Philippians 4:1-3
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Intro: Two women at the church of Philippi were at odds with each other. Harmony had been disrupted.
God had impressed Paul’s heart to write and he had an ability to be blunt at times and sharp in is words to reproof, but he also possessed a rare and delicate quality as seen in VS 1.
It seems that Paul has been laying out a strategy in the previous verses of mature and victorious living.
For instance:
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
Philippians 3:17
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
I. Words of endearment.
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
“Therefore” connects us with the great hope that awaits us in the coming of Christ.
Paul says, Therefore, “my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crow, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved”
a. Live in a way that is in keeping with the great truths you have been taught.
A. Affection.
“my beloved”
a. A deep love and affection; an expression of affectionate energy. He genuinely loved them.
b. Paul loved all of them individually and with a love produced in his heart by the Holy Spirit.
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
B. Separation.
“Longed for” Brethren. this is love’s desire; refers to the deep pain of separation form loved ones. Paul valued the people themselves.
C. Celebration.
Celebration His focus.
“joy” not derived from circumstances, but from fellow believers in Philippi. The people were a delight to Paul’s heart. They were the best of his ministry.
2. Celebrated his future.
“Crown” reward: refers to the victors crown. Jesus had won the victory in the hearts of the Philippians. Paul had been in spiritual warfare for these believers and considered them to be the results of victory, Paul had a people-centered ministry.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy.
I Thessalonians
The Philippians were proof that Paul’s efforts were successful.
II Words of Encouragement. VS 1b
“so stand fast my beloved”
a. Don’t be shaken in your faith. The implication of the command id that God has already done the conquering.
b. Stand fast, a military command; describes a soldier standing his post.
2. We have the victory in Jesus. But the battle raging on. It is sad that the battle sometimes is within.
III. Words of Encounter. VS 2
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
Greeks were given Christian names after baptism .
Enodia: Means sweet fragrance; one who has arrived; she has gotten somewhere in her life.
Syntyche: affable (polite, courteous, gracious; pleasant acquaintance; happy chance, good luck; a good mixer; first to great strangers; makes everyone feel welcome and at home.
2. Up to this point the letter has been primarily general, up now note the personal nature; calling them by name. Paul moved from shotgun to rifle in his approach.
Some Observations:
Two women
Not mentioned anywhere else in Bible
No details of dispute
Paul’s counsel in to urge harmony
He appeals to their conscience
Note: Paul’s tact
1. No warning of threat
a. Handled with dignity and grace
b. Deeply concerned (he pleads with them)
A. His concern VS 2
“I implore you” I urge you; emphasizes mutual wrong; some measure of fault on both parts.
a. You need to see each others faults and failures.
b. One thing we know of them, they quarreled.
c. They were unable to work together in harmony. Paul’s concern is that the ladies defuse this disharmony because rejoicing had been dismissed.
d. Apparently the disharmony in the Philippine church was about to destroy the integrity of its testimony.
B. Correction VS 2
“be of the same mind in the Lord”
NASB “to live in harmony in the Lord”
Meet on ground of mutual willingness to listen and to change.
a. PRAY: “We are willing to be willing”
b. We are to stand in Him and find agreement in Him.
“same mind” both release their grudge and state their forgiveness and adopt the same attitude as their Lord.
IV. Words if empowerment. VS 3
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
He needed help from a sympathetic and spiritual saint; an unprejudiced arbitrator.
Who was he? “True yokefellow” “true companion”
Barnabas, Epaphroditus.
a. They needed to be pulling in the same load and in he same direction.
B. Paul affirms the contenders. VS 3b
“women which have labored with me in the gospel” They had contended in the faith; shared in the struggle.
a. They were dedicated and committed believers.
Problem:
Now their emotional energy was wasted in their dispute.
a. They were experiencing the joy stealing effect of an unforgiving spirit.
C. Paul acknowledges others’ commitment. VS 3c
“with Clement also and with my other fellow labors”
Paul, while naming these women of distinction, did not want tor imply that he had forgotten those of lesser station, and all the humble servants of the Lord whose names will never be known ,
D. Paul accentuates their Christianity VS 3d
Paul did not question their salvation. It was not about knowing Christ, it was about who was controlling their lives.
I Corinthians
I Corinthians
3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
Is we are living for others (to please them) we are hindering the work of the Lord.
“book of life” in eternity past God registered the names of His people in that book which identifies those inheritors of eternal life.
LESSONS FROM THIS STORY.
There is no such thing as a conflict-free environment.
Not all conflicts are wrong.