Verse 2 (thru 3) of Chapter 4.

 

So it seems that Paul finally gets to the heart of the matter regarding the church there at Philippi.  There was apparently a sharp disagreement between two prominent church members that warranted mention to Paul.  It may have been that when Epaphroditus showed up in Rome (600 miles), came to Paul and delivered the gift from the church that he said Paul I have some good news and some not so good news. 

 

No doubt Paul heard from Epaphroditus how well the church was doing there in that community of heavy Roman influence...heavy pagan influence, yet the church was thriving.  Paul mentions bishops and deacons there at the church so people were getting saved, getting involved and the church was growing. 

 

It appears however Epaphroditus also carried with him a message of division from his church.  And it is interesting to me that Paul didn't open his letter with correction.  He opened his letter with a greeting to all the saints saying grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

It is my nature to quickly address the imperfections.  I don't know if you are like me...I am very good at pointing out flaws and correcting others...that's really just a natural ability of my flesh. 

 

But as I have grown in the Lord and learned to walk to by the spirit, I have realized that my ability to quickly correct...quickly ID imperfections and flaws > I have realized that that is part of the lust of my flesh.  A part of me that must be nailed to the cross.

 

Turn over to Titus Chapter 1.  Pick it up in verse 7....

 

Paul begins to reveal to us a pattern in his writings.  A pattern that has been left for us to find out.  And these exist all over the bible.  The bible is full of these pattern type truths. (2 Kings 8:1) (Nebuchadnezzar on grass for 7 yrs)

 

You see, Paul here says exhort, then convict, in that order.  Oh how I desire, how I am so good at, jumping right to conviction...but Paul says here if you are a student of God's word, holding fast that faithful word > sound doctrine, you will first always take the route, the more excellent way of exhortation, or restoration before you move on to sharp, blunt correction.

 

At the beginning of Philippians there in Chapter 1, Paul spoke of his prayer that their love might abound more and more.  He closed the chapter with the admonition, “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...stand firm in one spirit, contending as one for the faith of the gospel.” 

 

In chp 2 he urged them to be “one in spirit and in purpose > saying..let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus.” 

In chapter 3 Paul had said forgive, press towards the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus and as many as are mature, have this mind.

 

He has taught of grace knowing that there is a lack of grace within the church.

 

He has taught of love knowing that there is a lack of love within the church.

 

He has taught of unity knowing that there is lack of unity there within the church.

 

He has taught of forgiveness knowing that there is a lack of forgiveness there within the church.

 

And finally he has validated his credibility to teach such things by saying hey, join me and follow my example...in that he is saying I myself have lived without giving grace, I myself have lived unlovingly, I myself have caused much division, I know what it is like to harbor sharp bitterness and refuse forgiveness...but there in chapter 3 verse 8, I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord.

 

True excellence will not be found on the other side of a fleshly battle.  Even if you win, you lose.  No no, indeed there is a more excellent way....love never fails.  Love is the ultimate negotiation.  Love is always a win-win. 

And so Paul has tactfully laid out sound doctrine.  Sound doctrine that comes not only from a person well versed in scripture but also from a heart well submitted to the Lord. 

 

A life lived full of mistakes and failures but all the while striving to be changed, yearning to be close to the Lord.  Paul is not deceived.  He is not only a hearer but also a doer of the word.  Because the truth is, that is where life is truly lived and Paul, after 30 years of ministry, knows so very well that God is love and love never fails...therefore God's way, God's will for his life is true success...the best thing for him.

 

Peter said Lord where shall we go?  You are the one that has the words of eternal life...You are the way!

 

And so now he has tactfully laid out sound doctrine and finally he pleads with these women to be of the same mind and he instructs the church there to encourage them to do so. 

 

Paul's thought here is definitely hey...if you've read this letter to them, they should be eager to humble themselves because their names are in the Book of Life...in other words, they are disciples of Jesus Christ, born-again, true believers >> and therefore as they have heard my letter, no doubt their heart is churning in their chest because in their division, in their pride, their walk is hindered...

 

 

 

Imagine being there at Philippi in outright beef with another leader in the church and this was read...

 

“if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”  their hearts must have wrenched

 

You see, true followers of Jesus, when presented with sound doctrine, will invite correction.  They will welcome an opportunity of submission to the Holy Spirit. 

 

Proverbs 9:8 says “rebuke the wise, and he will love you.”  (fear of God is the beginning of wisdom)

 

Proverbs 13:1 says “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke”

 

Proverbs 13:8 says “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.”

 

Proverbs 25:12 says “Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an    obedient ear.”

 

 

 

Listen to how David yearns for righteous correction...Psalm 141:5 says “let the righteous rebuke me; It    shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it.  For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.”

 

You can get a sure compass reading of your spiritual direction, and growth by how you handle being corrected.  But when it is you doing the correcting, righteous (don't correct in your emotions/logic, Paul didn't > his correction was righteous) correction demands tact, demands sound doctrine and demands love.

 

Jesus said in Matthew 18:15, “if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.”

 

Why alone?  Because the bible says to make no provision for the flesh.

Why a brother God?  Because the mature, as Paul would say, the ones that truly have a fervent relationship with the God of humility and lowliness, will embrace correction.

 

And so by now, these women must have been emotional wrecks and no doubt all was reconciled after the reading of the letter.  Paul didn't have to plead over and over with them, enter into multiple counseling sessions with them, no...he simply presented to them sound doctrine and said, hey in light of the truth, just drop it...it’s not worth it....God is so much bigger than your petty differences.

And so Paul says, now that the beef is squashed...there in verse 4....rejoice!  Rejoice in the Lord always.   Again I will say, rejoice!  Welcome back to joy folks.  And Paul reminds us of our primary reason for rejoicing...because our names are written in the Book of Life!

 

That book that will be opened at the white throne judgment.  That book written before the foundation of the world.  Rejoice!!!

 

Verse 5...

 

A good memory verse here Paul says let your gentleness be known to all, the Lord is at hand. 

 

Paul knew the difficulty in lowliness and gentleness...it’s hard, nearly impossible to be of the same mind, work together, and esteem others better than yourself.  Fortunately, has laid the solution into the pattern of his letter...

 

He says there in verse 1, “In the Lord,” he says there in verse 2, “In the Lord,” he says there in verse 4, “In the Lord,” and then finally he reminds us in verse 5 “the Lord is near,” the solution is the Lord, the solution is Jesus. 

 

It is God who will do in the lives of the yielded what we might judge impossible. 

 

 

He continues in verses 6 and 7...

 

Man I am so often so anxious...planning and making sure things are ready, all is taken care of...I'm just sort of wired that way...for me to not be anxious is sometimes just not reality...it’s just going to happen...but the word of God is a lamp unto my feet, a comfort to my troubled heart...as I know for a asurity that God knows, God sees and peace in the midst of it all is a moment away...

 

Selah...that is the moment.  And it can come any time...any time you simply focus on God, He sends His peace, His joy.

Have you ever heard anyone say “and you can take that as gospel!”  What’s meant by that is word is bond...its true...its gonna come to pass.  And that is the truth of the WORD. 

 

God's word is truth, it is able to discern the thoughts of man and show the way...light our path...and so I believe God's peace will surpass my understanding and I believe that God's in control, and that all that comes upon me first passes His holy approval and therefore I rest....as Jesus said, My peace I give to you...not as the world gives...but so much more...

 

That's gospel bro!

 

Jesus is the answer, the doorway to the fix, the solution to the disease of this life that causes so much pain...sin...He said there in Matthew 10 that if anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 

So so many go in and out of the doorways in their lives and find no pasture...they hunger, they starve...God's heart breaks as the world grasps at the wind...

 

Whatever it is, whoever is your Euodia...I implore you this morning...come back to joy...come back to simplicity...yes it will take humility, yes it will take breaking, maybe even yielding the point...but focus!  Even if they apologize, even if they pay you back what they have stolen, you will still not find rest because rest is a component of only restoration....

 

Notice, remove rest from restoration, and all you have left is oration...oration...voicing your point, grinding your axe, harboring your grudge...there is no rest there.  And oh how our souls yearn for rest...