Messages
from the Bible
Philippians 1:14-18; 4:1-9
A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick
This past week, while attending a prayer meeting with half a dozen other Pastors, I learned that a church in our immediate area has been torn apart by strife. Eight years ago two churches were on the verge of being closed by their denominational leaders. However, as a last ditch survival effort, the two churches were joined together and a young Pastor was called to serve these two nearly extinct congregations. He was told he had two years to bring the united congregation back to viability. He succeeded, and the churh was doing well up until a couple months ago. Fighting broke out, the pastor and wife were given a brief sabbatical including a week of R&R with counseling, and an assessment team was sent in to talk with church members. The result? The Pastor and all of the members of the board were asked to resign. Anger, pain, discouragement, disillusionment and a feeling of hopelessness have prevailed - another church ravaged not by attacks from outside the church, but by the inability of good Christian people to get along with each other within the church.
Often in the church, we tend to romanticize the churches of Bible days. We see them as ideal models, we look up to them as mature representatives as to what a church should be like. In so doing, we glamorize the goodness of these churches, and overlook the references to problems that may be noted.
For example, most of the time when we read Paul's little letter to the church he had founded at Philippi, we immediately think of the predominant theme, "joy". After all, Paul, in the four short chapters of this book, makes over a dozen references to "joy" and "rejoicing." It is also in this book that we have such encouraging messages such as: "My God shall supply all your needs", and "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
However, tucked away in the folds of this little "thank you" letter are two acknowledgments that everything is not perfect in this Early Church fellowship. Problems, difficulties between people, conflicts - these are present from the beginning. This may be disconcerting to those who have forgotten that even Christians are fallen creatures in need of God's grace.
But let's go back to Paul's letter. In the very first chapter he makes reference to those who are taking advantage of his adversity. Other leaders in the church evidently felt that Paul couldn't really have been an authentic "Man of God" because he was, at that time, sitting in a Roman prison. Behind his back, so to speak, they criticized him and tried to draw people away from the church. Now let's make this clear. It is not necessarily wrong that there are many different churches in the community, and that from time to time people make a decision to leave one church to go to another. However, it is always harmful when someone who becomes critical of the church leaders draws other people away from the church. Tragically, although some who leave the church during a time of difficulty attend another church, many do not - they merely drop out.
But it's the other passage about church conflict in Philippians that grabs our attention.
Evidently two women leaders, Euodia and Syntyche, were having difficulty getting along. Yes, there is place for women holding positions of leadership in the church - notice Paul described them as being his own colleagues.
But what we have at the beginning of Philippians Chapter 4 is an urgent appeal by the Apostle for these two leaders, Euodia and Syntyche, to work out their differences. This Scripture provides a bit of insight as to how church conflicts should be handled.
Church Conflict Lesson #1 - The resolution of church conflict begins with the conflicted people trying to work things out.
Many years ago I lived in a town which was about 20 miles from the Northeastern Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Several times as I drove down that road, I noticed that on one small rise in the road, there were two churches across the street from each other. Both were built of stones, both were very pretty. In fact, I noticed that they looked very much alike. Then one time while driving by, it suddenly occurred to me that there was one very noticeable difference. The church on the right had a high steeple pointing to the sky, while the church on the left had only a square, flat tower where the steeple should have been. Later I learned the story behind those two churches. At one time, there was one church, and when they were ready to build a new building, an argument broke out between those who wanted to have a church with a steeple, and those who didn't. The way they resolved the conflict was for the church to split and build two churches, one with a steeple, and one without. To this day those churches stand along the highway as a monument to the reality that too often those who claim to be Christians have taken their eyes off the One whose Name they bear, and have focused instead on something rather inconsequential.
With the Apostle Paul, we here today appeal to the Euodias and Syntyches of this day to "agree in the Lord!"
B. But we can even take this further to say that if we will steadfastly focus on the Lord, He will give us the ability to continue being brothers and sisters even when we have disagreements. To "agree in the Lord", then means that by His strength we can come to an agreement. You see, we're not supporting those who seem to think that Christians should have no disagreements. Rather, that the Lord, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, will provide the wisdom to properly resolve differences and conflicts, and if that fails, He will provide enough love to enable us to worship the Lord together in spite of problems, conflicts, criticisms and differences.
Why is this? Because unresolved conflicts between people in the church always end up affecting the entire church. Problems, or conflicts in the church are not necessarily destructive, but unresolved problems will always bring about harm. True humility, love for one another, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit will work together to enable the church to resolve any problem which may come along. Unfortunately, Paul doesn't tell us exactly what the role of the Pastor or other leaders should be in this situation, just that they should "help".
B. On the other hand, Jesus gives us teaching so that we're not left guessing. He makes it very clear that what has to happen if someone has done something that is offensive. His instructions are found in Matthew 18:15-17 - "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that `every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
As I see it, there are two big reasons why church problems are not resolved. Those who have a complaint don't take it directly to the person they're upset with, and the people they do talk with make the mistake of listening to them, and take on their offense. Now there are two people who are angry at the offender, and soon the number grows into a small multitude.
Let me tell you a true story of an adoptive mother who became upset, and walked out of the church during the sermon because the Pastor mentioned that many times when adopted children grow up, they have a deep desire to find their birth mother. This mother of three adopted teenagers was upset because she was afraid that this would put ideas in her children's minds. But instead of going to the Pastor, and talking this over, she went to another member in the church. That member also failed to follow the Scripture, took up the offense, and not long after that several members of that church left and started their own church across town, leaving anger and hurt behind them.
This past Wednesday evening, the Lord gave to my wife a three word exhortation: "Walk in victory!" When we finally follow Christ's teaching and humbly and prayerfully discuss our problems with each other, then we can begin to do just that, "Walk in victory."
Notice how Paul begins this appeal - he calls the members "my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown", he begins with the strong affirmation of their relationships
This is the first and most important aspect of taking care of differences, problems, and disagreements. (a.) The church is like a family of "brothers" and "sisters"; (b.) There is a strong bond of love which provides a context for settling differences; (c.) There is joy, and a certain amount of pride ("crown") that each one has because they belong to this body.
B. Also, notice that connected with this opening word is the exhortation to "stand firm". In other words, "Church, don't let differences cause a break in fellowship." Stand firm in your relationship with the Lord, but also with regard to your relationship with one another.
C. It would also seem that Paul's method for resolving this dispute would require them to communicate with each other. (How could they be expected to "agree" without talking together?) One of the great problems plaguing churches, especially small churches, is that people tend to talk with all the wrong people. It's kind of like what happens in small towns. The Bible College where I taught was in the very small town of Ellendale, North Dakota. In the simple, down home restaurant at the crossroads in the center of town, there was a sign under the glass of the counter where the cash register stood. The sign read, "There's not much that happens in a small town, but what you hear makes up for it!" Unfortunately this also happens in the church. Much talk is about other people's issues, and when there is a problem, parties involved talk more with other people than with the people with whom they have the problem.
Let me say this straight out. The biggest problem facing the church is not the problems facing the church, but the manner in which we try to solve the problems in the church. It's not that we're avoiding talking about the problems, but too often, we are talking to the wrong people.
Furthermore, when we do get to talk with one another, we often fail to use good communication skills. We may be so anxious to get our own point across, we don't take the time or expend the energy to listen carefully and understand what the other person is saying. Misunderstanding and confusion often end up making the problem even worse.
Church Conflict Lesson #4 - Following Paul's brief reference to church conflict, he gives to the church some very important messages. It's easy to see that taking care of conflict in the church has much to do with these elements.
B. "Be gentle in all things" - Harshness in our behavior toward one another is the fruit of immaturity. Maturity, on the other hand, will always yield gentleness.
C. "Replace anxiety with thanksgiving and prayer" - When we recognize that we are upset about things that are going on, prayer is the answer. "Be anxious about nothing." In one particular church, when new offices and bathrooms were being built in the space formerly set aside for overflow seating, one of the men who several years previously had helped build this part of the church, became upset and left the church. It wasn't so much that he disagreed with the decision, as that seeing this construction go on brought up some old conflicts that had taken place when this wing had been constructed. He said that whenever he came to church this upset him. "But my dear brother, that's what prayer is for. Pray through, get the victory."
D. "Peace" - And finally, what God wants for His church is peace. It is not a peace which comes from avoiding or denying that there are problems in the church. It is a miraculous peace, "the peace of God", that comes to those who appropriately respond in prayer.
Conclusion: So what does this message have to do with us?
Resolve that we will do everything in our power to resolve these conflicts, and to do so without bringing harm to the cause of the Gospel.
Determine to abide by Biblical instructions when handling problems within the church.
Continue to earnestly seek the Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace and Gentleness - bringing everything to the Lord in Prayer.
Church Fights in Philippi
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A pastor once visited a man related to someone in the church. Before the pastor had hardly settled into the kitchen chair, his host said, "Reverend, I was almost to the point of coming to church until I heard about all the problems that are going on over there." Are we so naive as to think that people who are not Christians are not carefully scrutinizing those who claim to be? If what they see is a group of people who preach a gospel of love but who can't get along with each other, why would they want to be a part of that group?
However, Paul's attitude about his own situation is superb - he basically says that he is glad that, even though motives may be wrong, the Gospel is still being preached, and he is content with that. And he turns back to the matters at hand, the edification of the church and the continuation of the preaching of the Gospel in Rome.
A. The Apostle repeats the word "plead" (or "urge"), applying it to both leaders. It's as if Paul is saying, "I'm pleading with you, Euodia, and I'm pleading with you, Syntyche, come to an agreement. Get this behind you, work it out." Both of them bear responsibility. Notice also that Paul says they should agree "in the Lord". Will we be able to agree on everything? Of course not. The constant challenge is, "Keep the focus on Jesus." (Recently I learned about a person who was leaving a particular church because they disagreed with decisions made by the Pastor and Church Board. I believe this happens way too often. But think about it - if the only people to remain faithful to the church were those who always agreed with decisions made by the leaders, the church could only be as large as the Pastor, Church Board, and maybe their immediate families.)
Church Conflict Lesson #2 - Just in case these two conflicting members of the church could not come to an agreement, Paul commissions church leadership to try to help. (verse 3)
A. The indication here is that not only is this the responsibility of the main Pastor, the "true yokefellow", but others should be working toward a resolution. In this regard, Paul names Clement who was perhaps another leader in the church. In fact, he goes on to say that all the Christian workers should be working together to solve this disagreement.
Church Conflict Lesson #3 - In this passage there are a couple of hints as to what steps should be taken to try to bring a resolution to this conflict.
A. The first thing that comes to our attention is the strong affirmation that is given here.
A. "Rejoice in the Lord" - When we gather, we sing praise to the Lord. We're not here to complain, find fault or criticize one another, we come to "Rejoice in the Lord."
Acknowledge that the church of Jesus Christ is not exempt from problems, conflicts and differences that occur between people.
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