Phil 4:1

Paul is passionate in his relational plea

He has a big ask coming - agreement

In our day, it's not okay to disagree

• You have to agree with me and my argument
• You have to agree with me and my assessment of its importance
• You have to agree with me in the level of my dismissal and dislike of those disagreeing

Phil 4:2

Paradigm for Disagreeing (to God's glory)

Level 1: Godhead and Gospel - what constitutes the Kingdom?
Level 2: Worship and ethics - what connects us as a church?
Level 3: Conscience and preference - what compels my soul?

• We feel most tension in the last one because we have no external authority to appea to
• We argue most about the last one because it's so personal
• We experience the most danger when we shift one out of its sphere into another

Why is this a big deal?

• Preserving unity obey's God's command (Eph 4:3)
• Preserving unity brings God's blessing (Psalm 133:1-3)
• Preserving unity speaks to the world (John 17:20-23)

Phil 4:3

Ingredients for Agreement

• A mature mentor
  • Wisdom - better questions
  • Perspective - deeper insights
  • Inspiration - hope and blessing
  • Instruction - listen and do
  • Opportunities - open doors
• A shared history
• A sense of those affected - who is watching and impacted?
• A reminder of their future