New Resources

New Resources Philippians 4:1-9

On Sunday, 11^th March 2007, we had the privilege of Pastor Micky give the message on “New Resources” from Philippians 4:1-9

 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.

After many words of encouragement and teaching, Paul now feels that it is time to address one problem in this otherwise seemingly perfect church – the conflict between Euodia and Syntyche. Once, a man told his Pastor that he would leave his church to find another church - a perfect church. The Pastor coyly replied, “Well, if you do find one, please don’t join her, or that church will no longer be a perfect church.

Life is not perfect, and there are many problems that we face everyday. In the same way, no church is perfect, for we are all imperfect people. However, we need to learn to be thankful anyway, and look for the things that we can thank God for, in life, or in church. Pastor Micky shared how sometimes people fall asleep or come late, but he is most thankful, that they have come at all. Our perspective goes a long way to determine our happiness in life.

Coming back to Euodia and Syntyche, we see two strong women in the church of Philippi who have somehow fallen into a sharp conflict. At this point, Pastor Micky also pointed out the great importance of the ministry of women in the church, even today. Sunday School, Prayer Meetings, Hospitality, we see the great strength of women in making the church what it is today.

Disagreements and conflict are a normal part of life as each of us are made differently, and may have different ideas and opinions about various things. Some may like music fast, while others like it slow. Some like Curry Laksa and others like Mixed Rice. However, we can learn to agree to disagree in an agreeable way. At the end of the day, we need to focus on the important things that we agree upon in the Lord – that we are family members, that we are different, that we need to spread the gospel, that we need unity.

Now, Pastor Micky drew our attention to four powerful resources we can turn too in times of trouble, whether facing conflict or any other problem.

(A) People

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.

First of all, Paul asked other people – other brothers and sisters in the ministry to help Euodia and Syntyche solve their conflict. As the saying goes, No man is an island. We need each other, and when we help each other, problems get solved, relationships get restored and unity is strengthened. For us to depend on others to help us, we should first of all learn to be helpful and dependable ourselves. We need to be good listeners, able to listen without judgment or condemnation, and be encouraging and sympathetic. As James said, Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

 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.
The second powerful resource is Prayer. When faced with any problem, Paul encourages us not to be anxious and worried, but to pray! Whatever we face, rejoice in the Lord with thanksgiving, and present our requests to him, whether for small or big things. When we pray to God, God will help us overcome our worry, and give us peace.
 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.

The third powerful resource is Positive Thinking. When we focus our minds on good things, and think well of other people and ourselves, we will face any problem with much more positive energy and hope. We are what we think. If you think you can, you can, and if you think you can’t, you can’t. Our minds are very important, and if we continually train ourselves to think positively, we will receive much more out of life.

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.

Finally, the fourth powerful resource is Practice. As the saying goes, Practice makes Perfect. As we continue practicing our People helping skills, Prayer life and Positive Thinking, we will become better and better at facing any problem, and God’s wonderful presence certainly will always be with us.

May the Lord help us be helpful, prayerful and positive always. In Jesus name, Amen.

God bless, Jason