Series: Epic Joy
November 04, 2018 | Dr. Wes George
Passage: Philippians 3:17-4:3
Follow godly examples. 3:17-21
17Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their aappetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
Because we have enemies of the cross 18-19
Because we have citizenship in heaven 20-21
Stand firm in the Lord. 4:1
4:1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved
Live in harmony. 4:2-3
4:1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to alive in harmony in the Lord. 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.
Listen personally
Assess spiritually
Encourage maturely
Galatians 6:1Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted
17Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their aappetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
4:1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to alive in harmony in the Lord. 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.
Follow godly examples. 3:17-21
Verse 17 has two imperatives that literally say “be mimicking me” and “watch others” as good examples. God gives us many good examples all around us. The world says the church is full of hypocrites. I disagree. There are some hypocrites in the church. But the churches that I am familiar with are filled with good examples. Not perfect examples every minute of every day and in every area of life. But God has given us many good examples. We should appreciate them and follow them.
Because we have enemies of the cross 18-19
Paul gives a significant warning about enemies of the cross. I think it is important to note that he does not warn about enemies of God. The issue was and is today the cross. Our world is a religious world. Spirituality is in. In some ways, atheism is a form of spirituality just like agnosticism. The issue is and has always been the person and work of Jesus Christ. Here “enemies of the cross”. The cross is to the Jew a stumbling block and to the Gentile foolishness. But to those who are being saved or who are the called it is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-24). Jesus Christ cannot be identified apart from His work and His cross. His work on the cross is substitutionary atonement. It points to the sinfulness of all people necessitating the cross. The cross also points to the exclusivity of Christ for salvation, while not denying the inclusivity of salvation to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Because we have citizenship in heaven 20-21
Consider where your citizenship is.
Consider who your Savior is.
Stand firm in the Lord. 4:1
4:1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved
Paul cared greatly for these believers. He took their walk with Christ personally. His own joy and even crown was connected to these believers and how the lived. He exhorted/ commanded them to stand firm. Paul closed out Ephesians with that great passage on spiritual warfare encouraging people to stand.
Live in harmony. 4:2-3
Karen Mains wrote a parable entitled “The Brawling Bride.” She speaks of an immaculate groom waiting in the altar as the Bride enters limping, bruised, bloody lip, torn dress, black eye, and messed up hair. The question is asked, “Does this handsome groom deserve better than this?” Followed by the statement, Alas, His bride, the church has been fighting again. In these two verses, Paul addresses in encouraging words the issue of living in harmony. He does not make a mountain out of a mole hill but he does not ignore it either.
I remember a man that was ordained as a deacon in the first church I pastored. He was such an encouragement to me. He was effective in sharing his testimony and going out witnessing with me. It greatly saddened me when I heard when the next pastor came that he resigned as a deacon because of some disagreement with the new young pastor. The issue was not doctrinal or moral. It was probably best described as the common mistakes of a young inexperienced pastor. It was opportunity to help, unfortunately that did not happen.
The only thing that we really know about these two ladies is that they could not get along and that it got to the point that it was impacting the ministry enough that Paul addressed it. What if your life in the church could be summed up in one short sentence or one verse. She criticized every pastor and staff member we ever had. He was always mad about something. She became bitter because of this or that. Or maybe She loved people. He was so encouraging. She never said a bad word about anyone. He loved Jesus with all his heart.
We are in this thing together. We can see God do some great things together. How do we live in harmony.
Listen personally
He calls them by name. He pleads with them “parakalew” means to call alongside, encourage, exhort. The Holy Spirit is also called the Paraclete that comes from this word. If you are saved, God will call your name, send someone to you, convict you with a message; He knows how to speak to you. Listen personally, for yourself. Do you think the message is always about everyone else and not you? Are you always the hero or the good guy in the story and your family or work or fellow church members are the people who need the message or need to straighten up?
Assess spiritually
Live in harmony “in the Lord”. First, the spiritual health of the church is at risk when members do not get along. Also, our personal spiritual health is at risk when I don’t get along with other believers.
Encourage maturely
“Help these women”; Paul recognizes that both have value to the gospel. Paul has benefited from both of them. But they just could not get along. Their problem was not a doctrinal problem. It was a personality issue, a power struggle, or a personal preference issue. Ultimately, all of these issues can turn into a selfishness issue. Me putting myself above the cause of Christ. In our setting, people just go and join another church instead of dealing with the issue at hand. In that culture, they had no place to go. They had to work it out and help each other out. I agree it is easier to not help other out. It is easier to leave. It is easier to let people leave. The only people that can help, the only people who will want to work it out are the mature. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. The spiritually immature get involved for personal gratification or information gathering. Some like to be involved to make themselves feel important. It is only out of genuine concern for the people involved (their spiritual life) and the harmony in the church.
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