THEREFORE, STAND FIRM

PHILIPPIANS 4: 1-7

PAUL ISSUES A SERIES OF EXHORTATIONS

Lets read: 4: 1-7

AFTER WRITING 1ST HALF OF LETTER,PAUL ASSUMED HE WAS DONE

A

CHAPTER 3: 1 “IN CONCLUSION” BUT EVIDENTLY THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD

ADDITIONAL THINGS HE WANTED TO SAY. (THANK THE LORD) .. SO PAUL CONTINUES TO WRITE AS THE HOLY SPIRIT BROUGHT OTHER ISSUES TO MIND.

Therefore,

Why is therefore, therefore? Remember last week, we learned we should

be eagerly anticipating “we await a Savior, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who will transform our lowly body, to be like HIS GLORIOUS BODY….”

MAKE IT YOUR GOAL, LIKE MINE… TO KNOW CHRIST and the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION

THEREFORE, STAND FIRM

NOTICE HOW PAUL “BATHS” HIS ADMONITION IN LOVE

MY BROTHERS, WHOM I LOVE AND LONG

FOR… MY JOY AND CROWN…..

STAND FIRM IN THE LORD

MY BELOVED…

CROWN OF ACHIEVEMENT… NOT DIADEM

WHY?

Paul warned: Anticipate difficulty Anticipate trials Weakness of the flesh Weakness of our faith Most congregations… weakness of leadership Weakness of pastors .. Give up

SO…

HOLY SPIRIT CRIES OUT

STAND FIRM IN JESUS CHRIST … In spite of circumstances

Independently Peter wrote: 2 Peter 3:16 “untaught and unstable people who have

distorted the writings of Paul to their own destruction….”

• James wrote that the spiritually unstable are the double minded (they waver)• Jude said “GOD ALONE IS ABLE TO MAKE YOU STABLE AND KEEP YOU FROM FALLING”

NOTICE

“Stand firm IN THE LORD.” (BE SPIRITUALLY STABLE). 1:28 “In no way be alarmed by your

opponents” 1:29 “It has been granted to you for Christ’s

sake…. to suffer for HIS sake. 1:27 “ Conduct yourselves in a manner

worthy… , standing firm in one spirit with one mind…

3: 18 .. Encountering the enemies of the cross…

In Other Words

We are pursuing Christ’s likeness, we are citizens of heaven, we are waiting for the Savior who will make us like HIMSELF. Since then we are heavenly citizens and since the goal of our life and the prize of our life is CHRIST’S likeness, therefore

STAND FIRM in the LORD

ONE LAST THOUGHT

Paul said to the Thessalonians (I assume they were Armenians) 3:8 “I really live if you stand firm in the LORD” … not only is GOD pleased, but Paul says (the Holy Spirit says) .. As a pastor, it causes me to overflow with joy… and our own Pastor David Hegg… will too… as will your teachers in FIF.

Is Standing Firm for today?

Harvard Kennedy School of Government held a conference last March “Israel/Palestine and the One-State Solution”…call for a singular, secular, democratic country in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip, i.e. the demise of Israel.

Our State Dept announced in April “the war on terror is over”…. Ask the Christians in Sudan, in Jos (Nigeria)..at a Soccer match

Rights of Christian Ministries

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Employers who consider the fact that a potential or active employee is a “transgender” person will be guilty of discrimination under existing Federal Law.

The head of the EEOC was appointed by Pres. Obama.. And is a longtime homosexual-rights activist.

Liberals Push to Re-invent the Gospel

See article in Friends of Israel magazine….

Satan is alive and active

With all your questions

You are really slowing me down… lets get to VERSE 2.

One last, last thought… why was Pres. Reagan so popular … after he left office… (not by the press) but by the people…

He stood firm against the Russians, the press, his opponents, et al

Even the world admires someone who stands firm

Verse 2

“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Synthche to agree in the Lord.

Was it a theological disagreement? What do you think? Why two women?

Continuing

Verse 2: “Yes, I ask you also, (true companion)* help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement, and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the book of life.”

* Syzygus (Greek: yokefellow)… probably took this name after his salvation, and was most probably an Elder in the church at Philippi .. Also Paul used names for others… why not Syzygus?

Why?

Often long standing issues cannot be resolved between individuals… but need the wisdom of a third party… And Paul asks his fellow yoke-man to “jump in”….

Plus enlists all believers to encourage resolution (“rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life”).

So, 1st Exhortation

By maintaining or cultivating harmony or peace in the fellowship of love.

i.e. Don’t allow divisions in the church (discord is deadly threat to the life of the church)

Paul named names…

My fathers Gravestoneat Forest Lawn

“BE YOU STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, KNOWING THAT IN THE LORD, YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN.” I COR 15:58

Remember Psalms 1 … the STABLE MAN

2nd Exhortation, i.e. how to stand firm

“REJOICE in the LORD ALWAYS, AGAIN I WILL SAY REJOICE.” Circumstances: Paul was in prison Your circumstances: Family issues/health issues/financial

issues/neighbor issues/et al Why: Others will observe/you will be strengthened “in the Lord” is key … his coming again, His

choice of you, His faithfulness, His promises, SOVEREIGN ……

Don’t live in isolation… (where does one obtain JOY?)

He is Sovereign

He is in control of everything … nothing happens out of HIS control

He controls it all…..FOR YOUR GOOD (READ PSALM 139) We will be transformed at HIS appearing

(Rapture) God is able to supply ALL your needs

according to HIS riches in Christ Jesus… Death is gain

3rd Admonition

Vs 6 “Let your reasonableness (forbearing) be known to everyone” The spirit of forbearance or goodwill, fairness,

magnanimity, graciousness,,, is apparently to be directed primarily toward pagan society rather than merely to characterize relationships within the church….

If one is filled with joy… this is much easier to accomplish

Forbearance

Spiritual stability also requires learning to accept LESS than you might think you’re due.

Let your contentment known to all men. Some have suggested this phrase means

“mercy toward failures of others” Best word is probably “graciousness”.

And includes graciousness of humility. Spiritual Stability belongs to the “humbly

gracious”.

4th Admonition

Verse 5b/6: “THE LORD IS AT HAND/NEAR, BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING”

WE OFTEN DON’T QUOTE THESE VERSES CORRECTLY. WE LEAVE OFF THE IMPORTANT PART: “THE LORD IS NEAR”.

Spiritual stability requires resting on a confident faith in the LORD>…. That HE IS NEAR.

What did Paul have in mind?

The LORDS return in near? Could be. Death is near? Could be. However, I believe he had in mind

“God’s personal presence” is near. See Psalms 119: 151

“ The LORD IS NEAR… SO DON’T BE ANXIOUS, (UNSTABLE, WAVERING, COLLAPSING, HAVING A BREAKDOWN, ETC)

My tree

What is on your list to be anxious about?

Something that God cannot handle? Baloney

Maybe God refuses to help you? (Your questioning His character, integrity, His WORD)… HE IS NEAR… TRUST HIM.

Jesus said: Hey, look at the birds of the air, they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, They don’t work to provide for themselves “YOUR FATHER FEEDS THEM. AREN’T YOU WORTH MORE THAN THEY?”

5TH ADMINITION

VERSE 6B: “BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION (URGENT PRAYING), WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUEST BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD” ..

Another virtue of a STABLE BELIEVER is GRATITUDE. ANTIDOTE TO

WORRY/DOUBT/DISCONTENT/BLAMING GOD/… BE THANKFUL FOR HIS

PURPOSES/POWER/PROMISES

RESULT

VERSE 7: “AND THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.”

Let me explain this peace… I cannot… it transcends human understanding

Notice God says… hearts (emotions) and minds (rational thinking)

Next week

Finish Paul’s admonitions for spiritual stability. Summary: Be a strong unified peaceful loving church Maintain a spirit of JOY Learn to be humble and not expect anything… Rest in confidence that HE is near… and loves

you exceedingly React to your problems with THANKFUL prayer

and the promise of God is His peace will guard you