Phil 4:2-9 - The Pursuit of Peace

How many of you have heard me say, “Not my circus, not my monkeys”? How do we determine if those monkeys are indeed within our sphere of influence?

As early as the 4th chapter of the Bible (Gen 4:9) we have an example of one person denying responsibility for a mess that truly involved him.

We cannot make another person’s conflict, our conflict! When we do this, we triangulate matters that are best reconciled between the original parties. BUT we can, and must, help others to conciliate with each other.

TRANSITION: the true shared joy that we discussed last week, it undeniable interwoven with our ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18) and helping others work through their conflicts. Join me as we look at this subject as addressed in today’s text.

The Joy of Agreement (Philippians 4:2-3)

Helping one another.

Entreat – same word as the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives

Ask – a request without coercion

Help – to seize or apprehend

you – all the saints (1:1), each reader, not just leaders

overseers – Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2 both speak of those entrusted to church overseers for care, not control

teachers – judged more strictly for what they say, not what their listeners do.

I have said frequently, “stay in your lane” but helping one another IS your lane!

“you who are spiritual” (Gal 5:1)

If the Spirit of God indwells and fills you, this is you!

dwelling together in unity is a responsibility of each member of the body.

“be kind to one another” (Eph 4:32) is complimented by “encourage one another” ( 1 Th 5:11) and “love one another” (John, Rom, Gal, 1 Th, Heb, 1 Pt, 1 Jn, & 2 Jn)

Affirming One Another

1.      In the Lord – they are NOT outsiders

2.      Labored side by side – they have good history together.

3.      Names are in the book of life – we’re going to spend eternity together so we might as well work out the kinks sooner than later.

4.      We don’t know if this lack of agreement was due to blind spots or stubbornness, but it was obvious enough that a mere mention of the parties and the lack of agreement were sufficient to cause the readers to know what he was talking about.

5.      By choosing to believe the best in others (not questioning their motives) we can help toward reconciliation when genuine disagreements arise. I truly admire and commend the PeaceMaker Ministry. They can be invited into conflicts with a goal of bringing biblical conciliation.

6.      This ministry of reconciliation is ingrained into our 2025 theme and 5/50 challenge. We can’t fake the peace that is broken between our neighbors and our creator. We are compelled by love to introduce them to lasting, true peace with God.

The Joy of the Lord (Philippians 4:4-7)

The Lord is “Near” (Phil 4:5)

Location (near)

Deuteronomy 31:6/Hebrews 13:5 …”I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This truth has promise for both the 1 and the 99.

The song “Reckless Love” refers to a parable from Matt 18 and Luke 15 that speaks of a hypothetical man with 100 sheep.

But Jesus (as the 2nd person of the Trinity) is not limited by the normal limitations of a human being who can only be in one place at one time! Our Lord can both pursue us when we wander AND comfort us when we remain in the fold.

The context of vv.4-7 suggest joy, remedy for anxiety, communication, and peace. I believe this indicates not just a future reality, but that near refers to a current presence.

2.    Time (coming soon)

I am convinced that the early church believed the 2nd Coming (which begins with the “rapture”/appearing) was imminent. It would not only happen quickly, but could also happen suddenly.

One cure for anxiety is that he is present to comfort, another is that he is coming soon to rule in judgment and to make wrong things, right.

3.    Both (at hand)

I conclude that Paul is using double entendre: he wants readers to both have current peace, knowing that a greater peace is just around the corner.

TRANSITION: How does the presence of Christ (vv.4-7) reduce anxiety from disagreement (vv.2-3)?

Conflict and Comfort

The current conflict between Euodia and Syntyche was best understood in the context of both current disagreement and future eternal harmony.

The rejoicing of v.4 indicates that it is reasonable to reduce current anxiety by understanding both the already and not yet dimensions of Christ’s presence.

“This too shall pass” must temper all our disagreements in light of the book of life.

That person who talks too much in Bible Study; that person who likes music that isn’t my taste; that hurt over something said, or unsaid, needs to be viewed, not in terms of how do I feel about this, but how does this impact eternity?

TRANSITION: Finally, conflict and anxiety give way to our focus. Are you a lovable Pooh, an optimistic Piglet, a suspicious rabbit, an in-the-moment  Tigger, or a melancholy Eeyore?

The Joy of Beauty (Philippians 4:8-9)

Having dealt with the disagreement and the anxiety, (they are real and cannot be ignored), Paul moves forward with 2 positive commands that require choice and willful obedience.

Some ideas easily pass away between generations if not intentionally passed along.  Last Fall I was in a teleconference group with 4 other pastors as we met weekly to discuss how to preach through Philippians. When one of my colleagues presented his proposed outline of eliminate negative, look to positive and focus on beauty, I mentioned Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the negative, Don’t mess with Mr. in-between. Not a single other member of our cohort had a mother who sang this song around the house as I did while growing up.

So in the frequently quoted and rarely cited words of Bing Crosby: Latch on to the Affirmative.

Think about these things (v.8)

6 adjectives – true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable.

2 summaries (switch from whatever to if) – excellence and worthy of praise.

Snow is one of those realities that can be viewed 2 ways. I know several who like the beauty of a white blanket and many others who despise the work of removing that blanket so transportation can happen safely.

I’ve found that those who never move it, are those most attracted to it!

3.      V.8 commands to look for the beauty in whatever is..

Practice these things (v.9)

From virtue we move to positive modeling.

Paul was confident that the God of peace was at work within him (Phil 1:6) so he challenged his readers to let the God of peace work in their behaviors as well.

If you desire the peace of God (4:7) to counter your anxiety and conflicts, you must let the God of peace (4:9) to change you.

I’m glad that a cease-fire was negotiated this past week in Gaza, but I guarantee that truce is worth little more than the paper it is written upon, until both parties surrender to the God of peace.

Conclusion:

This sermon is only a lecture unless we make some positive application to it. Here is my exhortation to help this drop from our heads to our hearts so that it impacts our hands:

Lamp for my Steps

Even fellow-laborers can find themselves in conflict, value reconcile

Light to my path

£ Even fellow-laborers can find themselves in conflict, value reconciliation.

£ Joy and peace are found in Christ; when sadness and conflict arise, center yourself in Him.

Gospel Summary & Invitation

£ When darkness surrounds our emotions, we must look for beauty in creation and other people.

Response Song #560.................. “For the Beauty of the Earth”