Post by Les Brewer on Nov 18, 2014 22:30:41 GMT
Philippians Chapter 4 World English Bible
1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. 3 Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. 9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. 14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. 17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. 18 But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. 19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Preface
Think About these things is not just a suggestion. It is a command. How we think makes all the difference in whether we win or lose, in the spiritual battle. The down fall of the Church and thus victory in reaching the lost in the battle, is about our thought life. We are dwelling on things which have no eternal consequence, and yet we are focueds on the trivial or away from Jesus and the the “Good” things. What are these goods things? Anything that brings us closer to Jesus and His presence is good, but the enemy wants us lost in the insignificant and feeling lonely and not feeling loved. Are we fighting each other rather than the enemy of our souls? We spend so much time complaining or back biting that we rarely hear the voice of the Lord and His commands or feel His love. We worry and thus show our lack of faith. This exhortation from the apostle Paul to the church at Philippi will help us get back on track.
Introduction
When we go through difficult times we tend to respond as we having been trained in our hearts. Our minds are cluttered or foggy in the battlefield of our mind, so it is our hearts that move us and reveal what is our greatest weaknesses and strengths. We hide the Word in our hearts so we will not sin. Our victory does not come by will power, only by Holy Spirit power, through faith. Grace is the key. Grace is the power by which we will be on the victors stand before Jesus. The crowns we receive will be placed at His feet. Each word in the bible is for a specific reason, to teach you and transform our mind and then our heart. It is supernatural, no one can act the part or boast (Eph2:8-9). Paul was in prison while writing this Church. He didn’t see beautiful sunsets as he walked the beaches of the Mediterranean. He was bound physically, but never spiritually. The gospel is never in bondage. He saw what we need to learn also through our trials.
We need to learn these four basic warrior lessons:
Lesson 1 - Respect those under you leadership and in your line of communication VV1-3
We enter a very important part of why we are able to advance the Kingdom of God as one. The Holy Spirit makes us one. We become one in how we understand the Word and are able to fight. Communication flows from God to us and we are able to fight in the fog and friction of warfare. When we dishonor each other especially those below us or along side us, we as leaders cause disunity. They become confused in our leadership. We must model the example we are teaching. Our words must match our actions, but also we should recognize those who work with us. Many workers falter in the spiritual battle because their pastors fail to tend to them. Future leaders are mentored and discipled, and not by accident. Discipleship is intentional. We make the time. Don’t make promises you don’t keep. Notice in most letters that Paul wrote he gave great recognition to those who worked with him. Even the women received honor, in a culture that did not normally honor women openly. Honor and respect is the key to victory. While also admonished them his overall intent can be seen to their growth in love.
Lesson 2 - Rejoice No matter the circumstances rejoice. V4
Throughout this letter to the Church, Paul uses the word rejoice or joy many times. His next true word is that we will go through hard times in the battle, but rejoice. Do get caught in the weeds of NEGATIVITY or even worse pride.
Many years ago I was on a combat mission in Korea. I was part of a support team testing a new laser marking or designation system. We were to inserted into “enemy territory” through Black Hawk air assault and we navigated to the target area and placed a laser or beacon transponder. I was on the team for weather intelligence expertise and for unit security or firepower, to put bullets downrange, if necessary. It was dark and infrared laser could not be seen in the visible wavelengths. The aircraft and team members were the only ones who could see this brilliant beacon. Only when the aviators or special operations teams were wearing infrared googles could it be seen. We were able to “laze” a target area or mark a target zone by placing this near the target zone. While going into the “zone we tried to be very quiet. The problem was the weeds were so thick that the plants kept grabbing our equipment and clanging like a cymbal. No way to be stealthy into the target area. Thank God we got in and out without being detected. Whew!
When we get stuck in the weeds like disrespect or dishonor, we lose sight of our mission and purpose. We need the beacon of the Holy Spirit guiding our way through the Word of God. When begin to dishonor our workers and think we are a god building our own kingdom it is dangerous. Our mission fails when we lose the focus on Christ and mission to reach the lost. Focus should never be on the leader or set man. This is very dangerous too. We all need to humble ourselves and remember who we serve and what we are here for.
Titles. A few months ago I wrote and spoke about titles in ministry. This is part of honoring our workers and leaders. Some try to lambast people because they say they are seeking titles only, and they would be right. I say clearly that though Jesus was a servant, and He also carried big titles. The difference is that He functioned in His titles and when we call ourselves something it better be an assignment from God and we better see the true fruit of that title. A prophet is not a prophet until they are truly prophesying from God and not from the flesh or even worse from the enemy. When you carry a title you need to function in the title. Titles are important in a chain of communication or chain of command. We need to know who we are working with when comes to function. This is about authority. Many decisions go undone because no one has been delegate the authority by releasing others. Many just wait for a senior pastor to make all the decisions. There is no personal faith or trust in God. Authority is lost and victory is delayed. Though we have personal ministries we do not work alone. We are a family or team. The major mistake or disconnect is in this area of ministry. We need all of us working together.
Lesson 3 - Focus on the Good, Jesus! VV5-14
Another area of the battle is the idea of focus. The apostle here is making a great statement, which if we hold to it will bring the empowerment of grace in a strong way. Synergy in the battle does not happen by accident. We are empowered and work together because we make it important. We do this by our focus. Our minds tend to wander during sustained warfare. We will lose our focus. The Word of God is how we stay the course. By fixing our spiritual eyes on Jesus we all are able to do our part of this mission, at the right time and place. As servants we obey the orders given in the battle with a sense of urgency. Timeliness is important in warfare. One or two seconds can be the difference between victory or loss.
v8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. 9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you. James said be a doer of the word and not just a hearer. We must be swift in our obedience.
Lesson 4 - Love and Honor the Servants VV15-20
The first and last lesson is These are very important instructions that will help us stay the course in the fight. The enemy wants you fighting with each other. He wants you depressed and not fighting him. This happens in the battle for your mind and thus your heart. This is what is meant by protecting your heart! Why does Paul come back to honor in his letter? I believe that since part of honor is the idea of giving, the needs of the workers were great and they needed support. His own needs aside, this is a subtle way to ensure that the offerings continued to come in from cheerful givers. When we are respecting each other instead of suspecting each other, we are honoring each other in all areas, especially giving. We should be careful to not just give lip service. God hates this kind of hypocrisy and He will be judging this particularly on the “day of judgment.” “To the least of these you did it unto me!” Love is still the standard by which we are judged. What of those around us do they feel love by us? Do they blame God for our lack of love towards them?
Evangelist Jesse Duplantis
“When you’ve been pushed down all your life, told that you’re not good enough, that you’re not worth anything, and that God is angry with you, something happens when you suddenly hear about God’s love. Your heart is almost overwhelmed by the love of God. Your mind is almost overwhelmed by the truth.
To suddenly hear that God loves you exactly how you are, that He created your personality, formed you in your mother’s womb, and that He cares about you so much that He sent Jesus to die for your sins, well, it is nothing short of amazing.”
We are stuck in a mindset that says we not supporting each other. The idea that everyone has their own ministry and that there is no corporate ministry. This is absolutely wrong. We appear that the love of God is limited to what we are doing only. W are called to build each other up and support each other. We are a family. We are one because of the Holy Spirit indwelling us and the fruit of the Spirit called love must be seen, yet it is absent. To be effective in reaching the lost as Jesse Duplantis says, we need to be showing others a love that is real love, non-condemning love. Love that is sacrificial, uplifting and not destructive. A love that is healing and creative. Love that is life giving. A love like God does. Do people see Christ in our actions as a Church? We are judged as a Church by each of our actions. Better said, people will receive Christ if they feel loved by us!
Conclusion
Graham Cooke
"We cannot just spend our lives waiting for a prophetic word to come to pass. We must get on with our lives and be involved in doing God’s work for now, while at the same time using the prophecy to keep us in touch with God’s agenda for our future."
We are in the final lap of the future. You have come into the stadium and the crowds are cheering you on. You are weary, but you can do all things through Christ, no longer anxious. The race is coming to a close, are you sprinting or enduring? The sprint may seem good in the 1st few kilometers, but as we realize this is a marathon, it is a campaign of long term warfare. We are not there yet. We have more to go. Don’t get burned out. Stay focus on Christ and honor Him and those whom you serve with, and for. Receive the grace you need. Help each other and trust the Lord through faith and his grace will flow through you to others. Will we make sure what we are thinking will add to us and our family and not take way?
I close with the words of Peter inspired by the Holy Spirit:
CHANGE
1 Peter Chapter 5
1 I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed. 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; 3 neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. 4 When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”✡6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Challenge
Honor everyone, even those messing up. Sometimes we need help to see our mistakes. Love your spouse by not saying that thing to get even. Don’t point out the obvious flaw, instead point out the strengths that God’s sees prophetically in each of us. We all have a winning future! He already defeated death and the enemy. Amen?
Think…think!
