Philippians: The Art of Making Peace

Text: Philippians 4:1-3

Theme: How Paul approaches the sensitive task of trying to make peace between Euodia and Syntyche provides several lessons in the use of sensitivity and tact among believers.

In our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told his disciples, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God." One of the more difficult tasks that God has said is sometimes associated with being a Kingdom citizen is that of striving to bring peace to those at odds with each other. It's not always easy.

ILLUS. My first pastorate out of college was Flat Creek Baptist Church near Sedalia, Missouri. It is one of the oldest Baptist congregations in the state with a continuous record of existence dating back to 1846. The church will celebrate it’s 175th anniversary this September.

When I came as their pastor the let me look through the booklet they had put together for their 125th anniversary. In one section were minutes of business meetings lifted word-for-word out of old clerk's books. One vignette revolved around an unnamed female congregant who had been caught in an undescribed indiscretion. Someone moved that the congregation "church" the woman until she publicly repented. The motion was seconded and discussion proceeded. Well, evidently there was a faction that thought the measure too extreme. The discussion became somewhat heated with accusations flying back and forth. Finally, the pastor of the church spoke. He cautioned the congregation that if they were going to withdraw fellowship from the member-in-question, that they must first approach her biblically. Had anyone from the church approached her privately? Had she rejected them? Had two or three from the church approached her? What were the results? Only if these two things had happened should the congregation then get involved in such an important decision. At that point there is no more debate concerning the lady of indiscretion recorded in the minutes, but there is recorded a motion to fire the preacher!

It's not always easy being a peacemaker. Paul address the problem for us in this chapter. Even in "good" churches you often find brethren who have differences with each other. This is the case at Philippi. As Paul continues with various exhortations to the Christian life, at this point in his epistle he addresses his comments concerning a rift that apparently existed among two good Christian women in the church.

How Paul approaches the sensitive task of trying to make peace between Euodia and Syntyche provides several lessons in the use of tact.

I. THE PEACEMAKER MUST LOVE BOTH SIDES

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” (Philippians 4:1, ESV)

1. in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lists the blessings that await those who live their lives in a certain way

a. Jesus addresses the peacemakers in particular by saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

b. a “peacemaker” is someone who reconciles people with God and with one another

1) it requires taking the initiative to get involved in conflicts with the intention of building bridges between the parties at odds

A. PAUL STARTS OUT BE EXPRESSING HIS LOVE

1. Paul’s first appeal is directed toward the entire community of believers

a. his admiration for the Christians at Philippi is remarkable

1) they are my brothers

2) they are beloved and longed for

3) they are my joy and crown (crown—the runner's wreath or victor's crown)

4) they are beloved

2. Paul truly loved the people at Philippi

a. these saints were to their spiritual father what victory wreaths were to runners in the Greek races

3. Paul’s love for the believers at Philippi—including Euodia and Syntyche—is obvious

B. PAUL IS HONEST ABOUT THE CONFLICT

1. the bible is painfully honest about the imperfections of God’s people

ILLUS. This is true weather it’s the twelve apostles arguing over which of them will be the greatest in the Kingdom or Paul and Barnabas having a sharp dispute over John Mark’s value as a missionary, the bible never glosses over character flaws or personality conflicts among the saints.

a. in vs. 2 we find Paul’s second appeal

1) apart from greetings and the occasional mention of his co-workers, Paul rarely ever mentions anyone by name

b. but here he calls out two Christian women by name

2. these long-time friends and coworkers—who have worked side-by-side with the Apostle, are no longer seeing eye-to-eye

ILLUS. This pattern is familiar to us as well. Words pass between two people over something quite inconsequential, such as a difference of opinion about the color of the drapes over the baptistery. Soon the two are not on speaking terms at all. They look the other way when they pass each other on the street. Spouses are drawn into the squabble. Sympathizers are recruited and the church takes sides. Personality differences, doctrinal differences, and procedural differences are fuel for the fire. With the whole church at loggerheads, its testimony suffers as the unsaved witness the argument. The work of the church comes to a halt because nobody can agree on anything. Every issue, every suggestion for furthering the ministry of the church, becomes the football of church politics. The more spiritual members of the fellowship make a few attempts to bring order, sanity, and Christian charity back to the fore and then either retire sadly into their shells or leave in search of more congenial gatherings.

3. Paul named names ... Euodia and Syntyche

a. in the end it’s the only way to deal with the conflict

b. the problem must be called out, names must be named as people are called to face their personal responsibility for what has happened

c. Paul was no longer skirting around the issue; he was no longer giving veiled hints, appeals, and suggestions

d. he suddenly and bluntly confronted the parties involved

1) after eighty-two verses he finally nailed the problem down

ILLUS. Imagine what the scene must have been like. The church had welcomed Epaphroditus back home, and he’s called the congregation together to read Paul’s letter to them. Sentence by sentence he begins to read. Here and there were hints that Paul knew about the squabble. Then Epaphroditus comes to Paul’s closing comments ... "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord." They look at Epaphroditus, their eyes shooting daggers at him. Had Epaphroditus gone and blabbed to Paul? Then they hear Paul’s words regarding Epaphroditus, “Receive him therefore in the Lord.” Every eye in the congregation turns to these two ladies. A deathly hush falls on the gathering. Will Euodia and Syntyche repent and reconcile?

4. unfortunately, we don’t know the rest of the story ... we can only hope they entered heaven as dear sisters in Christ

a. they’ve gone down in Church history as examples to us ... not good ones

b. but it’s obvious that Paul loves both these women, and hopes and prays for their reconciliation

5. The Peacemaker must Love Both Sides

II. THE PEACEMAKER SHOULD TREAT BOTH SIDE TENDERLY AND EQUALLY

“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.” (Philippians 4:2, ESV)

1. notice what Paul doesn't do with these two women

a. he does not condemn them nor tongue-lash them

b. these are two women with whom he has had a working relationship in spreading the gospel in their community

c. if they do not reconcile, stronger methods may need to be applied, but in the beginning Paul treats them tenderly and equally

2. Paul reminds these two women and the church that these ladies have, "contended at my side in the cause of the gospel ..."

a. I think that Paul is subtly reminding these two ladies, that there are more things that unite them, then there are that separate them

A. PAUL DIRECTLY APPEALS TO THESE PEACE BREAKERS TO RECONCILE THEIR DIFFERENCES

1. notice that Paul pleads with them

a. the word is literally beseech or implore

b. it's a call or a summons to another's side

2. Paul pleads with them equally to go to the other's side in order to hash out their differences and come to reconciliation

3. Paul openly confronts them with their contention and publicly urges them to resolve their differences

B. PAUL PUBLIC ALLY DEMANDS THEY LIVE IN HARMONY IN THE LORD

1. Paul’s solution to the quarrel was simple and direct: he commanded the two women involved to live in harmony in the Lord

2. there is a time when conflict is acceptable, namely when truth is at stake

a. we know, for example, that Paul even Peter when the latter was in serious error

“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.” (Galatians 2:11–13, ESV)

3. but mere personal conflicts must be resolved and harmony restored, so Paul commanded Euodia and Syntyche to live in harmony

a. the Greek text literally reads, “to be of the same mind”—an essential prerequisite if Christians are to live in harmony.

b. to the quarreling, faction-ridden Corinthian church Paul wrote,

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV)

4. agreement between Euodia and Syntyche was essential, and the sphere in which they had to find their harmony was in the Lord

a. Paul knew that if they both got right with the Lord, they would be right with each other

C. PAUL KNEW THAT A UNITY OF SPIRIT BASED ON THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ‘FIX’ FOR DISHARMONY AMONG BELIEVERS

1. notice Paul's objective

2. he wants them to be of the same mind in the Lord

a. in other words, "Ladies, it's not important who "wins" or "who is correct." What matters is that Christ be glorified because is Lord over his church."

b. in too many peace agreements among believers the participants have not truly reached a oneness of mind, only a compromise

c. the peace lasts only as long as the differences are not mentioned

ILLUS. In the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye the dairyman and central character is introducing us to the people of his village

Tevye : “Then there are the others in our village. They make a much bigger circle. We don't bother them, and so far, they don't bother us. And among ourselves, we always get along perfectly well.”

Tevye : “Of course, there was the time when Itchak sold Avram a horse and told him it was only six years old, when it was really 12. But now, it's all over, and we live in simple peace and harmony.”

Tevye quietly whispers into Avram’s ear: “It was twelve years old.”

Avram nods knowingly: “That’s right. It was twelve years old.”

Itchak : “It was six!” and the battle is rejoined.

1) the peace lasts only as long as the offence is not mentioned

d. the result is a tension that exists within the local church that makes everybody else walk as though they are on egg shells when around the combatants

4. "being of the same mind in the Lord" requires true humility and true forgiveness within the hearts of both parties

III. THE PEACEMAKER MUST USE ASSISTANCE WHEN AVAILABLE

“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.” (Philippians 4:3, ESV)

A. PAUL ENCOURAGES ANOTHER TO AID IN RECONCILIATION

1. Paul sought out the assistance of loyal yoke fellow to aid him in promoting peace among these two women

a. we have no real idea who the true companion is that Paul is referring to

2. peacemakers should not be above enlisting the help of other to bring peace to the Body of Christ

a. we must never be tempted to think that, "I'm the only one with the skills to resolve this problem!"

b. the peacemaker's goal is to make peace and not a reputation for him or herself!

B. SOME LESSONS FROM PHILIPPIANS 4:1-3

1. Achieving Peace Requires Taking Action to Promote Harmony

a. Scripture teaches us that, to bring about peace, we must engage in actions that foster future harmony.

b. the ultimate example of taking action to cultivate future harmony is God’s choice to reconcile the human race to Himself by sending down His only Son to serve as the final sacrifice for our sins (Colossians 1:20; John 3:16)

c. likewise, the Greek word translated as “peacemaker” in Matthew 5:9 is a word used to describe someone who actively proclaims God’s Word to reconcile the listener with the Lord

d. as believers, the Bible instructs us to make every effort to live in peace (Hebrews 12:14)

1) sometimes we need the help of others to do that

2. In Working Towards Peace, Peacemakers Reconcile People with God and with Each Other

a. in the gospel, Christ declares that all of Scripture can be summarized by two commandments: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40).

b. it should come as no surprise, then, that a peacemaker is someone who emulates Jesus — called the Prince of Peace — by working to reconcile people with God and with each other (Isaiah 9:6).

3. Peacemakers Build Bridges Between Unbelievers and God Through the Ministry of Reconciliation

a. ultimately a peacemaker is also an evangelist

b. peacemakers live out Paul’s call in 2 Cor. 5:18-20 to be Christ’s ambassadors

4. Peacemakers Build Bridges Between People in Discord with Each Other

a. this takes wisdom and discernment, and the role of peacemaker between fellow believers should not be entered into lightly

b. sometimes knowing when not to get involved is as important as getting involved

ILLUS. “War of the Doors”

5. Attempts at Peacemaking Often Fail

In a world that is as divided as our, there is a grave need for those who can serve as faithful and effective "peacemakers." Hopefully, by considering and applying The Art of Making Peace as exemplified by the apostle Paul in this passage, we may be useful to the Lord when called upon to bring divided people together.