Sermons for the Month
Five Weeks of Joy (4)
DATE: November 14, 1999
SERVICE: Pentecost XXV
TEXT: Philippians 2:19-25; 3:7-11; 4:4-9“To all of you Saints here this morning, grace and peace to you from God our Father, from His Son, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. AMEN
Today we start on a new section of Philippians. From 2:19 to 4:9 there are three sets of case studies by which Paul illustrates his words about unity. By discussing the characteristics of unity and disunity in these three illustrations, he gives us a powerful glimpse into the meaning of friendship, the nature of fellowship, and the process of discipleship. First, Paul touches on his own relationship to two of his colleagues -- Timothy and Epaphroditus. This is an example of how Christians ought to relate to one another. Then in 3:1-4:1 Paul looks at the relationship between the Philippians and those enemies of the gospel that have been seeking to disrupt their church. This is an example of how to deal with those from without who would destroy our unity. Finally, in 4:2-9 Paul examines a troubling relationship between two of the leaders in the Philippian church. This is an example of how unity can be destroyed from within. In other words, what Paul does in this these next sections is to flesh out his teaching about unity in relationships. Remember where we've come. First he began by giving us theory. Last week he told us how to develop relationships in which there is a sense of unity. Now today in 2:19 to 4:9, he looks at actual experiences of being in relationship. He does this first by means of a positive example--his relationship with his two colleagues. In contrast he offers a negative example which they all know about: the dispute between Euodia and Syntyche. Finally, in opposition to the positive and the negative example of relationships between Christians, Paul looks at the relationship between the church and those who are its enemies. First his positive example. Paul's major concern throughout this letter is the advance of the gospel and how this is the key thing for which he is willing to pay whatever price is demanded. As an example of that attitude, he holds up before them first his friend Timothy then his friend Epaphroditus. "I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone [else] looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel." Paul goes on to extol the virtues of Epaphroditus, someone "who almost died for the work of Christ." What are the characteristics of the relationship between Paul and these two men that he holds them as such good examples? 1) Their shared ministry focuses on the needs of others. They are united in the caring for others and for each other. In other words, when we serve others, we develop a deep bond with those who participate in that caring process. In other words, unity arises out of mission. 2) There is a common respect for the ability, commitment, and roles played by each person. Paul valued deeply Timothy's track record in dealing with difficulties. He was fully confident in Timothy's ability to carry on his own ministry when he is unable to do so himself. In other words, Paul had confidence in the gifts and abilities of others. 3) There is a warmth and love toward one another. They are eager to give to each other and depend on each other. Trust for others, developed in the context of mutual love, is key to unity in relationships. 4) Their relationship to one another is expressed in terms of family, with words like 'son,' 'brother,' and 'father' being used. Deep relationships emerge when we treat others not merely as colleagues but as "kin." 5) Finally, they are not motivated by selfish ambition. Instead, they really do look out for the interests of others. These same attitudes generate unity in the church. Then Paul turns to his first of two negative examples. Some Jewish missionaries are saying to the Philippians: "If you really want to please God, here is how to do it. Keep the law, eat certain foods, wear certain clothing, worship a certain way, get circumcised and then God will be pleased," Paul warns the Philippians that what these missionaries have to offer is contrary to the will of God. Indeed, he says once you introduce the idea that you can, by your own effort, earn salvation, then you undercut grace, mute the meaning of the cross, and create a whole set of super-religious people who believe its their way or the highway. That was Jesus point. That was Augustine's point. That was Martin Luther's point. That was the point of the Joint Declaration that Lutherans and Catholics signed two weeks ago. On the contrary, he says, "nothing compares to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ, my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things." Instead of falling into the bottomless pit of self-righteousness, Paul says, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." For Paul, that beat any pursuit of trying to become some kind of super-Christian which only leads to self-righteousness and egotism. That would never lead one to eternal life. What does it mean to live out the suffering and resurrection of Christ? First, it means that it is our choice whether or not to accept salvation from the hands of Christ. But once we do then it is up to us as Jesus' disciples to share that redemption with others. With the acceptance of that gift, comes responsibility. In other words, then only way we can have our cake, is to give it away. Remember. It was Paul's overriding concern in this letter that the message of Jesus had to be shared if we were to be true not pseudo disciples of Jesus. If Christians make of Jesus' sacrifice merely a pious memory then we really have not accepted Jesus as our Lord and savior. And that for Paul had its consequences. And speaking of having not made the choice to follow the way of the cross, Paul next turns his attention to the real issue in the Philippian church: the split between two strong leaders. This is the issue that he has been inching toward right from the beginning of his letter. This is why he has discussed in such detail the dynamics of unity. This is why he has illustrated so thoroughly what it takes to keep people together. Now he is ready to point to the specific problem in the church that must be mended if they are to be united and thus able to be a witness to the power of Jesus Christ to eternal life. The problem has to do with the conflict between two women who are evidently powerful forces in the church. Once again, Paul eases his way toward the issue. He knows that if he confronted this problem head-on he might just blow up the whole church. Instead, he first lays the groundwork for what he wants to say. Then he says what need to be said quickly and lovingly. We don't know what the issue was about. For Paul, that was not important. Whatever it was, Paul's concern was that it was disrupting the unity of the church in performing its mission. With that in mind Paul commends to not only Eudia and Syntyche but also the church a set of attitudes which if followed would enable them to survive the tough times they were going through in their lives. He then very carefully lists them for them. 1) He urges them to rejoice. This rejoicing is to be "in the Lord" and "in all situations." When you do this you have faced up to the adversity and not allowed it to dominate you. 2) He urges them to be gentle in their dealings with others. They are not to stand fast on their "rights" but instead be gracious and magnanimous toward others. Most of the time, merely to affirm your "rights" results in a conflict only leads to further hostility and anger. 3) He urges them to stop worrying about their problems. To worry is to evidence a lack of confidence in God's care and power. Furthermore, it does nothing but sap one's energy. 4) Instead of worrying he urges them rather to pray with thanksgiving. They are to bring the issues that trouble them to God. This is a positive, active way of handling your problems. 5) Finally, he urges them to think about those positive moral virtues taught by their culture while simultaneously putting into practice the commands of God. To focus one's thoughts on that which is good, right, and moral will generate the sort of perspective that will bring you through the trial. In this way you will have a sense of what to do and how to act. To sum it all up, our basic attitude ought to be one of rejoicing rather than worrying. We can rejoice not because we are blind to difficulties or because God will somehow magically take our problems away. We can rejoice because we know that it is possible to offer all our anxieties to God in prayer. The implication is that God will hear and answer our prayers. God is in control, in other words, not circumstances. No matter how bleak it might be (and remember that both Paul and the Philippians were in tough situations) God is in control and God cares about us. So, not only can we bring our fears and problems to God in prayer, we can do so with thanksgiving. What we will experience as we do this is the peace of God. This peace, which like love is at the heart of God's nature, will stand guard over our inner self. That this is so or that this can be is beyond our understanding. It simply is. This peace is the basis which makes joy possible. And there is something else we must do. We must control our thought life and must live in accord with Christian principles. This is the essence of what he says in verses 8 and 9. Our mind-set is important. A positive mental attitude is crucial. Yet, how many of us live a negative way of life? We are preoccupied with our enemies, not our friends. We think about those things we do not like. We fill our minds with the trash our culture throws away. No wonder we find it so hard to rejoice. Now I realize that merely a positive sense of peace and joy is not some sort of inner panacea that automatically protects us forever and which requires no further action on our part. Our peace and joy will be constantly threatened by negative input from our culture. But as we order our thought-life and as we live in a Christian manner, Paul assures us that "the God of peace will be with us." So how does one find joy in hardship? Commit the situation to God in prayer. Let trust in God replace anxiety about the situation. Open yourself to the peace of God. This peace will be the ground upon which rejoicing can begin. You will know that God is alive, God is in control, and that no matter what happens, he will be with you. Then you can genuinely rejoice. AMEN