New York UBF - NY University Bible Fellowship

Philippians Lesson 4 (2008)

STAND FIRM IN THE LORD, DEAR FRIENDS!

Philippians 4:1-23
Key Verse: 4:1

“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!”

Oceanographers say that the sea remains tranquil below twenty-five feet. No matter how bad a storm rages on top of the ocean, the waters are peaceful in the deep. Christians find peace in the same place – down deep. Shallow faith leaves us anxious and fearful when storms arise, but a deep and stable faith provides tranquility in the midst of severe and threatening storms. When Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian Christians, he was in prison in Rome. Humanly speaking, his future was uncertain. We, however, can notice that his letter was not full of fear or sorrow, but full of peace, love, hope and joy. The word “joy” or “rejoice” is repeated 14 times in the letter. We are quite impressed by Paul’s joyful living and tranquility in Christ even while he was in prison. During the last few weeks, we’ve learned how we can live a joyful and meaningful life in a grumpy world. Today’s passage, chapter 4, is the epilogue of the letter. It opens with the words “Therefore, stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” Let’s think about what it means to stand firm in the Lord.

First, “Stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” (1)

Look at verse 1a. “Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,…” He called the Philippians believers “my brothers whom I love and long for, my joy and crown and my dear friends.” He also expressed his love for them earlier in 1:7, “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart.” These statements reveal Paul’s strong affection for the Philippian believers. Whenever Paul thought about Philippian believers whose faith and love were growing day by day, he was greatly encouraged and overjoyed even in prison. They were a source of his present joy and his future crown before the judgment seat of Christ Jesus. His love for them had never changed.

Look at verse 1 again. “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 “that is how you should stand firm in the Lord” is the closing statement of what he had written to them in chapters 1-3. Paul’s greatest concern for them was the negative influence of those who emphasized that Gentile believers should be circumcised and convert to Judaism if they wanted to be recognized as God’s children. (3:1-10) It had a pretty strong impact on Gentile believers. Of course, it was totally against Paul’s understanding and teaching of salvation that is by faith in Jesus’ grace alone, which he explained in great detail in his letters to the Romans and Galatians. To Paul, the righteousness that God counts is not our religious performance, racial background or any human achievement but Christ himself. Christ himself became our righteousness. Christ is the grace of God. Therefore, to Paul Christ was not just his Savior who saved him from sin and punishment. Christ was his ultimate goal in life. That’s why he said in 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He also said in 3:10, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection of the dead.” Last week, nearly 30,000 people ran 26.2 miles for the NYC Marathon. When you run a race, you don’t run aimlessly, like Forrest Gump. You run toward the goal to win the prize. That’s what Paul did in his life of faith. He said in 3:13b-14. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” He also said to the Philippians in the following verse, “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.” To Paul, life is running the race to win the goal, that is Christ Jesus. That’s what Christian living is supposed to be. All believers are runners of faith. He said in I Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” That’s the way Paul stood firm in the Lord. In verses 2-23, before ending his letter, Paul gives the Philippian believers even more instructions regarding how to stand firm in the Lord.

Second, stand firm in the Lord means to live a harmonious life in the Lord. (2-3)

Read verses 2-3. “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree
with each other in the Lord. 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.” These two women, Euodia and Syntyche, were members of the Philippian church. They were heroic because they stood on the side of Apostle Paul when his authority as an apostle was questioned and challenged. The name “Euodia” means “success” or “achievement” and the name “Syntyche” means “lucky” or “fortune.” They had such beautiful names. Yet, for some unknown reason, these women didn’t seem to get along. If Euodia suggested something, Syntyche always objected, and vice versa. By their names, we can imagine that their characters were different. Obviously, because of the disagreements between these two powerful ladies, the unity in the church was at stake. Jesus said in Mark 3:25, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” When Abraham Lincoln was the president, the country was in danger of division between the North and the South. But he firmly believed that America could stand only when she remains united. A tremendous sacrifice was made on both sides for the sake of unity.

How did Paul encourage them? Paul didn’t side with either one. Instead, he pleaded with each of them to agree with each other in the Lord. It’s interesting to note that Paul didn’t say that they should agree with each other no matter what. Instead, he said, “agree with each other in the Lord.” What did he mean by that? What he was trying to say is that even if we may have differences, we can still agree with each other if we are truly in the Lord. So prior to agreeing each other, what Euodia and Synthyche have to struggle with is to remain in the Lord. It could mean that they should struggle not to insist that they are always right but they should remain respectful and open to other believers who may have different views and feelings. Most of all, it means to “let the Lord be the Lord over all things.” We also notice that Paul encouraged other members of the church to help these women to be harmonious. “Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, … along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life, help these women.” (3) Why did Paul involve so many people in the church in this matter? It’s because even a hint of disunity can be very dangerous. In order for the body of Christ to stand firm, there should be continuing unity and harmony among the members of the body. We know that unity is different from uniformity or sameness. We don’t have to agree with one another. Unity in Christ is diversity and harmony. In fact, differences can even be a great advantage if we learn how to be united and harmonious.

Third, stand firm in the Lord means to decide to rejoice in the Lord on all occasions. (4)

Why decided to rejoice? It’s because we don’t always feel like rejoicing. Look at verse 4. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” “Rejoicing in the Lord” is something Paul repeatedly mentions in his letter. He said here, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Paul is strongly urging them to rejoice. Obviously, Paul was aware of the many reasons that the Philippian believers could have felt discouraged. Paul was their shepherd and someone they really looked up to. But Paul was arrested and put in prison and he had been in prison for so long. Now, Paul was facing possible execution in Rome. It was hard enough for them to overcome their frustration and discouragement. They sent Epaphroditus to Paul in Rome with some gifts. But they heard that even Epaphroditus got sick. After all, the entire church was still in constant conflict between conservatives and liberals. They also heard of painful divisions in other churches as well.

What did Paul encourage them to do when many undesirable and unexpected things happened among them? Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Paul said that he himself rejoiced in the Lord in spite of all these things that were happening. He said in 2:17, “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” By constantly saying “Rejoice!”, Paul was not telling them to be unrealistic. He wasn’t telling them that they should not even feel sad. We know that feeling is what’s real. If we ignore or suppress our feelings, we often cannot relate to our real selves. So feeling is very important although we should not depend only on our feelings. Paul was rather encouraging them to focus on the blessings we have in Christ and be thankful for these even though we might feel sad in some particular times in our lives. Therefore, it is our decision to rejoice in the Lord always. When we feel sad, we can also fall into despair. On the other hand, we can decide to rejoice in the Lord, for we know that the outcome of all these sufferings will be wonderful. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Ro 8:21)

Fourth, stand firm in the Lord means to have transcendental experience of God’s peace in our hearts. (5-9)
To some people, the word “transcendental” sounds suspicious. But the peace of God we have in the Lord is transcendental. The word “transcendental” means “Beyond common thought or experience”, “mystical” or “supernatural.” Do you remember what Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” How can we experience such peace in our lives?
Read verse 6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul says here that we should not be anxious about anything. Why not? It’s because anxiety does not solve any of our problems. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:27, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” We admit it’s easy for us to get carried away because of excessive worries and anxieties. What should we do then instead of worrying? Instead of becoming overly anxious over a particular situation, we should take it to the Lord in prayer. In fact, we should pray about everything that concerns us. Some of you may be familiar with the hymn, “What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!” Why do we worry when we can pray to God who hears us and deeply cares for us?

Here, Paul also uses several different terms for prayer: Prayer (Proseuche) is the most general term for our communications to God, petition (deesis) refers to requests for particular blessings, thanksgiving (eucharistias) is deep appreciation and gratitude for God’s blessings, request (aitemata) is to look at individual requests of God. We can be released from the burden of anxiety through prayer and thanksgiving. Even though God has done so much for us, we don’t necessarily feel God’s presence and peace because of lack of appreciation and thanksgiving. When we count God’s blessings, naming them one by one, we can definitely feel God’s faithful presence and abundant blessings upon our lives. We can enter into the tranquility of God’s own presence. This peace that releases us from tension is beyond our human understanding, so it is called transcendental experience. Paul, however, wasn’t saying that we will never experience fear at all. We will have the confidence in the Lord no matter what.

One more thing is that we should have spiritual mind-set to maintain God’s peace in our hearts. Look at verses 8-9. “Finally, brothers, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Here, Paul starts the sentence with the word “Finally.” When you say “finally”, it means you are going to conclude your speech or letter. But Paul had already said “finally” in 3:1, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!” Then he did not conclude. He went on to say more and more. Now, he again says, “Finally.” It means, “Listen to me, brothers what I am about to say.” He was saying that in order to have peace, we’ve got to be responsible thinkers. In other words, the peace of God in us has to do with how we think and what we think. We cannot have peace of God when we entertain evil or unwholesome thoughts. It reminds us of Romans 8:6, which reads, “the mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” When the Philippians put God’s truths into practice, the God of peace would present within them. We need to fix our eyes and thoughts on Jesus.

Fifth, Stand firm in the Lord means to be content whatever the circumstances. (10-20)

In verses 10-23, Saint Paul expresses his deep appreciation for his friends constant support of for him. Ever since Saint Paul had pioneered the Philippian Church, the Philippian Christians had participated in Paul’s ministry through their financial, emotional and spiritual support. But they had lost contact from each other for a while probably due to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. Obviously, Saint Paul had no support from any church for at least one or two years. Having no support from anybody, Paul could have been deeply distressed, feeling that he was neglected and even forgotten by his friends and coworkers. Have you ever felt lonely and left alone? It’s hard to overcome such feelings. Then his friends and partners from the Philippian church somehow found a way to send their gifts through Epaphroditus to Paul who was in prison in Rome. When Epaphraditus appeared to him, Paul rejoiced greatly. He expressed his joy in verses 10 and 11. “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Paul didn’t want his friends in Philippi to misunderstand him. He was rejoicing not because their gift had met his needs, but because their gift expressed their love and concern for him. In fact, Paul had learned, through years of difficulties, to be content and to rejoice in all circumstances. Such contentment is not a natural gift. Paul said that he learned to be content. Like Paul, every believer needs to learn to be content in all circumstances.
Read verses 12-13. “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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” How could Paul be content? His contentment did not come through his will power of the power of positive thinking. It was Jesus Christ who enabled him to be content. He found contentment in Christ. That’s why he said, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Most of us tend to think that we can happy and be content when we reach to certain level of success and economic prosperity. But that’s not necessarily true. The most important thing is contentment in Christ. Our hope is not in the world but in the kingdom of God. Paul said in I Timothy 6:6, “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
However, Paul wasn’t depreciating the Philippians’ support as if he didn’t need their help at all. So he quickly added in verse 14. “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” In fact, Paul had always remembered their love and support ever since they came to know each another. In verses 17-20, Paul expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude for their constant love and support for him. Paul also blesses them by saying that their support was a fragrant offering to God.
While I was on the plane last night on the way back from Chicago to New York, it was full. Since I had a window seat, I could look out into the sky. It was cloudy, windy and rainy. In fact, my mind was like the gloomy weather because I was a little bit upset about certain things which I could not resolve in my mind. Yet, I was trying to focus on preparing today’s sermon. I reviewed what I have learned from the passage, that we should live a harmonious life, rejoice in all circumstances and learn to be content in every situation and prayerful and thankful. Yet, honestly, I found that I just didn’t have the joy or tranquility I needed. But when the plane came close to New York area, it started to shake. Suddenly the plane descended and I even felt dizzy. I became a little anxious, thinking “If the plane crashes, would I be able to survive?” Since I didn’t take my blood pressure medicine for couple days, I asked, “What if I have a mild stroke?” Then I realize that all the meaning of standing firm in the Lord comes down to one basic foundation, that is Christ’s death and resurrection. I said to myself, “Since I have this glorious resurrection, I have nothing to lose. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” When I look out the window again, I saw some beautiful stars, shining high above the dark clouds. I sang a hymn, “O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.”
The hope we have in our Lord Jesus Christ is the glorious resurrection, which is beyond our reality and comprehension. When I thought about God’s love for us in sending Christ and preparing eternal life and resurrection, I began to entrust everything in God’s hands, and I could have peace and undisturbed tranquility in my heart even in a shaking airplane. It was a transcendental experience. I learned that we can stand firm in the Lord in any circumstance when we have a renewed conviction and hope in the glorious resurrection. When I have this glorious hope, I can dare to rejoice. I can struggle to live a harmonious life with someone who disturbs me, I can be content in any and every situation. This is a great mystery of our faith that is in Christ Jesus. Some of you may be in turmoil and are facing many challenges. Sometimes, you are very disturbed and anxious and deeply worried. But don’t let your hearts be troubled, remain in the grace that is Jesus Christ. If we remain in shallow water, we may not find immediate peace. But we should go into the deep ocean of God’s grace that is in our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for our sins and rose from the dead, and we will find deep joy and undisturbed tranquility and deep satisfaction. May the Lord help you, my dear friends, to stand firm in the Lord.