Practicing Peace Series

Title: Practicing Peace

Text: Philippians 4:2-9

Introduction

Today our text begins like an episode from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills complete with:

• Hair pulling.

• Crazy Drama.

• Packaged insanity.

The Apostle Paul says, “When peace is broken… fix it!”

I. When Peace Is Broken… Fix It!

Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche (Sintysha). Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. Philippians 4:2-3

This is an interesting text in that there are a couple of curves in the works at the onset.

First there was and to some extent still some question about the two characters named in verse 2. Some translators say the conflict was between Euodias and Syntyche. In this case Euodias is a man’s name, which would mean the conflict was between a man and Syntyche, a woman’s name. Speculators suggest it was a married couple. However most believe the names are Euodia (a woman’s name) and Syntyche… or two women. (Conflict is not gender specific!)

The second stickler is the place of women in Greek culture at that time. In Greek culture women were very much behind the scenes… they were seen little and heard even less. So for two women to be named as members of the Church at Philippi is unusual. However we know that in Paul’s writings women played a prominent role in the life and ministry of the early Church.

On at least two occasions Paul made a point of stating that in Christ there is no gender distinctions… There is no longer male and female…for you are all one in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:28 In Colossians 3:11, …in this new life distinctions do not matter… Christ is all that matters.

So it is apparent that there are two prominent women in the Church at Philippi who were in conflict with each other and the Apostle Paul is very concerned. He is concerned enough to confront it.

Here’s why.

A. Quarreling Christians Do Not Honor Christ

• Because you belong to Christ! 4:2

No one can be at peace with God and at odds with other believers.

B. Quarreling Christians Must Restore the Peace

• Settle your disagreement! 4:2

C. Quarreling Christians Leave a Sad Legacy

• Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche…

Interestingly, these two women were known for their hard work in the life and ministry of the Church at Philippi. The Apostle Paul wrote passionately about how hard they worked for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “They worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

Euodias’ and Syntyche’s names are recorded in the Book of Life referenced in Revelation 3:5, “All who are victorious will be clothed in white and I will never erase their names from the Book of Life.”

They were Christian women. They had faithfully served the Church of Jesus Christ and had been a blessing to many people. Their names were recorded in the Book of Life. At the time of the final judgment their names will be found there and they will enter the bliss of eternal life. But that is not how they are remembered is it?

When I was a boy we often spent Sundays at my grandpa and grandma’s house. My dad’s side of the family was large… 8 boys and 2 daughters and all their spouses and all their kids. My memories of those days are fun filled.

There were softball games in the hay field and clod fights in the plowed field. We slid down a grassy hill on an old car hood in winter. We fished for catfish in the creek. It was a fun place.

But I remember one thing that was all out of whack… I had two aunts who had gotten into some kind of spat and they refused to speak to each other or be in the same house with each other. So on those days when both were there one of my aunts would sit in the car while the other was having a good time in the house. Then at a specified time the aunt who was in the house would go out to her car and sit while the other aunt went inside where everyone was having a good time.

They were both lovely and fun-loving women and I am pleased to say their reconciliation was as public as their spat and the story had a wonderful ending.

But can you imagine what it would be like to have your name go down in history with a reputation for being quarrelsome? Can you image your name going down in history so that you are forever remembered because you couldn’t get along with someone in Church or at home or at work or in the neighborhood or at Jewel Osco?