V.4:1 f) Establishment - In the Lord Withstanding. I. My crown - People are our crown, our reward consist in what we did to His people. Matt.25:31-40 II. We have to stand fast at least in 8 ways: 1. In one spirit. Phil.1:27 2. In the Lord. Phil.4:1 3. In prayer. Mark 11:25 4. For a cause. Rom.14:4 5. In faith. 1.Cor.16:13 6. In the liberty of Christ. Gal.5:1 7. Against the Devil. Eph.6:11-14 8. In the Word. 2.Thes.2:15 1. Peace through prayer (2-7) 3 ways to have peace: 1. Prayer. v.6-7 2. Positive Thinking. v.8-9 3. Plentiful Giving. v.10-20 V.1-9 is a military passage, full of military terms, Paul had said that Epaphroditus, their messenger was a soldier (2:25) and now he urge them to be that as well. The earthly mind makes a worrier but the spiritual mind makes a warrior. V.2 a) Goal - Plea for unity. I. Euodia and Syntyche, or as someone has rendered them, “ Odious” and “ soontouchy” 1. Odious people (People who spreads stench of bitterness and disunity) will always cause problems in the Church. 2. Soontouchy people (People who do not mind their own business) will as well cause problems in the Church. II. Paul commanded these two woman to be united, how wonderful if Odious would stop spreading disunity and bitterness, and Soontouchy would mind her own business. They needed the spiritual mind. 2:1-7, 20; 3:16; 4:7-9 V.3 b) Grace - Practical advise. I. Paul is perhaps now writing to the leading Pastor of the Church. II. Laboured (Gr. sunathleo) means to wrestle in a company. (A military term) These woman were soldiers for Christ but had started ” friendly fire” . III. Believers names are written in the book of life (before the world began). Rev.17:8 V.4 c) Gladness - Pleasure in the Lord. The spiritual mind always rejoices in the Lord, even if it’ s in a dark tunnel it can see the light and rejoices over that light instead of being saddened of the darkness. V.5 d) Gentleness - Prepare for His Coming. They should live their lives in expectation of Christ coming and therefore be gentle to all. V.6-7 Right Prayer. V.8 Right Thinking. V.9 Right Living. V.6 e) Goodness - Pray to God. I. If we stop praying worry begins, worry reveals lack of prayer. II. 4 attitudes of prayer: 1. Prayer - Communication with God. A single mind focuses on prayer. 2. Supplication - A stronger term of requesting, a continual prayer. A submissive mind focuses on supplication. 3. Thanksgiving - Gratitude for God’ s blessing and prayer answer. A simple mind focuses on thanksgiving. 4. Request - All the prayer petitions we bring come before God. III. The altar of incense had 4 horns and here we notice 4 attitudes of prayer. V.7 f) Guard - Peace of God. I. Worry is: 1. Wrong thinking (the mind) 2. Wrong feelings (the heart) II. The peace of God (God’ s own peace) can be experienced in true prayer. Is.26:3 1. The peace of God surpasses understanding. 2. The love of God surpasses knowledge. Eph.3:19 3. The Peace of God Guards us. v.7 4. The God of Peace Guides us. v.9 5. Peace with God (Salvation) 6. Peace of God (Sanctification) III. Guard is a military term and describes the defence of God upon the praying believers. IV. Look within and be depressed Look without and be distressed Look to Jesus and be at rest. V. Guard your hearts and minds is the breastplate and helmet of Eph.6:14, 17 VI. In Ephesians peace is a bond for believers. 4:3 In Colossians peace is a ruler for believers. 3:15 In Philippians peace is a guard for believers. 4:7