Ebony And Ivory - [Philippians 4:2-3]

Joy in Philippians and the Church’s Partnership in the Gospel

Ebony and Ivory. What a name for the title of a message. After all, Ebony and Ivory live together in perfect harmony. Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh Lord, why can't we? A lot of you are shaking your heads.

You're showing your age. Let me tell you, it has taken every ounce of energy in my frail human body not to sing that chorus for you. Besides the fact that I don't have the other 11 here to help me out in the choir who cover up any of my mistakes.

Some of you are thinking, my goodness, Pastor Harry has gone liberal. He's preaching contemporary secular songs rather than the scripture. Not at all. There's plenty of people to do that today. If you know anything about the piano, there's white keys and black keys.

Different color. The white keys are bigger than the black keys. The black keys are elevated. There's majors and there's minors. The black keys are used for flats and for sharps. Oh, my piano teacher would be proud of me now.

They have nothing in common except that when you play them together, if you know how to play the piano, they play together in perfect harmony. And that is a concern that was on the heart of the Apostle Paul.

As you turn with me to the book of Philippians, this small epistle of four chapters. This was on the heart of the Apostle Paul, the harmony within the church, the body of Christ. The book of Philippians, the major and central theme is that of joy.

In its various forms, the term joy or rejoicing is mentioned no less than 16 times. And this is significant because Philippians is one of Paul's prison epistles. He's riding while in chains and yet he has joy.

He actually commands the Philippian believers in chapter three, verse one. Finally, my brothers rejoice in the Lord. In chapter four, verse four, he says, rejoice always. And again, I will say rejoice.

The question arises naturally, what were the things that brought the Apostle Paul joy? Let's look briefly at that together before we get to our actual text. So we can set up the context of the book of Philippians.

Chapter one, verses three to five. If you follow along with me, I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy. Why? Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Because of your partnership, literally koinonia, your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. The Apostle Paul was rejoicing that this Philippian believers, this local body of believers was partnering with him in gospel ministry.

That should bring you and I joy when others partner for the sake of the gospel. And if that wasn't enough, later on in chapter one, verse 18, he says the following. Let's begin actually in verse 15. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill.

The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. So what is Paul's response to that?

Verse 18. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. And in that. I rejoice. The gospel. First Corinthians 15. Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures.

And he rose again, according to the scriptures. Christ is proclaimed and in his imprisonment, Paul is rejoicing. These are the things that bought Paul joy. But even more so than these, look with me in chapter two.

The first two verses, if you will. So if there is any encouragement, but actually sees the same Greek term for the paraclete, the Holy Spirit in Christ. Any comfort from love, any participation in the spirit, any affection and sympathy.

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Complete my joy. The Greek term for complete has the idea of fullness. Paul is saying, make my joy full.

It's the idea of make my joy to abound. To thoroughly permeate my entire being. It's joy that's liberally supplied. The apostle Paul is clear. He was joyful about the Philippians partnership in gospel ministry.

He was joyful even in his imprisonment that Christ was being proclaimed. But what brought Paul joyful? Joyfulness that was complete and abounding and thoroughly permeated his entire being was, as we see here in chapter two, the unity of the body.

God used the apostle Paul to write some of the major doctrines in the New Testament. Ranging from soteriology to theology proper, the doctrine of salvation, the character of God. But he has also used the apostle Paul to write specifically and intently about ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church.

Paul had an abounding joy when he saw unity in the church. In the book of Second Corinthians, which he wrote primarily to defend his apostleship because his apostolic authority was under attack. He writes in chapter 11 the following.

And we see this marvelous list. I'm talking like a madman, he says, with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the 40 lashes less one.

Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. A night and a day I was adrift at sea. On frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers.

In toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apostolic authority. And if that wasn't enough, look what he finishes off at the end.

He says in verse 28 of chapter 11, Second Corinthians. And apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Paul had a pastor's heart for the church of which Jesus Christ is the head.

And this is what he wants us to see in the book of Philippians. That's what brought him abounding joy. Let's look at our text in chapter 4, 2 verses, verses 2 and 3. Philippians chapter 4, verses 2 and 3.

In chapter 2, he said that I want you to be of the same mind, one in purpose, because that is what completes my joy. It makes my joy abounding. And here he gets into some specifics. Verses 2 and 3, he writes.

I entreat Evodia and I entreat Sindichi 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 in the book of life.

The Reality of Conflict in a Good Church

To help us understand what Paul wants to get across here to the book in the book of Philippians. Let me give you four parts to our outline tonight. The first one is simply this. We see here the reality of conflict.

The reality of disharmony. Know what we know about these two women. By the way, Paul mentions a number of people in this short epistle. He mentions earlier in chapter 2, Timothy and Epaphroditus in a very positive light.

He commends Timothy that he has no one else like him of kindred spirit who had worked with the apostle in gospel ministry. He commends Epaphroditus who almost gave up his life for these Philippians. And here he mentions these two ladies.

What do we know about them? Well, first of all, they are saved. He says here in verse 3. 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 in the book of life.

God from eternity past had placed their names in the book of life. He acknowledges that they are true believers that they are saved. But secondly, we see not only that, but they were involved in gospel ministry.

Who have labored verse 3 side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers. They were involved in gospel ministry. They were saved. And the third thing we note is that there was some disharmony and conflict between them.

That is why he says in verse 2. I entreat ever via and I intrigued Cindy he to what to agree in the Lord. There was some conflict some disharmony. Notice with me that Paul use the term and treat twice in verse 2.

He doesn't say I entreat ever the and Cindy he he wants to emphasize the importance of this. Disharmony. I entreat ever via and I entreat Cindy he to agree in the Lord. There were his fellow workers in gospel ministry whose names were in the book of life.

Yet nonetheless, there was a reality of conflict between them. Notice how Paul address them beginning in the first verse of our chapter. Four ways. First, he addresses them as brothers. Therefore, verse 1 of our chapter, my brothers.

That's a term he uses four times in this small epistle. Here he gets really personal. And he says my brothers. He said that earlier in chapter 3. Finally, my brothers rejoice in the Lord. But notice. Secondly, what else he says?

Therefore, my brothers whom I love and long for. Can you hear the apostle Paul's pastoral heart? Who my love and long for. Early in chapter 1, he said the following for God is my witness. How I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

My brothers whom I love and long for. Thirdly, he says in verse 1, you are my joy and crown. My joy and crown. He said this of the Thessalonian church in 1st Thessalonians chapter 2. For what is our hope or joy or crown or boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. Not only my brothers. You whom I love and long for. You are my joy and crown. But he finishes in verse 1. My beloved. My beloved. He used that term in chapter 2 verse 12.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed. Not only in my absence, but now much more in my presence. My beloved. Before he tells both Evodia and Sindichi to entreat them to agree in the Lord. He couches that with these terms.

My brothers whom I love and long for. My joy and crown. You are my beloved. I entreat you. Very pastoral. But this is not only a pastoral letter. It's a letter of commendation. Turn with me to chapter 1.

Paul commends the Philippian church. Quite a bit. What I read earlier, I'll continue. Beginning in verse 3 of chapter 1. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine. For you all making my prayer with joy.

Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this. That he who began a good work in you. Will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all.

Because I hold you in my heart. For you are all partakers with me of grace. Chapter 2 verse 12. He continues his commendation of them. Therefore my beloved. As you have always obeyed. He says to them clearly.

You have always obeyed. And so continue in that path. Chapter 4. Verse 10. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly. That now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me. But you had no opportunity.

Jumping to verse 14. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know. That in the beginning of the gospel. When I left Macedonia. No church entered into partnership with me.

In giving and receiving. Except you owe me. Very warm and pastoral letter. It is a letter of commendation. And yet we see in chapter 4. Verse 2. He entreats these two to agree in the Lord. There is a reality of conflict here.

If you look for example at two of his other letters. Galatians. And his two letters to the Corinthians. Now you may be thinking why are we going there? Stay with me and we will get there. Galatians for example.

We see here in Philippians in contrast. My brothers, my beloved. Whom I long and love. My joy and crown. Galatians he tells them you are foolish. Can you imagine that? He says in chapter 3 of Galatians.

Oh foolish Galatians. Who has bewitched you? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the spirit. Are you now being perfected by the flesh? Not only that. In chapter 4 of Galatians he says of them. I am afraid I may have labored over you.

In vain. And he continues to pour it on. Chapter 4 verse 20. I wish I could be present with you now. And change my tone. Why? Paul says I am perplexed about you. To the Galatians. Different tone. Than Philippians.

They were heading towards abandoning the gospel. The Galatian churches. That is why in chapter 1 of that book. He said if we were he includes himself. Or an angel from heaven. Should come and preach to you a different gospel.

Let him be what? Accursed. And if that wasn't enough. In chapter 5 of Galatians. Where he delineates the fruit of the spirit. In contrast to the deeds of the flesh. He says this to the Galatian churches.

But if you bite. And devour one another. Watch out. That you are not consumed by one another. Let us not become conceited. He says provoking one another. Envying one another. Quite opposite than Philippians.

What about the church in Corinth? Paul wrote 2 epistles to them. 1 Corinthians 3. He says for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy. And strife among you. Are you not of the flesh. And behaving only in a human way.

For one says I follow Paul. And another I follow Apollos. Are you not being merely human. And we know of course. In chapter 5. Of the immoral brother. Who wasn't repented. He told him to purge the evil.

From among them. In a second letter to the Corinthian church. He says at the tail end of the letter. 2 Corinthians chapter 13. For I fear that perhaps. When I come. And I may find you not as I wish. And that you may find me not as you wish.

That perhaps there may be quarreling. Jealousy. Anger. Hostility. Slander. Gossip. Conceit. And disorder. It's interesting to note in both those epistles. In actually 1 Corinthians. 2 Corinthians. And the epistle to the Galatian churches.

Paul uses his apostolic authority. He pulls that card. In 1 Corinthians 1 .1. He says Paul. Called by the will of God. To be an apostle of Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1 .1. Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus.

By the will of God. Galatians 1 .1. Paul an apostle. Not from man. Nor through man. But through Jesus Christ. And God the Father. Those were problematic churches. And he needed to use his apostolic authority.

But how does Paul introduce himself here. To the Philippian believers. Chapter 1. Verse 1. Paul and Timothy. Servants literally. Thule. Slaves. Of Christ Jesus. Does not use his apostolic authority. Because this was a pastoral letter.

A letter of commendation. What's the point? The point is simply this. The churches in Galatian. The church in Corinth. Problematic churches. The church of Philippi was a good church. The point is simply this.

Even in a good church. Conflict and disharmony. Can be a reality. Even in a good church. There can be the reality of conflict. Question. Is there conflict in good churches? Yes. Is there conflict in problematic churches?

Yes. The difference is this. Good churches resolve their conflict. While problematic churches avoid it. Don't want to deal with it. What did the Corinthian church do? Why was Paul so harsh on them? In chapter 5 of 1 Corinthians 5.

They did not deal with the issue. This unrepentant man. There are churches today. Whose problems exist simply because. They are fearful of resolving conflict. They are fearful. Of not only resolving conflict.

As Paul encourages the Philippians to do here. But they are fearful of the results. Paul says. To a church that he commends. For their obedience. He says to them. To these two. I entreat you to agree in the Lord.

Paul was familiar with. Some conflict. Recall with me in Acts chapter 15. The missionary. The apostle Paul. Going on three missionary journeys. And his mentor so to speak. The son of encouragement Barnabas.

Who welcomed them in the fall. When none of the other disciples believed. That he was truly saved. He and Barnabas. Had a strong disagreement. Acts 15 records. So much so that Luke writes. In verse 39 of that chapter.

There arose a sharp disagreement. So that they separated. From each other. Barnabas wanted to bring Mark. John Mark. Paul said no. He's not trustworthy. He abandoned us in the gospel ministry. Yet it's interesting.

Enough this apostle who writes. So pastorally here in Philippians. At the end of his life. When he writes his swan song. Second Timothy four. He writes this in chapter four. Get Mark. And bring him with you.

For he is very useful for me. In ministry. This is the Paul. Who's addressing the Philippian church. Secondly. There's a reality of conflict here. But secondly. Paul just doesn't leave him there. He gives him the remedy for the conflict.

What is the remedy? Very simply verse two. He doesn't give him a list. Notice what he does not do. He actually doesn't even tell us. What the actual conflict was about. He simply says this. I entreat of a via.

And I entreat Cindy heat to what. To agree with each other. No. To agree. In the Lord. To agree in the Lord. That phrase is repeated over and over again. In this chapter verse one. Stand firm in the Lord.

Verse two. Agree in the Lord. Verse four. Rejoice in the Lord. Verse ten. I rejoiced in the Lord. Greatly. It's the same word that he used in chapter two earlier. Where he says. Make my joy complete. By being of the same mind.

He's telling him to be the same mind. In the Lord. These are two. That as this letter was read to the Philippian church. Paul records earlier in chapter one. That God. Who began a good work in them. Would bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.

Because we know that these two. Both their names were in the book of life. So there's this harmony. Between these two. The ones whom God had. Not only began the work of salvation. But he would complete it.

And when Paul says to them. Agree in the Lord. Emphasizing in the Lord. They must be thinking. Well what did that mean to the apostle Paul. The apostle Paul was very very personal. In this epistle. In his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

He said in chapter one for example. For to me. To live is what. Christ. In chapter three. Where he talks about confidence in the flesh. And that he puts no confidence in the flesh. And the things that he counted as gain.

Now he counts as loss. Because he counts everything as garbage. Compared to the surpassing value. Of knowing Jesus Christ. They knew. What the apostle Paul was talking about. When he entreated them. To agree in the Lord.

He entreated them to agree in the one. For whom the apostle Paul it was to live. He entreated them to agree in the one. For whom everything else in comparison. Was garbage. Agree in the Lord. H .A. Ironside put it this way.

It is evident that Christians. Will not see eye to eye on all points. We're so largely influenced by habits. By environment. By education. By the measure of intellectual and spiritual apprehension. To which we have attained.

It is an impossibility to find any. Number of people. Who look at everything from the same standpoint. How then. Can such be of one mind. The apostle Paul explains it elsewhere. When he says. I think also that I have the mind of Christ.

The mind of Christ. He says. Is the lowly mind. End quote. Jump to chapter 2 where we were at. In our introduction. Where Paul says. Complete my joy by being of the same mind. Philippians is not a heavy theological book.

Except. For this one section. It has one of the most marvelous. And glorious Christological passages. In all of the New Testament. But it relates to what we're talking about. He says in verse 2. Complete my joy by being of the same mind.

Having the same love. Being in full accord of one mind. Well how do I go about doing that Paul. Verse 3 is the answer. Do nothing. From rivalry or conceit. But in humility. Count others more significant.

Than yourselves. Let each of you look. Not only to his own interest. But also to the interest of others. Humility. Verse 5. And here he makes the connection to Christ. Have this mind. This attitude. This mindset.

Among yourselves. Which is yours in Christ Jesus. Who though he was in the form of God. Did not count equality with God. A thing to be grasped. But made himself nothing. Taking the form of a servant. A slave.

Being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form. He humbled himself. By becoming obedient. To the point of death. Even death on a cross. Paul is saying to them. To be of the same mind.

In harmony together. It takes humility. Which is a Christ like quality. When there is disharmony. Though he doesn't specify. With Sin-Dee-Hee and Ev-Nee-Kee. It's clear here. That it's because it's an issue of pride.

Resources for Harmony in the Body of Christ

Always. Humility is at the core. Of the remedy. For conflict. Number three. He tells them in this chapter four. The resources. For maintaining harmony. In the body. Which brings Paul complete joy. What are the resources?

Very simple. The local church. He says in verse three. Yes, I ask you also. True companion. Help these women. Which women do I ask you to help? Who've labored with me side by side. In gospel ministry.

The Greek term for companion here. Is a word picture of two oxen of yoke. Pulling the same load. That's why the King James. Translates it yoke fellow. This is a local body of believers. That is why in chapter one.

Verse one. When Paul addresses himself as a slave. He says to all the saints in Christ. Jesus who are at Philippi. Watch this with the overseers. And deacons. It was established body. Local body with leadership.

Involvement from the local. Body of believers. He says come companion. And help these women. Of course our sinful. American mindset is. I don't need help. Or. Could be. I don't want anyone in my business.

The body of Christ. Is there to help. To provide resources in people. Like he asked this man to come alongside. From the church. To help these women. This is the resource. That Christ has given us. We are not lone rangers.

When we are saved. When God saves us. Through the spirit of God. We are born of the spirit. One of the ministries of the spirit of God. Is to place us. Into the body of Christ. We become members of the family.

Of God. And Paul is saying. You have the resources in the local body. To help you resolve this. And fourth. Last but not least. Very very important. What are the reasons. For maintaining harmony in the body.

The reasons. For maintaining harmony in the body. Let me give you five. That we see coming simply out of the text. Reason number one. Sanctification. Sanctification. In other words. In light of what God is presently doing.

In light of what God is presently doing. Through the Holy Spirit. Sanctification. He's saying. I entreat you agree in the Lord. Where do we see this? Well our verses for tonight. Verses two and three.

Are a little microcosm of a greater picture. That we see in verse one. Where he writes. Therefore my brothers. Whom I love and long for. My joy and crown. Stand firm thus in the Lord. It's an imperative.

It's a command. Stand firm. In the Lord. He's talking about their sanctification. It's a general statement. And then from verses two to eight. He gives three specific examples. Three specific areas of sanctification.

This one in terms of disharmony. He talks later on about anxiety. And then about our thought life. He says. The reason I entreat you to agree in the Lord. Is because it's part of standing firm in the Lord.

You cannot be standing firm. In the Lord. If you're not agreeing. In the Lord. People will say all the time. I'm standing firm. And they're not agreeing in the Lord. Not with each other as we said. To stand firm in the Lord.

Is part of your sanctification. Is to agree in the Lord. And this is the thing that he mentions first. Before he talks about the famous passage. Do not be anxious about anything. And then finally brothers.

Whatever is true. Think about these things. Verse eight. It's interesting. If you were to study the Lord's teaching. In the Sermon on the Mount. The Lord's prayer. Our Father who art in heaven. He goes through the whole prayer.

And at the end. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself. Only exposites one of the things. That he highlights from the prayer. Where he says this in Matthew six. After he says the prayer. He says. For if you forgive others their trespasses.

Your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But. If you do not forgive others their trespasses. Neither will your Father. Forgive your trespasses. Paul is highlighting that in order to be. Sanctified as part of what God is doing.

To stand firm in the Lord. It's important to agree in the Lord. Second reason for maintaining harmony. In the body of Christ. Not only in light of what God is. Presently doing in sanctification. But also in light of what God.

Will do in the future. Glorification. Glorification. Notice with me chapter four. The first word is therefore. Which forces us to go to the. Previous chapter. Remember the chapters are not inspired. Look at verse 20.

Beginning in verse 20 of chapter three. But our citizenship is where. In heaven. And from it we await a savior. The Lord Jesus Christ. Who will transform our lowly body. To be like his glorious body. By the power that enables him.

Even to subject. All things to himself. Our bodies will be transformed. And some mornings when I wake up. I say I can't wait. This is glory. This is our glorification. Impulses therefore. Based on the fact that in the future.

God is going to transform our bodies. Glorification. Therefore based upon that reality. I want you now to stand firm. In the Lord. And part of standing firm in the Lord. Is agreeing. In the Lord. It's interesting because normally.

Sanctification is what. In light of what our justification. Whom God justifies right. He will also surely sanctify. But here the apostle Paul. Makes an interesting twist. He says I want you to stand firm in the Lord.

Be sanctified in the Lord. In light of not just your justification. But here he says in light of the future. Of your glorification. It ought to affect your motive. For standing firm in the Lord. In agreeing in the Lord.

The third reason. For maintaining harmony in the body. Not only in light of what God is doing. In sanctification. Not only in light of what he will do in glorification. Future. But also thirdly. In light of what God has already done.

For this just turn briefly with me. To Ephesians chapter 4. Just to show you the full orbed picture. In Philippians. When he addresses these two. Who are in disharmony. He says that you are to agree in the Lord.

In light of your sanctification. And in light of your future glorification. But to see the full orbed picture. Of what God has already done for us. Ephesians chapter 4. Beginning in verse 1. I therefore a prisoner for the Lord.

Urge you to walk. In a manner worthy. Of the calling. To which you have been called. With all humility and gentleness. With patience. Bearing with one another in love. Eager to maintain the unity of the spirit.

In the bond of peace. There is one body. And one spirit. Just as you were called to the one hope. That belongs to your call. One Lord. One faith. One baptism. One God. And father of all. Who is over all.

And through all. And in all. No less than seven times. Paul mentions the term one. Unity. But he begins this passage. As he does typically of his epistles. I therefore a prisoner for the Lord. Urge you to walk.

In a manner worthy of your calling. Therefore based on chapters 1 to 3. Walk in a manner worthy. What happened in chapters 1 to 3. He highlights. Not sanctification. Not glorification. But what God has already done.

He highlights that God has chosen us. Before the foundation of the world. Therefore walk in a manner worthy. And that means verse 3. Maintain the unity of the spirit. In the bond of peace. He highlights in chapter 1.

That we have been predestined. To adoption as sons. Therefore walk in a manner worthy of that. Which means be eager to maintain the unity of the spirit. In the bond of peace. He highlights that though we were dead.

In our trespasses and sins. God who is rich in mercy. Because of his great love for us. As we heard read this morning. He made us alive with Christ. Even while we were dead. Therefore walk in a manner worthy.

Eager to maintain the unity of the spirit. Harmony. Is to be maintained. Because of what God is doing in sanctification. Because of what he will do in glory. But also because of what he has. Already done for us.

And who said theology. Is not practical. Two more reasons. Why we need to maintain harmony in the body. The unity of the church. The unity of the church. He highlighted this in Philippians. As I mentioned earlier in chapter 2.

Make my joy complete. By being of the same mind. Listen to some other passages briefly. As the apostle Paul peruses this theme. Throughout the new testament. Romans 12 verse 16. Live in harmony with one another.

Do not be haughty. There is humility. But associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Romans 14 verse 19. So then let us pursue. What makes for peace. And for mutual up building. 1 Corinthians 1 verse 10.

I appeal to you brothers. By the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. That all of you agree. And that there be no divisions among you. But that you be united in the same mind. And the same judgment. It wasn't only the apostle Paul.

But the other writers of the new testament. Highlight this theme of harmony and unity. In the body. The writer of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 12. Verse 14. Strive for peace. With everyone. And even the apostle Peter.

1 Peter 3 verse 8. Finally all of you have unity of mind. Sympathy. Brotherly love. A tender heart. And a humble mind. That's the reason. For maintaining. Harmony in the body. And finally the last reason.

Is for the sake of the gospel. The sake of the gospel. He uses this language. At the beginning of this epistle. In Philippians chapter 1. Verse 27 to 28. He says the following. Only let your manner of life.

Be worthy of what? The gospel of Christ. Why? So that whether I come and see you. Or am absent. I may hear of you that you are standing firm. In one spirit. With one mind. Striving side by side. For the faith of the gospel.

And not frightened in anything. By your opponents. This is a clear sign to them. Of their destruction. But of your salvation. And that from God. When we stand firm as he says here. In one spirit. In one mind.

We can strive for the faith of the gospel. Or as Jude put it. Contend for the faith of the gospel. That once for all was entrusted. To the saints. Conflict is a reality. Good churches like Philippi. Problematic churches like Corinth.

Or the churches of Galatia. But Paul here gives us the remedy. To agree in the Lord. Everything is to be done in the Lord. Who is our example of humility. Humbling himself in obedience. To the cross. And we have the resource of each other.

The body. Those in the family of God. Are those same ones. That God has foreordained and predestined. From before the beginning of time. And he gives us the reasons. To do that. Because of what God is doing in our lives currently.

Because of what he will do in glory. To transform us. To be like Christ. And because of what he has already done. Spurgeon had a pastor friend. Dr. Newman Hall. He wrote a book called. Come to Jesus. And there was another person.

Who had written some article. To kind of bash Dr. Hall's name. And it gained in popularity. So Dr. Hall decided. He wasn't going to have any of this. So he wrote a counter letter. Pretty strong letter back.

But before he went out to publish it. Or send it. He went to his friend Spurgeon. And he asked him to review it. What do you think? Spurgeon said. That's exactly what he needs to hear. For what he did to you.

He said there's only one problem. Underneath your signature. You forgot to write the words. Author of come to Jesus. They looked at each other. And after a pause. He tore the letter. Author of come to Jesus.

The greatest conflict. If you're listening to this tonight. That any person may have. And can have in life. Is conflict with the almighty. The creator. The judge of the universe. When there is conflict with almighty God.

The one who created you. And the one who will execute. Righteous judgment. There is only one hope. And one escape. And that is in the person. And the work of the lord Jesus Christ. I invite you and plead.

That you would turn to him. And be found in Christ. Father thank you for. This small epistle. With such rich truths. That we can come to. And together study. Thank you father for the church in Philippi.

That gives us an example of a good church. But nonetheless there was some disharmony. That Paul had very pastorally. And warmly entreats these two. To agree in the lord. Why lord? Because of what you are doing in us.

In sanctification through the holy spirit. Because of what you will do in us. In glory. Transforming us to be like. Our lord and savior Jesus Christ. And in light of what you have already done for us.

Lord help us to stand firm. In the lord. For the sake of the gospel. And for the glory of your name. In Christ name we pray. Amen.