Our temptation, when we come to a couple of verses like these is to pass over them hastily for they are "only about people", but the Bible is all about people and God is concerned for people. Not only that, ALL Scripture is "useful for teaching" (2 Timothy 3:16 ).

First of all let us note that there is obviously an ongoing disagreement between two women in Philippi that has come to Paul's hearing. It is particularly sad because they have stood beside Paul in the past and helped him in the work of sharing the Gospel.

Second, note Paul's approach: he pleads with them, he doesn't chide them or command them, he pleads or begs them, he comes with gentleness and humility to ask them to come together again. A good example to follow!

Third, note that he calls on another there to come and help them settle their differences. He refers to this one as "yoke-fellow" (see footnote), one who had been closely associated with Paul perhaps, in the work. The picture is of one, closely bound by relationship and the work to Paul, who can be relied upon.

Finally note how Paul just brings in the name of Clement and the others, as a simple word of encouragement, a gentle pastoral encouragement to make them feel included and cared for. Yes, otherwise insignificant Clement is now in the Bible, wow!

D. Application?

1. People are important to God, whoever they are.

2. It is sad when fellow workers for Christ fall out. May we not.

Chapter: Phil 4

Passage: Phil 4:4-7

A. Find Out:

1. What does he encourage them to do? v.4

2. What else? v.5

3. What are they not to do? v.6a

4. What are they to do instead? v.6b

5. What will they then receive? v.7a

6. What will it do for them? v.7b

B. Think :

1. What sort of things cause us anxiety?

2. How are the instructions in this passage an antidote to that?

3. How is God's peace different from the world's?

C. Comment :

Paul has just pleaded for agreement between two arguing women. Now, it seems at first, he completely switches to something else. Rejoice in the Lord, he says, be glad, have joy in knowing the Lord. When you are truly rejoicing in the Lord it is difficult to have barriers to other people, it is as if God's love flows in the joy. There comes a gentleness and openness when the Lord is there and arguments and divisions disappear. Oh yes, this is a natural flow on in logical thought, here in Paul's thinking.

Not only that, don't let anxieties come in, don't let worries about other people and situations come in and cause tension in you. However do we achieve that in a world of frequent difficulties and hostilities? The answer is there: pray! Tell God all about it and as you do, become aware that He is the Lord and He is sovereign over all. Give Him thanks as you off-load to Him, that He loves you, He is in control, and He will use even the bad situations for your good (Romans 8:28 ). See what will happen: peace will flood in, the sense of God's presence. It will bring such security that yet, although humanly speaking all is bad around you, peace prevails. Wow!

D. Application?

1. Whatever is going on in your life, rejoice in the Lord, joy in Him.

2. Having problems or difficulties? Share them with your loving heavenly

Father thankfully.

Chapter: Phil 4

Passage: Phil 4:8,9

A. Find Out:

1. Write down as a list the 8 things Paul says to think about in v.8

2. What are the four things they are to put into practice? v.9a

3. Then what will happen? v.9b

B. Think :

1. Next to the list of things in verse 8, write their meanings.

2. Check the things that go into your mind daily. Do they conform to this

list?

3. What sort of life must Paul have had to be able to say what he said in

verse 9?

C. Comment :

Not only is sharing everything with God important (as seen in the previous verses) but so is watching what goes into your mind. Let's briefly consider the list.

Things that are true; lies, untruth, deception, what is false, have no place in the Christian. Noble? The word here is about things that create respect and honour, of which we may be rightly proud. Right? Things that are good, righteous, just. Pure? Untainted by evil, utterly good. Lovely? Things that are loveable, worthy of our loving response. Admirable? Things of good report or worthy of our admiration because of their goodness. Excellent? Very good! Praiseworthy? Obviously worthy of praise and exultation because of achievement.

What a list! Fill up your mind with good things, says Paul. That probably rules out a great deal of modern TV. Check it out! In this part of history we really do need to stand against all the bad things that we are bombarded with through the media. Finally do what you see I do, he says. Watch me and imitate me. That is incredible! How many of us could say that to young disciples, and yet Paul is so sure of his own life style he can say that.

D. Application?

1. What are we filling our minds with? Is it goodness or is it unclean and

evil and false?

2. What is my life style like? Could I say, imitate me?

Chapter: Phil 4

Passage: Phil 4:10,14-20

A. Find Out:

1. What has blessed Paul? v.10

2. What had they done? v.14

3. How had they excelled in the early days? v.15

4. What had they done? v.16

5. How did he view their gifts? v.18c

6. What was he able to reassure them about? v.19

B. Think :

1. How had the Philippians practically shared in Paul's ministry?

2. What apparently had happened about that sharing?

3. What was now blessing Paul?

C. Comment :

In our study here we see that Paul remembers how the church in Philippi had been a real source of blessing to him in his early days in Macedonia . They had obviously been alert to his needs again and again and had sent resources to help him. Indeed they had been the only church in the area to have done that, and that had particularly blessed Paul. What a lovely testimony to that church. But in the beginning of these verses we see that Paul is blessed because they have "renewed their concern" for him, the inference being that there had been a period when that concern had not been able to be expressed. Indeed Paul says that they had not had the opportunity to show that concern, perhaps because they had lost touch for a while because of his travelling and because of what was happening to him.

What this does tell us, is that this apostle had been cut off for some time from the one church that really had a heart for him and for his needs. Such was the cost of the travelling ministry, to lose contact with your best providers. Yet the Lord had upheld him and now the contact had been re-established and the concern expressed once again.

D. Application?

1. Travelling ministries need both financial and general encouragement

support. Do we give it?

2. Even when all apparent usual support is cut off, God will provide for His

servants doing His will.

Chapter: Phil 4

Passage: Phil 4:10-13

A. Find Out:

1. Why was Paul NOT speaking? v.11a

2. What had he learnt? v.11b

3. What two things had he experienced? v.12a

4. So what had he learnt? v.12b

5. What was he able to do therefore? v.13a

6. How was he able to do it? v.13b

B. Think :

1. What sort of things disturb us?

2. What sort of things do they create in us?

3. How had Paul learnt to not let such things disturb him?

C. Comment :

First let's note WHAT Paul had learnt: to be content whatever the circumstances. Bad circumstances can cause anxiety or fear and good circumstances can lead us into lax attitudes. Paul had learnt to handle all circumstances.

Second, let's note WHEN Paul had learnt: it was a process that had been learnt over the years of his ministry, years when sometimes he had had no resources at all and at other times he had had abundance. Both poverty and prosperity have their dangers for the Christian and maturity means learning how to cope with them both!

Third, let's note HOW Paul learnt to cope: it was through knowing Christ, and through Christ receiving the required strength to overcome the pitfalls of both poverty and plenty.

We should perhaps note in closing, that this resting in any situation does NOT come easily. We may think we can handle either extreme until we are in it. The learning comes by living in it, and living correctly in it! Christian maturity only comes by working out your salvation in the various trying circumstances that life brings, whether it be poverty or plenty, pressure or peace, each requires a right response.

D. Application?

1. The Christian life is a learning process. Much of that learning is done in

trying circumstances. They are there to teach you.

2. The greatest lesson we can learn is that Christ provides all we need for

today - in the circumstances!

Chapter: Phil 4

Passage: Phil 4:21-23

A. Find Out:

1. To whom did Paul send greetings? v.21a

2. Who sent the greetings? v.21b

3. Who else sent greetings? v.22a

4. And who especially? v.22b

5. What did he finally want for them? v.23

B. Think :

1. What sense does this passage convey about the people in Rome and in

Philippi ?

2. What does this passage tell us about how far the Gospel had gone?

3. How is Jesus still held to be pre-eminent by Paul in these verses?

C. Comment :

Not very auspicious verses one might think, but they are still God-breathed and useful for teaching etc. (see 2 Timothy 3:16 ), so let's see what they say.

First, there is the sense of groupings of people at either end: "all" the saints in Philippi and "all" the saints in Rome . There are real communities of Christians being spoken about here.

Second, note that the Christians are referred to as "saints". ALL Christians are saints, for the word really means “a set apart one”, one who is holy because they are called by God and made righteous by Christ. We are all set apart for God by God, we are all "saints" in the New Testament language.

Third, note that even in Caesar's household there were Christians and they were not undercover Christians but those who were not fearful to speak out and send their greetings when they heard that this ambassador is writing to Philippi . What a subtle way of encouraging the Christians at Philippi in his closing words, to say that even though he was in prison there are Christians there in Rome in the very inner part of the authority's home who are open believers!

Finally he simply prays that Christ's Grace may be theirs. We need it too!

D. Application?

1. Church is about people, about communities.

2. Christians are saints, called apart holy ones.

RECAP: "Fellowship & Provision" Phil 4

SUMMARY :

In this final group of studies we have seen Paul :

- pleading for unity between two arguing women

- asking for help for this from others there

- encouraging them all to rejoice in God

- exhorting them to pray and not be anxious

- exhorting them to think on good things

- exhorting them to do what is right

- expressing his thankfulness for their concern for him

- testifying to God's provision for him

- giving them a final greeting

COMMENT :

In this chapter there is a warmth and an intimacy revealed that shows the depth of relationship that Paul has with the church at Philippi . It also reveals much about the people here, of whom he thinks so much. This church has a strong testimony of love, concern and hospitality, but they are still human beings who are prone to worry or upset. Those who serve Christ are particularly vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy, as he seeks to bring division, upset, or worry. In the stress of over-activity sometimes, tiredness comes and makes us particularly vulnerable. It is at those times particularly, that we need the love and support of one another to get everything back into perspective and to receive the grace of God.

LESSONS?

1. Disagreements come, but we are to seek for reconciliation

2. Prayer is the means of overcoming anxiety

3. What goes into our minds is important

4. Ministers of the gospel need help, encouragement and care

5. God is the great provider

6. Yet God uses His people to be the channel of provision.

PRAY :

Use v.6 as the basis for your prayer. Give over all your cares to God in prayer and thank Him for His love, concern and provision. Rest in His love as you pray.

SECTION SUMMARY - Philippians 4

In this letter of Paul to the church at Philippi , we have seen Paul:

Chapter 1

• greeting the church at Philippi

• saying how much he prayed for them

• saying how much he felt for them

• saying that he prayed that their love would abound more and

more

• sharing on the effect of his imprisonment

• saying how the whole palace guard had heard the Gospel

• saying how many others had been encouraged to speak out

• speaking of the various motives for sharing the Gospel

• declaring he expected to be delivered from prison

• exhorting them to stand firm in the mean time

Chapter 2

• encouraging humility to establish unity

• exhorting them to have Jesus' attitude

• following his example of submission, humility and obedience

• exhorting them to work out their salvation in humility

• exhorting them to not complain or grumble

• saying he would send them Epaphroditus & later Timothy

Chapter 3

• warning against the circumcision party

• telling of his own human credentials

• saying he rejected all those as rubbish

• saying he relied on Christ's righteousness alone

• telling how he yearned to know Christ's power more and more

• warning to avoid the life of the enemies of Christ

Chapter 4

• exhorting two arguing women to be reconciled

• encouraging the church to rejoice in the Lord

• exhorting them to be at peace through prayer

• encouraging them to think on good things

• thanking them for their concern and provision for him

• declaring his trust in God's provision for him

• declaring his assurance that God will provide for them also

• bringing final greeting

CONCLUSION - Philippians 4

As we review this letter the following must surely be some of the key things that stand out:

1. Paul's Position

Still in prison for his faith, this apostle stands out as a shining example of how to face adversity. In an age where we almost idolise personal peace and comfort, Paul's responses to his circumstances must cut us to the heart. Nowhere in this letter is there any sense of complaint about his position. In fact it is quite to the contrary: he seems almost thankful that he is where he is because he has had further opportunity to share the Gospel in places he might not otherwise have reached. He has faced death and looks forward to being with Christ, yet until that happens he yearns to be a blessing to the church.

2. The Church's weaknesses

Paul writes pastorally. The church has a problem with disagreement (4:2) and probably disunity (2:1-). There are also those around who insist on circumcision. It is a very human church!

3. The Church's strengths

This is a church that has been a great blessing to Paul. They have sent gifts to Paul (4:18), they have worked with Paul to share the Gospel (1:5). He shares his thankfulness for them.

4. Paul's Testimony and Challenge to us!

We have referred to Paul's position above, and that makes this letter so amazing. It is full of joy (1:4,25,26, 2:2,29, 4:1), rejoicing (1:18, 2:17,18, 3:1, 4:4,10), and love (1:9,16, 2:1,2, 4:1). Could we have this same sort of testimony?

The answer is yes if we experience some of Paul's other claims: God's peace comes when you pray (4:7), God's strength enables us to do His will (4:13), God's provision is there to meet every need of His servants (4:19), death is merely a doorway to greater blessing ( 1:21 ).

Now the tough bit: these promises are for those who commit themselves fully into God's hands for His purposes, which often involve hardship (1:12 ,29).

Read Paul's letter again at one reading and catch again the wonder of God's grace through this man - and then pray and ask for it for yourself. What a blessing we could be to Christ!