A. Philippi: a Roman colony so citizenship
important and a point of pride
1. Believers were accused of being disloyal
to Caesar
2. Reminder of their true citizenship: citizens of heaven (verse
20)
e.g. Importance of US citizenship: 1965 Mexican elections
3. No
dual citizenships, we are resident aliens in this world
a. High calling of God on one side "this
present world" on the other
b. A standard of behavior beyond this present
environment
B. Tone of the letter: thanksgiving (note
verses 10-20; see also 2 Cor. 8:1-5)
C. Still there is trouble that needs
to be resolved
1. Conflict between to women who helped Paul
in his ministry
2. Deteriorating attitude of the people
3. Have you
ever felt that if you heard one more bad report, you'd just
explode
A. Conflict is normal how, it is handled
expresses maturity or immaturity
1. People who had ministered along side of
Paul in conflict
a. Surprising? Didn't have the right
discipleship? Spiritual warfare.
b. What are the important issues? Where is
the agreement? "In the Lord"
(1) Not in the style but in the
Cause
B. The two women are asked to agree and others
are asked to help them agree
1. It went public/was not handled according
to Matthew 18
2. It had a negative effect on others ("there by many be
defiled")
a. Taking sides... believe one over the
other=in effective to help resolve it
b. Negative attitude that hangs in
the air
A. "Rejoice... always... say it again,
Rejoice!"
1. That it is repeated, implies it was
seemingly out of step with the situation
2. It is the result of the work
of the Spirit
3. It is the practice of the sacrifice praise... fruit of our
lips (Heb.13:15)
a. Spiritual results of praise: self &
others encouraged; God blessed; Demons flee
b. Why some seem to be so
belligerent in praise and others so personal
(1) Picture a husband saying to his
wife... "I Love You" as people do to
God
B. Gentleness
1. Other trans.: moderation, patience,
softness, modesty, magnanimity, patience of mind
2. Fruit of the Spirit:
i.e. unable to just do it e.g. bottle brush tree
3. Fruit of the
Spirit comes from abiding in Him (word, worship, prayer)
4. Reason:
"Maranatha!" the Lord is near, the Lord comes, the Lord is coming
a. i.e. it is (Romans 11:36) "For from Him
and through Him and to Him are all things."
b. practicing the presence of
God
C. Prayerful: prayer, petition, requests all
similar
1. Prayerful with thanksgiving
a. More than just an exercise to put praise
up front in our prayers E.G. Judah
b. Enthroning the God of Heaven
in our hearts
2. Be anxious for nothing: "OH, come on
now!"
a. Anxiety from many sources:
(1) No choices or no choice we want;
Unable to act; Bubble burst
(2) We've little tolerance for uncertainty
(3) Secret to life not all the answers but knowing how to live with the
questions
"I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I
know who holds tomorrow"
b. Not a mindless meandering through
life
c. It is the believers' response of the heart to anxiety of
this world
(1) "Take yourself lightly so like angels
you can fly" (author unknown)
(2) Jesus said we'd have trib. but remember
who has won
3. Paul's own life a testimony to this
life-style rooting in Christ
D. Peace of God a guard
1. Prayer must be the first step and going
process
a. Guarding the heart: "Out of the heart
the mouth speaks" "Keep your heart w/all..."
b. Minds:
noema
2. When you lack peace...
wait
E. How can we keep this outlook and mind
set?
1. Choose to see what is still right
2.
Not an unreal view of life!! Just as real as the negative & more
productive
3. Positive thinking is not an incantation: "The power is in
me... etc."
a. It is "His power is in me and for
me"
4. It does keep you close to God
MARANATHA!