Getting Along
Getting Along
Philippians 4:2-4
INTRODUCTION: The Evolution of Mom
Your Clothes
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes are your regular clothes.
The Baby's Name
1st baby: You pore over baby-name books and practice pronouncing and writing combinations of all your favorites.
2nd baby: Someone has to name their kid after your great-aunt Mavis, right? It might as well be you. 3rd baby: You open a name book, close your eyes, and see where your finger falls. Bimaldo? Perfect!
Preparing for the Birth
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother practicing because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your 8th month.
The Landry
1st baby: You prewash your newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?
Worries
1st baby: At the first sign of distress - a whimper, a frown - you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your 3-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.
Activities
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
Going Out
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home 5 times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached. 3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
At Home
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of every day watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.
CONFLICT
- Common Part of Life
- Initial Conflict Unavoidable
- Unresolved Conflict is Sin (hate, bitterness, anger, lies, slander, gossip…)
I. Situation
Philippians 4:2-3
Philippi
- Second Missionary Journey (Acts 16)
- Third Missionary Journey (Acts 20:1-6)
Euodia & Syntyche
- Εὐοδία [Euodia yoo•od•ee•ah]
- Συντύχη [Suntuche soon•too•khay]
- What was their disagreement? Little is big!
True Companion
Labored side by side
II. Solution
Philippians 4:4-5
1. Agree in the Lord
Philippians 4:2
Lit – “Think the same thing”
Respect the one in authority
1 Peter 3:8
2. Ask for Help – Peacemaker Philippians 4:3
True Companion: Lit – “yoked together”
σύζυγος [suzugos sood•zoo•gos]
Matthew 18:15–17
3. Rejoice in the Lord
Philippians 4:4
Joy is not an emotion
It is a deep down confidence that God is in control
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22–23
I have thought it would be nice if churches could have an attitude adjustment hour. Here comes Mrs. Brown. She has just heard some choice gossip during the week, and she can hardly wait to spread it around in the church. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to take her into an attractive room and have a cup of coffee with her and get her into a sweet mood and rejoicing in the Lord so she would not go around spreading her gossip? Here comes Deacon Jones, breathing fire like a dragon because something doesn’t suit him. It would be nice to take him to that room and help him recover his cool so he could go in and enjoy the sermon. We need an attitude adjustment hour, a happy hour, in the church. Frankly, the Devil has gotten in his licks—he has made folk believe they can’t have fun going to church, and I think they can. I think it ought to be a joyful place and a place of power. (McGee. Thru the Bible)
4. Remember Others are Watching
Philippians 4:5
ἐπιεικής [epieikes ep•ee•i•kace]
Reasonableness (ESV)
Gentleness (NIV)
patient, moderation, seemingly, suitable, equitable, fair, mild, gentle, graciousness
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Philippians 4:4–5 (The Message)
Getting Along
Philippians 4:2–5 (ESV)
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
I. Situation (Philippians 4:2-3)
II. Solution (Philippians 4:4-5)
1. ____________ in the Lord (Philippians 4:2)
1 Peter 3:8 (ESV)
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
2. ____________ for Help – Peacemaker (Philippians 4:3)
Matthew 18:15–17 (ESV)
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
3. ____________ in the Lord (Philippians 4:4)
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
4. ____________ Others are Watching (Philippians 4:5)
Philippians 4:4–5 (The Message)
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!