Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
- Maintaining / Regaining Unity
Introduction
This passage is where all the previous doctrinal truths really come together.
As long as there are people, there will be conflict: Cain and Abel.
Jacob and Esau.
David and Saul.
Even Paul had a disagreement with Barnabas, one so bitter that they stopped working together.
Cain and Abel.
Jacob and Esau.
David and Saul.
Even Paul had a disagreement with Barnabas, one so bitter that they stopped working together.
Sometimes conflict is necessary.
There are times when conflict arises over truth, and truth must prevail.
There are times when conflict arises over sin, and holiness must prevail.
There are times when conflict arises over sin, and holiness must prevail.
Now, we don't know what the conflict was between Euodia and Syntyche, but we know what it wasn't.
It wasn't a doctrinal issue; Paul would have corrected it.
It wasn't a sin issue; Paul would have rebuked it.
It wasn't a doctrinal issue; Paul would have corrected it.
There was no justification for their disagreement.
It wasn't a sin issue; Paul would have rebuked it.
We should understand that these women were mature, faithful Christians who gave their lives for the Gospel.
But their devotion and maturity didn't safeguard them against arguing over non-issues, over preferences or opinions or inclinations.
These women are mature, faithful Christians who have given their lives for the Gospel.
But their devotion and maturity didn't safeguard them against arguing over non-issues, over preferences or opinions or inclinations.
There is nothing wrong with having preferences and opinions, but our opinions and preferences can’t bear the strain of unifying us.
Our immaturity makes us want to win arguments.
Our ignorance causes us to assume that we know more than others.
Our pride causes us to be insulted when others disagree.
Our conscience causes us to justify our own behavior while accusing others.
Our ignorance causes us to assume that we know more than others.
Our pride causes us to be insulted when others disagree.
Our conscience causes us to justify our own behavior while accusing others.
Euodia and Syntyche both wanted to make their opinion or preference the basis for unity.
When their unity, based on something so fragile and unsubstantial, collapsed in on itself, it became public and harmed the church.
When their unity, based on something that fragile, collapsed in on itself, it became public and harmed the church.
So Paul reminds us how to be truly unified in the Lord.
AGREE in the Lord
There is no hope of unity apart from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women [agree in the Lord], 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.
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There is no hope of unity apart from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Nothing less than Christ Himself can bear the pressure and strain of holding sinners in peaceful intimacy with one another.
People want agreement over all sorts of things.
I’ve known people to want to unify the church over:
Their view of the end times.
A translation of the Bible.
Having the building decorated in a certain way.
Musical styles.
Liturgies.
The Body of Christ is made up of men, women, and children of every tongue, tribe, ethnicity, and family.
Unity is only possible if we rise above human experience, opinion, and preference, and focus on the Lord Jesus.
REJOICE in the Lord
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice [in the Lord].
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Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice [in the Lord].
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In every circumstance, find your joy in the Lord.
We should not look for or accept lesser reasons for joy.
We should rejoice in the Lord Jesus.
You might remember that Jesus sent 72 of His disciples out on a short-term preaching trip.
He gave them clear instructions about how to travel, how to find a place to stay, and what to do; they were to heal the sick and preach the kingdom of God.
They returned with joy, saying “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!”
Jesus said to them,
"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
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Even success in life and ministry are inferior reasons for joy.
There is only one focus of joy that will never fail: Jesus Christ.
If we rejoice in our successes, what happens when we fail?
If we rejoice in our relationships, what happens when others let us down?
If we rejoice in our possessions, what happens when we lose them?
But because of the promise of God, we know that no name written in heaven in the Lamb’s book of life (, ) will ever be erased.
That joy is eternal because the basis of it is eternal.
Let us rejoice in the Lord!
YIELD in the Lord
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
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The word “reasonableness” – your Bible might say “gentle spirit” or “gentleness” – is a little tricky to translate.
The word “reasonableness” – your Bible might say “gentle spirit” or “gentleness” – is a little tricky to translate.
The sense is being reason-able, that you can be reasoned with.
In the context of relationships and conflict, it means that you are winnable, that you are eager for reconciliation and restoration.
I think the best way to summarize the idea is to say that we are to yield to one another in the Lord.
We find this throughout the Scriptures:
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
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A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
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Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
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We are like a sports team – we swing from offense to defense and back again.
We are like a sports team – we swing from offense to defense and back again.
Because we are sinners, we offend people.
Because other people are sinners, they offend us.
When we offend others, we are to be humble and contrite, and long for peace.
When we are offended by others, we are to be reason-able, win-able, eager to forgive.
It’s hard to admit that we are wrong, but it is equally hard to forgive those who have wronged us.
Maybe that’s why the focus on reconciliation in the epistles is not on the Offender, but on the Offended.
puts it this way:
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
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We can’t make others act this way, but we can govern ourselves, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and yield to others in the Lord.
We can’t make others act this way, but we can govern ourselves, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and yield to others in the Lord.
TRUST in the Lord
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