"The Joy of Harmony in the Church"

Transcription

1 Sunday July 27, 2008 Phone: Pastor David Miklas Message # 19 The Book of Philippians Text: Philippians 4:1-5 "The Joy of Harmony in the Church" Introduction: As we continue our studies in the Book of Philippians we come to the text found in Philippians 4:1-5, 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 yoke-fellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-labourers, 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. Now as we begin this message, allow me to make several negative statements and then one positive statement. Here are the NEGATIVE statements. Someone has said, There is little hope for the church to STAND FAST if it is divided with disharmony and friction. Another has said, "There has never been a church in any age or in any place free from DISCORD or immune to the DANGER of RIVALRY or STRIFE." Someone else said, "Whenever a church is advancing in fulfillment of its obligations to proclaim Christ, you may be sure Satan will be at work. His watch word is "DIVIDE and CONQUER!" Satan's primary strategy involves destroying UNITY AMONG CHRISTIANS." Therefore, the only sure weapon that will defeat Satan in any Bible believing church is the power of "striving together for the faith of the gospel." Here is the POSITIVE statement. As we examine the history of Christendom, it is hard to imagine where the church of Jesus Christ might be today were it not for the powerful influence that has been wielded by women. Someone said this, "But for women many a church would have to be disbanded. In finance, in prayer, in attendance, in song, in teaching, in witnessing, and in over all faithfulness women have rendered Christ and the church an invaluable service. They have stepped in by default where men have failed the church. They have carried on when men have given up. They have established a measure of devotion seldom reached by men. They have performed a major service in the church and in the home. They outstrip their male counterpart in sacrifices, service, sympathy, zeal and faithfulness. If it were not for women, many missionary outposts around the world would be hurting for workers." When Paul first arrived in Philippi he met with a group of women who had gathered at the river to pray. One of those was Lydia. You may recall in Acts 16 she was a seller of purple who quietly accepted the Lord and began to live for Him. Paul owed a debt to the many women who had enough faith to pray and enough courage to stay by the work in its early days. However, the Philippian church which had been started by women was now being torn apart because of two women. "Euodias and Syntyche" must have been prominent ladies in the fellowship. Notice in verse 3 Paul refers to them as "women who labored with me in the gospel." Their effect on the congregation cannot be explained apart from some influential standing in the congregation, but there was obviously something wrong. The controversy between these two was so disruptive that some have suggested, "if the Philippians were Paul's crown, "Euodias and Syntyche" had become two thorns in that crown!"'

2 As we study the Word of God in this age of grace, we discover God is deeply concerned about a number of things. God is concerned about world-wide evangelism. He is concerned about every individual soul and their response to the gospel. In Mark 16:15, we read "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." God is concerned about the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 "when ye see all these things come to pass and there is a list of things, then look up for your redemption draweth nigh." That is, Jesus would be coming again. God is concerned about fellowship with Himself and His people in the body of Christ. God is concerned about discipleship that we walk as Christ-like before Him and before others. God is concerned about stewardship of time, talents, tithe, family, and so forth of His people. But along with the things we have just mentioned is God's concern for the local church. I believe God is as concerned about this church, the Green Street Baptist Chapel, as He is concerned about evangelism in any other part of the world. The church is not an afterthought with God. Reading through the New Testament, you will discover God puts a great deal of emphasis and importance upon the local New Testament church. That is why your church affiliation or church membership is not unimportant or a secondary matter. I sincerely believe that to be unrelated to and uninvolved in a local church is to minimize what God thinks is of vital importance. The Apostle had been reminding the Philippians throughout this letter that they should be unified in the church. He prayed for them in chapter 1:9 that their love for one another "may abound yet more and more..." He exhorted them in 1:27 "to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel." He told them in 2:2 to "be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." He challenged them in 3:16, "Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." Now in chapter 4, we find out why he kept repeating the message of unity. Paul knew, as we must, even the smallest irritations in a church body can grow to create major disunity. As he attempted to deal with the division, Paul called upon his friends in the church to "help these women." He wanted the problem resolved! These were members of the body of Christ, and they should not be divided! Also mentioned in this passage, when it comes to our relationship to a local church, such as this one in Philippi, or in our local church here at Green Street Baptist, there are several things God is concerned about, and they are spelled out in verses 2-5. God wants in our church a HARMONIOUS relationship. God wants in our church an INDUSTRIOUS relationship. God wants in our church a JOYFUL relationship. God wants in our church a CHRIST-LIKE relationship. First: God wants in our church a HARMONIOUS relationship. The harmonious relationship in this church was in jeopardy because of two members in particular. Notice verse 2, I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. I do not know exactly what their problem was, but none the less there was a difference of opinion. This difference of opinion was doing something to the harmonious relationship of this assembly of believers. It was disrupting and destroying the unity of this Philippian church. Now Paul knows that God has a reason, a specific purpose, for these people to be of the "same mind in the Lord." There are perhaps a number of things Paul brings to mind.

3 Paul called on them to realize their unity in Salvation. He called them "dearly beloved" twice in verse 1. He reminded them of being citizens of heaven with their "names written in the book of life," verse 3. Paul appealed to their unity in the preaching of the Word of God. Paul was appealing to them to think the same thing about reaching the world one individual at a time with the gospel. The appeal was to share their faith with friends and loved ones who are without Christ. Paul was saying to feel the same way about sin; calling sin, sin, and reaching out to those who have fallen into sin. There should be a sameness of mind in these areas. It's Biblical unity he is concerned about. Not only should there be a unity of MIND about doctrine and our ministry, but there must also be a unity of HEART. We ought to feel AKIN to one another. O, what a spirit of revival would permeate our ministry, if we would wisely agree that: In essentials UNITY, In non-essentials LIBERTY, In differences LOVE, but In all things CHRIST! Folks, let s agree that at times there will be those things with which we will disagree, but through it all we will be "of the same mind in the Lord." Can we go on singing that chorus "Blest be the ties that bind our hearts in Christian Love?" Here Paul is saying, "I beseech, (I pray to this end, I urge you to this end) that these women be of the same mind in the Lord." Now why? Why is a harmonious relationship important in a local assembly like ours? If you will keep your place here in Philippians 4, please turn back to John 17 where you will find that answer. Here we have "the Lord's Prayer" just before His crucifixion. In this prayer Jesus is concerned about our oneness. Notice verses 11, 22. We find the stress upon "UNITY, Harmony, and sameness of mind." But what is the reason for our unity? Notice verse 21, "That the world may believe that thou sent me." This concern God has for unity in a local assembly of believers is in order that those who are unsaved, those who are on the outside, may see something in us that they desire and therefore believe in Jesus Christ. When there is disunity in the church, one of God's major concerns, evangelism, reaching out in our own community, in our own neighborhood, to our own generation, is disrupted. The purpose for unity is EVANGELISM so that people who are in the world without Christ may believe. Back in Philippians 4 we have these two women, who are at odds with one another, causing disruption in the church. Now whether it's two women or two men or two groups, all of us are capable of disturbing the unity of the spirit in the local church. Therefore all of us have to be on our guard that we keep a "sameness of mind through a harmonious relationship. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 133:1 of the blessing of unity, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Or, "Behold how bad and how terrible it is for brethren to dwell together in disunity." How true that is. Disunity paralyzes, disrupts, hurts deep inside, and the spirit to accomplish anything is broken. In Ephesians 4:3 Paul challenges the Ephesian church to continue "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Folks, we ought to be praying to that end in our Church. Why? Because if not, the great cause of Christ begins to fall by the wayside. That cause is to reach out and touch the world for the souls of men and women and boys and girls. Second: God wants in our church an INDUSTRIOUS relationship of working together, and

4 working side by side for the cause of Christ. This attitude is not just for the Pastor and his staff, but for all of God's people who are doing the work of God. Notice verse 3. And I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life. Here Paul speaks of a number of people, There was a "true yoke-fellow." It is possible this is a play on words here, for the Greek word for "Yokefellow" is "Syzygus" meaning a person who pulls well in a harness for two. What a name, but none the less, Paul thought enough of this man to ask him to lend a hand in restoring harmony between the two women. There were these two women who were co-labors in the Gospel with the Apostle Paul in the church at Philippi. Now men and women don't have the same roles in the church, but in any local church they are of equal importance in the eyes of God. There was Clement. We don't really know who this fellow was. But just because his name was mentioned here could mean he was a man with some position in the church. There were others, many, many others, men as well as women, who were fellow workers in the great cause of Christ using their time, talents and tithes. Again God wants in our church an INDUSTRIOUS relationship of working together, and working side by side for the cause of Christ. This attitude is not just for the Pastor and his staff, but for all of God's people who are doing the work of God. We are all involved in this ministry of reconciliation. We are all to be involved in church work for the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. Third: God wants in our church a JOYFUL relationship. Again notice verse 4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Perhaps the spirits of the Philippian believers were down. Outside pressure from the enemies of the cross and then division on the inside must have discouraged them. So Paul told them to "rejoice in the Lord." When he said that, he was not motivating them to seek happiness. Joy is not happiness! Joy is a relationship. In I Thessalonians 5:16, we find two very powerful words, "REJOICE EVERMORE." In Psalms 85:6 we read, "Wilt thou not REVIVE us again, that thy people may REJOICE in thee?" In Psalms 118:24 we read, "This is the day the Lord hath made, we will REJOICE and be GLAD in it." Paul said in Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that do weep." Someone said, "Believers should rejoice in Jesus, NOT in vain and empty things of the world such as riches or the applause of men. Our happiness should rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just to know He is our Friend as well as our Saviour, and to know He has chosen US to be His servants and bear fruit to His Glory should bring the highest joy possible to the human heart." We spend far too much of our time grumbling and complaining. We spend far too much of our time complaining about people and moaning over circumstances that get us down. We spend far too much of our time worrying about the things of life that we should be giving over to the Lord. Philippians 4:4 is a command, Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. We are commanded to REJOICE ALWAYS! In Psalm 100:4-5 we read how we are to respond to the Lord in the house of God, Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Going back to Philippians 4 we find that in our church there ought to be a joyful relationship. Why, because there is a lift and a joy and a thrill we can have ONLY

5 WHEN WE BELONG TO JESUS. No wonder David said in Psalm 5:11, "But let all those who put their trust in thee REJOICE; let them ever SHOUT for JOY, because thou defendest them; let those also who love thy name be JOYFUL in thee." God wants in our church a HARMONIOUS relationship. God wants in our church an INDUSTRIOUS relationship. God wants in our church a JOYFUL relationship. Fourth: God wants in our church a CHRIST-LIKE relationship. Perhaps you are asking what the word "Moderation" means in verse 5? Currently this word means, "not going to extremes." It's a middle of the road word. However in the Greek it can be translated by the words, "forbearance, gentleness, yieldedness, and reasonableness. May I, in light of the Philippians text, suggest the word "Christ-likeness." Now I am not trying to be unkind here, but there are times when we exhibit "devillikeness" and that attitude catches like "wild-fire." That too is known to all men. Remember that we have an old sin nature that wants its way, and will fight to get it, no matter what. What a difference it would have made if instead of sowing discord, "Euodias and Syntyche" had displayed a spirit of "Christ-likeness." Why should that be? First: Because others are looking at our lives, both yours and mine, should not our testimony reflect Christ? Second: Because "the Lord is at hand." Let me ask you: Would it make a difference in how you conduct your life, if you were consciously aware of the presence of Christ every moment of the day, and were constantly being reminded of Psalm 34:15, "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous?" He is always watching you. You ought to be aware of the presence of the Lord every moment of every day. Would it make a difference in how you conduct your life, if you were consciously aware that at any moment Christ could return and you would be ushered into the presence of the Lord to give an account of how you lived? As we examine our lives and as we examine our church, can it be said of us: Ours is a HARMONIOUS fellowship in the Lord? Ours is an INDUSTRIOUS fellowship in the Lord? Ours is a JOYFUL fellowship in the Lord? Ours is a CHRIST-LIKE fellowship in the Lord? For whatever we do to promote harmony among God's children is near to the heart of our Saviour. As we come to the close of this message, let me again draw your attention to the end of Philippians 4:3, "whose names are written in the book of life." Those who are in the family of God have their names written in the book of life. There is a song we sing, "Is your name written there, on that page white and fair, in the book of God's kingdom?" Down here on earth, you may have your name written in a lot of places. But when you die, what is that honor going to amount to? "Is your name written there?" By accepting Christ as personal Saviour, you have the assurance that you have your name written in the book of life. However, if your name is not written there, one day God will look in that book and as we are told in Revelation 20:15, "Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of Fire." Why not this morning make a conscious decision to have your name written in the book of life by accepting Christ as your personal Saviour? ******************************************************************************** If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon on "The Joy of Harmony in the Church," then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you.

6 Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in Acts 16:31,...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved... Romans 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation. If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, would you please let me know? Please me at pdmikbbm@aol.com. and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life. The Weekly SERMON was sent as a ministry of Bible Baptist Ministry, 48 Alexie Rd., Hanover Township, PA Privacy policy: your address will not be sold, or shared with any third party. Copy write permission: Because the Weekly SERMONS will be reproduced into other formats, PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING: The Weekly SERMON in it s original form, without any changes, may be copied and re-transmitted by electronic mail, and copies may be printed for individual or ministry purposes, provided that such copying, re-transmission, printing, or other use is not for profit or other commercial purpose. Any copying, re-transmission, distribution, printing, or other use of the Weekly SERMON must set forth in full the heading that is given before each Weekly SERMON. Any other request for use, please contact Bible Baptist Ministries at pdmikbbm@aol.com or by phone at