and the Father John 17:1-5 and :1-7

1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus , whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

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Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

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1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the , along with Clement and the rest of my co- workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

______Stand Firm and Find Peace

*Philippians 4:4–7 speaks primarily to those occasions in life when peace is lacking. They are the times when troublesome circumstances interrupt the normal flow of events. Paul gave three commands to help the readers solve these problems. In 4:8–9, Paul organized his thoughts to address the need for a peaceful environment. The cultivation of the proper environment brings with it the God who is peace. (Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon)

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1) Choose to be loving (unity in the church) (vs. 2-3)

- Euodia and Syntyche (two women) were causing disunity in the church. - The Apostle Paul reminds us that if we are going to experience spiritual health, we have to have a stable church environment that is not being crippled by conflict.

*It seems that Euodia and Syntyche had worked directly with Paul to spread the gospel throughout the city of Phillipi, although it is unclear in what manner. The church had begun at a women’s prayer meeting (Acts 16:11–15), and it is quite possible that Euodia and Syntyche were part of that original group. The one thing we know for sure is that these two women were at odds with each other. It is likely the brawl was a public one, due to the fact that Paul had heard about it even though he was currently in a Roman prison “in chains” (:13). Two women fighting in this manner would have put the unity of the believers in in jeopardy, so it was important for Paul to address the bickering in his letter to the church.

Unity among believers is a common theme in the (see Psalm 133:1; John 17:23; 1 Peter 3:8). Paul himself spoke about unity in several of his letters (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:11–13; Colossians 3:13–14). In fact, Paul’s plea for addressing the problem was for each member of the church at Philippi to be united in helping Euodia and Syntyche live peaceably with one other (:3).

What can we learn from Euodia and Syntyche? Their example shows that even those who (at some point) have worked together for the cause of Christ can have disagreements. It also shows the importance of treating one another with love, compassion, and longsuffering (Ephesians 4:31; John 13:34–35). A church warring with itself is in danger of losing its testimony to outsiders. Euodia and Syntyche needed to be “of the same mind in the Lord,” and the other church members were to do all that was necessary to heal the breach. They were all fellow-laborers in the Lord’s work, and their names were all part of the book of life.

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2) Choose to be joyful (vs. 4) “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice.”

- independent joy that doesn’t depend upon circumstances. - rejoice in the Lord, not in your circumstances.

a. Joy is a choice b. Joy is not the same as happiness c. Joy is about ‘being' and not simply ‘doing’. d. Joy realizes that seasons change e. Joy counts blessings f. Joy is not alone

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3) Choose to be humble (less than we are due) (vs. 5)

-you may have offended, mistreated, misjudged or misrepresented me. You may have not given me what I deserve or you may have given me what I do not deserve, but it’s not about me.

*1. Humility begins with a sense of subordination to God in Christ. “A is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master” (Matthew 10:24). “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6).

2. Humility does not feel a right to better treatment than Jesus got. “If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!” (Matthew 10:25). Therefore humility does not return evil for evil. It is not life based on its perceived rights. “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in his steps. . . . While suffering, he uttered no threats, but handed [his cause] over to him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:21–23).

3. Humility asserts truth not to bolster ego with control or with triumphs in debate, but as service to Christ and love to the adversary. “Love rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). “What I [Jesus] tell you in the darkness, speak in the light. . . . Do not fear” (Matthew 10:27–28). “We do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’s sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). 4. Humility knows it is dependent on grace for all knowing and believing. “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). “In humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). 5. Humility knows it is fallible, and so considers criticism and learns from it. But humility also knows that God has made provision for human conviction and that he calls us to persuade others. “We see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). “A wise man is he who listens to counsel” (Proverbs 12:15). “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). (desiringgod.org) ______

4) Choose to have faith (the Lord is near) (vs. 5)

- The term “near” (eggus) means near in ‘space’ and near in ‘time’. - Your view of God will control your attitude toward life. - Do I believe my God can. Do I believe my God will?

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5) Choose to be thankful (vs. 6)

- A thankful heart if the key to the Peace of God.

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And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (vs. 7)

Peace is a gift from God for someone who chooses: love, joy, humility, faith and being thankful. ______Peace of God:

- God’s Peace is supernatural

- God’s Peace stands guard (attacks from within and attacks from without)

- God’s Peace secures our hearts and minds (guaranteed by Jesus)