This morning I invite you to turn to Philippians chapter 4, as we read together the first nine verses. And obviously you know by even announcing Philippians chapter 4 that now Paul is coming to the end of his letter to the believers in the church in Philippi. And as a bit of an introduction to the fourth chapter, what we hope to see is that Paul repeats, as it were, as he gives final instructions and final exhortations, Paul repeats a number of the themes that he had introduced in the first three chapters. But he does so in such a way that he promotes perseverance and endurance as citizens of heaven living this life on this earth. And the instruction that Paul gives in chapter 4 is what we might call life-transforming instruction. Attitude-transforming instruction. Instruction in such a way that he calls God's people to put the Bible into practice. Now take what you have learned. Take what you have heard and put it into practice. Because God's people are not simply to take the Word of God and to treat the Bible as a cold, intellectual tool simply for the confession of our mouths. But the Bible, the Word of God, is to be used toward a profession of life. It is to be lived. There is to be heart and soul and mind obedience to the Word of God. And therefore, Paul calls for in chapter 4, as someone has said, especially in these nine verses, Paul calls for integrity in relationships. Fidelity or faithfulness toward God. Quiet confidence in Him. Purity and holiness in thought. And godliness in heart attitude. Those are the things that he calls for in a particular way in these first nine verses. And therefore, in a sense, after all that Paul has said in the first three chapters, Paul gives this command now to be standing firm in the Lord. To be standing firm in the Lord. Because the Lord alone is the believer's strength and Savior. The Lord alone is the one in whom we have eternal confidence as believers to live as Christian citizens, to live as heavenly citizens here on this earth. Now, verse 1 of chapter 4 is what we might call a transition verse. It points back to what Paul has said before. It could be taken with what we've already considered. As well, it points forward to what he is about to say. And in essence, his message is never give up the Christian walk. It points backward in the sense that Paul is calling believers to stand firm in confidence, being recipients of the grace of God, as he had said. Stand firm in the confidence of having gain in Christ. Stand firm following good examples, not the bad examples that he had talked about in the previous chapters. In other words, heed the warnings. And stand firm, focusing on Christ. Knowing the power of His resurrection and pressing on toward the goal of that eternal life that has been earned and secured for you and me by Jesus Christ alone. But that verse again also points ahead. As if Paul says, in light of all that I've just said, as heavenly citizens, heavenly citizens who are called to show forth the handiwork of God in salvation. That's what we are to illumine before the world. The hand and work of God in salvation. And as those who are called to put the new light in Christ in action, stand firm alongside fellow believers. Stand firm in the second place with a transformed attitude. Stand firm thirdly in confident trust. And stand firm in the last place demonstrating a godly witness. Those are the four major things that I hope that we will see with regard to these nine verses. But now I must also confess that we're not going to see them all today. We're only going to have time to consider point one. Point one. And the other three points in the future. So we turn together to Philippians chapter 4, reading verses 1 through 9. And point one really deals with verses 2 and 3. Hear now the word of God. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. I plead with you, Odea, and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask 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 evidence 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 your 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. Well, beloved in Christ the Lord, we sing of Christ the newborn King. And part of what we sing about Him includes these words, that He was born to raise the sons of earth. Born to give them second birth. New birth. New life in Christ Jesus. As believers, we have that new life in Christ Jesus. As believers, we enjoy that new life in the Lord Jesus Christ. By the grace of God, we have been joined to Him by faith. And we have been made a part of His body along with all other fellow believers. Now, Paul talks about that body of Christ, we know, in another place, in the letter to the Corinthian church. And he makes it clear there that as members of this one body, just as with the physical body, the members of that body have different tasks and functions. The eyes don't have the same task as the feet. The arms don't do the same thing as the mouth. And just as the members of our body, our physical body, have different functions, We as believers, as members of the body of Christ, we too have different functions, different strengths, different weaknesses, called to different tasks and duties. But as members of that same body, we are all called to have the same mind. To be like-minded, as Paul said in chapter 2 already. To think the same things. Because Paul knew that how one thinks will largely determine how that one acts. Members of the body of Christ, though with different functions, are called to have the same mind. And that means that when one hurts, the whole hurts. We rejoice with those who rejoice. We mourn with those who mourn. But it also means something else. That when two are not getting along, When two are engaged in disagreement and friction, that troubles the whole body. That harms the church's witness to the world. And therefore, Paul calls the family of God to be standing firm in the Lord alongside fellow believers. Arm in arm, as it were. Again, verses 2 and 3, I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I also ask 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. Now we read those words, no doubt, and we think, well, that's really great. Paul's talking about two ladies that he knew back in his day. What does that have to do with us? How can we take a whole sermon to deal with these two ladies? but I hope and pray that as we consider this this morning, that you will see that it has everything to do with us, even today. You see, Paul is addressing a problem. There was a problem in the church, and that problem existed between these two ladies, Euodia and Syntyche. Now, we're not told exactly what that problem was. We have no clue what it was that separated them, that made them argue and not agree, but it's very clear that they didn't agree on something. Now, we do know that they were women of prominence in that church. Otherwise, no doubt, Paul would not have singled them out in this public letter. It wasn't a letter just to them. It was to the whole church, remember. And therefore, these ladies were obviously known. And we know that there were women of prominence in the Philippian church from the very beginning. If you go back to Acts chapter 16 and you read where the missionaries went to Philippi for the first time, And on that first Sabbath, they gathered together at the river with these ladies who were gathered there for prayer. And one of them was Lydia. And it's very possible, we don't know for sure, but it's very possible that Euodia and Syntyche were there as well. And if they were, that means that they were a part of the core group, the founding group of this particular church, which had been in existence for some years. And therefore, they were looked up to. They were a prominent part of the church. Paul says they were partners in the Gospel with him. They were not the dogs that he talked about in chapter 3. They were not of those who were enemies of the cross of Christ. They were not those whose destiny was destruction. Instead, he says their names are written in the book of life. He considered them to be genuine believers. And they were not women of bad reputation. They were those who had labored with Paul in the Gospel. They had contended with Him. And now as Paul often does, he gives us there a wonderful athletic imagery of a team sport. They contended alongside of Paul. A team sport where one cannot do it by themselves. It takes the whole team working together. They were on the same team working side by side. They had the same goal. They were cooperating together to get the job done. They were valuable in the life of the church. And there's no hint here that there was any sort of heresy being promoted by one of them or by both of them. There are no major theological disagreements. I believe if there were, Paul would have outlined them as he does again with the Corinthian church. As well, there's no hint that there's any sort of gross immorality being practiced by these ladies again. I trust he would have said it. He did on other occasions. They just can't get along. They just can't get along. Very possibly they were majoring on minors. We do that. We take something small, something that's important to us, and we blow it up out of proportion and we almost make the Word of God submit to it. Maybe they were majoring on minors, whether they were holding grudges against each other with regard to petty stuff. Maybe one was not living up to the expectations of the other one, and that caused friction, disagreements. We don't know. But whatever the disagreements were, it caused them to be out of fellowship with each other. And Paul would have them and us know as well that when believers are out of fellowship with each other, then they are also out of fellowship with the Lord. The Bible teaches us that. In his first epistle, 1 John, he in essence says, how can you say that you love God whom you have not seen, but you don't love your brother whom you have seen? Impossible. It can't be so. And our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 5 tells us in essence that you cannot offer worship that is pleasing to God if you are not reconciled to your brother. when believers are out of fellowship with each other, at that time they cannot be in fellowship with the Lord. And we've all seen that. Maybe it's taken place here in this congregation over its 50-year history. I've seen it in other congregations where individuals come to church on the Lord's Day. They participate at the Lord's table, but they sit on opposite sides of the auditorium, and they cannot even look at each other. They cannot even shake each other's hands, but they think they're in fellowship with the Lord. Euodia and Syntyche were out of fellowship with each other. And Paul calls them to be reconciled. They were divided. And division, beloved, causes trouble in the church. Division often over silly things. Because I want it my way. Division tears apart the fellowship of God's people. It hinders the worship of God's people. And maybe, worst of all, it hinders the church's witness to the world. As the world and the community looks at a church and knows that there's discord and people not getting along and that discourages our witness to the world. And therefore, Paul pleads with them. And notice, he doesn't show favoritism. I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche. And his plea is that they agree in the Lord. That they be like-minded, that they think the same thing. And we cannot help but notice Paul's gentleness here. His gentleness that flows from true affection. You whom I love and long for, my joy and crown. He points forward to the future when God's people stand together before that righteous judge clothed in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what joy that will be for Paul that he has been used by God to bring many to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Not an arrogant pride, but a humble joy. And notice here that Paul does not deal with these ladies in a heavy-handed way. He does not use his apostolic authority as if to shake his finger in their face and say, you'd better listen or else. Instead, with a pastoral gentle spirit, in essence, he looks them in the eye and says, you both know better. I know you do. You both know better. You're just being stubborn. He doesn't shame them by rehearsing the problems they knew full well what they were. But he is personal. He is passionate. And he had prepared them for this, hadn't he? In chapter 1, verse 27, He spoke in a general way to the whole congregation, Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. That was for these two ladies also. In chapter 2, He told the congregation to be like-minded. Do not look out for your own interests, but also for the interests of others. And that was for these ladies too. And He gave them one and all the example, the wonderful example of Christ's selfless humility as well as examples of men whom they knew. Timothy and Epaphroditus, those who loved the Lord, who loved the Word of God, and who loved God's people and were willing to sacrifice themselves on behalf of God's people. Paul teaches us here in a particular way that in the family of God, restoration requires gentleness, patience, and gentleness. And his purpose is that they agree in the Lord. Not for Paul's sake, but for the Lord's sake. Because of who they are in Christ Jesus. Because of the One to whom they belong. Because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And therefore, we need to know that there is not an appeal here for unity at the expense of the truth. There is not an appeal here for love at the expense of the truth of the Word of God at all costs. He doesn't say, do whatever you have to do, even compromise the Word of God in order to get along. Not at all. because Paul would have said that if the fundamental truth of the Gospel is at stake, there may be a need to divide. But that's not what's going on here. And as well, beloved, this is not a hopeless demand on Paul's part for perfect agreement on every subject. He knew the hearts of God's people. He knew that we are still sinful. He knew that we see things, even as believers, we at times see things differently on practical matters or on details where God may give some flexibility and understanding. Where something can be done this way or that way. Neither one is more right, neither one is more wrong, and one person wants to do it this way, and the other one wants to do it that way. There is disagreement. But Paul calls for a gospel direction in the Lord. As we live together in the church, we are to have a heart attitude, a mental attitude that follows the same gospel direction and aim and orientation and priorities. It's the Lord's work that we are to be about. And therefore, as we live together and work together as a family of God, we are to think of Him, not ourselves, not our own agendas, not the way that I want it. We are to seek to live and to function together governed by the Word of God in a way that pleases Him and builds up the church and strengthens the church's witness to the world. That the world might indeed see our love for God above all and our love for each other that flows from a love for God and that the world might be envious of that love. That we might be a witness to the world. and bickering, arguing, disagreements, great or small, do not fit in with any of those things. And Paul knew too that at times there may be a need for intervention, some help, and therefore he calls upon his loyal yoke fellow to help. Now, first of all, we notice that when Paul says that he pleads with these ladies to agree with each other in the Lord, yes, he says. I believe we are to take that to mean that Paul assumes he is confident. Remember, it's a public letter. He is confident that these ladies will willingly comply to his request. And there's a lesson for you and me as well, that when you are confronted with your sin and selfishness and stubbornness, there is only one way to respond, and that is to humble yourself and to heed the admonition. Paul calls upon his loyal yoke fellow to help them, and that too implies that these ladies were trying to mend their differences. And Paul is encouraging them to accept this help. Now, yoke fellow here, it could refer to an individual, as some say, that was known by the church, maybe an elder or another pastor. Some say, you know, the word from which yoke fellow comes is syzygous, and some say that that could be a first name. I wouldn't want it. but it could be a first name. But that's the word from which yoke fellow comes, and there's a beautiful idea here for us, and that is the idea of oxen working side by side with that common yoke over their backs, pulling together, bringing along. And this was a yoke fellow. Whoever he was was a yoke fellow with Paul, and Paul says, bring them along. Help them along. What a vivid word picture for how believers are to work together. He was to be some sort of a moderator, some sort of an unbiased third party to help both sides, both of these ladies, to see the perspective of the other one and to consider what would be, for each of them, what would be a faithful Christian attitude in this situation. Beloved, we need to learn that there's no shame in seeking and accepting help with conflict resolution. Over my lifetime, I've heard about families in our churches that, well, everybody knows that there's a problem in that family, you see. Everybody knows it already. But the family wants to keep it within the family. And they don't deal with it. Over years and years and years, it never gets dealt with. It never gets fixed, only to the harm, the danger of the family. And the same can be true among fellow believers who continue to let the coals burn, as it were, to fester. And they don't deal with it. Everybody knows about it, but they don't deal with it because they think it's shameful. But there is no shame in seeking and accepting help with conflict resolution. God has placed it there for our help. And here in this place, we have been blessed with a pastor and me with a co-pastor who has been uniquely equipped by God for that very task. Euodia and Syntyche were called upon to set an example for the rest of the congregation to come together to agree in the Lord. Again, this portion of this text, at first glance, it seems like it has nothing to do with us and no doubt many of us, many times have glossed over it to get to the really good stuff which comes in verses 4-9, doesn't it? Oh, we love that stuff. Yet this is so very practical. And it is for us too. Because on this side of glory, beloved, as we press on in the strength of the Holy Spirit, as we strive to be more and more obedient to God, we can't avoid disagreements. we still struggle with sin and selfishness. But we can and we must strive to resolve conflict in a way that is pleasing to God because of what we have in common. Did you see yourself in that one phrase? Our names are in the book of life. That book that John talks about so beautifully in Revelation. That a record of the believer's citizenship in heaven, but it's not a whole bunch of individual records. It's not a record of me and a record of you and a record of the next guy, but it's one record with all of our names. The names of all the elect believers, one and all. All because of the selfless humility of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom believers are called to imitate. People of God, heavenly citizens with a common bond in Jesus Christ will strive, as Paul had said earlier, to be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose, doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, considering others better than yourselves. Heavenly citizens with a common bond in Jesus Christ will seek to have the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus who selflessly gave Himself for us. Heavenly citizens will work hard, and beloved, it takes hard work. They will work hard to have perfect agreement with regard to matters of greatest non-negotiable importance, namely the Gospel, the Word of God, the glory of Christ and His worship, the good of God's people, the beauty of holiness, as well as the ugliness of sin, and especially of our own sin. God's people will work hard to strive at perfect agreement on those things. but things that are negotiable. Things that are, we might say, indifferent. Where we disagree, where we have differences of opinion on those less significant things, God's people will not exercise selfish motivation and manipulation by trying to gain the agreement of others by some sort of emotional blackmail. Oh, poor, poor me. Won't you feel sorry for me? or by falsely complimenting, encouraging, pretending to be someone's friend just to get them on your side. Christian citizens, heavenly citizens, will not use personal differences to advance their own party spirit, to build their side, their case as it were, because there's strength in numbers, in order to get my way. Heavenly citizens will not stubbornly think and preach, I'm right, and I believe what I believe, and no one and nothing is going to change my mind. Instead, heavenly citizens will be willing to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. Beloved, we need to understand that many honest differences of opinion could have been and can be ironed out if the parties involved would take the time to sit down and pray and sort out why they see things differently. And for each one to take their own views and their own attitudes and submit them in a new and a self-critical way to the Word of God with a willingness of heart to hear afresh the Word of God. And a willingness to grow as a child grows. As someone has said, where there are disagreements of principle, argue them out. Take out the Bible, think things through, find out why you are disagreeing and be willing to be corrected. Again, when it comes to fundamental truths of the Word of God, there is to be no compromise. No compromise. But when it comes to applying truths to our lives and desiring our own way over someone else's way. As heavenly citizens, we are to be careful not to think that we have it all figured out. If you are challenged by the Word preached or by a fellow believer, do not automatically think or accuse them of being wrong because what they say is different from what I believe and I think and the way I've always done it. But be willing to humble yourself under the authority and the teaching of the Word of God and to be corrected if necessary. Together, as we stand firm in the Lord alongside fellow believers, we are called to submit to God's Word alone as we strive to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, as Paul says in Ephesians 4, that unity into which we have been brought by our Lord Jesus Christ. Proverbs 27, verse 17 says, As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. And I believe that at least in part that means that as fellow believers, we are to be tools in the hand of God to strengthen, to encourage, and to help each other, not weapons of Satan like a sword to stab and to hurt each other. Beloved Jesus Christ is the light of God coming to the world to deliver His people from eternal darkness. And He has represented His people, you and me, before His Father. He has taken the darkness and the curse of our sin upon Himself and He has transformed His people. That we might represent Him by shining like stars in the universe, holding out the word of life, as Paul said in chapter 2. On the night that Christ was born, the angels sang to the shepherds, Glory to God and the highest peace on earth, goodwill to man. and that's what our Lord Jesus Christ brought to those who would believe on Him He brought them peace with God He brought them God's good will toward them and He is the head of His body the church and those who have been given peace with God are a family of God and as a family that family is to exercise peace as well among each other and good will toward each other the family of God bound together by the love of Jesus Christ is to be a safe haven where all who repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth where they all find comfort and joy and fellowship with fellow believers for Jesus' sake and therefore beloved as a church community here in this place along with all who call upon the name of the Lord may we stand firm in the Lord alongside one another all the while pointing the world to the only Savior our Lord Jesus Christ Amen let's pray Father as we bow before you we are humbled again as we remember who we are in Christ Jesus. But also are reminded of how we act at times. Even as we claim to be those who belong to our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. We thank You, Lord, for this reminder that we need. That as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven on this earth, we have a responsibility to one another as fellow believers. That we might strive to live together in harmony and in love and in truth. Knowing, Lord, that we will not always agree perfectly, completely on everything. But where we don't agree, Father, that we might be faithful to You. That we might submit ourselves to the authority of the Word of God out of love for You and for one another. Father, build us up here in this place in a particular way. Stronger and stronger as a faithful body of the Lord Jesus Christ. That others, that those around us, that this community might see the great love that we have for you and for one another. And for the gospel of Jesus Christ. A love so deep that we desire others to know about it. Father, use us, we pray, if it is your will to continue to build that church, that fellowship of believers, the body of Christ. Hear our prayer, O Lord, for Jesus' sake and in His name alone. Amen.