"Being of One Mind"
Notes
Transcript
Living the Christian Life
Living the Christian Life
Living the Christian life is as hard as we make it and as easy as we want it to be.
In many respects the hard parts of being followers of Jesus’ is the old adage that we tend to “eat our young.”
Both our young in age and young and young in the faith.
Here are some things I’ve heard, not necessarily here in our church.
“They” would hear a lot more if they didn’t talk all the way through the service.
“They” would get a whole lot more out of the service if they weren’t sleeping
Why do “they” always have to be on their cellphones
Fussy and talking babies should be taken out… It’s so distracting.
I would push back against all of these and more, and would say if the service didn’t go on for more than an hour or so people might be more engaged and not sleeping, talking or checking the Seahawks score.
I would also say that many people are accessing the Bible on an app that on a cellphone or Ipad than ever before.
Do I wish more people would engage more in using the Bible inside and outside the church. A resounding YES!!!
And there are many more ways we get picky… YES!
“They” need a haircut or it’s to short
Eating in church
Drinking coffee or juice in church
How we dress in church.
Do we participate in “fellowship” time or not?
There are people in our body, who reaching out and talking with someone is really hard and uncomfortable… There called introverts!
REALLY PEOPLE!!!! Are these the things we should be worried about? Of course not!
Sometimes, not often these matters of style bubble over and become more than that. 100% of the time these matters of style should be squashed and not even dealt with on any level.
We need to follow the exhortation that is found in our last verses today.
8 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.
9 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.
Now somebody is already saying… maybe one or all of those style things fit into one of these categories. To that I would say, “No!”
Paul in our passage today is NOT addressing the style things in the first century or by extension, the style things for today.
What he is addressing is an issue, that is dividing the local body.
In verse 2
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
First of all we don’t know what the issue or issues where that has Paul so concerned.
My guess is that it has nothing to do with how the church kitchen or church library is run
My guess is this has nothing to do with the church nursery schedule.
We want in the church ALL kinds of “helpers” joyful helpers, It is the responsibility of leaders and leadership to find a use for peoples gifts.
Our measure, our mark in dealing with especially others in the church is this
37 Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’
38 This is the great and supreme commandment.
39 And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must love your friend in the same way you love yourself.’
Any other measure misses the mark or in Gr. Harmartia or is translated as sin.
STILL there are things, issues that cause disunity in the body. It maybe one of those things that I’ve already mentioned in that case it is sin.
There are those things that breed disunity...
It may be a theological issue… That is primarily your pastor and elders responsibility.
It may be a personal issue that infects the church and draws others to choose “sides.” Those are the worst kinds of issues. In many of those situations we first would go back to our main theme today...
8 So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.
If it were a more serious matter between two people we would go to Matthew 18
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
This a set of instructions that scripture lays out for us in these matters. Hopefully these issues that tend to divide and split churches come up very rarely but when they do, it is very ugly.
This is evidently the case here in Phil 4.
Here are Paul’s steps in addressing this issue in the church of Philippi.
Paul had faith that these two women had the faith and resources with the help of the church to settle the problem
These two women occupied a prominent place in the church. They could have been deacons, they could have preached the Word, they could have been part of the leadership of this small fledgling church just starting to see some big changes in the community that was previously very pagan. Once again we don’t know.
This divisive issue was significant enough for the people of the church to write to Paul about it.
Paul wrote back saying
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
Next Paul makes a plea...
3 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.
3 I would like my dear friend and burden-bearer to help resolve this issue, for both women have diligently labored with me for the prize and helped in spreading the revelation of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers. All of their names are written in the Book of Life.
They were to act as few congregations act today… The congregation is a partnership. Different members with unique gifts are drawn together to use those gifts to the Glory of God and the moving forward of the Gospel.
They were to act objectively, frankly, lovingly, and spiritually!
The greatest desire was to bring peace
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul is pretty clear… not “calling out” one group or another. He is asking them to remember what he has taught them.
9 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.
He does not name the issue, he knows that we, some 2000 years later will have plenty of names to put on this issue.
After the issue is put to rest our response usually to not say anything and just move along
Scripture tells is
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Peace and gentleness should be the resting spot when we are done and ready to move on.
Paul knew that nothing was outside the possibility of the Lord’s help.
In the church, the gentle person does not consider his or her own rights but on the ways and teachings of Christ
1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.
and from Titus 3
2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
These words should sober us to the core… When Jesus returns he is NOT going to be looking for those who fought battles. He is going to be embracing those demeanor is one of “gentleness and peace.”
The next command comes in Verses 4.4-5
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Regardless of the circumstances, their JOY was to be in the LORD and that was to be unchanging. There is NO SITUATION that is beyond the Lord’s Help!
And once again… PEACEFULLY dedicated to each other.
Verse 6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This is the tough place for me… when I am worried and anxious, I have sleepless nights. Mostly it’s because of a shortcoming of mine that is affecting you all. That keeps me awake.
I need to resolve more of these things on my knees instead of in my mind over and over again. I have a feeling that I’m not alone with this one.
Jesus spoke about this one
27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Let’s talk about a cure for anxiety...
P-R-A-Y-E-R
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I want to circle back where we started… with some finishing comments about our main theme today
8 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.
9 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.
Focus first on God… let God be the reference point of your issues, of your concerns, of your unmet needs
Focus on facts…
“…whatever is true...” - stay within the bounds of scripture.
The church was to make these matters it goal… goals are worthy to focused on and God would rule.
Personally we are to conduct ourselves in this matter, being living examples of the discipline that comes as a result of a new life.
What can we expect to get out it… Good, thoughtful, peaceful Christian living.
Truthfulness, dependability
Trustworthiness, justice that is due
Pure and Holiness in relation to God
The respect of others around you
Admirable - the qualities of God are seen in you
Morally excellent… above reproach.
A good testimony to the world.
Communion transition