The Mind of Christ

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The Mind of Christ

Philippians 2:5-7

February 1, 2023 • Pastor Arthur Jackson III

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“THE MIND OF CHRIST”

Philippians 2:5-7

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”

The mind is the most powerful computer in the world. Mind power is composed of your attention, your mental images, and your thoughts. That energy moving across the synapses of your neurons has potent potential to revolutionize your life. A SINGLE THOUGHT CAN ALTAR THE TRAJECTORY OF YOUR LIFE. Just like the wind, which is invisible, but can be powerful, so are your mind and thoughts.

▪ Paul realized the power of the mind and he addressed the issue of the mind all through his letter to the

Philippian church.

 Philippians 1:27 (NKJV) Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

 Philippians 2:2 (NKJV) - “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

 Philippians 2:3 (NKJV) - “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

 Philippians 3:16 (NKJV) - “Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.”

 Philippians 3:19 (NKJV) - “Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things.”

 Philippians 4:2 (NKJV) - “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.

THE MIND IS THE BODY’S BATTLEFIELD

WHAT IS A BATTLEFIELD?

 “A parcel of ground upon which a battle is fought”.

 “The area of contention, conflict, or hostile opposition.”

A BATTLEFIELD is a place of hostile opposition. A battlefield is a place where battles are won and lost. Everyday – every moment – there is a battle going on in our minds between right and wrong, good and bad, God’s way or Satan’s way, the Spirit or the flesh. It is our wills that determine who wins control of our minds, and because actions follow thoughts, ultimately who wins control of our very lives. In fact, when writing to the believers in Rome, Paul spoke candidly concerning the war that was raging in his mind.

 Romans 7:21-23 [NLT] - I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

OUR BEHAVIOR FOLLOWS THE BLUEPRINTS OF OUR MIND

Any General Contractor will tell you, first the BLUEPRINTS, then the BUILDING. Before a building is built, blueprints are drawn up. A sanctuary, fellowship hall, classrooms, offices, and restrooms all are the results of BLUEPRINTS. Contractors, plumbers, electricians, and carpenters will together raise the building. But long before any of this can happen, a set of blueprints must be drawn up. For the purposes of our understanding…the “building” is the behavior; the “blueprints” are the mind.

 FIRST THE BLUEPRINTS, THEN THE BUILDING; FIRST THE MIND, THEN THE BEHAVIOR.

◼ IF I WANT TO CHANGE THE WAY I ACT, I MUST CHANGE THE WAY I THINK

➔ BRIAN TRACY - “the one fundamental change a person can make that will forever alter the trajectory of their life is their mindset”.

◼ PEOPLE ACT THE WAY THEY ACT BECAUSE THEY THINK THE WAY THEY THINK!

Mental Maturity Is Required

 1 Corinthians 13:11 - “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

THE MATURE MIND IS THE MIND OF CHRIST!

JESUS DIDN’T EXPLOIT HIS STATUS AS SOVEREIGN

 Philippians 2:6 (NKJV) - who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

▪ When Paul uses the word “Form,” he’s using the Greek word [Mor-fay], which means, “very nature”.

o Philippians 2:6 [NLT] - Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

◼ Jesus Had Sovereign Status [Jn.1:1]

– YOU COULDN’T TELL IT BY HOW HE LOOKED

Isaiah 53:2 [NLT2] - My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.

– YOU COULDN’T TELL IT BY WHERE HE LIVED

MATTHEW 8:20 (NKJV) And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

– YOU COULDN’T TELL IT BY WHAT HE LOVED

MATTHEW 6:19-21 [NKJV] "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The point is this, even with having “SOVEREIGN STATUS” Paul said that Jesus had the kind of mindset that He chose NOT to exploit it! He chose NOT to use His power and privilege for personal gain. If we are going to develop a mindset of Christ, we cannot get caught up in STATUS! We must be mindful that we are what we are and have what we have by the grace of God!

 1 Corinthians 15:10 [TLB] - But whatever I am now it is all because God poured out such kindness and grace upon me—and not without results: for I have worked harder than all the other apostles, yet actually I wasn’t doing it, but God working in me, to bless me.

JESUS DIDN’T EXEMPT HIMSELF FROM SERVING

 Philippians 2:7 (NKJV) - but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

 Philippians 2:7 (NLT2) - Instead, He gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

NOTE – JESUS GAVE UP HIS DIVINE PRIVILEGES

He emptied Himself of eternal riches. He gave up the riches, blessings, adoration, and worship of Heaven to come to earth and be despised and rejected of men.

 2 Corinthians 8:9—For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 Jesus was born in a borrowed stable. He was laid in a borrowed manger. He used as His pulpit a borrowed boat. He fed thousands with a borrowed lunch. He slept in a borrowed bed. He rode as King on a borrowed beast. He observed the Last Supper in a borrowed room. He was mocked as king in a borrowed robe. He was buried in a borrowed tomb.

NOTE – JESUS TOOK ON THE FORM OF A SERVANT

The word "took" is from the Greek word lambano. This word does not imply an exchange, but an addition. Jesus did not cease to be God when He took the form of a servant. He added humanity to His divinity. The word "form" here is again from the Greek word morphe. The lesson is Jesus was a servant. This never changed for it was the essence of His character. There was no play-acting. He was a genuine servant. He temporarily gave up the highest glory imaginable, the glory of Heaven, to take the lowest position thinkable, the position of a bondslave or servant.

There are some great lessons for us here. When we try to impress others, we are assuming a role that is not for us. We struggle for a reputation, but Jesus made Himself of no reputation. He stooped and stepped down.

The Sovereign became the servant of mankind.

JESUS DEMONSTRATED THAT GREATNESS COMES THROUGH SERVICE

MOST people think they could never become great, but they are greatly mistaken. Everyone can be great. Most people think in order to be great, they must be wealthy, popular, or attain some measure of power. Others think they must have great talent in athletics or business. But the truth of the matter is, a person could have all of those aforementioned things and still not be great!

Jesus gave us the guide to greatness…

 Matthew 20:26-28 (NIV) - Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

▪ MAHATMA GANDHI - “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”

▪ MUHAMMAD ALI - “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”

▪ DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING - “ everybody can be great because anybody can serve”

JESUS EXCUSED HIMSELF FROM SUFFERING

 Philippians 2:8 (NKJV) - And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Each step down brought Jesus into deeper humiliation and finally death. Death marked the ultimate point of obedience, the extent to which He went for us. Jesus chose a form of death reserved for slaves and criminals... the death of the cross.

THE DEATH OF THE CROSS

As an instrument of death, the cross was detested by the Jews.

 Galatians 3:13— “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree”

The cross became a stumbling block to the Jews. How could one accursed of God be their Messiah? The punishment of the cross was meted out by the Romans for such crimes as Treason, Desertion in the face of the enemy, Robbery, or Assassination. Among the Romans, crucifixion was preceded by scourging to hasten death. Once on the cross, the person was usually left to starve to death. They would also be roasted by the sun, severely chilled by the cold nights, tormented by flies laying eggs in their wounds and biting at their flesh, and also by birds and wild dogs. If the person was nailed to the cross, a drink was given to them to help deaden the pain.

The suffering of crucifixion was intense, especially in hot climates. Inflammation and bleeding of jagged wounds produced traumatic fever that was aggravated by the sun, strain on the body, and thirst. The wounds from nails swelled around the nails. Torn tendons and nerves produced extreme pain. Arteries in the head and stomach were surcharged with blood and a terrific throbbing headache ensued. The rubbing of the back wounds on the rough surface of the cross was excruciating. The victim of the cross would die a thousand deaths. Death would be preceded by exhaustion, and unconsciousness. It was a long way down from Heaven's throne to Calvary's cross. However Jesus voluntarily did this for us!

The point is this:

▪ HAVING THE MIND OF CHRIST MEANS WE ARE WILLING TO SUFFER

 2 Timothy 2:12 (KJV) - If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Contentment

May 17, 2023

Philippians 4:12-14 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. 13. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” CONTENTMENT The last time we were here we considered together verses 10 and 11, where we discussed the generosity of the Philippians as seen through the eyes of Paul the apostle. We suggested that Paul saw in the Philippians’ generosity to him three things: · The Lord‘s care o 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last, you renewed your concern for me. · Loads of compassion o Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. · Lessons in contentment o 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. We ended our study by defining what contentment meant. We said that contentment was to be free from care, due to the satisfaction with what is already one's own. The Hebrew word for contentment means simply "to be pleased." In the Greek word contentment means to be self-sufficient, satisfied, and independent (1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5). In other words, Contentment is more of an inward enjoyment than outward satisfaction (1 Timothy 6:6); the former is a habit or permanent state of mind, while the latter has to do with some particular occurrence or object. So that on one hand, inward contentment brings lasting fulfillment, while on the hand outward contentment is a temporary thrill. Paul’s great joy had nothing to do with the gift he had received from the Philippians, per se because he was content and needed nothing despite being confined behind prison walls. For Paul, this sufficiency was not something he had in and of himself, but a sufficiency that came from Christ. It was an understanding gained from the experience of knowing that we have everything we need in Him, regardless of our external circumstances. We highlighted this clearly from three passages found in the scriptures on contentment: Job 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. Song of Songs 8:10 I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus, I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. And so, we surmised that: Contentment is being thoroughly satisfied or pleased with the things that we have. Contentment is a state of satisfaction or being pleased with the things we don’t have but yet, we wait patiently for such things as we work diligently to gain them. Contentment is God satisfying or pleased with everything God has richly provided for our enjoyment while using those resources to be a blessing to others. Contentment is found wherever and whenever we have the opportunity to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. Paul now in the next several verses, digs a little deeper into the subject of contentment by using his own example, situations, and circumstances. Paul gives his own life as an object lesson in these verses and testifies that “need” and “plenty” are relative terms – relative to what we feel ourselves to want. And that there is a depth of discipline of self whereby one does not need more than one has at any given moment. And the reasons for this he gives in verses 12 through 14. Let us take a candid look at these verses. The first reason he gives is that: THE SECRET TO CONTENTMENT IS IN OUR EXPERIENCE WITH CHRIST 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.” Notice carefully that Paul mentions some physical circumstances such as being in need and having plenty, being well-fed or hungry, living in much, or having nothing. And in the midst of these social states, he says, twice “I know what it is to be in” and “I know what it is to have.” This “I know” that Paul states here did not come through osmosis, happenstance, or luck. This Knowledge came through learning. And his learning came through two possible ways or both, I believe the latter to be true that his knowledge and learning came through two essential things… 1. The Example he followed. a. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 “You became imitators of us and the Lord.” b. 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 2. The Experience he nurtured. i.Philippians 2:5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ…” ii.Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthen in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” iii.Ephesians 4:20 “You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life to put off your old self… and to be renewed in the attitude of your minds.” The second reason he gives is that: THE STRENGTH OF CONTENTMENT IS BEING EMPOWERED BY CHRIST 13. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Paul understood that no matter how difficult his struggles may have been, that there was something else undergirding, and enabling him. There was an invisible means of support deep within, and thus he understood that his adequacy and sufficiency came from his union with someone greater than himself. Paul is clear that “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” He speaks of the adequate and all-sufficient One Christ who dwells within and pullet the reins. When Paul says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” He had physical and not necessarily spiritual things in mind. The things he had in mind are clearly mentioned in verse 12, where he says “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned….whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” He then says, he “can do everything through” Christ who gives the strength to sustain him in any and every situation. The idea is to be strong, to have power, or to have resources. In context, what Paul is conveying is that he can accomplish these physical feats only by trusting God to sustain him through the extremities that life offers. And because God has already given us everything we need for life and godliness we are better able and equipped for such challenges in life wherever and whenever they come. God has provided for us with his own fourfold resources: 1. His Son – 1 Corinthians 15:30-32 2. His Spirit -Galatians 5:16-26 3. His Scripture James 1:19-25 4. His Supplies – 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 Content belongs to those who rely upon God rather than on their own resources. The third reason he gives is that: SHARING IN CONTENTMENT IS AN ENCOUNTER FOR CHRISTIANS. 14. “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” The final reason that Paul gives for contentment is in sharing in the concern for others, here is where true contentment resides. Those who live only for themselves will never be content because their contentment is only when things are exactly the way they want them to be. And when the things they have gained, accumulated, or achieved are taken away, stolen, and/or destroyed they are discontented, discouraged, and despondent. When we share in each other’s trouble, we are supplying and meeting each other’s needs as God has so commanded us to do: 1. We fulfilled the law of Christ – Galatians 6:2 a. 2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” 2. We help our neighbors for their good and benefit – Romans 15:1- 2 a. 15 “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” 3. We develop an equality of exchange among our brothers and sisters – 2 Corinthians 8:10-15 a. 10 And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

Grateful

May 10, 2023 • Pastor Ludence Robinson

THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS Chapter 4:10-11 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. GRATEFUL The last time we were here we considered verses 6-9 of chapter 4 of Philippians, where the apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to be anxious about nothing but to pray about everything. For too many times, we treat prayer as a transaction and not as an opportunity to commune with God. We learned this from the last time we were here that in this country we are bred to be consumers. And that we should never get caught up in the idea that prayer is a retail experience. Prayer is both an act and an atmosphere. A living trust as well as total reliance upon God. And so, we shared the last time we were here a little more insight into the importance of spiritual stability, that spiritual stability is understanding. Our anxiety as men v. 6 Our appeal is to God v. 6b. Our protection is God’s peace 7. Our righteous living is birth from peace v.8. Our promise from God is his presence v.9. Paul now gives his thanks, after giving his thoughts on spiritual stability. He now with one stroke of the pen moves on to thank the Philippians for their spiritual support, the support they had offered to him for the past 10 years as he ministered among the Macedonian cities of Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17:1-13). And as he moved south the Philippians continued to show their undying support even as he ministered in Athens and Corinth which belonged to the territory of Achaia. As years passed, they had been concerned about Paul, but lacked the opportunity for whatever reason to show their support for him. But then Epaphroditus finally arrived in Rome, bringing with him a generous gift from those in Philippi. Paul was so ecstatic about the Philippians’ gift that he thanked them for their generosity, and in the process wrote them the letter we are now studying. Therefore, I would like to suggest three things that Paul saw in the generosity of Philippians. Paul saw the Philippians generosity… First, as… THE LORD’S CARE 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Paul saw the Philippians concern for him as the Lord caring for him. Paul is rejoicing in the Lord, for he knew that it was the Lord, who was at work in those at Philippi. Paul saw the Philippians actions towards him and others as the Lord’s care for him and those with him. He was certain that God in due time would arrange his circumstances to meet his needs. Paul understood that the times, seasons, and opportunities of life are controlled by God. We too are to view the generosity of others as the Lord caring for us, and us doing or caring for the Lord. Jesus echoes these same sentiments in his discourse about the sheep and goats. Matthew writes Jesus’ words this way: 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mathew 25:37-40). Paul is rejoicing in the fact the Philippians had at last renewed their commitment to follow through on their responsibility as stewards, which was meeting the needs of others. Paul saw the Philippians generosity… Secondly, as…. LOADED WITH COMPASSION Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. The Philippians were always a compassionate people it seems from letters, for Philippi was a Roman colony and the leading city of the district of Macedonia. We may not be as familiar with Philippi, but perhaps we are more familiar with the churches of Macedonia as Paul records for us in his letter to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians chapter 8. It is there we see the signs of generosity, coming from the churches located in that region and Philippi being one of them. Paul conveyed their generosity this way, when he instructed the Corinthians of a pattern to follow as it related to being generous to others. He writes, 8 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to us in keeping with God’s will” Matthew 25:37-40 Generosity extends from Compassion, and compassion stems from Grace and grace is given by God. And because we too have been given Grace, we have been given the capacity to be compassionate and/or to be loaded with compassion towards our brothers and sisters who stand in need of our help when and wherever necessary. The scriptures give clear examples of this: Luke in his Acts conveys, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had” (Acts4:33). Paul writing to those in Rome says, “love must be sincere; hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Romans 12:9-10) 1 Peter 3:8, Peter agrees, “finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” Jude 1:22 says, “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear.” Paul writing to those at Ephesus “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32) Paul again writing to the Colossians Christians says, “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). Paul saw the Philippians generosity… Thirdly, as… LESSONS IN CONTENTMENT 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Paul says clearly to the Philippians, lest they misunderstood his statement in verse 10, I am not pushing this or bringing it up because I am in need or want ofsomething from you. This is not the case, for Paul appears to be totally satisfied knowing that “the blessing of the Lord maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow to it” (Proverbs 10:22). And that he had learned to be content whatever the circumstances. So being in these circumstances and various situations had taught Paul some valuable lessons in contentment. What is contentment? Contentment is to be free from care because of satisfaction with what is already one's own. The Hebrew means simply "to be pleased." The Greek brings out the full force of the word in 1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5. Hence to be content in Greek means to be self-sufficient, satisfied, and independent. In other words, Contentment is more inward enjoyment than outward satisfaction (1 Timothy 6:6); the former is a habit or permanent state of mind, the latter has to do with some particular occurrence or object. One brings lasting fulfillment, while the other a temporary thrill. Paul’s great joy has nothing to do with the gift per se because he is content and needs nothing. For Paul and all believers, this sufficiency is not in ourselves but Christ. It comes from knowing that we have everything we need in Him, regardless of our external circumstances. We can see this clearly from three passages found on contentment: Job 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. Song of Songs 8:10 I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus, I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. Contentment is being thoroughly satisfied or pleased with the things that we have. Contentment is a state of satisfaction or being pleased with the things we don’t have but yet, waiting patiently for such things as we work diligently to gain them. Contentment is God satisfying or pleased with everything God has richly provided for our enjoyment, while using those resources to be a blessing to others. Contentment is found wherever and whenever we have the opportunity to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Living in the Now

April 26, 2023 • Pastor Ludence Robinson

PHILIPPIANS 4:1-5 4 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 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. SPIRITUAL STABILITY: LIVING IN THE NOW The last time we were here Elder Sheranda dealt with the closing verses of chapter 3, and now this evening we have come to the opening verses of chapter 4. Where Paul begins his opening statement with the word “therefore.” Any good student of scripture would want to know immediately what the, therefore, is there for. The word, therefore, means for that reason, or consequently: The word, therefore, indicates that what Paul is about to write builds on what he has just written. The text immediately points us back to the preceding verses where Paul has made it clear to us how to achieve spiritual stability. And then points us forward on how to maintain spiritual stability. First, how to achieve spiritual stability, Paul tells us at least three things in the previous verses… By following a set example v. 17 By Fleeing from Satanic Enemies v. 18, 19 By focusing on simple expectations v. 20, 21 So, the relevant question to be asked and answered is this, how do you and I maintain this spiritual life in a more personal practical manner? First, We must… SEEK FULLER CONNECTIONS v.1 4 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! The phrase “my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown …my beloved” expresses Paul’s deep connections with the Philippians. He has always conveyed a deep desire throughout his epistles to those he has written. We can see this in several of his letters: Romans 1: 8-12 1Corinthians 16:5-7 Galatians 4:19-20 Colossians 2:1 1 Thessalonians 1: 6b-8 Philippians 1:3-8; 25-26 In this verse alone he addresses Philippians in three connective ways 1. As brothers in Christ 2. As beloved by Christ 3. As blessings through Christ Note: We owe it to ourselves to stay connected, because only together are we stronger. Secondly, We must… STOP FIGHTING IN CHURCH v. 2-3 2 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. Paul in verse 2 pleads with two women who were apparently involved in some kind or type of altercation. It appears they were having some difficulty getting along. We are not given the details as to the cause of their disagreement, only that there was a disagreement. The truth is that wherever there are people there will be some disagreements, differences, and disputes. How do fights start in the first place? James 4: 1-3 How do we minimize fights in church? By Learning to agree to disagree with each other By Learning to assist & help each other. By Learning to accept & embrace each other. Note: The better we handle our differences, will be the judge of how we handle each other. Lastly, We must… STAY FAITHFUL TO THE CAUSE v. 4-5 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Paul in verse 4 repeats one of the favorite refrains of the Psalms – rejoice in the Lord! The secret of this exhortation is found in the words “in the Lord” that no matter how dark and dismal the circumstances of life may appear, it is still possible to rejoice in the Lord always and again to rejoice. The point Paul is making here is that rejoicing in the Lord is such a vital factor to the believers’ spiritual stability that the command bears repeating twice – “rejoice in the Lord always and again I will say rejoice!” This repetition, however, presupposes the reality that it is not easy to be joyful, hence joy is not dependent upon feelings, nor emotion but upon a clear understanding of God as he has revealed himself. Note: What you and I believe about God, is how we will live our lives before Him. The question is how do you and I stay faithful to the cause? Paul suggests at least three ways we can stay faithful to the cause... By maintaining a spirit of joy. By displaying a spirit of gentleness. By constantly being aware of the Lord’s presence.