Practicing the Presence of God!

Agree in the Lord

Paul is exhorting Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord. He calls out a brother in Christ to help them come to an agreement. Being of the same mind.

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Brothers and Sisters we are called by God to be of the same mind, when we have a disagreement that causes dissension or division. We must seek reconciliation. In some cases another brother or sister will need to be mediator to help bring reconciliation. Paul understands that dissensions and divisions in the church can destroy the church from the inside out. Euodia and Syntyche were fellow laborers of Paul. They most likely served as deaconesses at the church in Philippi. We don’t know exactly what they disagreed upon, but it was not healthy and it was affecting the church in a negative way.

When two leaders in the church disagree it will cause other leaders and brothers and sisters to choose sides. It’s not healthy for anyone involved. It can an will ruin friendships among two people who love one another. This could cause a church to split, or have to close it’s doors. Mars Hill, a church I served at had to close it’s doors. The lead lead Pastor didn’t want to reconcile broken relationships or confess to his wrong doings. This has had a negative affect on some of his former church leaders, and members. I’ve heard personal stories from people affected in a negative way. It creates a distrust for someone towards another church.

In order for the church to be healthy, the leaders of the church need to be of one mind, body, and spirit. I served at a few churches, and heard leaders disagree on the vision and mission of the church. The leaders were unable to resolve the conflict, and reconcile their relationships. In a matter of a few months, a church of a 100 members, dwindled down to 40 members.

Dissensions, quarrels, gossiping, or anything that causes division between leaders and members affects everyone in the church. Paul is very specific in advising us to agree in the Lord, and when there’s a disagreement, resolution is the solution.

When two people are not

Does this mean we can’t have disagreements and conflicts no. Conflict isn’t always a bad thing, it can create an environment for healthy conversations. When someone has a question regarding the vision and mission of B.L.C. we should be encouraged to sit down with him or her and answer the questions.

Or if there is a disagreement or a conflict between a brother and sister. If they are unable to resolve it on their own, a leader in the church needs to come along side them, and help them.

Is there a relationship with a brother or sister that needs to be reconciled?

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Rejoice in the Lord

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

3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

16 Rejoice always

16 Rejoice always.

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English Standard Version Chapter 5

16 Rejoice always

Rejoice in Greek is Chairo: to be glad in the Lord to be Joyful. It’s a quality every Christian is commanded to possess. When we are joyful, in all things we are practicing the presence of Christ. Our joy cannot be lost, or taken away, because we always have Christ. It’s really hard to rejoice and be glad when a relationship with another Christian isn’t going well. When a conflict causes division. The opposite joy is being downcast, negative, and unreasonable. Paul says let your reasonableness be known to everyone. In the N.A.S.B. the word is gentleness.

When you disagree with someone and have a conversation with him or her, do you have a respectable conversation that can be viewed as gentle, or are you aggressive. Are you a joy to be around. Do people enjoy spending time with you and having a conversation with you on things you agree upon, as well as things you don’t agree upon. One of my best friends grew up in a mega church, and he attended a the same church when we’re at Moody Bible Institute. He served on the worship team, and with the youth ministry. I attended and served at medium sized church. I didn’t agree with the philosophy and direction of the mega church movement.

I would make negative comments about mega churches, and was turned off from them. I would get into heated arguments with him, out in public when we would get breakfast, or coffee. As I reflect back on those times, I realize someone who would hear the conversation would think I’m a jerk and I wouldn’t want to be around him.

Rejoice in everything. When life is good, rejoice, when life isn’t good rejoice. When we experience suffering of any kind, rejoice. Paul is lying in prison, awaiting the decision of being put to death. He says rejoice always, not sometimes, he is emphatic about it. Philippians were going to experience hardship, persecution, and Paul is encouraging them to rejoice. With everything that is taking place in America, a synagogue in Pittsburg was attacked this past week. I

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Being a Christian in America, will not be the same as it was in he 1950’s or before. We will be mocked, ridiculed, and suffer for our faith in God. Hard times are ahead, we need to learn to rejoice in difficulties. Older and younger Christians, it’s not going to be like it is today, 20 years from now.

Are you a joy to be around, when you don’t agree with someone?

Are you a reasonable or gentle person when someone doesn’t agree with you?

Do you rejoice when things are hard? Or do you grumble, and complain?

You can also ask someone who didn’t agree with you on something, if they think you’re a reasonable person.

Offer Prayers and supplications in the Lord

vs 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. Anxious, cumbersome, or worry. Worry is the opposite of trust, and faith. .

25 “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?

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

This is a command that was given by Jesus, and is repeated by Paul. The way we overcome worry, is through prayer and supplication. All our distresses and problems we face on a daily basis can be given over to God. We can pray for forgiveness of sins, for guidance, for those who are not in agreement, for God to provide protection and wisdom in making decisions big and small.

We are to offer up supplications: an earnest or urgent request. These are the prayers we prayer when we ask God to perform a miracle. Or when we hear bad news, like the shooting at Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Offering up prayers of encouragement and healing for the family members, and friends, affected by the tragic news. Payer is a way that God we communicate and commune with God, and it’s one way he transforms us.

Richard Foster says prayer is something we learn to do. In The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. We need to learn how to pray to God and develop a prayer life. When we don’t only pray and thank God for his provision, but we offer up to him our thoughts, ask him to examine our hearts, and ask him to forgive us for our sins.

We need to learn to pray for others, when we have a prayer meeting we always ask for people to share prayer requests. These vary from healing of an illness, stressful work environments, for family members who will be serving in the mission field. When I ask the youth how can I pray for you, I don’t only want to hear school, or homework.

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Paul also tells us to let our requests be made known to God.

How’s your prayer life? Do you pray daily? Do you pray for others?

When we pray for our needs and the needs of others, the peace of God will will guard our hearts, and minds in Jesus Christ. If you’re thinking why should I pray or what’s the purpose of prayer. God guards our hearts and minds through through prayer.

Practice these things in the Lord

Paul finishes this passage with a list of six virtues Christians should practice.

True: Being a truthful person, being open and honest with brothers and sisters in Christ on what is going on deep down inside you. Our culture is really good at portraying a false self. Social Media plays a big role. People tend to only post the good things that are going on. What’s on your mind? Some people will comment on whats wrong with other people, but not what’s wrong with them. Do you portray a false happiness when life isn’t happy, or a false peace when your not at peace with someone.

Honorable: Respectful, and holy stem from this word. As followers of Christ we should strive to be respectful towards all people. As well as to be known as respectful.

Just/Right Living a life of Righteousness. We are called to be holy as Christ is holy.

Pure: Are minds are to be set on pure things, not soiled or immoral.

Lovely: Kindness, gentleness, sympathy patience, not revenge, bitterness, or rebuke. We are called to love the unlovable, turn the other cheek when mistreated.

Commendable/good repute. How’s your reputation amongst others. What do others say about you, especially when they find out you’re a Christian. Will they refer to you as a hypocrite.