Untitled Sermon (4)

Thank everyone for taking time out of their day to come to the sermon.

Pray for illumination from Holy Spirit and my words to be God’s words.

Introduction:

· Peace and unity are unnatural for human beings.

· Ever since the fall to sin in the Garden of Eden, humanity has struggled to experience peace and unity in the world.

· To prove my point, “Only eight percent of the time since the beginning of recorded history has the world been entirely at peace. In over 5,000 years, only 400 have been warless and 8,000 treaties have been broken in this time.”

· Again, peace is unnatural for humans.

· Apostle Paul understood this struggle of humanity; therefore, he wrote a letter to the Church of Philippi named Philippians around 60-62 A.D where in Philippians 4:2-9, he addresses how to achieve unity in the church.

· Before I move any further, I want to put out a disclaimer that I am not an expert on the topic of peace, but simply a human who also struggles to achieve peace in my own life and the Church.

o Testimony about Holy Spirit convicting me about preaching on a topic that I was not actively implementing the Scripture

· My purpose in this sermon on Philippians 4:2-9 is to explain how Paul believes we can achieve peace and unity within the church.

· Big Idea: How can unity in the church be achieved? The peace of Jesus which begins inwardly before it moves outwardly.

I. Unity in the church is achieved when there is peace among our members (Phil 4:2-3).

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 (Philippians 4:2-3 ESV).

A. Exposition

1. The church must “agree in the Lord (v. 2)”

a. Terms of disagreement between these Euodia and Syntyche are uncertain – most likely an argument about living out Christian faith – not against Paul

i. Paul’s directness “urge (4:2)” demonstrates Paul’s closeness with Philippians church

ii. The disagreement is important to Paul because he knows divisiveness is byproduct of disagreement.

iii. Illustration: use the example about siblings and families having disunity.

b. Partnership in promoting the gospel together - foundation is Jesus

c. Relates back to “complete my joy (Phil 2:2) by “being of the same mind (Phil 2:2; 4:2)” – Greek word φρονεῖν

2. The church must help and guide each other (Phil 4:3).

a. γνήσιε σύζυγε is Greek meaning “yokefellow” or “true companion”

i. Help others serve each other as they serve Jesus

ii. “Yoke” was wooden beam two oxen used to pull load (Mt 11:29)

iii. Illustration: helping blind person get around by guiding them.

b. BIG IDEA: How can unity in the church be achieved? The peace of Jesus which begins inwardly before it moves outwardly.

II. Unity in the church is achieved when there is peace in our hearts (Phil 4:4-7).

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4 ESV).

A. Mention the heart issue discussed in the sermon on the mount.

B. All verb tenses in Phil 4:4-7 are Greek imperatives which indicate a command.

C. Exposition

1. Your heart must experience joy.

a. “Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4)” – it is a command for us to realize that God is in control rather than complain and be ungrateful.

b. “The joy of the LORD is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).”

c. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

d. Illustration:God why did you allow this to happen etc.

e. “In the Lord always” communicates no exceptions regardless of humiliation or pain - Paul was in prison (Phil 1:7)

f. Even through the bad, we can have joy when we remember what Jesus has done in the past, is presently doing, and will do in the future.

g. When we experience genuine inward Christian joy, then we can outwardlybe sensitive to the needs of others – joy produces relationships with others which helps make unity in the church.

h. BIG IDEA: How can unity in the church be achieved? The peace of Jesus which begins inwardly before it moves outwardly.

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand (Philippians 4:5 ESV)

2. Your heart must be reasonable (or gentle).

a. The Greek word ἐπιεικὲς means “gentle,” “yielding,” “kind,” “courteous,” or “tolerant,” so “reasonable (ESV)” works well here because it sums up these words meaning “sound judgement,” “sensible,” and “fair.”

b. Do not act rationally in anger in disunity.

c. The command to “rejoice” comes before “reasonable” which indicates that when we display joy which comes from having peace with Christ, we will be “reasonable” with others like Christ was and is.

d. Jesus is reasonable – “I am gentle and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29).”

e. Why do we need a Christ-like reasonableness and joy?

i. It will assist the church in healing.

ii. It will cause others to desire to have the same joy and reasonableness.

iii. It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

f. When we experience genuine inward Christian joy and reasonableness, then we can outwardly be sensitive to the needs of others – joy and reasonableness produces relationships with others.

g. BIG IDEA: How can unity in the church be achieved? The peace of Jesus which begins inwardly before it moves outwardly.

3. Your heart must experience the closeness of Jesus.

a. Do not read verse 5 too quickly or you will miss “The Lord is at hand (Phil 4:5).”

b. “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you (James 4:8).”

c. The nearness of Jesus should cause us joy, reasonableness, and fleeing of anxiety.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).

4. Your heart must refrain from anxiety.

a. Anxiety is concern about the uncertain and doubts God’s goodness, grace, and power over our lives – is about uncontrollable outcomes

b. Philippi Christians biggest stressor was the opposition of church outsiders (Phil 1:27).

c. Illustration: my dad used to say I could worry the horns off a billy goat – byproduct of parents’ divorce and uncertainty – what causes my anxiety is lack of control

d. The disagreement in Philippians 4:2-9 mirrors James 4:2 with the linking of anxiety, quarrels, and lack of prayer to God.

5. Your heart must be constant in thankful prayer.

a. Not praying has a direct link to tension within the church.

b. Pagan (Philippians faith before Christianity) prayers lacked thanksgiving (Romans 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:2)

i. Christians are meant to pray with thanksgiving because it is a posture of grace.

ii. Pray with thanksgiving for what God did in and for us through Jesus.

iii. Let God know our requests while praising him with thanksgiving.

c. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17 ESV).”

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 ESV).”

6. Then you will experience peace… even if our prayers are not answered.

a. Peace is the byproduct of joy, reasonableness, not being anxious, and praying (Phil 4:4-7).

b. Joy, reasonableness, and peace are all fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

c. Explain “guard” as a military analogy.

d. Perfect peace is where God lives, and his peace will guard our hearts and minds towards unity in the church.

e. This available peace is the same peace that Jesus left with us (John 14:27).

i. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27).”

ii. Jesus had to die and go to the Father so we could receive the Holy Spirit and always have access to peace.

f. BIG IDEA: How can unity in the church be achieved? The peace of Jesus which begins inwardly before it moves outwardly.

g. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15 ESV).”

III. Unity in the church is achieved when there is peace in our minds (Phil 4:8-9).

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 (Philippians 4:8 ESV).

A. Exposition

1. You must be steadfast in thought.

a. These six virtues were held in extremely high esteem in the Greco-Roman culture – it was moral language this pagan culture could comprehend. Paul formed these into Christian language.

i. Your mind must think about true things.

A. All of the other “whatevers” hinge on truth.

B. Christ as the divine Son of God (Colossians 1:5).

C. Scripture as truth (John 17:17).

D. Thinking of this truth rationally engages the world around us, rejects irrational thinking, and exclaims truth.

ii. Your mind must think about honorable things – moral life honoring God

iii. Your mind must think about just things.

A. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).”

B. Love the things that are “right” and acceptable before God.

iv. The next five are all-encompassing and relate to focusing of the kingdom of God.

A. Your mind must think about pure things.

B. Your mind must think about lovely things.

C. Your mind must think about commendable things.

D. Your mind must think about excellent things.

E. Your mind must think about things worthy of praise.

b. All these things are Jesus.

c. Paul desires for the Philippians church to “shine as lights in the world (Phil 2:15).

i. Mimics Jesus’ command to be “the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).”

ii. To do this Christians must focus on the true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise things... JESUS.

d. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2 ESV).”

i. When we allow our minds to focus on the world, we lose sight of the listed virtues above and cause our minds to become clouded.

ii. If we focus our mind on Jesus and his purpose for the church, we will experience peace in our minds and therefore unity and peace in the church.

e. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3).”

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 (Philippians 4:8-9 ESV).

2. Your mind must be steadfast in practice.

a. Imitate Paul – made constant effort and imitate Jesus – he accomplished the effort.

b. Learned and heard are synonyms.

i. The Philippians had authenticated the Christian life because of Paul’s words and life.

ii. Jesus had taught the truth surrounding God’s word.

c. Received and seen are synonyms.

i. These link to the application of truth.

ii. Paul taught the truth of Jesus.

iii. Jesus revealed the truth to the world and Paul.

3. Then peace is our guarantee… For our hearts, minds, and the church.

a. BIG IDEA: How can unity in the church be achieved? The peace of Jesus which begins inwardly before it moves outwardly.

b. These cannot be arranged out of this order because we cannot outwardly express what we do not inwardly possess.

c. “For nothing can come out of us which is not first within us.” Spurgeon

IV. Takeaways/Application

A. Two people in conflict can drag a whole church into conflict (Phil 4:2)

B. One peace making disciple can create a culture of peace (Phil 4:3)

C. Anxiety in me produce anxiety in us (Phil 4:4-6)

D. Pray no matter you situation and you will know peace (Phil 4:6-7)

E. Our mindset determines our peace, so think on good things (Phil 4:8)

F. Receive peace through obedience and imitation (Phil 4:9)

G. Real peace comes only from Jesus Christ (Phil 4:7 and 9)

V. Conclusion

A. Illustration: Close your eyes and think about the following things…

B. BIG IDEA: How can unity in the church be achieved? The peace of Jesus which begins inwardly before it moves outwardly.

C. “For nothing can come out of us which is not first within us.” Charles Spurgeon

D. “Peace is an action. Peace is the fruit of love. Peace starts with Jesus.”

E. Pray