2016.12.11 礼拝

2016.12.11 礼拝

2016.12.11 Philippians 4:1-8　Tasting the blessings of the church

Reading the Bible at home alone is an important time to have a personal relationship with God eventually leading to find joy in coming to church on Sundays.

People who still cannot find pleasure coming to church on Sundays need not worry since there is always some leeway to change how you feel through experiences of fellowships after the service.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

In Japan, there seems to have been a tendency to follow unanimity, especially at work or schools where people get together.

However, the trend now seems to promote more individualism. Individualism works well as long as one doesn’t go too far as to be self-centered. The result could be that some people would feel it is enough to worship alone at home without going to church (which could eventually lead to discontinuing worships for good).

But God wants us to get together and is happy to see us worship together.

Philippians 4:6　6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present hour requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Rather than taking this verse as a personal message, we should also look at it as being told to Christians as a whole.

➀　 Imagine Paul’s feelings towards the church of Philippi

Q. Who did Paul think of when he wrote this letter?

Philippians 1:1　Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.

A. Church of Philippi – each member of the church

Philippians 2:1-2 1 if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

There should be unity in church of Christ.

Philippians 3:1-2 1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.

There could possibly have been former Jewish (Pharisees) or false teachers within the church telling others the need to be circumcised and observe the Law rather than just believing in Christ.

Philippians 4:1-2　1 Therefore, 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! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

Paul points out names and pleads for unity.

➁ Imagine the “joy” of Paul from his feeling towards the church of Philippi

Philippians 1:3-5 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

“Joy” to Paul is:

➢　The church stands for the mission of Christ (Chapter 1)

➢　The church is united in Christ (Chapter 2)

➢　To share the joy with the church of Philippi

Philippians 2:18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Imagine Paul’s “anxiety” from his feeling towards the church of Philippi

“Anxiety” to Paul is:

➢　Jewish mingled in the church (Philippians 3:2)

➢　Disagreement in the church (Philippians 4:2)

➢　Imprisonment of himself (Philippians 1:13)

　Paul’s anxiety = disagreement within the members of the church of Philippi (Philippians 2:18)

“Rejoice in the Lord” means:

Paul was anxious that he couldn’t be at the church of Philippi despite the problem of disagreements because of his imprisonment.

However, difficulties such as disagreements could be overcome if they will be obedient in following the mission of Christ.

➂　Be aware of the power of church

・The church should in “every situation”, pray “with thanksgiving”(Philippians 4:6)

・ “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7)

・This peace “will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”

You should not take this only as a personal message by retiring yourself from the church and seeking satisfaction by worshiping alone. The “peace of God” is for the church (church members) and not only for one individual.