. 2) “I beseech”
* He urges both of them because both of them are at fault. He is not taking sides. We just know there is a disagreement that has caused this church to be spiritually paralyzed. This disharmony was about to destroy the churches integrity.
His Correction: (V. 2) “be of the same mind in the Lord”
* Both were admonished to meet and hear each other out and change if need be.
* “same mind” = have the attitude that Jesus had. Be willing to allow Christ to control their lives, release the problem and forgive each other.
* “in the Lord” = real unity is in the Lord; we find our agreement in Him.
IV. WORDS OF EMPOWERMENT: (V. 3)
Appeals to a Companion: (V. 3a) “true yokefellow”
* We don’t know who this person is. Some think it was Barnabas or Epaphroditus. Although we don’t know WHO he is, we know WHAT he is.
* “true yokefellow” = a picture of two oxen pulling the same load. This person was yoked with Paul and knew how to pull a load. He was a saint who could be sympathetic and unprejudiced.
Note: Evidently some had taken sides and now this situation had polarized the congregation.
Galatians 6:1 = The Spiritual restore those who sin…
* When the saints are at odds, don’t take sides but encourage them to work out their differences. KEY FOR UNITY
Affirms the contenders: (V. 3b) “women which labored with me”
* “labored” = idea of strenuous and agonizing effort.
Note: These ladies were dedicated and committed believers who had shared the hardships with Paul as they brought the gospel to that part of the land.
Problem: Their emotional energy was now spent on this dispute and no longer was it used to spread the gospel. This is how satan steals our joy and robs us of God’s blessings.
Acknowledge other’s Commitments (V. 3c) “with Clement and with others”
* “labored” Paul is saying, “there are many others who have labored just as much as these ladies.” Paul didn’t call all their names but he acknowledged their contributions.
Accentuates their Christianity (V. 3d) “names are in the book of life”
Note: Paul did not question their salvation. This is not about knowing Christ but is Christ controlling their lives.
1 Corinthians 3:3
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Note: when we get self-centered rather than Christ-centered we hinder the work of Christ.
Explain: “Book of Life” =
1. Everyone’s name is in the Book of Life from the Foundation of the World. Rev. 17:8
2. Your name can be blotted out: Rev. 3:5
3. You must overcome to not be blotted out: I John 5:4-5
4. If your name isn’t in the “Book of Life” you go to Lake of Fire = Rev. 20:15
“This is why babies, though not saved, go to Heaven, they have never rejected Christ.”
David Jeremiah: Book “Turning Toward Joy”:
“This Book is an amazing record. It will contain the name of every single person born into the world. If, by the time a person dies, he has not received God’s provision of sacrifice to remove his sin, his name will be blotted out of the pages… As each person steps forward, God will open the various books pointing out what was required to have been accepted of God. When He solemnly opens the Book of Life and begins to look down this immense directory for the person’s name, His gentle hands will turn the pages, wishing to find the name of the accused.”
APPLICATION: Lessons We Learn
1) No such thing as a conflict-free environment:
A. Even the best of Christians can have conflict.
B. Even the best of churches can be hindered and the blessings of God removed.
2) Not all conflicts are wrong:
* Not all disagreements require reconciliation.
* When is it right to be defiant and fight? When critical biblical lines are drawn and the issues at stake have nothing to do with personal preferences or individual personalities.
* It is always wrong to allow a course that would lead to wrong.
3) Stubbornness/Selfishness can keep problems in relationships unresolved:
* Pride:
Proverbs 13:10
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
4) You may need a third party to help:
* The third party should always have as their goal restoring the first two parties. Never taking sides but helping everyone see the bigger picture.
THREE-FOLD OBJECTIVE
1) Ultimate goal = Restoration
* The body needed both of these ladies.
2) Overall Attitude = Grace
* Both had proven their love and obedience to Christ and His church.
3) Common Ground = Christ
* all our problems can be solved at the foot of the Cross, because only the humble can sit there.
Story:
The truth of that was underscored when I read of something that happened over one hundred years ago.
Charles H. Spurgeon, Baptist minister of London, England, had a pastor-friend, Dr. Newman Hall, who wrote a book entitled, Come to Jesus. Another preacher published an article in which he ridiculed Hall, who bore it patiently for a little while. But when the article gained popularity, Hall sat down and wrote a letter of protest. His answer was full of retaliatory invectives that outdid anything in the article which attacked him. Before mailing the letter, Hall took it to Spurgeon for his opinion.
Spurgeon read it carefully then, handing it back, asserted it was excellent and that the writer of the article deserved it all. “But”, he added, “it just lacks one thing.” After a pause Spurgeon continued, “Underneath your signature you ought to write the words, ‘Author of Come to Jesus.’”
The two godly men looked at each other for a few minutes. Then Hall tore the letter to shreds.
Conclusion:
1. Even the best of Christians can be at odds with each other. They need to fix the problem: It may be family, work, church, neighbor, business partner….fix it.
2. If you have taken sides: repent and ask the person you took sides with to forgive you and start the process of them being reconciled.
3. Don’t let anyone or anything come between you and your Savior.
4. Commit to being a peacemaker.
Resources used: Reality Living, Jeff Adams, Philippians and Hebrews by John MacArthur, Philippians by Warren Wiersbe, Philippians by Johnny Hunt, Philippians by Guy McGraw, Philippians by Dana Chau, John R. Rice study Bible, Sermon Central Illustrations, Illustration Exchange
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