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CULTIVATING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE & SPIRIT
Phil. 4:2-9
INTRODUCTION
As you already know, I am an avid sports fan, and used to play a lot of competitive sport. Last Tuesday night I watched, on the ABC, a one hour documentary on the successes of the Australian Cricket teams tour of England in 1948 - just three years after the Second World War. The team is the only team that has gone through a tour undefeated - thus their title as the "Invincibles". What struck me wasn't so much their skill, but it was their teamwork and sportsmanship. There was a unity and commonness of mind, which I believe, built the spirit of the team which assisted in their triumphant tour.
But it isn't just cricket players, or sports people, who realise the importance in working together in order to achieve the goal in the end. Both geese and ducks fly in a "V" formation. A few years ago some engineers did a study of their flying methods and learned that each bird, by flapping its wings, creates an uplift for the bird that follows. Together the whole flock gains approximately 70 percent greater flying range than if they were journeying alone.
This principle is also true for the Christian Church.
Throughout this letter to the Philippians Paul continues to come back to a theme that they should "conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel". In various places throughout the letter he has expressed concern about the unity of the Philippians.
Take note of the themes in the following verses:
Philip. 1:18
But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.
Philip. 1:27
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
Philip. 2:1-3
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition… but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Philip. 2:14
Do everything without complaining or arguing,
Philip. 3:15
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
It would appear that Paul has had an issue in mind as he has written this letter, and here, in chapter 4, I believe Paul makes clear the issue he is talking about.
Philip. 4:2-3
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Now, unfortunately, little is known about these two women - who they were, what their role in the church was etc. So these are the facts:
This dispute is obviously a significant one in the life of this church because it is not usual for Paul to name the people involved. But he does so here. Why?
Because the unity and sanctity of the church is too important to consider this dispute simply a private matter to be settled alone. So, here Paul calls for a yokefellow to help in the dispute. Again we have a problem here because we don't know who this person was, some suggest it was probably Epaphroditus who was delivering the letter. But the important thing isn't who it was, but more what Paul said.
This person was a mature Christian who Paul could trust to mediate the dispute, perhaps by brining them together and mediating their differences. The fact is, Paul wanted something done - it was vital, not just for both these women, who he had a high regard for, but for the unity of the church.
What we can learn from this is that divisions, even inter-personal divisions, within the church need to be addressed. The addressing of the issue may not always be public, as in the case in this passage, but there are times where the issue has spread in such a way that the public addressing of it is necessary for the sake of unity. And it is here that we find obvious in Paul's mind, as I have already said a couple of times, that peace in the church is paramount.
Why?
A lady named Karen Mains wrote a parable entitled "The Brawling Bride". She describes an uncertain moment in a wedding ceremony. Down at the front of the church stands the BrideGroom, dressed in tails and bow tie looking immaculate. He is handsome, smiling, full of confidence and anticipation, the shoes have are shined like mirrors, his hair in place, anxiously awaiting his Bride. All of the attendants are in place, looking elegant and eloquent, equally anticipating the arrival of the Bride. Finally the special moment arrives and the bridal march starts to sound out from the piano.
At this point everyone stands and turns to watch the stunning bride in her white gown walk down the isle to meet her Groom. As they do this a horrified gasp rings through the church. The wedding party is shocked, as are the guests. The Groom stares in embarrassed disbelief. Instead of the elegant woman dressed in her white gown, with a nervous smile showing underneath the veil, the Bride is limping down the isle. She has ugly cuts and bruises covering her arms. Her nose is bleeding, one eye is purple and swollen, and her hair is in a mess.
It is at this point that Karen Mains asks the question: "Does not this Groom deserve better than this". And then the clincher, "Alas, His Bride, The Church, has been fighting again."
Paul writes this in Ephes. 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Sadly, the picture portrayed in this parable of Karen Mains is true in every denomination. And it is true simply because of our own humanity that we sometimes brush off as expected and natural. But my contention with this argument is that what is expected and natural does not by necessity make it right.
Now, in terms of disagreement and dispute, I am not referring to our differing personalities, some of which clash with one another, or our different gifts, talents, interests, tastes or preferences - those differences are healthy, they are the way God created us. But the disputes I am speaking of are the mistreatments of one another, the choosing of sides, the infighting, the angry outbursts, the stubborn wills, and the childish squabbles. These are the things that are destructive to the unity of the church, and which Paul addresses throughout his letters to the churches, as do James and John. It is John in 1 John who speaks at length about the love that has been given us through Christ, and so we should find it in our hearts to love and forgive one another.
Folks I am aware of a number of issues that have brought tension between people in our church over the past year or so. Are you still holding out resentment towards any people? If so then as a whole church we are being held back by this attitude. The fact is, things are said and things are done that hurt and offend. It is at these times that through our offence at these things we can wrongly isolate ourselves from the person who offended, or worse, tell others about the person and what they have done, which results in people taking sides over an issue.
It is here, as we take sides, that unity in the church is broken. I wonder if this is why Paul was writing to the Philippians. Why is it that Paul kept coming back to this theme of unity and acceptance of one another despite the differences? Why is it that Paul addressed the issue between these two women publicly? Because the unity of the church and love within the church came first.
There are times when a third person is required to help resolve the issues. The appropriate people to approach to assist in resolving issues are myself or Andrew or John as your elders. It is natural for us to have a beef about someone with someone else - that is our human nature, but by doing so we discredit the person we speak about, which falls into the category of gossip. So let me re-emphasise. If you have an issue that needs addressing, then speak with the person involved directly in an attitude of love. If this doesn't resolve the issue, then speak with one of your elders. But please, don't fall into the area of gossip, which not only harms a person, but also harms the unity and love of the church.
You might ask, "Does this mean we always have to agree?"
No, that is unrealistic and it is not something that even God requires of us. Paul himself says in Philip. 3:15 "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you."
So, he says that where we disagree, it is not a matter of taking it out on one another, but a matter of seeking the Lord. That someone does not agree with us on some point is not the end of the world, or the end of our relationship. What is important though, is that we be agreeable. To agree and be agreeable are two different things.
Have you ever thought to yourself, "why is it we become disgruntled and defensive when a person does not agree with us?
Maybe the answer has to do with something deeper inside our hearts. A low self esteem. A fear of rejection. A desire to be valued and our opinion valued.
So, the issue isn't so much what a person thinks of an idea, but what we fear a person may think of us personally - it is here we need to cultivate right and positive attitudes, so we may love and strive for being agreeable with others.
Philip. 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
There are three major things that I believe Paul is saying from these verses. Rejoice, Relax, and Rest.
Now we have already spoken of the trials Paul undertook in his life. Just to recap: he would have undergone rejection from previous friends before he became a Christian. He had his own disagreements and arguments and disappointments to handle in the life of the church. He knew what it was to be rejected and literally thrown out of towns - once he was stoned and left for dead, another time he was the laughing stock of the intellects in Athens. He endured a shipwreck, had a bounty on his head, was arrested and even had Christians speaking badly of him.
So Paul was qualified to call these people to rejoice in spite of the situations they found themselves in. In fact in the same verse he told them twice to rejoice as means of emphasizing the point.
Now Paul wasn't saying that you have to go around and say 'praise the Lord' for anything and everything that happens to us. Saying this does not really do anything. But Paul’s attitude teaches us an important lesson: our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him - this is why we can rejoice despite the circumstances we find ourselves in. Several times in this letter, Paul urged the Philippians to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this. It’s easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. Maybe Paul's thoughts were, "If you haven’t been joyful lately, then you may not be looking at life from the right perspective."
The point is ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. Christ is near to us, and at his Second Coming we will fully realize this ultimate joy. He who lives within us will fulfill his final purposes for us.
Next, Paul tells us to relax. Well, not directly, but if we follow his advice in verse 5, then this will be the outcome.
We are to be gentle (reasonable, fair minded, and charitable) to those within and without the church. This means we are not to seek revenge against those who treat us unfairly, nor are we to be overly vocal about our personal rights.
This word 'gentleness' has with it the meaning of 'easy' or 'easygoing' - as Chuck Swindoll says, "the idea of a relaxed, easygoing lifestyle." The thing is worry can and does increase the tension within us. With worry we take many things too seriously, and eventually this takes a toll on our health.
Jesus says Himself about worry, Matthew 6:25-27, 34:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
This doesn't say don't take personal responsibility. Nor does it say, be lazy. What it Jesus says is "trust me", "relax in me". Paul says "Don't get so hung up, be gentle". At the end of verse 5 he gives us the reason why we can do this, "Because the Lord is near." Therefore, we can rest - that is, rest in His presence.
We rest in the Lord's presence.
Here Paul gives us some ideas about how we do this.
He says, in everything, not just some things, but everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. The Message translation says it this way, "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns."
People often ask me what they can and can't ask the Lord. My answer is always this - anything and everything - it is also Paul's answer here in this verse.
That means both the little and big things. If you have a headache, the Lord loves you to let Him know. If you need help to make a decision, the Lord would love you to ask. If you are struggling with an attitude or wrong behavior, the Lord would love you to share that with Him. Paul says present every request to Him. Soak and bathe yourself in the presence of God. When we go through times of spiritual dryness, it isn't that God has moved away, but we have. If you are not daily feeding on His Word and soaking yourself in prayer and praise - then no wonder your spiritual life is not going as well as you would want.
Let's say a couple came to you telling you they just don't seem to have much in common anymore. They say they are just like two strangers who pass in the night. Then you ask this question?
How much time do you talk about your joys, hurts, fears, feelings, hopes, dreams together?
They think for a while, and then say - "Well, we just haven't got time to sit around and talk, besides, you just get on with life."
What would your assessment be?
Mine would be to say, then your relationship is not a priority at the moment.
Where we spend our time indicates where our true priorities lie.
Many Christians are like this couple. They say, "I just don't know how to rest and wait on the Lord. My day is so busy I just don't have time to spend reading the Bible and praying. Besides, I believe we just need to get on with life.
We have just indicated where our priorities lie. Martha had this problem and Jesus dressed her down for having the wrong priorities. She was busy and complained Mary was lazy because she wasn't helping in the kitchen. Jesus said, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her."
You see, Mary knew that the most important thing was to rest in Jesus' presence and learn from Him. I believe this is the message Jesus would give us today despite the business we find ourselves in. What would Jesus say to you? Would he say you are doing the best thing? or would he say that you are worried and upset with many things?
If it is the latter, then I think his reply would be that your priorities are out of place.
I guess the question can still remain - "how can or do I get to this point of resting in God's arms?"
Philip. 4:8-9
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
An interesting thing about our minds, is that what we fill our minds with is what we become. If we fill our minds and hearts with resentment and bitterness, then we become resentful and bitter. If we fill our minds with sexual garbage on TV, videos, or magazines, then our lives and thoughts become corrupted with such images. If we fill our minds with gossip magazines, then we ourselves become gossips. Paul says here, fill your minds with positive thoughts that bear fruit.
Here he gives a list of things. Fill your minds with what is:
In other words, feed and fill your minds with that which is honorable to God. So if your thought life is a problem for you - if you are too negative, or critical, or angry, or defensive then read God’s Word and pray, fill your mind with good stuff. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.
Paul also says, focus your attention on encouraging models.
Again, for the umpteenth time in this letter he comes back to the model of his own life. He says "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. That means, don’t just keep it in the head as knowledge because knowledge is only as good as what you do with it - instead, allow what God teaches you reach your heart. Let the Holy Spirit bring the heart and attitudes change necessary so we be the people He wants us to be.
As we come near to a conclusion in this series on Philippians, I think if you study the whole book, you can see the secret and the source of Paul's attitude. It comes in four ways. He says in chapter 1, "Jesus Christ is my life," In chapter 2 he says, "Jesus Christ is my example"; in chapter 3 he says, "Jesus Christ is my confidence"; And in chapter 4 he says, "Jesus Christ is my strength."
This is then the model we need to follow if our attitudes and spirit are going to be right. So live from the truth that : "Jesus Christ is yours and my life," "Jesus Christ is yours and my example" "Jesus Christ is yours and my confidence"; "Jesus Christ is yours and my strength."
It is as we live this way that we will know the truth that Jesus is also our peace, and can be our peace in every circumstance of life.
Paul says, that if we think on and have the attitude of the things he writes from verses 4-9, then the peace of God 'might' be with us. No! The peace of God WILL be with us.
How?
We are told back in verse 7. That God's peace, which is way beyond anything any one of us could ever understand or fathom, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
This is the extent of God's love for us - it is way beyond anything we could ever dream of or hope for. He guards our hearts and minds. The word here refers to a soldier guarding a prisoner so the prisoner doesn't escape, or guarding an official to protect them from harm. So in Christ Jesus, God jealously and lovingly, guards our hearts and minds. Our part of the responsibility is just to make sure we are feeding it the right stuff, and that our hearts and priorities are set on Christ.
CONCLUSION
So how do we keep right attitudes?
How do we ensure our relationships are as they should?
How do we ensure unity and love are maintained?
How do we ensure we keep our spiritual fervor?
How do we ensure our minds and hearts are soft to the Lord?
By rejoicing in the fact of our relationship with Christ.
By keeping our minds, hearts and communication lines open to the Lord.
By having a gentle and forgiving spirit.
By filling our minds with that which is good in heavenly terms and avoiding that which is harmful to our minds, attitudes, and hearts.
By obeying and living by the principles taught through Scripture, sermons, other Christians - any way where God speaks to you.
Have soft and open hearts to the Lord's leading. By doing this we are assured that He will guard our minds and hearts. And we be able to rejoice, relax, and rest in the peace that comes through our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
By Scott Douglas, Burdekin Baptist Church, 6th December 1998