AGREE IN THE LORD

Review & Intro

Last week - justified not by our works but by Jesus’.

this is how we can be humble

humility - centered on the gospel - is the basis of unity.

and without unity, there is no victory.

a house divided against itself cannot stand.

and if we are one, there is nothing impossible for Jesus’ church.

which is good news - because we have quite a mission

make disciples - baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that the Lord commands.

SO! We’ve got work to do as God’s people to attain hunmility, unity and then victory.

Today - Paul addresses a specific instance in Philipi.

4:2 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.

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

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[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Feuds & Fights

Wars are told of throughout the Bible. And of course there is THE war between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman.

and this is why Christ came - to crush the serpent’s head

and why we still today engage in holy war - but not with weapons of this world.

But the Bible also talks about feuds - nonessential fights - where if we just had a little humility/repentance it’d be ok. We’d get over it.

Sometimes the feuds go on for generations and destroy families over and over again.

Think about jacob and Esau. a feud that could have been covered, forgiven. But instead lasted generations - until eventually God wiped out Esaus decendents completely for their unwillingness to put it to rest. Amos 1:11

The story of the man throwing stones at David? He hated David because of a feud - a feud between north and south… ironically enough.

today we have similar feuds...

Russia and US - North and South - White & Black - iPhone or Android. HA

but it seems like these serious generational feuds aren’t goign away. why?

well, because time DOESN”T heal all wounds.

if there is a schism in the kingdom of God, do you think the enemies will let it simply disolve over time?

absolutely not - it’ll be stoked and poked and prodded along , again and again.

Tiem doesn’t heal wounds, only the GOSPEL does.

the Gospel alone can bring that humility that leads to unity and leads to victory.

but how? Well, lets walk through the text.

THE SITUATION

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

two ladies - a feud is forming - a public squabble/argument/disagreement gone sour.\

Paul commands them - work it out! even get a peacemaker/mediator if needed. v3

BUT WHY WORK IT OUT

v3 - they had been co-laborers with paul. They were yoked together, but you can’t plow well when the oxen are fighting.

so first off - the Gospel labor is hindered by their disunity.

SECONDLY v3 - their names are recorded in the book of life.

if you know where you’re going - shouldn’t you be able to put aside little squabbles to make the most of your time here? for Gospel mission?

if “they shall know you by your love” then what’s happening in Philipi because of this feud? ...

BUT SAYING WORK IT OUT IS EASY - DOING IT? Why can that be so difficult?

to settle a dispute may mean that one of the two has to “eat it”

be defrauded, take a hit to their reputation, look foolish, lose some revenue, lose a lot of revenue.... you see?

and if you’re unwilling...... now you see.

to be Christ-like means that we do just that, we take the hits for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

but in order to do that.... you’ve gotta be willing to be humbled. to count yourself, your needs, your reputation, as less significant than others.

Seems easy enough right?

well, if you’ve let anger and bitterness take root… its near impossible.

we don’t want to let them off .... we want them to burn in hell.

we sulk when good things happen to them - like Jonah and Ninevah. Or like John and James - we want fire to fall on their heads. (or maybe we want to be the ones to call it down on them)

In reality - we are like the unforgiving servant. We’ve had our debts forgiven - but we’d rather go on feuding with our brothers and sisters than forgive them.

BUT - it doesn’t matter what we WANT to do. We’ve really only got one choice.

we’ve been saved. therefore. we are one. Unnited in Christ.

We have a commision. We ahve work to do. we must be unified.

So, a few dispute pro tips.

FIRST - v3 - true companion, help these women.

If you see your brothers/sisters in a feud… you might need to jump in.

but be advised - if you break up a dog fight you’re likely to get bit.

get in there anyway. unbelievers run away. believers are peace makers, because Jesus was the peacemaker.

Sometimes we need peacemakers - like in 2 Sam 20 - the woman who interceded between Joab and the city of Abel - Joab was going to destroy the whole city on account of one man, and the city was going to take up arms in defense.

the wise woman interceded, realized Joab wwas really just after one guilty party, had him executed, and Joab went on his merry way.

It is CHRIST LIKE to step in. to act as mediator. to be a peacemaker

but there is a difference between meddling and mediating.

BUT WHO AM I TO STAND BETWEEN TWO WARRING FACTIONS

you’re nobody. but if you stand on the Bible you have the authority of the WORD of GOD.

but if you just show up with pop psychology and that “all you need is love” nonesense… then you aren’t really bringing resolution to the table at all.

you might get some temporary relief, heck the might decide to forgive one another on the terms of a false religion - but with no truth you’ve actually only made matters worth. Even if you can’t see those results just yet.

SO MEDIATE!!! When it’s needed. Don’t meddle. And when you do make CERTAIN you’re bringing the BIBLE. Nothing else.

v5 - Let your reasonableness be known by everyone. The Lord is at hand...

this word “reasonable” doesnt just mean that you can reason well, although I’m sure thats part of it - really it means...

the ability to put up with obnoxious folks.

there are those who grate on your last nerve… they have no social cues… they definitely werent at the cool-kid-table at school...

and now they’re at your church - and you have to talk to them -

but you know - you’re not exactly a peach yourself right?

Sinful, lost, deplorable, and yet God sent his son to die for you SO THAT he could restore his relationship with you. SO THAT he could BE CLOSE to you again.

and while your sin may be covered… you’re still not the best person for the God of the universe to associate himself with.

And yet he does. He put his Spirit in you, as a matter of fact. He hears your every word because HE WANTS TO.

and you’re gonna say “oh no… here comes THOSE PEOPLE again… I bet they’re gonna wanna talk.”

Let the Gospel work on your heart.

ALSO Reasonable means we don’t necessarily get 100% justice every time.

this is a little my fault… a little your fault… let’s just agree to cover it and move on together.

v6 - do not be anxious about anything - but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God

one of the most taken out of context passages ever.

not about asking for more stuff, or a Christmas list, or whatever.

it’s about not letting your anxieties run the show. Because when they do, what suffers? Well, everything, BUT especially your relationships.

insecurities take over, fear of loss, fear of a poor reputation, fear of being considered a part of THAT crowd...

BUT WITH PRAYER you can give all those fears to the Lord, trust him, and move forward in unity.

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.

another one of those out-of-context passages.

I used to think… well… not anymore.

But some have referenced this verse as a way to ONLY SAY THE POSITIVE about a brother.

no. if that were the case we’d all be liars and never deal with sin… which the bible CLEARLy tells us to do over and over again.

So whats really going on here?

God hasn’t made you the “fixer” of everyone’s problems… that’s what’s going on.

give folks some space. some time. maybe you’ll realize you’re being too harsh? or they’ll chill out?

Christians aren’t called to nit-pick every little thing about their brothers/sisters. When there is sin, we deal with it, but we aren’t going to sit on the edges of our seats looking for it with a nagnifying glass.

If you wanna search for something, search for what is good/honorable/just/pure within them.

Want to change the way you think about your brother/sister?

Set your mind on their GOOD qulities. And watch what happens.

9 What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

If we do this, the God of PEACE is with us.

we have that Godly quality. Peacemakers. Like our father who made peace with us.