Philippians 4:2-9 - Work Flow and Notes

Observations And Questions

The Overall Text

How does this text relate to living worthy of the God from Philippians 1:27?

Paul turns from thinking about heavenly citizenship to this situation. How does thinking about heaven being our home effect has we deal with disagreements here on earth?

“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

Paul calls them out by name.

He addresses the problem head on.

It’s likely that everyone knew this problem existed. Paul doesn’t speak vaguely about the problem.

This is the best way to show love for people is to be intentional about settling differences.

The foundation for why and how unity is important is laid before the issues is addressed. Paul doesn’t call them to agreement before teaching them why it’s important and providing models for them.

Agree - Have the same mind and think on one purpose Philippians 2:2

How they interact with each other has impact on the church and the watching world. Philippians 2:14-15

in the lord is the bases and sphere of where agreement is found.

If they look to the other person interest maybe the problem doesn’t exist or get resolved quickly.

Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women,

You- is in the sigluar. we dont know who this is but Paul is asking someone to take the truth taught in this letter and put flesh and blood on it and help these ladies.

Paul request [ask] then give a command [help]

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.

Whose names are in the book of life.

Paul is confident these women are believers.

What a blessing to know your name is there.

Luke 10:20

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Rejoice had been the theme of the book and has been used 16 times.

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

reasonableness is something that is expected to be able to be seen.

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Should your actions be seen because the Lord is at hand or is this because He will come back soon?

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The peace of God has a quality to it, but it also produces something. It has actions with is.

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.

8 things are listed here.

Things that you think about that should produce action [practice]

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things,

4 things listed here

seen in me - Philippians 3:17

the things you practice should flow of the the things you think about.

and the God of peace will be with you.”

Word & Phrase Study

I entreat

παρακαλέω - to call to ones side.

it carries the ideal of encouragement through appeal. Its a summons to something or someone.

its translated exhort, appeal, encourage, urge, beg, invite

Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

to agree

to think the same way [to dispose their minds a certain way] . Paul expects them to not adopt and autonomous reasoning, but their reasoning should be conquered by Christ and therefore should produce a certain disposition.

Hold an opinion, to set the intention of you mind in a certain direction.

Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

Romans 15:5 “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,”

Philippians 1:7 “It is right for me to feel this [LSB: to think] way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”

ask

Request,

He request before commanding this person to help.

you also [is this emphasis],

you is singular - he is talking to someone specific asking them to help.

true companion,

help

have labored side by side

fellow workers,

whose names are in the book of life.

[ An early reference in Scripture to a book/record that God keeps] Exodus 32:32 “But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.””

[David calls it the book of life] Psalm 69:28 “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous.”

The prophets make reference to it.

Isaiah 4:3 “And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem,”

Ezekiel 13:9 “My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.”

Daniel 12:1 ““At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.”

Revelation 3:5 “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”

The persons who preservers will NOT have their name blotted out.

Revelation 13:8 “and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.”

Only the people whose names are written will not worship. Preserved from beast worship.

Revelation 17:8 “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.”

Another context of beast worship.

Revelation 20:12–15 “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

The books have the deeds recorded, but the book has secures names

Revelation 21:27 “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Luke 10:20 “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.””

Rejoice

reasonableness [Better translated gentleness] [LSB - considerate spirit]

1 Timothy 3:3 “not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”

Titus 3:2 “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

1 Peter 2:18 “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.”

be known

The Lord is at hand;

Matthew 24:36 ““But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”

Matthew 24:33 “So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.”

At the gates provides a spacial reference to the temporal nearest that Jesus is express. He is not far off from the city and have to traverse a great distance before reaching it, but He is at the gates.

1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”

James 5:8 “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Revelation 22:12 ““Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”

Romans 12:19–20 “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.””

do not be anxious

Unhealthy worry

Matthew 6:25–34 ““Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Luke 10:41 “But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,”

1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

about anything, but in everything

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

the peace of God,

surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds

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.

learned

and received

and heard

and seen in me—

practice these things,

God of peace will be with you.”

Goal/Purpose

What are you trying to accomplish with this sermon. Should be linked to the inspired meaning of the text.

People to pray

Who are some people this sermon will benefit?

Who are some people that represent groups of people to keep in mind when thinking through Application.

Prayer

What should you be asking God for yourself and your people.

We want to grow and learn how to live in harmony with each other especially in the midst of difficulties.

Maybe we are currently in conflict with someone, help us to know how to work out our differences today from Your word.

Paul is praying that we rejoice always. Grant us to understand why he says this and that we might experience it.

clarify for our actions and emotions what it means to not be anxious, please show us the truth.

We want to be people who live in the peace that you grant.

Help our thinking and our practicing reflect the Peace of God and that we know the God of Peace

What are some hurdles or hindrances to understanding this text.

Opening Statement [HOOK]

Is there something that relates well to this topic that will draw your people into understanding why they need to open their bibles to this passages.

Background to Understand

Who ?

What?

Where?

Why?

How?

So what?

Near Context to Understand

Need to show how Philippians 1:27-28 contributes to the Christian’s walks in the book and how this difficulty Paul now address is the out working of what he calls them to do. There are even the use of the same words in this section to make the connection. The sign of salvation mention back in chapter 1 can be equated to their names being written in the book of life.

Philippians 4:1 starts with therefore. Drawing a logical implication from what has just come before.

After being caught up with the glories of Christ and the future home coming for believers, Paul now moves to application of those doxological truths.

Paul views the Philippians believers themselves as the victors crown for being victorious in the ministry Christ gave him in Philippi.

He calls them to stand firm and flushes out what standing from looks like. Its a Gospel-defined lifestyle ever moving forward in the pursuit of Christ. Even through external and internal difficulties. Rather conflict with other Christians or internal conflict leading to anxiety, Paul assure that Christian stability is NOT only possible, but the expectation. But it comes with Christian responsibility to work it out.

Proposition Statement

Living in Unity and Peace in Christ by direction Your Mind and Heart Toward Him.

Exegetical Outline

Point 1 [vv2-3]

Present- What does the text say?

Philippians 4:2–3 “I entreat Euodia [Prosperous Journey] and I entreat Syntyche [Pleasant Acquaintance or Good Lucky] 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.”

Explain – What does the text mean?

This is a personal address. To Euodia, Syntyche and “True Companion”

They are not having the same mind. Philippians 2:2

This is not the first time Paul is dealing with this situation. He had been addressing them and the situation the whole letter as he has called them to be of the same mind and to be humble toward each other.

This has been a problem in the church since its birth.

Acts 15:37–40 “Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.”

Paul knows how painful it is to have people split from you because of disagreement and NOT thinking the same way.

Romans 15:5–6 “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Maybe Euodia and Syntyche’s personal disagreement was spilling over into the life of the large body and was threatening the unity of the charge as a whole. Christian fighting and disagreement is volatile and sensitive and interpersonal matter can quickly become controversy for the whole church. This is why differences must be settle swiftly.

We don’t know what their disagreement is over. It’s likely personal and preferences. If it was theological Paul would have clarifies who was right, but he doesn’t.

By entreating both of them Paul makes it clear he is NOT taking sides and hold both of the equally responsible for the dispute and equally culpable to work toward a resolution.

Entreating - urging - or exhorting them to get it figured out NOT in their own Power or for any reason rooted in them. So Paul says agree in the Lord.

Agree - better translated “think the same way”

Its the same word Paul has used throughout the letter. Exhorted all the believers to be of the same mind. [Philippians 1:7, 2:2, 2:5, 3:15, 3:19]

Paul has been address Euodia and Syntyche situation throughtout the entire letter, but he now shift directly to them. By doing so Paul demonstrates the significant role of “Christian Thinking” in “Christian Living” especially when dealing with “Christian Conflict.” Behavior is never out of the picture, but your mind plays the major roles in establishing the patterns of life.

The greater the intensity of your emotions, the clearer you thinking must be.

Evening after spending three chapters asking the church as a whole to “agree or think the same way” it still seems a bit impossible for Paul to expect these women to suddenly drop their differences as see things from the other persons perspective. How are they simple going to do that? Neither wishes to yield their position otherwise this conflict would have been settled already. How will one adopt the mindset of the other?

They won’t and that is not what Paul desires for them to do.

Paul tells them to agree in the Lord. The sphere of their agreement is rooted in them both being in the Lord.

Philippians 2:5 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” - Paul elaborates on what this means in verses Philippians 2:6-11.

Their mindset is to be set on that which Christ possessed. The path of reconciliation for these women is found in them confessing the distance of their own thinking from that of Christ, then abandoning their thoughts to embrace His way of reasoning. Once they both do this, their way of thinking will be in agreement.

True Yoke Fellow.

Paul is calling for a on the ground person to help. To take the letter he wrote and to helps these women.

we don’t know who this person is. We know it a particular person because you is singular and its a man because the form of the word is masculine. But that all the information we have for this person.

Feel the weight of Paul being and Apostle and writing this letter spending 3 chapters talking about unity in the Gospel and still feel the need to entreat someone to help these women.

You would think Paul would conclude that writing the letter was enough and that he would just expect people to live up to the standard outlined in the letter. But part of the way that God ordained for the healing of hurt relationship is to put flesh and bones on the truth in the letter. A face to face helping. The awareness of the NT is not the only solution for how God helps His people.

To take someone who love the Lord and the people. Who understands the truth and comes to each party’s seeking to understand and hear them out and reconcile them to each other. [The three of them get together and work it out.]

help them - literal sense “take hold of together”

[The Lord allowed the great catch of fish before calling His disciples] Luke 5:7 “They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”

They needed more hands to be laid to the nets to bring in the haul. in the same way these ladies needed help from their - yoke-fellow in resolving their differences and reconciling their relationship.

This emphasis the corporate responsibility of the church in maintaining unity. The church can’t see their discord a solely a personal matter. Someone must take the truth of this letter and alongside of them to help them begin to think the same way.

The sermon take roots in a persons heart and they help others in the small groups, bible study, conflict.

Hebrews 3:12–13 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

The Trellis and the Vine - the provocative title “the sermon is not enough. ”

The sermon is not enough to solve all the problems in each others lives and grow one another.

Bible reading is not enough alone.

God expects for His people to put flesh and blood on the truth as we come alongside one another to work out God glory in each others lives.

How did Paul model for these ladies to be helped.

Paul Confronts the situation head on. He name drops.

This issues is probably well known in the church. It’s likely they asked Paul for help with the situation and to address it. Maybe not so shocking to the people in Philippi.

He deals with them according to the position not there situation.

Paul is sure these women are believers so he exhorts them based on their status and addresses them as a brother in Christ with Love.

Beloved 4:1

Book of life 4:3

in the Lord. - He knows they both were in the Lord. They are unified because they are in Lord so Paul knows the can working out and he calls them to find a way.

Ephesians 4:1–3 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 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.”

They are maintaining the unity they already have

These are not maybe Christians, these ladies were suppose to be treated as true heirs of grace.

Directs them to an eternal/ eschatological perspective.

He lifts there minds from the current situation to the future glory when whatever the beef they are having will not likely be an issues.

4:1 - he uses the word thus which points back to the immediate context of verse 3 talking about heavenly citizenship.

Philippians 3:20–21 “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.”

So many of the issues that we make much of in this life would be swallowed up and put into there perspective if we focus on what Paul focused on.

He entreats them rather than commands them.

He comes alongside of them rather that standing over them .

Paul identifies with them and aligns them with other Gospel worker.

Paul floods this section with words containing the prefix [σύν] meaning with. Paul consistently uses it to drive home the theme of unity.

He says they labored side by side with me. Paul is not hesitate to say they were arm and arm.

He remind everyone in the church of the significant and sacrificial role these two women played in the establishment and the advancement of the Gospel in Philippi.

But its important to realize that their reconcilition now is also Gospel work.

Clement - We don’t know who he is, but it’s obvious that everyone in this church would have known who he was otherwise Paul would have taken the time to explain more about him. So they are meant to think about the character of Clement and remember they are all on the same team.

Paul provides assures of their being able to work it out

Not because of them, but because their names are written in the book of life. They are true believers.

This was good for my soul. How many people do Paul have in mind here. We know these people labored with him but who are they. [Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, whoever this true Companion is], but who are the fellow worker?]

Not all of their names made it into Paul’s letter but all of their names made it into the book of life.

We don’t know, but what we do know though they are obscure to us, they are NOT to God. because each of their names are handwritten by God in the book of life.

Omnipotent hand inscribed their names with eternal ink into the book of life.

They are gone and forgotten to temporal minds, but NOT forgot to the heart of their Savior.

Brothers and Sister let me exhort you all to such a life. Some people want fame and notoriety, bill boards and big business [even people who call themselves and may genuinely be Christian]. But their is nothing better for the Christian to live a set apart life for Christ, pointing people to Christ , die and gain Christ and fad into the distance memory of people. TO have “OUR NAMES” changed to “Fellow Workers.” For people NOT to remember us but remember that we labored side by side with one another in the Gospel.

Illustrate – Relate it to your people [Examples]

Apply – What are the implication in life [Sometimes the illustration can do this]

Prove – Usually a cross reference

Summarize and Transition

Point 2 [vv4-5]

Present- What does the text say?

Philippians 4:4–5 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness [gentleness] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;”

Explain – What does the text mean?

Double urgency of rejoicing in the Lord.

Paul switches from talking to individuals to everyone in the church again because he switches back to plural.

Rejoice in the lord not circumstance. Not some situation is good to rejoice and other there is NOT. All

Rejoice is a present imperative. it ongoing and habitual. it is to become the fabric of their lives.

Joy has been the golden vein running through this entire letter. [16x]

It good to rehearse tho is calling the Philippians to rejoice.

Paul writing from prison. He is still waiting for a verdict which could result in death for Him.

Paul is writing about joy when he himself suffered greatly 2 Corinthians 11:23—29

Remember what the Lord said about Paul even back when he saved him. Acts 9:16 “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.””

These Philippians believers have first hand knowledge of Paul being a prisoner in Philippi and maybe was present to hear him and Salis singings songs of praise in the middle of the night

It good to keep these things in mind so that we don’t inadvertly reduce joy to a mere emotion Paul is commanding them to. It includes the emotions for sure, but its more than that.

Rejoicing or Joy is a willful and deliberate outlook upon yourself, your circumstances and relationships and your purpose in light of your position in Christ.

This type of joy can be practiced in the midst of conflict [Philippians 1:28, 4:2-3], suffering [Philippians 1:29], a crooked and perverse generation [Philippians 2:15].

Again I will say - future “I will say again and again.” until the day I die. It is as if the Apostle quickly considered all of the situation in his mind, “could there be a situation when sorrow is preferred. A time in life where things change and hardship make abstaining from joy and worship fitting and more needful and necessary” after a quick survey he is resolve to double down “again I will say rejoice” [Doctor Strange in Avengers - runs through all the scenarios of facing Thanos and determine there was only one scenario when they win]

Rejoicing for the Christian never goes out of fashion. there is never a time when rejoicing in Inappropriate, Out of place, Uncalled for, Unfitting

1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always,”

Matthew Henry: “It’s is our duty and privilege to rejoice in God, and to rejoice in him always; at all times, in all conditions; even when we suffer for him, or are afflicted by him. We must not think the worse of him or of his ways for the hardships we meet with in his service. there is enough in God to furnish us with matter of joy in the worst circumstances on earth”

John Kitchen: The consolations of grace are always sufficient to overwhlem whatever sorrows the world may cast upon us. It is our duty to dwell up them until the “God of peace [v.9] restores “the peace of God” [v.7 and joy returns. Invariably , thought sometimes more slowly than I wish, when I usher God and His mercies back to the center of my thoguths and settle him once again upon the throne of my will, soon enough my emotions catch up and join the party.]”

There are many obstacles to joy so Paul say always

Philippians 4:2 “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.” - Conflict in the church

Philippians 1:28 “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.” - conflict outside the church

Philippians 1:12–13 “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” - imprisonment doesn’t sound like a good time to be rejoicing.

Rejoice in the Lord because your names are written in the book of life and no circumstance can change that.

Luke 10:19–20 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.””

The rejoicing is not in success of ministry but being known by God.

Paul just said your names are in the book of life and the next thing he said is rejoice. He commands it.

Joy is what faith does with it looks to the Lord and His promises in the midst of external circumstances and situations.

Philippians 1:25 “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,”

Paul wants their gentleness to be know to all people. [Know publicly] Kinda like back in Philippians 2:14-15

If you find you joy in the Lord you will not be free to NOT be a grumpy person, but you will be gentle and people will see that. [You wont be a complained, not quarreling, and grumpy. find more adjectives. ]

There is a place for making your hardships know. Its to God but not to people.

There seems to be a parallel between your gentleness being known to people and your request being made known to God.

He wants people to hear your gentle responses, he wants God to hear your cries for help

God to go with your needs and concerns and cast your anxieties on to GOD, when you do that then you can be gentle to people. Don’t let other people be burden with your trouble bring them to God and let him shoulder them.

Reasonableness - gentle, equitable, fair, mild

Spicq: it combines the idea of moderation and measure as well as goodness, courtesy, generosity.

Thayer: It denotes one who does not insit on every right of letter of law or custom and thus describes that which is yielding, gentle, kind ,courteous, tolerant.

Robertson:Graciousness with strength and poise of character. It is the opposite of obstinacy. The word is not negative restraint simply, but positive giving up to the reasonable desires of others. It is the mildness of disposition that leads one to be fair and to go beyond the letter of the law.

This attribute must characterize each persons and the corporate life of the church so as to become self-evident to a watching world.

It will be obvious and attractive to all men. Believing and unbelieving, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, male and female, whatever strata of society they come from or whatever religious background they represent.

Application for Gentles and how it work when dealing with disagreement

Kitchen: “This is an important word for our day in which tolerance has undergone radical redefinition. The new “tolerance” has become the inviolable social virtue. By “tolerance” is not meant the ability to hold with respect and dignity those of differing opinopons while disagreeing about trith, but the notion that any and every position is of equal worth and truthful;ness. We have become unable to seperate ideads from the people who hold and defend them. In the past, we were able to debate the truthfulness or untruthfulness of propositions and positions without demeaning. The people propagating them. Now to differ an opinion is to integrate the one of different position. We have set ourselves on an unsustainable trajectory, one in which all ideas must be able to coexist as equally truthful invalid.Perhaps, at least in part, this has happened because we, as the people of God have failed to demonstrate the quality God demands of us here. And it’s absence the culture around us has filled the void with its own secular virtue, what they now call “tolerance”.

The Lord is at hand - What does it mean that the Lord is near. [Parousia of Christ] [Temporal Aspect as oppose to relational or spacial.]

Paul just made a reference to what will happen when Jesus returns and spoke passionately and hopefully again of the return of Christ.

Romans 13:11 “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”

1 Corinthians 16:22 “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!” [Maranatha - Aramaic Expression]

James 5:8 “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Paul points seems to be that since Jesus may appear at any moment we should treat every moment and person with great care and patience. This doesn’t discredit the relational aspect of Jesus nearness, I just don’t think its the point here.

We can be a gentle person because when the Lord returns he will take care of making all the wrongs right. [Look back up to verses that explain when the Lord comes so does repayment.]

The certainty and nearness of the Lord take away our need to be anxious and vengeful.

John Piper’s Explanation of what the Lord is at hand means. [rework whats below because are exact right now. ]

Christ has come into the world as the long-expected Messiah, and king of the nations. He died and rose and achieved the decisive victory of the world over sin, death, and Satan. His triumph is so certain that the world is His for the taking. Nothing stands in His way to come and take it. His final coming is “near” like a triumphant general who may take the city any time he pleases. He is “at the gate.” He is able to take it when he pleases. And it is certain that he will take it at the perfect moment he deems best.

He is near at God counts nearness in his timelessness.

2 Peter 3:4–8 “They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

He is near in the sense that his coming will be sudden, unexpected, fast with no resistance possible. The opposite of this king of “near” would be: He is far away, and we can tell that it will take time for him to get here. We can calculate his coming because he is not close. That is what “near” is meant to prevent.

He is near, therefore, in the sense that His coming is suppose to function in its unexpected suddenness as a motive for us always to be spiritually awake and ready to meet him without shame., as good stewards of out gifts. “He is near” means: Out ignorance of the time of His coming should never function to picture Him as far and slow, but near and sudden.

Illustrate – Relate it to your people [Examples]

Apply – What are the implication in life [Sometimes the illustration can do this]

Prove – Usually a cross reference

Summarize and Transition

Point 3 [vv6-7]

Present- What does the text say?

Philippians 4:6–7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Explain – What does the text mean?

not being anxious [present tense] is not a simple as it may seem on the surface. We rehearse why that is back in chapter two when Paul commends Timothy for being worried/concerned about the welfare of the church. Its the same word translated anxious here in chapter 4.

Philippians 2:19–21 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 12:25 “that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

Anxiety is a lack of trust

Anxiety is the loss of the peace of God. It concern for something that rises to the level of lack of the peace of God. Or that God will come through for you.

The opposite of sinful anxiety is contentment

Philippians 4:11–13 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Enough trust in Christ who strengthens you, turns sinful anxiety into appropriate care for other and yourself.

1 Peter 5:6–7 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

When you trust that regardless of the situation. in the proper time [God’s timing] he will exult you, sinful anxiety is turned into restful concern.

Process that is opposed to anxiety

What do we do in order to not be anxious. [the antidote to anxiety - repeated approach to God] Replace anxiety with this way of life. The key is to take your horizontal circumstances on got vertical with your heart. [start talking to God. ]

Here is the pervasive power of thanksgiving. An appreciation for what you already posses defeats anxiety. Gratitude dispels fear and anxiety.

thanksgiving in more than a mental game, therapeutic excerise and emotional coping mechanism because its directed to God. Paul uses [προς] instead of the dative [to] it carries the idea of face to face or orientation to God.

Kennedy: “A delicate and suggestive way of hinting that God’s presence is always there, that it is the atmosphere surrounding them. Anxious foreboding is out of place in a Father’s presence.”

William Wl. Walford: “Sweet Hour of Prayer” - In seasons of distress in grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter’s snare, by thy return, sweet hour of prayer! And since He bids me seek His face, Believe his word, and trust His grace, our cast on Him my every care and wait for the, sweet hour of prayer!

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Prayer is the general word and supplication is a particular type of prayer - So its all once things. Thankful Supplication to God. God wants to you to ask Him. Your His child. [Paul expects for these people to pray for Euodia and Syntyche]

Ask God for things but with a thankful heart [The attitude behind thanksgiving is God is good and I don’t deserve it.]. This is the demeanor of your prayers. Remember you are going to a good God and generous father. That will make you thankful. You approach with a lack of deserving. As a child to a father not a demanding employee who demands wages.

Ephesians 5:4 “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”

It’s interesting that thanksgiving is Paul remedy for poor speech. But its something about a heart and mouth that says God is so good and I don’t deserve it that address even flithy speech. I know I have heard people say after I got saved the first thing I notice is I didn’t want to curse anymore. That is because God uses gratitude to solve the mouth problem.

peace of God.

Paul connects verse six and seven by the word and indicating that he is adding promise to the command of verse 6. when we Obediently deal with anxiety through a disciplined prayer Life, we can expect the peace of God as a result.

surpassing understanding

This piece that God gives presses the boundaries and possibilities of the fully redeemed and renewed mine to its furthest limits. The pieces that comes from the infinite God himself is a peace which transcends our highest intellectual capacity to understand, evaluate, comprehend and entirely grasp. Not even a redeemed, renewed, and transformed mind will be able to completely trace out just how this piece works or in what ways it so powerfully puts us a ease.

Will guard - a military term used to describe peace. with the heart and mind Paul is explaining the whole inner life of the believer will be guarded.

Kitchen: “The “peace of God” Will remain elusive until you encounter “the God of peace” It is through peace with God Romans 5:1, wrought through the shed blood of Christ Colossians 1:20, that one comes into relationship with the god of peace Philippians 4:9. Only thus are we in a position to know an experience, the peace of God, Philippians 4:7 Even went in a relationship to the God of peace, the peace of God does not come about by accident, but by an intentional, discipline, life, devoted to seeking God in the midst of our complex and often painful lives. This can never come about via independence, from Christ, but only in Christ Jesus.”

Joseph M. Scriven: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” - oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we don not carry everything to God in prayer.

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

The vertical peace that brings horizontal peace.

Romans 2:13–18 “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law;”

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Anxiety is in the mind. It can manifest itself in the body for sure, but its occupies the arena of the mind.

Your try to think your way through a situation or thinking about a problem. How to pay a bill. How to help the kids. How to get your spouse to love you more. How to get healthier considering the doctors diagnosis. Those thoughts start to grips you. Pauls provides the remedy that says take those thoughts vertical with a thankful heart. Realizing the goodness of God and how you don’t deserve His goodness to you. The Spirit of God takes that process grants the Peace of God, that beyond and above what your thoughts can produced.

Think about it. This bill is NOT paid, its still there and I still don’t have the money to pay it, but its all good because I have God. I have peace with Him, no longer at war with Him. So that bill is placed into its proper perspective. Plus you remember that He is a good Father who loves to care for His children. The doctors say the cancer is progressing and treatment is not working, but God has settle my heart and I have peace. My kids are still acting like little devils, but I don’t deserve the blessing of these little souls anyway, A good God has giving them to me so I will love them through their struggles. I am about to lose the business and will have no way to put food on the table. God grants peace which DON’T MAKE SENSE considering the situation your in. The world has Strategies and thought exercises they say will remove anxiety [That is baloney]. Pauls says take your worries to the “Throne of Grace” with a thankful heart and God will grant you peace that settles down on top of you that you can not account for.

This peace keeps things from happening in our hearts and minds that shouldn’t be happening.

It guards them

God grants peace that guards your heart from being anxious and having a lack of joy or not being gentle with people.

Illustrate – Relate it to your people [Examples]

Apply – What are the implication in life [Sometimes the illustration can do this]

Prove – Usually a cross reference

Summarize and Transition

Point 4 [vv8-9]

Present- What does the text say?

Philippians 4:8–9 “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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Explain – What does the text mean?

If we look at this List of things we should be thinking on and practicing and try to draw sharp distinctions between each aspect of the list. We will miss the point of Pauls viewing this as the complete mindset of the Christian. It is as if Paul holds out one magnificent diamond before our eyes, then begins to turn it so that the sunlight momentarily catches different faces of the diamond bringing out the beauty for our contemplation. The list is the beauty of the peace of God work itself out in our thinking and our doing.

If the mind and the heart are guarded from anxious thoughts is there any proper activity for the mind, or does the mind become inactive? [transition]

There is a link between what we should be thinking [v:8] and practice [v:9] and the peace of God. The peace of God results in a certain way of thinking and practicing. Paul is NOT saying you get the peace of God when you think these things and acts in these ways. Paul is saying you know you have the peace of God because you are no thinking anxious thoughts but you are thinking the things in v:8 and that flows into your actions or the practicing of v:9. This is how you know that God of peace it with you. We enhoy the God of peace when we think and act in ways that accord with the peace of God. The peace of God doesn’t produce a passive mind or passive hands.

our minds are a factory of thoughts and we want them to be guarded and filled with the right things.

Thinking - Reckon them to be true. [Categories of assessment]

Division exist among some people because they operate with categories that others don’t even think about. [Some people are all about justice but don’t even consider purity]

Some people will say “As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else its ok. I am not wronging or hurting anyone so its ok for me to have homosexual sex me and my partner are not hurting anyone. Will the Christian must realize that is NOT true because God has instructed us in the categories of purity as well. ”

True - Untrue thing should not be savored in the mind.

If you hear something on the news that is not true you don’t embrace it. The peace of God produces thoughts that lean into truth and does not uphold falsehood. Now this is not a selective process. Something call out falsehood when it convenient for them. but will cling to them in other times. We must sift through anything that is false and misleading. We are lover of truth and are allergic to falsehood. [i’m allergenic to the fakes LOL]

Conformity to reality

Honorable

distance your self from what is shameful and ignoble. disrespectful. Moral earnestness

Just

Justice or right

To set your mind on what is right is to contemplate the nature of God as the plum line by which all other things must be evaluated

Pure

Lovely

beauty.

Commendable

NOT offensive.

The same way a person reconciled their checkbook or their monthly budget. One must reconcile. They’re thinking to the standard of reality and truth they must constantly calibrate and conformed their mind to these wonderful things. Notice that Paul again address the mind.

The God of peace being with us seems to be conditional on us practicing the things of v:9. there is a present of Christ that follows from our following and obeying Christ.

John 14:21 “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.””

Christians is not something that we invites. Its is something we learn from other. This helps us to remember that Christianity is an objective truth NOT found just within our own thinking.

The Apostle Paul tells us to look to Him. Paul looked to others. Namely Jesus.

Paul was a a learner of Jesus Christ.

Received is something you received with the intent to pass down. Things that I embrace from others and pass along to you.

1 Corinthians 15:1–3 “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,”

Galatians 1:11–12 “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”

hear and seen [personal]

Philippians 1:29–30 “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, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”

Philippians 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”

Illustrate – Relate it to your people [Examples]

Apply – What are the implication in life [Sometimes the illustration can do this]

Prove – Usually a cross reference

Summarize and Transition

Conclusions

Discussion Questions and Hand out Material

Have you seen personal conflict spill over to affect the broader congregation?