Message #3, I Am Here to be Guided by the Mind of Christ
#3, I Am Here to be Guided by the Mind of Christ
Again, I would remind you that these documents are
primarily the notes that preached from. They are uncut diamonds or probably
more accurately jagged rocks. I am putting them on this blog for the use of those
who attended the January 2024 ZBA Conference. I ask that you not distribute
this without checking with me first. hmerrell@liebenzellusa.org
In 1967, I was 17 years old. The
United States was in a war in Vietnam. Some of my friends fought there. Some
didn’t come back alive.
I’m going to read a couple of
paragraphs from a 1967 issue of Time Magazine. The article is about new
training—new in 1964--for a new kind of war.
Viet Nam is no place for the traditional American rifleman,
who prides himself on long-range sharpshooting and an unerringly steady hand.
Though infantrymen do get some chances for this, most firefights occur at
ranges of 50 ft. or less, in dense jungle that offers only a fleeting glimpse
of the enemy. To hit so elusive a target requires "instinct shooting"
of the highest order, and last week the U.S. Army was hard at work honing that
instinct in its infantry trainees—using, of all things, Daisy BB guns.
BB With a BB. Known as "Quick Kill," the program is
currently being taught to some 1,300 recruits each week at Fort Benning, Ga.,
by late fall will become part of the basic infantry course in all twelve U.S.
Army training centers. "Quick Kill is for the shot you've got to make when
you don't have time to line up your sights," says Colonel William Koob,
47, director of weapons at Benning. "When it's either kill or be
killed." After a day of instruction and the expenditure per man of 800 BBs
(which cost only as much as two M-14 bullets), half of the trainees can hit a
penny in midair. An impressive 5% get sharp enough to hit a BB with a BB.
“Instinct shooting.”
To do something instinctively is to do it without thinking.
We live and lead in a world that is rapidly changing. From
what I hear this is especially true here on the African continent.
You will face questions and situations that I have never
faced. You will have to lead through crises I never even heard of, and you’ll
have opportunities I never dreamed of.
It is best to think about something before you respond or
act, but in a fast-changing world, you can’t always do that.
In America, sometimes we’ll say about someone, “He has a
good heart.” Most of the time he’s going
to do what is right or good. Unfortunately, there are others about whom we say,
“You can’t depend on her.” Or, “He always does the wrong thing. Instincts can
lead us in a good or bad direction. Fortunately, as the US soldiers of my era
learned, one can train his instincts.
“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree
with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these
women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with
Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”
(Philippians 4:2–3, NIV84)
This sounds like a problem that leaders in the Lord’s work
frequently face.
I did an internet search about workplace conflict—that
sounds like what is going on here in Philippi.
Eudoia and Syteche are not alone.
I can’t vouch for
these numbers, I did see them in a number of sources, though, and I have to say
they do ring true with me. The websites I drew these from are here as well as
in the online notes.
· Employees in United States companies spend approximately
2.8 hours each week involved in conflict. This amounts to around $359 billion
in hours paid that are filled with – and focused on – conflict instead of on
positive productivity. The figure is the equivalent of 385 million days on the
job going toward the goal of arguing, as opposed to being put toward
collaboration. A full day of productivity each month. This is 2-1/2 weeks of
productivity each year (CPP Inc., 2008). (https://pollackpeacebuilding.com/workplace-conflict-statistics/)
· A third (35%) of employees also
reported having experienced some form of interpersonal conflict – either an
isolated dispute or ongoing difficult relationship – over the past year. (https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/conflict-a-common-occurrence-at-work/)
· "Currently,
managers spend over 4 hours a week dealing with conflict on average,"
says John Hackston, Head of Thought
Leadership at The Myers-Briggs Company and who carried out the study. (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-time-spent-on-workplace-conflict-has-doubled-since-2008-301652771.html)
· One organization,
Myers-Briggs, did a survey on workplace conflict in 2008 and then again last
year. It’s up. One article I read indicated that it had doubled.
As I said, I
can’t vouch for these numbers. I do agree that it is a problem.
It’s not just a problem
among “bad” people.
Take these two
women for example.
·
Eudia and Synteche were
hard workers
The NIV reads that they “have contended at my side.” The ESV says they
“labored.” It gives a marginal reading that they “strived.” The NASB put it this
way, they “shared my struggle.” The Greek is a compound word. The first part of
the word means “together” and the second part is the word from which we get the English
word “athlete”. It is used that way in 2 Tim. 2:5. It can refer to a more
deadly contest—warfare. The compound word, sunathleo, is only found 2
places in the NT, here and in Phili 1:27. It was what Paul wanted the Philippians
to do. These women had been doing that.
·
They were very well
connected.
Just notice the people with whom they had served:
Paul
Clement, exactly who this Clement is, we don’t know, but Paul dropped his name
for a reason . . .
Others who were Paul’s fellow-workers.
Yet at this point, as the Bible
Knowledge Commentary puts it, “They were contentious, rather than content.”[1]
What was
wrong between these two women?
Take a moment to think about that.
Perhaps you have seen men or women who, like Euodia and Synteche, weren’t
getting along, and their disagreement was having a negative effect on the
Lord’s work.
The fact is, we really don’t know what their squabble was about.
We
don’t know which of them was right.
Maybe they were
both wrong.
What problems cause people to be
contentious rather than content where you minister? If you are discussing
this with someone else, it is probably best to not use names for this. I want
this to be helpful, let’s avoid gossiping and griping.
Try to jot down a few answers.
Here are some possible answers I
discovered:
·
In a March 2022 Barna report listed the top 3
reasons why pastors are considering quitting:
o
The Immense stress of the job, 34% (As a
long-term pastor I can assure you that most stress comes from people.)
o
Current political divisions, 32%, and
o
Loneliness and isolation, 18%. (https://www.barna.com/research/pastors-quitting-ministry/)
·
In a recent survey of missionaries who left
their field of service, 64% agreed with this statement, “There was a conflict
on my team.”
Was that the reason they left? Perhaps not.
Was it a contributing factor, most likely, yes.
This was the headline, “New data confirms that team conflict is one of the
primary factors in missionary attrition.” (https://www.alifeoverseas.com/new-data-confirms-that-team-conflict-is-one-of-the-primary-factors-in-missionary-attrition/)
·
“How good and pleasant it is when
brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar
of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For
there the Lord bestows his
blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1–3, NIV84)
Let me give you the Howard Merrell bad day version of that Psalm
How bad and unpleasant it is when brothers or sisters
can’t get along! It is like old motor oil, black and gunky, poured on the head,
running down on the beard, or hair braids, down on the collar of the new dress
or shirt you just got for your birthday. It is as if the sewer behind Herman’s
restaurant overflowed. For there the Lord withholds his blessing, even misery
that seems like it lasts forever.
Obviously, I’m not
as good a poet as David was, but you get the point.
There is a word that Paul emphasizes in this
little book. Phroneo, φρονέω. In Phil.
4:2 it is translated “agree” in the NIV & ESV. The NASB translates it, “in
harmony.” The KJV, and William Hendricksen, a commentator that I’ve found
helpful, give what I think is a better translation, “same mind.”
Out of the 38 times this word is found in the NT, 11 are found in this little
book. Use a concordance or a search program that lets you search by Strong’s
numbers to check this out. Here is a chart that I put together that lists the
occurrences in Philippians.
|
Verses
containing “phreneo” NIV: |
Other
translations that may help: |
Comments: |
Your
thoughts: |
|
“It is right
for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my
heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all
of you share in God’s grace with me.” (Philippians 1:7, NIV84) |
“Indeed,
it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have
you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my
imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”
(Philippians 1:7, CSB) |
Clearly, this
is a good attitude on the part of the Apostle Paul. |
|
|
“then make my
joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit
and purpose.” (Philippians 2:2, NIV84) |
“make my
joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love,
united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” (Philippians 2:2,
NASB95) |
This
attitude, emphasized by repetition was desired by Paul. We might put it this
way, “make me happy by…” |
|
|
“Your attitude
should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5, NIV84) |
“Have this
mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,”
(Philippians 2:5, ESV) |
I think this
is the anchor verse in this whole consideration. |
|
|
“All of us
who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point
you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”
(Philippians 3:15, NIV84) |
“Let us
therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in
anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to
you;” (Philippians 3:15, NASB95) |
The apostle called
his readers to share with him the pursuit of Christlikeness. What he wanted
for himself he also wanted for them.[2] |
|
|
Their destiny is
destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.
Their mind is on earthly things. (Philippians
3:19, NIV84) |
“Their end is
destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and
they are focused on earthly things.”
(Philippians 3:19, CSB) |
See also,
Mat. 6:19, 16:23 (same word) Col. 3:1-2 (same word), 1 John 2:15. This worldly
attitude is the opposite of the Christ attitude. |
|
|
“I plead with
Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the
Lord.” (Philippians 4:2, NIV84) |
“Euodia I exhort,
and Syntyche I exhort, to be of the same mind in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2,
Young’s Literal Translation) |
be of the same mind in the Lord. Here once again
as so often before (Phil. 1:27, 28; 2:2–4; 2:14–16; 3:1) the apostle stresses
the idea of militant unity in a
world of unbelief and hostility[3] |
|
|
“I rejoice
greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.
Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show
it.” (Philippians 4:10, NIV84) |
“ye did take thought . . . ye were all
along thoughtful” (From Marvin
Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament) |
Supporters
who think about missionaries in such a way that they support them in their
work. Are very important in Great Commission ministry. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Hendriksen says,
With respect to Euodia and Syntyche the following facts only
can be safely affirmed:
(1) They were, at this writing, and had been for some time,
members of the church at Philippi.
(2) When the church was founded and/or at a later visit of
Paul to Philippi, they had been the apostle’s fellow-workers, and as such had
co-operated harmoniously and enthusiastically with each other and with Paul and
his companions (verse 3).
(3) An important disagreement, related to kingdom-work, had
arisen between them, which called forth this apostolic admonition.
(4) They are still the object of Paul’s high regard and deep-rooted,
Christian love. They are Christians![4]
What this disagreement was, we do not know.
Nor do we know who was right.
When there is a right and wrong it is important to figure that out. There
are disagreements where one side is clearly right and the other wrong. Paul’s
confrontation of Peter in Gal. 2 is an example. But often we don’t know.
Sometimes we can’t know. There is something that is more important.
“In the Lord.”
Let’s explore this word phroneo some more and I think this will become
clearer.
· Rom 8:5
· Rom 12;3
· Rom 15:5
· 2 Cor 13:11
·
Col. 3:2
I don’t think Paul was encouraging Euodia’s to adopt Syntyche’s view, or
Syntyche to agree with Euodia, nor was he encouraging them to meet in the
middle.
I don’t think he was telling loyal Yokefellow, Suzuge, to tell the 2 women
to agree with him.
Rather he was pointing them to a point of agreement that was above all of them,
“in Christ.”
Look at Phil. Chap. 2
A strong word of appeal, 1-2
In v1 he touches on Christian virtues, realities.
All of these “if” clauses are 1st class conditionals. They are like
logical syllogisms. William Hendriksen puts it this way, “Paul says “If,” not
as if he doubts whether the condition is really true, but simply to emphasize
that when the condition is present, the conclusion should also be present. One
might translate, “If then (there is) any encouragement in Christ, as there surely
is, if any persuasive appeal springing from love, as there surely is . . ..”[5]
Then
beginning in v. 2, the Apostle tells them what he is asking them to do.
·
make my joy complete by being like-minded
·
having the same love
·
being one in spirit and purpose
·
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit
·
in humility consider others better than yourselves
·
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others.
·
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus
In those statements
that I just read, the word phroneo is used 3 times.
In v 2, “like-minded.”
V2, “purpose.”
V5, “attitude”
Then there is a
beautiful, powerful, and very Theological section about the humiliation and
exaltation of Christ, the second person of the Trinity.
What I find utterly
remarkable about this passage is that this is not a passage about Christ. It is
a passage about the followers of Christ. Christ is the pattern we should strive
to follow.
I’m going to read
these verses.
I want you to listen for the traits that Holy Spirit is saying we
followers of Christ should imitate. Jot them down. We’ll collect answers. Keep
your answers brief. One word if possible. (If you are reading this, read the
passage out loud, jot down your answers.)
“Your attitude
should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did
not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself
nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And
being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to
death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:5–11, NIV84)
Let me pull this into the concept of leadership and how it is part of the
answer to the question, “Why am I here?”
Leadership is not about the leader imposing views, desires, and will on
those he is leading. It is about Leaders discerning and being committed to
following the mind of Christ, and drawing others into that commitment as it
relates to their ministry.
Lord, help us to do just that.
.
[1]
Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians.
In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The
Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p.
663). Victor Books.
[2]
Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians.
In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The
Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p.
662). Victor Books.
[3]
Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Philippians (Vol. 5,
p. 190). Baker Book House.
[4]
Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Philippians (Vol. 5,
p. 190). Baker Book House.
[5]
Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Philippians (Vol. 5,
p. 99). Baker Book House.
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