Sunday, March 26, 2000   

I. VERSE 1, DIRECTIVE ON DEVOTION

      A. "Therefore" points back to the things that Paul had just written.

            1. "Therefore" is the Greek word hoste meaning "so then."

           2. "So then" because you have been called to salvation, have a home in heaven, and blessings on earth, "stand fast in the Lord."

     B. "Brethren dearly beloved." Paul loves and yearn to be with the saints at Philippi.

           1. "Beloved" Greek agapetos speaking of a deep-seated, self-sacrificing, purposeful love.

           2. Paul longed for fellowship with his Philippian friends (1:7-8) because of their love and his love of Christ.

     C. "My joy and crown."

           1. "Joy." The Philippians in general, show forth the fruits of the Spirit in their lives. And this brings joy to Paul's heart. Their living for Jesus thrilled Paul.

           2. "Crown," two Greek words are used for "crown" in the New Testament One is diadema meaning a royal crown, a crown of kingship. The second is stephanos; the word used here. It has two backgrounds:

                 a. It was the crown of the victorious athlete made of wild olive leaves, interwoven with green parsley and bay leaves. It was the Greek athlete's ambition to win this crown.

                 b. The stephanos crown was also the crown with which guests were crowned when they sat at a banquet of joy. Paul looked to the end of his race and the marriage supper of the Lamb with great joy.

     D. "Stand fast in the Lord." This is Paul's directive to his brethren beloved.

           1. Paul uses the Greek word steko for stand fast. It is the word that describes a soldier standing fast in the thick and shock of battle, with the enemy all about him.

           2. It is only when we "stand fast in the Lord" that we can resist the devil and the seductive temptations he sends our way.

                 a. It is easy to do wrong when we are with the wrong crowd.

                 b. When we are "standing fast in the Lord" and standing with His people, we have strength to stand. We need the presence of the Lord and His people.

II. VERSE 2-3, DIRECTIVE ON DIVISION

     A. Verse 2, Paul with tender love pleads with these two women to agree in the Lord.

           1. "Euodias" - "prosperous journey" and "Syntyche" - "pleasant acquaintance" were not living up to their name.

           2. "Be of the same mind in the Lord." This is Paul's directive on the division in the church at Philippi.

                 a. The key phrase here is "in the Lord." There can be no unity in the body unless it is in Christ. We can get along because we serve a mighty Master. Our loyalty is to Him. Our loyalty to each other is due to our loyalty to Him.

                 b. We can never truly love each other until we love Christ.

     B. Verse 3, Paul requested that Syzygus, the meaning of yoke-fellow, lend these women a hand in settling their dispute for he was a true yoke-fellow indeed as well as name.

            1. These women needed and deserved to be helped.

           2. In the past, they had contended for the Gospel cause by the side of Paul along with Clement and the rest of the fellow workers "whose names are in the book of life." Paul may not have been able to recall all those that had helped him but God knows their names for they "are in the book of life."

III. VERSE 4, DIRECTIVE IN DELIGHT

     A. Here is a double exhortation: "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." It may have been hard for the Philippians to consider continued rejoicing under all circumstances. Yet, Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say rejoice."

     B. Believer can rejoice because:

            1. They are saved and in dwelt by the Holy Spirit.

            2. They have an inheritance in heaven.

            3. Christ is coming again.

     C. Because of Christ:

           1. "A Christian can be joyful within when without all is dark and dreary" (Hendriksen 192).

           2. Happenings may take away happiness, but joy is of the Lord. Because the child of God has a friend in Jesus, a friend who will never leave or forsake him, nothing can take away that joy unspeakable that is deep within.

           3. "Rejoice in the Lord...." If we are with the right person, nothing else rally matters.

IV. VERSES 5-6, DIRECTIVES FOR DEPORTMENT

     A. Verse 5, The Greek word for moderation, epieikes , is a hard word to translate for it has a broad meaning. The following meanings are derived from this Greek word: forbearance, geniality, kindliness, gentleness, sweet reasonableness, considerate, charitable, mild, generous. No single word exists to define the original.

            1. Be a blessing to others.

           2. React in Christian character when confronted. Our reactions speak as loudly as our actions.

     B. Why should the Christian be gentle, kind, considerate, etc.? Because "the Lord is at hand." Jesus is coming; be ready!

     C. Verse 6, "Be careful for nothing. . ." Paul's directive to the Philippians concerning worry is: "do not be anxious about anything; don't be pulled in all directions."

            1. This is not a call for a careless, carefree life.

           2. To care and be genuinely concerned is right. Paul was concerned about the Philippians. Timothy cared about those he ministered to. But their trust was in the Master, the Sovereign Lord. Is there anything too big for God? Trust God. The Lord who cares for the sparrow and clothes the lily will take care of you. Said the robin to the sparrow:

"I should really like to know

Why these anxious human beings

Rush about and worry so."

Said the sparrow to the robing:

"I suppose that it must be

That they have no heavenly Father

Such as cares for you and Me."

(Elizabeth Cheney-Philipps 161)

           3. The cure for worry is prayer.

                 a. "In everything" pray about everything. "Cast all your care upon him for he careth for you."

                 b. "Supplication" - the humble cry for the fulfillment of need deeply felt.

                 c. "With thanksgiving." Humility, grateful acknowledgment for:

                        1) Past favors,

                        2) Present blessings,

                        3) Assurance for the future.

V. VERSE 7, DETERMINATION OF THE DIRECTIVES

      A. Simply put, the result of believing prayer is the peace of God.

      B. The peace of God will stand guard upon your heart.

CONCLUSION: Follow these inspired directives for a worry free, peaceful life.