A Checklist for Life

Introduction

Paul is winding down his letter to the church at Philippi. From our study in the book of Acts we know that Paul was under house arrest, and was chained between two guards.

As he winds up the letter he gives some very practical commands for us to live by. So I have called them “A Checklist for Life.”

If you have your Bibles or an app on your phone or tablet, let’s open them to Philippians chapter 4 and we’ll begin reading with verse 2.

Philippians 4:2-

Philippians 4:2–3 NIV84

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Unity

As we begin, Paul addresses an issue he had apparently heard about. Two women, whom Paul knew well because they had ministered with him, were having some kind of argument.

Paul pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

Paul then pleads with a person he calls “loyal yokefellow” to help them find a way to agree.

It is possible that the word translated here “yokefellow” is a person’s name Syzygos. So perhaps the passage should (or could) read, “Yes, and I ask you, loyal Syzygos, help these women. . .”

The key is we do not know who this person is. And really have no way of finding out.

The key for us is that Paul wanted the church at Philippi to experience unity. He loved for these two women to agree and to stop fussing and fighting about, whatever they were fighting about! Unity was (and is) important in the church, because outsiders are always watching.

Shining Jesus

Philippians 4:4–7 NIV84

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice

We know this is important because Paul repeats it. He says to rejoice two times in verse 4.

What does it mean to “rejoice?” Joy is not an unrealistic happiness. Paul is also not telling us we shouldn’t feel sad (after all Jesus wept in ). Rather Joy is focusing on our relationship with Jesus and the blessings that we receive from knowing and living for him.

Gentleness

The second characteristic that we should exhibit is “gentleness”

This word carries with it the idea of being kind, courteous, forbearing, non-retaliatory. And we should show this kind of characteristic because Jesus could come at any time!

Someone around me may not see my inner quality of joy with regards to my circumstances, but they will see whether or not I’m gentle or harsh in my actions and words.

Not Anxious

Paul tells us that we should not be anxious about all that is going on around us.

Instead, when we see the world around us falling apart we should respond in one way and only one way. We should turn to prayer!

Paul lists four different aspects of talking to God.

Prayer is general conversations with God.

Petition, is asking for specific answer to a need from God.

Thanksgiving is an attitude of gratitude for God’s grace, mercy, and love.

And finally requests, and asking for the needs that we have in our lives.

When we focus on talking to God—the creator of the universe—as we struggle with fear of the world around us, Paul says God will fill our hearts with His peace which is bigger than any person can truly comprehend.

Whatever

If we are going to experience God’s peace, if we are going to be able to rejoice in the midst of painful circumstances, if we are going to be able to experience unity with fellow followers of Jesus, then we must understand the “whatever!”

In our world today, “whatever” has taken on a bit of a negative connotation. In this passage the “whatever” helps to focus on the things from God rather than being overwhelmed by the world.

Philippians 4:8–9 NIV84

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Finally

Paul begins this section with “finally,” which indicates two things. First that he is winding up the letter, and secondly that he is changing subjects slightly.

This entire passage is about focus. Our lives are all about our focus. As we walk through these two verses I believe we will see that most of the time we focus on the opposite qualities of our list.

True

It is the opposite of false, or deceptive. All truth comes from one place and only one place—God!

The interesting thing is that many times I would rather believe a lie than believing the truth.

Noble

We might substitute the world “honorable” here, and it would fit nicely. Noble carries the idea of being holy, proper. Chuck Swindol says that noble has the idea of having proper motives, manners, and morals. It also means being worthy of another person’s respect.

Right

This has the idea of just or fair in your dealings.

Pure

Morally clean, and as such being able to stand the intense scrutiny of God.

This is perhaps the easiest place for people to fall. Unfortunately, when we fall to impurity (immorality) the fall is always great and damaging! That is why it is incredible important that we guard our hearts, and that we guard them well.

Lovely

This can mean amiable, agreeable, or pleasing. It can also carry the idea of promoting peace instead of conflict. It often comes across as a warmth that causes people to want to be close to you.

Perhaps it is the opposite of being a porcupine person.

Admirable

Literally, “fair speaking.” It can mean “attractive, appealing,” and it can carry the idea of making a good first impression, or being gracious, or filled with grace.

The word Lovely and the word Admirable are only used here in Scripture.

Now in true Greek style, Paul joins these 8 qualities together with two words: excellent and praiseworthy. It is a reflective clause that forces the reader to make a decision—will they apply these qualities to their lives or not. The truth is every one of us are to think on these 8 qualities. We are to work on keeping our focus on all of the characteristics found in this chapter.

Paul reminds us that we need to look around and follow after those who encourage us to follow God. Many followers of Jesus try to be “lone ranger” Christians. But we were created to live in community—encouraging each other.

When we are to think on these 8 qualities. We are to work on keeping our focus on

So What

What are you focused on?

Are you focused on unity of the believers.

Do you find yourself rejoicing?

Do you find yourself anxious? Or are you wrapping yourself in prayers, petition, thanksgiving—are you presenting your requests to God.

Have you experienced the peace of God?

Are you focusing on what is true?

Can you focus on what is noble?

How about focusing on what is right.

Are you

Or what about pure?

We need to focus on everything that is lovely, and the things that are admirable.

Are you living in community?