UNITY IS STRENGTH

PHILIPPIANS 4:1-3

          Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony 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. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice (NASB)!

INTRODUCTION

          When Charles V stepped down as the Holy Roman Emperor some 400 years ago, he spent much of his time at his palace in Spain. He had six clocks there, and no matter how he tried, he could never get them to chime together on the hour.

          In his memoirs he wrote, “How is it possible for six clocks to chime all at the same time? How is it even more impossible for the six nations of the Roman Empire to live in harmony? It can’t be done. It is impossible, even if they call themselves Christians.”

          Today, we know it is possible to have clocks in perfect harmony, when all are powered by the same source and all are calibrated to the same standard—Greenwich Mean Time. Likewise, unity in the church is possible, but only when all are calibrated to one standard—Christ.

          I would like to share with you on the subject: Unity Is Strength.

I.      THE APPEAL TO STEADFASTNESS V. 1

          The Letter to the Philippians is considered as Paul’s letter of joy. Chapter four and verse one is a case in point. This verse is loaded with words of affection and endearment. First, Paul calls the Philippians “my beloved brethren.” He does not merely call them brethren but my beloved brethren. Recall that the church in Philippi was predominantly Gentiles. Paul was a Roman citizen but a Jew by birth and yet he regarded the Philippians as his beloved brethren. He regarded them as his beloved brethren because when Jesus died, He broke the dividing wall of hostility that existed between the Jews and Gentiles (Eph. 2:11-16). Notice that the word “beloved” is repeated. The repetition underlines deep-seated emotion of love and affection that Paul has for these believers. The term “beloved” is what God used for His Son Jesus when He spoke from heaven: “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.” Paul uses the same words of feelings towards his fellow-believers. The cord of love that binds Christians together is thicker than that which binds our blood related siblings that are not believers. We are brothers and sisters in Christ and we belong to God’s family.

          Then Paul goes on to say, “whom I long for”; this is a term of great intensity. He used the same term in Philippians 1:8. The term is found only here in the entire New Testament. This expresses Paul’s desire to see them again. I would like you to recall that Paul is writing to the Philippians from prison in Rome. He is therefore not just mouthing words. Under the inspiration of God, he means every word that he writes. He then calls the Philippians “my joy and crown.” As I said in the beginning of this message, joy is the theme of this book, because either joy or rejoice is found in each chapter of this book. I think when Paul says that the Philippians are his joy and crown he is recalling the hardship and suffering that he endured as the Lord led him to establish the church in Philippi (Acts 16). The Philippians are Paul’s joy and crown because his labor in Christ has not been in vain. When Paul hears of the faith, love, and growth of the believing community of Philippi, he says to himself “my suffering for Christ in Philippi was worth it; my suffering has not been in vain.”

          Having shared with them how he feels about them, Paul then, appeals to the Philippians to “stand firm.” He wants them to become steadfast in the Lord Jesus Christ, because they are living in the midst of enemies; especially the enemies of the cross (3:18). There is a real danger that they will be drawn away by this present threat and a consequent need for a resolute stand. Alongside this, there was a second reason they need to “stand firm,” and that is the practical need for unity in the local church, for Christians cannot stand fast from a position of division and disharmony.

II.   THE ADMONITION FOR SOLIDARITY VV. 2-3

          The devil is very cunning and has many schemes with which he operates. The church of Philippi was so dear to the apostle Paul and he says some beautiful and complimentary things about them. Nevertheless, there was disunity between two women who have labored alongside the apostle Paul. Being insightful and a believer filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul knew that if these two ladies did not reconcile with one another and put their differences behind them, Satan would undermine the fellowship and spiritual growth of this church. Members of  every local church are you listening? Are you paying attention to what the Word of God is teaching us? The apostle Paul mentions the names of these two women; they are Euodia and Synthyche. The name Euodia means “pleasant.” The name Synthyche means “fortunate.” The apostle Paul is very tactful and we should learn from him. He mentions their names but he does not disclose the disagreement that exists between these two ladies. Was their disharmony doctrinal, ethical, ecclesiastical, or personal? We are not told; therefore, there is no need for speculation. Paul’s concern was not the cause of their friction or feud, but simply that they have fallen out and brought division into the fellowship. He was more concerned about the effect of the disharmony. Church fights and church splits normally begin with one or two people. If the leaders of the church are not led by the Holy Spirit to spot it and resolve it, then Satan fans the fire and the division spreads and finally ruins the church. Disunity or disharmony is like cancer. If it is not detected and treated early, it would spread and infest other parts of the body. Paul being a leader with spiritual discernment and foresight knows the potential danger in disunity. Do you see how the apostle Paul is going to deal with the issue of division between these two ladies? In verse 1, he has shown his endearment to the Philippians. By the way, this is the same way Christians should view one another. And if we view one another as Paul has viewed the Philippians, then division is scandal indeed. Christians belong in a family unity: to Paul, they are “brethren.” Now, in Christ these Gentiles are brothers and sisters; they are all in one family (Eph. 2:18ff.). They have a Father, a Savior, and a Comforter in common. Therefore, the division of Christians is the sin of fratricide. Also, a divided church is contrary to the nature of Christ. The Bible calls the church the “bride of Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 21:2). We have performed several weddings in our church. A pastor relates his wedding experience.

          Weddings in our church always included the lighting of a unity candle. At one rehearsal I was explaining the symbolism of the candle ceremony. After the middle candle is lit, blowing out the two side candles means the two become one, I said. “Oh,” a guest admitted in surprise. “I always thought it meant ‘no more flames.’” The church should be known as a united community where there are no more flames.

          Paul did not warn the Philippians of doctrinal errors, but he addressed some relational problems. You can be a very spiritual Christian who knows the Bible from cover to cover, a prayer warrior, and articulate teacher of the Bible, but if you cannot relate to others in the church, then something is definitely wrong. I can also assure you that if you could not relate to your brothers and sisters in Christ, then you cannot relate to your coworkers. If you have a broken relationship with someone in the “Body of Christ” (the church) go at any length to be reconciled to the person and restore the relationship.

          The apostle Paul did something that we need to emulate in our church today. His pastoral counseling is both tactful and tactical. First, he admonished the two ladies to live in harmony in the Lord, but he did not end there. Second, he appealed to a spiritual leader in the church of Philippi to help these women to live in peace and harmony. Paul does not mention the name of the spiritual leader. He simply calls him “yokefellow” or ”true companion.” This person was well known in the church, therefore there was no need for Paul to mention his name. No Christian is at liberty to stand aloof at the needs of any other Christians. The very existence of the need is of itself a call to come to the rescue. Therefore, if you know that some of the members of the church are not in speaking terms, jump in and help settle it on time, rather than to wait until the relationship becomes irreconcilable before you bring it to the attention of the Pastor or Deacons.

          The reason this problem of disunity is important to apostle Paul and should be important to us today is that a united church could present a united front, resolutely facing opposition and not giving ground. Therefore, in 2:2 Paul requires the Philippians to be of “the same mind.” Only a united church can face its foes and stand firm in the Lord. Where there is disharmony inside there is bound to be defeat outside. Where Christians cannot bear the sight of each other, they will not be able to look to the world in the face either. As Christians we cannot win on the “main front” of our contact with the world if we are secretly carrying on warfare on a “second front” of our own devising. Therefore disharmony in the church is a disastrous thing. It is contrary to the apostolic mind; it is a denial of the nature of the church; and it is a flaw in the church’s armor against the world. There are some practical lessons you and I can learn from the apostle Paul’s approach in helping to reconcile these two ladies. Paul knew the exact problems that these two women were having, but he did not try to act as a mediator. He did not try to resolve the problem from a distance. He enlisted the help of a partner in the apostolic mission, who was there with these two ladies to resolve the conflict between them. He did not sum up their rival claims; he did not say to the one or the other, “You are wrong; you must apologize.” He does not sit on the fence with the attitude, “There are two sides to every story; you are both partly right and partly wrong. Therefore, kiss and make up.” It is not a matter of who is right and who is wrong. The plea or admonition “I entreat” is made to each contestant alike. No doubt each said, “I am right, she is wrong”; but to Paul each was under the same obligation to make the first move.

          Relationships can become atrociously tangled, and Christian relationships are no exception. Neither of the two persons is to wait for the other to make a move. You are not to say, “I am perfectly ready to accept an apology when it is made,” nor should the other person say, “I am perfectly ready to make an apology when I have a hint that it would be accepted.” Each must make the first move. In trying to resolve broken relationships we must remember this: “the past cannot be resolved but it should never be an open sore.”

          Paul shares with the Philippians how much these two ladies have meant to him in his apostolic ministry. However, word has gotten back to him that the same women who have labored side by side with him are having relational problems. Paul says Euodia, Synthyche, Clement, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. The book of life is a term in late Jewish apocalyptic literature (cf. Rev. 3:5, 20; 15:21; Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28; 139:16). The term denotes God’s register of His people. In other words, Paul did not have any doubt that these two ladies were genuinely saved and therefore Christians. They were heaven-bound. The irony is that if we are heaven-bound, why can we not get along on this side of eternity? When Christians cannot get along with one another, it is a poor testimony to the lost world, because Jesus said, “if you love one another, then the world will know that you are my disciples.” If there is strife among Christians, the unbelieving people sit back and laugh at us. It also shows that we are misrepresenting Jesus Christ to the world. However, if we practice unconditional love and unity as believers the world will sit and take notice. Do you have a fall out with another person in your church? Seek to reconcile with each other. If you know that there are two persons or persons who cannot get along with each other in the church, be a peacemaker and reconcile them. Why unity is essential to the local church:

1.     Unity and ability to get along with others is a mark of spiritual maturity.

           As humans from different backgrounds, there will always be disagreements, but we must always find means of resolving our differences.

2.     Unity produces the blessings of God.

          If you want God’s blessing on your life and you want to be known as a child of God, you must learn to be a peacemaker (Matt. 5:9). Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict. You do not run from a problem or pretend it does not exist. Confront the problem and look for solution. Peacemaking is not appeasement. Appeasement is like bribery. Always giving in, acting as a doormat, and allowing others to run over you are not the marks of a peacemaker.

3.     Unity creates the atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to work effectively (Act 2:1).

          I believe one of the reasons we do not see the power of God at work in the church today is the presence of disharmony and factions in the church. If we live in unity and harmony we would see the supernatural intervention of God in our lives. Those who are sick would be healed; needs would be met; and prayers would be answered.

4.     Unity intensifies and strengthens collective prayers in the church.

          Jesus makes a remarkable statement in Matthew 18:18-20. Jesus makes this statement in the context of forgiveness and reconciliation. Therefore, if we put what Jesus says into practice, then the promises that He makes in these verses will come to pass.