Podcasts about Euodia

2025-05-18 Stand Firm By Agreementby Pastor Chris BergScripture Reference: Philippians 4:1-31 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

This sermon examines Philippians 4:2-3 as part of a mini-series titled "Marching Orders for the Church Militant." The message focuses on Paul's appeal to two women in the Philippian church—Euodia and Syntyche—to resolve their differences and find unity "in the Lord." The preacher skillfully connects this ancient conflict to contemporary church dynamics, highlighting how disunity weakens the church's witness and effectiveness in spiritual warfare. Using the metaphor of an army that must maintain unified ranks to be effective in battle, the sermon calls believers to have "the mind of Christ" (referencing Philippians 2) rather than merely avoiding conflict. It emphasizes every Christian's responsibility to be a "loyal yoke-fellow" who actively promotes reconciliation before divisions become entrenched. The message concludes with an eternal perspective, reminding listeners that their names are written in the Book of Life and that all believers will ultimately experience perfect unity in God's kingdom. This hopeful vision provides motivation for pursuing unity now as a foretaste of what is to come. This sermon would particularly resonate with congregations experiencing internal tensions or with Christians who have been wounded by church conflicts. It provides both theological grounding and practical guidance for nurturing unity within the body of Christ.

4Therefore, my brothers,[a]whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer 2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.3Yes, I ask you also, true companion,[b]help these women, who have labored[c]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.

In this episode of Love Never Fails, we continue our transformative series, Giving My Mind Back to God, focusing on the power of releasing offenses and settling disagreements in a way that honors Christ. Rooted in Philippians 4:2-3, we explore how Paul urged Euodia and Syntyche to reconcile in the Lord, reminding us that unity in Christ is greater than any personal dispute.Unforgiveness and unresolved offenses can cloud our minds, affecting our relationship with God and others. But when we surrender our thoughts, hurts, and conflicts to Him, we experience the freedom and peace that only He can give. Join us as we discuss practical steps to let go of oughts, embrace forgiveness, and walk in the love and unity God calls us to.Tune in and learn how to realign your mind and heart with God's will, freeing yourself from the weight of offenses and stepping into His perfect peace.

Series: Epistle to the PhilippiansService: Sun PMType: SermonSpeaker: Caleb Adkisson

Practical Points of Peace(Philippians 4:2-9) For the bulletin in PDF form, click here. Message SlidesConflict, Imitation, and Citizenship - George GuthrieGod's Peace and the Beautiful Life - George GuthrieFighting for Peace - SwindollIntroduction: Joyful Christians in a Turbulent World Rejoicing, Prayer, and PeaceUnity and peace are a powerful witness.(4:2-7)Live in Harmony in the LordAll believers must be unified to advance the gospel (4:2-3).Joyful Christians are a Clear Testimony Confident prayer leads to joy and peace (4:4-7). Meditation, Practice, and PeaceWhat you really believe determines how you really behave.(4:8-9)Meditations: Foundations of a Christian Mind Focus on the tested and true (4:8).Mentoring: Expressions of a Christian Mindset Put into practice what you believe (4:9). Christians' unity, joy, and peaceadvance the gospel witnessbefore a watching world. Still in Bed"We read of spiritual efforts, and our imagination makes us believe that, because we enjoy the ideaof doing them, we have done them. I am appalled to see how much of the change which I thought I had undergone lately was only imaginary.The real work seems still to be done. It is so fatally easy to confuse an aesthetic appreciation of the spiritual life with the life itself—to dream that you have waked, washed, and dressed, & then to find yourself still in bed."C.S. LewisHome Church QuestionsRead Philippians 4:2-9. Is there an immediate insight or application you would like to share from the passage or the message?Euodia and Syntyche had to work at their relationship for the sake of unity “in the Lord” (verse 2). What issues tend to divide brothers and sisters in Christ to the detriment of unity?Paul directed these ladies to agree (be of one mind) “in the Lord.” How is this achieved when you have differences with another believer?Life is not always enjoyable. Read verses 4-7 again. What key truths in these verses allow you to rejoice in the Lord “always,” even in circumstances that are not enjoyable?Read Romans 5:1-5. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your ability to rejoice in life's irritations and difficulties? What truth from the question above will help you do this?How does verse 6 tell you how to deal with anxiety? How good are you at releasing your anxiety in this way?Verse 7 refers to the peace of God and verse 9 refers to the God of peace. To what degree are you experiencing the peace of God right now? If your heart is not at peace, what truth or promise from Scripture do you need to grasp?As you close your time, pray together that each of you will know the peace of God that passes understanding and display true peace to an anxious and troubled world.Pray for the Unreached: The Burmese in Myanmar (Burma)The Burmese people of Myanmar, numbering over 31 million, are predominantly Buddhist, with only 0.35% identifying as Christians and 0.08% as evangelicals. Their culture blends Buddhism with animistic beliefs, often centered around appeasing spirits called nats. Despite civil wars, ethnic divisions, and ongoing political unrest, the Burmese maintain rich traditions. Pray for peace among the Burmese and for a spiritual hunger among them that results in disciple making movements.FinancesWeekly Budget 35,297Giving For 03/02 43,310Giving For 03/09 42,264YTD Budget 1,270,698Giving 1,273,145 OVER/(UNDER) 2,447Fellowship 101We invite you to join us on Sunday, April 6, at 9:00 a.m. to learn more about Fellowship. This is a great opportunity to hear about our mission, values, and our ministries. If you're new to Fellowship, join us in the conference room (first floor) to hear what God is doing and where He is taking us. During this time, you will meet some of our ministry leaders and get to ask questions. Register at fellowhipconway.org/events.New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Men's Muster 2025 A car out of alignment is harder to steer, wears down faster, and wastes fuel. Ever feel the same? Worn down. Burning energy. Pulled off course. It's time to realign. Join us April 25-27 for Men's Muster at our NEW location—Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center in Little Rock (45 min from Conway). Take a weekend to rest, recharge, connect, and have fun. Chris Moore will lead a powerful discussion on realigning your life with the gospel. Don't wait—register today at fellowshipconway.org/register. Registration deadline is April 10.Fellowship Women's Ministry Spring Conference & Luncheon Join us on April 12th, 10 am-4 pm, for our Fellowship Women's Ministry Spring Conference & Luncheon with the inspiring Cathy Lee! Dive deep into scripture with Cathy as she covers many aspects of spiritual gifts. Registration fee of $25 is due at time of registration and includes lunch. Register at fellowshipconway.org/register. Deadline to register is Sunday, April 6th. Childcare is available by texting Shanna at 501-336-0332 Silent Auction | April 6thYouth and College Mission Teams will host a Silent Auction on Sunday, April 6th, at 4 PM. Let us know if you have a service, item, or experience you can donate to be auctioned off. We would love to have it. To donate an item or for any questions, please contact our College Pastor, Andrew Stauffer at astauffer@fellowshipconway.org. Prayer During ServiceWe love to pray for one another. Our prayer team will have people at the front of the Auditorium under the signs Hope and Love to pray for you after the message. Please feel free to walk up to them for prayer or encouragement during the first worship song after the message.

Aan de slag!Voor wie of in welke situatie kun jij een bemiddelaar zijn? Wat heb je daarvoor nodig en wie kan jou daarbij helpen?Deze overdenking is geschreven door schrijfster Emmely Post-Spreeuwenberg.

Aan de slag!Reflecteer eens op jouw gedrag en houding. Waar heb jij een stap te zetten?Deze overdenking is geschreven door schrijfster Emmely Post-Spreeuwenberg.

Pastor Nicole shared a powerful message from Paul's letter to the Philippians, highlighting Euodia and Syntyche in Philippians 4—two women whose division was affecting the church. Paul exhorted them to be of one mind in the Lord, reminding us that unity is essential in the family of God. This message invited us to rejoice, walk in gentleness, and cast off anxiety through thanksgiving. We were also challenged not to remain “only children” in our faith, but to step into the real, sometimes messy, but always refining relationship of being sisters in Christ.

Philippians 4:2-8 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. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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. 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.

A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent Philippians 4:4-7 & St. John 1:19-28 by William Klock The days are short and the clouds are heavy.  I was walking home for lunch yesterday and thinking that it felt more like dusk than noon.  It seemed very appropriate for Advent.  These dark and dreary days build anticipation for Christmas, for the birth of Jesus—they're very fitting.  Think of Israel two thousand years ago—in those days of Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, and King Herod.  The world was dark.  The nations were enslaved to false gods and pagan kings.  Even little Israel, called to be the light of the world, lay in darkness.  The candlestick in the temple was kept lit, but the cloud of glory that had once filled the holy of holies, the very presence of God, had been absent for five-hundred years.  God's people were ruled by pagans and pretenders.  But the people knew the words of the prophets, the promises of their God.  It would not be this way forever.  That's the setting for today's Gospel, which begins at John 1:19.  Here's what John writes: This is the testimony John [the Baptist] gave when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”  He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”  “What then?” they asked him, “Are you Elijah?” “I am not,” he replied.  “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”  “Well, then who are you?” they said.  “We've got to take an answer back to those who sent us.  Who do you claim to be?”  He said, “I am ‘a voice calling in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord,' just as the prophet Isaiah said.”  (John 1:19-28) The priests were the spiritual gatekeepers of Israel and when they heard of this prophet, John, preaching and baptising, they sent their people to ask him what he was about—to see if he was legit.  People were talking about John like he was the Messiah.  You have to understand that everyone was eagerly waiting for the Messiah.  He would come to drive away the darkness and to set things to rights.  He would deal with the pagans and then sit on the throne of David to usher in a new age.  Was John the one? So they ask, “Who are you?  Who do you claim to be? Elijah?”  Some people thought Elijah would come back as Messiah, kind of like King Arthur coming back in Britain's darkest hour of need to save the nation.  Remember that Elijah never died.  He, the greatest of Israel's prophets, was carried up to heaven in a fiery chariot.  Malachi had prophesied that he would return, writing: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.  (Malachi 4:5) But John says, “No.  I'm not Elijah.”  He hadn't come to earth in a fiery chariot.  He was the son of Zechariah the priest and his wife, Elizabeth. “Are you the prophet?” they asked.  In Deuteronomy 18 the Lord had promised that he would one day raise up a prophet like Moses, who would declare his words.  Many people thought this prophet would be the Messiah.  But again John answers, “No, I'm not the prophet either.”  We get a sense of the longing and expectation of the Jews in those dark days.  They were in an Advent season of their own.  Like a kid waking up every morning in December and asking his parents, “Is it Christmas yet?”  So the Jews waited expectantly for the Messiah to come and drive away the darkness: to vindicate their faithfulness, to end their long exile, to restore the presence of the Lord to his temple.  They knew the Lord had promised all of this long before and they knew from their own history that the Lord is faithful to fulfil his promises.  He would surely come and rescue them just as he'd rescued them from Egypt and just as he'd rescued them from Babylon.  So for five hundred years, they woke up each morning eagerly asking, “Is it today?  Will the Messiah finally come today?” John says “No”, but in Matthew and Mark, Jesus affirms that John was fulfilling the prophecy of the return of Elijah.  I think John denied these things because he knew people associated the prophecies of Elijah and the Prophet with the Messiah.  John knew he wasn't the Messiah; he was the Messiah's herald.  And so when the priests finally let him speak for himself, he quotes Isaiah 40:3, and says, “I am ‘a voice calling in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.'”  In other words, John was indeed fulfilling prophecy—not as the Messiah, but as the one sent to prepare Israel to receive the Messiah. They were surprised.  People in the past had claimed to be the Messiah.  No one claimed to be his herald.  That was weird.  So they dig deeper.  Look at 25-27: They continued to question him, “So why are you baptising, if you aren't the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I'm baptising with water, but there is one sanding among you whom you do not know—someone who is to come after me.  I'm not worthy to untie his sandal straps.” Baptism was a symbol of cleansing and of ritual purity.  At this point the other gospel-writers are helpful as they expand on John's answer.  Mark tells us that John's baptism was a baptism of repentance—it was a preparatory act in light of the coming judgement the Messiah would bring.  And Matthew and Luke also report John continuing about this one who will come, this one greater than John: “He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16).  In other words, John is calling Israel to repentance in anticipation of the Messiah, who will fulfil the Lord's promises to set Israel to rights by filling his people with his own Spirit.  The law written on stone tablets would be inscribed on the hearts of God's people so that they could finally fulfil his law of love.  But the Messiah was also coming in judgement.  He would baptise the repentant with God's own Spirit, but he would baptise unrepentant Israel with fire. These are the two sides of the gospel coin.  You can't have one without the other.  Jesus' advent, on the one hand, brought mercy to the repentant, but on the other it also brought judgement on the unrepentant within Israel.  What's important for us here, Brothers and Sisters, is that this exchange between John and the priests reminds us of the Messiah's place in Israel's story and of the faithfulness of God to his promises.  It is this manifestation of the Lord's faithfulness (and of his goodness, mercy, grace, and wisdom) to Israel—something we see brought to its climax in the birth, the death, the resurrection, and the ascension of Jesus, that has drawn us—you and I—to the God of Israel and that, by faith, has incorporated us into the people of God.  Through our union with Jesus, through our incorporation into this people, through our being made adopted sons and daughters of Abraham, you and I have come to know God's mercy and the life of the Spirit, too.  Because of the faithfulness of God, revealed in Jesus and in the power of the gospel, the darkness that Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, John the Baptist and Jesus knew, that deep, deep darkness full of false gods and wicked kings and demonic power has been driven away by the light.  The light has come into the darkness, his gospel has thrown those powers down and lit up the world.  And you and I have seen—we live in—the glory of that light.  And this is where our Epistle today takes off.  Brothers and Sisters, it means something that you and I have been incorporated into the people of God.  God has a purpose and a mission for his people—for us.  This is where our Epistle takes off. Paul writes those wonderful and challenging words in Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always; I say again, rejoice. What prompted Paul to write this?  Well, just two verses earlier, Paul exhorted two women, Euodia and Syntyche, to agree with each other.  They had once been fellow labourers with Paul, but they'd had some kind of falling out.  There's something providential in the fact that Paul doesn't give us the details, because with no details I think we all end up thinking of the fallings out we've had with our own brothers and sisters in the Lord.  This isn't just about two women in Philippi.  It's about each of us.  In response to that falling out, Paul calls the Philippian Christian to rejoice in the Lord.  Instead of a public display of disunity or resentment or anger—whatever it was that was going on between these two women, the Church was to put joy on display, to celebrate the life of God.  They were people of the light, but they were living in the dark.  It was imperative that they come back into the light.  Brothers and Sisters, the devils and the evil powers of this age want nothing more than to undermine our gospel witness in the world, to flip the switch and turn off our gospel light.  Don't let that happen.  Jesus and the gospel should overcome and drown out the darkness whenever it tries to creep into our church family.  Here's how it works.  Paul writes: Let everyone know how gentle and gracious you are.  (Philippians 4:5a) Gentle and gracious.  Paul uses the same description in 2 Corinthians 10 to describe the meekness of Jesus as a model for Christians.  This is gospel light lived out.  What Paul's getting at is that Jesus is the King, but in him we see this amazing display of gracious gentleness.  This is the gentleness we see revealed as Jesus, the one to whom heaven and earth belong, humbled himself to be born one of us, to die on the cross, and to show mercy to his enemies.  This kind of meekness or gentleness is unique to Jesus, and yet Paul stresses that as his people, as stewards of the gospel, we're called to witness this same gentleness amongst ourselves.  As it should be the resolution to so many disputes in the Church, it was the resolution to whatever had driven Euodia and Syntyche apart. Brothers and Sisters, when we demand our rights, when we grasp for power, when we nurse grudges, we undermine our gospel witness—we put on display the very darkness from which we've been delivered by the one who is light.  In contrast Paul calls us to rejoice in the Lord and to manifest Jesus-like gentleness in our relationships.  Jesus' gracious gentleness has forgiven and restored us and that same gracious gentleness ought to shine through us and through the life of the church.  Consider that every time we hold a grudge, allow a relationship to break down, or follow the world's advice to cut those problem or negative people out of our lives, we undermine the Church's witness to the world.  But that's not all. Paul goes on: The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything.  Rather in everything let your requests be made known to God, by prayer, supplication, and with thanksgiving.   There's that Advent theme again: Jesus has given us a job to do.  He's given us a gospel treasure to steward in his absence.  In the meantime, rather than being anxious, we should take our needs to God.  Jesus made the same point in the Sermon on the Mount.  The pagans worry about what they'll eat, what they'll wear, and where they'll sleep.  God's people should know better than to worry unduly about these things.  God will provide just as he always has.  He is faithful to his promises.  The story of his dealings with Israel is the proof and even more so, so is his gift of Jesus, who died and rose again to set us free from sin and death.  So go to the Lord with your needs and ask.  And while you're at it, give thanks, because you know his faithfulness and his love. This is part of the witness of the people of God—it's how we are light in the darkness—and it ties back into rejoicing.  When Paul talks about rejoicing, at least part of what he's got in mind is a public display or a public witness.  The pagan Greeks in Philippi regularly held public celebrations to honour their gods.  And yet the pagans, as Jesus said, were always anxious.  Why?  Because their gods never delivered.  Pagan religion was a non-stop game of trial and error, trying to guess what the gods wanted, trying to guess what you may have done wrong to offend them, and then guessing at what you might offer to appease their anger or to ingratiate them to you in order to get what you needed or wanted.  The pagan gods were silent and they were notoriously capricious and unreliable.  And in this context Paul exhorts the Philippian Christians: Rejoice yourselves.  Let the pagans see you celebrating the fact that the Creator of the universe has, through Jesus, made you his own and lives in your midst by his own Holy Spirit.  Let the pagans, who know only mean and capricious gods and who live in a dog-eat-dog world, let them see the gracious gentleness of God in you.  Live in such a way that they see in you the God who humbles himself to die for the sake of his enemies.  And let the pagans see you living in faith, praying in confident thankfulness to the God whose story reveals an unfailing pattern of promise and fulfilment.  Shine the light of Jesus into the darkness of the world.  And the result of all this?  Look at verse 7: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in King Jesus.   I think we tend to look at Paul's exhortation here as something we should do in order to experience the peace of God ourselves, but given the context in Philippians, I think Paul's point is actually more about our witness.  If we truly live as stewards of the good news about Jesus, if we truly live as people who know the faithfulness of God revealed in Jesus and particularly in his death and resurrection, if we truly know the life of the Spirit, the peace of God—rather than the strife and anxiety of the world—will guard our hearts and minds in a way that will astound the pagans around us. I said last Sunday that we are called both to proclaim and to live the gospel.  This is how we live it.  Put together with our proclamation, to truly live in light of Jesus and what he reveals about God, should cause the world to stand up and take note.  This is our way of being John the Baptist in our own age.  And as it did for John, for us—if we are faithful—it will result in many giving glory to God for his faithfulness and then coming to him in faith as we have.  But it will also threaten many who are invested in the pagan and sinful systems of the world.  Brothers and Sisters, we are now the voice calling in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord!” So we need to ask: Does the world see our joy?  Are we the voice crying in the wilderness?  Are we the royal heralds the Lord has called us to be, summoning the word to let go of its false gods and to come to the Lord Jesus, calling the world away from sin and self and to come to the cross?  And we need to ask how the world is responding to us.  If we're faithfully proclaiming the good news about Jesus, if we're faithfully calling people to repent and to believe, if we're faithfully proclaiming that Jesus is Lord and that his kingdom has come—well—people will respond in one of two ways.  Either they'll believe or they'll get angry—as Herod got angry with John.  There's some of both out there in the world, but overwhelmingly, when I look at how people respond to or think of the church these days in our part of the world, it's often just indifference.  Why? Because we have not been the witnesses God calls us to be.  We have been mealy-mouthed and, quite often, just plain silent in our proclamation, because we have too often sought to please people rather than God, and because we have been half-hearted and unfaithful in our gospel living.  Like old Israel, we pray to God, but we've failed to tear down the old altars to Baal and Asherah—or Mammon or Aphrodite or Caesar.  We name Jesus, but we deal dishonestly in business, we sell our souls to the commercialism that surrounds us, we look to politics or to science as our saviours, and we dabble in the sexual immorality of the age.  We've failed to proclaim the gospel and we justify it, saying that we'll preach it with our lives.  But if we stop to ask what the world sees in our lives, is it really very different?  Does the world see us rejoicing in the Lord?  Does the world see us manifesting the gracious gentleness of Jesus?  Does the world see us living in faithful prayer and trusting in God, or does it see people just as anxious as everyone else?  Does it see enmity and strife and broken relationships or does it see a gospel people living out the healing and reconciling love of Jesus?  Does the world see the peace of God ruling our hearts and minds?  Does the world see us, holding high the gospel, as a challenge to its gods and its kings and its sins?  It should.  But sadly, I think that for the Western Church at large, the answer is often “no”. And, all too often, when we do proclaim the gospel, we do so without power or authority.  Think of John boldly declaring the coming judgement and calling Israel to repentance.  It was urgent and powerful.  In contrast we tend to hold the gospel out as good advice, rather than as the good news that it is.  Friends, the gospel is the royal summons to submit in faith to Jesus, the world's true Lord—the Lord who has come with mercy so that the repentant will escape when he comes one day in judgement.  This was the power behind John the Baptist' preaching.  But all too often we present the gospel as just another option on the religious smorgasbord—something you might want to try. See if you like it.  See if it works for you.  If not…oh well.  Brothers and Sisters, that's not the gospel.  The gospel is good news to the people living in the midst of darkness: the king who will set the world to rights has come.  And that means the gospel, when preached as it should be, will challenge and upset the Herods and Caesars of our age and all those invested in the false gods of the world. The Advent message is to be prepared.  Jesus has given us a gospel mission to take the good news of his death, his resurrection, and his lordship into the world.  Brothers and Sisters, pray that we will be faithful to our mission—faithful enough to provoke persecution, because that's the kind of faithfulness that also reaps a harvest for the kingdom.  Pray for the holy boldness of John the Baptist and the gracious gentleness of Jesus.  Pray that we will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  Pray that the joy of the Lord will overcome us.  Brothers and Sisters, Rejoice!  Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I say rejoice. Let's pray: O Lord, come among us, we pray, with your power and strengthen us with your great might; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever.  Amen.

Today we are in Luke 1:46-56 "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life."

Joy   Luke 10:17 ESV   17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”       Luke 10:20 ESV   20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”         Ephesians 2:8 ESV   8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,         1 Peter 1:3-6a ESV   3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice,       Philippians 4:4-8 NIV   4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.       Philippians 4:2-3 NIV   2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.       Revelation 20:15 ESV   15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.       Revelation 3:5b ESV   I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.       James 1:2 ESV   2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,      

Today we are in Luke 2:8-20 "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life."

Today we are in Isaiah 9:6-7 "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life."

24 November 2024 | This week Casey Huckel preaches from Philippians 4:2-9 on living out and rejoicing in the goodness of God despite our circumstances. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,[a] help these women, who have labored[b] 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. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[c] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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. 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[d] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Today we are in Philippians 4:14-23 "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life."

Pastor Dave emphasizes the importance of addressing personal conflict as a barrier to experiencing God's peace, referencing Philippians 4:6-7. He reveals how Paul publicly called out two women, Euodia and Syntyche, to encourage reconciliation and highlights that conflict is a normal part of relationships. This message outlines four conflict resolution styles—prize fighters, pretenders, pacifiers, and peacemakers—advocating for a peacemaker approach to restore love and understanding. Ultimately, we're encouraged to utilize prayer, intentional conversations, and a positive thought life to cultivate lasting peace in our relationships.

Today we are in Philippians 4:10-14 "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life."

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life – a time for you to relax your body, refocus your mind, and to re-imagine and re-narrate your life to a truer reality. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can break through all the distractions and experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Philippians 4:2-3 NIV “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life – a time for you to relax your body, refocus your mind, and to re-imagine and re-narrate your life to a truer reality. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can break through all the distractions and experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Philippians 4:2-3 NIV “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.

Today we are in Philippians 4:4-9 "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life."

Four of our grandkids were playing with a miniature train set, and the younger two were arguing over an engine. When our eight-year-old grandson began to intervene, his six-year-old sister stated, “Don’t worry about their business.” Wise words for us all—usually. But when the argument turned to tears, Grandma stepped in, separated, and comforted the squabbling children. It’s good to stay out of others’ business when doing so could make matters worse. But sometimes we need to prayerfully get involved. In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul provides an example of when to do so. Here Paul urges two women, Euodia and Syntyche, “to be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2). Apparently their disagreement had become so intense that Paul felt compelled to intervene. And because he was imprisoned, he urged his unnamed “true companion” to “help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel” (v. 3). Paul knew the women’s argument was causing disunity and taking focus away from the gospel. So, he gently spoke the truth while reminding them that their names were written “in the book of life” (v. 3). Paul wanted these women and everyone in the church to live as God’s people in thought and actions (vv. 4–9). When you’re unsure if you should get involved, pray, trusting that “the God of peace will be with you” (vv. 6–7, 9).

Today we are in Philippians 4:2-3 "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life."

Who are Euodia and Syntyche in the Bible? Why did the apostle Paul have to plead with Euodia and Syntyche to get along in the book of Philippians?

“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well… Read More »Pursuing Joy In Peace

0426 友阿蝶 Euodia by 靈修廣播站

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________Opening Words:“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”Rev 4:8 (ESV) Confession:*Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Almighty and most merciful Father,we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done;and apart from your grace, there is no health in us.O Lord, have mercy upon us.Spare all those who confess their faults.Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord.And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The InvitatoryO Lord, open our lips,and our mouths shall show forth your praise.Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.Cast us not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from us.O give us the comfort of your help again, and sustain us with your willing Spirit.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. PsalmsPsalm 23Dominus regit me1The Lord is my shepherd; *I shall not be in want.2He makes me lie down in green pastures *and leads me beside still waters.3He revives my soul *and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I shall fear no evil; *for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *you have anointed my head with oil,and my cup is running over.6Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. The LessonsIsaiah 25:1-9English Standard Version25 O Lord, you are my God;    I will exalt you; I will praise your name,for you have done wonderful things,    plans formed of old, faithful and sure.2 For you have made the city a heap,    the fortified city a ruin;the foreigners' palace is a city no more;    it will never be rebuilt.3 Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;    cities of ruthless nations will fear you.4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor,    a stronghold to the needy in his distress,    a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,5     like heat in a dry place.You subdue the noise of the foreigners;    as heat by the shade of a cloud,    so the song of the ruthless is put down.6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples    a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,    of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.7 And he will swallow up on this mountain    the covering that is cast over all peoples,    the veil that is spread over all nations.8     He will swallow up death forever;and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,    and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,    for the Lord has spoken.9 It will be said on that day,    “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.    This is the Lord; we have waited for him;    let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”Philippians 4:1-9English Standard Version4 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.4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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.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.Matthew 22:1-14English Standard Version22 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”' 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.” The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. The PrayersLord, have mercy.Christ, have mercyLord, have mercyOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. IntercessionTake a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others. The CollectsProper 23Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. BenedictionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

Book of Philippians

The weekly adult Sunday School class at OAG taught by long-time teacher, Mrs. Jeanie Davis. ** Edited to remove personal information shared in the class and extended pauses ** Title: The Role of Women in Ministry: Lessons from Leadership and Service Summary: In this Sunday School lesson, Mrs. Jeanie explores the role of women in ministry, emphasizing their significant contributions as leaders, prophets, and servants in the church. She underscores the importance of unity and flexibility in serving God's purpose, encouraging everyone to embrace their God-given roles and responsibilities. Outline: Introduction and Context Homework review and importance of participation Overview of lesson topic: Women's place in the church Biblical Examples of Women in Ministry Miriam, the prophet (Exodus 15:20) Deborah, the prophet and judge (Judges 4:4-9) Huldah, the prophet (2 Kings 22:14-20, 2 Chronicles 34:22) Tabitha, benevolence ministry (Acts 9:36) Philip's four daughters, prophets (Acts 21:8-9) Other notable women: Euodia, Syntyche, and Priscilla (Philippians 4:2-3, Romans 16:1-2) Jesus' Teaching and Leadership Model Jesus' instructions to the disciples in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-45) Importance of watching and praying Supporting one another in times of distress Modern Application and Ministry Work Personal story of youth working in the tomato fields Lessons on teamwork, perseverance, and mutual support The evolution of the church's benevolence ministry Conclusion and Encouragement Encouragement to embrace God's calling Importance of flexibility and readiness to serve Final prayer and commitment to serving God's kingdom

At the beginning of Philippians 4 Paul speaks into a relational or leadership issue between two women. He points out that they are on the same side and need to work together in the same direction. Sometimes our own interpersonal issues or ideas of how to advance God's mission can inadvertently cause division in the church, sometimes significant enough that it takes help from other leaders to bring reconciliation. The good news is that Jesus is our perfect example of unity and leadership! When we submit our lives to Him, He can help bring a unity in the church that paints a beautiful picture of what God intends human relationships to be.

This passage begins with a plea to Euodia and Syntyche to "agree with each other in the Lord." Bickering occurs when we are not rejoicing in the Lord and are anxious. We can alleviate our anxiety through prayer and setting our minds on things above. Where the mind dwells the heart follows.

This passage begins with a plea to Euodia and Syntyche to "agree with each other in the Lord." Bickering occurs when we are not rejoicing in the Lord and are anxious. We can alleviate our anxiety through prayer and setting our minds on things above. Where the mind dwells the heart follows.

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

For those of you who have been Christians for a long time, have you ever heard a sermon before and thought, “Wow! When the pastor said that one part, it was like he was talking straight to me”? Can you imagine what Euodia and Syntyche must have felt after this letter was read to the church at Philippi?This letter from Paul was read aloud in one sitting to the gathered church, and in the audience of that church would have been the two women that Paul names here, Euodia and Syntyche. And all we know about these women are three things:They both were members of the church at Philippi — they've got strong Greek names, not Jewish names. So they would have been some of the Gentiles who converted to Christ when the gospel advanced to Philippi in Acts 16.They both labored with Paul in the gospel as his friends. These two women were not church consumers or ministry bystanders, but they were active with Paul in the mission — and that's why Paul addresses them by name. He's not shaming them by doing this, but it's just the opposite. By saying their names he is highlighting his personal connection to them. We know these women were important to Paul and to the church.They had a disagreement. We know this because Paul entreats them to “agree in the Lord” and Paul would not say that if they already were agreeing. So they had some kind of disagreement.And other than these three things, we don't know much else about what's going on here, and it kinda drives some people crazy. There's a lot of mystery in this passage: Who is this “true companion” Paul mentions? Who is Clement? What exactly was this conflict about? Commentators have spilled a lot of ink with all kinds of speculations here, and I'm not going to get into any of that — I figure that if Paul wanted us to know more details then he would have given us more details. So instead, for this sermon, I just want to highlight three observations in these verses that are relevant for our life together as a local church. Here they are:Local church unity really matters (verse 2).Local church unity is owned by everyone (verse 3a).Local church members' names are written in the book of life (verse 3bc).We're gonna slow down and focus on each one of these, but first let's pray, and ask the Father to do more in this time than what we have expected:Father in heaven, we believe that the Bible is your word to us, and that means that anytime we hear your word preached it is always for us. By your Spirit, through your word, you address us as a local church and as individuals who are part of the local church. And so we ask: give us hearts to receive what you have for us this morning, in Jesus's name, amen. Local church unity really matters (verse 2)When Paul tells Euodia and Syntyche to “agree in the Lord” — to have unity — it's the third major mention of unity in this letter. Unity has been a theme, going back to Chapter 1, verse 27. Pastor David Mathis mentioned this verse again last week. Philippians 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, 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 …”1:27 is extremely connected to our passage today. Notice three ideas back in 1:27: Standing firm; Striving side by side in the gospel; Having unity …And if you remember, the unity part continues into Chapter 2:“So if there is any encouragement 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.”Unity!So standing, striving, unity — each of these ideas in 1:27 show up again in the first few verses of Chapter 4. Everybody look at those words “to agree” in Chapter 4, verse 2.Those two words “to agree” is literally to have “the same mind” — and those are the exact same words that Paul uses in Chapter 2, verse 2. So the idea of unity in Philippians 2:2 and Philippians 4:2 is the exact same, it's just that now in 4:2 Paul is repeating that idea with practical application. Paul has obviously known about the disagreement with Euodia and Syntyche since the start of the letter, so it's kind of like the whole letter has been heading toward this moment. Chapter 4, verse 2 is not an afterthought, but Paul saying this has been his plan. It reminds us that unity in the local church is not theoretical, but unity really matters, because disagreements really happen. This is real-life.Talking ‘Everyday Conflict'When you put a bunch of people together, each with their own stories and experiences, and personalities and preferences, there will be moments when we relationally bump into each other. The writer Ken Sande calls this “everyday conflict.” And we've all been there. We've either been involved in these conflicts or we've known about conflicts, and as a fact, in the life of our church over the past decade, most of our relational conflicts have been between women. Now these have not been massive disruptions — most of the time they're small disagreements —but I think they tend to happen more among women because women care more than men. I'm going to do some natural theology here, but we have to be okay with speaking in general. In general, men are more externally-oriented. Men think: “let's go build something.” And of course there are disagreements among men, but with men we either resolve them or we separate. Because we're looking externally. We're shoulder-to-shoulder, and the question is about the work: Can we get over this to keep doing the work together? We're externally-oriented. But see, men and women are different. Women are integrators. They are internally-oriented. They cultivate and beautify inside. Women have wombs and make wombs. Sisters, hear me, in general, and profoundly so, you are nesters. And it's glorious and indispensable to the local church, but it also means that when conflict arises, your first instinct is not to resolve or separate, but it's to go silent. Because you want to integrate. You want it all to go together, and so maybe if you just keep your distance on that issue, maybe it will go away, maybe it won't be that big a deal, maybe a little tension won't be so bad. You just want to hold everything together. And that's precious! That's motherly. Happy Mother's Day!That's at least how things started in the church at Philippi. We don't know the details of why these two women are disagreeing, but we know this: the conflict was not severe enough to split the church, but it was also not minor enough not to be addressed.Better Than OkayAnd probably tells us something about Paul's standard of unity. Most likely these women were “okay.” They were tip-toeing around each other, making it all work. They were okay. But Paul wants them to be better than “okay” — he wants them to agree in the Lord. The way Paul puts this is important. He says the exact same thing to both women and he addresses them in alphabetical order: “I entreat Euodia” and “I entreat Syntyche.” He's not taking sides here. He speaks to both women individually and he appeals to what they both have in common — they both are in the Lord. This means that whatever the root of the issue was, whatever caused the conflict, because they are both in the Lord — they are both united to Christ — let that be the source of their unity together.The blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin! — the resurrection power of Jesus at work in our hearts! — the Spirit of Jesus who is completing in us the good work that he began! — That can do better than “okay.” Because of THAT, we can agree.These sisters are already on the same page when it comes to the most ultimate things in reality, now get on the same page about this conflict. It doesn't mean they have to become ‘besties,' and it doesn't mean that act like the thing never happened, but they can come to resolution in Christ. They can think the same way in Christ, for Christ, because of Christ.Paul entreats these women to do that, and so I would like to entreat the women in our church. My sisters, I thank God for you. Our church needs you. You shape the heart of this community. You are the warmth of our fellowship. You are like the welcome of God to everyone who comes here, and so, sisters, I entreat you: agree in the Lord. Unity really matters.Here's the second observation …2) Local church unity is owned by everyone (verse 3a)Look at the first part of verse 3:“Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women. …”And like I mentioned earlier, there's a lot of speculation about who Paul is talking about here, and some arguments are better than others, but I'm not going to mention them because the main thing I want us to see here is the high-level fact that there are two women who have a conflict, and there is somebody else who is supposed to help them. You Can Be a PeacemakerPaul gives a command here. This true companion, another member of this local church, is commanded to help Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord. This means that we should expect disagreements between two parties to require a third-party helper. When there's a conflict between some members of the church, it's other members of the church who should help them resolve the conflict. The name we might give these other members, these helpers, is “peacemaker.” And I think it's helpful that Paul doesn't mention this peacemaker by name, because it's actually the responsibility of anyone in the church. Any of us could be a peacemaker. If we're all leaning in and moving in the same direction, and doing what Paul exhorts us to do — if we're living in a way that witnesses to the all-satisfying value of Jesus (1:27a), if we're “being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (2:2) — if we're all doing that and any of you finds out about two members who are disagreeing, you should move toward them to help them. The whole church must take ownership of the church's unity. Which means if there's ever festering conflict in a church, if there's disunity, it's not just because two people disagree, but it's also because others are not helping like Paul says we should. Every single one of us should be ready to become peacemakers. And there's not really an alternative here, unless you also want to become part of the problem. Conflict in one part of the church is the whole church's business because unresolved conflict will eventually affect the whole church.When It FestersAnd you can imagine how this goes: Euodia has this issue with Syntyche, and she says it's not a big deal but then she tells another friend about it. And that friend brings it up in a Life Group as a prayer request, and then suddenly there's three women who think Euodia is right.At the same time, Syntyche tells one of her friends about it, a little more removed from Euodia, and that friend is all in with Syntyche and she can't believe Euodia would do that. And then that friend's husband gets in on it too, but here's the thing: Euodia and Syntyche are cold toward one another but cordial — maybe they're okay — but the unresolved conflict means that sides slowly begin to form. Charitable judgment is pushed aside and suspicions toward one another start to creep in. And the local church, which is the family of God, which is an embassy of heaven on this earth, it starts to become a place of anxiety — and the focus is not on How do we make Jesus known in this world? but the focus is: How do we make all this hold together? And meanwhile, Satan is throwing a party because the whole thing started with an argument about carpet color. And we should laugh here because it's silly, but church, Jesus isn't laughing. Do we have any idea how disunity in the church must grieve him? He bought us with his blood. He has given us the Spirit of unity! His Spirit is the love of God poured into our hearts! — and what are the things that we let come between us?Getting in the RoomI've tried to be a peacemaker one time, in a formal sense, years ago. I was part of a different church, there was a disagreement between two individuals, and I felt like I had enough rapport with them both to help them agree. And so we got together in a room, and they sat across from one another and I sat here, and honestly, that was the hardest part. It was just getting in the room, in front of one another. And the only way it happened — the only way it happens — is because both individuals want to be there. Both individuals have to want to, in humility, count the other more significant than themselves. They have to want to look not only to their own interests but also to the interests of the other. They have to want to have the mind of Christ — which means they will suffer the discomfort of that conversation for something greater than comfort. They will risk humiliation because the honor of unity is more precious that the honor of winning.Church, I'll tell you, if we can have a Philippians 2-heart like Jesus and just do what the Bible says, everything around here is going to be good. I promise. So for all of us, each one of you true companions, if there's disagreement, help. Let's point one another to Philippians 2. Let's be peacemakers. Local church unity is owned by everyone. 3. Local church members' names are written in the book of life (verse 3c)In verse 3 Paul makes it clear that Euodia and Syntyche are his friends. They are his sisters whom he loves and longs for. They are his joy and crown, his beloved, and they've served the Lord together. They've “labored side by side with [Paul] in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of [Paul's] fellow workers” — and here's the sentence to end on — “whose names are in the book of life.”What Is the Book of Life?What is that? We probably heard something about a “book of life” before, but it's not from Paul. This is the only time in all of Paul's letters that he mentions the “book of life.” So where does this idea come from?Well, we first see it in the Old Testament, in the Book of Daniel, Chapter 12. Daniel is talking about the very end of time and he says that those who will be saved are “everyone whose name shall be found written in the book” (12:1). Then later, in the New Testament, John, in the Book of Revelation, picks up that same theme. The Book of Life is mentioned six times in Revelation, and Revelation 21:27 basically says the same thing as Daniel 12:1. On the last day, the day of judgment, the Book of Life will be opened and only those whose names are written in the book will enter the kingdom of heaven.So we read about this book in Daniel, and then in Revelation, but most notable of all is that Jesus talks about it. In Luke 10, Jesus sent out 72 missionaries to go into every town and prepare these towns to receive him. So they're commissioned out, two by two, and then later they return with joy, and they're blown away by the mission. They said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And do y'all know how Jesus replied?He said, “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (v. 20).Written in the book of life. That's what Jesus is talking about. Isn't it great when Paul says the same things that Jesus said?Paul is getting this from Jesus. There is a book in heaven and it has names written in it — and it's everyone who has put their faith in Jesus — and it's really important. Eternally important! Because, if your name is in this book, you get to be with Jesus forever. And if we could remember that our names are written in that book, do you think it could change the way we handle our conflict? That's why Paul goes here, because remembering that book changes things.How Does This Impact Our Conflicts?So I want to close with this question: How does this fact — that our names are written in the book of life — how does that impact how we handle conflict?Three ways:When we remember that our names are written in the book of life …First, we will see one another as loved by Jesus. Paul is thinking here like a Baptist, because he assumes that every member of the local church is a born-again believer. If the local church was a mixed community of Christians and non-Christians, then when there's conflict, the immediate question is whether the other person is really a Christian or not. It's instant suspicion. But, because the local church is made up of only those who have been brought from spiritual death to spiritual life, conflict in the local church is always between two people for whom Jesus died. That's not theoretical. I'm being very literal here. The person you are disagreeing with — if they are a church member in good standing, duly affirmed by an elder-led covenant membership — that person is your brother, your sister, and Jesus loves them. He knows them and he loves them. Jesus wrote their names down in the book in his blood.And so someone's response to conflict — someone's resistance to even try to agree — actually says more about them than it does anything else. Can you really love your Savior if you despise the one he saved? (See 1 John … Chapter 4, verse 20)Jesus loves the person you got beef with. Their name is written in the book.When we remember that our names are written in the book of life …Second, we will come to help one another with hope.I think one of the biggest barriers to sustained unity in the local church is our cynicism toward conflict. If we've been around long enough and we've seen enough conflict, we can do the whole ‘Here we go again.' That's cynicism. It's a subtle doomsday mentality that the conflict will go about as badly as it could. And look, I get it, I've been there — but that mentality is wrong. If our names are written in heaven, the expectation should be that we can agree and we will. We should be eager to get together in the same room and work it out. Look, Jesus is pulling for us! The Spirit is gonna help us! We move toward resolution with hope — humbly and prayerfully, God help us. We can have hope!When we remember that our names are written in the book of life …Third, we will rethink our disagreements in light of Jesus's face.One thing that Paul is doing at the end of Chapter 4, verse 3 is that he's sending us back to 3:21. This is for perspective. He's reminding us: Our citizenship is 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.Because our name is in that book, we will see Jesus face-to-face one day. We will stand right there with him, transformed. That will be a real moment. And imagine for a second, in that moment, imagine yourself explaining to Jesus your side of the story. Your looking at him, he's looking at you … “Well, Jesus they blah, blah, blah; but they blah, blah, blah; then they blah, blah, blah.”I can't help but wonder if on that day all our disagreements will be seen as petty, because on that day we will truly know that there is something more glorious than being right. Whatever you're holding on to, you're gonna explain it to Jesus. Could we rethink our disagreements now in light of that day?Our names, brothers and sisters — our names are written in the book.Kinda feels like the pastor is talking straight to me.I'm talking to all of us. Let us agree in the Lord. That's what brings us to the Table.The TableEvery week when we come to the Lord's Table, it is a uniting ordinance. It's called communion — we remember our union with Christ by faith and our union with one another in Christ. And today, I'd like to talk to two categories of folks in the room. First, if you're here today and you're not a Christian, you might wonder: How can I get my name written in that book? The answer is faith in Jesus Christ. So I invite you to put your faith in him right now. Right where you are, know that you cannot save yourself. Trust in Jesus. Just tell him, Jesus, I trust you. Save me.Second, if you're a member at this church and there's some conflict between you and another member of this church, as we receive this table, resolve in your heart that, if possible, as far as it depends on you, you will be at peace with this brother or sister. Church, Jesus loves you and he has freed you from your sins by his blood. To all who trust him, receive his Table and give him thanks.

In this sermon on Philippians 4:2-3, Pastor Jonathan Parnell highlights three observations in these verses that are relevant for our life together as a local church. With the disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche, Paul teaches us that local church unity really matters, it is owned by everyone, and local church members' names are written in the book of life.

Philippians 4:2-3We learn how to practice conflict resolution in the church by looking at the Apostle Paul's instructions to two women in conflict with each other.

Rescue workers cooperated to help two men stranded on an island in Micronesia. Teamwork was necessary because a widespread health crisis required them to limit their exposure to each other. The pilot who first spotted the castaways radioed a nearby Australian Navy ship. The ship sent two helicopters which provided food, water, and medical care. Later, the US Coast Guard arrived to check on the men and deliver a radio. Finally, a Micronesian patrol boat taxied them to their destination. We can accomplish a lot when we work together to achieve a common goal. The Philippian believers pooled their efforts to support the apostle Paul. Lydia and her family welcomed him into their home (Acts 16:13-15). Clement and even Euodia and Syntyche (who didn’t get along) all worked directly with the apostle to spread the good news (Philippians 4:2-3). Later, when Paul was imprisoned in Rome, the church gathered essentials for a care package and delivered it via Epaphroditus (vv. 14-18). Perhaps most importantly, the Philippians prayed for him throughout his ministry (1:19). The examples of believers serving together in this ancient church can inspire us today. Cooperating with fellow believers to pray and serve others as God leads and empowers us accomplishes much more than we could ever do on our own. It has been said, “Individually, we are one drop. Together we are an ocean.”

Donation link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64 Or go to www.freersangpreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab. Welcome your excellencies! Thank you, Michael, river boat Mike, and California Dave for your recent donations. Thanks you and others we have distributed 50 “The Foundation Blocks of Biblical Prayer.” We also welcome officially, Canada, The United Kingdom, and the Philippines. (Y'all have been here a long while, but we have just begun to acknowledge our listeners.) The answer to the question “Does God need our prayers?” Culminates in the glorious truth, that in His mysterious will, God does not need us but He conendsends to appoint us as ambassadors for Christ! “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.? 2 Corinthians 5:20 We cover briefly how and why ambassadors get their jobs, the trust they are given, and the responsibility they have to the king who sent them. Then through Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement (it may be worth the listen to hear my pronunciation of those names.) we see the duty, glory excellency, and privilege of being ambassadors to the King of kings and Lord of lords. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheyne Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard Dialogue with us at: www.freerangepreacheronprayer.- (email or voice mail) freerangeprayer@gmail.com (email) Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries (Messenger) Instagram: freerangeministries (Contact or leave a comment.) Spotify (leave a message) All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition. Season 006 Episode 42

Welcome to Day 2335 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Philippians-10 The Cure for Anger and Anxiety – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 02/11/2023 Joy in Sharing – The Cure for Anger and Anxiety Philippians 4:1-9 Last week, we focused on Standing Firm without Standing Still in a message titled Hanging Tough and Looking Up. Today, we begin the last section of Philippians, Joy in Resting, and specifically focus on how we often fight for peace /when we have already been given The Cure for Anger and Anxiety. Today's scripture passage is Philippians 4:1-9 on page 1829, in your Pew Bibles. 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Final Exhortations 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 9 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.   In Philippians 4, Paul puts the finishing touches on his symphonic “Ode to Joy” with a soaring, moving, inspiring conclusion. Some of the most quoted, best-loved passages of Scripture are found in Philippians 4—as are a few obscure lines. We also get a sneak peek into the lives of some Philippian Christians and their real-life conflict. In this final chapter, Paul argues that there is joy in resting. He includes perhaps the finest passage on contentment in all the Scriptures, and this contentment is the essence of joyful living amid a restless world. Whether the cause of our unrest is disunity (4:1–3), anxiety (4:4–7), lack of peace (4:8–9), discontent (4:10–13), or need (4:14–19), Paul encourages believers to find Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered joy in resting in God, and God alone. “Stand firm in the Lord!” (Stay True to the Lord NLT) With this command, Paul begins to wrap up his letter to the Philippians. But what does it look like to “stand firm”? Psalm 1:3 describes this well:  They are like...

A few weeks ago, my 7-year-old informed me that he wanted to be 8 — but not any older than that. “Buddy, why don't you want to be any older than that?” I asked. “Well, because when you get old, you die.” Fair enough. 8 seemed safe and exciting enough, I guess (he has some 8-year-olds in his class), but 9 . . . now 9 was a different story. Who knows what might happen then? Better stick with 8. It's a sobering thing, isn't it, to watch your children begin to wrestle with a reality like death and then to force you, as a dad or mom, to try and explain something like death. I think our verses this morning are a great help to dads and moms and teenagers and twenty-somethings and sixty-somethings in answering the biggest questions we ever ask. What's going to happen when we die? What does it mean to really live?A couple years ago, on June 28, 2021, my then 64-year-old dad had a heart attack. I'll never forget the moments I spent beside his hospital bed that week, waiting for quadruple bypass surgery. I felt my own mortality, watching the strongest man I'd ever known now fighting for his life. I know some of you have experienced this. When you're growing up, Dad is the embodiment of strength, almost immortal. I mean what can't Dad do? A toy breaks? Oh Dad'll fix it. Want to know what makes an airplane fly? Dad will know that. My 3-year-old's been worried that skunks are going to get into her room at night (longer story there), but I've said to her, “Honey, I promise Daddy won't let any skunks in your room.” And she believes me! Because I'm Daddy.And then dads grow older and their arteries fail — or they get really sick, or their minds begin to go. Slowly, they're a little less superhero, and a little more human. And in the process, we realize just how human we are.By God's grace, my dad's doing really well, but I thought of him leading up to this message because our conversations over these last couple years (one in particular) remind me of these verses. He told me that's he more aware than ever that every day he has is a day he's been given for Christ, that however many days he has left — whether hundreds or thousands or just one — he wants them to honor Jesus. My dad came close enough to death to be able to remind his son how to live.And that's what we have in Philippians 1:19–26: We have a man, a spiritual father, who has come close enough to death that he's able to tell us (whether we're 8 or 38 or 68) how to live and die well.The Happy, Driving PassionAs we've learned over the last several weeks, Paul wrote this letter from prison in Rome. The situation's serious enough that his friends in Philippi are worried if they'll ever see him again. And on top of the dangers and hardships of his imprisonment, he had enemies (even in the church) trying to make things even worse for him. I don't want it to be lost on us over these next few months in Philippians that the most joy-filled letter in the New Testament was written in horrible circumstances. That tells us something, doesn't it, about how much joy we can expect to experience even on our hardest days. Look how joyful he is even now, even in prison! And they tell us about how much we can still help others enjoy Jesus — even on our hardest days.As Pastor Jonathan showed us last week, Paul responds to all of this — imprisonment, mistreatment, betrayal — in an otherworldly way, because he had a different passion than the world. And what was that passion? The glory of God magnified through the advance of the gospel. That passion is why he can rejoice while his enemies preach Christ (verses 15–18). That's why he can rejoice even while he sits in prison (verses 12–14). That's why he prays like he does, verses 9–11. That passion is why his love for these people runs deeper and richer than many of our relationships (verses 3–8). And now, in our verses this morning, he's going to tell us about that passion. He leans in, after all of that, as if to say, Do you want the secret? “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”What Kind of Deliverance?Our passage begins in verse 19: “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance…” Now, right away, what kind of deliverance do you think he's talking about? What's he going to be delivered from? Is he talking about deliverance from prison (which is what we probably assume) or is he talking about some other kind of deliverance?Let's keep reading: “[I know that this will turn out for my deliverance,] as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” Why do I expect that all of this will turn out for my deliverance? He doesn't go on to talk about judges changing their minds, or him developing some good will with the jailers, or about a large group of Christians putting together a petition. No, he says, I'm confident this will turn out for my deliverance because I'm confident that, whether I live or die, Christ will be honored in me. That phrase — “whether by life or by death” — that's the biggest reason I don't think he's talking mainly about being delivered from prison. He can't die in prison and be delivered from prison. I might die here in prison, he's saying, but I'll still be delivered. Even if I'm never released from these chains, I'll still be set free. How could that be? How could he be delivered without being delivered? I think that question's massively relevant for us, because some of you are praying for deliverance right now. Not from prison (because you're here) — but what you're suffering might feel worse than prison some days. Intense, prolonged conflict with someone you love. Hostility where you work. Cancer. A child who's walked away from the faith — and maybe from you. . . . By the end of this sermon, I'm praying that you'll be able to say, to anyone who cares about you: “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this pain, this conflict, this cancer will turn out for my deliverance” — not mainly because the pain might finally let up in this life, or because the relationship will necessarily get better, or because the cancer will go into remission, but because I believe my life, and my suffering, and even my death will say something true and beautiful and loud about how much Jesus means to me. About how much he's done for me. About how much I'm dying to go and spend the rest of my life with him. What kind of deliverance is Paul expecting? Not mainly deliverance from prison (although, as we'll see, he clearly expects that too). No, deliverance from spiritual ruin, from the intense temptations that come with suffering, from walking away from Christ. I'm confident I will be delivered, he says, because I'm confident that, whether I live or die, Christ will look great — and that's all I really want. “I count everything as loss,” he'll say in chapter 3, “because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” That's what deliverance looks like, the most important kind of deliverance, the kind we all need, especially when suffering comes. These next verses, then, are a mural of the delivered life — the life freed from self and sin and death, and filled with Jesus. Again, they teach us how to live and die well: “I know that Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death…” Verse 21: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” We know that verse, and we think we get it — but do we really get it? Could you explain it to a 7-year-old? These next verses help us see both sides of this precious, life-altering (and death-altering) verse.To Die Is GainLet's start with death, though, with the second half of the verse: “[I know] that Christ will be honored in my body . . . by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” How is Christ honored in a dying person's body? Our death honors Christ, he says, when we begin to see our death not as loss — not as the end, not as defeat, not ultimately as a tragedy — but as gain.So how could Paul look at death, even a death alone in horrible circumstances, and see victory, see reward? The next verses take us deeper. Beginning now in verse 22: “If I am to live in the flesh, [to live is Christ] that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” Now, of course, Paul doesn't really get to choose. “Which of you by being anxious,” Jesus asks, “can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Luke 12:25). Paul's not actually choosing life or death here; he's just letting us see what he wants. “I am hard pressed between the two,” he says. A big part of me wants to stay and live a little longer here with you (and we'll see why in a minute), but if I'm honest, I'd rather go home. I'm so ready to feel my last aches and pains, to have my last hard conversations, to wipe away my last tears — more than anything, though, I'm so ready to finally, at last, to see him, to set aside this old, foggy mirror and look at him face to face: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace in the flesh — the seeable, huggable, high-five-able God. To get to know him, to know Jesus, as well as he's known me all these years, 1 Corinthians 13:12. Oh how badly I want to stay, Paul's saying, and help you see more clearly, and understand more deeply, and love more fully, and obey more joyfully, but it will be so much better for me if this apostle left you (for now) and went on to be a kindergartner, a beginner, in glory.Notice, he doesn't diminish the goodness of this earthly life. From an earthly perspective, Paul's life wasn't all that great (it was horrible) when he wrote these verses — and he still wanted to stay. God has filled this broken, sinful world with people and pleasures and experiences — with really good gifts — that hint at heaven and help us long for heaven. I have three small kids — there are moments every week where I stop and think, I just want this to last forever. (There are plenty of other moments when I think, When will this ever end? But there are so many moments I want to hold onto.) When we tickle them and they giggle until they cry. When they say certain words really wrong. When they learn how to do something for the first time, and then do that same thing a thousand times every day for a week. When they come, snuggle up next to you, and tell you they love you for no reason at all. Having a Philippians 1:21 heart doesn't mean you despise the God-given joys and giggles of life on earth — it means you realize that another life's coming, another world, one that's better than this one, even at its best. And not better by a little, but better by far. “My desire is to depart and be with Christ,” verse 23, “for that is far better.”And what's the better? It's not weeks without work, or years without taxes. It's not endless tee times on the golf course or more girls nights with your best friends. It's not your favorite foods at your favorite restaurants and you never have to wait or pay. . . (I for one, by the way, believe all of that will happen in heaven, and that it's all going to be better than we can even begin to think or imagine. Believe me, nothing you enjoy here is going to get worse in heaven.) He tells us what the best better will be, though, in the same verse: “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” He puts a face to the gain. Death, for believers, is better than life because it's death that finally gives us Christ — all of Christ, with all our senses, meeting all our needs and satisfying all our lingering, gnawing desires. He is our gain.In college, I read a paragraph that I'll never forget. It still haunts me, in the very best way. It goes like this: Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there. The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. (God Is the Gospel, 47) I still remember where I was on campus when I read that chapter. It felt like I had stumbled into a land I had never seen before, an ocean I'd never sailed before, a favorite meal I'd never tasted before. I really believe those were the moments when God became heaven for me. When he was no longer the God who makes heaven, or who lets sinners like me into heaven, but that he himself is what makes heaven heaven — that he would always be (even after thousands and thousands of years) the best part of living there. This Jesus is not just the only way to heaven; he really is what makes heaven worth wanting. He is the great meal. He's the ocean. He is the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price. And if that's true — if we really think that way — how awesome will he look when we die? While everyone around us in the hospital clings to the last days they have here — while they scramble to try and make it to a couple more things on their “bucket lists” — we're going to be the really strange people who have this deep and abiding peace, who talk about how much better life's about to get, who feel free to spend the last days and hours we have on other people and their needs, who still smile even through horrible pain. We're going to be the strange and beautiful people who use our last breaths — on the hospital bed, in hospice care, covered in wires and monitors — to sing. When we die like that, what will that say about Jesus? You know if you've ever seen a saint die well. In those moments, Jesus looks more valuable than anything life could ever give — or that death could ever take. Don't you want to die like that?As we turn to the first half of verse 21, then, I want us to see the relationship between these two phrases: “To live is Christ” and “to die is gain.” We're about to see what “to live is Christ” means as a way of life — what a strange person like this does with the weeks and months and years they have. But before we even get to that, to the kinds of things they do, we're already seeing who they are — we're seeing their heart, their passion. You see, the kind of person who honors Christ with their life will always be the kind of person who sees death as better than this life. They glorify God with their life because they want Jesus more than life. I first learned this, like many of you, from John Piper: “God is most glorified in us — in life and death, in joys and sorrows, in marriage and parenting and singleness — when we are most satisfied in him.” God will be most glorified in our lives when death is gain, when we know that the day we die will be the greatest day we've ever lived — yet.To Live Is ChristNow, in the next couple verses, he turns to explain “to live is Christ.” How does he explain that? He's already said, verse 22, “If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.” Fruitful labor, that's the first part of our answer. But what does “fruitful labor” actually mean? He goes on to tell us in verses 24–26: “[My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.] But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. It would be better, far better, to go and be with Jesus, but I'm convinced it's more necessary, for now, that I stay and keep laboring among you.” And what is the labor? What does he need to stay and do for them? “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith. . . .” The fruitful labor Paul stays to do is to work for others' progress and joy in the faith. He stays to help them grow in their faith in Jesus (progress), and to help them find greater joy in that faith. If we live for another day or month or year, it's because someone needs help believing in and enjoying Jesus. That's how Paul thinks about his life — and yours. This is why you're alive: to help someone else keep believing in Jesus. Do you think about your life that way? Do you look at your days, or weeks, or decades of life as a gift God has given you to give other people God? To live is Christ — to hold up Christ for one another.But what does it really mean, practically, to live for someone else's “progress and joy in the faith”? Does Paul give us any hints about we're supposed to actually do? He gives us lots of hints. His letters are filled with this kind of life. But we'll limit ourselves to just Philippians for now. What does it look like to live for one another's “progress and joy in the faith”?It looks like praying for one another, and especially for each other's souls (Philippians 1:9–11).It looks like calling one another to obey Christ, to live a life worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). It looks like meeting practical needs for one another, like this church did for Paul (Philippians 4:14).It looks like honoring one another, like Paul honors Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:29). Sometimes it looks like warning one another: “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh” (Philippians 3:2).It looks like reconciling believers with one another when there's conflict or division, like Paul does in Philippians 4:2: “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.”It looks like reminding one another of heaven: “Our citizenship is 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” (Philippians 3:20–21).It looks like, get this, just having more conversations about Jesus.Any of you can do all those things. These aren't things apostles do, or even things pastors do; these are things Christians get to do for one another. We live, for however long we live, for one another's progress and joy in the faith — to live is Christ.Paul strikes one more note here, in verse 26: “I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” If I live, he's saying, I want to give more reasons to worship Jesus — and not just a few reasons, but plenty of reasons (“so that in me you may ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus”). Paul's not living for a bare-minimum Christianity, a bare-minimum spiritual influence on others. No, day by day, he wants to pile on the reasons, as many as he possibly can, for those he knows and loves to trust and enjoy Jesus. So, when God brings someone into your life, are they better off spiritually for being there? Are they a lot better off spiritually for being there? What if you started looking at your relationships — family, community group and life group, neighbors, co-workers, friends — and tried to give them ample cause to love and glorify Jesus? How much more spiritual good could you do? How might the good you do then multiply through them into all of their relationships?Again, notice he says, “I am hard pressed between the two.” So even though to depart and Christ is far better, Paul really does want both. It's gain to die, no question, but it's not loss to stay and live for Christ. To live for Jesus, despite how much it cost him, despite how little fruit he saw at times, despite the fact that he might live the rest of his life in prison — to live for Jesus was its own reward. Therefore he could gladly say, To die is gain for me, and to live is Christ for you, my joy and my crown.Because You Pray for MeBefore we close, then, I want to go back briefly to the beginning of our passage and look at how this kind of Christ-honoring life and this kind of Christ-honoring death happens. If God delivers us from walking away from Christ, from giving into temptation, from slowly drifting into worldliness, if he helps us honor Christ until the very end, how does that happen? Where do we get the strength and focus we need to keep going? Paul gives us two quick glimpses (so quick we might completely miss them), but I think they're too good to pass over as a church. You've already heard these verses, but we need to hear them one more time: “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. . .” Why is Paul so confident that he's going to make it to the end, that he'll keep honoring Christ, even in prison, even under persecution, even if it costs him his life? What does he say? Because you're praying for me.Do you ever pray like this church prayed for Paul? Does anyone pray like this for you? If we commit to praying like this for one another, Cities Church, we'll be able to say things like we heard Paul say in verse 6: “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” — because we've prayed for you. I know you'll honor Christ, whatever happens to you, because we've prayed for you. Or, verse 19, “I know this horrible circumstance will turn out for my deliverance” — because you prayed for me. Prison can't overcome these kinds of prayers. Cancer can't overcome these kinds of prayers. All the armies in the world couldn't overcome prayers like these.Why? Because God answers prayers like these. . . . And he doesn't answer from afar. No, he comes and helps us from inside of us, by his Spirit (“through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”). His Spirit lives within us. And as he does, his strength becomes our strength, his peace becomes our peace, his love becomes our love. By the Spirit, right now, in whatever callings each of you have been given, you have everything you could possibly need to honor Christ — whether by life or by death — because that Christ lives in you. He's going to help you.

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________EpiphanyAnd nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.Isaiah 60:3 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. EpiphanyThe Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him. Venite Psalm 95:1-7Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. * Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Psalm 51 Miserere mei, Deus1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *in your great compassion blot out my offenses.2Wash me through and through from my wickedness *and cleanse me from my sin.3For I know my transgressions, *and my sin is ever before me.4Against you only have I sinned *and done what is evil in your sight.5And so you are justified when you speak *and upright in your judgment.6Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *a sinner from my mother's womb.7For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *and will make me understand wisdom secretly.8Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.9Make me hear of joy and gladness, *that the body you have broken may rejoice.10Hide your face from my sins *and blot out all my iniquities.11Create in me a clean heart, O God, *and renew a right spirit within me.12Cast me not away from your presence *and take not your holy Spirit from me.13Give me the joy of your saving help again *and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.14I shall teach your ways to the wicked, *and sinners shall return to you.15Deliver me from death, O God, *and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness,O God of my salvation.16Open my lips, O Lord, *and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.17Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, *but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.18The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; *a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.19Be favorable and gracious to Zion, *and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.20Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices,with burnt-offerings and oblations; *then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsProverbs 15:16-23 English Standard Version16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord    than great treasure and trouble with it.17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is    than a fattened ox and hatred with it.18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,    but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,    but the path of the upright is a level highway.20 A wise son makes a glad father,    but a foolish man despises his mother.21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,    but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.22 Without counsel plans fail,    but with many advisers they succeed.23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,    and a word in season, how good it is!Proverbs 15:27-29 English Standard Version27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,    but he who hates bribes will live.28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.29 The Lord is far from the wicked,    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. You are God(Te Deum laudamus)You are God: we praise you;You are the Lord: we acclaim you;You are the eternal Father:All creation worships you.To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.The glorious company of apostles praise you.The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;Father, of majesty unbounded,your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory.We believe that you will come and be our judge.Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. Philippians 3:17-4:3 English Standard Version17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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.4 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.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. A Song of Praise(Benedictus es, Domine Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34)Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; * you are worthy of praise; glory to you.Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; * on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.Glory to you, beholding the depths; * in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesShow us your mercy, O Lord;And grant us your salvation.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;Let your people sing with joy.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;For only in you can we live in safety. Lord, keep this nation under your care;And guide us in the way of justice and truth. Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. Epiphany 3 (Anglican Prayer Book)ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our weaknesses and, in all dangers and needs, stretch out your right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen.A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceLord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.For MissionAlmighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14

So much of Philippians 4 is about walking with people. Go back and read the whole chapter. It's all about people; Euodia, Syntyche, his co-workers, Epaphroditus and Clement. They are the people we work with and walk with through difficult times. We share our troubles and we encourage and support one another. We don't walk alone. We can't walk alone. We won't make it if we walk alone. And even beyond the people there are some amazing promises flowing from the reality that we walk this path with God, with Christ. When Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." he's simply saying, "don't walk alone." You don't have to walk alone. We walk beside the almighty Christ who shares his resurrection power with us. In the midst of anxious, difficult times, never forget, "we don't walk alone."

Philippians 1–4 Philippians 1–4 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul and Timothy, servants1 of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers2 and deacons:3 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 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. 7 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,4 both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. The Advance of the Gospel 12 I want you to know, brothers,5 that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard6 and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word7 without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. To Live Is Christ Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy8 of the gospel of Christ, 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, 28 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. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. Christ's Example of Humility 2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,9 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,10 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,11 being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Lights in the World 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. Timothy and Epaphroditus 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's12 proven worth, how as a son13 with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died14 for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. Righteousness Through Faith in Christ 3 Finally, my brothers,15 rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God16 and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,17 blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Straining Toward the Goal 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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. 4 Therefore, my brothers,18 whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,19 help these women, who have labored20 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. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness21 be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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. 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 learned22 and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. God's Provision 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. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share23 my trouble. 15 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 only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.24 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Final Greetings 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Footnotes [1] 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface [2] 1:1 Or bishops; Greek episkopoi [3] 1:1 Or servants, or ministers; Greek diakonoi [4] 1:7 Or you all have fellowship with me in grace [5] 1:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 14 [6] 1:13 Greek in the whole praetorium [7] 1:14 Some manuscripts add of God [8] 1:27 Greek Only behave as citizens worthy [9] 2:5 Or which was also in Christ Jesus [10] 2:6 Or a thing to be held on to for advantage [11] 2:7 Or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) [12] 2:22 Greek his [13] 2:22 Greek child [14] 2:30 Or he drew near to the point of death; compare verse 8 [15] 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17 [16] 3:3 Some manuscripts God in spirit [17] 3:6 Greek in the law [18] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 8, 21 [19] 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus; Greek true yokefellow [20] 4:3 Or strived (see 1:27) [21] 4:5 Or gentleness [22] 4:9 Or these things— 9which things you have also learned [23] 4:14 Or have fellowship in [24] 4:17 Or I seek the profit that accrues to your account (ESV)

Philippians 1–4 Philippians 1–4 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul and Timothy, servants1 of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers2 and deacons:3 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 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. 7 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,4 both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. The Advance of the Gospel 12 I want you to know, brothers,5 that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard6 and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word7 without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. To Live Is Christ Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy8 of the gospel of Christ, 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, 28 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. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. Christ's Example of Humility 2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,9 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,10 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,11 being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Lights in the World 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. Timothy and Epaphroditus 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's12 proven worth, how as a son13 with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died14 for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. Righteousness Through Faith in Christ 3 Finally, my brothers,15 rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God16 and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,17 blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Straining Toward the Goal 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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. 4 Therefore, my brothers,18 whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,19 help these women, who have labored20 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. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness21 be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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. 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 learned22 and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. God's Provision 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. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share23 my trouble. 15 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 only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.24 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Final Greetings 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Footnotes [1] 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface [2] 1:1 Or bishops; Greek episkopoi [3] 1:1 Or servants, or ministers; Greek diakonoi [4] 1:7 Or you all have fellowship with me in grace [5] 1:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 14 [6] 1:13 Greek in the whole praetorium [7] 1:14 Some manuscripts add of God [8] 1:27 Greek Only behave as citizens worthy [9] 2:5 Or which was also in Christ Jesus [10] 2:6 Or a thing to be held on to for advantage [11] 2:7 Or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) [12] 2:22 Greek his [13] 2:22 Greek child [14] 2:30 Or he drew near to the point of death; compare verse 8 [15] 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17 [16] 3:3 Some manuscripts God in spirit [17] 3:6 Greek in the law [18] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 8, 21 [19] 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus; Greek true yokefellow [20] 4:3 Or strived (see 1:27) [21] 4:5 Or gentleness [22] 4:9 Or these things— 9which things you have also learned [23] 4:14 Or have fellowship in [24] 4:17 Or I seek the profit that accrues to your account (ESV)

Old Testament: Ezekiel 17–18 Ezekiel 17–18 (Listen) Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine 17 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, propound a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; 3 say, Thus says the Lord GOD: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar. 4 He broke off the topmost of its young twigs and carried it to a land of trade and set it in a city of merchants. 5 Then he took of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil.1 He placed it beside abundant waters. He set it like a willow twig, 6 and it sprouted and became a low spreading vine, and its branches turned toward him, and its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out boughs. 7 “And there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him from the bed where it was planted, that he might water it. 8 It had been planted on good soil by abundant waters, that it might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine. 9 “Say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it withers, so that all its fresh sprouting leaves wither? It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it from its roots. 10 Behold, it is planted; will it thrive? Will it not utterly wither when the east wind strikes it—wither away on the bed where it sprouted?” 11 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 12 “Say now to the rebellious house, Do you not know what these things mean? Tell them, behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took her king and her princes and brought them to him to Babylon. 13 And he took one of the royal offspring2 and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath (the chief men of the land he had taken away), 14 that the kingdom might be humble and not lift itself up, and keep his covenant that it might stand. 15 But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape? 16 “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke, in Babylon he shall die. 17 Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company will not help him in war, when mounds are cast up and siege walls built to cut off many lives. 18 He despised the oath in breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and did all these things; he shall not escape. 19 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head. 20 I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon and enter into judgment with him there for the treachery he has committed against me. 21 And all the pick3 of his troops shall fall by the sword, and the survivors shall be scattered to every wind, and you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken.” 22 Thus says the Lord GOD: “I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.” The Soul Who Sins Shall Die 18 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “What do you4 mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? 3 As I live, declares the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die. 5 “If a man is righteous and does what is just and right—6 if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, 7 does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, 8 does not lend at interest or take any profit,5 withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, 9 walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord GOD. 10 “If he fathers a son who is violent, a shedder of blood, who does any of these things 11 (though he himself did none of these things), who even eats upon the mountains, defiles his neighbor's wife, 12 oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore the pledge, lifts up his eyes to the idols, commits abomination, 13 lends at interest, and takes profit; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself. 14 “Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise: 15 he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife, 16 does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, 17 withholds his hand from iniquity,6 takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father's iniquity; he shall surely live. 18 As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity. 19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?' When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. 20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. 21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? 24 But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die. 25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 26 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. 27 Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.7 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.” Footnotes [1] 17:5 Hebrew in a field of seed [2] 17:13 Hebrew seed [3] 17:21 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Syriac, Targum; most Hebrew manuscripts all the fugitives [4] 18:2 The Hebrew for you is plural [5] 18:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor; also verses 13, 17 (compare Leviticus 25:36) [6] 18:17 Septuagint; Hebrew from the poor [7] 18:30 Or lest iniquity be your stumbling block (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 119:129–136 Psalm 119:129–136 (Listen) Pe 129   Your testimonies are wonderful;    therefore my soul keeps them.130   The unfolding of your words gives light;    it imparts understanding to the simple.131   I open my mouth and pant,    because I long for your commandments.132   Turn to me and be gracious to me,    as is your way with those who love your name.133   Keep steady my steps according to your promise,    and let no iniquity get dominion over me.134   Redeem me from man's oppression,    that I may keep your precepts.135   Make your face shine upon your servant,    and teach me your statutes.136   My eyes shed streams of tears,    because people do not keep your law. (ESV) New Testament: Philippians 3–4 Philippians 3–4 (Listen) Righteousness Through Faith in Christ 3 Finally, my brothers,1 rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God2 and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,3 blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Straining Toward the Goal 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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. 4 Therefore, my brothers,4 whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,5 help these women, who have labored6 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. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness7 be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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. 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 learned8 and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. God's Provision 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. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share9 my trouble. 15 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 only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.10 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Final Greetings 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Footnotes [1] 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17 [2] 3:3 Some manuscripts God in spirit [3] 3:6 Greek in the law [4] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 8, 21 [5] 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus; Greek true yokefellow [6] 4:3 Or strived (see 1:27) [7] 4:5 Or gentleness [8] 4:9 Or these things— 9which things you have also learned [9] 4:14 Or have fellowship in [10] 4:17 Or I seek the profit that accrues to your account (ESV)

With family: 1 Kings 13; Philippians 4 1 Kings 13 (Listen) A Man of God Confronts Jeroboam 13 And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings. 2 And the man cried against the altar by the word of the LORD and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.'” 3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that the LORD has spoken: ‘Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.'” 4 And when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him.” And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself. 5 The altar also was torn down, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. 6 And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” And the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it was before. 7 And the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” 8 And the man of God said to the king, “If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, 9 for so was it commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.'” 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel. The Prophet's Disobedience 11 Now an old prophet lived in Bethel. And his sons1 came and told him all that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told to their father the words that he had spoken to the king. 12 And their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons showed him the way that the man of God who came from Judah had gone. 13 And he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he mounted it. 14 And he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak. And he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said, “I am.” 15 Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” 16 And he said, “I may not return with you, or go in with you, neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place, 17 for it was said to me by the word of the LORD, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.'” 18 And he said to him, “I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.'” But he lied to him. 19 So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water. 20 And as they sat at the table, the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back. 21 And he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because you have disobeyed the word of the LORD and have not kept the command that the LORD your God commanded you, 22 but have come back and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which he said to you, “Eat no bread and drink no water,” your body shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.'” 23 And after he had eaten bread and drunk, he saddled the donkey for the prophet whom he had brought back. 24 And as he went away a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his body was thrown in the road, and the donkey stood beside it; the lion also stood beside the body. 25 And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown in the road and the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. 26 And when the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard of it, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the word of the LORD; therefore the LORD has given him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word that the LORD spoke to him.” 27 And he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And they saddled it. 28 And he went and found his body thrown in the road, and the donkey and the lion standing beside the body. The lion had not eaten the body or torn the donkey. 29 And the prophet took up the body of the man of God and laid it on the donkey and brought it back to the city2 to mourn and to bury him. 30 And he laid the body in his own grave. And they mourned over him, saying, “Alas, my brother!” 31 And after he had buried him, he said to his sons, “When I die, bury me in the grave in which the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones. 32 For the saying that he called out by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses of the high places that are in the cities of Samaria shall surely come to pass.” 33 After this thing Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but made priests for the high places again from among all the people. Any who would, he ordained to be priests of the high places. 34 And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, so as to cut it off and to destroy it from the face of the earth. Footnotes [1] 13:11 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew son [2] 13:29 Septuagint; Hebrew he came to the city of the old prophet (ESV) Philippians 4 (Listen) 4 Therefore, my brothers,1 whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,2 help these women, who have labored3 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. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness4 be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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. 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 learned5 and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. God's Provision 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. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share6 my trouble. 15 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 only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.7 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Final Greetings 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Footnotes [1] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 8, 21 [2] 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus; Greek true yokefellow [3] 4:3 Or strived (see 1:27) [4] 4:5 Or gentleness [5] 4:9 Or these things— 9which things you have also learned [6] 4:14 Or have fellowship in [7] 4:17 Or I seek the profit that accrues to your account (ESV) In private: Psalms 95–96; Ezekiel 43 Psalms 95–96 (Listen) Let Us Sing Songs of Praise 95   Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!2   Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!3   For the LORD is a great God,    and a great King above all gods.4   In his hand are the depths of the earth;    the heights of the mountains are his also.5   The sea is his, for he made it,    and his hands formed the dry land. 6   Oh come, let us worship and bow down;    let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!7   For he is our God,    and we are the people of his pasture,    and the sheep of his hand.  Today, if you hear his voice,8     do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,    as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,9   when your fathers put me to the test    and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.10   For forty years I loathed that generation    and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart,    and they have not known my ways.”11   Therefore I swore in my wrath,    “They shall not enter my rest.” Worship in the Splendor of Holiness 96   Oh sing to the LORD a new song;    sing to the LORD, all the earth!2   Sing to the LORD, bless his name;    tell of his salvation from day to day.3   Declare his glory among the nations,    his marvelous works among all the peoples!4   For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;    he is to be feared above all gods.5   For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,    but the LORD made the heavens.6   Splendor and majesty are before him;    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7   Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,    ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!8   Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;    bring an offering, and come into his courts!9   Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;1    tremble before him, all the earth! 10   Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;    he will judge the peoples with equity.” 11   Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12     let the field exult, and everything in it!  Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy13     before the LORD, for he comes,    for he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness,    and the peoples in his faithfulness. Footnotes [1] 96:9 Or in holy attire (ESV) Ezekiel 43 (Listen) The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple 43 Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. 2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. 3 And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he1 came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. 4 As the glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate facing east, 5 the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 6 While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple, 7 and he said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies2 of their kings at their high places,3 8 by setting their threshold by my threshold and their doorposts beside my doorposts, with only a wall between me and them. They have defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed, so I have consumed them in my anger. 9 Now let them put away their whoring and the dead bodies of their kings far from me, and I will dwell in their midst forever. 10 “As for you, son of man, describe to the house of Israel the temple, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and they shall measure the plan. 11 And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple, its arrangement, its exits and its entrances, that is, its whole design; and make known to them as well all its statutes and its whole design and all its laws, and write it down in their sight, so that they may observe all its laws and all its statutes and carry them out. 12 This is the law of the temple: the whole territory on the top of the mountain all around shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple. The Altar 13 “These are the measurements of the altar by cubits (the cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth):4 its base shall be one cubit high5 and one cubit broad, with a rim of one span6 around its edge. And this shall be the height of the altar: 14 from the base on the ground to the lower ledge, two cubits, with a breadth of one cubit; and from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge, four cubits, with a breadth of one cubit; 15 and the altar hearth, four cubits; and from the altar hearth projecting upward, four horns. 16 The altar hearth shall be square, twelve cubits long by twelve broad. 17 The ledge also shall be square, fourteen cubits long by fourteen broad, with a rim around it half a cubit broad, and its base one cubit all around. The steps of the altar shall face east.” 18 And he said to me, “Son of man, thus says the Lord GOD: These are the ordinances for the altar: On the day when it is erected for offering burnt offerings upon it and for throwing blood against it, 19 you shall give to the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok, who draw near to me to minister to me, declares the Lord GOD, a bull from the herd for a sin offering. 20 And you shall take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the ledge and upon the rim all around. Thus you shall purify the altar and make atonement for it. 21 You shall also take the bull of the sin offering, and it shall be burned in the appointed place belonging to the temple, outside the sacred area. 22 And on the second day you shall offer a male goat without blemish for a sin offering; and the altar shall be purified, as it was purified with the bull. 23 When you have finished purifying it, you shall offer a bull from the herd without blemish and a ram from the flock without blemish. 24 You shall present them before the LORD, and the priests shall sprinkle salt on them and offer them up as a burnt offering to the LORD. 25 For seven days you shall provide daily a male goat for a sin offering; also, a bull from the herd and a ram from the flock, without blemish, shall be provided. 26 Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and cleanse it, and so consecrate it.7 27 And when they have completed these days, then from the eighth day onward the priests shall offer on the altar your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, and I will accept you, declares the Lord GOD.” Footnotes [1] 43:3 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts when I [2] 43:7 Or the monuments; also verse 9 [3] 43:7 Or at their deaths [4] 43:13 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters; a handbreadth was about 3 inches or 7.5 centimeters [5] 43:13 Or its gutter shall be one cubit deep [6] 43:13 A span was about 9 inches or 22 centimeters [7] 43:26 Hebrew fill its hand (ESV)

Read this!4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.Okay, let's talk about how powerfully this can shape your day and life. Then... Read this!2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.This came before our reading. What if Phil. 4:4-9 is the method by which conflict should be resolved among fellow believers? Have you ever seen it in that light? Let's do that together.Sometime that still means confrontation and even time apart. But are we doing that for the right reasons? Is that about Christ and the Mission, or ourselves. The thing is - when it's about Christ and the Gospel, that will draw us back together! Let's get on mission!