"spiritual Stability"

Title: “Spiritual Stability” Script: Phil. 4:1-6

Type: Series Where: GNBC 8-17-25

Intro: The Church of Jesus Christ is under attack. We should not be surprised. Our Lord said it would be. In Jn. 16:33 He said: “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” To Timothy he wrote: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” The assault on the Church consistently comes from three sources. The first source is the world with all of its allurements, which endeavor s to entice believers. The world also openly and subtly persecutes the church. The Church dares not to compromise with the world. The “flesh”, or the believer’s unredeemed humanness is a second source of attack. Jesus told us to “Keep watching and praying so that you may not enter into temptation.” (Mt. 26:41). The 3rd source of assault is the devil. The devil energizes both the world and the flesh, and he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (I Pet. 5:8). The world is tempting, the flesh is vulnerable, and the devil is lionlike in his ferocity. As a result church:

Prop: Exam. Phil. 4:1-6 we’ll notice 4 elements required for spiritual stability.

BG: 1. Spiritual instability leads to disappointment, doubt, discouragement, and ineffective witness. 2. Written by Paul during 2nd Roman imprisonment, 59-61 AD.

3.Church was 1st European Church, founded by Paul, both Jews and Greeks.

Prop: Let’s look to Phil. 4:1-6 to realize 4 elements required for spiritual stability in a congregation.

I. 1st Element for Congregational Stability: Confront Conflict.

A. Cultivate Harmony in the Church Fellowship.

1. What was the issue of conflict that needed confrontation at Philippi?

a. What do you suppose was the most serious threat facing the Philippian congregation? Judaizers and other false teachers? Persecution? Doctrinal error? Lack of unity? Possibly, but the most serious threat facing the congregation was a dispute between two prominent women in the church: Euodia and Syntyche. These two influential women posed one of the greatest threats to the unity and stability of the church. There was a real possibility that the Philippians would become critical, vengeful, hostile, unforgiving, and proud. Unless decisive action was taken, the church could dissolve into divisive factions. It was absolutely essential that the Philippians be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3; Col. 3:14) (Illust: Have you ever thrown a rock into a pond? Water is still and smooth. Rock hits and is a splash. Ripples go out from that splash. Ripple effect. Draws and or alienates all sorts of individuals.)

b. What do we know about these two women? Actually, we know that they were church members and not outside troublemakers. Second, we know the matter was not doctrinal in nature. Had it been, Paul would have sided with the one that was correct and rebuked the one who was in error. Third, these were prominent women in the church. Well respected. It’s possible they were part of the original group who heard Paul preach on the river banks (Acts 16:13).

2. Sometimes we need outside help to mediate a conflict.

a. v.3 – We see that Paul appeals to an unnamed individual to help mediate the differences between these two women. “Indeed, true comrade” (NASB). Not writing to a Soviet officer. Rather, the word means “yokefellow”, or someone sharing a common burden, Illust: a team of oxen pulling the same load. Some scholars believe was an individual’s actual name that was a play on words. Whoever he was, Paul was asking him to help resolve conflict.

b. Mt. 18:15ff – The Bible gives us a very clear pattern for dealing with offenses. First, we are to go to the one who has sinned against us in private. There, we are to privately and with humility, reprove. If he or she will not listen, take another witness or two with you. If the individual listens, you have won your brother. If not…then need to take it to the church body. If listens and is restored…praise God. If will not even listen to the church, then treat as an outsider. There is virtually no discipline in the American Church today and it is our greatest weakness. If people become offended, they simply go to another, usually bigger, congregation, where can hide out. If contact is made with those leaders, usually will not do anything for fear of alienating people and losing attendance.

B. The Gospel calls us to live in harmony with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

1. Personal conflicts must be resolved and harmony must be restored. So, Paul commands Euodia and Syntyche to “live in harmony”. Pretty simple and pretty direct. You and I need to ask ourselves if we are doing anything knowingly or unknowingly to undermine the fellowship of the assembly. Do we have an ongoing conflict with a brother or a sister? One man has said: “"When we minimize friction we create harmony.” You can get friction for nothing, but harmony costs courage and self-control."