Therefore, My Brethren

NOVEMBER 3, 2021 STUDY NOTES PHILIPPIANS 4:1-2 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES Php 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. “Therefore,” when we see the word “therefore” we must look at what was “there before” “Therefore, connects with the previous, directing us to consider what was previously said “Therefore” could certainly direct our thinking back to all that Paul has said so far in Philippians But it especially applies to the last two verses of chapter 3, Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. As citizens of Heaven, we have earthly responsibilities that must be fulfilled before Jesus returns Even though we now live in an earthly body that still knows the fact of sinful failures We must commit our daily life to living for Christ and trust Him for the heavenly results As Christians we must be united in mind and spirit, working together in our ministry for the Lord Our hope is in Christ for each day and for the eternal future, He is-able to “subdue all things” Today, He is Lord of all, and all things are already under His control “Therefore” we are to trust Him daily and live for Him daily waiting for the day that He returns Paul plainly identifies those he is instructing, “My Brethren,” God’s spiritual family A most meaningful term, we are united together in Christ, Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; As Christians we are of the same spiritual nature and we have a common bond, the love of God Paul makes a strong point when he says, “dearly beloved,” he states it twice in this verse Christians need to get “dearly beloved” in mind and keep it in mind, it is who we are together Paul identifies Christians as those who are very much loved by God, which John also presents, 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. How meaningful is “beloved,” it is used in reference to God’s love for His only Son, Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. How meaningful is “beloved,” because of God’s love for us through His Son, we love God, and we are to love one another, 1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. What a powerful statement of truth, “My brethren,” that is God’s children, God’s family “Dearly beloved,” those loved by God and loving one another through His “Beloved” Son There is no stronger earthly relationship than what is presented in the truth of those words The world has no love to offer that will compare to the truth of “my brethren dearly beloved” It is easy to understand why Paul then says, “and longed for,” expressing a strong desire Because of Paul’s strong affection toward them he had a strong desire to see them Many church members are missing the truth of “my brethren dearly beloved and longed for” The evidence is their lack of attendance whenever the church family meets together Too many other events are more important to them than meeting with their church family Paul shares why his desire to see them was so strong, to see them would be “joy” He expressed it in a very personal and meaningful way, “my joy” “My joy” expressed more than just an emotional moment or a present state of mind His joy was more than a good feeling based upon a good circumstance of life Christian joy is rejoicing in the Lord and in the Holy Spirit, 1Th 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: Only a Christian can rejoice in the Lord while facing a time of affliction, trial, or trouble If Paul could rejoice in a time of affliction he could certainly rejoice in a time of fellowship Fellowship with those he called my “crown,” referring to a prize, a trophy, a victory What Paul said to the Thessalonians helps us to understand what he says to the Philippians, 1Th 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? Christian “hope” is in Jesus, 1Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Christian “hope” is in the promises written in God’s Word, Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Christian “hope” is in the return of Christ, Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; But look close at what Paul says concerning our hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? (1 Thess 2:19) My brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown (Philippians 4:1) Christian joy and hope are not only in Jesus they are within one another because of Jesus Today our joy is seeing the work of Jesus in our own life and in the life of others When Jesus returns, we will rejoice when we see all that God has done in and through us all What a day that will be when Jesus we see and when we see one another with Jesus The “crown of rejoicing” will be given to those who faithfully witness and minister to others Paul knew that his joy and his crown would be those who listened to his gospel message Paul knew that the Thessalonians had received his message which was the Word of God Because they believed and received the Word of God, they would stand in the presence of God “At His coming,” it is certain, Jesus is coming back to the earth, Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. All believers will stand together with Christ at the time of His return Paul is telling us something about that day when we all stand together in the presence of Jesus, 1Th 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy. Paul is talking about those who will stand with Jesus because Paul preached the gospel to them We will stand with all of those who were saved because of the preaching of the Gospel But who will be standing there because we told them about Jesus? There will be the glory and joy of being with Jesus Which will be enhanced by those who also stand with us because we shared the Gospel with them Paul would experience an additional joy because of those who were saved through his witness His “crown of rejoicing” will be those who were saved when he preached the gospel to them They will be his victor’s crown, the “crown of rejoicing,” a crown of glory and joy Christians who faithfully live for Christ are a present joy for other Christians, 1Th 3:9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; That is why Paul told the Thessalonians the same thing he tells the Philippians, 1Th 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. “So stand fast in the Lord,” which is a divine imperative, a command from God Christians must keep standing in the Lord, in the Holy Spirit, in the faith, and spiritually strong For Christians to “stand fast” is a strong Biblical teaching, it is often found in scripture The reason is because it is so easy for the Christian not to stand as a daily witness for Christ If we are going to be a witness for Christ, if we are going to receive the crown of rejoicing We must stand fast in the Lord, we must stand against Satan, 1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Satan seeks to destroy our daily witness for Christ Paul has already instructed the Philippians to stand fast in the Lord, Php 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Our daily Christian life must be a testimony of our faith in the gospel, Php 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. “Holding forth” the faith is sharing the Gospel with those who are lost and without Jesus What a responsibility we have, offering the truth of salvation to those on their way to Hell If we fulfill our responsibility as a witness for Christ our labor will not be in vain, 1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Paul told the Philippians to stand fast “in the Lord” The only way you can stay spiritually strong is to stay close to the Lord, Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Christians who are spiritually weak become disappointed and get discouraged Spiritually weak Christians begin to doubt and lose interest in the things of God Which will result in a lack of daily prayer and Bible study, and neglect to attend church And there will be no witness to the lost, no faithful testimony for Christ Not only will there be no testimony for Christ they become subject to any worldly temptation Jesus warned us, Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. John warned us, 1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. The classic passage concerning the importance of standing fast in the Lord is in Ephesians 6 Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. The word “finally” means that Paul is bringing his letter to a conclusion And his conclusion is most important to the “brethren” and most important for us today We must stand strong and face the devil, don’t turn your back on him, stand against him We must realize that our power to stand against the devil is not of us, it is “in the Lord” Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. “Put on” is a command, now is the time to obey, be submissive to God’s will today “The whole armor of God,” refers to all that God has provided for our battle against Satan It must be the complete armor, nothing can be left off, we must be fully equipped Or else we will not stand against “the wiles of the devil” “Wiles” refers to the many methods of Satan, referring to his schemes, tricks, and strategies The devil has many crafty ways, and they are all evil, he is the slanderer, accuser, and deceiver He has the strategy of a military force of demons and his strategy is working today Satan works in different ways, he has many deceitful tricks today Satan has his traps set today and he has more bait today than ever before Which Paul explains in the next verse, Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. As Christians we are in a battle, there is a conflict, it is a daily war, and it is a holy war “Wrestle” describes our battle well, we are in “hand to hand combat, a daily personal battle Every day the devil is trying to throw you down and pin you down for the final count Paul tells us that we are not wrestling against “flesh and blood,” the real enemy is not human Our enemy is a supernatural force of powerful evil known as the demonic forces of Satan Demonic forces that work through the eyes, ears, mind, and hands of man Paul names four things we wrestle against, principalities, powers, rulers, and spiritual wickedness “Principalities” are Satan’s force of “spiritual beings” which are known as “demons” “Powers” is a reference to Satan’s authority and his ability to exercise his authority That is why our power must be in the Lord, we must stand in the power of the Lord “Rulers” refers to the demonic forces ruling with Satan’s power and authority These demonic powers have the authority to rule over the spiritual realm of darkness Which is also known as “spiritual wickedness,” Satan’s organized system against Christianity “High places” is literally “Heavenly Places,” our spiritual realm with God The demons come to battle with us in the realm of our Heavenly state, Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Satan wants to destroy all that God has given us in Christ Christ is in the right position to bless us, Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Christians are in the right position to be blessed by God, Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Christians can put on the whole armor of God, stand strong in the Lord, and defeat the devil Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. “Wherefore,” Paul now gives us a summary of what he has been telling us in the previous verses On the account of what he has told us we have no other choice What Paul says makes sense, it stands to reason, being the only sensible thing to do The only sensible thing to do is to arm yourself with “the whole armor of God” Because the forces of evil are exactly as Paul has described in verse 12 And because Satan is the one who is behind the forces of evil according to verse 11 Our strength must be in the Lord, there is no other way to stand against Satan “in the evil day” The “evil day” is a particular day, meaning every day that the devil comes to assault you Any day at the present time that Satan comes to tempt you with evil and entice you to sin It is the day that Satan comes to discourage you and defeat you It is the day that Satan comes to trouble your mind, hoping that you will doubt God For the Christian every day is a struggle with Satan and evil The wickedness of Satan is going to increase until Satan has “his day” Satan will have his day in the future which will be the day of the Antichrist The first five seals of Revelation 6 identify the day of Satan In that day Satan will do more evil than he is doing today, but his day will be limited Satan will have many days of evil influence before his final day occurs There will be many days that Satan will come to battle us That is why we must pay attention to Paul’s strong point to stand fast in the Lord Why we must stand (vs 11) withstand (vs 13) stand (vs 13) stand therefore (vs 14) Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Two times in this passage Paul has told us to put on the whole armor of God Paul describes the whole armor of God piece by piece in Ephesians 6:14-18 (Read it) Stand strong in the Lord and when Satan has done all that he can and will do, we are still standing Philippians 4:1 closes the way it begins, “dearly beloved,” Paul has high hopes for them He agrees with, Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. The church of today needs to see “better things,” Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Php 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. This is a very interesting verse, picture the setting, picture when and how it took place The church was assembled-together, one of the deacons was reading Paul’s letter to them So far, the whole church family has been addressed and instructed, and then comes this verse Two women in the church hear their names, they are individually identified by name There were two women in the church that needed to solve their problem We don’t know what the problem was, it was probably not a known sin or a doctrinal error Paul would have given scriptural instructions for those problems It seems to be a matter of difference in opinion, but it was well known to the church And it was a problem to the church, resulting in a state of disharmony Christians do not always agree on all things, but we can disagree with being disagreeable Paul’s words to these women are “I beseech,” he states the same word to each of them He places a personal obligation on each of them, “be of the same mind in the Lord” To “be of the same mind” is another strong scriptural emphasis to the Christian Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 1Co 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1Pe 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Because we don’t always see things eye to eye, we must see God’s Word together We must seek to see all things, to say all things, and to do all things “in the Lord” In order to do that we must be controlled by the Spirit, Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; We must walk in the Spirit, Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. We can then challenge and motivate other Christians, Php 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. In Philippians 4:3-8, Paul is going to encourage us and instruct us to stand fast in the Lord And then he will tell us, Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.