Stand Firm in the Lord.

Good morning again open up your bibles to Philippians 4.

I have titled the message today “Stand Firm in the Lord.”

As I was preparing for the message this week I have really dwelled on some of the truths from this book, and this weeks truths are especially important if we want to have a stable Christian life. In fact in my research this week I saw one pastor preached 6 messages just on verses 1-9. Now I am not going to do that today, but I want you to really think about this battle that takes place in your mind, in the church, and in the world that often causes us to not live out the truths that we see from the scripture.

And Paul today is making a plea to the people of Philippi in verse 1 to Stand firm in the Lord.

Thats a great statement right, would make a great t shirt, great slogan, great motto, but how do we actually stand firm in the Lord. Well if we look at verses 1-9 this morning we can begin to see how we can in fact in stand firm in the Lord.

It reads as the following.

Philippians 4:1–9 ESV

1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

So the main Idea for us this morning is this…

In order to Stand Firm in the Lord believers in Christ have to have the right heart, the right mind, and the right actions.

To best explain the text to you this morning I think I need to pick apart that very statement carefully.

So first point today is

Christians need to stand Firm in the Lord.

Paul has poured his heart out to the people of Philippi. He has called them his joy and his crown. They hold a special place in his heart. I get that as a pastor.

And his call to them is to stand firm. Now we see him address some things going on in the church, so he wants to remind them of all that he has taught, and to not waver from it.

He is saying hold your ground, maintain your position, be steadfast be upright continue down the path of faithful Christianity.

And you need to because you have things that are coming at you from within and outside of your church.

If you go back to chapter 1. Paul says in verse 27 and 28 this.

Philippians 1:27–28 ESV

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Paul is already laying the foundation of living a life worthy of the gospel, and that life is to be lived together, despite those who may come and frighten you, who come and try to destroy you…

Paul also warned in chapter 3 of those who are trying to destroy the faith with this false teaching, and he calling the church and I believe us to stand firm with all that may come our way.

He is asking us to not just stand firm in what he has taught them, but to stand firm in the Lord.

In the Lord is crucial right. because if he presented to the people of God stand firm as I have stood firm sure it would have some power, but not the power of the Lord.

One pastor said this.. Did Christ stand firm?  Did He ever waver?  No, no.  Did He ever compromise?  No.  Did He ever sin?  No.  He who knew no sin, says the Bible.  He was without sin, the perfect high priest.  Jesus Christ, then, is the model, and He stood firm against it all and never violated God.  Persecuted?  Yes.  Did He fall?  No.  Did He compromise?  No.  Tempted?  Yes.  Did He fall?  No.  Did He sin?  No.  Put through all kinds of trials of life, did He crumble under those trials, collapse, lose His confidence in God and wander around looking for a human fix?  No.  He stood firm, and since He is the prize and the goal of our life and since we are citizens of heaven and since someday we will be like Him and that is our present desire, we therefore must do as He did:  stand firm.  Stand firm.

I dont think it can be said better than that. In fact we should know as Christians standing firm in the Lord is where we must start.

Breaking down that main idea I have this point for you as well this morning…

In order to stand firm in the Lord our hearts and minds must be connected.

There is a problem going on in the church of Philippi between believers. We know they are believers because there names are written in the book of life. We know that they have a role in the church of Philippi we know they were apart of Paul’s ministry to the church there.

But It seems like there was some sort of disagreement in the church. A disconnect between what they ought to do, verses what they were doing. This doesn’t seem to be theological because I believe Paul would address it specifically if that was the case. But whatever is going on there is disagreement.

Maybe the piano was moved to the wrong side of stage, or someone disagreed in a committee meeting, maybe someone forgot to bring donuts that week, who really knows, but whatever it was it warranted Paul to address them specifically for the issue at hand.

Paul has pushed for unity in this letter so maybe unity was the issue. We go back to verses 1-4 in Chapter 2

WE see it read as the following... Phil 2:1-4

Philippians 2:1–4 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Paul wants them to agree in the Lord. ( Unity does not mean compromising the truth it sometimes means looking for the interests of others with the scriptures being the focus. ) These laddies could have been selfish, and they needed help in the right direction, and Paul addresses the people, and one man to help them agree in the Lord. To help their hearts and minds be connected. To help them agree in the Lord.

Now there is no better example than Jesus on this in fact going back to chapter 2 we see Jesus as the example for them.

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Paul already reminded them if there is any reason to agree in the Lord its the example of the Lord. Who did not look out for his own self, but looked out for others, and looked always to be obedient to God.

There will be conflict in the church, and you or I may be part of that, but when that occurs we are to align our hearts and our minds standing firm in the word of God together. Realizing that our greatest goal is to agree in the Lord, no matter where we find ourselves. Sometimes you may cause the conflict other times we may be like Clement who help others see the need to agree in the Lord.

One man said, “ Petty differences demand sideways energy, they occupy far too much time-time that individuals could be using to spread the gospel.”

This conflict obviously derailed the mission, and In the midst of conflict In order to stand firm in the Lord our hearts and minds must be connected.

They must do something else they must rejoice. The major theme of this book is rejoicing.. How can it be that in the midst of conflict they can rejoice?

Well simply put our joy does not rely in our circumstances. Joy as I have preached to is not the same thing as happiness. Joy’s source is on our savior.

The man who wrote this is in Prison yet he is rejoicing.. For the Christian we are commanded to rejoice, even the scripture says in part of 2 Cor 6:10

2 Corinthians 6:10 (ESV)

10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;

Even when things are not going well rejoice. This is why our hearts and minds have to be connected because we know in our mind what the scripture says and what he has done in our hearts so why not rejoice. Our church is not where we want it to be but lets rejoice because of Jesus.

I struggle with this at times failing to always to rejoice, but one mans words really got to me hard on Friday afternoon.

One man said.. What would happen if you and others in your church lived lives of constant rejoicing? Think of all the sins that are overcome by a heart that rejoices in the Lord always. Would this practice not conquer sins like envy, gossip, stinginess, arrogance, discontentment, and com-plaining? These sins grow out of a heart that's not finding joy in Christ, Further, when we rejoice in the Lord while we serve the Lord, we honor Him. Our attitudes as we serve the Lord matter to Him. So, let's regularly reflect on how graciously the Lord has treated us, and may that lead us to live a life of joy.

I think what would happen would be verse 5 If we are always rejoicing, with right hearts right minds then our reasonableness is going to be know by everyone. This verse in other translations says different things one focuses on gentleness another graciousness but never the less all this ties into this conflict that is happening, and the conflict we have with those outside the church as well.

I think if we are honest this is another amen or ouch thing, I naturally in the flesh am not a gentle person and gracious person. I am sure one of the reasons the Lord gave me three girls one in heaven because of this. I think its helped me in this specifically but I still have work with is, and the church of Philippi had work to do because Paul tells them they need to be this way.

I am all about the truth, and truth bombs, and living out the truth, but with all that being said you still have to be gracious, and reasonable. Ouch huh?

Thats hard especially the days we live in. But remember the Lord is the near. He is coming back. But our responses should not be ones of rage, but ones of reasonableness. need more conviction In order to stand firm in the Lord our hearts and minds must be connected by never worrying, but always praying.

Don’t be anxious about anything. Its estimated that over 31 percent of Adult Americans will have anxiety in their lifetime.

That stat seems low from all the people I have dealt with in my life. Especially with all my years in Pharmacy.

Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,

but a good word makes him glad.

John Piper says.. Anxiety seems to be an intense desire for something, accompanied by a fear of the consequences of not receiving it.

How many of us have worried about something that has never happened. Or worried that you would not get something you greatly desired. All of us.. So Paul says do not be anxious about anything. More direct language here.

Christians should not be apart of that 31 percent of people who have anxiety, but that is not the case. Many of us struggle with some sort of anxiousness, but again the scripture calls us not to be anxious.

The Philippians may have been anxious because of all that was happening in and outside the church. A-lot of us like to control the circumstances we are in and when that does not happen often we will become anxious, and often we wont seek the Lord in prayer even though that is commanded to us.

In Jesus Sermon the mount I mentioned this before he says this…

Matthew 6:25–34 ESV

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

With the addition of the words of Jesus and what Paul says here in the text we should never be anxious.. Jesus uses this beautiful example about how he takes care of his own creation, how much more so will he take care of you.

I love this illustration I read this week.. Martin Luther once described his favorite preacher, a bird:

I have one preacher that I love better than any other. It is my little tame robin, who preaches to me daily. I put his crumbs upon my windowsill, especially at night. He hops onto the sill when he wants his supply, and takes as much as he desires to satisfy his need. From there he always hops to a little tree close by, and lifts up his voice to God, and sings his carol of praise and gratitude, tucks his little head under his wings, and goes fast to sleep, to leave tomorrow to look after itself. He is the best preacher I have on earth.

In order to stand firm in the Lord our hearts and minds must be connected so what we never worry, because we know who we are in the Lord, and and if any bit of worry comes in our hearts let us be people of prayer.

Our default for any anxiousness should be prayer. This is the best medicine, I wont get into chemical imbalances and stuff like that today like some people have, I believe that is a real thing, and that comes from a variety of different reasons.. but even for those that do have more serious issues pray.

Martin Luther also said.. Pray and Let God worry.

Paul also says that in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

As Believers we can throw all on concerns on the Lord. Every single one of them. When we lack something bring it to the Lord, and need supplication need help give it to the Lord. If we are concerned bring it to the Lord.

And we should do that with thanksgiving.. One man said.. All true prayer will be marked by gratitude. At the same time as recognizing what we are lacking, we must also acknowledge what God has provided for us. No matter how dire our circumstances, he has lavished his blessing upon his children. So his children must constantly pray, ask, and offer thanksgiving. There is no shortcut to peace. But prayer is the path to it.

Sometimes I like to just rest in God and who he is.. Let who he is just settle my heart.

The amazing thing about prayer is the last part as well. That we can make our requests be known to God. No matter what you are going through in this life you can always go to God in prayer… Now something important to know one scholar it very well said. Paul does not say that prayer will keep us from having problems; rather, once we pray and give our burden to God, we can have peace in the midst of the problem.

This goes back to what my point for this part of the sermon is In order to stand firm in the Lord our hearts and minds must be connected.

If we have been changed by God believe the right things about God then we will have a peace that surpasses all understanding. This in turn becomes our defence. In Christ Jesus we can have a heart and mind that is protected.

Paul gives us one more line of defence and this is our last point.

In order to stand firm we must practice what we preach.

Its one thing to be changed, its another thing to know what is right, but what we need to do as Christians is practice our very faith.

Believe this you can be saved, you can know the truth, and yet never use any of it.

You can have the armour, you can have the weapons, but if you don’t use it your not a faithful soldier.

Paul says something we need to take seriously in verse 8-9 let me read them to you again its been a min.

Philippians 4:8–9 ESV

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Reading this week I was reminded what we think matters, and it matters more than we think. Do you constantly think about the things in verse 8. Do you think about the things in the previous verses today.

Do you practice unifying the church. Do you rejoice always, do you practice reasonableness Do you seek the Lord in prayer when you are anxious? Finally do you think about the right things??

If you look at the list of these 8 truths you can clearly see how much the world we live in distracts you from thinking this way. That is why we must practice this list over and over so it only becomes natural to us… Because in our sin that opposite is what most of us think about…

First one whatever is true. This means do not think about all the time what is false, and that is hard because there is so much falsehood now we can know it false, but let us not spend our days pondering falsehood, but pondering the truth. Don’t get caught up by thinking about your truth either because that does not exist rather think about the true things the bible speaks about.

2nd Whatever is honorable. God’s word tells us what is honorable. Romans 1 speaks about how the fallen world approves what is dishonorable. In fact it celebrates it and we see that this month everywhere we go.

3rd. Whatever is just. Meaning whatever is right. One illustration I found was In ancient times, this word was used of scales in the marketplace. A standardized measure would be placed on one side of the scales and an amount of grain of equal measure would be poured onto the other side until the scales were balanced. At that point they would be said to be “right.” That is the idea here. On one side of the scales of Christian living is the holiness of God and on the other side is what a believer focuses his mind upon. Whatever a believer thinks about needs to square with the absolute purity of God. His thoughts must be in conformity with God’s word.

4th whatever is pure. Speaking for moment on this.. we live in a filthy world dont we. I believe many of us are exposed to many impure things. Tik Tok, Youtube, TV, Social Media, things on the internet are full of impure things, and the scary thing for the believer is now things that did not seem so bad have now caused us to not see what is pure and good and Holy and Right. Think about what is pure from the Word of God.

5th Whatever is lovely. Again because of this world we have twisted view of what that look likes. God defines what is attractive not us. We should see what God’s word defines as true beauty.

6th. What is commendable. Or whatever is right. This means that which is well spoken of or highly regarded. Again what God sees as right.

7th. If there is any excellence. One guy said… If we dwell upon that which is excellent we will live a spiritual excellent life. Again God’s word will show us this.

8th. If there is anything worthy or praise. This is anything that can be praised by God.

And the Scripture says Think about these things. Always, it means live, dwell with these things in mind. Take up a house surround yourself with these things as the walls, the ceiling, the floors and make these things where you constantly think about them.

Paul says he showed them the way to live out and practice these things, because they have Learned directly from him, received the truths taught, heard from others about Paul and seem him practice what he preached.

If only we could be like Paul learning from the word of God, receiving it, studying it, showing others what it looks like to live as a Christian.

Notice more importantly today how all these little truths sprinkled throughout these 9 verses are perfectly displayed in the person of Jesus Christ. Who stood firm, never wondering from his post, he causes those who are far from one another to have this unity. Who causes us to have our names in the book of life. Who was full of joy, who approached every conversation with reasonableness, who prayed when he was anxious as an example to us, who gives us peace with God, who is the definition of truth, whose morality was perfect in every way. Who is the just and justifier for our faith. Who is pure without blemish, the perfect lamb of God. Who is truly lovely in eyes of God, who is well spoken of by those who know him, who is truly excellent, who we should all praise, and he is the one who went to the cross dying for our sins being buried, and on the third day rose again so we could stand firm.

In order to Stand Firm in the Lord believers in Christ have to have the right heart, the right actions, and the right mind. Have you been changed by Jesus if not only one to come to him by repentance and faith turning from your sin, and trusting in Christ alone for salvation.

For the believer today there is alot to think about alot of application is your heart and mind on the same level if not you know what you need to work on, let us pray…