Learning How To Live A Life Of Generous Friendship
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Blessed are those who have Christ — When trials arise — Christ is there
Having Christ allows the Christian in times of trials to live generously towards their fellow brother and sister in Christ
Not necessarily financially — but through generous character traits that seek to build the church up
OPEN GOD’S WORD
Today, we finish our series on Paul’s letter to the Philippians
Throughout this series — we have explored the connection between Christian joy and suffering
Paul’s letter to the young church in Philippi is inspired teaching for us — about how to go through tough times
Do we have a theology for suffering?
I’m not asking whether we can explain suffering philosophically
In fact — philosophy rarely helps people who are facing trials and tribulations
Instead, I am asking whether we, as followers of Jesus, can go through hard times Christianly
Can we go through trials while being Christ-centric?
This is the subject of Paul’s letter to the Philippians — It is the Holy Spirit speaking to us about finding joy in Jesus through good times or bad
This letter to the church in Philippi is a very short letter — just four chapters — And these are not chapters you will find in a textbook
These chapters are short and loaded with inspiration from the Holy Spirit for our daily lives
Reading and rereading the letter of Philippians will yield greater and greater revelation from God for each one of us—and our church family—as we go through life
What a gift the Holy Scriptures are to us! — And what a gift Paul’s letter to the Philippians is to us — here and now
Our topic for today is — “learning how to deal with tough times by living a life of generous friendship”
READ: Philippians 4:1-9
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.
There are four lessons that we will discover from this chapter that provide benefits of living in generous relationship with one another
We can discover the beauty of a life in a generous friendship between brothers and sisters in Christ
I. Agree With Each Other (v. 1-3)
I. Agree With Each Other (v. 1-3)
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.
Paul takes time in this teaching letter to urge two women in the church at Philippi to “agree in the Lord” — or “be of the same mind”
It’s important that we agree with each other — God’s people should learn how to get along with one another!
These two women mentioned in v. 2 — had a quarrel — over what — is not known
Yet — Paul desired to settle this disagreement
There is not need for us to think these women where constant trouble makers in the church — as the manner of some is
Paul calls them fellow-soldiers of the gospel (v. 3)
However — we can gather this is not a disagreement in doctrine — Of course, doctrine is important — there ought to be agreement of doctrine in the family of God
Paul has already cautioned us to beware of bad theology — Here he is talking about Christian harmony
Bad theology comes from a wrong implication of theological triage
Theological triage — such as medical triage = there are certain physical conditions that are far more important to attend to during an emergency than at other times
Triage = the process of determining the most important people or things amongst a large number that [all] require attention; a system of prioritization.
Same is true concerning theological doctrines
Theological Triage = Designating certain doctrines as matters “of first importance” — while other beliefs allow for difference of opinion.
Such as — the doctrine of salvation is a primary doctrine (there should be no disagreement concerning this) — it is essential to the salvation of one’s soul
Then you have — secondary — tertiary doctrines — then there are just unimportant doctrines to the gospel witness and ministry collaboration
Yet, in our context — doctrine does not seem to be at the core of the issue — again, the issue is not made clear — but regardless of the issue there is a lack of harmony between these two saints…
“Harmony” is a musical term — while doctrine is important — it’s possible to get the words right but to get the music wrong in our relationships one with another
And notice — too — that Paul does not only ask these two women to get along
He asks other leaders in the church to help them agree with each other
Philippians 4:3 “3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women...”
You see — Christian unity is everyone’s business — disunity comes from the heart of an individual that is stuck on self
We all have a stake in our unity — When we see brothers and sisters in our church that cannot agree with one another — our response should not be to merely shake our heads or to judge them for their weaknesses
No — We should help them to agree with one another — we do NOT do this from an arrogant stance — we do NOT do this by talking down to them — we do this by the tone of love in our voice
II. Rejoice in the Lord (v. 4)
II. Rejoice in the Lord (v. 4)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Notice that Paul does not say “cheer up!”
Rejoicing is something else altogether — Joy is the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in a group of people
Joy is a sign of God’s kingdom made manifest here on the earth — right now
Joy goes beyond mere happiness and imparts the substance of Heaven
Joy is serious business! — And joy helps the whole community grow
Also — Paul is urging the people of Philippi to rejoice in the Lord
The world will tell you that there are many things capable of giving us joy
But ultimately our joy must rest in the Lord, and nothing else
The joy of heaven — is a joy that is indescribable because it comes from an indescribable God
The joy of heaven — is unnatural to the world because it comes from God — Who is able to make us joyous even when it seems there is nothing to rejoice in
There is a progression here — a wisdom from the Spirit that Paul is sharing with us
We must live together in Christian unity — and the wonder of Christian unity is that it gives us the ability to rejoice in the Lord together
Which brings us to the third lesson in this passage…
III. The Peace of God Is Available in Christian Community (v. 5-7)
III. The Peace of God Is Available in Christian Community (v. 5-7)
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.
These can be considered famous verses of Scripture — This is a go to for many Christians
For starters — being reasonableness to everyone is the very action of being gracious and forbearing
Paul urges the Philippians — and we are also urged to be gentle towards one another
This seems to be forgotten so easily when one who PROFESSES to be a Christian doesn’t get there way — there is a lack of reasonableness in their life
It’s very hard to be reasonable when you do not have Christ
Also…
It’s very difficult to live in anxiousness/anxiety if you are surrounded in joyful agreement with your brothers and sisters — anxiety is real — it is terrible — but the joy that you can receive from your family of Christ is so much greater than your anxiety
In fact, Paul says, “don’t worry about anything but in everything with prayer and supplication” we should let our requests be made known to God
Now, this is useful advice for us as individuals—but it is powerful advice for a community of believers
Have you ever noticed how anxiety and worry can take hold of an entire community people?
It’s like a social virus: consider a herd of cows grazing close to an electric fence — If just one cow brushes up against an electric fence and receives a shock — the whole herd is startled!
You can watch the surprise and fear work its way through every cow
My point is simply to suggest that together we should not worry about anything — but together we can — through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known to God — and together — we will experience peace
The wonderful result is that the peace of God — which transcends all understanding — will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus — Together! (v. 7)
It is good news that the peace of God can guard my heart and mind individually — It is wonderful news that the peace of God can guard our hearts and our minds together — corporately
How powerful is the testimony of a peaceful and joyful community at rest in the goodness of God
In whatever difficulties or hardships our local community faces — a congregation can be an example of Christian joy and peace
This is important because one person who is at peace can be dismissed as an exception
But you cannot dismiss an entire congregation — who is a peaceful and happy people who live without anxiety
This kind of community life is an example of the kingdom of God here — now — on earth — as it is in heaven
The Christian life is good for me as an individual — And the Christian life is impossible apart from me living in Christian community
Once again this stems from a flow of generous Christian character traits …
(1) Being in agreement/harmony w/ one another
(2) Rejoicing in the Lord
(3) Living in peace w/ one another because of the peace you have w/ God
Our 4th lesson stems from v. 8-9…
IV. Think About the “Whatevers” (v. 8-9)
IV. Think About the “Whatevers” (v. 8-9)
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.
It’s part of our common slang these days to use the word “whatever.”
It’s a way of dismissing the importance of something — But here the apostle Paul gives us a new way to think about “whatever”
These “whatevers” are not like the world’s whatevers
The world’s whatevers teach us to minimize or disregard life-giving behaviors
But this list in Philippians is a life-giving list!
These whatevers teach us to be like Jesus — and we should think on these things — and be this way towards the family of God
What makes these elements of the Christian life so powerful is that we can share them with one another when we come together
Remember — this chapter (4) is about living lives of generous friendship together — in Christian community
If God speaks anything true or honorable or just or pure or lovely or commendable to one of us — it only makes sense that he or she should share with all of us
And we find God speaking to us — through His Word…
Transition
Transition
Now — this list of four community traits is only the first half of the chapter
Paul’s reason for writing this letter was to acknowledge a generous gift that the church in Philippi had sent to Paul while he was in prison in Rome
It was a financial gift — delivered along with a brother who had been tasked with serving Paul in whatever way Paul needed while in prison
Paul was writing to acknowledge this gift — and through his letter we learn the significance of living a life genuine friendship
As we look at these closing verses — we have the opportunity to see Paul’s personal response to the gift the Philippians had given him — and we get to see some things that are eternally true for all of those who have placed their faith in Christ
Here are three important applications for the community that wants to learn how to live a life of genuine friendship:
Application
Application
1. Show Concern (v. 10)
1. Show Concern (v. 10)
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
The church in Philippi had plenty to worry about
The Roman Empire was engaged in the systematic persecution of Christians
But this church in Philippi did not allow outside circumstances to get in that way showing practical — loving concern for the Apostle Paul
They did not just “think” of Paul — they thoroughly planned to assist Paul w/ the need he had
Do we know individuals who are in need and show no concern for them? — Especially in the body of Christ — the local church we are in
18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
There is a way for us to show our love to the family of God by showing concern for them when they are need
The church is not responsible for those who are on the outside of the church — those who are not Christians
I must go into more detail — the church itself has a responsibility to share the goodness of Jesus Christ — yet the church is not responsible to handle the needs of those outside of its doors
For example:
17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
“brother” — proves the Christian family not the world — that doesn’t mean Christians act stuck up towards those on the outside of the body of Christ
Nor should we entirely ignore those on the outside of the family of God
But your primary responsibility rests in taking care of the members of the church — this seems to be lost in the modern church
We seem to want to create budgets for those who need assistance on outside of the church but we do not want to show concern for those who are within
Is this biblical? — Absolutely not!
We think we are concerned when we are worrying about certain situations
But in reality — we are truly concerned only when we are doing something about these situations
The church in Philippi was — indeed — concerned about Paul’s imprisonment
But they did not stop to worry or have anxiety — They received an offering and dispatched one of their choice servants to both deliver the money to Paul and to look after Paul’s needs
This is how any church should show concern = by taking action — showing concern
Does FBO show concern to her members? — if not this must be revived — for we are sinning and must repent!
2. Have Contentment (v. 11-13)
2. Have Contentment (v. 11-13)
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Surprisingly — Paul was already at peace in Rome even though he was in prison!
In verses 12 and 13, Paul tells us — contentment has become his life
This secret was not like a password or a cheat code for a video game
This was a secret that Paul had gained by practical experience — by living day to day with Jesus Christ
Through relationship with God — we will be able to find contentment
Contentment is lost when there is no relationship w/ God — the way of your life may never go the way YOU want it to go — in some ways there will be no humanly contentment
That is why contentment can come from above — the Lord will bless — the Lord will provide
If there is a lack of contentment in our lives — it also stems from the lack of reliance upon God — it has the attitude of “God is not enough for me. God is not sufficient.”
And in verse 13 — Paul writes famous words that are famously misquoted! “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
But look closely: the context for “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” is Paul’s contentment in his circumstances
Paul can talk about doing all things precisely because he has learned to be content even in circumstance that seem unnatural to be content in
Have we? — Are we content?
3. Be Joyful (v. 15-20)
3. Be Joyful (v. 15-20)
15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Paul is grateful for the generous gift from the Philippians — not because of how the gift will help him — but because the gift is evidence that the Philippian church is looking beyond themselves and living a life of generous friendship
Literally in the financial sense in these verses
The Philippians share this gift with Paul out of their own suffering — Paul sees their spiritual growth and their generosity
He is not so much happy to receive the gift as he is to see their Christian maturity
And here we find a second verse that is so frequently used out of context:
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Paul says that his God will supply all of their needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus
Paul is not claiming these riches for himself — he is letting the Philippians know that because they have shown generosity to him that his God will supply their needs
How often we quote this verse in relationship to our own needs
It’s true that God will supply our needs — But the context of this verse is Paul’s great confidence of God’s goodness toward the Philippian church
Paul — in prison — is confident of God’s goodness to his Christian brothers and sisters
Paul’s prayers are about God blessing and fulfilling the needs of the Philippians — not meeting his own personal needs
This is a beautiful picture of Christians living together in the life of generous friendship
Paul is so encouraged that his students have learned the lifestyle of contentment and generosity not because Paul has benefited from the gift — but because these qualities will serve the Philippians for generations to come
Oh, that our actions would be the fulfillment of Christ’s work in us — both individually and as a congregation!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Having generous character traits are a natural response to the transforming work of Christ in our lives
Through Christ we have grace to do what is good — through Christ we have the grace to pursue that which is good — so all that we do is to be done for Him and to His glory
When you stand firm in the Lord — you stand secure and unflinching — standing in such a way provides the ample vehicle to conduct yourself properly in the body of Christ
Not only that — it provides you the ability to live faithfully to the Lord through times of trials and persecution
Living a life of generous friendship w/in the body of Christ will remove much conflict — may you seek to live generously w/ one another
So that Christ is honored and glorified in this body of believers