Tender Words from a Prison Cell
INTRODUCTORY WORDS
There is, perhaps, no Epistle that so beautifully displays the inner life-throbs of Paul, as does the Epistle to the Philippians.
In this Epistle, Paul's life, like a rose in full bloom, is sending forth its fragrance.
We must think of Paul mid the discomforts and the curtailments of the Roman prison. It is from there that he writes. However, he never complains. He did miss the fellowship of those whom he had loved, and with whom he had labored. Yet, he was willing, in every way, to suffer his bonds if it would add power and blessing to the testimony of the Gospel for which he labored.
As our eyes run through the Epistle we see that Paul had a great yearning to be once more on the road preaching Christ, and he particularly longed to visit Philippi.
In his Letter he did not dwell upon the bitter experiences he had known in the Philippian jail. The one burden of his message seemed to be a call to the saints to joy and rejoice. So far as he was concerned he was full of joy.
In the fourth chapter Paul is coming to several climactic statements. These statements have to do, First, in his concern for others; and, Secondly, in his thought of himself. We wish to note some things in which he breathed out his personal desires and yearnings in his own behalf.
1. Paul rejoiced at their care of him (Philippians 4:10).
There had been a long time since they had been able to help supply his needs, but now, at last, their care of him had flourished again. How deeply Paul appreciated this "grace" we know. It is in Philippians 4:18, that he said, "I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God."
The Apostle did not write to them, because he desired a gift, but he did write because he felt they had done well in communicating unto him in his affliction.
Let us learn this lesson. He who ministers to us in spiritual things, should be made a partaker of our temporal things.
The Apostle, moreover, impressed upon the Philippians that their gifts to him, were well-pleasing to God. The Lord once said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."
The Apostle Paul added a third thing: He promised that God would reward them for their kindness, and service in his behalf. He said, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus."
2. Paul knew both how to abound and to be abased (Philippians 1:12).
The gifts from the saints at Philippi were a matter of great joy, but Paul's spirit was happy, whether in want or in plenty. He said, "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Thus, whether he was full, or whether he was hungry; whether he abounded, or whether he suffered need; in either event, he was satisfied. Herein is a great lesson.
Too many of us have joy only when the weather is fair, and the winds are balmy. A little rain, or, a few hours of darkness, steal away our song. This is not as it should be. Habakkuk wrote, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
Our Lord sang, as the nightingale sings, in the darkest hour of His night; even at His breaking of bread, and pouring forth of the cup. Even so, let us sing all the time.
"I feel like singing all the time,
My tears are wiped away,
For Jesus is a Friend of mine,
I'll praise Him every day.
While I'm singing, singing, all the time."
I. PAUL AND HIS BRETHREN (Philippians 4:1)
There are five things which Paul called the saints of Philippi, in this one short verse.
1. He called them, "My brethren." There was no superior bearing in Paul's life. He felt that One was the master of saints, and that all they were brethren. Paul seemed to get right down among the believers. He lived as they lived; sharing with them, in all things.
We had a letter from our son, while he was in Japan. He said, "A Japanese Christian is entertaining me in his home in the suburbs of Yokohama." Then, he added, "I am living as they live; eating the same food, sitting on the same mats, and sleeping as they sleep."
The preacher or the Christian who assumes superior airs, and walks on stilts is unlike his Lord; and, unlike his Lord's servant, Paul.
2. He called them, "Dearly Beloved." One reason the Apostle could speak to the saints, reproving them for their sin, and urging them on in their work for Christ, was because he loved them so. No man can effectively preach to anyone, unless he loves them, and loves them dearly. Mark this, also, the Christian life is not foreign to those tender manifestations of love. We believe, that the Spirit-filled believer becomes more and more filled with love, and with all of the compassions which are found in Christ Jesus.
3. He called them his "longed for." The Apostle Paul yearned after the saints. He was homesick for them. He desired to see them again. We remember receiving a letter from South America, from a man with whom we had labored years ago. He said: "I have 'saudades' for you." This word "saudades" carries with it the tenderest of solicitations, and the deepest of yearning. We know of no word in the English that approaches it. Paul evidently had "saudades" for the saints.
4. He called them, "My joy." It was to the Thessalonians that Paul wrote that they were his joy, and crown of rejoicing at the presence of the Lord. The supreme joy of Christ, will be His saints who have been redeemed by His Blood. When He sees them the travail of His soul, He will be satisfied.
5. He called them, his "crown." What is the supreme reward of saints? Will it not be those whom they have won for Christ? What more fitting crown could there be than this crown?
"Oh it would every toil repay,
If just one soul would gladly say,
To Jesus, up in Heaven some day,
Dear Lord, he taught my lips to pray."
II. PAUL'S THREEFOLD ADMONITION IN THE LORD (Philippians 4:2-4)
1. Paul said, "Stand fast in the Lord." This is the closing statement of Philippians 4:1
The Apostle yearned that the saints should be steadfast in the work of the Lord; steadfast against the wiles of the devil. He knew, however, the hopelessness of any fidelity outside of "in the Lord." "He that thinketh he standeth, let him take heed lest he fall."
When Peter said, "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I"; he was boasting in the flesh. He stood fast, only a moment and then he fell. He followed afar, and finally he said, "I know not the Man."
2. Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord." He knew very well that we could not always rejoice in our environments, in our persecutions, and the like. He knew, however, that in spite of such things we could rejoice in the Lord.
The Lord Jesus, before He went away, said, "That My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." The only joy that abides, is His joy. If we are to "always rejoice," we must rejoice in the Lord, because the fruit of the Spirit is joy.
3. Paul said, "Be of the same mind in the Lord." There was a divergence of opinion between Euodias and Syntyche. They were good women, beyond doubt; and, their names were in the Book of Life. However, they did not love one another as they should. They failed in teamwork.
The Apostle realized how useless it was to lecture them on "The duty of unity," or, to remonstrate with them, against their spirit of schism and division. He merely told them to be of the same mind in the Lord.
The spokes of the wheel become closer to each other as they approach the hub. So, do we find ourselves of one heart, and of one mind, as we come into fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
We remember a Southern pastor-evangelist who received a letter from his home church stating that it was rent asunder with division. We asked him, "What are you going to do?" He replied, "I am going home and start a revival in my own church." He knew that spiritual life, and a closer walk with God, would unite his flock.
"Blest be the tie that binds,
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above."
III. PAUL'S THREEFOLD CALL (Philippians 4:5-6)
1. "Let your moderation be known unto all men." The word "moderation" is translated in one version, "gentleness." In another translation, it is spoken of as "sweetness." The word stands for all of those marks of consideration, and of loving thought, which saints should manifest one toward another. The most beautiful sight, and, withal, the greatest testimony among believers, is the spirit of unity and of brotherly love which pervades the Spirit-filled life.
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, is calling upon the saints to manifest this "moderation" before all men. We need to let our lives and our lips express, the Holy Gospel we possess. We need to give a daily demonstration, by word and deed, of those tender marks of the Christian life, which will give glory to God in the sight of the people.
Wherever there is strife there is every evil work.
2. "Be careful for nothing." The word "careful" carries with it the thought of worry and of fret. The Lord is saying to us, "In nothing be anxious." The Children of Israel, wandering in the wilderness, were given to complainings and to murmurings. It was for this cause that they could not enter into their Canaan.
Wherever there is anxiety, and carefulness, there is a lack of perfect trust. We worry because our faith is weak; and because we are afraid to leave it all with God.
3. "In everything by prayer." Here is the secret of victory. It is prayer and supplication that solves our problems. Instead of fretting over "what we shall eat, or drink"; and, over, "wherewithal shall we be clothed"; we need to pray, and make our requests known unto God.
The Lord knows our needs and He also knows the difficulties of our task. What time we trust, we will not be afraid. What time we pray with thanksgiving", we will not be filled with care.
Paul wrote to the Philippians giving this admonition. It was right that he should do so, for, in Philippi he had practiced what he was now preaching. He had suffered persecution in the jail at Philippi; and as he suffered, he prayed and made supplications, with thanksgiving unto God. We even read that Saul and Silas praised while they prayed, and sang hymns. Let us do likewise.
"Just where you are in the conflict,
There is your place.
Just where you think you are useless
Hide not your face.
God placed you there for a purpose,
Whate'er it be,
Think, He has chosen you for it,
Pray loyally."
IV. THE GREAT INSPIRATION (Philippians 4:5, l.c.)
The words before us are brief, but full of meaning. Our expression reads, "The Lord is at hand." This was the basis for all the things which the Holy Spirit is now saying through Paul. Let us see if we can understand the meaning of these striking words.
1. The words suggest an ever-present Christ. The Holy Spirit seems to be saying, "Stand fast in the Lord"; "Be of the same mind in the Lord"; "Rejoice in the Lord"; "Let your moderation be known"; "Be careful for nothing"; because "the Lord is at hand"; that is, "He is near"; "He is watching over you"; "He is observing where you are, and what you are doing." The same thought is contained in this statement of Scripture, "Thou God seest me."
The Lord is at hand, not in a critical sense, but in a compassionate sense. He is watching over us, to aid us. He seems to be saying, "I will hold thee by the right hand"; "Fear not, I will help thee."
2. The words suggest an imminent coming of Christ. The Apostle seems again to be saying, "The Lord is at hand," that is, the Lord's Coming is at hand. The early Church lived, looking for that Blessed Hope and the glorious appearing of our great God, and Saviour Jesus Christ. When Christ went away, with upturned faces, they watched Him disappear. The two shining ones who came down, did not admonish them against "looking"; they merely warned them against gazing sadly, because their Lord was leaving them. Mark the words: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven."
From that hour the saints looked for Christ's Return. They went away from the Mount of Olives, to preach and to pray, to suffer and to sing, under the inspiration of Christ's Second Coming.
What is it lightens all our way?
The harbinger of coming day.
It is the Blessed Hope.
Then go, send forth the blest refrain
That Christ is coming back again,
Proclaim the Blessed Hope!
Let all who mourn, let all who fear
Lift up their heads, the Coming's near:
Oh, blessed is the Hope.
V. GOD'S GARRISONING OF THE HEART AND THE MIND (Philippians 4:7)
1. We have the promise of peace. This peace is not a peace from God merely; it is the "peace of God." Christ said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you."
Oh, what peace now abides in my soul,
Oh, what rest doth my spirit control!
The "peace of God," is, however, a conditioned peace. It is given to those who follow the injunctions set forth by the preceding verses. When we "stand fast in the Lord"; and, are of "the same mind in the Lord"; and, "Rejoice in the Lord": when we are without carefulness, and with prayer and supplications, we make our requests known unto God, then the peace of God will be ours.
2. We have the promise of peace as a garrison of our hearts and minds. Where is there an army equal to this God-given guard? Nothing that would disturb, or break the quiet of our spirits, can enter the cloisters of the heart and mind which is garrisoned by peace.
Oh, what peace is mine, in the world below,
Oh, what rest of soul. Divine;
For the Lord is near, wheresoe'er I go,
And His joy doth ever shine.
If there is one, today, whose life is filled with sorrow and with sighing; if there is one who dwells in darkened pathways, lone and drear; let me urge him to
Cease thy fear, thy pathway drear;
Christ is standing at thy door to give thee cheer;
He will garrison thy life,
Take away thy tears and strife;
And His peace will keep thy heart, for He is near.
VI. FINALLY, BRETHREN (Philippians 4:8)
We close the sermon for today with one of those great expressions, which occur seven times in Paul's Epistles. Here it is "Finally, brethren."
The "finally," for us, is perhaps the best of the seven. It runs, "Finally, brethren, * * think on these things." What are the things that should hold our thoughts?
1. We should think on the things that are true. Why be for ever living in the maze of the false? Why wander in the regions of uncertainties? Why delve into the density of doubts set forth by unprincipled and disordered minds?
Jesus said, "I am the Truth"; why not think on Him? God's Word is forever settled in Heaven; His Word is Truth; why not walk in the Truth?
2. We should think on the things which are honest. Let us beware that we spend not our time weighing the things dishonest, and dishonorable. If we continually wade in the murk and mire of the mud-puddle, we cannot but carry away suggestions and marks of its filth.
"Don't look for the faults, as you go through life;
And, even when you find them
It is better by far to look at a star,
Than the spots in the sun, abiding."
3. We should think on the things which are pure and lovely. We become like those with whom we associate. If we allow our minds to be thinking on the unclean, and the unholy, we will soon become impure. As are the thoughts of the man, so is the man himself. Cultivate meditations on the high and holy; think on God, and life, and light, and love.
4. We should think on the things which are of good report. Do not be talehearers, nor talebearers. Some people are given to magnifying the sins of their compatriots and of minimizing their good qualities.
Why pursue so fatal a course? He who is given to maligning, will find that he is flinging a boomerang.
Think on the things of good report; the things which lift up; the things which bless.
Our verse concludes "If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
"If there be some weaker one,
Give me strength to help him on;
If a blinder soul there be,
Let me guide him nearer Thee.
Clothe with life my weak intent,
Let me be the thing God meant.
Give me thoughts without alloy.
Thoughts that lift and fill with joy,
Until the thoughts both sweet and good,
Are my natural habitude."
Adapted.