Many years ago one of my Pastors gave me some great advice. Looking back some thirty years later he could not have been more right.
He told me I had to “dig my own wells”. By this he was talking about I need to do my own work in growing my relationship with God.
He said that many people rely on their Pastor (or Priest) to feed them on a Sunday from the Bible in their sermon or to pray for them after the service. This is important but cannot replace daily Bible reading and prayer.
He then pointed out an elderly lady in our church who had been reading the Bible daily and praying for almost 70 years. Her faith was a strong as anyone I had ever met. She exuded faith and hope.
This advice from my Pastor was one of the main reasons why I have read the Bible and prayed daily for 38+ years.
Some times it has been a short prayer like the Lord’s Prayer and meditating on one Bible verse as I worked. At others it has been praying all night or spending a whole day in the Bible preparing a sermon. Both of these dig wells.
So today I would encourage you with the great words of my Pastor all those years ago, “You have to dig your own wells”.
Suggestions to help you start digging…
1. If you are new to the Bible I would encourage you to download the Bible app. Read the verse of the day and see how many days in a row you can do it. Take some time to reflect on it.
2. If you are new to prayer pray the Lord’s prayer several times a day. Maybe when you wake up and when you go to bed?
This week we are continuing our series from the Book of Philippians. We are up to chapter four, which is our final message. The title of my message is “Be content to live in Christ’s strength and provision”.
So far, we have seen…
Paul was thankful for the Philippians and he prayed that they would grow in their faith.
Paul was thankful that Christ was being preached. Even though he was in prison.
Paul lived his life for Christ. To Paul to live is Christ, to die is gain.
Paul asked them to live as citizens of heaven. He wanted them to represent Christ well.
Have the attitude of Christ – be unified, be interested in others, be humble.
Shine brightly for Christ – continue to shine whether Paul is with them or not.
Paul commended Timothy – he cared for the Philippians, he cared for Christ’s work, he helped Paul greatly.
Paul commended Epaphroditus – a true brother, a co-worker, a fellow soldier, and a messenger in his need.
The priceless value in knowing Christ – knowing Christ is far more important and valuable than anything else in this world.
Pressing on towards the goal – we need to press in to Christ and our relationship with Him with the discipline and determination of an athlete.
We ARE citizens of heaven – we need to live a life worthy of our new home and status.
Today we have four more points to add to this list, but first let us have a look at the text.
In verse 2 Paul appeals to Euodia and Syntyche. “Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement”.
In chapter two Paul spoke about being unified. This time he speaks about a disagreement that had been ongoing between two keys women in the church.
Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, are instructed to bring their attitudes into harmony. Paul does not indicate which one was in the wrong but knows that if the attitude of each would be formed “in the Lord,” the disharmony would vanish. Paul’s method of handling the problem suggests that it was not a doctrinal issue, but a clash of personalities.
Euodia and Syntyche had once worked side by side with Paul in the past. Paul hope they would be able to do so again. This issue is so important to Paul that asks a third person to be involved to helps sort it out. He uses the term “true partner” in the NLT or “loyal yokefellow” in the NIV.
This squabbling reminds me of the issues in 1 Corinthians 1. Where people were arguing over who they follow. Some said they followed Paul, some Peter, some Apollos, some followed Christ. To this Paul said, “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose” (v10).
As I said several weeks ago, if 100 pianos tuned by the same tuning fork, they are automatically tuned to each other. If these two women tuned themselves in to Christ, then the issue might be resolved and they would be able to work together again.
It is so important that we get on well as Christians and co-workers for the Kingdom. Why? Because the world is watching and often they judge our ability or inability to get along as a true test of our faith. In John Jesus said people will know we are His disciples because our love for one another (John 13:35). So, we need to be tuned to Christ and work hard at getting along with each other. It really is that important. Both to Paul and ultimately to Jesus.
2. Don’t worry, pray
Verse 6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done”.
Sometimes I think worry is the default setting for us who live in this world. This is why prayer is so important. I read three short stories about worry this week.
The first was… “For several years a woman had been having trouble getting to sleep at night because she feared burglars. One night her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went downstairs to investigate. When he got there, he did find a burglar. “Good evening,” said the man of the house. “I am pleased to see you. Come upstairs and meet my wife. She has been waiting 10 years to meet you.”
The second was… “Worry is fear’s extravagance. It extracts interest on trouble before it comes due. It constantly drains the energy God gives us to face daily problems and to fulfill our many responsibilities. It is therefore a waste. A woman who had lived long enough to have learned some important truths about life remarked, “I’ve had a lot of trouble — most of which never happened!” She had worried about many things that had never occurred, and had come to see the total futility of her anxieties.”
A better way is to follow Hudson Taylor’s advice… Hudson Taylor, missionary to China and founder of what is today known as the Overseas Missionary Fellowship, gave this excellent advice: “Let us give up our work, our plans, ourselves, our lives, our loved ones, our influence, our all, right into [God’s] hand; and then, when we have given all over to Him, there will be nothing left for us to be troubled about.”
The last story is more in line with our text today. When we give up our worries, cares and anxieties to God in prayer, we don’t need to worry any more. When we connect with God, we exchange our needs and concerns for His peace. Verse 7 says when we pray, “…you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Isaiah 26:3 also tells us, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”
So, don’t worry, pray and leave it with God.
3. Focus on what is good and put God’s Word into practice
In verse 8 Paul says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise”.
Paul encourages us to focus on what is good. He says to “fix our thoughts” on these things. What things did Paul want us to fix our minds on? Things that are true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Verse 9 says, “Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me–everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Paul not only wanted them to focus on good things, he wanted them to follow his example.
One of the commentaries I read this said this about verses 8-9…
4:8 What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. Paul tells us to program our minds with thoughts that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise. Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, Internet, books, conversations, movies, video games, and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read God’s Word and pray. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.
4:9 It’s not enough to hear or read the Word of God or even to know it well. We must also put it into practice. How easy it is to listen to a sermon and forget what the preacher said. How easy it is to read the Bible and not think about how to live differently. How easy it is to debate what a passage means and not live out that meaning. Exposure to God’s Word is not enough. It must lead to obedience.
These two comments capture Paul’s thoughts. For the Philippians to be all they can be for God, they needed to focus on the good things and put Paul’s example and the Word of God into practice.
4. Be content with where God has you
In verses 10-11 he says, “10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”
The text today and the parallel passage from Acts 16 tells us that the church at Philippi had helped Paul on a number of occasions. In fact, they were one of the churches that helped him while in prison and while in Macedonia. Paul really appreciated their help, but says he was content in the times of plenty and the times of trial or lack.
In 2 Corinthians 11:23b-28 he talks about some of his trials. “23 … I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.”
Paul had been through a lot. Both good and bad. More than most of us will ever experience for the Gospel. Regardless of this, Paul said in verse 11, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have”. Paul knew Christ was enough. If he had lots, it was enough. If he had nothing, that was enough too.
Two things in today’s passage help us to be content.
The first is found in verse 13. It says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Christ, is all powerful. He can do all things. There is nothing He can’t do. His power is there to sustain us and to empower us to do the work He calls us to.
All the strength we need to do what we need to do today and what we need to do tomorrow is found in Christ.
The second one is found in verse 19. It says, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Not only do we have the strength. God promises to supply our needs in Christ Jesus. Psalms 50:9-11 says, “But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. 10 For all the animals of the forest are Mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are Mine.”
God owns all the cattle on all the hills. If we need something, He can get it to us.
For us as Christians today, it is important for us to learn to be content with were we are and what God has us doing. He not only gives us strength, but He also supplies all our needs. So, let us be content.
Closing Summary
So today let us remember these four things from Philippians chapter four.
Get on well and work well with each other
Don’t worry, pray and give it to God
Focus on what is good and put God’s Word into practice
In every church I have attended over the years they all have different roles and titles. The video above explains all the roles in the Catholic church. I found it really interesting as I have heard all the terms, but not really known what many of them meant.
I was doing some research on the various church councils down through the ages and I found the above image. I found it quite helpful.
If you are not aware of the church councils, they were called to address an issue of heresy that was pervading the church at the time.
The councils acted as an arbiter of correct doctrine and belief. They discussed the issues and made a concrete decision of what is true.
The Nicene Creed is a classic example. It grew out of the Council of Nicaea and addressed the issue of Jesus Christ being equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
The thing I find interesting is that some follow the beliefs and teachings that the church made concrete decisions against. Some current day cults actually teach that Jesus was a created being.
If you have some time I would encourage you to have a look at the church councils and see how much we believe today is based on decisions they made many years ago.
Towards the end of the Nicene Creed there is a line that describes the church as a whole. It says, “We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church”
These four thoughts or words are echoed in the Book of Ephesians.
The Church is One
In Ephesians 4:4-6 it says, “For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. [5] There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”
These verses tell us that we have one unified faith in and under Christ.
The Church is Holy
Throughout the Bible God describes Himself as holy and he calls as Christ followers to be holy. Ephesians 5:27 tells us that, “He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.”
When we strive for holiness in our daily lives, we not only obey God’s command, but we let our lights shine to the world around us which brings glory to our heavenly Father (Matthew 5:14-16).
The Church is Catholic
The word Catholic was first used by Saint Ignatius of Antioch in 107AD, it means universal or everywhere. As Christians we are Christ’s body. And even though we are spread all over the world and throughout time, we are one in Him.
Ephesians 2:19 says, “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” We are members of God’s Catholic or universal church.
The Church is Apostolic
Ephesians 2:20 tells us the church is built on a solid foundation. “Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.”
Jesus hand picked His disciples, who He trained and equipped for service after He returned to heaven. These Apostles continued to build on the work of the Prophets in the Old Testament era. Now the church learns from their teaching in the Bible every Sunday in church.
I really love this description of the church as a whole – one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Though we may have slightly different beliefs and practices in how we do church in our small settings, the reality is we are one in Christ because of our faith and trust in Him.
