for verses 2 to 9, I think.
Yeah, so that's on page 1180 of the Red Bible.
So, I plead with you, Odea, and I plead with Sintica
to agree with each other in the Lord.
Yes, and I asked you, loyal Yoke Fellow,
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.
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again, rejoice.
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your request to God.
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, 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.
Thanks, Kate.
If you'd like to just keep your Bibles open,
we're going to be referring back and forth
within the Book of Philippians for the next while.
So, yeah, just before I start,
I'd just like to thank you for your prayers during the week.
Yeah, they do mean a lot,
and they have helped me.
I've, as always, when I'm preparing,
I do enjoy the preparation.
Christine might in degree
with all the stress that's in the house,
but I do enjoy the time that I get to spend
really delving into God's Word
and thinking through it
and thinking how to apply it into my own life.
But as we start,
just to refer back to last week with Ralph,
we left it with Ralph encouraging us
to stand firm in the Lord,
and that's where today's passage starts from.
A quick glance back to chapter 1.
Verse 1 will remind us
who Paul is writing to.
So let's pop back there for a second
and have a look at that.
And it starts by saying,
to all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi,
together with the overseers,
or elders,
and deacons.
So, this is a letter to Christians,
followers of Jesus,
who are committed to the local church
and to the spread of the Gospel.
They are partners with Paul in the Gospel.
Verse 1,
or verse 5,
because of your partnership in the Gospel
from the first day until now.
So they're partners with Paul,
and he loves them in verse 7 and 8.
This love is also expressed in the deepest sense
in the beginning of this chapter,
chapter 4,
that we're going to spend today looking at.
Therefore,
my dear brothers and sisters,
you whom I love
and long for,
my joy
and my crown.
So it's important to keep all of that
in the back of our minds
as we look at the next few verses.
Because if we don't understand
the context or the background
of this chapter,
and the relationship with Paul,
we could easily think that Paul is
on their back,
and that he's nitpicking.
Because there's some hard things
that he has to say to them this morning.
So preparing this talk this morning,
I considered entitling it
Three Easy Steps to Be a Miserable Christian.
Those three easy steps are
keep bickering,
dwell on everything bad in your life,
worry about it,
and be anxious all the time.
Three,
think and ponder
on everything that pops into your mind,
especially the really bad stuff.
And don't try and be like Paul,
because he was an apostle,
and I'm only weak little me.
Now I know that's four,
and I said that there would only be three,
but sure,
if we're going to be miserable Christians,
we may as well have four things
to grumble about instead of three.
But Paul is actually building on
from what we looked at last week.
He explains to us
how to stand firm.
And not only that,
but how to enjoy the power of God
at work in us.
He gives us some very useful advice
as to how we can guard our hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus from verse 7,
and how to enjoy the peace of God.
Basically the opposites of the list I just mentioned.
So as a brief outline,
so we know where we're going this morning,
and when I'm finally going to sit down again,
I've divided the passage into six sections.
Unity in the church family,
peace in our relationships,
peace in our circumstances,
peace in our thoughts,
peace in our behavior,
and finally the blessings of peace.
So firstly, unity.
Unity in the church family.
You can't stand together if you're divided.
Paul loves them dearly.
That isn't just a feeling for Paul.
It's also a model for us
to have towards each other.
If Paul's love for the church in Philippi
is a model for how we should love each other,
then any division among us is scandalous.
We can't be at odds with each other
and be in God's family.
When I was in school,
there was twin boys in my class.
They seemed to absolutely hate each other.
They must have come out of the womb with bruises
because they were always fighting.
When we went to rugby training,
they had to be separated more than once
per training session.
They tore lumps out of each other each week.
The awkward thing about that was
that they played scrum half and out half.
If you don't understand rugby,
well then,
it's enough to say that these two positions
are probably the two key positions on the field.
The relationship between these two positions
is vital to gelling the team together.
It was important that they got on well on the pitch.
These two guys were brilliant rugby players.
I think one of them went on to play for Munster B.
Really good rugby players.
But if you put them together on a pitch,
together with the ball in their hand,
the school jersey,
and the crest on their chest,
they would boss the game.
Their telepathy or their understanding of each other
was amazing.
They both knew where the other one was all the time.
You see,
when they had to come together
and unite around the common goal of winning the match,
they put whatever differences they had aside
and use their understanding of each other
to do great things
on the rugby pitch for the team.
Now please don't misunderstand me
or mishear me
because that is just a funny story
which happens to be true,
but I don't think it's okay
to fall out with each other
and box the head off each other
from Monday to Saturday
as long as we can unite once a week
for our weekly gathering
or distribute calendars together at Christmas time.
If there is disunity in the church,
how can we stand together
against the enemy outside?
Paul addresses two women here specifically,
Euodia and Syntyche,
who seem to have fallen out over something.
Verse 2,
I plead with Euodia
and I plead with Syntyche
to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Yes, and I ask you,
my true companion,
to help these women
since they have contended at my side
in the cause of the gospel,
along with Clement
and the rest of my co-workers
whose names are in the Book of Life.
These women weren't the quiet ones
who came to church regularly
and didn't do much out of the way.
These women were active members of the church.
They were regular at meetings.
They were on the set-up rota.
They helped at creche.
They visited the sick.
They delivered magazines and calendars.
They welcomed people at the door.
They were intentional
in their day-to-day relationships
to talk to people about Jesus.
They were contenders with Paul
in the cause of the gospel.
The very fact that Paul mentions them
suggests that he had heard of their bickering
through the grapevine.
Now, he doesn't mention the issue that's between them
or does he take it aside
to say who he thinks is at fault?
He pleads equally.
Look where it says it there.
He pleads equally with Euodia
and he pleads with Syntyche
to be of the same mind.
Alec Mottier,
who incidentally went home to heaven
just this past Friday,
he wrote a commentary on Philippians.
And it says,
To agree on the gospel
is the most fundamental form of unity.
It involves a unity of mind and heart
as to the doctrine
and personal experience of salvation.
To agree on what the gospel demands
in its proclamation to the world
is to cement unity by common action.
The singleness of the task
ought to be reflected
in the singleness of the workers.
The singleness of the task
ought to be reflected
in the singleness of the workers.
So it's important that we get along.
In fact, it's important too
that we help each other get along.
Look again at what Paul says.
Yes, and I ask you, my true companion,
to help these women.
He doesn't say to wait
until they sort it out themselves.
He encourages his companion
to help them.
Now this true companion
is referred to differently
in different translations.
Some translations call him
Synzegos.
You can understand why that didn't make it
into most named books.
Synzegos.
But he's also referred to here
more helpfully as Yokefellow.
It's a far more helpful title
as it describes a person
who pulls well
in a harness made for two.
A Yokefellow.
He is motivated
by the gospel like Paul is.
They both share the desire
to have Christ proclaimed
by word and action
and will kick against anything
that hampers that work.
So this companion
is charged with helping
these two women to get along.
Now I can understand
how we can fall out.
We can say something
which is misunderstood.
We can break trust
with a brother or a sister.
We can fail to see
how we might have offended someone.
Relationships can become tangled.
We can lash out at someone
and find it hard
to make things right again.
There's nothing
that Satan loves more
than to see disunity
among God's people.
Paul is very careful here
by not mentioning
the specific dispute
between these two women
because it leaves room
for us to fill in
our own details.
He also leaves
anonymous the Yokefellow.
We can fill in
our own names in there too.
If we see relationships
strained within the church
we have a duty to help.
Not sticking our noses
just to get the lowdown
on who said what
and who did what
but to get alongside
the hurt parties
and try and work
a way forward.
United in the gospel
for the purpose
of building God's people
we want to be people
who see our sin
who deal with it.
Putting it to death
and rejoicing together
in the forgiveness
offered to us by Jesus.
Bathing in the grace
that comes from our identity
in Christ
as forgiven people.
We want to be people
who are quick
to go to each other
and ask for forgiveness
when we have hurt someone
and pray together
thanking God
that because he has made us
new in Christ
we can extend
that same forgiveness
to each other.
Asking God
to heal the hurt
and the broken trust
and restore the relationship.
If there is disunity
in the church
how can we stand together
against the enemy
outside?
And how can we show
people Christ
if we are bickering
inside
just like the world?
Paul gives us
four helpful prompts.
Peace in our relationships.
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again.
Rejoice.
From verse 4.
Let your gentleness
be evident to all.
The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious
about anything
but in every situation
by prayer
and petition
with thanksgiving
present your request
to God
and the peace of God
which transcends
all understanding
will guard your hearts
and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
Finally,
brothers and sisters
whatever is true
whatever is noble
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.
At first glance
this seems like
a ridiculous statement.
Rejoice in the Lord always.
Remember Paul is in chains
he's in prison
and he's encouraging them
to rejoice.
You could be forgiven
for thinking that
it's just a typo
and what Paul really meant
to say was
grumble to the Lord
when things don't go your way
but at all other times
then it's okay to rejoice.
But expecting that
we might think that
Paul repeats it
so that we don't miss it.
He says rejoice.
He says it again.
Surely not Paul.
Not when we're bickering
with fellow believers.
You don't know
how much they've hurt me.
We can't be expected
to rejoice.
Surely not when we're stuck
when you're stuck
in chains in prison.
Surely not
when we are just exhausted
because we've been up
half the night
with a screaming child.
Surely Paul
you can't expect
either the Philippians
or us
to rejoice
when you really
don't understand
what we have to put up with
on a daily basis.
We have a boss
that we don't like.
A job
that we can't stand.
Or no job
when we can't seem
to find one.
A spouse
who we don't get on
with anymore.
Pain that is unbearable
and daily.
Habits which we can't break.
Financial worries
which seem
like they have
no solution.
And that's just
our situations.
How can we rejoice
when the world
is in turmoil?
When terrorism abounds?
When earthquakes
wipe out
entire cities?
When religious
intolerance
and fear
prevent us
from wearing
what we like
at the beach?
The list goes on.
With such persecution
for people of faith
in Jesus
people facing death
because they
preach Jesus
as Lord.
Surely Paul
you don't mean
this message
for us.
Rejoice in the Lord
always.
I find it hard
enough to do it
once a week
on a Sunday
with music
to help.
But of course
as we have
already seen
in the earlier
chapters
Paul is all too
aware
of what's going
on around him.
He knows
his own past
sins.
We see that
in chapter 3
verse 6.
So he knows
how bad
he really is.
His friends
are really
suffering.
We saw that
in chapter 1
verses 29
and 30
where it says
for it has
been granted
to you
on behalf
of Christ
not only
to believe
on him
but also
to suffer
for him
since you
are going
through the
same struggle
you saw
I had
and now
hear that
I still
have.
Paul himself
is a prisoner
and facing
the possibility
of death
and yet
he rejoices
and tells us
to do
and others
to do
likewise.
We see
here that
circumstances
don't determine
the condition
of the heart
and mind.
As Christians
we can be
joyful inside
when all around
us is dark
or in turmoil.
That joy
comes from
the security
of life
with Christ.
We looked
at that a few
weeks ago
in chapter 3
verse 9
where Paul
says
not having
a righteousness
of my own
that comes
from the law
but that which
is through
faith in Christ.
Christ.
We are made
right with
God
because
and only
through Jesus.
Not on our
own merits.
That's good
news.
That's why
we rejoice.
Verse 5
carries on.
Let your
gentleness
be evident
to all.
The Lord
is near.
The word
gentleness
here could
have been
translated.
This is a
big long
list so
listen up.
The word
gentleness
could have
been translated
in many
different ways.
It could
have been
translated
as big
hearted,
forbearance,
yieldedness,
geniality,
kindliness,
sweet reasonableness,
considerateness,
charitableness,
mildness,
magnanimity,
generosity.
The point
is that
the Christian
cannot keep
the secrets
of this
happiness
to himself.
He needs
to be
other centred.
In fact
we mentioned
that also
a few weeks
ago in
chapter 2
verse 3
when talking
about being
one in
spirit and
of one
mind.
It says
do nothing
out of
selfish
ambition
or vain
conceit,
rather in
humility
value others
above yourself.
Not looking
to your own
interests but
each of you
to the
interests of
others.
We need
to be
striving to
be a
blessing to
others,
all others,
not just
fellow believers,
because all
of this is
said in the
context of
the Lord
being near,
meaning
he will
come again
soon.
We know
that the
promises of
God to
his people
will become
reality.
Believers,
in spite of
persecution and
suffering,
can afford to
be mild and
charitable in
their relation to
others,
because we know
that this
world and
our time in
it is
fleeting.
So how we
conduct ourselves
is important.
How we
respond to
life's ups and
downs is
witnessed and
noticed.
How we work
out our
differences,
how we
challenge each
other in
love is
seen.
So let's
be gentle.
Jesus is
coming.
How he
will rejoice
in us if
he finds us
rejoicing in
him, being
content to be
like him.
Peace in
our
circumstances.
If the
rules for our
relationships were
to rejoice in
the Lord,
then the
rules for our
circumstances are
much easier.
Paul clearly
says to us
what the
cure for
worry or
anxiety is.
Did you
spot it?
What's the
remedy for
worry?
Anybody?
Verse 6,
do not be
anxious about
anything.
The cure for
worry?
Don't worry.
Easy.
Right, so let's
move on.
That's peace in
our circumstances
towards it.
But of course,
it's not that
easy, is it?
The eagle-eyed
of you will
have seen or
remember Paul
himself already
saying in
chapter 2,
verse 28,
speaking of
Epaphroditus,
who had been
very unwell,
and who Paul
was now eager
to send back
to the
Philippians.
It says
there,
verse 28 of
chapter 2,
so that when
you, speaking
of the
Philippians,
see him
again, you
may be glad,
and I may
have less
anxiety.
Is Paul
breaking his
own rules?
He says
do not
worry, and
here he is
anxious himself.
Double
standards,
perhaps?
Well, of
course not.
This is
Paul.
There is
such a
thing as
kindly
concern,
or a
genuine
interest in
the welfare
of others,
like Timothy
had for
Philippians
in chapter
2,
verse 20.
He says,
I have
no one
else like
him who
will show
genuine
concern for
your welfare.
But there
is also the
type of worry
or anxiety
which is
to be
unduly
concerned
about
something.
For
example,
food,
drink,
clothes,
or how
long we'll
live,
or the
future,
or, I
don't know,
you fill in
the blank,
what do you
worry about?
Paul does
give us a
remedy,
though.
But in
every situation,
by prayer
and petition,
with
thanksgiving,
present your
requests
to God.
The cure
for worry
is prayer.
The beginning
of the
enjoyment of
peace is
thanksgiving.
These two
go together,
prayer and
thanksgiving.
In prayer,
we are simply
a child
coming to
our father,
asking him
for help.
Nothing more,
nothing less.
As we
thank God
for all
he has
done,
we begin
to accept
the worrying
circumstances
as something
which God
has actually
appointed.
After all,
he is
all-wise,
he is
all-loving,
and he is
all-sovereign.
In prayer,
anxiety is
resolved by
trust in
God.
The thing
which causes
us to
worry in
the first
place is
brought to
God,
the one
who is
totally
competent,
and in
whose
hands
the issue
can be
left.
When we
worry,
what we
are asking
is how.
How will
I cope?
How will
I survive?
How will
I persevere?
Prayer takes
those questions
and points
away from
us to
God.
Let me
say that
again with
an illustration.
Prayer
takes those
questions
and points
away from
us and
up to
God,
to God's
resources
and to
God's
promises.
We'll be
mentioning
those promises
a little bit
later on.
When we
worry,
we also
ask the
question,
why?
Why has
this happened
to me?
Why does
God allow
these things
happen?
Thanksgiving
takes the
question of
why and
points us
again to
God,
the one
who is
sovereign and
works all
things for
good for
those who
love him?
God never
acts without
purpose.
His purposes
never fail.
Thanksgiving
requires humility,
submitting to
his will and
acknowledging that
his ways are
best, even
when, and
especially when,
we can't see
the end to
the problems.
Peace in our
thoughts.
verse 8.
Finally,
brothers and
sisters,
whatever is
true,
whatever is
noble,
whatever is
right,
whatever is
pure,
whatever is
lovely,
whatever is
admirable,
if anything
is excellent
or praiseworthy,
think about
such things.
Think about
such things.
What does
that mean?
Paul is
describing a
deeper kind
of thinking
here.
He wants
us to think
deeply about
the things
mentioned.
If someone
asked you to
think deeply
about something,
how would you
go about
doing it?
How do you
think deeply
about something?
Well, can I
make some
suggestions?
Because I
didn't know
how to answer
that question
either.
Can I suggest
that it means
to meditate
on, to
really ponder,
to give
proper weight
and consideration
and time to
let it sink
in, and
then to allow
the results
to really
influence the
way we live
our life?
Let these
things in
this list,
let these
types of
things be
what we
think about
in the
quieter times
of the day.
When the
kids have
gone to
bed and
we're
tempted to
go channel
hopping,
or when
we peruse
through the
magazines,
when we
fill our
eyes and
our minds
with unhelpful
images or
unattainable
items or
fashions,
the books we
read, the
websites we
revert to
to kill a
few minutes,
an earthly
mind is a
quick path to
the downward
path of
destruction.
However, a
mind disciplined
in the
things of
God and
of which
he approves
is the
steadiest
way to
practical
holiness.
By giving
attention to
things of
which God
approves,
like what's
listed above,
we will
shape our
minds to
be like
him.
This
requires
discipline.
These kind
of thoughts
don't come
easy.
The
Philippians,
if we
remember from
chapter 3,
verses 18
to 19,
we're a
morally
dubious
bunch.
Let's
read that
together.
3, 18.
For as I
have often
told you
before and
now tell
you again,
even with
tears,
many live
as enemies
of the
cross of
Christ.
Their
destiny is
destruction,
their God
is their
stomach,
and their
glory is in
their shame.
Their mind
is set on
earthly things.
We too,
like them,
can have
our heads
turned to
things of
the world.
So again,
Paul gives
us a
remedy.
Whatever
is true,
whatever
is noble,
whatever
is right,
whatever
is pure,
whatever
is lovely,
whatever
is admirable,
if anything
is excellent
or praiseworthy,
think about
these things.
If we're
not sure
what those
things are
exactly,
let's look
at the
kind of
things that
Paul has
already
mentioned.
Chapter
3,
verse 10.
I want
to know
Christ,
yes,
to know
the power
of his
resurrection
and participation
in his
sufferings,
becoming like
him in
his death,
and so
somehow
attaining to
the resurrection
from the
dead.
Not that I
have already
obtained all
this,
or have
already
arrived at
my goal,
but I
press on
to take
hold of
that for
which
Christ
Jesus
took hold
of me.
Brothers
and sisters,
I do not
consider myself
yet
to have
taken hold
of it,
but one
thing I
do,
forgetting
what is
behind and
straining
towards what
is ahead,
I press
on towards
the goal
to win
the prize
for which
God has
called me
heavenward
in Christ
Jesus.
Jesus is
Paul's sole
focus in
life.
His letters
to all the
churches are
encouraging them
to keep
on with
Jesus.
Back in
the beginning
of Philippians,
he says in
his opening
address from
verse 9,
and this
is my
prayer,
that your
love may
abound
more and
more in
knowledge and
depth of
insight so
that you
may be able
to discern
what is
best and
may be
pure and
blameless for
the day of
Christ,
filled with
the fruit of
righteousness
that comes
through Jesus
Christ to
the glory and
praise of
God.
What is
true?
What is
noble?
What is
right or
pure or
lovely or
admirable?
What is
excellent or
praiseworthy?
Think about
these things.
Let our
thoughts and
our
conversations,
our
motivations and
our deepest
longings be
about Jesus.
Peace in
our behaviour.
We have
heard twice in
this series from
the latter part of
chapter 2 and
last week in
the latter part of
chapter 3 the
importance of
role models.
Chapter 2
mentioned Timothy
and Epaphroditus.
Here Paul says
in verse 9,
whatever you
have learned or
received or
heard from me
or seen in
me, put it
into practice.
Now of
course we
didn't know
Paul like
the Philippians
did.
So how does
this apply to
us?
Well we have
learned and
received God's
word from
Paul.
We have
seen how
he reacted in
different
situations.
He writes
with the very
authority of
the word of
God.
Paul's words
are God's
words.
to us.
He practiced
what he
preached.
So when he
tells us to
put into
practice what
we have
learned or
received or
heard from
him, he
isn't on some
kind of ego
trip where he
wants lots of
clones of
himself.
He is
speaking with
apostolic
authority.
Paul's words
are God's
words and
that is why
we should
listen to
him and
obey what
he says.
In the
previous
section on
our thoughts,
the thinking
and meditation
he was talking
about isn't
just theoretical
and abstract.
This verse
shows us that
we are to
think with
purpose and
the purpose
leads to
action.
William
Hendrickson in
his commentary
on Philippians
put it this
way,
true believers
hear,
they meditate
until they
understand,
then they act
upon it,
putting it into
constant practice,
thereby showing
that their house
was built upon
the rock of
Jesus.
How do we
wrestle with
scripture?
How do we
meditate on it?
Do we let it
sink deep into
our hearts and
our minds?
Do we consider
what we have
just read or
heard and how
we can become
more like Jesus
by carrying out
what we have
just read or
heard?
Is the Bible
just a book
that we read
on a Sunday
morning?
As we come
towards the
conclusion,
let me share
a funny story
I heard
recently
remembering
the game
Simon Says.
You all
remember the
game?
The game
went something
like this.
Simon Says
pat your
head and
you all
pat your
head.
Simon Says
jump on
one leg
and you
all jumped
on one
leg.
Well,
it's a
simple game
but the
Bible is
like that
too but
we've
tended to
make it
more
complicated
than that.
The
Bible
says,
therefore
God
says,
be of
the same
mind.
Verse
2.
God
says,
rejoice
in the
Lord
always.
Verse
4.
God
says,
let your
gentleness
be evident
to all.
Verse
5.
God
says,
do not
be anxious.
Verse
6.
God
says,
put into
practice.
Verse
9.
God
says,
present
your
requests.
Pray.
Verse
6 again.
Think
about
these
things.
Verse
8.
God
says,
put into
practice.
Verse
9.
All of
these
are
God
says
statements.
There's
no
tricky
little
Simon
says
bluffs
where
Simon
doesn't
say
it.
God
does
say
these
things.
This
is
God's
word
and
he
does
say
it.
Can
you
imagine
if
you
said
to
your
child,
go
and
clean
your
room.
And
they
went
off,
came
back
an
hour
later
and
said,
mom,
dad,
I
heard
what
you
said
and
I
even
memorised
it.
Go
and
clean
your
room,
they
said.
What
you
said
was
so
good,
I
even
used
it
as
a
caption
for
my
latest
Facebook
status.
Well,
you'd
be
disgusted,
wouldn't
you?
We
expect
our
child
to
go
and
clean
their
room
when
we
tell
them
to
go
and
clean
their
room.
If
we
are
followers
of
Jesus,
we
can't
just
memorise
scripture
or learn
it in
Greek.
We
need
to be
doers
of
Jesus'
words.
Now,
this
all
sounds
pretty
strict
and
pretty
hard.
How
am
I
meant
to
do
all
of
these
things
that
we
looked
at
this
morning?
Or
the
things
that
we
learnt
last
week?
Or
all
the
rules
in
the
other
parts
of
the
Bible?
Leviticus
itself
would
make
my
head
melt.
We
already
know
how
impossible
the
Ten
Commandments
are
to
keep.
Thankfully,
we have
good news.
We have
missed out
two
major
promises.
Am I
up to
date?
Yes.
We have
missed out
two
major
promises
in this
passage.
The
key to
the
whole
talk
this
morning.
Look
with me
again
at
verse
seven
for
the
first
promise.
Do
not
be
anxious
about
anything,
but
in
every
situation
by
prayer
and
petition
with
thanksgiving
present
your
request
to
God
and
the
peace
of
God
which
transcends
all
understanding
will
guard
your
hearts
and
your
minds
in
Christ
Jesus.
With
all
of
these
rules
there's
a
promise,
a
promise
of
blessing.
When
we look
for
peace
in our
relationships,
the rule
is to
rejoice
in the
Lord
and
bear
with
each
other.
When
we
seek
the
Lord
first
and
foremost
and
before
anyone
else,
when
he
is
our
joy,
when
we
bear
with
each
other
because
our
identity
is
in
Christ
Jesus,
then
the
promise
is that
we'll
have
the
peace
of
God
which
transcends
all
understanding.
When
we look
for peace
in our
circumstances,
the
promise
is that
the peace
of God
will
guard
our
hearts
and
minds
from
worry
when
we
bring
things
to
God
in
prayer
and
thanksgiving.
The
second
promise
and
the
God
of
peace
will
be
with
you.
The
end
of
verse
nine
and
the
God
of
peace
will
be
with
you.
When
we
look
for
peace
in
our
thoughts,
when
we
focus
on
the
things
of
which
he
approves,
which
will
make
us
more
like
him,
the
peace
will
be
with
us.
When
we
look
for
peace
in
our
behavior,
when
we
seek
to
live
the
life
of
which
God
approves,
the
promise
is
that
the
God
of
peace
will
be
with
us.
These
rules
aren't
actually
all that
daunting
because
let's
face
this,
we
can't
keep
them.
We
are
going
to
fail
if
we
just
go
off
and
try
and
keep
them
on
our
own
strength.
But
be
encouraged
this
morning.
As
we
go,
the
God
of
peace
goes
with
us.
Paul
tells
us
in
verse
9
to
put
it
into
practice.
He
doesn't
expect
us
to
do
it
all
perfectly,
but
to
practice.
And
as
we
practice
godly
living,
the
God
of
peace
is
with
us.
There
are
many
things
which
will
distract
us.
The
world
is
full
of
distractions.
If
as a
church
we
are
to
stand
firm
in
the
world,
we
must
be
united
and
help
each
other
to
be
so.
We
must
model
our
relationships
on
Christ,
surround
our
circumstances,
be they
good or
bad,
with
prayer and
thanksgiving,
train
our minds
in godly
thinking,
and be
constantly
subjecting
our life
to the
word of
God.
do
this,
and the
peace
of
God
will
guard
our
hearts
and
minds
in
Christ
Jesus,
and the
God
of
peace
will
be
with
us.
But
be
warned,
if we
ignore the
rules,
we must
be prepared
to forego
the
blessings.
Let us
pray.
Heavenly
Father,
we are
thankful
this morning
for this
book.
Thank
you for
the
series
on
Philippians
over
these
last
few
months.
Lord,
thank
you
for
the
obedience
that
Paul
has
shown
us,
the
model
that
he
is.
Thank
you
for
the
example
of
rejoicing
in
hard
situations
which
he
models
for
us.
We
realise
there
are
tough
challenges
in
this
passage.
Help
us
to
be
people
of
peace.
Help
us
to
reach
out
in
broken
relationships
and
bring
your
healing.
Help
us
to