Philippians 4

Philippians 4:1

The term ‘stand fast’ brings to mind the picture of the single man stopping the tank in Tiananmen square. He became a symbol of strength and commitment to those who protested against the brutality of the government. His commitment and belief far outweighed any concern for his own self-preservation. He stood fast in word and deed. Like ‘tank man’, we need to "stand fast” in the Lord. It won’t make sense in the world’s eyes. The temptation will be to run and hid, seek safety; to defect and preserve our self and our pride.

To stand fast is a military term. It's a command to stand your ground. This is a call to the front lines of your life. We're not just sitting around biding our time until Jesus returns, we are holding our ground, standing fast, being an example even when it's not popular, even when it hurts or costs us dearly, possibly even our life.

This little church in Philippi probably didn't feel all that important. They felt like nothing special, from nowhere special, doing nothing out of the ordinary. Paul was encouraging them that they were very special because they were the Lords and because they were in ministry and that their fellowship had meant so much to him. They needed to guard against judging their worthiness by the values of the world. Instead, they needed to guard their citizenship and stand fast. They were to hold the ground they occupied. This speaks to every one of us at some point in our life. Because this command is given in the context of fellowship and unity, it is an encouragement to stand fast together. We are to support each other and hold each other up as we war against the influence of the world. In doing so, we are being those godly examples, living out our citizenship and standing fast in the Lord.

Moses stood as an example to the troops fighting against the Amalekites. He stood fast as a symbol of the Lord’s presence, leadership and strength. When Moses grew tired, he dropped his hands and saw the battle go bad. He could have believed what his eyes told him and gave up. He didn't because he knew the promises of God and that deliverance was coming. Aaron and Hur stepped up. He was held up by a rock and by the strength of these men. Together they watched the work of the Lord. That day and its battle was to be commemorated. Moses built an altar to the Lord and called it The Lord is my Banner (Jehovah Nissi). In a similar way, we can draw strength and courage to stand fast in our lives. Together, we hold each other up and watch the Lord work.

Paul called the Philippians his beloved and longed-for brethren. These words reveal a deep affection for them that caused pain because he had not seen them in some time. They were his joy and his crown. The Greek word from which crown is translated is stephanos. This was the wreath that was given to the athlete who won a contest or to a person who was being honored among his peers. It was the symbol of a successful and fruitful life. The Philippians were Paul's crown. They were evidence of Paul's fruitful life in the Lord.

Philippians 4:2-4

This is the only real evidence that there was some sort of division in the church there in Philippi. These two women may have been the reason Paul wrote this letter. We don't know the nature or the seriousness of their dispute but Paul made his case for the importance of fellowship and unity. Now he was putting it to them by name to live that way. Had he addressed this specifically early in the letter, others may not have heard his important message. The message was for all. These women were the object lesson. They were sisters in Christ who were at odds. Their example and testimony were at risk.

This is fascinating because their dispute brought forth teaching recorded in God’s word for all time. Millions have learned and continue to learn from what came of their dispute. If you asked Euodia and Syntyche about their dispute, they would likely be somewhat embarrassed. They may even say it was nothing really, even though they opposed each other to division. I bet Euodia and Syntyche are thankful Paul didn't mention what they were disputing about. How would you like to have one of your arguments recorded in the bible for all time? Yet, the Lord redeemed this and brought forth fruit from it.

Paul urged these two saintly ladies to be of one mind in the Lord. Each lady apparently had been seeking their own way and gathering a following. These ladies were both believers in Christ yet they were focused on their agenda and forgot that there was a greater common bond found with brothers and sisters in Christ. Whatever it was they were arguing about was small in comparison to Jesus.

Paul called on this "true companion" and Clement and everyone else to step in and help make peace among the fellowship. You can imagine 'true companion' and Clement's response. I'm sure they did not want to be between these two bickering women but someone needed to remind them that they needed to rejoice in the Lord. These ladies were faithful servants who labored with Paul in the gospel. I'm sure they took their Christian lives and service very seriously. And you could imagine they wanted things to be right and perfect. Sometimes the passion that makes us good at what we do can work against us. Getting it right without love brought more damage than good.

I'm sure they didn't mean for it to happen but now they were hurting their own testimony and damaging the unity of the church by being involved in a division. They needed to get their eyes off whatever was causing this and get their eyes on the Lord.

Philippians 4:4

Paul called for rejoicing. To rejoice in the Lord moves our attention from ourself and puts it squarely on the Lord. To see Him high and lifted up reminds us of how small and needy we are. We are broken and still war with the flesh. We sin and make mistakes and often leave a mess behind when we’ve done our best. In rejoicing we submit to Him, we put ourselves in service and humility. In rejoicing, we are moved to be like-minded, spiritually minded, ready to serve in the security of His promises to us.

Rejoice in the Lord, it serves as a reset.

Philippians 4:5-7

In the world in which we live, being gentle seems counter to standing fast. One seems to be a position of strength and the other weakness. However, this is just a perception. Gentleness is the display of the gospel in your life. You are transformed, operate out of love and concern for others. From this comes unity and reconciliation. In this our steadfastness is enhanced, not weakened. Our gentleness is consistent with out Christian walk.

The Philippians weren’t to be known for their stiff neck, strong arm, or unbendable will. Instead, a likeness to Christ, humility, service, contentment, patience, grace and respect were to be displayed. The call to gentleness was a command. Paul didn't offer any exceptions. Our gentleness was to be known even to those who don't agree with us. Because whatever disagreement there is, it's ridiculous when you consider the Lord is at hand. For Paul to say the Lord is at hand is to say that the Lord is nearby.

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.

NKJV; Matthew 18:20; 1982, Thomas Nelson

I think this was Paul's point. The Lord was right there in their midst as they were carrying on in this division. He was the common denominator that brought them all together and He was there with them to bring reconciliation.

The division caused anxiety among the church. Paul commanded them to deal with this anxiety with prayer and supplication. Whatever the source of opposition between these two sisters in Christ could be resolved in the common bond to the Lord. The proper perspective of the life of a disciple was reset before the throne of grace. Stepping into God's presence in prayer tends to bring everything into perspective. Suddenly we remember our place, we are humbled and our hearts become aligned with Christ. Unity and peace are found by taking our divisions to the Lord.

Everything should be brought before the Lord, not just what we are anxious about. We are to share our lives with Him in prayer and supplication.

Prayer is a broader term of communication (Thy will be done. Blessing. Growth. Yielding our heart. Protection from temptation, deliverance from sin.)

Supplication is a request that God move to take some action. (Request for healing for a person. Salvation for someone we know. Seeking answer for marriage, finance, work or life’s other endeavors.

And all these things should be brought in the spirit of thanksgiving. When we come before the throne of God recognizing who and what He is, we are humbled. The prophets were struck dumb and fell facedown. I can't imagine being able to hold a grudge in the presence of the Lord in those moments. Our prayers and supplications tend to get more serious and reverent and personal when we are in His presences.

And when we stand before the throne of grace and place our cares and concerns of life before Him, there is a peace that comes from God. It is that peace that surpasses anything we can describe. It is that peace that allows us to let go of our selfish desires and to seek unity among God's people. This peace is found in that quiet place before the Lord when nothing else matters but being there in His presence. Our hearts are guarded in this Godly peace. Our heart is the center of our feelings and emotions and we all know feelings and emotions will lead you astray.

In our day to day lives it's so easy to get caught up in what we feel is right or godly and our emotions can run away with us. Suddenly our heart is wrong because it is seeking our way based on wrong feelings. When we come into the presence of God, having our way seems much less important.

God already knows what's going on in our life and in our heart. We should pour out our hearts before Him in an effort to seek his will, to be part of what he is doing. Sometimes when you pour out your heart, you find things you didn't realize were there. After all, Prayer isn't trying to get God to think our way, it's God trying to get us to think His way. Our anxiety comes from not knowing Him well. The root of our anxiety is that our thinking is different than His. The better we know Him the more comfortable we become communicating with Him and pouring out our heart.

The peace of God guards (Garrison) our heart. – a permanently established guard post of troops to defend and guard against attack or an enemy that would place others in subjection. We are to garrison our hearts and minds.

This is a picture of a besieged citadel. It is the castle of the mind of the Christian. If the castle can be held, progress in sanctification and renewal goes forward; if it can be captured, then backsliding and spiritual decadence begin
Its walls are constantly patrolled. Its sentries never sleep at their posts. The troops are the Household Guards of the King of kings and they march behind the standard of the peace of God. Meanwhile, inside the citadel, hearts and thoughts alike are kept in quietness, for their Companion is the King himself, the God of peace who is with them.

This is where we stand fast. This is how we hold our ground. We do it in the presence of the Lord with our hearts and minds guarded in unity and in fellowship with the body of Christ.

Philippians 4:8-9

What occupies your mind these days? Think of all the stuff we put in our mind; music, TV, internet, books, movies and much more. Meditation is your brain chewing on something; your mind being shaped, nourished and exercised by the object of meditation. Your thinking is formed, you have emotions and feelings that come out of what your brain is chewing on. Like chewing gum has flavor and gives you a breath to match; what we allow our minds to chew on becomes the flavor in our life. That flavor will leave its scent on our mind long after we quit meditating.

In the computer world, they say garbage in, garbage out. Good things, godly things can’t flow from our life when we pour the junk of the world into our mind. How much care do you take about what you allow into our mind? The world tells us we need to be more open minded, accepting and affirming of others. Christianity is labeled as exclusive, bigoted and intolerant. John McArthur said, “If you have an open mind, close it.” We are not to let everything in.

How much of what we put in through our eyes and ears has any redeeming value? In many cases we’ve allowed stuff in that we can’t un-see or un-hear. We defile our temple and then wonder where God is in our life. Our minds are to be occupied by the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy in reference to the Lord. Does that describe the things you meditate on?

The world tells us the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy is really arrogant, boring, elitist, bland, tasteless, unwanted, outdated and dusty, But the world offers something more progressive – which is to say counterfeit. It will lead to destruction because it is defined by man.

Paul wanted the Philippians to have the real thing. The Lord wants us to have the real thing. I want what the Lord says is true, noble, right, pure, lovely admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

Think of things that fit into these categories. The best things of the world aren’t excluded from the Christian life. Some of the best books, plays, music, etc. were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Paul wants Christian’s mind to be shaped, nourished and exercised with things worthy of our time and thoughts. He doesn’t want us filled with concerns of the world. What if this happens? What if that happens? These worries consume our mind, our energy and eventually our life. They rob us of peace and joy. Meditation on these worthy things is pertinent to standing fast.

Philippians 4:10-13

The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus to Paul with some gift that was an expression of love. Remember it's been years since the Philippians had seen Paul there among them. It might have been easy for them to just to forget Paul, especially since he was imprisoned and accused of being an enemy of Rome. Associating with Paul and supporting him could have been viewed as a threat to Rome. The Philippians were taking a quite a chance in doing so.

Paul rejoiced in their loving gift. But the value of the gift wasn't in the physical comforts it brought but in the expression of love extended to him. After all, Paul had learned to be content in whatever circumstance of life. He had lived across the cultural spectrum.

He had been abased (humiliated) and he had abounded (been well off).

He knew what it was like to eat well and be full as well as go hungry.

There had been times when he was honored and respected as well as times of suffering.

Paul could do all things through Christ who gave him the strength required. The ‘all things’ would include:

Being in chains in a Roman Prison awaiting execution.

Waking up under a pile of stones after being left for dead.
Being chained to a whipping post and flogged or scourged
Surviving ship wrecks

These are the things of Philippians 4:13 – a far cry from what we’ve assigned to it in our days. It’s become a coffee cup verse and lost its meaning. None of these things affected his ability to rejoice in the Lord. The Lord’s grace was found to be sufficient in every circumstance and setting of life.

Paul knew that the Lord didn’t save him, transform him into a new person in Christ, just to abandon him along the road of this life. Wherever Paul found himself, he knew the Lord led him there and he trusted the Lord to strengthen, guide and provide for him.

I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me doesn't mean I can overcome anything that gets in my way. It's not Christ giving you strength to win football games, get promotions or make lots of money. It's Christ giving you the strength to abide in Him in whatever circumstance you find yourself in. It's being able to take the next step in faith regardless of not being able to see God or see some favorable outcome. It's saying, the Lord has led me to this place in my life. He will strengthen me while I am here and guide me to overcome the obstacles and teach others of Jesus, be taught by others or just experience the Lord’s care in a new way.

Philippians 4:14-20

Paul commended the Philippians for sticking with him. This was real fellowship. When things got rough, Paul found out whose heart was in the right place. When you are in those dark places, look around. The folks you see in that place are your real friends. Don't forget them because you need to be there for them when they are in a dark place. When the chips are down, who’ll stand with you? Your friends, church, family?

These folks had been with Paul from the beginning. He bragged on them in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians. They partnered with him in ministry from the beginning. The gift to Paul revealed the heart of this church. They had the hearts of servants. We know they were a poor church, yet they gave to assist him and they had given to the church in Jerusalem.

Paul clarified that he didn't seek their gift but the fruit that was being credited to their account. This gift was the church being obedient and ministering and putting others ahead of themselves unselfishly. This sacrifice was a sweet-smelling aroma. This attitude of sacrificial giving was acceptable and pleasing to God.

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

NKJV; Hebrews 13:16; 1982, Thomas Nelson

These people rose to the need of others and Paul was excited for them because he knew God would bless them by meeting all their needs. God used them and their resources for His work. The Philippians had put their finances and their blessings at the disposal of God. And now the needs in Philippi would be met according to the glorious riches in Christ. The Philippians would be blessed by God. His riches are endless, without limit. His riches are eternal & heavenly & spiritual and so much more.

Philippians 4:21-22

Paul sent greetings to all the saints there in Philippi. There were two groups of people there with him, those that were with him and all the others. This included the saints in Caesars' household. This is pretty amazing. This may have been through the testimony of servants and slaves to the household. And it may be because of the guards who were chained to Paul while guarding him? But the gospel had made its way to the royal palace. This was the center of political power in that day. Rome was the center of the world.

Now imagine how this story could have gone. Paul was the Spiritual father of many of these churches. When he was arrested and shipped off to Rome two things could have easily happened. First, Paul could have given up saying "all is lost." He could have just said, "My ministry is over. My life is over." He could have easily claimed that God had let him down and led him into an awful place. He could have spent his entire time in prison asking God why.

The second thing that could have happened is the Christians could have given up on him. They could have also spent their time asking why instead of continuing on and seeing what work God was doing. They could have easily viewed ongoing support of Paul as a waste. Yet, Luke, Timothy, Silas, Apollos, Aquila and Priscilla and many others stood by Paul. Many churches continued to support him and communicate with him. Just think of all the work that was being done while Paul sat in chains. The gospel was being advanced to the world from the center of the world by a humble and obedient man in chains.

“Let’s see what the Lord wants to do.”

Chuck Smith, as portrayed in Jesus Revolution

Philippians 4:23

And that's the book of Philippians. This is a book of encouragement and exhortation for every believer. God wants us to grow as individuals and that happens when we are in fellowship with other believers. Paul told us to let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. This is putting your feet on the floor in the morning and before you stand up, reminding yourself of the gospel message. Then it's setting your heart and mind to Christ and standing up and being a Christian in the world. This is working out your salvation with fear and trembling. It's living and walking in a way that reflects the change God made in your heart and doing so with reverence for the Almighty.

When we come together, Paul said, there should be unity. We need to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. In this our lives shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life. And so, as hard as it is at times, we press on. We take another step and we do so in faith because we know God has purpose and is working this next step to His glory. And tomorrow we do it again and the day after because that's who we are; that reflects whose we are.

Our citizenship is in heaven. Until we go home, we are the body of Christ, right here, right now. We are to share our lives and our journey's together as we make our way home. Contend for the faith.

Philippians