Philippians 4:1-9 - Stand firm

20-11-01 Philippians 4:1-9 - Stand firm

HBI: vs 5 – Trust in the Lord in all that we do together so people can see that God is at work in us as we deal with each other patiently.

Intro

Paul seems to be a little bit all over the map here it seems like. It always seems to be that way at the end of his letters as he tries to squeeze in some last little bit of advice for the church. 

Though it may seem this way it still fits the same idea we have been following here, how to live is Christ and to die is gain. To live a Christ centered life. 

To do this again we come back to the phrase living a Christ centered life and doing so in unity as the body of Christ. We are to stand firm together dear friends. 

In the meantime, there might be some worry, well it is easy to worry instead of standing firm together. Especially if you are trying to stand firm on your own. 

We worry about our kids, hoping that they will follow the Lord with their lives and glorify God. If they do not follow the Lord, then we worry and pray for them. 

We worry that the paycheck we got might not last till the next one comes. Maybe we worry because a spouse is making bad decisions. 

Worry is the greatest thief of joy. It is not enough for us, however, to tell ourselves to "quit worrying" because that will never capture the thief. Worry is an "inside job," and it takes more than good intentions to get the victory. 

What is worry? The Old English root from which we get our word "worry" means "to strangle."1 If you have ever really worried, you know how it does strangle a person!

So how can we stand firm together? How can we work together and rely on the Lord to give us the strength? How do we work together anyways in the Lord?

Vs 1-3 – so then 

We finally get to the “in conclusion” part of the book. We read that in the manner I have been talking about, or as you live for Christ, Stand firm together in the Lord. 

Philippians 4:1 So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

A couple of things to note, He is still referring to the church, and those in general who are following Jesus with their lives. We see this from where he is saying “brothers, sisters, my joy, my crown”. 

The second thing to note is that in saying so then, or as some versions say “therefore” he is referring to all that has been said and concluding it with a statement. 

In the Lord says that we are to be living our lives for Christ with our whole heart. To stand firm is self explanatory. How do we stand firm together as we live our lives centered on Christ? 

We start out by hearing first of all about 2 people who were not standing firm together. I mentioned a quote a few weeks ago about the annoyance of a good example. Well sometimes it is good to see that what seemed like a perfect church made mistakes as well. 

Knowing that other people mess up makes it easier for us to know that we are not alone in our struggles as we might think. 

Philippians 4:2  I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 

We do not know what the problem was with these two people only the fact that they could not agree on some thing or another for whatever reason. No longer where they standing firm but rather they where having an fight about something. 

It is okay to disagree with someone about things. We will not always agree with people about everything in life. Though there are core values of the faith that we need to hold dear and not waiver on, beliefs that are instrumental to salvation and a Christian life. 

But there are minor workings within the church that sometimes bring arguments and head butting as they seem to be doing here. 

For example, I moved a communion table aside in a church once as it was kind of rough looking and I would only bring it out during communion. I also moved the pulpit off the stage because I didn’t use it anyways as it was to small for me. 

Well you would think to some people I had advocated to tear the church down. There become a disagreement. Paul is saying to work together for the Lord. After a long talk with a few key people we heard both sides of the argument and came to a compromise that suited everyone. 

We need to remember that Anger in the church can destroy the testimony of the church in the community. If they see that we can not get over these minor things then why would they want to be a part of us. 

Get along already Paul tells us. How can the rest of us help through all of this? Philippians 4:3  Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.

We need to work together and let people see that we can work together. Help each other through the difficult times. We need to work together for the furthering of the gospel. 

We will not always agree on everything and that is okay. Sometimes other people have a different view on how to do something that we may not initially agree with but maybe it is a valid idea that we just never thought of. 

Do not let arguments get in the way of spreading the gospel of Christ to the community around us. 

Vs 4-7 – Rejoice always

But rather as we strive to stand firm in our Christ centered life together, we need to rejoice together? It tells us this in Vs 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice!” 

Be gracious with on another it says in Vs 5. The Lord is near, the Lord has died for sin for freedom for the glory of God!

We are called to joy and grace towards each other. Remember it is not about just you anymore we are to think of others. 

Grace and great joy in the Lord are characteristics that are to mark the life of the Believer. There was a comedian I heard talking about this Joy that we are to have. 

He said that bible says that we can have great joy in the Lord, but some people look like they just swallowed a lemon yet say they have joy. I guess there face has not got the message yet. 

Yet there is worry that attacks us, there are heard times that trouble us. Worry brings us down, worry makes us more susceptible to temptation, worry can prevent us from living a Christ Centered life together as the body of Christ. It can keep us from stepping out in faith and trusting the Lord will direct our steps. 

Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything, 

That is easy enough to say, do not worry. Sometimes like saying to someone with a broken leg, walk it off bud, you will be fine. Or at least it feels that way sometimes. 

But we know that to stand firm in Christ together we are to not worry. But how do we do that? but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Through getting on our knees before God. Through constant prayer, petition and thanksgiving we are to make our requests know to God. 

SO again how do we get rid of worry in our lives and learn what it means to have joy? We do not. You have no hope of getting out of your worry and despair on your own so do not even try. 

But in everything that happens, make it known to God. Not just our petitions and requests but also our thanksgivings and praise as well. 

But what is the result of doing this, bringing our worries to the Lord? Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

There are times where do not feel too much like being Joyful. There is a band called Page CXVI that wrote new music to the song “Joy”. 

The music is very sad and it doesn’t seem to fit the lyrics very well. She says: 

The truth is that I was terribly and profoundly sad. The reality of grief had not even entirely hit me yet.  But at the same moment I had a deep sense of peace. (My Dad) was no longer in pain.  He was no longer sick. He was free from all his ailments and restored. Although I still miss him, I know that God has weaved redemption through death into my father’s story. That brings me great joy. It was not until grief became a part of my story that I realized that joy is not simply an expression, but an attitude and acknowledgment of the deep peace of knowing a Savior.

We receive a peace in our hearts and minds, a peace that will guard our hearts and our minds. This is not a normal type pf peace that well beyond the understanding of man. A peace that does not make sense but comes from the Lord. 

Christian Joy is not the worldly kind of joy that will come and go depending on the circumstance that we may face. Rather it is a joy that is grounded altogether on our relationship with the Lord. Because it is grounded in our relationship with the Lord an abiding Joy, despite the circumstances we go through. 

8-9 – Fill our heads

Stand firm in the Lord together, learn to work together for the Lord by not constantly arguing. Learn to not worry by finding a joy in the Lord that is predicated on our relationship with the Lord. 

All of this works together, All of this comes from knowing Jesus our not worrying, Our joy, our unity. 

As we learn what this looks like we can start to think this way by filling our minds with things of the Lord instead of things of the world. 

Philippians 4:8  Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things.

Do not dwell on junk that will just bring you down but dwell on the things of the Lord that will draw you closer to Him. 

So What?

What do we do with all this? In standing firm together in our living for Christ we have two hindrances to this. 

The first is arguing and complaining together. Let us work together under the essentials of the faith to glorify the Lord. 

What a hindrance to our testimony when we can not get along long enough to share the gospel with people. Who would want to join that? 

The second hindrance to this is worry and despair. When this attacks us most people’s natural reactions are to retreat into themselves. 

You can find joy in any circumstance by seeking Jesus in all things through prayer. A peace is waiting for you that goes beyond the understanding of man. 

Have you found this joy in despair? Then share with people what God has pulled you out of. Be vulnerable with people so they to can find joy when it seems impossible to them? 

If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, come ask me more about how you can do that after, start now. Receive the peace that goes beyond the understanding of man.