Philippians- Part 7

Finding Peace in a World at War with Everything Holy!

Philippians 4:1–9 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. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 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. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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.

How can the Church lead this world to find peace in Jesus when we have DIVISION amongst ourselves.

Philippians 4:2–3 ESV

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.

1. Paul called for these women to AGREE IN THE LORD.

What does Paul mean by this?

Paul says what he means here...he calls them to agree with the Lord. He didn’t say agree with each other.

This corresponds with what he wrote the in Chapter 2

Philippians 2:1–5 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

The cause of Christ and His Church are more important any self-interests!

Folks, we won’t always agree with everything that goes on with others, or in the local church or in ministries.

But the standard is not about agreeing or disagreeing with others...the standard is whether our thoughts, our speech our actions agree with the Lord.

Sometimes when we disagree with others or others hurt our feelings, the best thing for us to do is seek the Lord.

We may need to take some time and remove the plank from our eye first so that we can see the situation more clearly.

Maybe we need to take a step back from that ministry and evaluate our participation.

Everything in life and in the church and in ministry doesn’t need to halt while we find our place or our purpose.

So yes, we may not agree with each other, but because we love Jesus and His Church, we must agree with the Lord.

There must be peace amongst us often before we can lead others toward peace in Christ Jesus.

How can the Church lead this world toward peace if we don’t trust God in all things?

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 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. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

How can we teach and preach for others to trust and place their faith in God, if we don’t put our faith into action and trust God in all things...even the little things.

There’s a hymn that reminds me of this called: What a Friend We Have in Jesus Lyrics: What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer Oh what peace we often forfeit Oh what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer Have we trials and temptations Is there trouble anywhere We should never be discouraged Take it to the Lord in prayer Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer Are we weak and heavy laden Cumbered with a load of care Precious Savior, still our refuge Take it to the Lord in prayer Do thy friends despise, forsake thee Take it to the Lord in prayer In His arms He'll take and shield thee Thou wilt find a solace there Thou wilt find a solace there

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

James 5:13–18 ESV

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Praying is essential for peace is in our lives, our families, our churches, our communities and our world.

Why? Because prayer connects us with our Lord and Savior.

Prayer ultimately is declaring the promises of God and trusting Him in faith to fulfill what He said.

We can have peace because we have a God that is faithful in the midst of a faithless world.

And when we have peace with God, we reveal to the world where true peace which surpasses all understanding, alone can be found...in a relationship with Jesus Christ alone!

How can the Church lead others toward peace, if we focus on everything that is wrong with the world, instead everything that right in a relationship with God?

Philippians 4:8–9 ESV

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.

1. What we focus on determines our heart’s perspective.

Matthew 6:19–24 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

2. No matter what our circumstance in life is, when we focus on the things of God, we find ourselves united to Him and other believers in the circumstance.

Philippians 4:9 ESV

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me...

I know that I say it every single week, but remember where Paul is writing this letter from...He is in prison in horrible conditions with horrible treatment and constantly tells them to follow his example, what they learned and seen in him...and REJOICE

I think this is why we have the words of Romans

Romans 12:14–21 ESV

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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 overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

3. Practice what you preach and you will have true peace and the world will see it, hear it and be transformed by it!

Philippians 4:9 ESV

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.