Christian Life Church
October 4, 2023 - 7pm
PHILIPPIANS MAKING PEACE (4:1-3) PHILIPPIANS THE BOOK OF LIFE (4:1-3)
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
PHILIPPIANS OCTOBER 4, 2023
MAKING PEACE (4:1-3)
SCRIPTURE
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! 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. Philippians 4:1-3, NIV
THE PROBLEM IN PHILIPPI
1/ These two women were Christians.
2/ These two women were influential in the church.
3/ These two women were divided over a relational issue.
PAUL’S LEADERSHIP
1/ Paul addresses the situation with a compassionate heart.
2/ Paul brings urgency to the situation.
3/ Paul brings value to the individuals.
4/ Paul brings eternal perspective into the conversation.
OUR ROLE AS THE CHURCH
The church has many responsibilities, one of them is accountability and reconciliation.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2
Most church disagreements are not of an ultimate or doctrinal sense.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
BUT WHY?
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:31
THE MATTHEW 18 PRINCIPLE
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
1/ Address the situation in private.
2/ Address the situation with caring friends.
3/ Address the situation with pastoral type leadership.
4/ Address them as a non-believer.
WHEN SHOULD I ADDRESS AN ISSUE?
Here are some questions to ask before bringing up an offense:
1/ Is it something that can be overlooked without bitterness?
2/ Is it something that is dishonoring the Lord?
3/ Is it something that is damaging your relationship with the person?
4/ Is it something that is hurting others?
5/ Is it something that is hurting the offender?
PHILIPPIANS
THE BOOK OF LIFE (4:1-3)
SCRIPTURE
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! 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. Philippians 4:1-3, NIV
THE “BOOKS” OF THE BIBLE
1/ The Book of the Living
2/ The Book of the Dead
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:12
3/ The Lamb’s Book of Life
Theory 1: The Lamb’s Book of Life has the name of every person.
Some interpret this verse to point that direction.
The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels. Revelation 3:5
Theory 2: The Lamb’s Book of Life has the name of only the redeemed.
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15
But nothing unclean will ever enter (heaven), nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27
And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast. Revelation 17:8
…and all who dwell on earth will worship (the beast), everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Revelation 13:8
If your name is not in the book, you will worship the beast. If you worship the beast, your name is not in the book.
CLOSE
“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
MAKING PEACE (4:1-3)
SCRIPTURE
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! 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. Philippians 4:1-3, NIV
THE PROBLEM IN PHILIPPI
1/ These two women were Christians.
2/ These two women were influential in the church.
3/ These two women were divided over a relational issue.
PAUL’S LEADERSHIP
1/ Paul addresses the situation with a compassionate heart.
2/ Paul brings urgency to the situation.
3/ Paul brings value to the individuals.
4/ Paul brings eternal perspective into the conversation.
OUR ROLE AS THE CHURCH
The church has many responsibilities, one of them is accountability and reconciliation.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2
Most church disagreements are not of an ultimate or doctrinal sense.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
BUT WHY?
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:31
THE MATTHEW 18 PRINCIPLE
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
1/ Address the situation in private.
2/ Address the situation with caring friends.
3/ Address the situation with pastoral type leadership.
4/ Address them as a non-believer.
WHEN SHOULD I ADDRESS AN ISSUE?
Here are some questions to ask before bringing up an offense:
1/ Is it something that can be overlooked without bitterness?
2/ Is it something that is dishonoring the Lord?
3/ Is it something that is damaging your relationship with the person?
4/ Is it something that is hurting others?
5/ Is it something that is hurting the offender?
PHILIPPIANS
THE BOOK OF LIFE (4:1-3)
SCRIPTURE
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! 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. Philippians 4:1-3, NIV
THE “BOOKS” OF THE BIBLE
1/ The Book of the Living
2/ The Book of the Dead
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:12
3/ The Lamb’s Book of Life
Theory 1: The Lamb’s Book of Life has the name of every person.
Some interpret this verse to point that direction.
The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels. Revelation 3:5
Theory 2: The Lamb’s Book of Life has the name of only the redeemed.
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15
But nothing unclean will ever enter (heaven), nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27
And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast. Revelation 17:8
…and all who dwell on earth will worship (the beast), everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Revelation 13:8
If your name is not in the book, you will worship the beast. If you worship the beast, your name is not in the book.
CLOSE
“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20