Discord Or Harmony | Philippians 4:1–5

Opening Remarks: Philippians 4

Last time we were in Philippians 3 we looked at why we should follow Jesus Christ.

We follow Him because:

We Belong To Him

He’s Coming Back For Us

He has bought us with a price, and He will one gather us to Himself either in the rapture or at the end of our lives. He will rightfully take possession of what He has already bought. So we should live for Him. He bought us, and He’s coming for us.

So Paul leads with those thoughts directly into Philippians 4 by using the connecting word, “Therefore.” Which means accepting the truth of these things just written, here’s what we should do in response.

Because Jesus Christ has bought us and is coming for us…READ 1-5

Paul’s message is clear - We have too much in Christ to get caught up in strife.

The Title tonight is more a question:

If Eastside Baptist Church was a song, would it sound like Discord Or Harmony?

Title: Discord Or Harmony

Pray

Introduction:

Music director

Different kinds of chords: Consonant or Dissonant

Consonant chords includes note that fit together in a way that our ears like it

Dissonant chords include notes that our ears find unpleasant (C Major 7th, F Minor 9th)

Most well-written songs contain some of both

Dissonant chords (Play chords from song)

Consonant chords (Play chords from song)

Truth is, songs contain both, but songs ought to resolve to consonant chords with the dissonant chords simply adding interest.

Can you imagine a song in which the chords never resolve?

And that’s how music is like a local church

There will be dissonant chords because people are involved.

Times of tension due to disagreements.

Decisions not everyone agrees with.

Different personalities and life experiences.

There will be some times that the notes make the chords sounds dissonant. The notes don’t fit together well.

But just like in music, that ought to be the exception, not the norm.

Because the primary structure of a church ought to made up of consonant chords. Notes working together in harmony. Chords that sound good with notes that fit.

And when a dissonant chord happens, if things are healthy, it resolves quickly rather than lingering.

It doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything. It simply means that we have such a big view of what God is trying to do that we’re willing to resolve it for the greater good.

And that’s what Paul is trying to get the Philippians to see:

He writes, “Let there by joy!”

Someone once said, “To live above with saints we love, that will be glory. To live below with saints we know, now that’s a different story.” 

It’s humorous and sad all at the same time. There will be times that us citizens of Heaven have problems with other citizens of Heaven because we live in the flesh on earth.

Even though our names are written in the book of life, it doesn’t mean we have conquered our flesh. It’s easy for citizens of Heaven to have conflict with other citizens of Heaven.

That was happening in Philippi. Two ladies were having such issues that Paul had to address it in his letter. If it could happen there, it can happen here.

As issues arise in our own church family, let’s follow the biblical admonition to resolve our differences in the spirit of Christ. Because a church should be full of joy.

Here are some truths to remember to help us be a church that is full of joy:

I. We Have The Same Mind

Paul starts chapter 4 by saying, “You belong to Christ and He’s returning for you, so stand fast.”

It simply means to stand firm together. Don’t give up on each other just because things get hard.

I love Paul’s language here.

You are my dearly beloved. I long for you.

You are my joy and crown. He had led them to Christ. They were fruit to his account.

This church meant so much to Paul. They were his joy. He loved them.

That’s why he’s so passionate about harmony. He was grieved to hear that members of the family he loved so much couldn’t get along.

Euodias and Syntyche were having issues with each other. (v. 2a)

Pettiness is an issue for everyone, but ladies can especially struggle with it.

Am I saying men aren’t petty? Absolutely not. But there is a difference between the typical male and female interaction.

Boys can get in a violent fist fight and be best friends again the next day.

Girls can be in the same youth group and haven’t talked in 4 years because of one comment made in the 5th grade.

Ladies tend to be emotional responders. It’s how God created you. The same trait is your strength when it comes to empathy and compassion.

But be careful not to respond to every situation emotionally. There are people no longer at our church because they’ve never learned to manage their emotions. Every situation doesn’t require an emotional response.

Men need to learn that too. We’re just as guilty.

But this issue in Philippi impacted an entire church family.

We aren’t not told what the issue was, but here’s what we do know:

They were saved. Vs. 3 says their names are in the book of life.

Not only that, they had been a help to Paul during his time in Philippi. He said they labored with him in the gospel ministry. At one point, they cared about the work of the Lord and were faithfully involved.

And even though they had been pulling together, at some point they began pulling apart. No longer working together like two notes in harmony, they were now in dissonance.

And their bickering was impacting the joy of the church. That’s no small thing.

Paul even has to recruit the help of an unnamed third party to intervene in Vs. 3. “I intreat thee also, true yokefellow.”

It’s a shame others were affected by it. So Paul said, “Time to get it right.”

So start by having the same mind in the Lord.

What mind? Well, remember that Philippians 2 says we ought to have the mind of Christ. We’ve already preached about all that, but the mind of Christ is one of

Humility Sacrifice Selflessness Servitude Obedience Love

If you looked at the interactions between these two ladies, I doubt any of those words would have come to mind.

Operating out the Holy Spirit’s filling with the mind of Christ is the foundation to harmony in a church.

So when someone gets attention you don’t feel they deserve, mind of Christ.

When someone says something you could take the wrong way, give them the benefit of the doubt with the mind Christ.

When there’s an occasion for strife, don’t respond with your emotions. Respond with the mind of Christ.

Like we talked about a few months ago in Philippians 2, “Have a mind to be unified.” The only way unity happens if we have just have a mind to make it work.

How to return joy to a church in discord? Remember:

1. We have the same mind

II. We are working toward the same task.

Few things bring people together in unity like working together for a common goal.

It’s amazing what accomplishing a task together can do to bring people together.

Vs. 2-3 - He calls them out by name, but he also reminds them of the task at hand.

At one point, they were labourers together in the Gospel.

Meaning, at one point, they were locking arms and going the same direction for the Gospel.

And sometimes, what we need in a moment of discord is to remember the task that matters. People’s spiritual lives are at stake.

We have a huge task at hand:

Sioux Falls has 220,000 people

South Dakota has over 900,000

The US has over 340 million.

The world has over 8 billion.

And we’re going to stand around fuming at each other over petty things?

“They sat in my pew”

“They made a remark about me”

“They called down my kids for running”

I love the word “yokefellow.” Like it or not, we’re in the same plow together. We can’t afford to be going different directions.

When you find yourself at odds with someone, go back to the task at hand.

If more of us were focused on the task at hand - God’s glory and souls - we’d be less inclined to spend our time upset with each other.

How to return joy to a church in discord? Remember:

1. We have the same mind

2. We are working toward the same task

III. We’re going to the same place.

Vs. 3 - “Whose names are in the book of life.”

They were part of the same spiritual family.

One day they would end up in the same eternal place.

They were going to live forever in the same place. Might as well start getting along now.

When you know you’re going to see someone later, it changes how you treat them.

Have you ever cut someone off in traffic or driven aggressively, and it little bit down the road you realize the person who saw you driving like that ended up turning into the same parking lot?

That’s so awkward. Out of town, going to a church in a different state, behind someone that had something inappropriate on the back of their truck. I took note of it and thought, “Wouldn’t it be crazy if they were going to the church we’re going to?”

Guess what! Turned into the church parking lot right before we did. It was awkward.

Part of your consideration for striving for unity is the fact that all believers are going to the same place. You’re in the same family.

You don’t have to be best friends, but God help us if we can’t even be friendly.

Our standing in Christ as part of the same spiritual family is motivation for unity.

Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!”

It just makes sense for families to get along.

I love few things more than when our kids are enjoying it each other.

And I’m as grieved when they’re at odds as I am about anything else.

Let’s remember that we’re family and we’re going to the same place.

How to return joy to a church in discord? Remember:

1. We have the same mind

2. We are working toward the same task

3. We are going to the same place

And finally…

IV. We serve the same God.

Who does Paul charge them to turn their attention to?

“Rejoice in…THE LORD alway: and I again I say, Rejoice.”

Discord happens when our focus is on each other and our weaknesses.

But joy happens when we turn our attention to the Lord.

It takes us back to the very first message of this series with the premise that genuine joy can only take place through a right relationship with Jesus Christ.

A lack of joy is never about circumstances. It’s never about people. It’s never about hardships. If we don’t have joy, it always goes back to our relationship with God,

When you get your eyes off of all the things that are wrong and simply work on your relationship with the Lord, your perspective changes.

So Paul says to these two ladies, “I know you’re focused on her, but it’s time to focus on Him again.”

Vs. 5 - Then Paul says, “And once you find your joy in Christ again, let others see it.”

Members of a church aren’t to be known for discord. Rather, they should be known for their moderation. To be gracious and forebearing and gentle and kind.

People can’t see our joy, but they can see:

Our reactions when something doesn’t go our way.

Our impatience when we’re annoyed.

Our unhappiness with choices we don’t agree with.

Our defensiveness when we’re confronted about something.

If you have inner joy, it will be apparent to others in your daily interactions.

V. Church should be a place of joy.

We have so many reasons to be joyful.

We’re saved. We’re forgiven. We have God’s presence. We are headed to Heaven.

And when you think about all we have, it should remind us that we can choose to live in harmony.

Because we have the same mind.

We are involved in the same task.

We are headed to the same place.

We serve the same God.

And in the end, like vs. 5 says, “The Lord is at hand.” Meaning He could appear any moment.

A church family should get things right with each other so we can wait for Christ with joy.

Waiting is no fun. But better to wait and have fun doing it. Waiting in line at Amusement Parks. Long lines, kids like to play Heads Up. Phone shows a word you can’t see and your friends give you clues to see if you can guess it. You want to get through as many words as possible until your time runs out.

We’re waiting anyway, so might as well choose joy while we’re waiting. Wait miserable. Or wait with joy.

Conclusion:

One of the most disappointing things is the expectation that a church should be full of joy and finding out it’s not.

Can you imagine the impact it has on the lost if they go to a place that is supposed represent joy and find bickering? Gossiping? Critical spirit?

The lost are surrounded by people every day who have a bad spirit and no reason to have joy. They’re just waiting with misery. They should be able to gather with a church family and find members who are genuinely joyful.

I know some notes just don’t go together.

It feels impossible. It’s hard.

There’s a lot of natural dissonance. But that’s what makes this text so helpful.

Paul isn’t saying that joy and unity are easy. But he is saying joy and unity are possible. How? Because of Jesus Christ.

It’s Possible:

To choose not to respond.

To not voice your opinion about a decision you don’t like.

To serve with people on your “Do not serve with” list.

To choose joy instead of strife.

To not stoke the fire of drama.

To show kindness instead of being harsh.

To be a note that creates harmony instead of dissonance.

It’s possible. And it’s possible:

To Refuse to say something negative about someone else if they’re not present.

Refuse to bash the leadership or a decision unless you’ve talked to them about it.

Refuse to assume the worst and instead give them the benefit of the doubt.

How? By remembering:

We have the same mind.

We are involved in the same task.

We are headed to the same place.

We serve the same God.

Conclusion:

Eastside is called to be a Joyful Church. Are you contributing to that or hindering it?

Is there a church family member with whom you need to reconcile?

Have you had a mind to dwell in harmony?

Are you known for harmony or discord?

If others were putting your name in one basket or another - harmony or discord - which would your name go into?

In the end, our joy as a church is dependent on each of us choosing to have joy in our lives.

“If there’s going to be joy in this church, then I must find my joy in Jesus Christ.”