It Takes Three

I want to acknowledge this morning, that sometimes it is hard to get a long with people. Some are just difficult, right? There’s that thing they did… or that thing they do. Aggravating! Annoying!

“Love difficult people. You’re one of them.”

It’s important to check our attitude toward the people we find difficult. We're not that easy to love either.

Two Church Ladies

We have been studying a letter which would have been read aloud to the gathered church in Philippi. It is an inspiring letter, written by a man loved and respected. The letter so far has been rich (and there’s more good stuff to come!), but this… this is the climax of the letter. The weight of everything Paul has said to this point comes to bear on a dispute between two women .

Philippians 4:2–3 NIV

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Can you imagine being called out like this?

YouTube video that circulated several years ago called, “Jim Standridge Throws a Hissy Fit.” A preacher stops his sermon to call out a young man for nodding off in a sermon on Leviticus. He goes on to publicly rebuke another man for sporadic attendance, an engaged couple that were, he said, “the sorriest church members I’ve got”, a mother who was too lenient with her children, and even the tech-guy in the video room who needed an attitude adjustment.

Paul’s not doing that, but he is naming names: Euodia and Syntyche. Apparently there was some kind of dispute between them that needed to be addressed. It seems to have been the “elephant in the room.”

Notice how Paul addresses it:

Paul doesn’t take a side. He evenhanded, calling them to a higher way, pleading with each woman by name. This indicates that it was not a moral or doctrinal dispute, but some difference between them that had become much bigger than it should.

He is complimentary. These are women who have labored at Paul’s side in the cause of the gospel. They are co-workers. They are faithful women whose names are in the book of life.

But the big one is this: He pleads for them to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” The key word in this phrase has already been used 7 times in the letter. The high point of its usage is in chapter 2:

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Then verses 3-5

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

A major theme of this letter is the Christ Jesus Mind. Paul has painted such an inspiring portrait of Christ, demonstrating this humble mindset. He followed it with inspiring examples of people who had adopted that same mindset. He has shown in inspiring fashion what really matters in life, and how everything else is table scraps.

All along, without yet having mentioned this issue, he has been sizing up this “elephant in the room” as petty by comparison. After all that, it barely needs a mention. I imagine these two women humbly nodding their heads.

Fill in the Blank

Since we have this fill-in-the-blank thing going (on the slides), are you up for one more fill-in-the-blank quiz?

I plead with to be of the same mind in the Lord.

What relationship in your life right now is strained? Who is it that aggravates you? Annoys you? Particularly at home or in the church. (personality, politics, cultural differences, opinion, different approach, annoying habit, past wrong, etc.)

How does the issue size up to the mercy Christ has extended to you?

How would things change if you adopted the attitude of Jesus in the relationship in your blank?

Paul brings all the weight of the gospel to bear on a single strained relationship between two sisters in Christ. We can’t ignore these; they need to be addressed — at the attitude / mindset level.

It Takes Three

You may be wondering who the “true companion” is that Paul asks to help these women. That’s a blank no one can fill. We have do idea. Some suggestions: Epaphroditus, a proper name (loyal Syzygus), a church leaders. All we know is that this was an issue that impacted the church and so the church should be ready to help these two reconcile.

One suggestion that I found intriguing was that the true companion is Jesus. That is not my conclusion. However, can the Euodia’s and Syntyche’s of the church ever get along without the help of Jesus.

Matthew 18:20 ESV

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

When we read this verse in it’s context, it is talking about reconciliation between brothers. If two were unable to work it out, they should enlist the help of one or two others (like the “true companion”). When Jesus talks about 2 or 3 gathered, it is not about a small church service; it is about the Euodia’s and Syntyche’s and of the church reconciling.

And he says, when that is happening, you can count on me to be right there with you!

So, I guess what I’m getting at today is: Don’t remain at odds with your brothers and sisters—even if it is just in your own head. In your own head is the very place the change needs to happen.

And: If it takes two to argue, it takes three to be one—to have the unity God intends. Christ is invested in that process of shaping your mindset and reconciling strained relationships—by the work of the Spirit within us, and often with the help of the true companions we have here.

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