Scripture reading: Philippians 4:1-9.

Sermon text: Philippians 4:10-23.

Today, we conclude our study of St. Paul’s thank-you letter to the Philippian church. We’ve read about St. Paul’s gratitude for their gift; marveled at Jesus’ humility to live among us and His exaltation as Lord of all Creation; and heard St. Paul challenge us to live humble lives of service to one another and to the world God calls us to serve.

Today, as we read the last chapter, we find more guidance from St. Paul as to how we should accomplish this goal. Unlike the church at Corinth, in which controversy and strife dominated almost every facet of the congregations, the church at Philippi had remained mostly united in their worship and ministry. However, St. Paul wanted the church to remain united in the face of possible conflict. St. Paul wanted the Philippians to experience peace, but he knew that peace resulted only when the believers first experienced peace with God. Peace with God results in peace in all other areas of our lives. When we find peace with God, we find a peace worth possessing.

Sermon

St. Paul began this last passage to “stand firm” in their heavenly citizenship (see the end of chapter 3). St. Paul had ended the passage on heavenly citizenship with the promise that Jesus would return to earth, transforming our “our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (v. 21). When Jesus returns, St. Paul, the Philippian believers, and all Christians will experience the resurrection that leads to an eternal life in the presence of Jesus, our Lord.

Until then, the Church must remain united in our faith and work. Unfortunately, 2 Philippian believers lived on the verge of conflict. We’re not certain why Euodia and Syntyche were at odds, but their disagreement threatened to spill over into the church as a whole. St. Paul gently urged the women to resolve their differences, but he also asked his “true companion” and “fellow workers” to aid them in their turmoil. In these verses, we see St. Paul’s preferred method of solving church conflict.

First, St. Paul greatly preferred the women resolve the issue between themselves. Each of these women had “labored side by side” with St. Paul in his ministry there. They had each experienced salvation through their confession of Jesus as Lord. They knew they had peace with God. Because of this peace with God, they should have peace with each other.

Second, if necessary, the congregation should aid these women. No Christian exists as a lone believer; we all belong to the family of faith in the congregation specifically and in the Church as a whole. Any conflict between 2 members affects the congregation. Therefore, the congregation should lovingly help resolve the conflict. Those “whose names are in the book of life” belong to each other and, in humility, must submit to one another and help each other resolve conflicts within the family of faith.

When we resolve our conflicts, we can “rejoice in the Lord always.” Rejoicing helps us spiritually by lifting our spirits. Rejoicing also helps us by removing our anxieties about life. Rejoicing reminds us of the prayers God has answered and gives us hope that God will care for us and answer our current requests. Therefore, we should “not be anxious about anything;” God will care for us. Instead, “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving” we should lift our requests to God. In prayer, we tell God our needs; in thanksgiving, we praise God for the requests He has already answered.

When we remember what God has done for us, we can live in the “peace of God:” “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We cannot understand this peace, but we can experience this peace with God. This peace remains with us even in conflict. This peace can “guard” our “hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Now, St. Paul began to conclude this letter. “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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” St. Paul wanted the Philippians to live above the standards of the world. He had exemplified the lifestyle he wanted the Philippians to live. St. Paul could live this lifestyle because the “peace of God” never left him, even in the conflicts of his life. Remember that St. Paul had suffered greatly in Philippi. Even in his suffering and imprisonment, St. Paul never lost the peace of God.

This peace also helped St. Paul in other areas of his life. For one thing, St. Paul knew from experience that God’s peace remained even in times of physical need. St. Paul could “rejoice in the Lord” because of the Philippians’ concern; he knew the poverty of the Philippians, and that although they had wanted to help him before, they “had no opportunity” until they sent Epaphroditus to him.

However, St. Paul continued by telling the Philippians that he had learned contentment in all respects. St. Paul could truthfully say, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Regardless of what he faced, St. Paul had learned firsthand the provision of God. Because St. Paul had learned to rest in the provision of God, he knew that he could “ do all things through Christ” who strengthened him.

This peace in the provision of God has both comforted believers and inspired the Church to great heights for centuries. When we confess Jesus as Lord and follow Him in our lifestyles, we find that He provides for us in all circumstances.

I find this especially comforting in this time in our nation. Thousands of homeowners today will wonder if anyone cares for them in the midst of bankruptcy or foreclosure. Many thousands of workers in the financial sector will worry if anyone cares for them when they lose their jobs. The financial crisis we face affects both Christians and unbelievers alike. The Church must continue to remind believers of history’s lesson: God cares for His people in every period of life. The Church must also remember Jesus’ words that God cares for the “just and unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

The Church has been in this position countless times before around the world. On one occasion, in the fourth century, the area of Cappadocia suffered a famine. St. Basil the Great, the bishop of Caesarea, sold his family’s land to provide for the poor. When someone asked about whether the Church should feed the Jews in the region, St. Basil remarked “the digestive system of the two are indistinguishable” (James Kiefer’s Hagiographies). In times of distress, people begin to wonder about the meaning of life. Today, many Americans will begin to wonder if the materialistic lifestyle they’ve lived has really given them lives worth living. The Church can practice contentment and help others through St. Paul’s example and teachings.

The Philippians had helped St. Paul before, when he ministered in Thessalonica (Acts 17). Now in Rome, St. Paul had again been blessed by the beloved church in Philippi. Through their generosity, St. Paul could continue his ministry in Rome. In return, St. Paul knew that “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

St. Paul concluded this letter with a glorious doxology, a remarkable testimony to the grace of God, and a blessing.

First, St. Paul praised God for His blessings in his life: “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” St. Paul had already told the Philippians that everything in his life was to the glory of God. One day, all Creation will recognize the Son of God as Lord of all.

Then, St. Paul may have shocked the Philippians with great news: “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.” While the Philippians knew of the Church in Rome, they now heard that some in Caesar’s own palace — perhaps some of the royal family — had also become believers in Jesus. Remember that Nero was the emperor of which St. Paul was writing! God’s grace extends into every place on earth when Christians carry the gospel into that place.

Lastly, St. Paul blessed the Philippians: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” The Philippians had received grace, the undeserved merit of God, and could confidently face life knowing this grace would remain with them forever.

What a letter! What a wondrous testimony of gratitude, humility, and faith! What can we learn from this chapter and this letter?

First, we cannot read this letter without seeing the theme of humility. Humility led Jesus to live among us and to submit Himself to death for us. We must humbly submit to one another and to God’s call of holiness in our lives. God exalted Jesus through His obedience. One day, God will exalt those who humbly serve Him now.

Next, we must see the Philippians’ love for St. Paul and for one another. While Euodia and Syntyche faced conflict, St. Paul knew the church still cared for one another and for him. Like the Philippians, we have experienced the love of God in our lives. He has graciously called us from our sins into a new life. This love must compel us to love each other and love others in our lives.

We must also see the Philippians’ commitment to St. Paul and realize our commitment to believers in dire circumstances around the world. The Philippians’ care for St. Paul compelled them to minister to him. We must strengthen our commitment to our brothers and sisters in Christ, both in America and around the world, as they minister in Jesus’ name.

I also see the message of peace leading to contentment. “Contentment” doesn’t resonate with our society today, but I believe we’re facing difficult times that may lead us to rethink the materialistic culture in which we’ve lived. Believers can face these times in contentment with God’s blessings because we know we have peace with Him. We receive this peace when we confess Jesus as Lord, believing in His resurrection. We have peace that God has forgiven our sins and granted us a new life, an eternal life. This peace surpasses our ability to understand it; we can only experience it and rejoice in it.

St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds us of God’s blessings and the joy we experience in those blessings. Anyone who wishes can receive these blessings. Confess Jesus as Lord, believing in His resurrection, and receive a peace worth possessing.