Ode to Joy

A Study in Philippians   By Samuel E. Ward Part 7 Philippians 4:2-23 February 3, 2012 To view PowerPoint slides click on http://www.slideshare.net/samward1/philippians-pt-7   Review I. This Letter Is an Expression of Paul's Joy in the Philippians, Phil 1:1-11. II. This Letter Is an Explanation of Paul's Joy in Suffering for the Gospel He Gave Them, Phil 1:12-30. III. This Letter Is an Exhortation to the Philippians to Complete Paul's Joy in Them, Phil 2:1-18. IV. This Letter Is Evidence of Paul's Commitment to See Their Joy in Christ Continue, Phil 2:10-30. V. This Letter Is an Expose' of Those Who Threaten the Joy and Freedom They Have in Christ, Phil 3:1-4:1. Our study leads us now to consider that . . . VI. This Letter Is an Encouragement Toward the Application of Various Christian Virtues, Phil 4:2-9. The greatest of Christian virtues is love according to 1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."  This is probably because there is no better way to impress people with our God than by loving one another.  In fact, Jesus Himself says in John 13:34-35 that loving one another is the most effective way to prove you are a disciple of Christ.  In the Upper Room he told His disciples, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." We should not be surprises at the distress Paul felt when he heard that two women in the Philippian church could not agree on something they should be able to resolve. From this situation springs his next admonition to this beloved church in which . . . A. Paul Encourages Unity Among Fellow Believers, Phil 4:2-7. (Phil 4:2-5a NIV)  I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. {3} Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. {4} Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! {5} Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 1. Euodia and Syntche must find the solution to their disagreement by finding agreement in the Lord, Phil 4:2. 2. Syzygus (yokefellow) is asked to intervene on behalf of Paul concerning the relationship of these valued co-workers, Phil 4:3. Keith Smith, a pastor in the Dallas area tells this story. A long time ago, a little child in an African tribe wandered off into the tall jungle grass and could not be found. The tribe search all day, but could not find the little boy. The next day the tribal members all held hands and walked through the grass together. This enabled them to find the child, but due to the cold night, he had not survived. In her anguish and tears, the mother cried, If only we would have held hands sooner. 3. All should engage in rejoicing rather than wrangling, becoming known for their gentleness toward all, Phil 4:4-5a. 4. The Lord is near to minister to our concerns, Phil 4:5b-7. (Phil 4:5b-7 NIV)  The Lord is near. {6} Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. {7} And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When overwhelmed my our anxieties, Paul shares a three-step rescue process from the flood of our concerns: a. Turn anxieties into prayer requests to God. b. Turn doubt into thanksgiving for God's answers. c. Receive the peace of God for your heart and protection for your mind. B. Paul Promises God's Peace to Those Who Seek it in the Following Manner: 1. Think about right things, Phil 4:8: (Phil 4:8 NIV)  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. a. Things that are true b. Things that are noble (worthy of respect) c. Things that are right (righteous) d. Things that are pure (free of defilement, holy) e. Things that promote friendliness f. Things that are admirable (good news or "good rumors") g. Things that are excellent (uplifting) h. Things that are worthy of praise or commendation. We need to be careful about what we think about and how we think about things because, at least in this sense, our minds are like computers.  If you put garbage in, only garbage will come out.  Jesus gives warning to those who think about the wrong things because eventually it shows itself in their words or behavior. (Mat 12:33-37 NIV)  "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. {34} You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  {35} The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. {36} But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. {37} For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." 2. Practice the right truths, Phil 4:9: (Phil 4:9 NIV)  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Paul uses himself as an example of one who lives out the principles of a life submitted to Christ.  Thus he writes, practice: a. Whatever you have learned from me. b. Whatever you have received from me. c. Whatever you has seen in me. Remember, most of what Christians knew about the gospel was not written.  The New Testament was being formed even as Paul and others were writing it by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  All the early Christians had as sources for how to apply the gospel to life was in the form of what they had learned, received, or seen in those who brought the gospel to them.  In no way is Paul setting himself up as the absolute personification of what Christianity was to be and look like.  However, Paul was well aware that it was just as important to see how the gospel related to practice as well as to know its content. VII. This Letter an Expression of Paul's Gratitude, Phil 4:10-20. A. Paul Was Thankful that It Became Possible for the Philippians to Show Their Concern in a Tangible Way,  Phil 4:10. (Phil 4:10 NIV)  I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. B. Paul Was Thankful that His Ministry Was God-Driven Rather than Personal Need-Driven, Phil 4:11-13. 1. He had learned that contentment in the present state is better than the discontent that comes in pining for a better one, Phil 4:11-12. (Phil 4:11-12 NIV)  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. {12} I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 2. He lived in all of life's circumstances confident of receiving God's strength to cope with whatever need he may encounter, Phil 4:13. (Phil 4:13 NIV)  I can do everything through him who gives me strength. There are some attendant biblical principles relative to one's ability to experience contentment regardless of whether one is among the "haves" or "have nots." a. Seek first the rule of God in your life. (Luke 12:29-31 NIV)  And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. {30} For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. {31} But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. b. Be content with having needs met and not amassing  wealth. (1 Tim 6:6-9 NIV)  But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. {8} But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. {9} People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. c. Depend on God to care for your needs rather than money. (Heb 13:5-6 NIV)  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." {6} So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" d. God's distribution of wealth in His church seems to be tied to our willingness to be generous. (2 Cor 9:10-12 NIV)  Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. {11} You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. {12} This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. C. Paul Was Thankful for the Level of Commitment the Philippians Had Toward His Ministry of the Gospel, Phil 4:15-19. 1. They were, for some time, all that Paul had as a source for aid, Phil 4:15-16. (Phil 4:15-16 NIV)  Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; {16} for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 2. They were to be commended for seeing that he was fully supplied, Phil 4:17-18a. (Phil 4:17-18a NIV)  Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. {18} I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. 3. They were an offering that pleased the nostrils of God with a sweet fragrance, Phil 4:18b. (Phil 4:18b NIV)  They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 4. They were assured that God would meet all their needs because of their generosity, Phil 4:19. (Phil 4:19 NIV)  And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 5. God deserves all the glory, Phil 4:20. (Phil 4:20 NIV)  To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Greetings and Benediction (Phil 4:21-23 NIV)  Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. {22} All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. {23} The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.