Date: May 21, 2023

Bible Text: Philippians 4:2-3 |

Series:

One of our favourite sayings around here is “we’re a mob of misfits”, it gets to the heart of the reality of the local church and the essence of the patient, grace-filled community we’re seeking to cultivate here. We’re sinners, broken and needy, trying to walk through this life pursuing Jesus together. None of us have this locked down, none of us are perfect, so inevitably conflicts will arise. But the good news for us is that’s not new.

The church in Philippi had a lot of things going for them, so much so that Paul called them, “his joy and crown” in Philippians 4:1. They were his “crowning achievement”, he was proud of them and they filled him with great joy. But even this church wasn’t impervious to challenges and conflicts. In the passage we’ll look to on Sunday morning, we’ll see Paul’s heart for this church and how he encourages them to resolve conflict. There’s much for all of us to glean from here, as we are the body of Christ together (1 Corinthians 12:12-14), and if we’re going to have the kind of gospel unity we’re called to live with and strive for, resolving conflict in a way that honours the Lord is essential.

Series: Joy Unleashed
Jordan Coros
Message: 11 – Joy in gospel unity
Harvest Bible Chapel
Text: Philippians 4:2-3
May 21, 2023

Resolving conflict is essential to gospel unity, so I…

…seek it eagerly (v. 2a)

…the apostles directness confirms how close he felt to this church; one does not take risks of this sort unless one can depend on thick cushions of love and trust to absorb the impact of a rebuke.
Moises Silva

Acts 15:39–40

Keep short accounts with God and men

…with the mind of Christ (v. 2b)

Acts 4:32
Romans 12:6-8
Romans 15:5-6
1 Corinthians 1:10
2 Corinthians 13:11
1 Peter 3:8

The gospel does not erase our distinctions or our disagreements. In fact, the unity that God’s people share in the main things—the gospel of Christ and the truth of His word—frees us to acknowledge our distinctions and disagreements on secondary matters. Christian unity does not lie ultimately in our politics, our social status, or what colour we think the carpet should be, but in the one whom we know to be “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Alistair Begg

…and the help of others (v. 3a)

Hebrews 3:13

…knowing the eternal reality we share (v. 3b)

Revelation 3:5

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