You’re Invited! Resilient Faith – 1 & 2 Peter

Posted on October 24, 2025 by dkoop

You’re invited to our new message series: Resilient Faith (1-2 Peter)

Description: Life is hard. We all struggle and suffer. As followers of Jesus we often feel like we live in a hostile environment toxic to our faith. This series from 1 and 2 Peter shows us how we can have a resilient faith despite hardship, doubt, persecution and false teaching. Because of Jesus, a resilient faith can be ours. He gives us a faith that stands the tests of life.

Dates  Titles Scripture     

Oct. 26 – A Living Hope (1 Peter 1)

Nov. 2 – Grow Up in Your Salvation (1 Peter 2)
Nov. 9 – Resilient Marriage (1 Peter 3)
Nov. 16 – Resilient Leadership (1 Peter 5)
Nov. 23 –Stand on God’s Word (2 Peter 1)
Nov. 30 –Stand Ready for Christ’s Return (2 Peter 3) Thanksgiving Weekend

Introduction:

Crushed, overwhelmed, devastated, torn—these waves of feelings wash over those who suffer, obliterating hope and threatening to destroy them. Suffering has many forms—physical abuse, debilitating disease, social ostracism, persecution. The pain and anguish tempt a person to turn back, to surrender, to give in.

Many first-century followers of Christ were suffering and being abused and persecuted for believing in and obeying Jesus. Beginning in Jerusalem at the hands of their Jewish brothers, the persecution spread to the rest of the world—wherever Christians gathered. It climaxed when Rome determined to rid the empire of the “Christ-ones”—those who would not bow to Caesar.

Peter knew persecution firsthand. Beaten and jailed, he had been threatened often. He had seen fellow Christians die and the church scattered. But he knew Christ, and nothing could shake his confidence in his risen Lord. So Peter wrote to the church scattered and suffering for the faith, giving comfort and hope, and urging continued loyalty to Christ.

Peter begins by thanking God for salvation (1:2–6). He explains to his readers that trials will refine their faith (1:7–9). They should believe in spite of their circumstances; for many in past ages believed in God’s plan of salvation, even the prophets of old who wrote about it but didn’t understand it. But now salvation has been revealed in Christ (1:10–13).

In response to such a great salvation, Peter commands them to live holy lives (1:14–16), to reverently fear and trust God (1:17–21), to be honest and loving (1:22–2:1), and to become like Christ (2:1–3).

Jesus Christ, as “the living cornerstone” upon whom the church is to be built (2:4, 6), is also the stone that was rejected, causing those who are disobedient to stumble and fall (2:7, 8). But the church, built upon this stone, is to be God’s royal priesthood (2:9, 10).

Next, Peter explains how believers should live during difficult times (2:11–4:11). Christians should be above reproach (2:12–17), imitating Christ in all their social roles—masters and servants, husbands and wives, church members and neighbors (2:18–3:17). Christ should be our model for obedience to God in the midst of great suffering (3:18–4:11).

Peter then outlines the right attitude to have about persecution: Expect it (4:12), be thankful for the privilege of suffering for Christ (4:13–18), and trust God for deliverance (4:19).

Next, Peter gives some special instructions: Elders should care for God’s flock (5:1–4), younger men should be submissive to those who are older (5:5, 6), and everyone should trust God and resist Satan (5:7–11).

Peter concludes by introducing Silas and by sending personal greetings, possibly from the church in Rome, and from Mark (5:12–14).

When you suffer for doing what is right, remember that following Christ is a costly commitment. When persecuted for your faith, rejoice that you have been counted worthy to suffer for your Lord. He suffered for us; as his followers, we should expect nothing less. As you read 1 Peter, remember that trials will come to refine your faith. When they come, remain faithful to God.

Vital Statistics

Purpose:  To offer encouragement to suffering Christians

Author: Peter

Original Audience: Jewish Christians driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout Asia Minor

Date Written: Approximately A.D. 62–64, possibly from Rome

Setting: Peter was probably in Rome when the great persecution under Emperor Nero began. (Eventually Peter was executed during this persecution.) Throughout the Roman Empire, Christians were being tortured and killed for their faith, and the church in Jerusalem was being scattered.

Key Verse:  “These trials will show that your faith is genuine.… So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1:7).

Key People: Peter, Silas, Mark

Key Places: Jerusalem, Rome, and the regions of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia Minor, and Bithynia

Special Features:  Peter used several images that were very special to him because Jesus had used them when he had revealed certain truths to Peter. Peter’s name (which means “rock”) had been given to him by Jesus. Peter’s conception of the church—a spiritual house composed of living stones built upon Christ as the foundation—had come from Christ. Jesus had encouraged Peter to care for the church as a shepherd tending the flock. Thus, it is not surprising to see Peter using living stones 2:5–9) and shepherds and sheep (2:25; 5:2, 4) to describe the church.

1. God’s great blessings to his people (1:1–2:10)

2. The conduct of God’s people in the midst of suffering (2:11–4:19)

3. The shepherding of God’s people in the midst of suffering (5:1–14)

Peter wrote to Jewish Christians who were experiencing persecution for their faith. He wrote to comfort them with the hope of eternal life and to challenge them to continue living holy lives. Those who suffer for being Christians become partners with Christ in his suffering. As we suffer, we must remember that Christ is both our hope in the midst of suffering and our example of how to endure suffering faithfully.

MEGATHEMES

THEME

EXPLANATION

IMPORTANCE

Salvation

Our salvation is a gracious gift from God. God chose us out of his love for us, Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin, and the Holy Spirit cleansed us from sin when we believed. Eternal life is a wonderful gift for those who trust in Christ.

Our safety and security are in God. If we experience joy in relationship with Christ now, how much greater will our joy be when he returns and we see him face to face. Such a hope should motivate us to serve Christ with greater commitment.

Persecution

Peter offers faithful believers comfort and hope. We should expect ridicule, rejection, and suffering because we are Christians. Persecution makes us stronger because it refines our faith. We can face persecution victoriously, as Christ did, if we rely on him.

Christians still suffer for what they believe. We should expect persecution, but we don’t have to be terrified by it. The fact that we will live eternally with Christ should give us the confidence, patience, and hope to stand firm even when we are persecuted.

God’s Family

We are privileged to belong to God’s family, a community with Christ as the founder and foundation. Everyone in this community is related—we are all brothers and sisters, loved equally by God.

Because Christ is the foundation of our family, we must be devoted, loyal, and faithful to him. By obeying him, we show that we are his children. We must accept the challenge to live differently from the society around us.

Family Life

Peter encouraged the wives of unbelievers to submit to their husbands’ authority as a means of winning them to Christ. He urged all family members to treat others with sympathy, love, compassion, and humility.

We must treat our families lovingly. Though it’s never easy, willing service is the best way to influence loved ones. To gain the strength we need for self-discipline and submission, we need to pray for God’s help.

Judgment

God will judge everyone with perfect justice. We all will face God. He will punish evildoers and those who persecute God’s people. Those who love him will be rewarded with life forever in his presence.

Because all are accountable to God, we can leave judgment of others to him. We must not hate or resent those who persecute us. We should realize that we will be held responsible for how we live each day.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Read Along Daily Bible Reading: YouVersion (https://www.bible.com/organizations/370f8a6e-16bc-464f-8c43-0b7623fd2952)

Source: Life Application Bible Notes. 2007. Tyndale.

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Giving with Joy – Philippians 4:10-20

Posted on October 21, 2025 by dkoop

The largest city in our great state of Texas is named after Sam Houston, sixth governor of the state of Texas in 1859.  Life on the Texas frontier was rough and rugged.  Men molded by the frontier knew how to fight, gamble, drink, curse, and kill.  Sam Houston fit the mold as “heavy drinker and brawler.”

On his second marriage, Houston married a devout Baptist wife, who prayed for years that he would be saved and join the church.   Late in life, he surrendered his life to Christ, vowing to go all the way with God and join the Baptist church.  Houston was baptized on November 19, 1854, in Rocky Creek.  Word of his baptism spread throughout the country and over 250 people came to witness it.

According to several accounts, during Houston’s baptism by immersion in Rocky Creek, his pastor noticed he still had his wallet in his pocket and offered to hold it for him. Houston is said to have replied, “No, I think not pastor. I’m afraid it needs baptizing, too”.

The gesture was reportedly followed by a tangible change in Houston’s generosity. Following his baptism:

  • He offered to pay half of his local minister’s salary. 
  • He made significant donations to Baylor University.

Like Sam Houston, has your wallet or bank account been baptized?

It was Martin Luther, the great reformer, who said, there are three conversions that are necessary– the conversion of the heart, the conversion of the mind, and the conversion of what he called the purse, or the wallet, the pocket book. And probably of all three, the third one is the hardest to convert.

The Bible has a lot to say about finances. In fact, it surprises many Christians just how much the New Testament and the Old Testament speak about this topic. Here’s an example. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it’s estimated that one out of every six verses deal somehow with money. Of the 29 parables that Jesus told, 16 deal with the person and their money. Look at it another way. The Bible has 500 verses thereabouts on the topic of prayer, fewer than 500 verses on the topic of faith, 2000 verses on money! Jesus taught more on the topic of money and possessions than all of his teachings on heaven and hell combined.

Jesus said this, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” That’s quite a statement. You can tell a lot about a person’s spirituality by what that person does with money. Just take a tour of a person’s finances and find out what is spent, what is important, what are the values.

The church at Philippi was a model of sacrificial, generous giving. To give you the background, they had supported Paul 10 years before. They had supported him on a couple of occasions. They lost touch with him. Now, they hear he’s in Rome in jail. And they send a man by the name of Epaphroditus, 800 miles, from Philippi to Rome with a very lavish gift, a sacrificial gift from that church– once again, some kind of a care package and financial offering. And it gets to Paul. Philippians is a thank you letter!

When it comes to how we are to look at money or deal with money or our financial responsibility, this text is a good one. And it’s interesting that Paul closes out his book with the importance of giving. We’re going to look at verse 10-20.

In looking at these verses, I want to share with you three insights when it comes to our finances, our money. First of all,

  1. Giving Blesses Others

 Paul commends them for their generosity. In verse 14, he says, “Nevertheless, you have done well in that you shared in my distress.” Now, he had just gotten through saying, I am content no matter what I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.

If he would have ended there, maybe they would have thought, well, if he’s content with anything, a lot or a little, why did we just sacrificially give so much money and then send a guy 800 miles to give him this gift? So he closes off by saying nevertheless, I’m content no matter what. Nevertheless, you have done well. He’s commending them. He saying, what you did is good.

Money is not evil. Money is neutral. Money is amoral. That is, it has no moral value attached to it, either good or bad. It all depends on how it is used. Somebody will say, but the Bible says money is the root of all evil. The Bible does not say money is the root of all evil.

1 Timothy Chapter 6 says, “The love of money is a root,” (not the root), “a root of all kinds of evil.”   Money is neutral, there were many people in the Bible that were very wealthy and yet very godly.  Abraham, Joseph, Job, David, Solomon to name a few.    Riches aren’t evil. Wealth isn’t evil. It’s amoral. It has no moral value attached to it. It all depends on how a person uses it. I love what J. Paul Getty said. He said, money is like manure. You stack it up, it stinks. You spread it around, it makes things grow.

Giving for God’s work is good. They had given to Paul. They were giving to God’s work, and it’s good. Paul the Apostle quoted Jesus in Acts Chapter 20 by saying, “It is more blessed to give than it is to receive.” Generosity is a good thing. Be a generous person. It’s a good value to have. And the honest truth is that very few things will ever get done in ministry without the generous support of people.

According to the Gallup organization, in the average church 17% of people say they tithe, but only 3% actually do. 40%, according to Gallup, will give nothing in a year.  The same set of Gallup poll statistics, 71% of the pastors believe that church members have changed from stewards into consumers.

Enter the church at Philippi, a refreshing, different animal, giving generously on one and then two and then now, at least– this is the third occasion– generous to Paul. And Paul says, it’s good. Church at Philippi believed what Jim Elliott, that great missionary to Ecuador who was martyred, would later say, when he said, he is no fool who gives away that which he cannot keep in order to gain that which he cannot lose. They were generous. And generosity is commended.

Generosity is good is that it turns people into partners. Back in Chapter 1, Paul begins his book of Philippians. And he says, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making my request for you all with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. That’s how Paul viewed them. We are partners in this together. You are there. I am here. You are doing what only you can do. And I am doing what only I could do. We’re partners.

Look at verse 14. “Nevertheless, you have done well that you–” look at the word– “shared in my distress.” And then again in verse 15, “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.” Twice he uses the word shared. And it means to be a partner together in something. So what Paul loves more than the present that they gave to him was the partnership.

We’re partners together. And that’s the way it is in church work, in mission work, in God’s work. Some are goers. Others are senders. But all are partners. It’s a partnership.

2. Giving Blesses Me

Second one, interest is compounded. Now this is where it really gets good. Verse 17. He says, “not that I seek the gift. But I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.” Now we are getting insight in this verse into heavenly accounting procedures. This is how God works the heavenly account books. Because verse 17 is filled with financial language from the ancient money market. And when he says, “not that I want the money or seek the gift. But I seek fruit that abounds to your account,” that literally refers to interest accrued on the credit side of the ledger. Interest accrued on the credit side of the ledger.

Here’s how it works. Paul would go out and preach the gospel. They, in Philippi, would support him. And of all the fruit that came because of Paul’s ministry, they would get the eternal credit. God would accrue that, mark that, on their credit. That’s some wonderful implications with that. That means when you get to heaven, somebody could walk up to you and say, “thank you!” And you go, who are you? I’ve never met you. Why are you thanking me? I know you’ve never met me, but you supported that ministry where I heard the gospel that day or that night or that book or that tract or that crusade or that church. I heard the gospel, and I’m here in part due to your faithfulness. That’s fruit to your account.

How much are you laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven? So generosity is commended. Interest is compounded. That’s a second insight. Third insight is that giving is rewarded, not only there in heaven on your heavenly reward ledger, but here and now.

Verse 19. “And my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” What a comforting verse, one that you probably know well. Unfortunately, it’s a greatly misunderstood verse. It has been taken out of context largely. That’s how I’ve heard it over the years, and it has become sort of a blanket promise. And I’ve heard people quote it as if to say, you know, if you’re a Christian, no matter how you live, no matter what you do with your finances, that’s up to you. But God will just automatically care for whatever you need. Well, that’s not what the verse means.

Every text has a context. And I’ve always gone by this rule– any text taken out of context can easily become a pretext. You can make the Bible say anything at all you want to. You can just take it out of context. You can make it say anything that suits your fancy. But every text has a context. And the context of these verses betrays that idea. What Paul is saying to the Philippians is, to you, Philippians, who have been so generous with your finances, my God will supply all your need.

And by the way, just in case you might be thinking, well, Philippi probably was a rich town. And they could– they had a lot. The opposite is true.

Paul bragged about the Philippians to the Corinthians. And this is what he said about them. He said, out of their most severe trial and extreme poverty, they have welled up in rich generosity. He said, they’re a very poor congregation. And yet, they are very generous.

Let’s look at verse 18. He said, “indeed I have all and about.” This is what the offering that they have provided has done. “I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things which are sent from you, a sweet smelling aroma, acceptable sacrifice well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need.” Now there’s two words I want you to join together. In verse 18, the word full and in verse 19, the words supply.  I am full. You made me full. Verse 19. God will supply.

Here’s what Paul is saying:  You’ve filled me up. My God’s going to fill you up. You made me full. My God will make you full. Beautiful. The principle, then, is God generously treats those who treat others generously. And I hope you know that that is a scriptural principle over and over and over again. Greatest authority we have, the Lord Jesus Christ, himself, said this. Luke Chapter 6 Verse 38. “Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over will be poured into your lap. For with a measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

That agrees with Proverbs 11:25. “The generous soul will be made rich. He who waters will himself also be watered.” And that agrees with Proverbs 22 Verse 9. “A generous man will himself be blessed.” And Proverbs 3 Verse 9. “Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first fruits of your increase so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Same principle over and over again. You’ve been so generous. My God will supply all your need. He’ll fill you up. Giving blesses others and it blesses me.  Interest is compounded. Giving is rewarded.

Let’s close this off with a last insight.

 3. Giving Moves God

 “Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” That was always Paul’s end game. Future. Heaven.

As we saw earlier,

 Giving pleases God. Look at verse 18. “Indeed I have all and about. I am full because I have received having received from Epaphroditus the things that are sent from you, a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice–” now look at this last phrase, “well pleasing to God.”

That’s the highest motivation to do anything, to give anything. Because it is well pleasing to God. Did you notice in this verse the language that the apostle uses is the language of the temple? Sweet smelling aroma? If you were to walk in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, it smelled very different than it does today.

First of all, if you walked in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago during the time that they would have morning or evening sacrifices, it would smell like BBQ to you, like a massive BBQ. Because they were taking that animal and putting it on an altar. And the smoke was ascending up to God, and you’d walk through there– oh, man, I’ve got to get some of that. Where’s that? That was going on in the temple. Add to that the incense that was going up that represented their prayer. So the incense and the animals on the altar made this wonderful aroma. And what Paul is saying here is that’s what giving is like to God. It’s like the purest, best sacrifice, it is well pleasing to Him.  This ought always to be our highest motivation. It’s not,  “I’m giving because the church needs it.” It should be, I’m giving because God is worth it. It is well pleasing to Him. Now notice that he says in this verse, he calls it a sacrifice, an acceptable sacrifice well pleasing to God. Just the fact that he uses the word sacrifice means that the person who offers it has got to feel it.

It’s like David said. I will never offer to the Lord anything that doesn’t cost me something. But I always get asked the question about amount. Well, how much should I give? Are Christians supposed to tithe? And if we tithe, should we tie on the gross or on the net? And we get really complicated about it.

What we need to realize that when it comes to percentages is we don’t own anything. It’s not ours. It all is His. 100%. In the prophet Hosea, God said, all the silver and all the gold is mine, saith the Lord. It’s all His. And then in Deuteronomy 8, the Lord said, for it is God who gives you the power to get wealth. So if God happens to give you anything or let you keep anything that’s already his to begin with, that’s where you thank him for, instead of saying, oh, my goodness. I have to give 10%? How about this? God let you keep 90%! That’s the way you look at it. All belongs to Him.

It would seem that these Old Testament believers who get saved in the New Testament began as the baseline with a 10%. But then Paul said this in 2 Corinthians. Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly nor out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Peter Marshall– former chaplain for the United States Senate– said this, give according to your income less God make your income according to your giving. What if God took your financial offering, multiplied it by 10, and made that your income? How would that be? Would anything change? How much would you make?

There are many things money cannot buy. Money can buy a bed but not sleep. Money can buy books but not brains. Money can buy food but not an appetite. It can buy finery but not beauty. It can buy a house but not a home. It can buy medicine but not health. Pleasures but not peace. It can buy a crucifix but not a Savior. It can buy a church building but not heaven.

We have been given whatever we have been given. We are stewards. God is the Master. God wants us to use wisely what he has placed in our hands. All of it belongs to him. And whatever we place in His hands for His glory, He’ll make sure that he takes care of us now. He’ll supply our needs. And whatever fruit comes out of our investment will be tallied up to our account in heaven. It’s a great way to live, with your eyes fixed on that prize. Like the church in Philippi, do you put your money where your faith is?

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Read Along Daily Bible Reading: YouVersion (https://www.bible.com/organizations/370f8a6e-16bc-464f-8c43-0b7623fd2952)

Sources:

Sam Houston’s Wet Wallet

Also adapted from “Is your Checkbook Converted?” Philippians 9-23 by Skip Heitzig, 2000, Calvary ABQ.

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Living with Joy – Philippians 4:4-9

Posted on October 18, 2025 by dkoop

It seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to rejoice. But Paul’s attitude teaches us an important lesson: Our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. Several times in this letter Paul urged the Philippians to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this. It’s easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If you haven’t been joyful lately, you may not be looking at life from the right perspective.

4:4 Paul returned to writing to the church at large: Be full of joy … rejoice!  While believers often will encounter situations in which they cannot be happy, they can always rejoice and delight in the Lord.

4:5 Joy isn’t always visible to others, but arts toward others are readily seen. So Paul encouraged the Philippians to let everyone see that they were considerate. They should have a spirit that is reasonable, fair-minded, and charitable. Believers are motivated to joy and consideration of others by remembering that their Lord is coming soon. The promise of the Lord’s second coming encourages careful conduct by his followers.

4:6 Attitudes of joy and gentleness, combined with constant awareness of Christ’s return, should dispel any worry. Believers should not set aside life’s responsibilities so as not to worry about them; Paul was focusing on believers’ attitudes in daily life and as they faced opposition and persecution. Christians are to be responsible for their needs and their families and to care about and be concerned for others, but they are not to worry (Matthew 6:25–34).
Worrying is bad because it is a subtle form of distrust in God. When believers worry, they are saying that they don’t trust that God will provide and they doubt that he cares or that he can handle their situation. Paul offered prayer as an antidote to worry. Instead, pray about everything. Prayer combats worry by allowing us catharsis. We can offload our stress onto God. Paul said to take all the energy that is used in worrying and put it into prayer. This includes praying about everything. No request is too small, difficult, or inconsequential to God. Paul encouraged the believers to pray about what they need and then to thank God for all he has done. It may seem impossible not to worry about anything, but Paul explained that this can happen if believers truly give their worries to God. Worry and prayer cannot coexist.

4:7 If the Philippians would take to heart Paul’s words in 4:4–6, then they will turn from anxiety to prayer and be filled with God’s peace. This peace is different from the world’s peace. It is peace that Jesus promised his disciples and all those who would follow him (John 14:27). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings; it comes from knowing that God is in control. Believers are given peace with God when they believe (Romans 5:1), and they have the inner quiet of the peace of God as they daily walk with him.
God’s peace is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. Such peace cannot be self-generated; it comes from God alone; it is his gift to us in a difficult world. As with so much of God’s dealings with humanity, we cannot understand it, but we can accept and experience God’s peace because of his great love for us.
Why does God give his people peace? Because it will guard their hearts and minds. The Greek word for “guard” is a military term that means to surround and protect a garrison or city. The Philippians, living in a garrison town, were familiar with the Roman guards who maintained watch, guarding the city from any outside attack. God’s peace is like soldiers surrounding believers’ hearts and minds (that is, emotions and thoughts), securing them against threatening and harmful outside forces.

4:8 If one is to have this inner peace from God and maintain a life free of worry, then certain steps must be taken, notably in his or her thoughts. This list describes what should pervade believers’ minds. Believers should fix their thoughts on things that are:

True. Truth includes facts and statements that are in accordance with reality (not lies, rumors, or embellishments), sincere (not deceitful or with evil motives), and loyal, faithful, proper, reliable, and genuine. Truth is a characteristic of God.
Honorable. These matters are worthy of respect, dignified, and exalted in character or excellence.
Right. Thoughts and plans that meet God’s standards of rightness. They are in keeping with the truth; they are righteous.
Pure. Free from contamination or blemish; unmixed and unmodified; wholesome. Paul probably was speaking of moral purity, often very difficult to maintain in thoughts.
Lovely. Thoughts of great moral and spiritual beauty, not of evil.
Admirable. Things that speak well of the thinker—thoughts that recommend, give confidence in, afford approval or praise, reveal positive and constructive thinking. A believer’s thoughts, if heard by others, should be admirable, not embarrassing.
Excellent. Moral excellence; nothing of substandard quality.
Worthy of praise. This phrase may be restated as “anything that deserves the thinker’s praise” or “anything that God deems praiseworthy.”

4:9 Paul had lived out and was continuing to live out his words, so he could urge the believers to put into practice what they had learned from him (from his teaching and training). The Scriptures were not compiled into a Bible until later, so the standards of belief and behavior were embodied in the teachings and example of those in authority. Paul could speak confidently; people could follow his example because he was following Christ’s example (1 Corinthians 11:1). If the believers would keep on practicing the virtues that Paul cited above, they would experience the God of peace. God is the source of peace for all believers.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Read Along Daily Bible Reading: YouVersion (https://www.bible.com/organizations/370f8a6e-16bc-464f-8c43-0b7623fd2952)

Sources:
Bruce Barton et al., Life Application New Testament Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001), 860–861.

Life Application Bible Notes (Tyndale, 2007), 2022.

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Joy in Church Relationships – Philippians 4:1-4

Posted on October 15, 2025 by dkoop

Here in these verses are four challenges to deal with problems existing in the church family at Philippi, which are great for us as well!  Chapter three concluded with the reminder of the all-sufficiency of the power of Christ to meet any and every problem in this life. In chapter four, Paul confronts a problem. Apparently there had arisen in the Philippian church some problems of disagreement or disunity.  Paul now reminds them that the same power is available to solve every problem and settle every situation. The fact that there were problems in this church shows us that there are no perfect churches! All churches have problems because all churches have people.

1. THE CHALLENGE TO STAND FAST 4:1

What does it mean to “stand fast?”

Stand fast
  1. verb

    refuse to abandon one’s belief

    synonyms: hold firm, stand firm, stand pat

Evidently the Philippians were “abandoning” their beliefs or “letting go” of some important things.

There are several areas where we are to be steadfast and persevering for Christ.

1. We are to stand fast in Faith.

* 1 Corinthians 16:13—Watch, stand fast in the faith. 

We are to be alert to spiritual dangers. We are to be faithful to Christ and behave in a mature fashion. We are to be strong and courageous in the Lord.

2. We are to stand fast in Fellowship.

* Philippians 1:27—Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Much energy is lost by infighting in the church. Satan has a way of getting Christians distracted by petty matters. Our priority is to be united in serving Christ and opposing our real enemy, Satan. It takes discipline for a church to stay focused on serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. We are to stand fast in Freedom.

* Galatians 5:1—Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Jesus came to set us free from the bondage of sin. We are not free to do what we want, for that would lead us back into slavery to our sinful desires. In Christ, we are free to live unselfishly. When we live sinfully, we are becoming entangled in the bondage of sinful habits. God did not intend that we use our liberty in Christ to destroy ourselves.

4. We are to stand fast in our Foundation in Christ.

* 2 Thessalonians 2:15—Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold what you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. In spite of persecution and suffering, we are not to waver from the truth of God’s Word.

5. We are to stand fast in the Family of Christ.

* Philippians 4:1—Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Paul calls the Philippians his “joy and crown.” They were trophies of God’s grace. The word for “crown” is Stephanos which was the victor’s crown of the athletes. The Philippian believers were the results of victory. The fact that they were his joy and crown shows that Paul’s ministry was a people centered ministry. He loved people and served them. He longed for and loved people dearly.

* 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20.… For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

II. THE CHALLENGE FOR UNITY 4:2

A church can have great power when its women are faithful prayer warriors. It can be a nightmare if they gossip and quarrel. Here are two good women that Satan got an advantage of and they became the gazing stock of the church. Euodia means “prosperous journey or fragrant” but her arguing was stinking up the church. Syntyche means “with fate or accident.” These two women were not getting along and Paul points it out.

* 1 Corinthians 3:3—For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and [a]behaving like mere men?

The German philosopher, Schopenhauer, compared the human race to a bunch of porcupines huddling together on a cold winter’s night. He said, “The colder it gets outside, the more we huddle together for warmth; but the closer we get to one another, the more we hurt one another with our sharp quills.” We need each other, but we needle each other. If we are not careful, in the lonely night of earth’s winter, eventually we begin to drift apart and wander out on our own and freeze to death in our loneliness. Christ has given us an alternative—to forgive each other for the pokes we receive. That allows us to stay together and stay warm.
There may be diversity without division, a difference of methods without a disunity of minds, and disagreement without a departure in fellowship. Subjecting to Christ and His Word will save the church from division and dissension. When there is disunity in the church, it hurts the testimony of the church for Christ. For this reason Paul urges these people and the church to be united in their thinking.

* Philippians 2:2—Fulfil my joy, that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

* Philippians 2:5—Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Peter and Paul addressed the issue of unity in other letters.

* 1 Corinthians 1:10—Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

* 1 Peter 3:8—Finally, be all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be courteous:

III. THE CHALLENGE TO SERVICE 4:3

One of the key reasons why people fuss and fight in the church is they are not busy serving the Lord. Paul tells these folks who are not getting along with one another to get busy for God. They are to serve or help the women that labored with Paul.

I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

We are called to serve, to help others, to labor in the church with the rest of the fellow workers. Service is part of being a follower of Christ.

He mentions, the Book of Life. What is this book?

* Revelation 20:12, 15—And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The Lamb’s book of life is the record of all those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

IV. THE CHALLENGE TO REJOICE 4:4

One of the best ways to extinguish problems in the church is to count your blessings and rejoice in the Lord. It’s hard to get mad when you are happy, isn’t it? Rejoicing is a great antidote for discouragement, depression, division, and disunity. In spite of our trials, we can still rejoice.

* Habakkuk 3:17–18 … Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: [18] Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Here the challenge to rejoice is linked with the challenge to quarreling saints to settle their differences. We are to be constantly, habitually rejoicing indicated by the tense of the verb. Christians usually are not rejoicing when they are in disagreement with one another. Disunity is a destroyer of joy. Paul tells us to Rejoice in the Lord always. In case we did not get the message he says, “Again, I say rejoice.”

Our knowledge and intimacy with Jesus Christ will lead to joy and is the key to rejoicing in the Lord. The joy that the Lord provides also gives us enough strength to face trials and suffering.

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy and laughter are good for your health. A November 15, 2000, article in Reuters News Service and CBS radio news submitted by Greg Asimakoupoulos stated: The old axiom “Laughter is the best medicine” holds true when it comes to protecting your heart, according to a study conducted by the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Dr. Michael Miller, who conducted the study, says that laughter releases chemicals into the bloodstream that relax the blood vessels. In addition, hearty laughter reduces blood-pressure and heart-rate. Miller, who is the director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the university, interviewed 150 patients who had suffered heart troubles and 150 who had not. Each patient was asked questions to measure their response in typical day-to-day situations. The results showed that individuals with heart problems were 40 percent less likely to respond with laughter.

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

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Read Along Daily Bible Reading: YouVersion (https://www.bible.com/organizations/370f8a6e-16bc-464f-8c43-0b7623fd2952)

Source:  Adapted from Rod Mattoon, Treasures from Philippians, Treasures from Scripture Series (Springfield, IL: Rod Mattoon, 2004), 199–208.

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