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Last week:

              Enemies of the Cross of Christ

• Their destiny is destruction
• Their god is their stomach
• Their glory is in their shame
• Their mind is on earthly things

               Citizens of Heaven

• Conduct themselves worth of the gospel
• Not grumbling or arguing, but puts the interests of others before their own
• Forget what is behind and strains towards what is ahead
• Put no confidence in the flesh
• Count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus

Read: Philippians 4:1-3

Three key questions about these verses:

Who are these two people?

What was their issue?

Why take up scripture for this matter?

Who are Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, and the “true companion”?

• Could be one of the founding women of the church of Philippi. Acts 16:13
  
  
• The “true companion (loyal yokefellow)” is someone Paul worked closely with and was uniquely positioned to assist in this situation. Lydia?
  
  
• Clement was common name, but unknown as to who he is—likely an elder.

The issue is unknown as to what was happening, but these two women were co-laborers in the church and at a significant level.

Why is this situation in Scripture?  This is the most important question.

1. Our relationships within the church reflect our relationship with Jesus.

• We are charged to know Christ more and more.
• This leads to having a mind like Christ—thinking and acting as He would. (3)
• Unity and humility among us is being of the same mind as Christ.
  • Called to being of one mind. (2:2) READ Philippians 2:1-5
  • In humility we engage one another.
  • In our relationships we are to have the same mindset Christ. (2:5)

2. Jesus’ vision for the church is unity that testifies to Him.

John 17:20-23 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

• Our unity impacts people’s view of Jesus.
• Our unity brings us closer to knowing how Jesus operates with the Father and Spirit.

3. This is a call to being on the same team. [F1 story Joel shared]
   
4. To give us a timeless example of addressing a common issue.

Read Again:  Philippians 4:1-3

“Therefore” (1)

• In light of Paul saying follow my example.
• Because we are to be of one mind.
• Because I love you and we are on the same team.

“Stand firm” (1)

• Don’t sway from the teaching.
• Don’t turn a blind eye.
• Take on difficult conversations.

Appeal to two sisters. (2)

• Mind of Christ first!

Church intervention. (3)

• Someone close to Paul that is trusted.
  
  
• It is worth the mussiness as these two women are key contributors.
  
  
• Clement can help too and if necessary, others! (Matthew 18)

This is not a salvation issue!  We are talking about believers. (3b)

What can we learn from this relational situation being brought to the forefront?

• The church has a role to play in helping reconcile broken relationships.

[Membership Commitment statement]
“I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is my Lord, and I commit myself to this body of believers. By becoming a member of this church, I willingly submit to God, the Scriptures, this body, and its leaders, to hold me accountable for my faith, doctrine and personal life. Should I ever deviate from scripture, I expect the church to lovingly, yet firmly, call me to return to those ways which honor our Heavenly Father.” 

• The more invested a person is in the church, the more vital to resolve the conflict.
  
  
• If there is conflict among us, we need to see the greater potential harm even to our oikos.

Prayer/Reflection

Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

• Consider your heart and mind. Is it the mind of Christ or more your paradigm?
• Praying for any broken situations and for the other person.
• Commit to operating under the mind of Christ.

Communion – Mind of Christ Philippians 2:5-11

Benediction: Celebrating the beauty of the church.