The Script

¹⁸ At the moment I have all I need-and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

²⁰ Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. _{Philippians 4:18-20}

The Plot

As Paul illustrates, churches have supported the people who have ministered to them since the beginning. It isn’t something that we have to do, it is something we should want to do. We should adopt the attitude of not how much of our stuff we should give God, but how much of God’s stuff we should keep.

When you go to a doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, “Does this hurt? How about this?” If you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there’s something wrong, and the doctor will say, “We’d better do some more tests. It’s not supposed to hurt there!”

So it is when pastors preach on financial responsibility, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastor has pushed too hard. Or perhaps there’s something wrong. In that case, I say, “My friend, we’re in need of the Great Physician because it’s not supposed to hurt there.”

The Walk Through

1. Who did the church at Philippi send to help Paul?
2. What do you suppose they sent to Paul?
3. Why is it important for us to support ministries today?

Ad Lib

If you give what you do not need, it isn’t giving. _{- Mother Teresa}

The Script

¹⁰ How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. ¹¹ Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. ¹⁴ Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

¹⁵ As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. ¹⁶ Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. ¹⁷ I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. _{Philippians 4:10-17}

The Plot

If you have read my DIPShtick blog, you may remember this story that I posted almost two years ago. I think it fits our theme today.

What is the difference between rich and poor people? That is an awesome perspective!

Take, for example, the story about the father of a very wealthy family who took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

The two spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”

The son replied, “It was great, Dad.”

“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.

“Oh yea,” said the son.

“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they had four.”

The son continued, “We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.”

The father stood in amazement as the son continued by saying, “We have servants who serve us - but they serve others. We buy our food but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us and they have friends to protect them.”

The boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are.”

Isn’t perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have instead of worrying about what we don’t have.

I guess it boils down to the fact that we need to appreciate every single thing we have - especially our friends!

Perhaps this will help us refresh our perspective and appreciation. Life is too short and friends are too few.

The Walk Through

1. What attitude did Paul take in life with regards to material things?
2. Did Paul value the gifts he received or the friends he had more?
3. Our story today says that friends are what makes our life rich. How rich are you?

Ad Lib

“Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.” _{- Benjamin Franklin}

The Script

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. _{Philippians 4:6-9}

The Plot

As Paul was wrapping up his letter to the church in Philippi, he essentially told them, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it won’t get you anywhere.” Instead, Paul says that we should forget about worrying and pray about everything! I have heard it as “pray without ceasing.” In fact, Paul gives us a three step plan on living a wonderful life.

1. Don’t worry - pray about everything and be happy!
2. Fix your thoughts on truth and excellence.
3. Put into practice all you have learned.

That sounds easy enough, doesn’t it?

The Walk Through

1. What did Paul say we should do instead of worry?
2. What does Paul say will happen if we follow his three steps?
3. What are some examples of ways you have lived Pauls three steps?

Ad Lib

Worry is wasting today’s time to clutter up tomorrow’s opportunities with yesterday’s troubles.

The Script

⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. _{Philippians 4:4-5}

The Plot

Growing up, a popular song we used to sing was Philippians 4:4. It went something like this:

Rejoice in the Lord, always,
And again, I say rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord, always,
And Again, I say rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
And again I say Rejoice!

We would sing it over and over. Most time we would sing it in the round.

It’s been said that those who bring joy to others can not keep it from themself. Singing that song always brought a smile to the face of anyone singing it. I don’t know about you but I can barely say the word Rejoice! without smiling! It is contageous.

But why are we smiling? Because the Lord is coming soon! That’s enough for me!

The Walk Through

1. When did Paul say that we should be full of joy?
2. Why did Paul say that we should be full of joy?
3. How can you show your joy?

Ad Lib

Show your joy - you never know who might be watching…

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. His mind, wit and work earned him the unofficial title of “the greatest justice since John Marshall.” At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: “I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers.”

The Script

² Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. ³ And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. Philippians 4:2-3

The Plot

How to turn a disagreement into a feud:

1. Be sure to develop and maintain a healthy fear of conflict, letting your own feelings build up so you are in an explosive frame of mind.
2. If you must state your concerns, be as vague and general as possible. Then the other person cannot do anything practical to change the situation.
3. Assume you know all the facts and you are totally right. The use of a clinching Bible verse is helpful. Speak prophetically for truth and justice; do most of the talking.
4. With a touch of defiance, announce your willingness to talk with anyone who wishes to discuss the problem with you. But do not take steps to initiate such conversation.
5. Latch tenaciously onto whatever evidence you can find that shows the other person is merely jealous of you.
6. Judge the motivation of the other party on any previous experience that showed failure or unkindness. Keep track of any angry words.
7. If the discussion should, alas, become serious, view the issue as a win/lose struggle. Avoid possible solutions and go for total victory and unconditional surrender. Don’t get too many options on the table.
8. Pass the buck! If you are about to get cornered into a solution, indicate you are without power to settle; you need your partner, spouse, bank, whatever.

Of course, if you listened to this week’s podcast, you heard a four step method for resolving conflict:

• T - Talk to the parties involved.
• I - Involve a mediator if necessary.
• F - Find a common goal.
• F - Find a win/win solution.

Still need help? Download this weeks podcast to hear Pastor Bart go into this in more detail.

The Walk Through

1. Why did Paul feel it necessary to address these two women directly?
2. Why is it necessary to deal with conflict right away?
3. What four keys can help us deal with conflict?

Ad Lib

French novelist and playwright Alexandre Dumas once had a heated quarrel with a rising young politician. The argument became so intense that a duel was inevitable. Since both men were superb shots they decided to draw lots, the loser agreeing to shoot himself. Dumas lost. Pistol in hand, he withdrew in silent dignity to another room, closing the door behind him. The rest of the company waited in gloomy suspense for the shot that would end his career. It rang out at last. His friends ran to the door, opened it, and found Dumas, smoking revolver in hand. “Gentlemen, a most regrettable thing has happened,” he announced. “I missed.”

Catch a glimpse of the Milky Way on a clear, moonless night and that will say it all. One star can shine in the night, but a host of stars will light up the world.

 

 Shine Like A Star - Shine Together [45:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Script

¹⁷ Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. ¹⁸ For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. ²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. ²¹ He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

¹ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. _{Philippians 3:17-21, 4:1}

The Plot

Bill Hybels related the following story. One evening I stopped by the church just to encourage those who were there rehearsing for the spring musical. I didn’t intent to stay long, so I parked my car next to the entrance. After a few minutes, I ran back to my car and drove home.

The next morning I found a note in my office mailbox. It read: A small thing, but Tuesday night when you came to rehearsal, you parked in the “No Parking” area. A reaction from one of my crew (who did not recognize you after you got out of your car) was, “There’s another jerk in the ‘No Parking’ area!” We try hard not to allow people — even workers — to park anywhere other than the parking lots. I would appreciate your cooperation, too. It was signed by a member of our maintenance staff.

(This man’s) stock went up in my book because he had the courage to write to me about what could have been a slippage in my character. And he was right on the mark. As I drove up that night, I had thought, I shouldn’t park here, but after all, I am the pastor. That translates: “I’m an exception to the rules.” But that employee wouldn’t allow me to sneak down the road labeled “I’m an exception.” I’m not the exception to church rules or any of God’s rules. Exemplary conduct means encouraging others to imitate us, even in the small matters.

The Walk Through

1. Where should you look for an example of how to live?
2. As citizens of heaven, how do you need to live?
3. Why is it important to be an example to others?

Ad Lib

One of my favorite sayings is “people won’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care”. As followers of Christ, our actions are like billboards, advertising to other believers and non-believers what a Christian is.

The Script

¹² I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. ¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
¹⁵ Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. ¹⁶ But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. _{Philippians 3:12-16}

The Plot

As many of you know, I have been on a diet since January. A few months into my diet, I started exercising at the gym almost every day and more recently, I have been running about 4 miles every other day. It’s hard work. Normally, after a run, I am exhausted, hot, sweaty and sore. I know that I have pushed my muscles to their limits. I know that I am getting stronger because eight years in the Marine Corps taught me that nothing worthwhile comes without a little discomfort, and strength does not come without a little pain.

My desire to not only lose weight but also get back into shape has caused me to do some pretty irrational things. Just the other day, I decided that I needed to go for a jog. It didn’t matter that it was raining. When I lived in Japan, I ran in the rain everyday! It didn’t matter that I decided that I didn’t need my glasses - and almost got lost because I couldn’t see the trail. It didn’t matter that half-way into my run, someone stopped me to let me know that we were under a tornado warning. I kept running until I met my exercise goal for that day.

About the time I found out that I was jogging during a tornado warning, a question popped into my head so clearly that it had to be God speaking to me. He asked me, “If you are willing to endure pain, look foolish, feel uncomfortable, be accountable to others and dedicate yourself to improving your physical health, why can’t you do the same with your spiritual health?”

With my diet and exercise, I have a goal. I have something to work towards. I keep pushing myself to achieve my daily goals. Paul equated his pursuit of perfection in Christ Jesus with a race. He had a goal and worked daily to achieve that goal. He was willing to endure pain, suffering, loneliness and other hardships to press-on toward his prize. He was willing to appear foolish for the sake of Christ. Nothing was going to stop him from achieving his goal.

My new motto is “No Excuses!” Both spiritually and physically!

The Walk Through

1. What ideas does Paul’s attitude give you that you might copy?
2. What should you do that Paul was doing?
3. In what ways do you have Paul’s attitude?

Ad Lib

Sometimes it is not the prize but the journey that is the reward. All anybody needs to know about prizes is that Mozart never won one.