The Book Philippians (4:1-9)

What is up Vertical. We are coming to an end of the book of Philippians. Next week, Jake will bring this series to an end, however today, we get to continue reading the Word of God and learning more about God’s plans for our lives.

Back in April, I got an email from our utility company saying that they had detected a leak in hour house because for 24 hrs the water kept running. Our water consumption went from 5-6k gallons to 33k a month. So I ran to my house and begin checking everywhere… I could not find it. Finally I saw a very small spot that looked like someone drop a cup of water. My dad and I begin digging and found a major leak. (pic)

I am so thankful that my utility company had a way to detect the leak, otherwise it could’ve been a lot worst for my foundation and my pocket.

In the same way, we are going to see how Paul gives us three ways to detect leaks in our Spiritual walk and while you could go on not taking care of them, it is better for your day to day life if you do.

Main Point: Life is better when we take care of unity, joy and clarity leaks.

Principle # 1- The Unity Leak

Philippians 4:1–3 “1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

Notice the “Therefore” the verse before says

Philippians 3:20–21 “20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

So, while we have an eternal hope of glorious bodies, God is not only concern with our eternity but our life today.

You probably have heard Pastor David talk about the importance of relationships and we see how Paul emphasizes relationships with these two women.

Think about it, you are literally being called out by name by Paul. One commentator believes that this was not a moral dispute or a theological dispute. He believes that it was a trivial matter- that is why Paul is so open to call them by name.

He is basically saying, ladies get done with drama. Be unified in the Lord.

If your name was recorded like this two ladies, how would you be known?

The reality is that you always have an option to give into drama or try to fix this leak. All of your social issues, can be seen through a Spiritual lens.

Ephesians 6:12 “12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

How is your unity leak detector? Are you working to have peace and unity with your fam, your friends or are you ignoring the unity?

Is it of eternal importance or is it personal/trivial?

Main Point: Life is better when we take care of unity, joy and clarity leaks.

Principle # 2- The Joy Leak

Philippians 4:4–7 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Paul talks about Joy all over this letter. Repetition means importance.

The difference is that one is inward (joy) the other is outward (rejoice) but both should go in tandem.

Believers have reasons to have Joy

The Lord is near.

The lord is approachable.

The Lord is protective.

Jesus himself reminded us that anxiety will drain you.

Matthew 6:25–26 “25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

One of my favorite verses.

1 Peter 5:7 “7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Casting a fishing line.

Main Point: Life is better when we take care of unity, joy and clarity leaks.

Principle # 3- The Clarity Leak

Philippians 4:8–9 “8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Our thoughts define how we feel.

Our thoughts are powerful and it seems that now a days, it is easy to allow your thoughts to go to a dark place.

The present verse is governed by the verb think, logizesthe, which means more than ‘keep in mind’ (Moffatt). It is rather ‘take into account (logos), reflect upon and then allow these things to shape your conduct’. The following verse is a continuation of Paul’s message with a call to explicit action: ‘put it into practice’ Ralph P. Martin, Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 11.

Do you think about what you think about?

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 “3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Main Point: Life is better when we take care of unity, joy and clarity leaks.

Where are you leaking today? Is it a minor leak or a major leak?

Let’s pray

Questions

Icebreaker: Have you ever experience a leak? (E.g.: Your favorite water bottle, house roof, car radiator or something like that? I know weird question but hopefully it’ll make sense) Why are leaks generally bad?

What are the biggest obstacles to unity and joy?

Read Eph 6:12. What is Paul reminding the church?

How does our thoughts (what we think about) affects us on a day-to-day basis?