Cultivating Christ

Philippians 4:1-9

From the Series: Ascend

Link to Small Group discussion questions

Introduction
Today we find ourselves in Chapter 4 of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, signifying the beginning of the end of this letter to his dear friends. We have arrived at the beginning of Paul’s PARTING INSTRUCTIONS to the church, his final parting words,

1Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

2I 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.

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.

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.

Stringing ‘Gems’ Together
This section of text is replete with well know scriptures, New Testament ‘gems’ beloved by believers of every generation. I’m referring to those single passages of scripture that we lift of the page, memorize, and hold dear to our hearts. Gems like these,

‘You know the plans I have for you plans to prosper and not to harm you.’ ‘Wherever two or three are gathered in my name I am in their midst.’ ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’

We all recognize these and could probably rattle off a few more! Well Philippians chapter 4 verses one through nine certainly contain their fair share of ‘gems’ as well. See if you recognize these,

‘Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS! And again I say REJOICE!'

‘Be anxious for nothing, but in all things with PRAYER and supplication, make your requests known to God.'

'And the PEACE of God that surpasses all UNDERSTANDING will guard your heart and minds in Christ Jesus.'

Great truths each one! So many single scriptures throughout the Bible encourage us, challenge, and comfort us. But, we are often tempted to conform their true meaning, as they were written in context, to fit our particular need or justify our actions. Too often we turn these singular gems of scripture into inspired anecdotes for self-improvement! The truth is that when we hold verses in isolation we often miss out on a fuller point, a larger truth which is being communicated.

Today we are going to look at our passage as one cohesive section, in context, and attempt to uncover what Paul is truly communicating to his friends at Philippi: to uncover his primary concern this church We’ll hear his challenges, mine the truths, and apply the timeless principles to our lives, within the fellowship of this church and in the world around us.

A Gospel Concern
All too often when we approach the Bible we read it as a textbook on Systematic Theology. The Bible is first and foremost a work of literature. I would submit that it is the greatest work of literature the world has ever known. We need to remember when reading that the Bible is a work of literature and not a theological textbook. We need to be reminded that we are reading a letter. It is a letter from Paul to his beloved friends at Philippi.

This letter is not just ‘a letter’. It is a letter of deep love, displaying a depth of mutual friendship and passion between Paul and the church. Compared to other letters written by Paul (Romans, Ephesians, etc…) it is one of the least in theological content. However, Paul is not primarily concerned with increasing their theological knowledge! It is true that in this letter Paul challenges the Philippians, encourages them, warns them of false teachers, and in chapter two, illustrates the supreme example of Christian service and humility challenging them (and us!) to,

‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others… to be like Christ ‘who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.’ (2:3-4; 6-7)

As Theologically rich as that passage is, not even the teaching of the Doctrine of Christ is Paul's primary concern! Paul's primary concern throughout this letter is the Gospel. The Gospel permeates every aspect of this letter,

Paul’s and the Philippians relationship is described in terms of “participation/partnership in the Gospel” (1:5; 4:15)

Paul is himself in prison “for the defense and confirmation of the gospel” (1:7,16)

An imprisonment that has in fact brought about “the advance of the gospel” (1:12)

Paul wants them to “advance/progress in the faith (=gospel)” (1:25)

He wants them to get their corporate act together for the sake of the gospel in their city (1:7; 2:16)

Evangelism must continue, the “preaching of Christ” must be a priority (1:18)

…So that others will hear the Gospel for the good news that it is! More specifically, Paul’s primary concern is the advance of the Gospel in Philippi. I believe verse 27 in Chapter 1 captures the entirety of what Paul is passionately communicating to the church,

(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’

Paul’s primary concern is for the advance of the Gospel through people cultivating Gospel expressing lives! He’s challenging them to live as EXPRESSIONS of the Gospel by CULTIVATING CHRIST in and around them. And Paul is challenging us today…

'Brothers and Sisters of Plum Creek Church, whom I love, my joy and my crown, my partners in the cause of the Gospel- Cultivate Christ in your hearts, with each other, amongst all men, and within this culture where God has placed you!'

Turn to chapter 4 and let’s look at Paul’s commands to the Philippians to better understand ‘how’ we can cultivate Christ in all areas of our lives. Paul will show us that cultivating an outward expression of Christ begins internally by grasping the reality of the Gospel in our lives, from our being firmly rooted ‘in Christ’. He will show us how to outwardly express the gospel in all areas of our lives: to our fellow brothers and sisters, to the people around us, and within our culture.

Paul’s first command in verse one is to,

Cultivate a Gospel Foundation (v.1)

'Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.'

Before Paul instructs the Philippians on how to cultivate an external expression of the Gospel he begins internally, inside their hearts. With Paul, everything begins with the Gospel. Before he instructs them on how to cultivate Christ- how to cultivate a greater expression of the Gospel- he begins by firmly planting them in it. You see, we are 'Heavenly Citizens' a 'Gospel-people'. That’s who we are. Just a few verses before in chapter 3 Paul writes the following words, reminding them of who they are and of the hope they possess,

(3: 20-21) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Looking at Paul’s statement we have to ask the question: stand firm in what? Answer: stand firm in the reality and hope of the Gospel! We have a Savior! We have been saved from sin. We have been put into right relationship with the Creator of the universe. We have overcome the greatest fear lurking in the consciousness of every unbeliever: death! What happens to us when we die? Where do we go? Do we become nothing? Are we simply annihilated or blown like dust particles blown into the realms of space? No! If we profess faith in Jesus Christ than we hold fast to this truth: that we will overcome death and be raised from the dead to reign with Christ and enjoy him in eternity!

Friends, remember who you are! We are ‘Citizen’s of heaven’, ‘Children of God’, we have been made right with God, forgiven of our sins, given eternal life, indwelt by the Spirit, empowered to live in this world, commanded to proclaim the Gospel in it, awaiting the return of our Savior, when we will be raised from the dead, and live in eternal glory with God the almighty for ever and ever!

Did you believe in the Gospel once upon a time when you were ‘saved’? Do you believe that the Gospel has that same power to save you today; to save you tomorrow; is saving you right now? The hope of the gospel must be continuously cultivated in our hearts. All things flow from the cultivation of an inward Gospel reality.

(2 Corinthians 5:17) ‘If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come!’

That ‘gem’ is as real and true today as it was yesterday; and right now we are one moment closer to Christ’s return! Friends, let us live in hope!

The next question is: stand firm against what? Answer: stand against a culture in opposition to the Kingdom of God. Stand against a world mastered by anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. Stand against the trials and tribulations that each of us face daily. I don’t wish to belabor this point. We all know how difficult and challenging it is to live out the Gospel in a fallen world to be distinct beams of light in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation. Paul is saying, “believe the Gospel! Embrace it, preach it to yourselves daily, and let this inward Gospel reality be the foundation of expressing Christ in the totality of your lives!” It begins by cultivating the Gospel in your heart.

Paul’s second command is to,

Cultivate True Unity (v.2-3)
From the cultivating of an inward Gospel foundation Paul now moves outward to the church.

‘I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.’

Within the fellowship at Philippi there are issues. Paul is obviously aware of the division and disharmony between two key women leaders in the church, women who have ‘shared in Paul’s struggle in the cause of the gospel’. Keep in mind, this letter would have been read aloud in front of the whole church. Imagine that! ‘Amy, stand up. Karen, stand up. Get it together ladies!’ When we read this we quickly think that ‘Paul is calling these ladies out! An aside: Thank God that our disagreeing natures and divisiveness don’t take us out of the book of life! We are written in the BOOK by CHRIST’S merit, not our OWN!’ But actually, Paul’s naming them in this letter (which is a rarity in Pauline writings) is strong evidence of his love and friendship. Typically, in Paul’s day, enemies would have remained ‘unnamed’, thereby relegating enemies to ambiguity.

The issue here is a Gospel issue. The issue is disharmony and division between Christians, which is obstructing the advance of the gospel in their city. It’s also a family issue demanding a family response. Disharmony is a corporate matter that hinders the cultivation of a corporate expression of the Gospel. The reality of what Christ has done in us should express itself outwardly and we should look like ‘Him’! Yes, Paul desperately wants his partners in the gospel to reconcile and be united but Paul’s greater concern is how their actions are expressing the gospel. They are to be reconciled to one another as an illustration of God’s reconciling work in the world: to visibly display the Gospel in the fellowship of the church.

One of the biggest obstacles to Christianity is…Christians- you and me. You see, how we treat each other not only affects us personally, it significantly affects how others view the church. Our relationships form a visible expression of our Lord Jesus whom we worship. How are we doing with that? What are showing the world? The culture is watching. The world is watching. Are they seeing Christ? Check your expression.

Paul’s second command is to cultivate true unity with one another; relationships that model the Gospel instead of impeding its advancement! Let us have ‘our minds set on the same thing’, putting Christ and his purposes first.

The next command moves from within the church outward towards all people. Paul says to,

Cultivate a Joyful Witness (v.4-5a)
Seemingly out of nowhere, Paul erupts in a command of worship and witness!

‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.’

The literary structure here is really helpful. Paul is telling us something through the construction of these passages. Notice that the command to ‘REJOICE’ is interestingly placed in between STRUGGLING (contending) in verse 3 and ANXIOUSNESS in verse 6. In addition, notice that our inward battle with anxiety has an outward aspect: ‘letting our gentleness be evident to all’. Joy should distinctly mark the Christian life! But from where does our inner joy spring forth in the midst of our struggles and challenges? Let’s go back to verse 1, back to the beginning, to the gospel foundation. You see, joy springs forth from a heart that is constantly cultivating Christ! A heart filled with the gospel will overflow and pour out joy for all to see. Rejoicing, we will walk gently among others, expressing the joy of the Gospel in our lives.

Next, we are to,

Cultivate a Bastion of Peace (v.6-7)
As Christians we are to rejoice always or in all matters- and Paul is clear here, he means all matters. The realization that apart from Jesus there is no other way to successfully face this world will compel us to implement God-centered strategies to meet the challenge not man-centered ones.

‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’

Jesus said these words,

“…everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall." (Mathew 5: 24-27 ESV)

What Jesus is illustrating are the two ways we can live in this world: God’s way or the World’s way. We either build upon Rock or we build upon sand. Challenge surrounded the 1st century church in Philippi: Roman rule, pagan worship, economic pressures, and a culture that was ‘anti-everything’ they believed in. Today, we face cultural challenges as well, they just look different in our postmodern 21st century. We’re locked in a global fight against an anti-Christian ideology. We live in a culture that embraces all things spiritual but loathes Jesus. Despair drives people to commit suicide on the Internet and we are wading through economic conditions, which many of us never imagined we’d experience.

While the world around us is groping for the next best solution to their empty and troubled lives we pray. You see, we distinguish ourselves as Gospel-People when we choose to turn to God- not the latest self help trend- as our response to a culture riddled with fear and despair. Paul doesn’t specifically lay out a technical manual for how we get from ‘giving all our concerns to God in prayer’ to ‘being guarded and at peace’; he simply says to be antithetical to the world; to respond in a God way. In doing so, we are fortified in our bastion of peace and able to respond differently. We are not only able to survive this world we transform it. How we respond to challenges expresses the Gospel to an anxious and fearful world.

We must cultivate a bastion of peace by turning to God in prayer, choosing to do the exact opposite of how the world works. Our hearts and our minds must be fortified to walk as beams of light amidst a ‘crooked and depraved generation’ by embracing prayer: going the way of the Spirit not the world.

We arrive now at Paul’s last command to,

Cultivate redeeming Thoughts and Actions (v. 8-9a)

Finally, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.

Having commanded the Philippians to cultivate Christ inwardly, within the church, and amongst others, he now concludes his exhortations by challenging them to cultivate Christ within their culture. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy: these virtues are not exclusively Christian. A right thinking person in any century, Christian and non-Christian alike, would embrace them; and Paul knows this. He seems to be speaking to them in language that they would have understood as Roman citizens living in Philippi before their conversion to Christ. By doing this he is placing them back in the culture around them for his final command.

'Whatever is good', Paul says to ‘think on these things'. At first glance it would seem that Paul is calling them to “give their minds” to nobler things. In one sense that is true. But the original language and grammar suggest something slightly different. The Greek verb logizomai (lo-gē'-zo-mī) typically translated ‘think’, means more like reckon or ‘take into account’ not just simply ‘think about’. Paul is telling them to not simply “think high thoughts”, rather “take into account” the best of the world around them, to select out the “good” things that belong to culture around them. He is encouraging the ‘Heavenly Citizens’ to not abandoned or retreat from the culture they used to live in and still do! Christ has left the Heavenly Citizens- the Church- in the world!

In the next verse Paul’s tells us how we are to embrace the good in the culture around us. ‘Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.’ He is saying get engaged in the culture, but get engaged as an expression of the Gospel: cultivate Christ in it! As Gospel-people we are to embrace the good things in a fallen world and reinterpret them! Any truth in this world is truth from God. Any noble act points to the nobility of Christ. A lovely painting displays the creativity of the Creator. Get in the middle of the social dialogue: the arts, education, politics, entertainment, and commerce, social and civic opportunities. All of these can be filled with the Gospel, interpreted through the content of the Gospel, redeemed by the Gospel. Paul says to imitate me as you engage your culture: ‘think’ Gospel and ‘act’ Gospel to redeem it.

Whatever ‘good’ a ‘bad’ culture produces we are to embrace it not hide from it. In doing so we find the common ground with unbelievers, we engage in the cultural dialogue and we then have opportunities to reinterpret culture through the truth of the Gospel.

How do we do this? By taking into account the good things of God within a fallen world and cultivating Christ within it. By doing so our lives become expressions of the Gospel that can shape and transform the culture.

A concluding thought…
Paul’s primary concern for the Church at Philippi is the same concern he has for us today: that the gospel would be cultivated in all areas of our lives and expressed to a world in need. When we are rooted in the Gospel, cultivating Christ, our labor produces fruit. We do not labor in vain! When we make the Gospel a priority in our lives, fruit is borne.

Look back at verse 7. When we cultivate the Gospel in our hearts, live right with each other, and turn in prayer to God who is our guard and bastion, we receive the fruit of God’s peace! In all matters, ‘… the peace of God, which transcends all understanding…’ is with us!

Now look at verse 9. When we engage the good of this world, reinterpreting it through the lens of the Gospel by imitating righteousness, we cultivate the fruit of God’s presence in it: the ‘God of peace with us’!

With the peace of God in us and the God of peace with us, the gospel advances by people seeing our living expressions of Christ. Let us live in this way!

Closing Prayer
Paul is inviting us into the advance of the Gospel and the good news of Jesus Christ. Christ is the Gospel. Christ is our life; our very way of life. Christ is our future hope and our present joy.

‘Father,
Enable each one of us to say ‘I know my Redeemer. Bless us with a growing sense of our salvation. If already enlightened in Christ, may we see greater things; If quickened, may we have more abundant life; If renewed, let us go on from strength to strength.

Give us closer abiding in Jesus that we may bring forth more fruit; have a deeper sense of our obligations to him; that we may surrender all; have fuller joy; that we may serve him more completely. And may our faith work by love towards Him who died, towards our fellow- believers, and towards our fellow men.
Amen.’