When you come to God through faith in Jesus, you discover that God becomes your Father (hallelujah) but we all also become brothers and sisters in God’s eternal family.  And, practically speaking, we enter into local gatherings of his family in places like LAC and we are told to do “life together.”  That’s what we’ve been thinking about all summer in our studies in Philippians.

            In recent weeks, we’ve been discovering two beautiful parts of God’s work that we should always experience when we live life together in a gathering with Jesus as Lord:  When God reigns in a church, we experience:

* God’s renewing grace -- God takes repentant sinners -- forgives us, and within the life of the church fellowship, renews us for service. It only happens when we simply, humbly, courageously and faithfully follow the teaching of Scripture in Galatians 6:1-2:  “When a brother is caught in sin, you who are spiritual must restore him.”

* God’s reconciling power  -- God takes people broken from him by our sin and (all-too-often) disagreeing with one another in the church family -- forgives us, makes us right with him, and makes us one with one another.  It happens only when we simply, humbly courageously and faithfully follow the teaching of Scripture in Philippians 4:1-2:  When sisters (or brothers) are not of one mind, help them “stand firm together in the Lord”. 

So, let me say again, we should not be surprised when sins emerge in our lives even when we are saved by faith in Jesus because God is still working on and in us.  And we should not be surprised when disagreements emerge in a church family – for the same reason.  But, we cannot be satisfied with our imperfections.  We must ask, “How will God have me respond to the grace found in Jesus?  Or --How do we nurture qualities that will keep us from being the ones who always are the sinners having to be restored and from always being the disagreeable ones who have to be reconciled to others?

That brings us to the great verses found in Philippians 4:4-9.  They flow from the admonition in 4:1 that says, “Stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends…” In what way?  How do we actually develop a way of thinking and a way of living in which we stand firm in the Lord instead of turning away and into sin – a way of life in which we stand lovingly with one another instead of fighting? I see 4:4-9 as being a guide to the inner spiritual formation of the citizens of heaven.  God wants us to cultivate the kind of inner life that will not allow for ongoing sin and dispute.  God says that our growth happens as he does his work within us.  God works from the inside out.

Lesson #1:  The foundation for spiritual strength – An inner conviction that God really is, is who he says he is, and does what he says he will do (4:4-7)

 

What must happen inside: Rejoice in the Lord (2:4)

This inner conviction begins with a worldview that believes that God is involved in all that happens in our lives – that nothing is out of his control and that what he does can be trusted.  When we believe that, we can rejoice in the Lord always. This call to rejoice in the Lord comes often in Philippians and almost each time we see it, it is a call to rejoice in the face of challenging situations:  In ch. 1, people are preaching Christ but are doing it out of vain conceit – “rejoice” because Jesus is being preached.   In ch. 2, the beloved Ephaphroditis almost died – “rejoice” because he didn’t and because death isn’t the end of things for those in Christ.  In ch. 3, there are dangerous teachers who try to draw people away from faith in Jesus and into legalism – “rejoice” because the good news of God‘s grace will triumph.  And in ch. 4, while Paul is in prison he learns that two beloved coworkers cannot get along with one another, so he says twice, “Rejoice in the Lord.”

These kinds of troubles would certainly rob most people in the world of their joy but, “in the Lord”, we know God is at work in our lives and in this world.  We trust him to be at work for good in all things (Rom. 8:28). Again and again, this man in a prison who could have been complaining says, “Believing that God is, that he is good and powerful and loving, and that he will do what he says he will do transforms situations of despair into joy.”  The Bible defies the world’s powers to try to rob God’s people of joy.  “Whatever you may face, make an inner commitment to trust God and rejoice in him!”

Joy is not quite the same as mere happiness.  As Matt Barnes told me, “Happiness depends on what’s happening.  Joy depends on the Lord.”  Here in Phil. 4, Paul knows God will bring these two women, Euodia and Synthche together because their names are in his book of life.  He would maintain the joy that comes when we know that God will eventually bring them together.

 “In the Lord” – no matter what may be happening in the world, there is an “in the Lord” that changes everything.  Lest we say, “Oh ‘rejoice in the Lord’ is just a preacher’s phrase with no real practical value,” Paul says it twice! .  “Rejoice in the Lord” means that we know the best things in the universe, like the resurrection and our salvation, came out of a cross.  Paul is calling us to a God-centered view of the world that makes it possible to have joy when we otherwise would not.

What must flow to the outside:  Respond as Jesus responds – with gentleness (2:5)

The rejoicing in the Lord flows into v. 5’s call to gentle/moderate responses to the people and circumstances of this world.  We can only do this well when we know that God will bring about what is best.  We don’t have to get our own way or get the last word.  This “gentleness” is how others are to experience our joy in the Lord.   We don’t have to overreact when we’re not getting our own way.  The word “epieekes” means reasonableness and gentle patience in our responses.  It is the opposite of a spirit of self-seeking and contentiousness.  I imagine that it’s the very thing that the women who were fighting with one another from 4:2 were not doing.  As one was speaking, the other was probably already thinking about how she would try to prove her adversary wrong. 

I used to tell seminary students that, when we as pastors take part in church business meetings, we will find that sometimes people disagree with us.  I said that if we will love our people – and reflect Christ’s ways to them --we must apply this verse to our responses.  I told them,  “Don’t overreact when everyone is overreacting.”  Let everyone know that if they talk with you, you may not be simply cave in to anything they say but you can be counted on to give them a patient and careful hearing.

This quality of a gentle inner being runs counter to our usual inclinations.  In the kindergarten, if one kid yells at another, the other tries to yell louder.  Then the first kind hits the second and the second tries to hit harder.  Then the first child gets a friend to fight with him and the second gets two.  The whole thing escalates until the entire schoolyard is fighting.  We see the same thing in gang wars – in political debates – and sometimes in church disputes too.

The only way the escalating rivalry will stop is for someone to step in, absorb the blow or the words and offer back gentleness and forgiveness.  It’s what Jesus did on the cross.  Jesus is the universe’s moral shock absorber.  The forces of darkness tried to over take him.  The sins of the world were thrown upon him.  But, instead of lashing back, he absorbed our sin and offered back forgiveness and a new life.   

Harsh attacks usually spark harsh responses – in the world’s way of thinking.  But, when we know God is near and in control, we are able to absorb the attacks by others and listen carefully trying to understand what the other person – sometimes very agitated – is trying to say. 

Paul says the one who makes this response possible is “the Lord who is near.” He is with us when the attack comes.  He will make things right when he returns soon to complete his work and make all things right.  Do you believe that?  I do – and believing the Lord is near changes my response to perceived unfair words and acts by other.   

What must be practiced:  Entrust everything to God (4:6)

            I believe that what Paul is talking about in this fervent call to prayer is not simply having times when we stop from our daily activities and go to prayer.  That is important and people of God have always set aside time to be with God along “beside green pastures and still waters.”  But, here, I’m quite sure the Bible is talking about a way of living life every moment.  God calls us to develop a way of looking at the world with a consciousness that the Lord is near – so, because that’s true, we give every situation to him.   V. 6 says we are not to become anxious about anything but we give God everything. Everything is to be given to God.  Everything is everything --that’s why Paul uses three words for prayer: prayer, petition, and requests:

                        - Prayer = intercessory prayers for others

                        - Petitions = urgent requests to meet a need

                        - Requests = naming specific items; let them be known to God and leave them with him.

            God is calling us to fully disclose what is on our minds to him. True prayer is an act of total dependence on God – of total trust in God.  It’s saying, as Jesus said before the cross, “This may be hard and this or that is what I would like – but it’s yours, Father.  Your will be done.”

Anxiety almost always comes from the sense of perceived loss – of influence, of possessions.  It happens when anything but Christ is our life (1:21).  It happens when we simply have to have our way in order to be at peace.  When that is true, we will never have lasting peace.  The Bible here is calling us to do a great exchange.  We give up control of our own lives to him and the exchange is that he gives himself to us.  We give all the situations that cause anxiety to him and, when we trust him, he exchanges our anxiety with his peace.  Nothing is to be excluded.  We are to be anxious about nothing for it is all entrusted to him. 

            It’s interesting that we are to be concerned about others who are suffering – such as Timothy had for the church in Philippi in 2:20.  But concern can easily slip into being distressed by concerns. It happens when we think we have to fix things – or to have things in order to have shalom.  Then, the anxiety will eventually debilitate us.  But, there is nothing in this world greater than our God.  So, we need be anxious about nothing when we consciously entrust everything to him.

            And we dare not miss the words, “With thanksgiving.”  We are able to move from anxiety to peace when we say, “I’m so glad the Lord will take that on.  This is hard but I know the Lord brings good so, even before seeing the good, I will be thankful.” 

            Bottom line:  True prayer turns the focus of our lives from ourselves to God. It’s not that God gives us whatever we ask of him every time (Can you imagine from 4:2? “Ha, Euodia, I win because I asked God first!”).  The peace God promises comes from the fact that when we’ve given everything to God, he will be sufficient to do what needs to be done.

“Anxiety Attacks” Detour – I believe that Paul was writing about our usual human way of taking matters into our own hands instead of entrusting everything to God – and that this eventually makes us anxious – and causes us to overreact when people disagree with us.  But, many people experience what sometimes are called anxiety attacks or panic attacks.  What do these verses have to say about that?

I’ll simply offer some thoughts:  Many who experience a panic attack fear they are having a heart attack or a nervous breakdown. Many of my fiends tell me a panic attack is one of the most intensely frightening, upsetting and uncomfortable experiences of their lives.

I believe there are almost certainly biological and physiological aspects to anxiety attacks that go beyond this matter Paul is addressing, i.e., of taking matters into our own hands instead of entrusting them to God.  Many researchers point to imbalances in the sympathetic nervous system, to inner ear disturbances and even to parasitic infections as being among the physiological causes of the attacks.  This means, in my view, that simply saying, “Stop worrying and give it to God” will not deal with all the sources of the attack. 

But, still, if you are among the many who experience anxiety attacks, I think you will find these verses helpful.  The prayer called for in v. 6 will need to be not only a commitment of those things we want to control to God but also a prayer for God’s healing – perhaps even in the way James 5:14 directs us.  As I’ve said often, I believe God’s healing sometimes comes through the medicines, knowledge of human function, and procedures that are a part of God’s creation.  Never forget that.

I also think you may find an inner commitment to this beautiful phrase in 4:5b will be helpful to you:  The Lord is near.  When the attack comes, God knows where you are.  He is Immanuel – God with you.  You are not alone.  “The Lord is near – his coming is soon.  The anxiety will not last forever.

            So – now to all of us -- I ask you: Do you have an inner conviction that God is, is who he says he is, and does what he says he will do?  Live with that conviction and the peace of God that transcends human understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  “In Christ Jesus!”

 

Lesson 2:  Practices nurturing spiritual strength – Inner commitments to focus on 1) good things and 2) godly people (4:8-9)

            I want to say just a few words about these 2 practical verses.  We find two commitments that make so much sense that both Christian and non-Christian have advocated them.  Whether the Greek philosophers in the ancient world or the self-help gurus of our world (such as Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People), we will see these two pieces of practical advice being taught:  1) Fill your minds with good things instead of junk and 2) find a mentor who is good rather than a rotter.  And, the Bible says yes to both of those practices.  Look at them with me:

*Take care to filling your mind with good things (4:8) – The entire book of Philippians has told us that the transformation of our lives begins with our minds.  We are to have the mind of Christ.  We are to set our minds on the interests of others rather than only on our own selfish interests.  And, here, the Bible tells us that these minds, made in God’s image, are great gifts so that we must be stewards of them.  Specifically, be careful of what you put into your mind.  Remember the old maxim:  Garbage in – garbage out!”

            The list Paul gives is beautiful and is taken right out of textbooks found in the schools in his world.  It’s as if he’s saying, “Everyone knows that we cannot fill our minds with junk and expect good living to flow forth in our lives.  We cannot fill our minds with angry, foul material and expect anything but dispute and anger to come out.

            So, what are you putting in your mind?  What are you reading?  What websites do you go to?  What movies are you watching?  Read Phil. 4:8 and let God guide you.  It will shape your life.

 

*Take care to emulate godly people (4:9a) – The ancient world also told people how important it is to have a hero in this world – a mentor we respect to watch and follow.  And that’s good common sense too.  We learn by watching so keep your eyes on those who reflect Christlike ways and values.  Paul had walked with Jesus a long time so he wanted to be one who could say, “Watch me and follow as I follow Jesus.” 

            So, I urge you to find people who reflect the way of life that honors God – people who rejoice in the Lord always, who do not overreact when everyone is overreacting, and who entrust matters fully to God.  Those people will have a peace that goes beyond understanding.

            And then comes the application – what you learn and what you see, make a commitment to put it into practice in your own life (4:9b).  Anticipate what might take place in the upcoming day and make a commitment to act in a way consistent with a life that knows God is present and God is sufficient.

            I love the way Paul ends this section.  In v. 7, he said, “Give everything to God and the peace of God will be yours.”  Here he says, do those things that the whole world knows you should do.  Yes, fill your minds with good things and it will help.  Follow good mentors and that will help.  But doing that alone will not be the lasting source of peace.  The peace of Christ is not dependent on just doing things the way everyone in the world knows makes sense.  No – “the God of peace will be with you.”  He gives his strength to you.  And because of that, we can always, rejoice in the Lord.  I’ll say it again – rejoice!