Jan 17, 2021. Philippians 4:1-4

Posted byJohn Sanzone

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PEACE IN TURBULENT SEAS.  Philippians 4:1-4. #17.

Philippians 4:1-4 [New King James Version]

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, 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!

  1. Crowning achievement
    1. Paul considered the Php. saints as beloved brothers
      1.  He missed them and longed for them
      1.  They were his joy and comfort
        1. In the midst of persecution and hardship, Paul took comfort in other believers
        1. A task of fellow saints is encouragement
    1. The Php. were also Paul’s crown
      1. a1. Stephenos  (victor’s crown) and not diadem (rule)
      1. a2. Even though Paul gave God total credit, he also knew that he would be rewarded for his service
    1. Those people we lead to the Lord and help grow are our crowns and glory
  2. Peace in the Assembly
    1. Euodia and Syntyche were 2 fighting women in the church
      1. Their squabble was so great, Paul mentions them by name in the epistle
      1.  They were disrupting the entire body with their antagonism for each other
    1. Paul admonishes them to come to terms with each other
      1.  Any infighting disrupts the body of Christ
      1.  The effectiveness of ministry is compromised
      1.  People get hurt, take sides, and are discouraged
    1. Their squabble was probably not doctrinal in nature
      1.  Paul would be likely have weighed in on an important doctrinal issue
      1.   Most divisions in the church have to do with envy, rivalry, personality conflicts, and perceived sleights
    1. Paul urges his fellow “yoke servant” to help these women
      1.  Paul should not have had to intervene in a matter that the local church should have handled
      1.  He tells his fellow yoke servant to intervene
        1.  Since the church must have known who this person was, he had to be either the pastor or yoke servant was a proper name, Syzyge, and not a descriptive term
        1.  Syzyge must either had some authority to mediate or he was close to the women
    1. This women may have been among Paul’s original converts
      1.  They had helped him in gospel
        1.  Apparently, problems happened later
        1.  Paul speaks in glowing terms about them
      1.  They were there along with Clement and other fellow workers, laboring alongside Paul in the ministry
      1.  Their names were in the Book of Life (saved!)
    1. There was nothing so important that it must disrupt body
      1.  Harmony and peace in the body is a top priority
      1.  Peace disrupters must be dealt with: sin, envy, false doctrine, gossip, rumors, rivalries, factions…
    1. Paul urges the two to be of the same mind (1 family and goal)
  3. Ever rejoicing in the Lord
    1. Instead of fighting, we need to rejoice in the Lord
    1. Joy can be obtained in a joyless world
      1.  John 15:1-10 joy is a gift from the Lord and the right of every believer
      1. a2. True joy is “in the Lord” and not the world
        1. b1. Not dependent on circumstances
        1. b2. Built upon the security of our relationship in Christ and assurance of a glorified future
    1. Joy and peace cannot be maintained by focusing on world
      1.  Evil and personal problems can rob us of joy
      1.  Joy and peace transcends this world (Word and prayer)

Key verse: John 15:1-10

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.