Philippians chapter 4, verse 1. Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved, and long for my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Now, the afternoon service, we want to look at the end of the verse. So stand fast in the Lord. We'll look at that this afternoon, what that means. But for this morning, we want to look at the opening words of that verse four. And we want to speak upon the subject of the bond between pastor and people. When reading Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, it's clear that there is a bond between Paul and the congregation, a bond that deepened through the years, certainly a bond that every pastor desires and strives for with the congregation that he ministers to. And this was the experience of a Baptist preacher named the Reverend John Fawcett, who preached the gospel in England in the 1700s. Following the death of Pastor John Gill in 1771, the Reverend Fawcett received an invite to be the candidate to replace him as the pastor of Carter Lane Baptist Church in London. Fawcett thought about the invitation to become the pastor of that congregation and he decided to accept that invitation. When it came to his last service with the congregation that he was presently pastoring over, He preached his final sermon and his own congregation at Wain's Gate in Yorkshire, they were broken hearted. The next day, that day following that Sunday being Monday, as Mr Fawcett was preparing to move to the new location, the wagons were brought and his belongings were loaded for their journey up to London, or down to London, depends on where you go in the country. However, the congregation gathered that day at the manse to say their final goodbyes to their pastor, and many of them were in tears as they recognised they were losing that good and godly man. They appreciated his service among them, his love, his care for them in gospel ministry. It was clear their hearts were knit together. There was a bond between the pastor and the people. The congregation could barely contemplate the loss. They were suffering with the departure of their pastor, so much so that the weeping continued and it was so intense that John Fawcett couldn't take it anymore. That Monday at the manse, He then ordered that his furniture and all the packages that had been put on the wagons be removed. And there and then, he declared his decision to cancel his acceptance to the call of the church in London to be the minister and to remain where he was in Yorkshire, to remain as the pastor of the flock. His ministry then flourished, and within five years or so, a new church was built to accommodate the growing number of people who were coming to hear him preach the gospel. Years later, in 1782, as John Fawcett reflected on those unusual events, on that weekend, telling his congregation he was leaving, accepting the call to be the minister of somewhere else. And then that Monday, the day later, the congregation coming to the manse, and in tears that they were losing that man of God, that man who passed and preached to them, and reflecting of those occasions, He put his feelings to paper and they began to write. And as he wrote, the words that he wrote became a famous hymn. A hymn that we have in our hymn book 619. Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. there was no doubt in his mind or in the mind of the congregation. There were very strong bonds, very strong ties of Christian love that existed between him and the congregation. They could not bear to lose him and he could not then bear to lose them. There was that gracious love, that compassion and that intense feeling. With such Love, harmony and unity between pastor and people. God could only but bless the ministry because God will always bless where there is unity. The experience of John Fawcett and his congregation was that of Paul's and the congregation at Philippi as we have witnessed through the book of Philippians leading up to chapter 4 verse 1. In present day, I'm certainly blessed as the pastor of this congregation that God has given you to me to love for, to care for, and to be concerned for your spiritual well-being. There's certainly a bond between pastor and people in this place that, like Paul and the Philippians, that will certainly continue to grow and deepen through the years in the will of God. But may we not only have an intense love, like John Fawcett and his congregation, or Paul and the church at Philippi, but above all, a love like Christ for his people, a love like this bestow. And so as we come today to think of the bond between the pastor and the people, notice five simple thoughts that we want to bring in this message. First of all, the association between pastor and people. Paul uses the term to describe the Philippians as brethren. my brethren. Now while the term brethren is used here, it's used in a general term. It can refer to a brother, yes, a brother in union, but also it refers to a group, a company in union, and in this context it describes members of the Christian community. Brethren, a general term for the men and women of the congregation. It identifies a union, a bond, a relationship. Paul uses this word brethren seven times in the book of Philippians, referring to the congregation. the body of believers who were present. In Philippians chapter 3, verse 17, on one of those occasions, Paul said, brethren, be followers together of me. Or as we learned, that word means be followers together with me. As I serve the Lord, you serve the Lord together with me. You see, the household of faith, is born and united not by the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God through faith in Jesus Christ and that's what makes this more precious because here is a group of believers who through faith in Christ came to see Paul as a preacher of the gospel and as their pastor and support him when others didn't. Remember in Philippians chapter 1 as we looked at Philippians chapter 1 verse 15 and verse 16 Paul spoke of certain believers at his day. who guarded him to add affliction to him while he was in prison. They tried to discourage Paul. They wanted their own following. They wanted their own congregation. They wanted to take people away from hearing Paul preach and to follow them. Also, the enemies of the cross, they persecuted Paul. Yet, here was a group of believers that Paul can say, my brethren, my family, my community, my church family. Paul was not ashamed to associate himself with the church at Philippi, and the church at Philippi were not ashamed to associate themselves with Paul. Therefore, believer, it is an honor For a pastor of a church to have a faithful company, a faithful family with him, to know there's family, a community who pray for one another and pray for him. A pastor and a people who associate with one another, that there is a bond in Christ, that blessed be the ties that bind. But what a picture we have here of the Lord Jesus Christ, of his people. He is the pastor of his church because the phrase my brethren was also used in reference to Christ in speaking to his people again in the general term both men and women his redeemed people before his ascension he said to Mary in John chapter 20 verse 17 go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend to my father and your father, to my God and your God. Christ identified, he associated himself with sinners he came to save by calling them out of the world to be his church. Remember, Hebrews chapter 2 verse 17 states he was made like unto his brethren that is he took the humanity of sinners he came to save that he might be a merciful and a faithful high priest in things pertaining to God. Why? To make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Hebrews chapter two, verse 11, referring to his own people, he is not ashamed to call them brethren. Hebrews chapter 10, verse 19, because of this, We, as the people of God, redeemed by precious blood, the adopted sons and daughters of God, We have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus Christ. So there you have the association between pastor and people. Paul can say to the church at Philippi, my brethren, my family, those I labor to, those who I love. But notice as well, the affection between pastor and people. because Paul then further went on to describe the church at Philippi as beloved and that word beloved or beloved depends what way you want to say it means highly highly thought of or well esteemed It means one who is dear to another, one who is very much loved. And so when Paul said to the church at Philippi, my brethren beloved, he was making the point that they were close to his heart. Remember, he prayed for them, he labored for them. This word, beloved, comes from the root word agape or agape, which is a sacrificial love. In fact, it is the strongest or the highest form for love in the Greek language. As you know, in English, we just have one word for love. It's love. And we may use that word love for different ways. Now, only we know the meaning by what we say, so I may say, I may say, you know, I love my wife and I love pizza. You say, well, which one do you love more? You're using the same word here. Oh, I love pizza. I love my wife. I love football. You're just using the word love in that general term. Well, which one do you love more? You've just used the same word. Where when you come to different languages, I know certainly in Greek, I know for my wife in Spanish, when she reads her Spanish Bible, you have, whenever the word mentioned love in English, In the Greek, if you would read it, you would have the different Greek words, the different Greek definitions. And the same with Spanish, you have the different words in Spanish. And I don't know, for those who speak other languages here in the church, if you have a particular Bible in your native tongue, what words for love is used there. But when it comes to Greek, you would read this word as agape. And that specifies a special bond, a covenant love, a sacrificial love, the highest form of love. And so when Paul addresses the saints at Philippi, dearly beloved, he's speaking to them of a deep feeling, a strong love that he has towards them. They are in his heart. He loves them. He prays for them. when he writes about them, when he thinks about them, he does so with a Christ-like love. He views them as highly well-esteemed. In fact, this word, beloved, is the same word that God the Father spoke of God the Son. In Matthew 3, verse 17, this is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased. Did you notice the Father spoke of the Son with the highest esteem? And therefore, whenever we refer to Jesus Christ, we must exalt Him, lift Him up high, the Highly One, the Highest Esteemed One, speak well and much of Jesus Christ. God so loved the world of sinners, that he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Do you know, believer, you are the beloved of God, because God loves you through Jesus Christ. Because Christ is the beloved of God, and you are accepted in Christ, you are the beloved of God, accepted through Christ. The Lord Jesus prayed about the beloved people of God. In John chapter 17, verse 23. Thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me. And that's the same word for love. It is that strong bond. God loves his redeemed people through Jesus Christ. God when he looks at you says the same thing he says about his son. God views his son as my beloved. And so when he fuses people, you are the beloved of God. Oh yes, you may be despised and rejected by the world, but to God, you are his beloved. You can rejoice in that today. You are the beloved of the Lord. This is the strong affection that Paul has for the church at Philippi and the church at Philippi had for Paul as we learned in the illustration about John Fawcett and his congregation. I can say to this church, you are my beloved. I pray for you and I have you in my heart and I trust that even through the years that love will grow deeper and deeper and deeper. I was meditating on the life of Joseph, and coming to the end of the series, I didn't, well, obviously you have the date sweep, and I'm digressing now, by the way, but we've traced the life of Joseph from 17 years old, and when he dies, he's 110 years old. when he was taken into Egypt at that young age. And by the time he died, he was in Egypt for about 93 years. So when he died at 110 years old, I thought to myself, imagine living 110 years old. And I calculated I only have another 63 years to go. I thought, imagine the congregation haven't listened to me for another 63 years. Another 63 years. And so a great study to go through. But the whole point is, through the years, I trust that the bond will deepen. The association, the affection, notice the attachment between pastor and people. Paul then describes the church at Philippi as long for, what does he say again, therefore my brethren dearly beloved and longed for. The word long for refers to an intense yearning. Now what is interesting about this word is that this is the only time this word is used. There's certain words you will come in the New Testament where Paul, and we've learned some of them in the book of Philippians, but there's some words in the New Testament that Paul uses, in Corinthians and other words, that they're nowhere else found in the Bible. Only that particular time Paul uses. like when he refers to the Lord Jesus Christ as the unspeakable joy that's the only time that word is used because there's no other time it's used and the reason why that that's the only time it's used, or this is the only particular time this particular Greek word is used, it's because Paul is looking for a word to express uniqueness. He's looking for a word that has a strong feeling between two people, sort of to describe the same the same relationship, closeness between David and Jonathan. You remember in the Bible describes David and Jonathan that their soul was knit together. There was such a strong bond there between those two friends. They were like brothers, though they were not naturally brothers, but they got on as if they were brothers. Such a close bond. And that's what Paul does here. When he says, long for, that's the only time this word is used. Because when he writes about the Philippians, he's writing a word. He's taking time to put his feelings in the words. He wants a word that is marvelous, a word that stands out, a word that's unique. This is how much I love the church at Philippi. When he writes them, it's how much I love you. I long for you. Again, that intense. feeling. Remember, it's a word that deals with the pain of separation. That's the background of this word. It deals with pain of separation. Pain because of a distance. Remember, Paul is in Rome at this stage. He is in prison. and the church there back at Philippi. And he longed to see them. He yearned after them. I know they sent him gifts. They sent to him a paphroditus. There were those words of encouragement. But Paul longed to see them. He longed to be with them and them to be with him. My brethren, my beloved, I long for you. I desire to see you. I can't wait to meet with you again. And I have to say this. I can say to you, to this congregation, that I long after you. I can't wait until one Sunday to the next Sunday to meet. I know people may get sick of me when they're not here and I text them, I missed you today, I missed you today, and all the rest, because I long to see you. I can't wait for the prayer meeting. I can't wait on Mondays to see you, or the Bible study, or the Sunday services. I long for you. I yearn for you. It thrills my heart to come week after week to see you and to preach the gospel to you, to build you up in your most holy faith, to see you strengthen in the things of God. When I'm away from the pulpit, I can't wait to get back again. When you're away from the church, I can't wait till you're back again because I see you as my brother and my dearly beloved. I long after you. And I pray that it is the same feeling, and trust if it's not, that will grow after years and years and years. My plan, again, for the next 63 years. But again, I take you to Christ, who longs after his people. Because Christ longs that his people be with him on earth, Lord's day by Lord's day, as he assembles them together. that whether two or three are together in my name, there am I in the midst. In the Greek that means, when you assemble, I'm already here. Why should you attend church on Sundays? Because Christ is already here to welcome you to hear his word. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, but also as well, not just on earth does Christ long for his people, that they be here to hear his word. but also he longs that one day his people will be with him in heaven. John chapter 17, verse 24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me. For thou lovest me before the foundation of the world. Every time a believer is called home it is an answer to prayer Christ's prayer that his people be with him and God always hears and answers the prayer of his beloved son there is the association my brethren the affection beloved, the attachment I long for." But notice fourthly the admiration between pastor and people. Paul says, my joy and crown. Paul laboured for the Philippians. They were a people given to him by the Lord to serve. Remember, Paul left home. He left his homeland. He came to another country, another city by the call of God to preach the gospel to the Philippians. They were the joy set before him, given by Christ. He labored to bring sinners to Christ, as Acts 16 records. Whenever Paul preached the gospel, Lydia was saved. The Philippian jailer was saved. The possessed woman, she was saved. God moved in great power, and the church it was established, it grew, and more and more believers were added on to the church. Paul prayed for them. He made requests to God with thanksgiving for the church at Philippi. Again, he said, chapter 1, verse 4, that he made request for them with joy. For Paul to pray for the church at Philippi, it wasn't a burden, it was a pleasure. I can say to you before God, I pray for you every single day by name. So I do. and I have my order obviously I pray for the committee and then I pray by person I take the wee photograph shots where you're sitting and then I pray for you just don't think by moving seats it'll make a difference because you'll still be prayed for but the point is you are prayed for day by day, and when I do so, I make requests with joy. I pray for you, whatever the health matter is, whatever the family situation is, whatever the situation may be, that I bring you before the Lord. Paul, in Philippians chapter 1 verse 25, he prayed that God would give him more time on earth to be with the Philippians. Remember, he made that point that he's in a straight betwixt two, having that desire to depart to be with Christ, but also to stay here a little longer. Because for you, it's necessary for your benefit, for your growth in grace, for the furtherance of your joy of faith. So they were, the Church of Philippi, were Paul's joy, a joy to serve, a joy to pray for, a joy to labor for. But Paul also said they were his crown. The word crown is the literal sense. means a wreath, and it was a crown, a crown of victory, a trophy, a reward. In the Greek games, when the athlete won the event, they were given a wreath. To where we looked about this in detail when we came on Good Friday for the service, when we spoke about the crown of thorns that was given to Christ. And so here is the wreath. It was this corruptible crown that Paul said the winner gets in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. It's a crown that is earthly. It's a crown that will fade away. But Paul takes this literal crown, this wreath made of flowers that a Greek runner, the winner would have received, and he then applies it spiritually. that the church at Philippi were a wreath to Paul. They were the rewards of his labor, their salvation, their growth in grace, testified, confirmed Paul's calling and ministry at Philippi by the Holy Spirit who closed one door and opened up another door. I remember one minister telling me, how do you know when it's time for a minister to leave the church? He said, two things will happen. One, people will stop giving financially to the church, and secondly, people will stop coming to the church. He said, those are the things when it's time for a minister to go, because that's the people making a statement. They want you to move on. When they stop to give financially to the work, and they stop to attend the service. That's what stuck with me. And Paul made this point to the church, making this point in his life. That member of the Holy Spirit closed one door. He wanted to go somewhere else. The Holy Spirit closed that door and led him to Philippi. And so as he thinks about the church at Philippi, he said, you're my joy, but you are my crown. You are my reward. I invest my life into you, my ministry into you, my prayers for you, my service. It's all for you. Even here in prison, I'm waiting death. But you're in my heart, you're in my prayers, and I'm writing for you because the enemy's coming in to attack you. The enemy wants to defy you, but I'm still concerned for you. And so Paul knew whenever he would reach glory, whenever he had run his race, he would hear those words, well done, thou good and faithful servant. He would receive a crown this time, an incorruptible crown that fadeth not away. He said in chapter two, verse 16, that when believers shone the glorious as light, as shone as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life, he said that I may rejoice in the day of Christ. that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. I say, brethren, my beloved, long for, you are my joy in serving Christ, in preaching the gospel for your furtherance and joy of faith, to press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God and Christ, to see you take hold of the salvation which Christ took hold of you, It confirms my calling to the work of God, that I have not run and laboured in vain. You're my crown, giving proof that when my life's work is ended and I see my Saviour, I will hear those words, well done, thou good and faithful servant. You see, the Lord Jesus Christ Again, His people were the joy set before Him. They were the joy and His crown. Hebrews 12, they are the joy set before Him. Isaiah 53, that He would see the travail of a soul and be satisfied, He labored for them in ministry. Luke 22, verse 29, as a reward, God the Father gave Christ a kingdom for fulfilling the terms of the everlasting covenant of grace. died for a people, he lived for a people, died for a people, rose for a people, and as his reward, Ephesians 5, 27, he will present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. The association, my brethren, the affection, Dearly beloved, the attachment I long for, the admiration, my joy and cry. Notice finally and briefly, because we'll pick on this later on, the aim between pastor and people. Paul said, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Paul's aim. was to strengthen those whom he loved in the faith of the gospel, to be strong in the Lord. And that's why he sent them encouragements even from prison. The word so, so stand fast, it means in this way, or like this, or in other words, because you are my beloved, I long for you, my joy and crown. I want you to stand firm in the Lord this way, or like this. Don't turn back. Don't turn aside. Don't abandon the gospel. When Paul wrote the Timothy, there'll come a time when people, even believers, will not want to hear the true preaching of the word. Stand fast in the Lord. My aim in preaching in this house, ministering to you whom I love and pray for, is to help you, prepare you, strengthen you in the faith to stand fast in the Lord. To see you growing closer to the Lord Jesus Christ in your prayer life, your theology, and living the gospel. and to help you to gain one victory after another victory, as we'll learn this afternoon, that when the enemy comes, the world, the devil and the flesh, that you will not make any room for them to make advancements in your life. but you will stand fast in the Lord. Christ is the greatest and the chief shepherd, the one who has given us this message to stand fast because in his life he was steadfast, unmovable in the work of God. He finished the work that he was given to do. He died for the ungodly. He was put to death in the flesh to bring sinners to God. I trust today, as we've looked at the bond between pastor and people, It's something today that is in many churches up and down the land, a thing of the past. I say most ministers and churches today, after they say the honeymoon period is one year, after three to four years, the minister leaves or the church want him gone. things of those what we've read about in the illustration are things of the past but I trust in this congregation there will be that bond between pastor and people that there will be that unity and heart and that God will come by a spirit move among us in great power and may the showers of blessing fall upon us and we march together as one man under one head I trust the Lord will write his word upon his heart and may he give us a Christ-like ministry and a Christ-like love.