CITIZENS: Thinking Like a Citizens
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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.
PRAYER
The Situation
people are not getting along
if anyone was falling asleep during the reading of this church in Philippi, anyone nodding off, they would have sat up at this point.
Paul is naming people. Is he gonna name me?
he does not take a side
he doesn’t point out that they were being selfish
One stole from the other, talked behind their back or was rude.
nothing
but these are what we would call good people.
They are just to sensible people, who serve the church well, love Jesus who are having a disagreement.
They are just to sensible people, who serve the church well, love Jesus who are having a disagreement.
And Paul ask the leader of the church in Philippi (we are not sure who it was) and the church to help these women figure it out; in community.
He then unfolds a manual of sorts to steer clear of the kids of things that would get us off the life that God has invited us into.
In our relationships and within out own minds.
So HERE is the framework for what we are going to talk about today.
Don’t just live like a citizen of heaven think like one.
To live like one makes us in to what Jesus would call whitewashed tombs; beautiful and clean on the outside but full of dead mens bones on the inside.
Not only does it lack authenticity but it also steals life from you.
Don’t just live like a citizen of heaven think like one.
Our minds are complex:
Fill if connections.
Blahblahbma
Don’t just go through the motions
Our minds are complex with 12-14 billion cells communicating with each other, through 10s of thousands of tendrils, sending changing impulses. Our minds are unparalleled computers.
Now our minds are complex:
Fill if connections.
Blahblahbma
There is more electronic equivalent in one human brain than in all the radio and television stations of the entire world.
Our minds are complex:
Fill if connections.
Blahblahbma
A Jesus wants it.
Christ wants to rule it.
That kind of power in the wrong hands can be dangerous to ourselves and others!!
Paul is inviting us into a life where that mind is ruled by Christ.
So we are not just citizens who look the part. We think the part!
People in Philippi knew what it meant to conform. Christians in Philippi especially knew what I meant to live under laws imposed in them.
Paul would say that as a citizen if heaven.....that is not an option. To truly experience the life promised by Christ we must have the mind transformed by Christ.
Right!? So it is not simply a matter of our obedience but our joy!
And if you don’t, there will be quarrelling.
If you don’t there will be anxiety
So how do we do it.
I. Rejoice (v. 4)
I. Rejoice (v. 4)
Rejoice Paul really!
It’s hard in Philippi!
Rejoice? Paul do you know the difficulties I face in my life?
You wont make him flinch!! He sees it coming and repeats himself.
YES! Paul says, “I will say it again.....REJOICE!!”
Major theme for Paul.
Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Phil
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
This is not just theoretical with Paul.
It is not the Bobby McFarren “Don’t Worry Be Happy”
It is not Pherrell Williams saying
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
What?
Great song.
Makes absolutely no sense!!
Paul is not sipping coffee @ Cafe Roma, writing on his Mac, headphones on, and unaffected by reality. He is in prison, in chains, watching enemies and dangers attack churches he planted and in fighting and not knowing whether he would live to see another day; naming the rats in his cell.
REJOICE!
I will say it again....rejoice!
If I’m honest this defies my thankless complaining nature.
This week, as usual, the Spirit of God was like a magnafine glass on my life, saying and how is this going for YOU STRELAU?
I am amazed at how much I complain. How much of my conversation with other people is about how irritated I am with a situation or a person.
Don’t worry its never about you, or may family or the people I work with....
What is amazing in all the writing of Paul, is the complete lack of complaining about his situation!!
There is never a “man have I told you about how hard it is here!”
When he DOES mention difficulties, he tends to turn it to a positive!!
I’m in chains FOR THE GOSPEL.
I’m in prison, BUT it has allowed me to witness to the Roman guards,
That is a default of joy.- a mind overtaken by the truth and reality of the Gospel in his life.
Not in what he attained- he is in prison. Not by his friends; most of them abandoned him; not his possessions, he has nothing.
That’s why he is qualified- and he doesn’t allow for loopholes.
When should I rejoice?
ALWAYS!
He would say- joy is the most basic and constant orientation of the Christian life, the fruit and evidence of a relationship with Jesus.
It was the song of OT psalmists as they would understand the love and power of God
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.
;
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The apostle Peter, also not a stranger to suffering for the Gospel, agrees with Paul when he says,
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I Peter
I Peter 1
So the OT writers, Peter, Paul, Jesus invites the church, you and I, Christians everywhere to embrace a defiant “NEVERTHELESS”
Regardless of the situation, I will rejoice. Not in ignorance, not in blissful denial, of very real trial and pain, but in a robust acceptance of the bigger picture and all that Jesus has accomplished, the world can throw its trouble and WILL throw its trouble NEVERTHELESS I will rejoice. Not in my circumstance but in Christ and what He has done; and who I am in him.
Because he is not a shifting target.
Because of what Christ has done we may rejoice, we will rejoice, we must rejoice, for we rejoice in the Lord…always.”
In 1897 - Johnson Oatman Jr.
“We may
rocked the Sunday School world with a classic: :
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]
If you are a Christian this is not only for thanksgiving. It is a daily thing.
It is not just for thanksgiving.
Rejoice in the LORD
Next Paul says “be gentle”- reasonableness
Johnson Oatman Jr.
Next Paul says “be gentle”- reasonableness
it means
II. Be Gentle (v. 5)
II. Be Gentle (v. 5)
No acceptions, No muted praise,
II. Be Gentle
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
With others but also with ourselves
This is what rejoicing in Jesus does. This is what finding our foundation in him does.
Right?
Because my joy does not rely on whether or not you get me.
My joy and peace of mind is not caught up in you and I seeing everything eye to eye.
it is not reliant on you agreeing with me.
It means we pursue peace and service in out relationships over fulfillment.
Because no one can fulfill all that we need anyway.
So we can default to gentleness.
there is a lot packed in to this Greek word translated reasonableness- epee-ā-case
we don’t have an english equivalent really
it means gentle, kind, tolerant, fair, approachable, fitting, fair,
The fact that the Lord is near (as it says in verse 5), which is a radical understanding of the universe and our lives brings perspective, which
The fact that the Lord is near (as it say at the end of verse 5) beings perspective, which brings gentleness.
produces a relational quality between us.
That fact that he is present ought to bring joy which manifests itself in gentleness, reasonableness or as some translations read, softness to our relationships.
That fact that he is present ought to bring joy which manifests itself in gentleness, reasonableness or as some translations read, softness to our relationships.
Reasonableness means we don’t blow things out of perspective.
Softness means we are approachable and accepting.
So......are we?
Is the barista excited when we come in because we brighten their day; or do they know we are going to complain.
Is our family happy that we are home?
In light of the fact that we have been brought in to the citizenship of the Kingdom of God and that our Saviour and King is near, are we fair, approachable, reasonable, or are we angry and complaining and impossible to please?
Paul would say that if that is the case; your joy is not in Jesus. Don’t know what it is in; it could be a thousand different things! it is in something else, and when that something else is threatened, we are unreasonable, rash, judgemental and poisonous,
Our relationships ought to be affected by who we rejoice in.
But is also ought to bring an aid to our anxieties- which is really our relationship with ourself, and our relationship with the world as a whole.
Paul says in light of the fact that the Lord is near, do not be anxious but instead trade your anxiety for prayer.
III. Pray (v.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.
Why? because
Why? because
prayer is what make the nearness of God tangible.
Prayer makes the nearness of God more tangible.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
Psalm 34
Does this mean that every time we pray God responds in a dynamic way.
No. We’ve been there.
More often, the faithfulness of God is proven over time, not in an instant.
But it is an ongoing giving over of anxieties, and offering over EVERYTHING in prayer.
A covering of prayer on every part of our lives.
As Paul writes elsewhere.....
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Col.
Give it to him.
This doesn’t mean we put our lives or the lives of those we love in danger by driving with our eyes closed.
But it means that our prayer is an ongoing conversation. That asks for clarification, perspective and joy, and the result Paul says is......peace.
The very peace Jesus promises us in
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.
My peace it different. It is eternal and it is secure.
There is a great turn of phrase here that Paul uses.
He says that the “Peace of God will guard you.”
The word for guard is literally the word for “garrison”
The people of Philippi would have no trouble getting a picture of what Paul is saying here.
They know what a garrison looks like.
Daily they would have witnessed Roman garrisons in all their armour, magnificent, placed there by Rome to protect the interest of the empire!!
Paul is saying that the peace of Christ is like a garrison, protecting his interest (YOU and I), and that this peace surrounds your heart and minds, protecting them in the name of Christ Jesus and His eternal empire. He has stationed his peace like military around you.
The promise here is not answered prayer. It is more of Jesus and his peace.
Because the ongoing narrative of scripture and human history is that true peace does not come from getting our prayers answered; it comes from more of Jesus.
in everything by prayer and supplication make your request known to God.
PAUSE
But if we are honest, at times, maybe all the time, we would say....BUT I’m not full of joy, I’m anxious, I am not naturally gentle; reasonable, I don’t want to pray. I do not have this peace you are talking about.
At the end of this text he says in verse 9, “practise these things and the God of peace will be with you.”
Paul promises nothing else.
And many have drifted from the faith because they were promised balloons and clowns (or something less scary) and when they didn’t get them, they gave up on their faith.
The only promise if God himself. Not a God wants you to be blessed financially gospel, not a perfect marriage gospel, not a no sickness gospel; just more of Jesus, more of the God of peace.
In the midst of the gods of chaos, through Jesus we find the God of Peace!
But it takes a brain transplant.
IV. Renew Your Mind (vv.8-9)
Paul says you need a brain transplant.
At the end of this text he says in verse 9, “practise these things and the God of peace will be with you.”
Paul promises nothing else.
And many have drifted from the faith because they were promised balloons and clowns (or something less scary) and when they didn’t get them, they gave up on their faith.
The only promise is God himself. Not a God who wants you to be blessed financially gospel (He MIGHT BLESS YOU WITH THAT), not a perfect marriage gospel, not a no sickness gospel; just more of Jesus, more of the God of peace.
In the midst of the gods of chaos, through Jesus we find the God of Peace!
But it takes a brain transplant.
Take whatever has been your default. Your concern, your ongoing narrative of worry and toss it, and replace it with these.
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.
Not my defaults!
Not my defaults!
In light of the Gospel they should be.
In light of the Gospel they should be.
They should be our native tongue.
I often wonder if we put the brakes on our usual default of complaining, many of us, if we would have anything to talk about!!
Proverbs
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Nurture these things. Practice them Paul says. It is ongoing.
But in order to make room in our hearts and minds to practise these things, we need to reject the negative. And we know what to reject and what to be on the look our when we invert Paul’s words.
Finally, whatever is untrue, whatever is dishonourable, whatever is unjust, whatever is impure, whatever is unlovely, whatever is uncommendable, if there is anything not morally excellent, if there is anything unworthy of praise, do not think about these things.
Do not practise them. Do not exercise your brain to naturally default to them.
There is no life in them.
Renew your mind.
Trade it in.
CONCLUSION:
The inability to find joy in your life is a danger to yourself and others.
What Paul is offering is a way out! What the gospel is offering is a release from
a mind that is over taken by.....
And the problem is that we are usually trying to hit a moving target when it comes to finding joy in our lives.
“If I had this.....id be at peace”
“If I had this.....I’d have joy”
This amount, this spouse, a spouse, this kind of child, A child---I am not belittling those things.
But we need to realize that our worth, our value, and our joy does not come from them.
A JOY, but not the joy, that our heart and mind desire and need.
SLOWLY
Paul says let your entire mind be taken over, because we tend to settle for small transient joys over the “peace that passes all understanding”.
As one writer says, regarding our attachment to stuff and experience in our search for contentment
The good life is conceived almost entirely in terms of creature comforts, labor-saving appliances, better clothes, better and longer holidays, more money to spend, and more leisure to enjoy.…None of these things is wrong in itself. But when they are assumed to satisfy every desire, ambition, and aspiration of man, we are surely right to be alarmed at the grip of materialism. For when possessions, pleasures, and the thought of physical security fill a man’s horizon, he ceases to ask himself such basic questions as “What am I?” or “What am I here for?”
The Gospel of Jesus Christ never says, “you selfishly want way to much”, it says that often in our blindness and innocence, we desire and pursue way too little.
C. S. Lewis says it this way....
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Today I believe in, many scenarios, It is an act of rebellion to be cheerful.
It is an act of rebellion to be cheerful
To put value in speaking the truth about others.
To go out of our way to honour others with your words, even when they are not there. To defend them.
To worry about justice, keep talk pure.
These don’t make the news, they don’t dominate social media, and they don’t make you the life of the party.
You want to be the centre of the party; be crude, make fun of someone, complain about your boss!
Our strained relationships come from an old mind, focused on old things.
Our anxiety comes from a lack of peace in our hearts and minds; and it is in nurturing a new mind that knows the truth about God and yourself, that is garrisoned in by God’s peace; who can echo the psalmist in.....
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
many are saying of my soul,
“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
Arise, O Lord!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! Selah
This new mind comes through practise, time, and a commitment to something greater. Not a program or a possession, but the person of Jesus Christ, who offers peace in exchange for chaos, and joy instead of sorrow.
He make this plea in
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
stop running, stop carrying it on your own. Let’s walk together and as we do, my peace will garrison you. surround you.