Philippians 4:2-9 Good people can disagree in the church / When good people disagree

We have been having a great time on Sunday Night. We have been looking at this church’s history and have moved into its present. We have had tough evaluations of who it is – what are its strengths and weaknesses. I believe there is a positive momentum. There is so much opportunity for this church.

And along the way you have pointed out weaknesses. They are not overwhelming. And they are not surprising – in fact most are pretty common in churches everywhere. That is because churches are made up of people. And people have the same issues everywhere. Not a problem, as long as we move forward. The key is to continue to grow in these areas.

My interpretation of one of the problems is that you have a hard time as a church when people disagree amongst themselves in the church. Good people in the church. This is a problem everywhere. The problem is not that disagreements arise – that’s normal and healthy. The problems come when these disagreements evolve into division and/ or other problems. Already this morning we have discovered that there has been recent disagreements in the church. Nothing wrong with that. However, how we respond to those disagreements going forward is critical.

So this morning I want to hare what the scriptures say about ‘When good people disagree in church’.

Philippians 4:1-9

(ESV) Philippians 4 1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 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.

I. When good people disagree: Don’t panic

(ESV) Philippians 4 1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 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.

A. Disagreement is okay

Euodia / Syntche

1. Pick one – here it is not spelled out – therefore likely not a ‘sin’ just a difference

2. People have distinct opinions

3. Often just different ways of reaching an objective

4. Everyone has passion to do the right thing – a good thing

5. Our nation / our churches have prospered because of healthy disagreement – helps to create better solutions

B. Good people disagree

Labored side by side with Him / names in the book of life

1. True Christians

2. Laboring together in Christ – faithful /dedicated people

The key is to recognize that:

C. ‘We’ is more important than ‘me’

Paul begs them to agree in the Lord

1. Important to come together on the real objective serving / honoring Christ

a. Focus on the main thing

2. ‘we’ is more important than the ‘I’

a. Like a marriage – difference is fine as long as the health of the ‘we’ is the priority

b. Unity in the midst of diversity – this is the church

c. Unity in the midst of disagreement - this is the church

d. Use disagreements to come up with better solutions

D. The community must not divide

Paul asks it to ‘Help these women’

a. Not create sides

1) Often align and talk and form cliques – dispute – character assassinate – speak evil against – accuse people of bad motives

b. Help to stay focused and move forward in a positive way

1) Community should help encourage unity / resolve lingering problems / challenge everyone to refocus on the priority --- keep perspective 2) Don’t get caught in conversations that go the wrong direction (like gossip) – stop the conversation /redirect the conversation in a positive way / help bring understanding instead of further division

II. When good people disagree: Keep the proper perspective

(ESV) Philippians 4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

A. Rejoice in your position in Christ

Rejoice in the Lord

1. We are In Him

2. Part of His body along with other Christians

3. All part of Him together – don’t attack another body part – called cancer in the human body – minister to other body parts

4. Rejoice in our shared blessings

a. More in common than different

b. We have the same goals / purpose / Savior

B. Be gentle / reasonable

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone

1. Kindness / gentleness / forgiveness toward others

A soft answer turns away wrath (Proverbs)

2. Seek understanding (even if disagree)

3. Keep perspective (often minor issues are the difference) Don’t allow them to create problems that torpedo the ship

C. Stay urgent about the main things– don’t get distracted

The Lord is at hand

1. He is coming soon

2. Stay focused on the main thing – don’t get distracted by the less important

3. May he find us with a proper focus – reaching our world for Christ

III. When good people disagree: Engage the Lord

(ESV) Philippians 4 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

A. Let go of anxiety

Do not be anxious

1. Stop trying to work it all out and/or get our way

2. Transfer the issues to Him

3. Get beyond the frustrations and confusion

4. Chaos within is a sign that we ourselves have a problem that we need to resolve.

B. Pray specifically

in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made

1. Generally

2. Specifically

3. With a perspective of thanksgiving

C. Rest in Him

the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds

1. He will give peace (can’t be achieved on our own)

2. If peace is not there – keep after Him until you align with Him and He gives that peace

IV. When good people disagree: Control your mind

(ESV) Philippians 4 8 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. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

A. Focus your mind

1. Put aside ‘stinking thinking’ (psychologist words) – don’t keep dwelling on the negatives

2. Dwell on positive things (true, honorable, pure, lovely, commendable, excellence, praise worthy)

a. True - Stick to the truth (don’t assume)

b. Honorable - Dwell on what will bring honor

c. Pure - Avoid sin in your thoughts

d. Lovely – good things

e. Commendable – uplifting

f. Excellence – the best things

g. Worthy of praise – will result in praise

B. Do the right things

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things

1. Just do the right thing / do the thing that benefits the body

2. Live out what you know of what Jesus would want

3. Make it a life style regardless of the circumstances

C. Peace is the result

the God of peace will be with you.

1. Peace is received – not something one can get on their own

2. The Lord will empower and sustain you

3. The Lord will give peace with His presence

4. There is peace in yieldedness to Him / not my way but His --- this is good