07 An Advancing Gospel Community: Requires Ongoing Maintenance (Phil. 4:1-9)

Perhaps I was damaged as a child, but I really dislike yard work. Sometimes, I look longingly at the house across the street, owned by a single man who had no one to push back on his desire to surround his entire home with small landscaping rocks. As far as the eye can see, those beautiful, identical, small beige rocks dominate his terrain. His "yard work," as far as I can tell, consists of a bi-annual spraying of weed killer and the usage of a leaf blower whenever wayfaring dirt and leaves enter his domain. It is a true set-it-and-forget-it yard. I know the tenth commandment says that I should not covet my neighbor's house, but I am jealous (Ex. 20:17).[^1]

Of what am I jealous? The lack of ongoing maintenance. But the reality of life is that ongoing maintenance is required. Our yards, homes, and vehicles all need it, and so do our bodies, minds, and souls. In a sense, it is this need for ongoing maintenance that drove Paul to write this letter to the Philippians. He had been used by God to establish this beautiful church, but ten years had passed, and some maintenance was required. He had left that small believing community with the task of representing Christ and dispensing his gospel to a lost and broken Philippian culture, but trace amounts of disunity, self-focus, independence, and dishonorable thinking threatened to keep them from their mission. So Paul wrote them this letter which celebrated their partnership in the gospel from the very beginning, but also pleaded with them to adopt Christ's humble mentality, which would lead to their unity together, joy in Christ, and dependence upon God. Paul knew that if they had the right mentality, the peace of God could flow into their church, and they would become the community Jesus envisioned.

As we approach the end of this letter, Paul is like a gardener working hard to tend his garden—he wants the church at Philippi to do well. He wraps things up with a cluster of exhortations and (in our next study) a warm remembrance of their support of his work. And in our section today, Paul offers the help they needed to maintain four areas, or departments, of their church—the unity department, the joy department, the dependence department, and the mindset department. Let's take a look at each:

1. In the Unity Department (4:1-3)

1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 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.

First, an advancing gospel community requires ongoing maintenance in the unity department. Paul had hinted at some developing disunity in the Philippian church for his entire letter, but now he plunges right into it. But before he does, he assures them of his love for them with five terms of endearment (4:1). They are his spiritual family (brothers). He loves and longs for them. They are his joy and victor's wreath (crown). They are his beloved (4:1). From his prison cell, whenever Paul thought of the Philippian church, he was filled with gratitude. This was a church that reciprocated love with Paul, and he was grateful to be in such a strong and robust relationship with them.

And, because he loved them so, Paul wanted them to stand firm in the Lord (4:1), which is military language. Paul wanted them to hold their position in Philippi. If even one member left their post, the church would lose ground in their struggle for the gospel.

And there were two prominent members, Euodia and Syntyche, who were abandoning their posts (4:2). Publicly, from a thousand miles away, in Holy Scripture, Paul urged these two women to agree in the Lord (4:2). Then he employed a whole cast of characters to help them get back to unity. He named Clement, the rest of his fellow workers, everyone written in the book of life, and an unnamed person he calls his true companion (maybe Epaphroditus, Timothy, or Lydia) to create an atmosphere of reconciliation for Euodia and Syntyche (4:3).

What was the issue between these two women? The reality is that we cannot know—their story is lost to time—but I think it's safe to say this was so much more than two women bickering in the church quilting club. I don't think Paul would have delved into such small or petty division. These women were ballers in that early church. The Apostle thought of these women as co-workers with him for the gospel in Philippi and felt that their continued quarrel would bring the church's progress to a grinding halt.

So, with great tact, he approached the situation. If he thought one of them was right, he was careful not to show it as he pleaded (entreat) both women one at a time (4:2). Even his employment of the church community to help these women was a strategic masterstroke, because these women would need a community environment that encouraged a more unified approach to life.

His main aim was that they would move beyond their quarrel and agree in the Lord (3:2). But what does it mean to agree in the Lord? Paul doesn't say directly, but since he stacked his exhortation with talk of gospel work and the Book of Life, it seems he meant that their division was not over a gospel issue but a lesser issue. Rather than bicker over something secondary, Paul wanted them to consider the primary reality of their shared identity and purpose in the Lord.

But what issues are worth dividing over? And what issues must we remain united in the Lord about? It can be challenging to know what issues believers should die for, divide over, debate about, or merely discuss together.[^2] The Bible itself speaks of some doctrines, such as the gospel, as of "first importance," which suggests that some doctrines are of secondary importance (1 Cor. 15:3).

How do we decide, though, which doctrines are of first importance? Theologian Craig Blomberg is one of many reasonable and scholarly voices to offer some help.[^3] He wrote a paper (and gave a lecture) about this subject where he asked a question designed to help us form our grid for which things are of first importance. Here's his question (it is the subtitle of his paper): When Do Jesus and the Apostles Really Get Mad? By analyzing the biblical record, mining it for sentences and situations that greatly agitated Jesus or his apostles, a clearer picture of what matters are of first importance begins to emerge. Here is a summary of the doctrines and practices Jesus and his apostles contended for with the most vigor:

• Legalism: Over-reliance on the law for salvation or favor with God.
• Ethnocentrism: Privileging Jewish ethnic identity as essential for salvation.
• Inadequate Christology: Denial of Jesus’ full deity and humanity.
• Antinomianism: Rejection of moral obligations in the Christian life.
• Divisiveness: Behavior causing division within the church.
• Hedonism and Asceticism: Both extreme indulgence in or denial of physical pleasures were condemned.
• Perfectionism and Triumphialism: Unrealistic claims of moral or spiritual perfection or overconfidence in spiritual achievements.
• Idolatry and Pagan Practices: Direct engagement with or adaptation of non-Christian religious rituals.
• Rejection of Christ’s Return: Denial of the visible, future return of Jesus Christ.
• Hypocrisy in Religious Leadership: Leaders failing to live up to their responsibilities or prioritizing external rituals over true godliness.

This is an interesting list because it doesn't include things like the exact sequence of end-times events, modes of baptism, church governance, spiritual gifts, cultural practices (dress codes, hairstyles, etc.), a specific interpretation of the Genesis creation account, politics, or evangelistic methods, but these are often what our most intense discussions are about. Soon, everyone who isn't a pre-tribulation rapture-believing, tongues-speaking, young earth creationist who was fully immersed at their baptism and henceforth wears their "Sunday best," votes in a particular way, and only evangelizes with the four spiritual laws is a heretic. We can do better by noting where the New Testament places its strongest emphasis, trying to emulate not only the beliefs of the New Testament era but the doctrinal priorities of the New Testament.

Whatever the issue in Philippi, it wasn't worth dividing over, meaning it wasn't one of the doctrines or practices Jesus and his apostles fussed over. Since it wasn't, Paul wanted Euodia and Syntyche to move forward in Christ. It was time for them to remember the importance of the gospel and the main things of Scripture and move on together. If they did, their unity would lead to greater effectiveness for the church.

2. In the Joy Department (4:4-5)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

Second, an advancing gospel community requires ongoing maintenance in the joy department. Paul told them to rejoice in the Lord, always (4:4). Because this exhortation is so central to Paul's thinking in this letter, he said it again: "Again I will say, rejoice" (4:4).

The joy Paul spoke of is not connected to circumstances but to Christ—it is joy that is in the Lord. Paul, of course, exemplified this joy well within his letter and life. Despite imprisonment and the looming threat of execution, Paul's letter pulsates with joy—joy that the gospel was advancing (1:18); joy over the Philippians' partnership in sharing the gospel (1:4-5); joy over the sacrificial service of Epaphroditus (2:28-29); joy that he would be reunited with Christ at death (1:23); joy over the Philippians' financial support of his gospel work (4:10-19); joy over Jesus (2:4-11). Paul was not brought down by the circumstances of his chains because he was brought up by his relationship with the Lord. His joy was connected to a person—the incarnate Son of God who died, rose, and ascended back to glory where he is enthroned today. And though Paul's situation changed, the gospel remained true, and Paul remained in Christ, so he had a reason to rejoice!

This brand of joy leads to level-headedness or reasonableness that should be easily witnessed by others in our lives (4:5). The Greek word Paul used for "reasonableness" could also be translated as gentleness because it has a non-retaliatory component to it. This was especially important for a Philippian church living in a hostile Roman world that increasingly put pressure on Christians. And, in our time, with so much anger and hostility, Christians should be remarkable for deep convictions and strong beliefs intermixed with reasonable gentleness. We should not fall for the voices that try to agitate and provoke us into some sort of response all the time about everything. As Flava Flav once said, "Don't believe the hype!"

Paul thought this type of even-keeled Christianity was a good witness, which is why he said we should let it be known to everyone (4:5). He wasn't saying we need to wear t-shirts that say "reasonable" on them, but that our lives should be a demonstration of calm confidence in Christ.

This brings us to why this joy and reasonableness are combined in Paul's thinking: Paul knew that gentleness flows from joy. When we are satiated and contented because of Christ, centered upon him, and confident in him, a steadiness comes out of our lives. But when the person of Christ is a mere footnote to our faith life, we won't have deep and abiding joy, so we will inevitably be tossed to and fro by the moment. Joy fuels reasonableness, reasonableness is joy on display, and both are attractive.

You could make the case that the launch of the Philippian church was because of this attractive joy and gentleness. On their first journey there, when Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for doing the Lord's work, they responded by praying prayers and singing songs to God throughout the night—radical joy. Then, when the jail was shaken by an earthquake and the prison doors were opened, they displayed a radical gentleness by remaining in their cells and calling out to the jailer that he not harm himself. He had not failed at his job. They were all there, and this led the jailer to submit to Christ, which led to many more people hearing of Jesus in that town.

But, again, how does this joy and reasonableness arrive? It is centered upon the Lord. It knows, as Paul said, that the Lord is at hand (4:5). He is coming again, which gives us confidence, but he is also near us right now, so that just as Daniel was calm and confident when thrown into the lion's den, we also can be calm and confident in the Lord's protection today and the establishing of his forever kingdom tomorrow.

3. In the Dependence Department (4:6-7)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication 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 minds in Christ Jesus.

Third, an advancing gospel community requires ongoing maintenance in the dependence department. The Philippian church is like us—they would have obviously wanted to obtain the peace of God upon their lives (4:7). No one likes being pulled in two directions, which is what anxiety does to us, and every believer would love to have God's peace instead (4:6).

That brand of peace is not only from the Spirit of God residing within us, encouraging and helping us as needed, but is of God, meaning it imitates God (4:7). Even though he is privy to all the folly and evil of all time in every human heart and is abundantly consumed with solving it, albeit in his holy and wise way, he is at total peace. It is a peace that is far superior to even the best of human reasoning. All our perception, insight, and intelligence pales in comparison to God's peace. We can only resolve so many conflicts or reduce so much anxiety with our human ingenuity, but a touch from God can go far beyond our abilities.

To tap into this level of peace that protects or guards our hearts and minds, we need to develop our dependence upon God in prayer (4:6). Paul doesn't want us crossing into unholy versions of anxiety about anything, so he tells us to go to God in prayer about everything (4:6). So often, prayer is for us because we are better when living dependently upon him, in step with him. Each element of prayer—supplication, thanksgiving, and requests—reinforces our dependence upon him.

• Supplications are expressions of urgency, both for ourselves, others, and our church. They help us declare our need for God's aid. He is not unaware and in need of a holy 911 call to dispatch. He knows, but supplications awaken us to the reality of our need for him.
• Thanksgiving is a beautiful discipline that protects us from idolatry and joylessness. It helps us recall some of the ways God has been good to us, and it draws our hearts closer to his. He does not need to be flattered into helping us. He loves us, but thanksgiving opens our eyes to how good he has already been and refocuses us on the gift of his only begotten Son.
• Requests are a way to bring specific petitions to God. They help us avoid empty, rambling, or flowery spiritual jargon before God. When we make a request, we have to voice specific desires. Again, God is not unaware of our plight, nor does he have terrible plans for us that need to be corrected by our prayers. He is not like the husband planning to buy his wife a vacuum cleaner for Christmas, only to discover a vacuum cleaner is not on her wishlist. God knows what we want and what would be best for us, but requests help us clarify our hopes before God.

Believers who take this exhortation seriously and embark on a regular routine of prayer, supplications, thanksgiving, and request-making before God are expressing dependence upon him. As we do, anxiety decreases, and the peace of God increases. So much of this peace is due to the transfer of responsibility to someone far more capable and wise than we are. Prayer helps us resign as the commander of the universe, the one responsible for the outcomes of every little thing in our lives and puts us in a more dependent posture.

4. In the Mindset Department (4:8-9)

8 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. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Fourth, an advancing gospel community requires ongoing maintenance in the mindset department. Paul exhorts the Philippians to actively cultivate their thought lives, emphasizing that what we think about shapes who we become.

What we have here is a call to meditate on what is good, to point our minds in a certain direction. Paul lists virtues that are timeless in nature while telling the Philippians to think about these things and then, as they watched them unfold in the lives of their spiritual mentors, practice them (4:8-9). The Greek term Paul used for "think" means to dwell upon, so he is shooting for an intentional, disciplined focus on these virtues.

Paul’s list of virtues is not random but strategic. Each category offers a filter for evaluating what we allow into our minds:

• True: Things that correspond to reality in God's word and world.
• Honorable: Things worthy of respect, befitting a life of dignity.
• Just: Thoughts and actions that conform to God’s moral standards.
• Pure: Wholesome ideas free from moral corruption.
• Lovely: That which inspires peace and beauty rather than conflict.
• Commendable: Constructive, positive, and admirable qualities.
• Excellence: Moral virtue and goodness.
• Worthy of Praise: That which glorifies God and reflects his character, causing us to praise him.

Setting our minds on things like these requires discipline and intentionality, but when we do, we end up practicing these things, which leads to the God of peace being with us (3:9). In other words, since God emanates these virtues, spaces filled with these virtues are spaces God is especially present, so if we want to experience his peace, we should look for spaces like these. When a farmer goes to the henhouse, he finds eggs. To to say it in reverse, when he goes to where the eggs are, he will be at the henhouse. So it is with God. When we go towards these virtues, we are going towards God because he is the one who produces them.

Imagine a termite-infested house in need of renovation. A good contractor would assess the damage and begin fumigation or spot treatment. They would also eliminate conditions favorable to termites, such as reducing moisture levels or removing wood debris. Then, they would safely remove damaged materials, renovate, and restore everything in need of rebuilding. They might even apply chemicals around the house's foundation to defend it from future attacks, returning to ensure that termites have not returned. When we think about the things Paul advised us to, our minds are continually renewed in a way similar to renewing a termite-infested house. In Romans, Paul said, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Rom. 12:2). Though ongoing maintenance is required, if we focus on the right things, so much of the sickness and toxicity will be replaced with health, and we will flourish.

Conclusion

My hope is that this passage and its cluster of exhortations will help each of us embrace the ongoing maintenance required if we want to be an advancing gospel community. The Father sent the Son. The Son obeyed the Father. The Spirit promotes the Son and invites people to know him—and sends us into the world as ambassadors of God's heart to a hurting world. But when we allow disunity to enter, joy to dissolve, independence to rise up, or a polluted mindset to fester, we inevitably slow down and cease to advance as we might. There is too much at stake, of course, to allow all that to occur, so I hope Paul's exhortations today help you catch a vision for the ongoing maintenance of your walk with God.

This ongoing maintenance is all so normal. We should expect nothing less. When looking into the Bible, God's people are often portrayed as submitting to seasons of discipline to help them gain the maintenance they require. Judges restored God's people to God. Kings repented of sins and were restored to God. Prophets invited the people to be restored to God. David was restored to joy after confessing his sin (Ps. 51). The church at Ephesus was called to return to their first love (Rev. 2:1-7). Kings like Hezekiah brought Israel back into a vibrant dependence upon God (2 Ch. 29). Apostles like Peter were rebuked for hypocrisy and brought back in line with the gospel (Gal. 2:14). Nehemiah helped lead the people back into a period of revival and obedience to Yahweh (Neh. 1-9). Even the early church's understanding of the gospel needed maintenance (Acts 15). All throughout the biblical story, ongoing maintenance is required, and the mission is at stake, so let's engage in it for the rest of our earthly lives.

[^1]: For my literal-minded friends, this opening paragraph is a tongue-in-cheek admission. For the record, I would do this to my house if I could, but do not, in actuality, battle a raging temptation to have a yard like my neighbor's.

[^2]: Dr. Gerry Breshears

[^3]: Craig Blomberg, THE NEW TESTAMENT DEFINITION OF HERESY (OR WHEN DO JESUS AND THE APOSTLES REALLY GET MAD?) https://evangelicalarminians.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Blomberg.-The-NT-Definition-of-Heresy.pdf

Study Questions

Head (Knowledge, Facts, Understanding)

1. What are the four areas of maintenance Paul identifies for the Philippian church in Philippians 4:1–9? How do these areas contribute to the church’s gospel mission?
2. According to Paul, what does it mean to “rejoice in the Lord always,” and how is this joy distinct from worldly happiness (Philippians 4:4)?
3. What does Paul mean by “the peace of God” that surpasses understanding, and how does it guard hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7)?

Heart (Feelings, Impressions, Desires)

4. How does Paul’s emphasis on unity, joy, dependence, and mindset challenge or encourage your current spiritual condition?
5. Reflect on a time when you felt anxious. How might prayer and thanksgiving have shaped your response to that situation?
6. Which virtue from Paul’s list in Philippians 4:8 resonates most deeply with you, and why?

Hands (Actions, Commitments, Decisions, Beliefs)

7. What specific steps can you take to actively maintain joy and reasonableness in your daily life, especially when faced with hostility or challenges?
8. How will you cultivate a mindset focused on the virtues listed in Philippians 4:8 this week? What practical tools or habits could help you dwell on these things?
9. What can you do to foster unity within your community, particularly when faced with disagreements over non-essential matters?