How Paul Handled Conflict?

How Paul handled Conflict? Philippians 4:1-9

1. The Church at Philippi

• The apostle Paul, is writing to the church at Philippi. It’s a church Paul Loves

• He tells his readers that he appreciates their congregation for its faithfulness to the gospel. He urges them “stand firm in the Lord”

• The congregants here were mainly gentiles,

2. In this Church is a disagreement can you imagine that a disagreement would happen in the church

• In the church at Philippi there is a disagreement between two women in the Philippian church.

• Paul does not say what the disagreement is about —Paul says : “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.”

3. Paul asks the church members to help in the disagreement

• He goes on to ask the church members to assist these women in coming together,

• Paul compliments both of them: “I ask you … [to] help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

• The church probably did help these women to find fellowship with one another again

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4. The following is How Paul handled controversy?

• Paul, it’s clear that he is a man of strong opinions and also one to confront sin for what it is.

• But the conflict here, whatever its cause, is between two individuals whom Paul considers good people, and he does not champion one over the other.

• Paul He doesn’t describe one person as good and the other as bad, and he doesn’t label one right and one wrong.

• Paul preserves the integrity and reputation of the two women. He mentions that they have worked faithfully alongside him in the work of the gospel.

• Paul offers Praise for the women, rather than any gossip about their controversy,

5. Paul tells us after being in ministry for a while I have learned in 11-12 . 11for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

• When disagreements come I have learned - Rejoice in the Lord always (v. 4).

• When differences arise Let your gentleness arise be known to everyone. (v. 5).

• When the house is divided be in prayer “Not My Will but Thine Lord” Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (v. 6).

• When conflicts are dwelling Dwell on the highest things (v. 8).

• When the road gets heavy remember You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (v. 13). - God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus

6. Finally, Paul says to the church “Lets be of the same mind” that what Paul told Euodia and Syntyche

• do the true do the honorable

• do the just do the pure

• do the pleasing and the commendable

• 9 As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you and if you do them God will be with us

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[d] these things.

Children time:

What does the Preacher do? What is the preachers Job?

I am going to give you a job to do in this week, right out of the pages of the Bible.

Point to them one by one and say:

Rejoice, be gentle, do not worry, pray, give thanks, speak the truth,

be honorable, be just, be pure, be pleasing to God, be commendable,

be excellent (vv. 4-8).