Philippians 4A

• Within the New Testament, most especially in John’s gospel, we find sprinkled throughout, statements from Jesus about the identity and necessary unity of His disciples.

  • In one instance, found in John 13:35, we find that Jesus makes the following statement.

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

• Jesus makes mention that the world would know who His disciples are based upon not how they interacted throughout the world, but how they would interact with one another.

  • That there would be a clear distinction of who are followers of Christ based on how they love one another.

  • And Jesus provides Himself as an example by saying, the way in which I have loved you is how you should love one another.

  • Yet, when we evaluate and take an honest assessment of the church today, this framework of unity and love is difficult to see at times.

    • It’s hard to see because the Big “C” church has done a poor job in developing men and women to do what Paul is going to show us here tonight.

  • Tonight, we are going to see Paul continue in this grand theme of Joy, but he will ground this experiential joy in the practical application of unity in community.

    • And he does so by simply reinforcing what he has taught the Philippians in the previous chapters.

    • Here is just a quick cliff notes version of what we have covered in Chapters 1-3 of Philippians: (PPT slides of the outline of Chapters 1-3)

  • If I were to provide us an outline of thought in our time through the text tonight, we will see the following:

    • 1. Stand Firm (v.1)

    • 2. Address of disunity (v.2)

    • 3. Remain in Unity (v.3)

    • 4. Living with Joyful anticipation (vv.4-5)

• If I were to put a tag on tonight’s text, it would simply be: The Necessity of Unity in Community.

  • With that being said, I invite you to open a copy of the scriptures and meet me in Philippians 4:1.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

• As we enter the concluding chapter of the letter to the Philippian church, we find at the start of verse 1, the Apostle Paul’s use of the word, “therefore”.

  • And as we previously discussed at the top of our time together, Paul is simply wrapping up his previous statements in the preceding chapters.

    • The thrust of Paul’s letter to the Philippian church has centered on joy.

    • Along with having joy amidst suffering, is the proper attitude in which sustains that joy for the believer within these circumstances.

  • That as believers in Christ, our primary aim is to put on the mind of Christ in every area of our lives and to live with eyes for eternity.

    • As we all know, life has a way of knocking us down and tossing us around, yet through it all, there is an attitude in which we posture.

    • This is not to say that these trials will feel good, but it is to say that when we have on the proper set of lenses, we can see things differently.

  • So, Paul is wanting these believers in Philippi to practice what he has taught them from Chapters 1 up to this point.

    • Secondly, notice again who Paul is talking to. He uses the phrase, “my beloved brethren”.

  • Throughout the duration of this letter, the audience has remained the same, meaning, Paul is writing this letter to believers in Philippi.

    • I mention this point because what we are going to see Paul address in verse 2, for some, will seem a bit “out of character”.

    • And before one begins to misrepresent the text, we must first understand contextually what the author is saying and meaning.

  • So, it becomes quite clear that Paul is not just writing to believers, but he is writing to a group of believers in whom are dear to his heart.

    • Remember, it was only about 10-11 years prior to this letter being written that Paul had started this church.

    • He had witnessed these brothers and sisters come to faith in Christ and begin to grow in their faith in the Lord.

    • So, at best, this longing to see them was a deep desire within his heart.

  • On top of that, Paul, being imprisoned in Rome, had no idea as to when he would be freed from house arrest.

    • He had to await a date for trial given to him by Caesar, so in the meantime, his only connection to the people was by letter and verbal updates.

  • One could imagine this longing as that of a parent to a child that has gone off to college for their freshman year.

    • You prepared the dorm room, set up the lunch account etc., and the moment comes where you have to depart.

    • That deep sadness of seeing your child or grandchild going to a school hundreds of miles away.

    • They aren’t at home for nightly family dinners at the table or coming along with you for midnight trips to the corner store.

    • This is the expression in which Paul has at this moment, after having expressed the content of Chapters 1-3 to them.

  • As a matter of fact, this deep affection was earlier expressed by Paul at the top of this letter. Check out Philippians 1:8.

Philippians 1:8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

• So although Paul longs to lay eyes on the Philippians, due to his present circumstances, he can’t.

  • However, this does not deter him from reminding them of who they are to him, even more so, how they are to live in light of their positional reality.

  • Notice, how Paul expresses who they are to him after having expressed his longing desire to see them.

    • He mentions that they are his “joy and crown”.

  • Paul’s joy, while being imprisoned, are the believers in whom he is writing to and longing to see.

    • Their spiritual well-being and fortitude in the faith, being in Christ, is what motivates his work in the ministry.

  • Ministry at times is not an easy thing to do because in doing it many fail to realize that the Pastor or the bible teacher is going through difficulty too.

    • Yet, the Pastor’s desire, even amid their own distresses, is for the people in whom they serve.

    • Are the people growing, are they being fed well, etc?

    • On top of that, if arguments and disagreements in the body arise, that becomes another layer of stress.

  • And although Paul could have provided extreme criticisms regarding the Philippians, he lets them know they are not the “bane of his existence”.

    • Rather they are his joy and crown!

    • In other words, Paul’s efforts in teaching and discipleship were not in vain.

    • His efforts in them were producing Kingdom value not calamity!

  • Beyond them being his joy, the Apostle Paul mentions that they are his ‘crown’ as well.

    • What crown is Paul referring to here and what is he talking about when he says they are his crown?

  • Well, remember, he began Chapter 4 with the word, “Therefore”.

    • And the previous points Paul discussed addressed in this letter were continued matters of sanctification and coming glorification.

  • The emphasis in Chapter 3 was regarding the rejection of legalism and self-promotion which are the hindrances of joy in Christ.

    • Furthermore, Paul’s focus began to center on forgetting what lies behind (the past) and embracing what we have gained in Christ.

    • That as we adjust our appetites from the things of the flesh to the things of the Spirit, we realize the true treasure we have is being in Christ.

  • Paul’s point towards the end of Chapter 3 began to zoom in on the aspect of glorification and how the Philippians should live in light of the appearing of Christ.

    • In other words, our goal in living is Christ, and as we live well for Him in this life He will reward us in the end.

    • The question one must consider in the meantime is: How are you running your personal race in the Lord?

    • Is your running centered on glorifying Christ as to receive His applause and reward, or is it centered on you being seen and applauded?

• In a sport’s magazine entitled “Outside”, it featured an article titled “The Problem with looking over Your Shoulder during a Race”.

  • And in this article, the author writes about why “looking back” is not a “smart idea”.

    • They go on to say that a runner looking back signals a negative shift in the mindset of the athlete.

    • For if the runner looks back it’s because they are afraid someone is catching up (other-minded)

    • And when that happens, they are no longer running to win, they are running to avoid losing.

    • Therefore, the race in this journey of sanctification is about your personal growth and maturity in Christ.

  • So, this use of the term crown, contextually, has something to do with how the believer would be rewarded in the end, depended upon how well he/she runs.

• In fact, the term ‘crown’ is the Greek word stephanos, which is a wreath, prize, or reward of a runner, especially those in Greek competition.

  • And what we see here is Paul’s connection of his prize being the very lives of these saints because of his ministry to them being established in the faith.

    • What we see from Paul’s language here also speaks to the opportunity of reward that all believers have at the Bema Seat of Christ.

    • In other words, how a believer runs their race results in the type of crown/reward they will receive.

  • We find within scripture 5 types of crowns in which can be attained by believers according to how they run their race in this life.

    • Those crowns consist of the following:

    • 1. An Incorruptible Crown – this crown deals with gaining mastery over the flesh (sin nature). (1 Cor. 9:24-27)

    • 2. Crown of Exaltation (Rejoicing) – this crown is based on winning souls for Christ. (1 Thess. 2:19)

    • 3. Crown of Life – this crown is given to those who persevere under trial and have been approved. (James 1:12, Rev. 2:10)

    • 4. Crown of Glory – this crown is given for the purpose of shepherding God’s people. (1 Pt. 5:2-4)

    • 5. Crown of Righteousness – this crown is given to those who are longing for His appearing. (2 Tim. 4:8)

  • So, Paul’s point is that he desires for his beloved brothers and sisters to have victory in this life as they await the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

    • As we discussed prior, the Doctrine of the Rapture becomes such a vital teaching for the growth and maturation for believers.

    • Because, if you understand that Christ can come at any moment, it will better inform how you should live accordingly now.

  • Growing up, there was a phrase my parents used to say when I was doing something I shouldn’t have.

    • And that statement was: “Wesley, you better make sure you are doing what you’re supposed to. You don’t want to be caught with your pants down.”

    • This idiom wasn’t suggesting that one’s pants are literally not on.

    • Rather it meant, “You better make sure you’re doing the right thing at all times so that you aren’t embarrassed or caught off guard.”

  • In a similar way, Paul is encouraging the church at Philippi to not be caught off guard in their living for Christ.

    • He tells them, that the way to receive the prize is to remain steadfast and firm in the Lord.

    • This becomes the same echo in which the Apostle Paul gave to the church of Philippi at the onset of this letter in Philippians 1:27. Check out the text:

Philippians 1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

• The beginning thrust of Paul’s emphasis on the Philippians conducting themselves in a worthy manner is based on them being in unity with one another.

  • And this unity was to be actualized whether Paul was there physically with them or not at all.

  • And through this unity of community, there was to be consistency in attitude, mindset, and Spirit!

• It’s like my mother used to tell my sister and I growing up – “My disciplining you doesn’t change whether we are in public or private. You can get this work either way!”

  • In other words, proximity is not the problem persistence is.

    • Paul is saying, whether I’m with you or not, be of one mind as I have taught you 11 years ago!

    • Don’t be duped by the legalistic teachings that are being murmured throughout the city.

    • Don’t be bamboozled by the gnostic lifestyles of the day – rather stand firm on the truth in which you have been taught.

  • It’s interesting that in our last teaching, Paul utilized a military term “keep living” (stoicheo) which means “following in a line”.

    • The point being: Don’t allow your behavior (your living) to get out of sync with what you believe.

    • Because the moment that we allow our flesh to become the dominant voice in our lives is the moment that we begin to live like the world.

    • For if this weren’t the case, why would Paul write to the Galatians the following words:

Galatians 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

• We must make a daily decision to stand firm on what has been taught in scripture so that we do not become slaves to sin.

  • But as we will see in the following verses, standing firm requires the believers to live in unity with one another. Check out verses 2-3.

Philippians 4:2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
Philippians 4:3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

• It’s here in verses 2-3 that Paul provides some real-time evaluations of a present matter within the Philippian Church.

  • According to the text, there were two individuals named Euodia and Syntyche who were evidently at odds with one another.

    • We know this because Paul addresses this quarrel in a public manner to confront the disunity at hand.

    • And we discover from further reading in verse 3 that these two individuals are women in the church who are causing issue.

  • One question that might be asked in observing the text is: What is the issue of disunity for these two women in the church.

    • This is oftentimes the first question that circulates within congregations when internal disturbances arise: Who did it and why?

    • And if not careful, the circulation of information amongst individuals can easily turn into gossip if not approached correctly.

  • What becomes a detail worth noting is, Paul does not address what the issue is.

    • As Dr. Andy Woods said on his teaching on Philippians, “The issue is not really the issue.”

    • Meaning, whatever the cause of the disunity amongst these two women was not the true problem at hand.

  • We can, from the text, come to understand what the root issue behind the issue truly was by looking at Paul’s use of the phrase “to live in harmony.”

    • The word there in Greek is phroneo which means to set one’s mind or attitude on something.

    • Plainly put, where there is independent thought on a matter, there must be a unified front and one-mindedness.

  • So what the specific issue was isn’t the issue at hand, it’s the fact that their attitudes were more independently minded rather than Christ-minded.

    • Well, the question becomes how did these women lose this attitude of Christ as it relates to the root matter.

    • It’s what Paul had previously addressed in Philippians 2:5 regarding having an attitude of humility like Christ. Check out the text:

Philippians 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Philippians 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

• Paul expressed Christ as the ultimate of how to pattern their lives regarding true humility.

  • There was an “emptying” that Christ demonstrated through becoming a man having voluntarily restricted the use of His divine nature. (Kenosis)

  • So, what Paul seems to be getting at here is that these women needed to regard one another as more important than the other. (Phil. 2:3-4)

• We find ourselves in the universal church struggling with this reality at times. Who’s going to host the small group?

  • Well, my house is bigger. Well, I have better hospitality! And this vindictive cycle goes on forever because of our lack of humility.

    • The goal in gathering, or whatever the “issue” is, is never about who does it better, the purpose is serving one another to the Glory of God!

  • We can become so territorial regarding matters within the church, and Paul is saying, “Put on the mind of Christ, be of one mind, be in unity with one another.”

    • There is no room within the body of Christ for petty territorial wars, etc!

• It’s in verse 3 that Paul continues by requesting that his “true companion” in Philippi help these women to resolve this issue.

  • The goal for this individual, who Paul does not name, is to restore fellowship between these two women.

    • What makes this portion of the letter so personal is that these two women have labored alongside Paul in the sharing of the Gospel in Philippi.

  • This brings up a rather interesting point here: These women knew what the word of the Lord said!

    • Most assuredly, they had knowledge of the Gospel that Paul taught and were not indoctrinated with the false gospel of the Gnostics.

    • I mention this because it helps us understand that these women have been immersed in solid gospel teaching from the Apostle himself.

    • Therefore, it is to say that they should have “known better”, yet there came a point where they allowed their flesh to get the best of them.

• Herein lies the tendency of many believers in Christ.

  • It is the reality that we often give way to allowing the flesh to dominate our mind and attitude, regardless of the issue at hand.

    • Therefore friends, believers are prone to wonder and respond in a way that is not “Christ-like”.

    • And this means that responding in our sin-nature is possible but not desirous!

  • In other words, we should always be dying to ourselves so that Christ may be fully formed in our motives and attitudes. (Romans 12:1-2)

    • “Which dog in the fight are you going to feed?”

  • This unity within the body should not be unorthodox to the church but should be the norm for the believers in Christ.

    • Furthermore, this unity that should be exhibited within the body of Christ will be foreign to the unbelieving world.

    • This is how you have non-believers who look at the church struggling with understanding how the church proclaims a transformative gospel yet do not carry themselves as transformed people.

    • Or how can the Church talk about the triunity of the Trinity yet there be disfunction within the body of Christ.

  • The reality is, as long as we are on this side of glory and remain in this flesh, there will always be issues and dissensions of sorts.

    • However, when we submit to the spiritual resources in which the Lord has provided, we realize that we can overcome the power of sin in our lives!

    • The issue becomes, will you consciously make the choice to submit unto the enabling power of the Spirit or will you give in to the flesh?

    • The choice is yours, but understand believer, that there are things at stake if you fail to run your race well.

  • Most assuredly, we praise God that our salvation is not on the line, however as Paul expressed last week, our rewards are!

• So, the Apostle Paul requests his un-named true companion in Philippi, more than likely an elder or Pastor in order to reconcile the broken fellowship.

  • And as a quick side note, an indicator of disunity amongst the body of Christ, is often a sign of out of sync fellowship with the Lord in some way.

    • Meaning, if fellowship with others in the body become an issue, there is a failure in submission to the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ!

  • Paul is stressing the point that if there is to be unity anywhere in the world, it is to be seen among the body of Christ!

• If we look at the present condition of the world today, it is not marked by unity but division.

  • The world is divided politically, socially, economically, varied social classes, the haves versus the have nots.

    • Yet, in Christ, all men and women who have professed faith in Christ have been made one in Him – no longer divided, but united.

    • If you want to see a picture of unity in this world, the modeled display should be the Church.

    • Paul, in Colossians 3:12-15 mentions the following as it relates to unity in the body of Christ and how we should deal with one another.

Colossians 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Colossians 3:14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

• Moving on, Paul mentions that along with Euodia and Syntyche sharing in the struggle of the gospel was a man by the name Clement and other “fellow workers”.

  • The fact that Paul mentions Clement, which was a common Roman name, is important to note.

  • However, there is not much information, if any, on who Clement was.

  • Whatever the case, Paul mentioning him speaks to Clement’s maturity and behavior along with the others who co-labored with him.

  • Lastly, notice what Paul says about all these individuals who have shared in the cause of the gospel with him.

    • He says that their names are written in the “book of life”. This is comforting to hear.

  • Within scripture when you read about the “Book of Life” it is often always dealing with those who have placed faith in Christ.

    • The Book of Life is a heavenly account of all believers in all dispensations who are the “elect of God”.

  • This further confirms for us that although these two women are at odds with one another at that time, it has no bearing on their positional reality in Christ.

    • In other words, because they are saved by the justifying work of Christ, they are forever saved. (Once Saved always saved)

  • And this reality and teaching is hard for most because they expect that once you got saved, it’s only up from here (emotionally)…. wrong!

    • This journey of sanctification is a continual process until we die or are raptured.

    • Therefore, we must daily entrust ourselves unto the Lord in humility and with great dependency.

  • As I mentioned before, if our salvation was predicated upon our actions and works, we would be in a constant state of “working” – because there is always the question of, “What about tomorrow?”

    • So, the fact that believers’ names are written in the lamb’s book of life, there is nothing that can take you out of the book because it’s been written in permanently.

    • Therefore, it’s this reality and understanding of what Christ has done for us positionally, and is doing in us experientially, that Paul states the following in verses 4-5:

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

• Paul provides the Philippian church with a practical solution on how to overcome the various obstacles they have faced as a body.

  • From the sickness of Epaphroditus, to the legalistic teachings of the false teachers in their day, and even the in-fighting amongst the body of believers.

    • Paul tells them that despite all that you are encountering – rejoice!

    • And he further emphasizes the point again by saying, “and again I will say, rejoice!”

  • The question most would ask is how?! How can I rejoice when I’m at odds with my neighbor, I’m being attacked on all sides, where is the joy to be found?!

    • This is often a question of misappropriating our emotions.

    • Most seek to be happy and think that happiness is the key to experiencing joy in this life.

    • However, happiness is simply an emotion that is dictated by the circumstances one is in.

  • You are happy when payday rolls around, but the moment that bills have to be paid, that happiness turns to frustration.

    • You are happy when you get the promotion on the job.

    • But the moment you have to deal with the conflict that comes with the higher pay and promotion, that happiness soon turns to annoyance.

  • What Paul is informing the Philippians about is that the root of their joy is found in what Christ has done, doing, and will soon do!

    • Joy, in other words, is a positional reality realized in the practicality of that knowledge.

  • This is why believers can have joy in the midst of persecution, because we realize that we aren’t in the trial alone.

    • This is why a believer who has suffered great loss can, through the grief, say without being moved, “It is well with my soul.”

    • Because positionally, we have something that the world did not give us and the world can’t take away from us and that is a vibrant relationship with Christ!

  • Understand what Paul is not saying in all this. Paul is not saying that you aren’t going to cry or experience natural human emotions.

    • Nor is Paul saying that you are to suppress your emotions as it relates to what you encounter in this life.

    • However, Paul is saying don’t let your emotions be the driver of your life.

    • Emotions are a great passenger because they help identify your surroundings, however, if you let the emotions drive your reality, they can suck the joy out of living.

  • So, Paul is saying that our reality should be ruled through and by the lens of Christ by having eyes for eternity.

    • Understand that this is easier said than done, especially if you are a babe in Christ.

    • But the longer you walk with the Lord and grow in your knowledge of Him, you can exercise this knowledge practically, day by day.

  • The rejoicing that is being done is done “in the Lord”, not within oneself – His strength not our weakness.

• So, Paul continues to encourage the Philippians in practical ways by exhorting them to allow their “gentle” spirit be known to all men.

  • The word “gentle” in Greek is epieikes (epi-e-kes) which connotes that of gentleness, forbearance, and patience.

    • This patience is not only to be exhibited to the unbelieving world, but it should most especially be shown to those who have been born-again!

    • This sense of humility and patience is what the Lord Jesus expressed on the cross for you and me.

    • He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil 2:8)

  • It’s interesting that Paul mentions at the tail end of verse 5 that “The Lord is near.”

    • It’s this idea of living in light of the nearness of Christ.

    • This simply means that I should live, behave, respond in a way that Christ will come back at any moment, and I want to be ready.

  • The reality is, the Rapture is an imminent event, meaning it can happen at any moment for no man knows the day nor hour.

    • So, in light of not knowing when the Rapture will occur, as my mom used to say, “You better make sure you’re living right!”

  • We should want to be ready at any moment for His appearing because we don’t want to be caught with our pants down, so to speak.

    • Because how we live well among the unbelieving world will either be a “sign of their coming destruction”.

    • Or a grave misrepresentation of the cross of Christ, and clouds what Christ has truly accomplished.

  • I love how Paul summarizes this reality in Colossians 3:16-17. Check out the text:

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

• Friends, in all that we do, it should be pursued firstly, to glorify Christ and make much of His name.

  • And in doing that, we know that this can only be accomplished if we put on the lens of Christ, having eyes for eternity and not the temporal.

    • For the reality is, this life that has been given is one that we don’t deserve but has graciously been given.

    • Therefore, let us live in such a way that reflects that reality.

    • Because when we focus on the richness we have in Christ, that is when we can understand what it means to truly walk in the joy of the Lord!

    • Let’s Pray.