Moody Church Hour

Host: Satan loves to sow discord and disunity into the church. He's not creative, but he is effective. Today, we'll discover the keys to peace-filled relationships within the church, given to us by Paul in the last chapter of Philippians. But first, we have to get past the misapplication of some of the most well-known verses in the Bible, and we'll put them in the context in which they were given.

From Chicago, welcome to the Moody Church Hour with Pastor Philip Miller. Stay with us for a time of worship and teaching as we continue a series on Back to Basics. From Philippians chapter 4, we'll learn all about the basics of peace. We'll find that our conflicts can be traced to a common root, which is frustrated desires. Here now is Pastor Philip and worship leader Tim Stafford.

Guest (Male): Well, good morning everybody, and welcome to the Moody Church. We're so glad you're joining us today, whether you're right here in the room, or listening online, or by radio. We're honored that you have chosen to join us for our worship service today. We're talking about Back to the Basics in this series, and today we're talking about the basics of peace. How the gospel shapes all of our relationships and all of our lives. We need to learn this because our world is full of conflict and strain. So, would you bow your heads and pray with me as we begin? Let's pray.

Father, there's so much conflict and so much bitterness and anger and strife in this world. We pray that by the power of your Holy Spirit, you would lead us in the way of Jesus, that you would conform us to be more and more like your sons and daughters today. Father, we need to learn how to live in peace with one another. Help us. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Guest (Male): Good. How about this one? Do you agree that He's worthy? Another softball.

Choir: Yes, we all agree.

Guest (Male): Good. We're unified. Do you agree that He's faithful and true? Faithful to you?

Choir: Yes, we all agree.

Guest (Male): He is. He is. Do you agree? He's all powerful and mighty.

Choir: Yes, we all agree.

Guest (Male): Oh, Lord, we agree.

Choir: Oh, Lord, we agree.

Guest (Male): With our hearts' acclaim,

Choir: Of unity.

Guest (Male): That you're worthy.

Choir: You're worthy of our praise.

Guest (Male): Good.

Choir: Oh, Lord, we agree.

Guest (Male): With our whole heart.

Choir: We proclaim to Thee that you are the King. You're holy.

Guest (Male): Holy.

Choir: Holy.

Guest (Male): Oh, we all agree that you're worthy of our praise.

Choir: Praise.

Guest (Male): Worthy of our praise. Get another question. Do you agree that He's shown us grace and mercy?

Choir: Yes, we all agree.

Guest (Male): Oh, do you agree that we were bound, but by His blood, we've been set free?

Choir: Yes, we all agree.

Guest (Male): Do you agree there's no other name above the name of Jesus?

Choir: Yes, we all agree.

Guest (Male): Amen. Oh, do you agree that He's our soon and coming King? Sing it.

Choir: Yes, we all agree.

Guest (Male): Oh, Lord, we agree.

Choir: Oh, Lord, we agree.

Guest (Male): With our heart and strength.

Choir: Of unity.

Guest (Male): That you're worthy.

Choir: You're worthy of our praise.

Guest (Male): Worthy of our praise.

Choir: Oh, Lord, we agree.

Guest (Male): With our whole heart.

Choir: We proclaim to Thee that you are the King. Oh, holy.

Guest (Male): Holy.

Choir: Holy.

Guest (Male): Oh, we all agree that you're worthy of our praise.

Choir: Praise.

Guest (Male): Worthy of our praise. Oh, we all agree that you're worthy of our praise.

Choir: Praise.

Guest (Male): Oh, we all agree that you're worthy of our praise.

Choir: Praise.

Guest (Male): Amen. Amen. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

Guest (Male): Oh. Christ be magnified. Let His praise arise. Christ be magnified in me. Oh, Christ be magnified from the altar of my life. Christ be magnified in me. Where creation suddenly articulate with a thousand tongues to lift one cry. And from north to south and east to west, we hear Christ be magnified. Where the whole earth echoing His eminence. His name would burst from sea and sky. From rivers to the mountain tops. We hear Christ be magnified. Oh, Christ be magnified. Let His praise arise. Christ be magnified in me. Oh, Christ be magnified from the altar of my life. Christ be magnified in me. Where every creature finds its most melody. Every human heart its native cry. Then in one enraptured hymn of praise. We'll sing Christ be magnified. Oh, Christ be magnified. Let His praise arise. Christ be magnified in me. Oh, Christ be magnified from the altar of my life. Christ be magnified in me.

Guest (Male): Help us, Lord, to get out of the way. I won't bow down to idols. I'll stand strong and worship you. And if it puts me in the fire, I'll rejoice because you're there too.

Choir: I won't be fooled by feelings. I'll hold fast to what is true.

Guest (Male): If the cross means transformation, I'll be crucified with you.

Choir: Because death is just adorning into resurrection life. I'll joyfully in your sufferings, and I'll joyfully when you rise.

Guest (Male): And you return in glory with all the angels and the saints.

Choir: My heart will still be singing, my song will be insane.

Guest (Male): Oh, Christ be magnified. Let His praise arise. Christ be magnified in me. Oh, Christ be magnified from the altar of my life. Christ be magnified in me. Oh, Christ be magnified from the altar of my life. Christ be magnified in me.

Guest (Male): Lord, we join with all creatures everywhere in land and sea, heaven and earth, exalting the name of Christ, for He is worthy, for He is worthy. Amen.

Host: Today we come to the fourth and final chapter of the Book of Philippians. It's a chapter that contains several well-known, popular, even famous verses, what we could call "coffee cup verses." Right? You know the ones, coffee cup verses. These are verses that are on your Christian cards. They're on wall art, or calendars, throw pillows, T-shirts. Your social media posts that you send around online, right? And there's a number of them right here in chapter 4. For example, in chapter 4, verse 4, we see here, it says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice." Or chapter 4, verse 6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Or chapter 4, verse 8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there's anything of excellence, if anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

And next week we're going to see the coffee cup verse of all coffee cup verses, Philippians, you know the one I'm talking about, Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Now the problem with coffee cup verses, of course, is that you have to fit them on a coffee cup. Right? There's not a lot of room on there, and so what you have to do is lift a verse out of context and slap it in isolation on the coffee cup. Right? You have to divorce it from its settings, you have to take it away from its train of thought, and this is a recipe for misunderstanding and misapplication. Take for example, the passage we're looking at today. Open your Bibles, if you will, to Philippians chapter 4, verses 1 through 9. This is page 982 in the pew Bible there. And because so many of these verses are coffee cup verses, we tend to read sections of scripture like this as a collection of various unrelated life principles.

But there's actually a cohesive train of thought here. Let me show you what I'm saying here. They seem so unrelated to our first reading. Chapter 4, verse 1, "Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord, my beloved." Verse 2, "I entreat you, Euodia and Syntyche, to agree in the Lord." "Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are written in the Book of Life." "Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice." "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer and supplication and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." "In the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." "Whatever you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Now, at first glance, these might seem like disconnected and disjointed topics, you know, themes here, various advice on a various matter of topics. But there's actually a cohesive flow of thought here. And it's running through these verses, once you see it, you won't be able to unsee it, it'll just pop out to you. But everything's thematically linked. The context is our, is our guide, right? Verse 2, notice that right at the top here, Paul says, "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord." So there is a relational conflict that is occurring between these two ladies. And Paul is writing to say, "Listen, you need to work it out." And then he writes all of these commands, which are clustered into two basic paragraphs, and they end, verses 4 to 7 and verses 8 to 9, they end with strikingly similar statements, don't they? Verse 7, "The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds," and verse 9, "The God of peace will be with you."

So this passage opens up with an entreaty for these women to find a way to make relational peace with one another, and then with these two paragraphs of commandments, chased with the promise of God's peace that will be theirs if they obey these commands. Do you see the theme now? Do you see the theme that's actually connecting all of this? It's peace. It's relational peace. It's peace in the family of God. In fact, everything in this passage is actually pushing toward this one end, which is relational peace and harmony within the body of Christ. There are three keys to peace-filled relationships we're going to see this morning. Paul's going to summarize them. I've, I've just put captions on them for us. Remembering our family. This is the first key. Remembering our family. Second key, requesting of our Father. Our third key here is refocusing our framework. Remembering our family, requesting of our Father, refocusing our framework.

And friends, Satan loves to sow discord and disunity into the church, doesn't he? That's how he derails God's people. He's not creative, but he's effective. Right? He runs the same play over and over again. And so these three keys to peace are essential to the unity of the church and thwarting the efforts of Satan. We've got to learn this, every one of us. So let's pray and ask the Lord to be our teacher.

Father, we come to you with a part of our lives that is difficult. None of us are free from discord and relational brokenness. We need your peace. Teach us, we pray. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

So the first key to peace here is remembering our family. Remembering our family. Chapter 4, verse 1, "Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved." Notice the deep affection and familial language here. He says, "My brothers," which includes in the Greek, sisters as well. "My brothers and sisters." "My family in Christ." "Whom I love and long for." Such affection and yearning, isn't it? "My joy and crown," "you're my delight, my, my treasure." "Stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved." "I'm about to say some tough things to you, but I want you to remember my heart, remember my love, remember how much I am for you," Paul is saying. "Because you've got to stand firm." "Some of you are already losing your footing." "It's disaster waiting to happen." Verse 2, "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord."

Can you imagine being one of these two ladies? Your name's inscripurated forever like this? Ah! Epaphroditus comes with this letter from Paul. He's going to read it on Sunday morning in front of all the church, everything's going on so fine, you know, and then all of a sudden, you hear your name. You just want to melt into the seat and disappear, you know? Now we have no idea what this conflict is all about. Somehow these ladies got sideways with each other. There was hurt and anger and resentment and bitterness on both sides, they'd each enlisted their friends as allies in the, in the fight, and they'd taken sides. You, you know the story. They're probably avoiding eye contact as they walked around, talking about each other behind their backs, thinking ugly thoughts whenever their face came to mind. In other words, they were human. They're people just like us. They'd trusted in the saving work of Jesus Christ for their salvation, but there were still sin in their lives and their hearts.

Now I don't know about you, but when I get in conflict, when I feel like I've been wounded, almost without trying, I tend to become self-absorbed in my pain. I get self-absorbed. Do you? I start focusing on my rights that were violated, my expectations that were unmet, my toes that were stepped on, how my needs have been disregarded, my voice has been devalued. I become preoccupied with my wants, my needs, my interests, my views, my, my, me, me, me, me, me. Because when we're wounded, we tend to cave in on ourselves, don't we? We become self-absorbed. And notice how Paul is counteracting that sinful tendency here. That tendency toward self-absorption. "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord, in the Lord." Not agree on the issue, not, not agree to disagree, just compromise, but agree in the Lord. "In the Lord, Euodia, Syntyche, I want you to remember who you are in the Lord. You're beloved daughters of God." "You're the ones that I love and long for, you're my joy and my crown. You're beloved daughters of God, sisters in the Lord." "I want you to agree in the Lord. In the Lord who loves you and has drawn you both to himself as sisters united together in his forever family. I entreat you, agree in the Lord."

And then he helps here, verse 3, "Yes, I ask you also, my true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the Book of Life." Now we have no idea who this true companion is. Although it would have been obvious to the Philippian believers who it was. This person probably knows both ladies and is there to serve in some capacity as a third-party mediator in this conflict. But notice again how Paul's descriptions remind these ladies of the gospel connections that bind them together to one another. He says, "They have labored side by side with me in the gospel." They are co-laborers in the work of the gospel. They've served side by side with, with Paul and Clement, who becomes one of the church fathers, all the rest of the workers in the work of the gospel. Remember, Paul says, "You're on the same team." "You're on the same team. This is friendly fire." "Your names are written in the Book of Life. We all, all of us here belong to Jesus." "We're in his forever family. We're going to spend eternity together." "We might as well learn to get along here." You see that? So this is the first key to peace. Remember our family. Remember our family.

The second key is requesting of our Father. Requesting of our Father. Verse 4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice." Notice he does not say, "Rejoice in your circumstances." He does not say, "Rejoice in getting your own way." Or, "Rejoice in coming out on top." What does he say? "Rejoice in the Lord." He said, "Agree in the Lord." "Now, rejoice in the Lord." "I want you to remember that the Lord is your joy. He's your life. He's your everything." "I want you to look to Him for fulfillment, look to Him for hope, look to Him for your identity, look to Him for your purpose and satisfaction. I want you to rejoice in the Lord." "Euodia, Syntyche, do not let this conflict steal your joy." "Your joy in the Lord." "Do not let this make you bitter and angry and cynical." "Remember, your joy comes from the Lord." "Draw deeply from your relationship in Christ and all the resources that are yours in Him, pursue Him every day of your lives." "Because He is your life. He is your joy. He is your all." "So look to Him." "Rejoice in Him."

Verse 5, "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." "Reasonableness." "I love that word." "It can also be translated, gentleness." "Let everyone see how gentle and reasonable you are." "How fair-handed, even-tempered, considerate, thoughtful, receptive, teachable you are." Listen, because friends, in conflict, character matters, doesn't it? In conflict, character matters. "The Lord is at hand." "He's coming back at any minute." "And He is right now with you in the room." Which means two things. Number one, accountability. Everything we think, say, and do is laid bare before the eyes of the Lord. There are no private actions. There are no private conversations. There are no private thoughts. But it also means, secondly, availability. Availability. "The Lord is with you." "And He can help you." "You're not alone." "He's with you in this conflict, providing resources and aid to help you navigate this in a Christ-like way." "You can look to Him. You can ask Him for help."

Verse 6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Look, don't be anxious about anything right now. In the middle of this conflict. How many of you get anxious in conflict? Come on, I know it's more than just me. Yeah. We get anxious. Why would we be anxious? Remember, this is not a topic shift. Paul is still addressing relational conflict and peace within the body of Christ. What would Euodia and Syntyche be anxious about? Well, they're anxious about not getting their way. What if this doesn't turn out the way I want? Whatever they were fighting about, at a heart level, it always comes down to frustrated desires, doesn't it? Not getting what we want. And so we get mad. We're toddlers like that. And in conflict, not only do we tend to be self-absorbed. We also tend to become self-reliant, self-reliant. We think it's our job to make sure we get what we want. No one else is going to look out for us, right? We've got to look out for us. Make sure our views are heard. Make sure our plan is upheld. Make sure our way is followed out. And friends, anxiety is symptomatic of self-reliance. Anxiety is symptomatic of self-reliance. Because we're trying to control things and control people that we have no control over. And that makes us anxious. Do you see how Paul is counteracting their sinful tendencies to self-reliance here? He says, "Make your requests known to your Father." Instead of trying to control everything to get what you want. What if you actually made your requests known to the, to the Father? What if you prayed as if you have a good Father who loves to give good gifts to His children and knows exactly what you need even before you ask it? Instead of living in self-reliance, which leads inevitably to anxiety. Why don't you pray in God reliance? Which will lead to peace. And don't forget to pray with thanksgiving. Paul says, "Because God has already given you so many good gifts." He's already taking care of you in so many ways. Don't forget what He's done. Thank Him for it. Because He will not stop now.

And verse 7, "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." This word, guard. Remember where Paul is? He's under house arrest. This is a Roman sentinel guarding, which guards him. This is the picture. The peace of God is like a sentinel, a guard, who is keeping you bound and at home. In other words, our hearts tend to wander off on their own, don't they? Our hearts and minds wander off, try to control outcomes, try to argue our point, try to look out for our own interests, make sure we get our way. We're wandering from home. But the peace of God stands guard to make sure our hearts and minds stay home in Christ Jesus, tethered to Him in every way. The peace of God arrests our self-will. The peace of God binds our self-interest. The peace of God shackles our self-reliance. Do you see this? The peace of God reminds us. That we're not orphans left to fend for ourselves. We are beloved sons and daughters of a good Father who is looking out for our every need. Orphans have to run off and fend for themselves, don't they? But sons and daughters stay home and find rest in their Father's care.

The peace of God, Paul says, "stands guard, keeps us at home, that we might live as sons and daughters." "trusting in the provision of our good Father, instead of running off to live as orphans." "As if our only hope was fending for ourselves." Do you see how Paul is again, he's counteracting their sinful tendencies toward self-justification? Refocus your framework, your mental map here. In Christ, we attend to God's good work in one another. In Christ, we attend to God's good work in one another. So here's the question, guys, and gals. Where do we see Christ in those who are driving us nuts? Where do you see Christ in those who are driving you nuts? In Jesus Christ. No one is a lost cause. Where do you see the glory of God? Leaking out of obnoxious people? Where do you see the good work of God on the job? In people who actually hurt you from time to time. Christ is on the job. It's our job to pay attention. To what He's doing. Because He who began a good work in them will carry it on to completion. At the Day of Christ Jesus. So, take away. Brothers and sisters, let us agree in the Lord. Let us agree in the Lord.

Three, three quick questions. Would you just write these down and think about this, pray about this? Let the Lord do work in your heart about this. I'm going to do this this week too. It's going to be profoundly uncomfortable. I promise you. But it's worthwhile. First question. Who do I need to apologize to? Who do I need to apologize to? Second question, who do I need to forgive? Who do I need to forgive? And third question, with whom do I need to make peace? With whom do I need to make peace? Because remember we're family. And in Christ, we're bound together as the forever family of God. And even in the midst of all this conflict, we can request of our Father. Because in Christ, we're learning to entrust our hearts' desires to Him. And we can refocus our framework. In Christ, we can learn to attend to God's good work in one another. And the God of peace will be with you. He will be with me. So let's lean on Him.

Would you pray with me? Father, we long to live in peace-filled, joyous relationships in Christ. Father, we confess that when we are operating in our own strength, in our own instincts, in our own habits. We make a royal mess of this. But we thank you that you are not finished. And that we are not alone. You have made peace with God by sending Jesus Christ on our behalf. You have made peace within the body. Destroyed this hostility that divides the world, but you are uniting people very different from one another in Christ. Help us to live in this peace. To metabolize your goodness and work in our lives. And to trust you. Father, help us to forgive. Help us to humble ourselves to apologize. Teach us how to make peace. For the glory of your name. We pray this for Jesus' sake. Amen. Amen.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication. With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. Amen.

Host: On today's Moody Church Hour, we heard Pastor Philip Miller teaching on the Basics of Peace, sermon number seven in a series on Back to Basics. Next week, don't miss some great teaching about the basics of giving from Philippians chapter 4. Make plans to join us. Knowing why Christ transcends all other religious founders is key to defending your faith in a confused culture. Erwin Lutzer has written, "Christ among other gods," a whirlwind tour of comparative religions, showing why Christ is supreme. This book will be sent as our thank you when you give a gift of any amount to support the Moody Church Hour. Just call us at 1-800-215-5001. That's 1-800-215-5001. Online, go to moodychurchhour.com. That's moodychurchhour.com. Or write to us at Moody Church Media, 1635 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60614. Ask about "Christ among other gods" when you write or call. Join us next week for another Moody Church Hour with Pastor Philip Miller and the congregation of historic Moody Church in Chicago. This broadcast is a ministry of the Moody Church.