Rejoicing and Growing Together
Pastor Chad A. Miller
Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 35:54
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· 79 viewsThe growing church is a loving church that works to maintain unity. It grows as a disciple-making body that prays together and brings out the best in each other in Christ!
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These struggles include disputes, joylessness, lack of graciousness, anxiety, and impure thoughts.
Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in Philippians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (p. 165). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Text: Philippians 4.1-9
Text: Philippians 4.1-9
1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
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 and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
1. Live in Love
1. Live in Love
1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Notice the incredibly affectionate tone here from Paul. He’s not about to drop a bomb…though he is about to remind the Philippians of much of what he’s already said:
Remember one of our earliest messages in this series:
7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
It is a normative experience for a church family to have a deep, familial, abiding, Christ-authored LOVE and PASSION for one another.
Your Grace Covenant Family will be the ones with you at the height of your usefulness and successes…and they’ll be with you at the bottom of your lowest point.
Paul is not describing “event attenders” or “inactive church members” (that’s an oxymoron btw). Membership = active partnership, active discipleship, and active LOVE!
This is why we need to linger after the Sunday morning gatherings. This is one of the benefits of Sunday School, in addition to the instruction. This is a good reason to plug in to the Men’s ministry group and Women’s ministry group when they resume in later months.
Regardless of temperament or spectrum, we recognize that we have a responsibility and the PRIVILEGE of being together…headed the same direction - not for a cause…but for OUR KING!
which leads directly into our next observation from the text
2. Live in Harmony
2. Live in Harmony
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.
Paul loves the Philippians, but he loves the Gospel more…he loves Jesus’ testimony more. He interrupts this flow of thought with a personal plea to the women, and the community surrounding the women - fix this!
Nothing will undermine momentum quicker than disunity.
Who is on team Euodia? Who is on team Syntyche?
We have no idea what the disagreement is concerning. We do know that news of it had reached Paul in Rome, no doubt when Epaphroditus brought a report. Maybe he just responded to Paul’s inquiring about their welfare?
We do know that it likely WAS NOT ABOUT doctrine or practice. Which practically begs the question…So what then? If it’s not about orthodoxy or orthopraxy…why address the problem at all?
Why not just allow them to agree to disagree with one another? Because disagreement falls short of like-mindedness and putting others’ interests before your own. How can you esteem someone as more important than yourself and simultaneously hold a grudge against them? You can’t do both, which means we must be proactive about truly resolving conflict rather than allowing it to fester below the surface. A broken relationship is still broken even if there is civility on the surface.
So here we have three core themes that run through the book: like-mindedness, humbly serving others, and rejoicing. All three will surface again in this section.
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
They need help from the body.
They are workers in the Gospel…not lazy bums.
They deserve help; Christ demands unity.
3. Live in Confidence by Prayer
3. Live in Confidence by Prayer
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.
I love how the Holy Spirit uses these circumstances, Paul’s train of thought - including his sidetracks - to give us the Word of God!
1. REJOICE
1. REJOICE
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
In this context we learn that Rejoicing doesn’t just guard our hearts against discouragement, but also against division.
Ephesians–Philemon Comment
What is even more striking is the addition of “always.” The command is always in season. It is always the right time to rejoice. This focus on always means the Philippians can have joy in something that is always true and does not depend upon pleasant circumstances (Paul is an obvious example: he is writing about joy while in prison facing possible death). The Philippians can always rejoice “in the Lord” because what they have in Christ cannot fade, spoil, or expire. No one can steal their joy, for no one can take away their victory in Christ.
A MODERN-DAY SONG REMINDS US
“This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away!”
2. BE GENTLE
2. BE GENTLE
As you prefer one another…not given to selfish conceit / ambition.
“Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near” (HCSB).
“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (ESV).
“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon” (NLT).
“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near”
(NASB). “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (NIV).
Scholars tell us that this Greek word for “reasonableness” (ESV), “graciousness” (HCSB), or “gentleness” (NIV) isn’t easy to translate.
Having a “gentle forbearance with others” gets at the idea (Fee, Pauline Christology, 406).
It’s the opposite of being contentious and self-seeking (Carson, Basics, 106).
NOTE: THE LORD IS AT HAND
2 ways to read this:
He is “near” the Philippians - easily named among them since they seem to be doing well in so many areas of walking in the Spirit
this nearness enables them walk with him on His terms.
His return is “near”.
Let them inspire you to work while there is still daylight
BOTH WORK! We can’t do it without HIM! We want to do all we can while we can to bring him glory!
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
3. Don’t worry about anything!
3. Don’t worry about anything!
Easy enough right?
What is worry/anxiety?
We worry when we imagine the future in a terrible way. John Piper says, “Anxiety seems to be an intense desire for something, accompanied by a fear of the consequences of not receiving it” (“Is There Good Anxiety?”).
Crushing anxiety happens when I believe lies. You might think of your worries as false prophets. They’re telling you that God isn’t good, sovereign, and wise. You need to listen to another sermon.
Jesus tells us Matthew 6 that Every day the birds are preaching another one, and we should watch and listen to them. Tony Merida points out that in Jesus’ sermon on worry here, he shows us...
1. God provides for birds and flowers; He will surely provide for us (Matt 6:26,28-30).
2. worrying is pointless (Matt 6:27,34).
3. worrying is a pagan practice, not a disciple’s practice (Matt 6:31-32). Stop freaking out like you don’t know God.
4. God knows our needs more than we do (Matt 6:32).
5. God will provide everything we need when we seek His kingdom and His righteousness (Matt 6:33).
Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in Philippians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (p. 178). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
4. Pray about everything!
4. Pray about everything!
Pray precisely (and supplication)
Pray PRAISING (with thanksgiving)
NOTE: AND THE PEACE OF GOD
Paul’s reference to peace recalls the blessing he pronounced on those who are in Christ Jesus: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1:2).
God’s peace is a gospel gift, and thus it is experienced only “in Christ Jesus” (4:7).
Paul is zealous to keep pointing to the benefits of being in Christ (1:13, 14; 2:1, 19, 24, 29; 3:1; 4:1, 2, 4, 10).
This divine peace transcends earthly circumstances; thus it “surpasses all understanding.” Rejoicing and resting peacefully while in prison cannot be adequately explained by the categories common to natural man. I once heard American preacher Adrian Rogers sum this principle up in a sermon: “We have no right to be believed if we can be explained.” God’s peace does not depend upon peaceful circumstances, and thus it transcends natural explanations that take God out of the equation.
4. Live in Purity
4. Live in Purity
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 and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
- THINK WELL
- THINK WELL
“What you think matters more than you think!”
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 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.
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
Notice the meditations of our thought life:
(1) true,
(2) honorable,
(3) just,
(4) pure,
(5) lovely,
(6) commendable,
(7) excellent, or
(8) worthy of praise.
Fixing one’s gaze on Christ would fulfill all of these, for he perfectly lived out all of them. He is the fullness of goodness, truth, and beauty.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face...
Preaching the Word: Philippians—The Fellowship of the Gospel Summary and Command
Along with the discipline of refusal, there is the ancient God-given remedy of spending much time reading and meditating on the Scriptures. The greatest danger in our busy, increasingly post-literate world is that we make little or no effort to think God’s thoughts after him, to hide his word in our hearts so that we might not sin against him (cf. Psalm 119:11). We cannot be profoundly influenced by that which we do not know.
To the end that this is written to a body of people we should strive to encourage these in one another. I shouldn’t stir up thoughts in you that are: false, dishonorable, unjust, impure, ugly, improper, inferior, or unworthy.
- PUT IN ALL IN PRACTICE
- PUT IN ALL IN PRACTICE
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.
Here’s the so what…DO IT!
What you have learned. What you have received. What you have heard. What you have seen.
“We don’t need no education!” If more information was going to get the job done - we’d have reached the world a long time ago.
Information without action NEVER BRINGS TRANSFORMATION.
It’s obvious Paul is referring to more than his public teaching or letters. This is an all-in kind of sermon…a living epistle for all men to read.
“Follow me, as I follow Jesus.”
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
THIS IS MORE THAN THE PREACHED WORD…IT IS THE LIVED WORD.
Greek Disciple-making: Information / orthodoxy
Hebrew Disciple-making: Incarnation / orthopraxy
CONCLUSION: SO WHAT?
I want to be a part of a growing church!
Things that are living…grow.
God brings the harvest, but He uses us to set the table.
Paul reminds a church that “has it going on”...
I love you. Live in love.
Live in harmony. Keep the main things. Living in love, and confidently with purity will keep us unified.
Live in the confidence of God’s peace. Pagans worry. Disciples rejoice, trust and pray.
Live in purity. Let the Lord remake your minds into fertile ground for good thoughts,
Bulletin Christianity settles for good Sunday Services. Is that what Christianity is to you? Is that what Grace Covenant is to you? Aren’t you thankful the disciples weren’t satisfied with that?