Living in Harmony: Embracing Community and Generosity

Summary

### Summary

Welcome to Rogers Christian Church! Today, we gather to worship, connect, and grow in our faith. Whether you're joining us online or in person, we are thrilled to have you here. If you're new, please fill out a Connect Card so we can get to know you better and pray for any needs you may have. Our service today includes a special prayer for students and teachers as they head back to school, a time of worship, communion, and a deep dive into Philippians chapter four.

In Philippians 4, Paul emphasizes the importance of living a life of generous friendship and community. He urges us to be in harmony with one another, to rejoice in the Lord, and to let God's peace grow within our community. Paul also highlights the significance of focusing on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. These "whatevers" are not just individual pursuits but communal practices that strengthen our collective faith.

Paul's letter to the Philippians teaches us that Christian unity is everyone's responsibility. We must avoid gossip and instead build each other up in love and humility. Rejoicing in the Lord is a command, not a suggestion, and it brings us closer to experiencing God's kingdom here on earth. The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, is most powerfully experienced in a community that prays and gives thanks together.

Paul also shares his personal experience of contentment, even in dire circumstances, and how the Philippians' generous gift brought him great joy. This act of giving is a testament to their spiritual growth and their commitment to living out their faith in practical ways. As a church, we are called to share concern, reside in contentment, and give joyfully.

Today, we have practical opportunities to live out these teachings. You can volunteer for the 8th Street Motel Ministry or commit to praying for a student for a year. These actions, though simple, can have a profound impact on our community and our spiritual growth.

### Key Takeaways

1. Be in Harmony: Paul urges us to be of the same mind and work harmoniously with one another. Christian unity is everyone's responsibility, and we must avoid gossip and instead build each other up in love and humility. This harmonious living is a testament to the diverse yet unified body of Christ. [53:15]

2. Rejoice in the Lord: Rejoicing is not just about being happy; it's a command that reflects our recognition of God's work in our lives. Joy is a serious business and a sign of God's kingdom manifesting among us. It goes beyond mere happiness and imparts the substance of heaven into our community. [56:38]

3. God's Peace Grows in Community: The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, is most powerfully experienced in a community that prays and gives thanks together. This collective peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, making it a powerful testimony to the world. [01:03:22]

4. Activate the Whatevers: Paul encourages us to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. These "whatevers" are life-giving practices that we should strive for individually and share with our community. They help us to be more like Jesus and strengthen our collective faith. [01:07:19]

5. Give Joyfully: Paul highlights the joy that comes from giving and taking action in God's kingdom. The Philippians' generous gift to Paul in prison is a testament to their spiritual growth and commitment. As a church, we are called to share concern, reside in contentment, and give joyfully, trusting that God will provide for our needs. [01:17:05]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[06:25] - Purpose and Connect Cards
[07:32] - Communion Instructions
[09:09] - Preparing for Worship
[14:44] - Prayer for Students and Teachers
[16:10] - RCC Announcements
[41:40] - Upcoming Events
[49:16] - Story of Generous Friendship
[50:12] - Introduction to Philippians 4
[50:54] - Be in Harmony
[53:15] - Avoid Gossip
[56:38] - Rejoice in the Lord
[57:37] - Stories of Joyful Growth
[01:02:27] - God's Peace in Community
[01:07:19] - Activate the Whatevers
[01:10:46] - Paul's Gratitude and Contentment
[01:17:05] - Give Joyfully
[01:18:13] - Practical Steps for Action
[01:20:54] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Philippians 4:1-20

### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul urge Euodia and Syntyche to do in Philippians 4:2? How does he suggest the community help them? [50:54]
2. According to Philippians 4:4, what command does Paul give to the believers, and why is it significant? [56:38]
3. In Philippians 4:6-7, what does Paul say will guard our hearts and minds, and how should we approach God to receive this? [51:38]
4. What are the "whatevers" that Paul encourages believers to focus on in Philippians 4:8-9? [52:23]

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for the church community to help individuals like Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind? How does this reflect on the church's unity? [50:54]
2. How does rejoicing in the Lord differ from simply being happy? What does this kind of joy signify about our relationship with God? [56:38]
3. What does Paul mean when he says that the peace of God transcends all understanding? How can this peace be a powerful testimony to others? [01:03:22]
4. How can focusing on the "whatevers" (true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable) transform both individual lives and the church community? [01:07:19]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced conflict within a community. How did it get resolved, and what role did others play in helping to restore harmony? How can you apply Paul's advice to Euodia and Syntyche in your current relationships? [50:54]
2. How can you make rejoicing in the Lord a daily practice, especially during challenging times? What specific steps can you take to cultivate this joy in your life? [56:38]
3. Think about a situation where you felt anxious. How did you handle it? How can you incorporate prayer and thanksgiving into your life to experience God's peace more fully? [01:03:22]
4. Identify one "whatever" (true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable) that you struggle with the most. What practical steps can you take this week to focus more on this aspect in your thoughts and actions? [01:07:19]
5. Paul talks about contentment in all circumstances. Reflect on your current situation. Are there areas where you struggle with contentment? How can you learn to be content through Christ's strength? [01:12:14]
6. How can you practice joyful giving in your community? Think of a specific way you can give your time, resources, or support to someone in need this week. [01:17:05]
7. Consider the practical opportunities mentioned in the sermon, such as volunteering for the 8th Street Motel Ministry or praying for a student. Which of these actions can you commit to, and how do you think it will impact your spiritual growth and the community? [01:19:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Living in Harmony
Paul urges us to be of the same mind and work harmoniously with one another. Christian unity is everyone's responsibility, and we must avoid gossip and instead build each other up in love and humility. This harmonious living is a testament to the diverse yet unified body of Christ. When we live in harmony, we reflect the love and unity that Jesus prayed for in John 17. It is not just about avoiding conflict but actively seeking to understand and support one another.

Living in harmony requires intentional effort and a heart willing to forgive and reconcile. It means putting aside our differences and focusing on what unites us—our faith in Jesus Christ. By doing so, we create a community that is welcoming and nurturing, where everyone feels valued and loved. This kind of community is a powerful witness to the world of God's love and grace. [53:15]

Romans 12:16 (ESV): "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life where there is tension or misunderstanding. What steps can you take today to promote harmony and understanding in that relationship?

Day 2: Rejoicing in the Lord
Rejoicing is not just about being happy; it's a command that reflects our recognition of God's work in our lives. Joy is a serious business and a sign of God's kingdom manifesting among us. It goes beyond mere happiness and imparts the substance of heaven into our community. Rejoicing in the Lord is a way of life that acknowledges God's sovereignty and goodness, even in difficult circumstances.

When we rejoice in the Lord, we shift our focus from our problems to God's promises. This act of rejoicing strengthens our faith and brings us closer to experiencing God's kingdom here on earth. It is a powerful testimony to others of the hope and joy that we have in Christ. [56:38]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge or difficult situation in your life. How can you choose to rejoice in the Lord despite the circumstances?

Day 3: Experiencing God's Peace in Community
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, is most powerfully experienced in a community that prays and gives thanks together. This collective peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, making it a powerful testimony to the world. When we come together in prayer and thanksgiving, we invite God's presence and peace into our midst.

Experiencing God's peace in community means that we support and encourage one another in our faith journeys. It means being there for each other in times of need and celebrating together in times of joy. This kind of community reflects the love and peace of Christ to the world around us. [01:03:22]

Colossians 3:15 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Reflection: Think about your role in your faith community. How can you contribute to creating an environment of peace and support for others?

Day 4: Focusing on the Whatevers
Paul encourages us to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. These "whatevers" are life-giving practices that we should strive for individually and share with our community. They help us to be more like Jesus and strengthen our collective faith. By focusing on these virtues, we cultivate a mindset that honors God and builds up those around us.

Focusing on the "whatevers" means being intentional about what we allow into our minds and hearts. It means choosing to dwell on things that are uplifting and edifying, rather than negative or harmful. This practice not only transforms our own lives but also has a positive impact on our community. [01:07:19]

Philippians 4:8 (ESV): "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you need to shift your focus to what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable. What practical steps can you take today to make this shift?

Day 5: Giving Joyfully
Paul highlights the joy that comes from giving and taking action in God's kingdom. The Philippians' generous gift to Paul in prison is a testament to their spiritual growth and commitment. As a church, we are called to share concern, reside in contentment, and give joyfully, trusting that God will provide for our needs. Giving joyfully is an expression of our faith and trust in God's provision.

When we give joyfully, we participate in God's work and bless others in the process. It is an act of worship that reflects our gratitude for all that God has done for us. Joyful giving is not about the amount we give but the heart with which we give. It is a demonstration of our love for God and others. [01:17:05]

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: Consider your attitude towards giving. How can you cultivate a heart of joyful giving in your daily life? What is one specific way you can give joyfully this week?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "God has you either watching online or here on campus, meeting with each other for His purposes. And we just want to process that with you. And we also want to throw out a gift to you if it's your first time. And if you've got a prayer request, we want to pray for that. So make sure you fill out one of those Connect Cards and get that to us, whether digitally or paper." [06:25] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Rejoice, rejoicing is something else, completely different than just happiness. Joy, joy is the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in a small group of people. Rejoicing is a sign of God's kingdom made manifest here on earth right now. Joy goes beyond mere happiness or, you know, it imparts the substance of heaven. Joy is serious business. It's serious business and joy helps the whole community grow." [57:37] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The world will tell you that there are many things that are capable of giving us joy but ultimately, our joy must rest in Christ Jesus and nothing else. There is a progression here. I want you to see a wisdom progression from the spirit that Paul is sharing with us. Can you see it? Can you see that we must live together in joyous and generous friendship? The wonder of Christian unity is that it gives us the ability to rejoice in the Lord together, way past the problems we face." [01:02:49] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "How powerful is a testimony of a peaceful and joyful group at rest in the goodness of God, at peace in the presence of God, in whatever difficulties or hardships or a local church might have, in whatever situation we might face. This group of believers can be an example of Christian joy and peace. You see, it's easy to dismiss an individual who's at peace in hard situations. You can just say, oh, they're just strong. They just have a skill set I don't have. That's just not normal." [01:06:17] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Please, join with us. Join with us as RCC, as a church together as we grow to be a church like this. As we grow to be a church where God says, I am crediting this to you. I will provide for you. As we grow to be a church that trusts, that gives joyfully to people who need it, that resides in contentment, that takes the time to show concern and care for others and takes action, that we would continue to be the kind of church that could be a sign of the kingdom of God both to the community and around the world." [01:18:13] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Be in harmony. Paul takes time in this teaching letter to urge two women in the church in Philippi to be of the same mind. It's important that we work with each other in a harmonious way. God's people should learn how to get along with one another, right? One of the most beautiful things about church is that we're not brought together by what job we do. We're not brought together just because we're biological family. We're not brought together because we have the same hobbies." [53:15] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "It's hard to live in anxiety if you're surrounded by joyful harmony with your brothers and sisters. It's really hard to stay there and live there. In fact, Paul says, don't worry about anything but in everything. With prayer and thanksgiving, we should let our requests be known to our Father, known to God. This is a good advice for us as individuals, but it is way more powerful advice for a community of believers, for a group of Christians." [01:03:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Paul points out that he was okay no matter what happened but he's gotten to see this church that he planted grow up. He's saying, you guys are taking action in the Lord's kingdom now. You all are storing up treasures in heaven now. You all are doing these great things and God is accrediting it to you and what he's doing through you. They give joyfully. They take action joyfully. Paul sees this spiritual growth and he's just excited. He's excited to see his church grow." [01:17:42] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Paul can talk about doing all things precisely because he's learned the secret of contentment. Have you? Have we? As a group, learn to be content because people who are growing in the Lord, they reside in contentment. The third one is this. They give joyfully. What a curious way for Paul to thank them. He says, I've learned contentment but I appreciate your gift and I'm thankful for your sake. I'm happy for your sake that you gave this. I'm excited for your sake. I'm proud for your sake." [01:17:05] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If God speaks anything noble, right, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy to one of us, we should share that with the people when we meet together. And so I want to give you a list of four community traits and then there are three things we can take from this. So you've got those four community traits, the last one being activate the whatevers, but then we're going to go into the second half of this chapter, which is actually a practical side of this." [01:09:49] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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