Philippians 4:1-9

There are many qualities and characteristics of true Christian faith. There is your passion and devotion, your depth of knowledge, your sincerity and integrity.

But today we are going to look at the most important quality of all. Can anyone guess what it is?

It is steadfastness. The ability to endure until the end.

James 1:12 ESV

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.

When Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians, he was writing to a church that had been very loving, very generous, and full of good works.

Philippians 4:14–16 ESV

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

But here’s the thing. The Philippian church had become unstable. They were losing their steadfastness. They were loving on the outside, but there was infighting and disunity on the inside. We know this because of what Paul talks about in 4:2-3.

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.

Euodia and Syntyche were two prominent women in the church who were around since the beginning. We know this because Paul says that they have labored side by side with him. Meaning that when Paul went to Philippi, there were there. So they were the founding members. But now these two women were at odds with each other, unable to settle their differences. And it was making the church unstable.

So Paul says to them in the final chapter, Phil 4:1.

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.

So how do we stand firm? Paul says therefore. When someone says “Therefore”, it means that they’ve given some reasons for what they’re about to tell you.

So what are the reasons?

We can look back at the whole letter, and it was much worth the effort of doing so. But we don’t have the time. So today we’re going to look at chapter 3 as part of this big “Therefore”.

In chapter 3, Paul talks about what it means to be a true Christian.

A true Christian is one who worships by the Spirit of God, glories in Christ Jesus, and puts no confidence in the flesh.

Paul had three nicknames for these false teachers. Does anyone remember?

Dogs. Why? Because they are unclean.

Evildoers. Why? Because they are driven by selfishness.

Those who mutilate the flesh. Why? Because their outward physical work is of no spiritual value at all. And what was the physical sign they depended on? Circumcision. They taught that if you’re a man and you want to be saved, you need to get circumcised. But Paul says that their physical circumcision does nothing for their salvation. So he calls it mutilation.

A pastor called Matthew Mead wrote a book called “The Almost Christian Discovered”.

And in it he describes how close a person can get to heaven and still not get there. And this is what he says.

A man may have much knowledge about Christ. He may have a great talent for preaching the gospel. He may have great wisdom in leading the church. He might be very fruitful in his service to the church. He might even hate sin and strive for holiness according to the Bible. He may have great hopes for heaven. He may be very prayerful in his daily life. He might even suffer for Christ’s sake, or do many things for the kingdom of God. He may do all of these things, and still not be a true Christian.

Isn’t this quite a list? In fact, it seems to describe everything we would expect of a Christian. And these are all good things that Christians do. But they are not the truest and surest evidence that you are, in fact, a Christian.

Now, the problem is that many people deceive themselves by these things. They think, “If these things can be said of me, then surely I’m a Christian. Surely I’m saved.” But the truth is that the thing that makes you a true Christian is something that no one can see.

And it’s the final “therefore”, so it means we need to look to the

Now, Paul gives another command. The command is to stand firm in the Lord. It’s a military term. Stand firm. Don’t waver, don’t budge, don’t be moved.

And he shows us how to do so.

Harmony

Joy

Humility

Faith

Thankful prayer

Godly thinking

Obedience

And so today we’re going to look at what it means to stand firm in the Lord, and how we can do that in our lives. We’ll look at harmony and joy this week, and the others next week.

So first, what does it mean to stand firm? Can someone show us how to stand firm?

To stand firm means to be stable.

But what does it mean spiritually?

Spiritually, it means to be strong in what you believe. It means that when the Devil comes knocking with temptations, you see the poison in his sweets, and you refuse him.

Last week we talked about how the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Do you know what was his strategy?

The first temptation was to turn stones into bread.

The second temptation was to jump from the temple roof and let the angels catch Him.

The third temptation was to possess all peoples from all nations.

So can anyone tell us what was the point of these temptations?

The point was to make Jesus suffer less.

Jesus was fasting for 40 days. The devil says you don’t need to pray like this. Have a sandwich.

Jesus’ mission was to reveal God to all people. What better way than to do bungee jumping from the temple roof, in front of all the crowds, and let all the people see the angels catching you?

Jesus’ mission was to save the nations by dying on the cross for their sins. The devil says I’ll give them to You right now, if only You bow to me.

The devil’s going to come to you and do the same thing. You don’t have to suffer like this. Just change your heavenly citizenship and become one of my guys. You don’t have to go to church, get on the MRT and travel for 45mins, pay the taxi fare, whatever. Just live however you want.

Paul says, “Stand firm in the Lord.” Do not be moved, do not be tempted, do not give in.

So we know what it means to stand firm spiritually.

Now, there are all kinds of people who stand firm on their own. There are monks from other religions who stand firm in their beliefs, and they don’t eat meat for the rest of their lives. No pork, no charsiew, no burgers. They stand firm against such things.

But what does it mean to stand firm in the Lord?

Three things. It means that you stand firm in the same way Jesus did, for the same reasons Jesus did, and in the same power Jesus had.

See, why did Jesus refuse the temptations of the devil? Because He knew His mission meant salvation for us. He knew that His suffering was for our salvation. His wounds are for our healing. He bore the consequence of sin in our place.

Isaiah 53:2–7 ESV

2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Jesus stood firm for us. And so we should stand firm for who? For Him. Don’t stand firm for yourself. Don’t stand firm for your own benefit, so that you would go to heaven. Stand firm for Christ because Christ stood firm for you. He went through all the suffering and even died on the cross for you. And even today, Christ still stands firm for you, and He intercedes and prays for you at the right hand of God the Father.

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Romans 8:34–35 ESV

34 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

So we should not stand firm for our own benefit, but to please God.

Some people try not to sin because they’re scared of hell. So they stand firm in resisting sin and temptation. “I don’t wanna burn, I don’t wanna burn, I don’t wanna burn.”

That’s not how we’re called to live ok?

Instead, we can stand firm for Christ, because of Christ, in the power that comes from believing in Christ. What’s that power? The Holy Spirit. What does the Holy Spirit do? He empowers us to be less selfish and to be more loving. The fruit of the Spirit is what? Love. So to stand firm in the power of the Holy Spirit is to stand firm out of love. Not love for myself, but love for Christ.

So in summary, because Christ stands firm, you can stand firm. Because Christ intercedes for you constantly, because He never wavers in His love for you, because He is always faithful to His Word, you can stand firm. That’s how you get the peace that surpasses all understanding. Because Christ stands firm, and you can stand firm on His promises.

So then the question is, what does it look like to stand firm in the Lord?

Harmony: Agree with each other in the Lord

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.

Now Paul mentions the names of two women. There’s Euodia, and there’s Syntyche. And they’re not getting along. And what’s probably happening is that their infighting is causing the church to become what? Unstable. It’s like saying Eldress Sandra and Eldress Amanda get into a huge fight, and they stop talking to each other, but one has to lead worship and one has to play drums for worship and it’s one big awkward mess. And are you going to serve the Lord like that? That’s an unstable church.

So Euodia and Syntyche made the Philippian church weak and unstable by their discord. And isn’t Christianity all about love and forgiveness? Can you worship a God of love and forgiveness while not loving and not forgiving each other?

What does Jesus say?

Matthew 5:23–24 ESV

23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Joy: Rejoice in the Lord

Look at verse 4.

Philippians 4:4 ESV

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

Here’s one way to stand firm. You rejoice in the Lord. And you rejoice in the Lord as opposed to rejoicing in your good works or your ability to stand firm.

Remember when Jesus sent out the disciples two-by-two to do missions work, and they preach and evangelize and cast out demons and do all kinds of miracles. And they come back saying “Jesus we did all these amazing things!” And does anyone remember what Jesus said?

Luke 10:17–20 ESV

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 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. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Why does Jesus talk about Satan? Because Satan was the brightest and most glorious archangel of heaven. Back then his name was what? Lucifer. No one thought he would fall. He did all these amazing things. But he fell like lightning from heaven. Why? Because he rejoiced in what he did, not in what God does. What is that called? Pride.

So Jesus talks about Satan, and then He says “do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Rejoice that God has written your names in heaven. Rejoice that Christ has won for you a heavenly citizenship. Rejoice that the Holy Spirit dwells in you, as a seal and guarantee of your salvation. Rejoice not that you could stand firm and resist sin by your own strength and your own willpower.

Jesus stood firm through His suffering by rejoicing not in Himself, but in those whom He would save. You and me.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

It isn’t how you think about you, or how you think about your problems, but how you think about God that gives you spiritual stability.

How do you stand firm physically? You protect your center of gravity. And if you lower your center of gravity, you become even more stable. The most stable Christian is the Christian on their knees. That’s when both your physical and spiritual center of gravity is strongest.

NOTES:

James 4:8 ESV

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

So if you’ve got a problem with somebody, try to resolve it privately and with much prayer. Try to agree in the Lord together.

Many times, church fights happen because two people want to serve the Lord but they insist on serving the Lord in a specific way.

So what that means is that sometimes to stand firm in the Lord, don’t stand firm in your opinions and your way of doing things.