United we stand
Philippinas: Unity, Joy, Love • Sermon • Submitted
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· 11 viewsA church that stands on Christ will be united in rejoicing in the Lord, show gentleness, pray, and maintain a life focused on spiritual things.
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Intro:
Intro:
The last few days I have been on full time dad duty with my wife being on a trip with her mom and some friends in NYC. Spending time with my son Isaiah has been a blast but it has also been tiresome at times.
Friday, the Walmart that is closing on campus had the entire store marked down to 50% off everything. I figured it wouldn’t be that crowded but I sure was wrong.
I pull up and there is barely a parking spot, all the shopping carts were gone, and you could barely get in the store.
So I finally found a shopping cart, loaded Isaiah and was determined to head into the storm and get something for 50% off.
The shopping trip was going well until Isaiah decides to grab the fishing rod from the buggy and slap me in the face. With so many people around, he not only slapped me in the face but started swinging it around and hitting others as they went by.
The shopping trip was going well until Isaiah decides to grab the fishing rod from the buggy and slap me in the face. With so many people around, he not only slapped me in the face but started swinging it around and hitting others as they went by.
Any parent knows there comes a time when you have to break down and take something away from a kid but your very nervous because that kid is going to pitch a huge fit.
So I took the fishing rod away and luckily Isaiah didn’t scream too loud.
I think about that moment and it reminded me that there are going to be many times in the course of his life that I am going to have to take something away from him or steer him in a direction he isn’t currently going because according to Scripture as a father, I am called to shepherd my son and point him to Jesus.
If you had the privilege to come to the parenting conference our church hosted last year, we had a guy named Tedd Tripp come and share with us about how to shepherd a Child’s heart, in fact there is a book titled “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” and one of the things that Tripp writes is that as parents or shepherds, we must apply the Gospel to our child’s hearts carefully and consistently.
The Apostle Paul does this with the church at Philippi. He shepherds them carefully and consistently.
As we look in this morning, we are going to look at the Apostle Paul giving the church sound advice on how to walk in a way that pleases the Lord.
I’m going to ask you to turn there in your Bible’s this morning.
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.
Philippians
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.
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
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.
We only have a couple weeks left of this study through the book of Philippians and as we near the end, Paul concludes this letter with some extremely helpful advice for the church at Philippi.
Paul is addressing the church when it comes to struggles they are dealing with but he addresses the church in a way a shepherd would tend to their sheep. Paul is firm but loving at the same time because his ultimate aim in this letter is to point the church to depend on Jesus.
Paul’s ultimate aim for the church at Philippi in these verses is unity. Paul desired for these people to remain unified but also continue to strive for unity because so often, flesh gets in the way and there will be arguments and division, but in order for this church to maintain health, they had to settle their differences and become unified in Christ.
I want us to notice Paul’s language in V 1. Notice he says’ “my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown.
Paul loved these believer’s so much that he continuously longed to be with him. It’s interesting to note that Paul’s ministry was filled with trials and suffering and thinking of the amazing things that the church at Philippi was doing. Not only did it encourage Paul that this church was doing well but he longed to be with them again.
The phrase Paul used to describe the church was that the church at Philippi was his joy and crown .
This referred to Paul finding joy in knowing the believer’s at Philippi and having them as partners in the Gospel.
The crown speaks of the reward that Paul would receive in heaven because of the fruit and the growth of the Philippians.
Paul gives a clear introduction to his idea about Unity, now he gives some extremely practical guidance for the church to remain in unity and link arms with one another for the sake of loving Jesus and leading others to know and love Jesus as well.
So I hope you’re taking notes this morning, I want to break these verses down into four parts concerning unity and the clear instruction that Paul gives regarding a unified church.
1. A united Church stands on the promises of God. V.
1. A united Church stands in the Lord. V. 1 “Stand firm thus in the Lord my beloved”
1. A united Church stands on the promises of God. V.
One of the most important truths we read in this entire passage are Paul’s words for the church to stand firm in the Lord.
The city where the church of Philippi was populated with military families and there’s a good chance Paul was giving this illustration of standing firm in the Lord the same way soldiers stand with one another in battle.
Paul exhorted this church to stand firm and not give in to disunity, turmoil, or wrong values.
Think with me for a moment the importance of a group of soldiers at war together. In order for the soldiers to accomplish the mission, they must be unified. If the soldiers are not unified, they will be defeated.
The same goes for the church. A church that is not standing in the Lord but wastes time on fighting, bickering, and gossip will not be effective in accomplishing the mission God has for it.
The opposite should be true of God’s people. God’s people should strive side by stand while everyone is standing on the promises of God.
This idea brought back to memory a hymn I remember singing growing up.
The second verse in thy hymn says’
“Standing on the promises than cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God”
When a church stands together on the promises of God, a church prevails against evilness and darkness.
May our constant prayer as a church body be “Lord, may we stand firm in You.” Father, may we strive side by side with our brothers and sisters so that we can be effective. Lord, we stand on your promises and nothing else.”
In order for a church to stand unified, a church must recognize that standing unified in the Lord is the only thing that will ignite a church to be effective in the battle.
It’s like I told someone just this week, We may disagree on secondary issues but if our main thing is Jesus and honoring Him, then we can put aside our differences and move forward to effectively minister to others in name of Jesus.
What’s amazing is that Paul isn’t giving them orders to March but he’s giving them orders to stand. Paul has been talking constantly in this letter of standing on the promises of the Lord. As a believer, or as a church, if we are standing on anything besides the Lord, we will fail.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
So the first truth we read from Paul addressing church unity is that a unified church stands in the Lord.
2. A united church shows gentleness toward one another in order to point to Jesus.
2. A united church shows gentleness toward one another.
After studying this letter in depth, we have seen several instances of Paul telling the church to strive for unity.
Chapter 1:9 Paul’s desire was to see the church of Philippi’s love about more and more.
Chapter 2: Paul had urged the church to be of one spirit and one purpose.
Chapter 3: Paul wrote for the church to join with others in imitating him.
Chapter 4, Paul specifically addresses a situation going on in the church that is causing division.
The drama is being caused between two women: Euodia and Syntyche. Studying the passage, there is no way of knowing the exact conflict or disagreement these two women had but Paul calls them out in this letter to work out their differences. The argument between the two women must have been serious enough for the church to let Paul know about it. So he addresses it.
Paul urges them to “agree in the Lord.” This encourages the women to have the same attitudes and values that Christ had.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
We talked about humility and Christ’s example of humility by taking on the cross. If these women would apply that to their lives’ and their situation, no matter what it was that was dividing them, they could get past it by looking to the cross.
When it’s all said and done, God desires his children to work out their differences. Having conflict with another believer or having conflict in the church is not honoring to the Lord.
Not being willing to work out a difference stems from a prideful attitude that needs to be repented of.
I pray that if you have anything against a brother or a sister in Christ, that you do everything you can to work it out and honor the Lord. For that is a reflection of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
We can forgive whatever someone has done to us when we compare it to what Jesus forgave us on the cross.
The cross enables a life that forgives wrongdoing because the cross shows us the ultimate example of forgiveness.
Every single sin you have or will commit was laid on Jesus on the cross. You are totally forgiven. When we think on that type of forgiveness, forgiveness should be at the center of our relationship with others.
Paul not only addresses the situation between these two Christian women, but he goes on to say in V. 4-5.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
I want us to pay close attention to the phrase “let your reasonableness be known to everyone”
Another way to translate reasonableness is gentleness.
So Paul is encouraging the church to strive for unity by showing gentleness to one another. When Christians model gentleness, they point to a loving and merciful savior.
With this gorgeous weather the Lord has blessed us with the last few days, I’ve taken several walks. I love the outdoors and any chance I get to be outside, I take it.
One of my favorite things to do it walk around my neighborhood.
The other day, I loaded up Isaiah in his stroller and took my dog on a walk. My walk was a little different than normal because I got stopped by two neighbors and a 30 minute walk turned in to a 3 hour walk after talking to my neighbors about various topics.
This was the first time I had talked to either of these neighbors but I kid you not that both of them talked to me about how much they despised the neighbors that lived around them.
They talked about the drama and arguing that they had with their next door neighbors. Some of the drama was over barking dogs, campers in the yard, and worn out fences.
It made me sad to think of how miserable these people were because of the drama they had with their own neighbors.
It broke my heart but as I arrived back home I thought to myself. If the church looks just like the world, what draw does it have? If people deal with drama in their own lives’ with their neighbors, co-workers, whoever, why would they want to be apart of a church that has even more drama?
As believers in Christ, we show gentleness towards one another because that is a reflection of who Jesus is.
Now, I’m not saying that we should not always be gentle in a fake, superficial way. Because just as Paul called these two women out, there are times when we have to call out sin and call out things that might be disrupting the church but the ultimate aim for us as a church should be showing love to one another as Christ has loved us.
That will not only model Christ to one another but it will make Christ look glorious to a lost world.
Let’s look at Paul’s next exhortation for the church.
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.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
3. A united church battles anxiety with prayer.
One of my favorite passages in all of Scripture comes from when Jesus teaches on anxiety. He teaches about not being anxious about anything because God is taking care of some of the most simple things such as birds and grass, how much more will he take care of his children.
Anxiety is something we will battle often. Whether it’s at work, school, family life, whatever. We will often struggle with anxiety because we live in a fallen world.
What does Anxiety do to us? Anxiety is a complete joy killer. It will make us feel self absorbed.
It is impossible to be anxious and praise the Lord at the same time. The enemy uses anxiety and worry in our life to throw us off of our walk with Jesus.
Not only do we struggle with anxiety internally but anxiety shows itself physically also: unusual mood swings, irritability, sweating, anger, rapid heart beat, nausea, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, eating comfort foods, etc.
We are often paralyzed by anxiety because that’s exactly how the enemy ways us to feel.
But what is Paul saying about the remedy for anxiety? Paul is saying that instead of being anxious. Pray.
It’s as simple as that. Pray.
D.A Carson says “I have yet to meet a chronic worrier who enjoys an excellent prayer life.”
We must discipline ourselves in a life of prayer in order to live a life that is filled with praise and worship and not anxiety.
As we stand united as a Church, we battle anxiety with prayer.
The discipline of prayer is something I have to work on daily because to be honest with you, I hate sitting still.
It’s the same reason I am not a good nap-taker. When I lie down to take a nap, I begin to worry about all the things I need to do around the house and instead of resting I get up and accomplish something that needs to be accomplished.
However, genuine prayer doesn’t have to only be time we take out of our day, it should be something we do the moment we feel anxious or worried about something.
V. 6 “With prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to the Lord.”
We can bring anything to God because God is all-knowing and is sufficient to hear our requests.
Having a consistent prayer life is proof that we consistently trust in the Lord.
Not having a consistent prayer life may reveal that you don’t really trust the Lord as you should.
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter
Casting our cares on the Lord is saying: “God you are bigger than I am and you are in complete control of my life. I give this stress and this worry over to you because I know my life is in your hands.”
If we want to see revival at FBA. If we want to see a mighty move of God, it begins when we consistently bow our lives’ before the Lord in prayer.
3. A united church battles anxiety with prayer.
Starting week after next, we are going to open up the worship center for an hour each week in order to allow our church family to come and pray together. It will be during the day so I know with work schedules not everyone will be able to come, but I want us to prioritize not only prayer but praying with one another.
4. A united church focuses on spiritual purification
4. A united church focuses on spiritual purification
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.
When we have new life in Christ, everything in our life changes. The way we talk, the way we live, the way we think.
As believers, we renew our minds to think in a way that honors and brings pleasure to the Lord.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
This should play out not only in our individual lives’ as Christians, but when we get together as believer’s, we think of these things with one another.
When a church focuses on spiritual things instead of worldly things, a church will begin to live out a life that magnifies the Lord.
Something the Lord has convicted me of lately is the way I use my time. I think we can agree that all of us have something in our life that distracts us from having renewed minds.
Whether it’s spending countless hours scrolling through social media, watching TV, spending countless hours on entertainment can be used to distract us from thinking of things that will help us become more like Christ.
It’s different for every person, but individually and corporately, we must not waste our lives’ on things that simply don’t matter.
Check this out, the average person lives 27,375 days. That’s 657,000 hours.
Statistics show that the average person spends two hours on social media a day.
That adds up to 5 years and 4 months over the span of a lifetime.
I cannot imagine wasting close to 5 and a half years of my life scrolling through social media.
You may not have social media, and that’s great but I guarantee you have something in your life that is a time-waster.
Do I think social media is evil, of course not. Do I think watching TV is evil, of course now. You better believe I’ll be watching the UT vs. Auburn game this afternoon, but what I’m getting at is that we must live a life renewing our mind in Christ.
As V. 8 says’
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.
Social media is not worthy of praise, TV is not worthy of praise, a hobby is not worthy of praise.
Jesus is worthy of praise. We must focus our mind and our thoughts on Jesus and who he is.
As a body of believers, together we must focus our minds and thoughts on who Jesus is.
Life is too short to waste. There are too many opportunities for FBA to live out the Gospel and share Jesus with others for us to focus on anything else besides Jesus Christ and the glorious truth of the Gospel.
Standing unified as a body of believers, we stand firm in the Lord, we show gentleness toward one another, we battle anxiety with prayer, and we think focus on spiritual purification.
Paul makes it clear to the church at Philippi how to stay unified and the same principles must be applied today.
My prayer for our church body on a regular basis is that we will grow in unity by striving together side by side for the glory of the Lord.
I pray that FBA will keep the main thing the main thing and that main thing is Jesus.
Satan will use anything and everything to tear this church apart. He is deceptive and the father of lies.
But Satan has been defeated and Jesus is King. When we look to Jesus as our source of joy and strength, we will be able to make it through absolutely anything that might be dividing us.
Ultimately, we must stand firm on the Lord.
On Christ the solid rock we stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
Let’s pray.
