Sunday, September 5, 2010
STAND FIRM IN THE LORD (1)
Phil. 4:1-3
This morning we come to the fourth chapter of Philippians. We will begin by looking at verses 1-9 as a particular unit. I would like to share with you the basic outline of Howard Vos, who wrote a little commentary on Philppians…
I. Paul’s Imprisonment as Related to the Question of Unity (1:12-30)
II. The Mind of Christ: The Source of All Unity (2:1-30)
III. The Biographical Appeal for Unity: Answer from Paul’s Experience to the Problems Causing Disunity (3:1-21)
IV. Exhortations That Will Lead to Unity (4:1-9)
V. Thanksgiving for their Gift: A Representation of their United Action (4:10- 20)
It is obvious that Vos sees unity as the key that ties this letter together, and he makes a very good case for that approach. This morning we will begin to look at this section he entitles “Exhortations That Will Lead to Unity,” found in 4:1-9. Instead of using the word “exhortations,” we could use the word “commands.” I have to acknowledge from the start that our Christian society as a whole does not feel comfortable with commands. A common idea is that Jesus died to set us free from commands. Commands speak of bondage. That is a common idea, but it is absolutely false. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus died to set us free to obey His commands. When we were slaves to sin, we were not able to obey His commandments, but that has changed because now we are slaves to righteousness (in the language of Rom. 6:17-18).
In this nine-verse section we find no less than eight commands, and a ninth is implied, though it is not an imperative grammatically (see verse 2). Because we are studying this passage, we will be dealing with commands, or exhortations, if you prefer. The Holy Spirit, through Paul, will be telling us there are certain ways we must think and certain things we must do. These are not optional; they are commands.
However, we do need to realize two very important things about all the commands of scripture. First of all, we cannot obey them apart from the power of the Holy Spirit within us. These are not commands that we fulfill in order to make us better people. Rather, the Spirit commands us to do these things and then empowers us to do them, that we might be conformed to the image of Jesus. A second thing we must remember about Jesus’ commands is that they are not only addressed to us as slaves, but also as friends. Jesus spoke these words to His apostles in John 15:15, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." Though Jesus said He did not call them slaves, but friends, that does not mean they ceased to call Him Master and Lord, for they did. I remember Joseph Tson, that Romanian pastor for whom we gained great respect, emphasizing the fact that when the Lord gives him a command, he says, “Yes Sir, Your Majesty.” That reflects the attitude of Paul, as he delighted to call himself a bondslave of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, there is another side. There are times when we just obey God’s commands, even if we don’t understand the reason for the command, even as a small child obeys his parents without understanding. But praise God that this is not the norm. God has given us His Spirit and His Word to help us understand the reason for His commands. Back to John 15:15, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” He makes know to us the plans of the Father. That is what gives us the character of friends. And, of course, Romans and Galatians also make it clear that we are sons and daughters of God. Though there is a time for what we might call “blind obedience,” that is not the bread and butter of Jesus’ disciples. As His sons and daughters, we are cooperating with the Lord in His great plan of redemption.
Let’s go ahead and read Phil. 4:1-9…
Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. 2. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. 4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
While it is true that this portion of Philippians has 2 verses that deal directly with unity and most any exhortation has something to do with unity in the body, it seems best to let the first command carry the theme of the section. And, as we can see in verse 1, the first command is, “Stand firm in the Lord.” The commands that follow in verses 1-9 show us how to stand firm in the Lord. So for today and the next couple of Sundays we will explore Paul’s instructions concerning how we can stand firm in the Lord.
I. The Leading Command: Stand Firm in the Lord (4:1)
“Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand stedfast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” The Amplified reads, “Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and yearn to see, my delight and crown (wealth of victory), thus stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” The “dearly beloved” of King James is the translation of the word that simple means “loved.” It’s the “agape” word, speaking of that special love in the Lord. We can’t read this verse without sensing the deep affection Paul had for these precious brothers and sisters.
Don’t forget the context. By the time Paul wrote this letter, he had been imprisoned for three or four years, with part of that time being spent in Rome, from where he was writing. Though he had hope that he would see them again, he had no guarantee. Not only was Paul more than familiar with affliction, but so were the Philippian believers. Let’s read again the closing verses of chapter 1… (Phil. 1:27-30)
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30. Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Paul was moved by their suffering. This sharing of suffering for the sake of the gospel formed a deep bond between Paul and the Philippians. The gift Epaphroditus delivered to Paul on the behalf of the Philippian church (see Phil. 4:18) only served to strengthen that bond of love. Hear the love and tenderness in Paul’s words: “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my delight and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my loved ones.”
For just a moment could you picture yourself in similar circumstances? The political climate has changed and you have been warned to tone down your comments about this Jesus, but you can’t do that. How can you not offer to the world around you the gift that you yourself received? Apart from that gift, people have absolutely no hope. Because you refuse to line up, you are jailed. Under direction of the warden, who has a particular hatred for Christians, the guards make life very difficult for you. Now you are in your cell alone. You take out a pen and begin to write. Could you see yourself writing something like what Paul wrote? “My dear brothers and sisters, whom I love and long to see again. Know that you bring me great joy, as I remember you. Stand firm in the Lord, all of you whom I love so much”? Would that be a stretch for you? This is the kind of relationship the Lord is working to establish among His people.
Notice the first word in verse 1 -- “Therefore.” If your translation sets the text in paragraphs instead of single verses, you may notice that this verse is included as the last part of the paragraph that begins in chapter 3. That is the force of the word “Therefore.” Paul is building on the words he has just written at the end of chapter 3. Perhaps the “therefore” has reference to the entire paragraph beginning in verse 17, but surely the emphasis is on the connection with 3:20-21, "For our conversation [citizenship]is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." Because our citizenship is in heaven and we are presently standing on tiptoe waiting for Jesus to return from heaven, therefore, stand firm in the Lord. “Be stedfast” (or “stand fast”) is the same word that was used back in 1:27, when Paul exhorts them to “stand fast in one spirit.” So we see that this command to stand firm is to be taken in a collective way. We are not just a collection of individuals, but we are a body in Christ, the family of God.
When we think of standing firm in the work of the Lord, what is the classic passage on that subject? I know that some of you know. Norman, it’s one of your favorites. 1 Cor. 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Though the word “stedfast” used here is not the same as in Phil. 4:1, this verse starts out identically to 4:1 (though not reflected in the English, the Greek is Wste, adelfoi mou agaphtoi). The word here in I Cor. 15:58 means “firm, steadfast.” Though not stated as fully here in Phil. 4:1, the context makes it clear that he also longed for the Philippians to always abound in the work of the Lord. And notice the great promise he gave the Corinthians: “forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain.” Praise God! Our labor in the Lord is never in vain. That’s why we want to abound, overflow in the work of the Lord.
Think about it. “Stand firm in the Lord.” Is there any other firm place to stand? “On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” How true it is. Ps. 18:2, "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." Is there any rock like our God? (I Sam. 2:2). He is our shelter from the storm. He is our solid ground when the floods of like overwhelm us. Ps. 61:2, "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Therefore, stand firm in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
II. Stand Firm by Seeking Unity with Brothers and Sisters (4:2-3)
Let’s read Phil. 4:2-3, "I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life." You may notice that grammatically there is no command here. Paul doesn’t say, “Do this.” On the other hand, it is quite clear that Paul intends these two women to do something. He says, “I beseech you,” or “I urge you.” It is the same word that is used in Rom. 12:1, when Paul says, “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice…” Paul is urging Euodias and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Again, we see that unity is indeed a major, if not the, major theme in the letter to the Philippians. Here are two women whose lack of unity is so serious that Paul has to single them out by name. But we run across this emphasis much earlier, as in 1:27, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." Then we find the concentrated emphasis on unity in 2:2-4, "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Then again in 3:16, "Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." While we might argue that there was no problem in the church with unity, these references likely indicate that the problem with Euodias and Syntyche was not just an isolated incident.
Recently I heard a preacher say that Philippians is the only letter Paul wrote in which he gave no rebuke. This preacher obviously forgot about Euodias and Syntyche. This is not to say that the church at Philippi wasn’t a strong and noble church, because it certainly was. Nevertheless, it seems there were some underlying problems in this area of unity. No doubt, the problem between Euodias and Syntyche was public knowledge. Otherwise, Paul wouldn’t have used their names in this letter. It is interesting the way Paul addresses them: “I beseech Euodias and (I) beseech Syntyche,” instead of just, “I beseech Euodias and Syntyche.” By using the verb with each name he didn’t put more emphasis on one than the other. (Do you think the order of the names may have been deliberately alphabetical?)
So what was the problem between these two Christian women? We are not told. We would have to conclude that it wasn’t a doctrinal issue, or Paul would surely have dealt with it head on. Paul gives absolutely no indication that one of these ladies is more in the wrong than the other. Notice also that he doesn’t urge them to bury their differences and get along. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul longs for more than just a peaceful co-existence in the church. What does he say? “I beseech both of you to be of the same mind in the Lord.” Literally, “I beseech you to think the same thing in the Lord.” This is the same language we read in 2:2, “Fulfill my joy that you think the same thing.” This is not only the standard for normal day-to-day relationships, but it is also the standard for brothers and sisters who are encountering difficulties in their relationships.
So what do you think the problem was between these two ladies? If it wasn’t of a doctrinal nature, then what was it? That’s the beauty of this passage for us -- it could have been anything. The exact nature doesn’t matter. It is safe to assume that Paul learned of this problem from Epaphroditus, when he brought the gift to Paul from the Philippians. Whatever the problem, Paul appeals to them to think the same thing in the Lord. This doesn’t speak of burying the hatchet and getting along, but this speaks of real unity in the body of Christ.
Brothers and sisters, I want to appeal to us this morning. Better than that, I want to encourage us. We can think the same thing in the Lord. How do I know? Because God wouldn’t command something that He can’t do in us. Think of the person in this body with whom you have the most trouble. By the way, I’m speaking to males as well as females. Women don’t have a monopoly on relationship problems. Now let me ask you an honest question. How do you handle your relationship with that person? Do you avoid him or her? Are you content to just get along and not have conflict? Or do you anticipate a spirit of true unity in the Lord with that person? Anything less than this optimistic anticipation of unity is sin, because it is a refusal to heed the Spirit-inspired counsel of the apostle.
May I suggest two reasons why we have such a tendency to settle for less than this unity which Paul urges. First of all, we tend to look at the situation in terms of what we can do. I look at myself. Then I look at the person with whom I have the conflict. I consider our personalities, our history, etc., and then I decide whether or not the problem can be fixed. Of course, I’m looking more at the other person than at myself. Of course, I am willing to be reconciled and unified, but I’m not sure about him. The point is this: We tend to limit our resources to what we can do, with little consideration of what God can do. This is not limited to personal relationships. Once in a while it is good to ask ourselves this question, “What am I relying upon God to do in my life that I can’t do myself?” Ask that question honestly before God and see what kind of answer you come up with. Euodias and Syntyche needed to see this as an opportunity for God to do more than they could ask or think, in order that He might receive the glory.
The second problem we have is our lack of gospel-centered purpose together in the body of Christ. “Euodias and Syntyche, you must think the same thing in the Lord so that the gospel will be advanced (see Phil. 1:12). You must ‘stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (Phil. 1:27).’” That almost seems foreign to us, to think of two sisters striving together as athletes in order to further the gospel of Jesus Christ. No, we’re just living our Christian lives as best we can. We don’t see the consequences of a lack of spiritual unity for the sake of furthering the gospel. The more our lives are focused on making disciples for Jesus, the more we will understand how important it is for us to be unified around a gospel-centered purpose.
In verse 3, Paul turns to another member of the Philippian church and requests that he give these women some help. Let me read it out of the Amplified: “And I exhort you too [my] genuine yokefellow, help these [two women to keep on cooperating]…” While the text does not explicitly say that the women mentioned here are Euodias and Syntyche, it seems pretty clear that they are the ones about whom Paul is speaking (as the Amplified brings out).
And who is this “true yokefellow”? That term “yokefellow” is a fairly literal translation of the Greek word. It is made up of the word meaning “yoke,” preceded by a preposition which means “together with.” So this is a man who has been yoked together with Paul in the work of the gospel. However, there are some who prefer to take this as a proper name--Syzygos--since it is in the context of these other two proper names. Otherwise, how would they know exactly whom Paul had in mind? But if his name is Syzygos, then how do we fit in the word “true.” Paul may be saying that this man lives up to his name; he is a genuine yoke fellow, just like his name indicates. There is no way we can know for sure, but ultimately it doesn’t make a lot of difference. What is important is that Paul turns to a particular man for help in dealing with Euodias and Syntyche.
Now we find out more about these two ladies. They do have a history of gospel-centered purpose. Paul appeals to that very fact, when he says to this true yokefellow, “Help those ladies who labored with me in the gospel.” That word “labored with” is the exact same word we find back in 1:27 (“striving together for the faith of the gospel”). What Paul commands all the Philippians to do, these two women have been doing. But because of the friction between them, they can no longer effectively labor together with one another and with others in the gospel. Not only have they contended for the gospel with Paul, but also with Clement and other fellow-workers of Paul. Clement is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament. Though he and these other coworkers of Paul have long been forgotten by men, they are not forgotten by the Lord, for their names are in the book of life. That’s the record that counts!
Did Euodias and Syntyche heed Paul’s appeal? We are not told. However, I have no reason to believe they didn’t. The strongest evidence I have is the fact that they were serious about striving together for the faith of the gospel. They had demonstrated that they were willing to give themselves on behalf of the gospel of Christ. When Paul appeals to them, enlisting the help of this other one who was yoked with him, there is every reason to believe that Euodias and Syntyche would indeed think the same thing in the Lord for the advancement of the gospel and the glory of God.
Brothers and sisters, may the same be true of us. Is it possible that some of us could get crossways with one another? It is not only possible; it is guaranteed. Why? Because we’re humans who have not yet seen Jesus face to face and are vulnerable to sin. As a matter of fact, may we invite the Lord to search our hearts this morning in order to reveal present problems in our relationships that are hindering the work of our Lord. Even more importantly, may the Lord reveal to us that our lack of standing fast in one spirit and striving together for the faith of the gospel is what leads to a lack of stronger, God-honoring relationships than we currently enjoy.
Conclusion
Good news. Even though we can’t be sure as to how Euodias and Syntyche responded to Paul’s exhortation, we can take his words to heart and respond in a way that honors God and advances the gospel. We don’t have to be content with the standards around us. We don’t have to be defeated. We can be unified in the Lord. We can think the same thing in the Lord.
Here’s the danger. If we aren’t careful, we will just take this as so many religious words. We believe those words, but we don’t have the courage to apply them to ourselves. Brothers and sisters, the Holy Spirit is exhorting us through Paul to think the same thing in the Lord. “Pastor, are you saying that we aren’t doing that?” Yes, that is what I am saying. We get a taste of this kind of unity, but we still have a ways to go.
Please hear me, brothers and sisters, dearly beloved, my joy and crown. Stand firm in the Lord, you whom I love so dearly. Standing firm in the Lord is not just a personal thing. May we never be content to stand firm in the Lord individually and not be concerned about all our brothers and sisters standing firm in the Lord. Those of us who share the life of Christ are together in this. And a huge part of standing firm in the Lord is thinking the same thing in the Lord.
Dear brothers and sisters, we have the Spirit of God dwelling within us. Nothing is too hard for our God. Some of you have given up on this concept of real spiritual unity. Some of you are content to enjoy that unity with some, but you have forsaken the ideal of unity across the body of Christ. Right now some of you are thinking, “Ron, get your head out of the sand. Don’t you realize we have tried, but it just doesn’t happen?” We’ve tried, but the Spirit of God does more than try; He is able.
Paul urged all the Philippian believers to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (1:27). Paul wasn’t asking them to do something that the Lord wasn’t able to accomplish in them. The Philippians were no different than we are. They were children of God who had real struggles, just as we do. Those struggles are illustrated by the problem between Euodias and Syntyche. Paul could have said, “Now Euodias, I want you to concentrate on this ministry over here. Syntyche, you focus on that ministry over there. Maybe if you aren’t thrown together so much, you will be able to get along.” No, the goal wasn’t to get along. The goal was to think the same thing in the Lord so that they could minister the gospel for the glory of His name. Paul attacked the problem head on, even enlisting the help of one of the trusted brothers. He refused to take the attitude that the attainment of real unity in the body was an idealistic fairytale.
This morning can we begin by thanking God that He hasn’t given up on us. Through this scripture He is reminding us that we can indeed think the same thing in the Lord. Let’s not take this exhortation as a dreaded have-to, but let’s welcome it as a real opportunity. Together we can stand firm in the Lord.
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