Tend your Garden: Nurturing your Faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Intro

**Illustration about gardening and faith, show pictures from Megan.**

All throughout Paul’s letters he speaks of Faith as something requiring work.

In 1 Tim 6 he tells Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith”

He tells the Thessalonians in 1 Thess 1 he thanks God for their “work of faith”

In Colossians 1:19-23 he urges them to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast”

Part of the working out of our salvation that Paul tells us to do back in Phil. 2 is this commitment to striving for our faith. In two parts Paul gives us the blue print for how to strive for our faith by urging us to Pursue Christ.

In Chapter 3 Paul gives us a detailed account for Why we should pursue Christ:

because he saves us by faith in Him (3:1-11)

because he is more valuable than anything this world has to offer (3:12-16)

because we are citizens of Heaven, not this world (3:17-21)

Then he transitions to How we should pursue Christ.

Philippians 4:1 ESV

1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

“Stand Firm thus in the Lord” don’t be moved by what the World has to offer. It’s not more valuable than Christ and we are leaving this world and its treasures behind when Jesus calls us home anyway.

When I think about the big picture of this letter, Paul sounds like he is talking to his kids. He has that level of love and compassion for them.

And just like Megan and I would tell Cole, Paul tells his spiritual kids, stand firm in what you have said you believe, in who you have believed in…in the working out of your salvation, the salvation that comes from the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

This is faith. Standing Firm in the Lord is tending to your faith. It requires some work on our part. It’s a lot like tending a garden.

Let’s see how see Paul say’s we should stand firm in the Lord, or stand firm in faith.

Point 1: Dissolve Divisiveness.

Philippians 4:2–3 ESV

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.

We have no knowledge of these two ladies other than they are not agreeing. Paul again takes a general statement (Phil. 2:1-5) and give us real example here. As Christians, we have to strive for unity..Paul talks about this in multiple places. We know from previous chapters what Paul views as unity and humility. Romans 15:1-3 give us another insight.

What is “agreeing in the Lord?”

1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Here agreeing in the Lord is to be united in the same mind and judgement.

Romans 15:1–3 ESV

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

Looking to Build others up. We see this same concept in 1 Cor. 12-14 when Paul is addressing Spiritual Gifts.

And I believe from the two passages in Philippians we can also see the “agreeing in the Lord” is the process salvation and sanctification. Or rather understanding that both of those things unite us. We are all growing in our faith and being molded and shaped to look more like Christ and sometimes that requires hard times. It requires humility. It requires suffering. It requires worship. It requires the Word. It requires each other. We need each other as support. That’s why our Sunday School classes are so important and our teachers are so important. Those are the ones who you should be walking most closely with because you are all sharing similar experiences and challenges and your teachers are their to help you walk through that.

Why is it dangerous if we don’t “agree in the Lord”?

Matthew 12:25 ESV

25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.

When we are not united in our minds and judgements and seeking Build each other up, it divides the church. We lose our Gospel effectiveness. What is our mission as Christians? (Share the Gospel and make disciples). Unsaved and unchurched folks don’t want to hear about our Good News if they can’t see that the News is actually Good.

Divisiveness hurts our faith because our disagreement is now a distraction that takes us away from fruitfulness. It’s like a weed that pops up in the garden that is left unpulled. It sucks the nutrients from the soil and ultimately from the plant and hinders the harvest.

When is it okay to disagree?

Only in 1st Tier Theological matters. (those things that actually make us Christians). We see that in 1 Tim 1 and Galatians 1

Application: Pursue the good of others. Build them up…all of them and not just your close friends.

Application: You don’t always have to be right and get the last word.

Application: Remove yourself from intentionally divisive people, with the hope of restoration.

Point 2: Rest in Peace.

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

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.

We see here a flow of fruit of the spirit that Paul is urging the Philippians to pursue.

There is joy again, the theme of the book for sure. This flows out of our faith and hope in the coming Jesus.

Gentleness (graciousness/reasonableness) in our dealing with others.

Faithfulness, thankfulness in our prayers and petitions to God.

Paul tells us if we pursue these Fruits of the Spirit then we can rest in the peace of God.

The key is that all of these sentences require work on our part:

Rejoice is an active imperative - It’s not really an option..

While v. 5 is written in the passive voice it is active in nature. Paul is saying show your gentleness (graciousness/reasonableness)

Do not be anxious is an active imperative..so again not an optional suggestion from Paul. It’s an important part of our faith as Christians.

Why?

When we don’t work hard at maintaining our joy, gentleness, faithfulness (trust), and thankfulness then our faith in Jesus slips and slides. This is like watering the garden.

Application: Don’t let people or circumstances hinder your thankfulness, trust, joy, and gentleness in and for Christ.

Point 3: Practice Mind Control

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.

Philippians 2:5 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

“think about these things” — Paul comes back again a bit more direct this time with his appeal to control your thoughts. He says in 2 Cor 10:5

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Your mind is where Satan and his demons want to attack you. It has been true of every generation and it is alarmingly more true in this generation. As alarming as it is it is nothing new. Paul talks about it at length in his letters.

Do you guys know what the First-Line Treatment is for many of these mental illnesses?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely used form of psychotherapy (talk therapy) that aims to help individuals manage mental health conditions by changing their thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. - from Cleveland Clinic website

The Bible has been on top of that since the first century. This is the same thing Paul is telling us here in Philippians. Instead of thinking the depressing and anxious thoughts, think about those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, anything excellent and worthy of praise..that’s what you should think about!

All of these things are learned from the Word of God. When we develop a Passion for the Word I think you will see that depression and anxiety drop as we focus more on God’s Word and less on our worry.

I do want to be clear that I am not in anyway anti-medical help. If you have anxiety or depression, please by all means get the help you need especially if it is leading you to self-harm or suicidal thoughts..in addition to that, immerse yourself in the Word of God.

Application: Fight the good fight of faith in your mind first.

Conclusion:

As we close, I’ll show a picture of Megan hard work on the carrot patch and the reward that came from it. She made a little money off of it too.

The reward from tending to your faith will be far greater than some good looking carrots. It’s sharing in the resurrection. It’s seeing the people whose lives you impacted in heaven with you. It’s seeing people you invest time in change from “man I question their salvation” to “what a fine Christian man/woman”. It’s seeing your friends, brothers, and sisters growing in their faith in the Lord. It’s working side-by-side with other believers in Gospel work. It’s graduating out of the student ministry with a Passion for the Word, a Passion for the Church, and a Passion for the Mission of God.