Stand Firm

Introduction

We all love a good story, don’t we. Especially the archetypal story of the underdog. One such story is Frodo Baggins from the Lord of the Rings.

Frodo has risked his life against the Ring Wraiths or black riders to get the ring from the shire to Rivendell. You will remember that on Weathertop, he is struck with a morgul blade and suffered a severe illness, one that left him close to pass from the land of the living into the land of shadow. In Rivendell, Elrond uses his knowledge and power to heal Frodo, and Frodo awakens after his traumatic experience in the wonderful, heavenly realm of Rivendell.

In Rivendell, leaders from all over middle earth gather for fear of the rising power of Sauron in the Land of Mordor. Sauron seeks the ring of Power, the ring that will seal his return from the land of Shadow to the land of the living and allow him to rule Middle earth with fear and tyranny once more. As he seeks the ring, a dark power spreads over all of Middle earth, and their is much uncertainty among Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits, and Men as they feel like they are being swallowed up by the darkness. While Frodo is in Rivendell, amidst the concern and fear, his conversation with Gandalf takes an alarming turn when Gandalf says the following to him:

“Indeed there is a power in Rivendell to withstand the might of Mordor, for a while: and elsewhere other powers still dwell. There is power, too, of another kind in the shire. But all such places will soon become islands under siege, if things go on as they are going. The Dark Lord is putting forth all his strength”.

Doesn’t that quote feel like a commentary of our day. When we, who now sit in this little town, look at what rapid culture shift in the US, Canada, Australia, The UK, the rest of Europe, and even in our own country, do we in this church not feel like a small island under siege? With the onset of cultural marxism in the form of black lives matter, gender fluidity, the destruction of the family and marriage, sexual perversion of all kinds, do we not feel like the Dark Lord is putting forth all his strength?

However, it is worth reminding ourselves, brothers and sisters, that this is not the first time in history when, like the fellowship in Rivendell, that Christians in churches the world over are under siege, nor will it be the last. The question is, how will we persevere, how will we continue steadfastly in the face of growing opposition, how do we stand firm?

Our passage this morning is instructive in this regard, let us read it together.

Philippians 4:1–3 ESV

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 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.

In our passage, Paul gives one instruction, and one plea. The instruction is, Stand firm! The plea is for Paul’s true companion to help two woman get along. At the outset, it is important to see that the plea is subordinate to the instruction. The instruction comes first, then Paul’s plea. Similarly, our focus this morning is going to be on Paul’s instruction, Stand Firm, and within the instruction, we will also examine Paul’s plea.

Paul’s instruction to, ‘stand firm’ suggests that, like Frodo, the church in Philipi was asked to stand against something. What was it that they were standing against.

Threats without - Opposition, persecution, suffering (1:27 - 30), legalist heresy (3:2), antinomian heresy (3:18&19)

Threats within - Division , Grumbling and disputing (2:14), selfish ambition and conceit (2:3)

Two points from the text:

Stand Firm on the Truth

Stand firm Together

Three points of application

The christian life is hard

The value of the Church community

When Christians stand firm, they change world

1. Stand firm on the Truth

“Therefore” - The first word of our passage is the word, “Therefore”. It is a crucial word in the context of our book, because it indicates a transition. It indicates that what Paul is about to say is a response to what has already been established. In Chapter 3, Paul has been exploring deep theological truths in Chapter 3, that he is now going to apply to the Church in Philippi.

Paul is saying, “because of these truths, stand firm”. What truths is Paul referring to? Let us summarise them from Chapter 3.

“My brothers” - term of endearment, indicates intimate love and knowledge for this church.

“Whom I love and Long for” - Paul is in prison in Rome. He longs to see these Philippian Christians, but is prevented by his imprisonment. Similar to Philippians 1:8 “For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

“My joy and crown” - This is similar to Chapter 1:3 where Paul thanks God in all of his remembrance of this church. The word crown here is metaphorical, representing their faithfulness and spiritual growth in Christ as a reward and accomplishment for his ministry efforts. This "crown" alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to victors in ancient athletic games, symbolizing victory, achievement, and the culmination of his labor in spreading the gospel.

Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”

Proverbs 17:6 “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

“stand firm in the Lord”

Stand Firm - A Biblical Theme

Philippians 1:27–28 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

1 Peter 5:9 “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

2 Thessalonians 2:15 “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Stand Firm on the Truth

Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, [my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown], stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”

God’s word

“No greater mischief can happen to a Christian people, than to have God’s word taken away from them, or falsified, so that they no longer have it pure and clear. God grant that we and our descendants be not witnesses of such a calamity.”

Philippians 2:16 “holding fast to the word of life”

Inerrant, infallible, sufficient

John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Recognise that we don’t stand alone in this. Centuries of Christians before us have held firm to the word of God.

For them, the Bible was a complete revelation from God which is final, authoritative, infallible, and to be applied to all of life. If they confronted situations that were not covered by the specifics of Scripture, they held that such matters could be clarified by reasonable deductions from the Bible. As Puritan scholar Allen Carden has written, “their absolute belief in the Bible and the God of the Bible was the fundamental motivating force behind their worldview and the establishment of New England.... Given the choice of the comforts of England where violations of God’s law were rampant or the wilderness of America where God’s Word would receive its rightful place, thousands chose the latter.”7 Thus the source of the Puritan worldview, the foundation stone of their conception of the Mission of God, was the Bible itself. As John Eliot declared, “the Law of God, written in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament...[is] pure, holy, righteous, perfect, and good...the perfect System or Frame of Laws, to guide all the Moral actions of man.” (Joseph Moot - The Mission of God).

Justified by Faith (3:2 - 9)

Paul spends the first half of Chapter 3 reminding the Philippian believers that they are justified by faith alone. He dispels the heresy that any man can be saved through their own works and he uses himself as an example. If there is anyman who could claim that they should be jusitifed in accordance with their own works, it is Paul. We read in Philippians 3:4–6 “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.”

Paul then declares that all his works are rubbish. They are rubbish compared to the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”.

The whole foundation of standing firm begins and ends with whether or not you can stand firm in the presence of almighty God. The only way that feeble finite human being like you or I can stand in the presence of God, is if we stand on the merit of another.

Isaiah 64:6 “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

Paul knew it and he turned from relying on his own works and trusted Christ. If he did it, how much more should you and I?

Sanctified by the Spirit (3:10 - 19)

Tension between our responsibility and God’s soveignty. Transformational process where we progressively become more like Christ. The Christian ought to become more righteous and grow in holiness the longer they live.

By the Spirit of God (2:13, 2:20 -21)

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

2. Our responsibility - (1:27; 2:13 - 15; 3:14 - 16)

Philippians 1:10–11 “so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”

Philippians 2:14–15 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Philippians 3:14–16 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

Philippians 4:8 “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.”

3. A warning about apostacy:

Proverbs 26:11 “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” Chapter 3 provides two warnings. Do not rely on your own works for salvation. Do not cheapen grace by thinking that you can live in your sin.

The gentiles were tempted to return to a libertarian/antinomian belief, that they could do what they wanted in the flesh, because God would just forgive them. Phil 3:18-19

Philippians 3:18–19 ESV

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Philippians that legalism

Philippians 3:2–3 ESV

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

We are tempted to return to a reliance on the law (legalism) as seen in verses 2 & 3 of Chapter 3.

Or, we are tempted toward hedonic pleasure as seen in verses 18 and 19.

4. Perseverance of the Saints

Philippians 3:12–16 ESV

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Matthew 24:13 ESV

But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Glorified after death (3:20 - 21)

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

1 Corinthians 15:52 “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”

This is not the only time that Paul uses future glorification to motivate Christians. He does the same in 1 Corinthians 15:55 - 58

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Stand Firm, Together

Philippians 4:1–3 ESV

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 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.

“Euodia and Synthyche agree in the Lord”

Why does Paul use the clauses - my brothers, whom a love and long for, and my joy and crown. A few people argue, that Paul uses it as a tool to soften the blow of the next statement. Remember that Paul has been urging the church to remain united through personal denial and sacrifice. Yet, there are two woman in the Church, Euodia and Syntyche, who have unresolved conflict, the kind of conflict that could, if allowed to fester, cause division in the Church.

Paul urges his true companion, the identity of whom we do not know, to act as a mediator. This suggests that the conflict between these two woman was significant. Perhaps, Paul feels the need to address it because of the guilt that he carried after his disagreement with Barnabas and the hurt that that caused. However, I don’t think that this was the main reason. The main reason, I think, is that the good testimony of the Philippian Church was at stake.

It is important to recognise that the church members involved in this conflict were Christians. Paul has no doubt about that. He speaks of these two woman as having labored with him in the gospel, and that their names are written in the ‘book of life’. But, they were endanger of acting like unbelievers, acting like people who had no concept or experience of forgiveness.

Unity as a key theme:

Matthew 5:9 ““Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

Ephesians 4:2–4 “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—”

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”

Philippians 2:2–4 “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,”

Two points of disagreement in the Church

Unresolved conflict between church members

Conflict between people often leads to anger. If anger isn’t dealth with it leads to bitterness, following on the heals of bitterness is resentment. All the while there is gossip. If the conflict remains unresolved, there are two end points. One, one of the parties leaves the church. In extreme cases, the conflict splits the church. In some cases, a seperation is necessary. However, most of the time, especially when a conflict arises between two Christians, it can be and should be resolved by getting both parties together to talk to achieve common ground.

Theological differences and disagreements

What does it mean to be a baptist? Why do we have the name baptist? Is God a baptist?

What does it mean that we are elder elder lead congregationalists?

What does it mean to be reformed?

What does it mean that we are an independant church?

What is the Sola 5 association? Why do we belong to this association and not the Baptist Union?

Why are we wanting a statement of faith for the elders that differs from the statement of faith for Church members?

Application

Elrond raised his eyes and looked at him, and Frodo felt his heart pierced by the sudden keenness of the glance. ‘If I understand aright all that I have heard,’ he said, ‘I think that this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will. This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck? ‘But it is a heavy burden. So heavy that none could lay it on another. I do not lay it on you. But if you take it freely, I will say that your choice is right; and though all the mighty Elf-friends of old, Hador, and Húrin, and Túrin, and Beren himself were assembled together, your seat should be among them.’

‘But you won’t send him off alone surely, Master?’ cried Sam, unable to contain himself any longer, and jumping up from the corner where he had been quietly sitting on the floor. ‘No indeed!’ said Elrond, turning towards him with a smile. ‘You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not.’ Sam sat down, blushing and muttering. ‘A nice pickle we have landed ourselves in, Mr. Frodo!’ he said, shaking his head.

I love the parralel’s between what Elrond says to Frodo here, and the Christian life.

1) The Christian life is hard.

Just like Frodo carrying the ring to Mount Doom would be hard. Oppostion and suffering will come. But lets be clear on three things:

Firstly - The Lord Jesus Christ is a faithful companion and friend, a far better master than our slavery and bondage to our sin.

Secondly - Despite the hardships of life, there is incredible joy. Thinking of Clive, Sipho, and Gerrie.

Thirdly - We should prepare for these difficulties before they arrive.

(Philippians 1:28–29 “and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,” ) -

reflecting on the promises of God

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

This verse signifies that the power of God within believers is superior to the influence of the world and its opposing forces. This verse offers reassurance and encouragement to Christians, emphasizing God's strength and protection against the challenges and temptations of the world.

Romans 8:31 - 39

Romans 8:31–39 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2) Recognise the value of the church community

Like Frodo wasn’t left alone to carry his burden, we too have not been left alone. The Lord connects his people in churches. But church life itself isn’t easy, is it. Whilst we are being sanctified and whilst we are being changed, relationships with other people remain complicated and conflict arises easily.

Remember - that as Christ has forgiven you, so you ought to forgive them. Not once, not even seven times, but seventy times seven times (Matthew 18:22). Forgiveness must reign in this body - bitterness and resentment which have the capacity to so easily divide us, must be dealth with.

Between wives and husbands

Children and parents

Friends in the Church

3) When Christians Stand Firm, they change the world

Moral authority and courage come only when our lives match our profession.

Philippians 1:10 “so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” ;

Philippians 2:15 “that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

The Puritans exemplified maturity; we don’t. Spiritual warfare made the Puritans what they were. They accepted conflict as their calling, seeing themselves as their Lord’s soldier-pilgrims…not expecting to be able to advance a single step without opposition of one sort or another.… Today, however, Christians in the West are found to be on the whole passionless, passive and one fears, prayerless. Cultivating an ethos that encloses personal piety in a pietistic cocoon, they leave public affairs to go their own way and neither expect nor, for the most part, seek influence beyond their own Christian circle…[but] the Puritans labored for a holy England and New England – sensing that where privilege is neglected and unfaithfulness reigns, national judgment threatens.