Lesson 19

There is no such thing as a perfect church. I have always said that if a perfect church did exist, they would not want me to be their pastor because they would immediately cease being perfect! The truth is, there are no perfect people so there can be no perfect churches. Every church has problems. Admittedly, some churches have more problems than others.

The church at Philippi seems to have been one of the best churches of the New Testament era. Paul did not write to this assembly with the same tone that he wrote to the Corinthian church or the churches of Galatia. In those epistles, you immediately sense the tension by the forceful, confronting language which Paul used. But most of what Paul said to the Philippians was in the form of praise and encouragement. For the most part, the church at Philippi was a blessing and not a burden to the apostle. However, there were some problems in Philippi which needed to be addressed. Our text for today, Philippians 4:1-4, identifies those problems and gives us a simple, straightforward, solution to them.

It became evident to me as I studied this passage that these are the most common problems which churches and which Christians have. These are typical problems. I expect that all of us will easily be able to relate to the them. But this message is not just about problems. It is about solutions. This passage lays out clear-cut answers to the most common problems of the Christian-life and of church life.

These typical problems and their simple solutions come wrapped up in package of love and concern from Paul to the church.

Before exposing the problems, Paul, wisely though genuinely expresses his affection for the church. Confrontation is a lot easier to swallow when it comes from one whom you know really loves you and is interested in your well-being than from one who could care less about you. Proverbs 27:5-6 says, "Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

Paul was not afraid or reluctant to express his affection for his Christian friends. He was open and unashamed to speak of his love.

1. My brethren - Paul felt like this Christians were family. That is not a title

2. My beloved - "dearly beloved" (2x) You are dear to me. You are beloved to me.

1. Paul refers to these people as his Cause For Rejoicing ("my joy"). He is telling them that they are what brings joy to his life. They are the source of joy.

2. Paul refers to these people as his Crown Of Reward ("my crown"). Perhaps this has reference to the future when Paul will stand before the Lord to receive his rewards (crowns). There is a crown of rejoicing (I Thes.2:19) which is the soul-winner's crown. But Paul's words here, could mean that these people were what gave him a sense of fulfillment, of meaning, of purpose, of reward, now.

There are a series of 4 commands concerning 3 subjects. It is implied in each of these commands that there is an underlying problem making the command necessary.

One of the most common problems in the Christian life and in church life is discouragement. We all face periods when we seriously consider giving up, giving in, quitting. Life is a battle and we feel like we are losing. The road you are traveling seems all uphill. Everything is going wrong. We are defeated. We quit. We quit working, give up our ministry responsibilities; we quit worshiping; we quit fellowshipping, isolate ourselves and sever our relationships.

To stand fast means to stand firm; it means to be steadfast. Literally, the word comes from the military world and refers to a soldier standing guard who is commanded by his superior not to abandon his post under any circumstance, see Eph.6:11-14. Paul tells the Philippians to "stand fast". Make this resolution, have this resolve, I will not quit serving the Lord.

· I Cor. 15:58 "Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

· Gal. 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not."

Verses 2 and 3 are verses that "throb with human interest". Unfortunately, we cannot answer all the questions which come from these verses. We do not know who Clement was. We do not know if the "true yokefellow" was an individual to whom Paul was referring or the church body as a whole. Here is what we do know...

1. Request for reconciliation between two individuals, 4:2.

Euodias and Syntyche (both women's names) had a falling out. They couldn't agree on some matter. It could have been that one was wrong and the other was right. It could have been that both were wrong. Paul does not question their salvation, their names are in the book of life. They are Christian women who have been involved in the cause of the gospel with Paul. But now they are at odds with each other. These two women are like to out of tune musical instruments. Off-key with each other and with the rest of the orchestra. There disagreement may have seemed small and insignificant or even absurd, but it was damaging the entire church. Thus, Paul pleads with both of these women to settle their dispute. No matter who is right and who is wrong, both have the responsibility of going to the other and settling the argument. God's will is for a church to be of one mind (see 1:27; 2:2,5; 3:15; 4:2).

Paul is realistic enough to know that these women may not be able to resolve this conflict by themselves. He urges his loyal companions to assist these women in the process of reconciliation. Disputes can become a church matter where it is necessary for others to get involved in order to bring about unity, and harmony.

This, too, is a common problem with Christians and churches. How do we deal with disputes? Settle the dispute. Help those who are in opposition to settle their differences.

Another typical problem in church life is depressed Christians. Our circumstances steal our joy. There is a real absence of joy from many Christians. Yet God desires for us to have joy. "Rejoice evermore" (I Thess. 5:16).

Most of us can identify with these problems which were present in the Philippian church. We know what it is to feel defeated and want to quit, to defect, to give in and give up. We can relate to differences and disputes with others in the church. We understand how it feels for the circumstances of life to rob us of our joy. The problems in Philippi are the same problems of today.

The striking thing is that the solution is simple. In each case there is a choice which we must make. It is a choice between obedience and disobedience. It is a decision. Here are the decisions.

How is it possible to make such decisions? It is only possible "in the Lord" (v.1, 2, 4). This passage begins with a therefore. The word therefore always looks back to what has been previously stated. What has been stated before? 3:21 - "Christ is able to subdue all things unto himself"... therefore...

That word forges a link between man's problems and Christ's power. The ability to make these decisions not to quit, to settle all differences, to rejoice anyhow comes from the Lord.

Will you make the decision, right now, to stand fast, to reconcile all relationships, and to rejoice anyhow?