Philippians 4: 2-9

1. Who needs to agree?
2. What phrase does Paul add to his pleading?
3. Where should our minds be focused?
4. How is unity preserved in the community of Philippi?
5. How is unity preserved by where your thoughts are?

I am frustrated with the merger of Fox River Grove and Crystal Lake Hammers.  My soccer team has merged with another and we look terrible.  I could focus on the players who trot around and don’t carry their weight.  I could focus on the players in the center of the field who don’t tackle.  However, just focusing on criticising will not bring peace or harmony.  I need to focus on why am there.  I need to focus on the efforts that many did put forth.  I need to think differently. In what areas is there a lack of harmony in your life?  How could you think about those areas differently to preserve unity and be an agent of joy?

Going Deeper

Observation

• Who does Paul ask to help these women?
• When should the Philippians rejoice?
• Where is the Lord?
• How are the Philippians to deal with the anxiety they have?
• What will the peace of God do?

Interpretation

• Are these women in church leadership?  How has their problem affected the whole church?
• How do arguments strip people of their joy?
• Was Paul mistaken in thinking that Jesus was coming back soon?
• What is ‘petition’?  How does that affect how we pray?
• Are pure, noble, admirable, lovely things only found among Christians?

Application

• Should women lead the church?  Should The Chapel have a third, female, Senior Pastor in the mix?
• Are you at odds with someone?  Is it a godly remedy to talk it out with a third person?  Is it godly to let them have it out of both barrels?
• Does a lack of rest strip you of joy?  How could you prioratize your life so that the essentials are still carried out and you are joyful, peaceful and rested?
• Do you see God at work in teaching, counseling, homemaking, television, and finances?  What true, noble, right, pure, and lovely things did you see at work today?
• How are you an example to those around you in the way your mind works?