To get started this morning, I would like to ask you a question. What has been the

Transcription

1 1 Philippians 1:1-11 I thank God and I pray for you Attention To get started this morning, I would like to ask you a question. What has been the greatest thank you you have ever received? Whether someone said thank you to you for something you did for them or sent you a gift as a token of their appreciation - what has been the greatest thank you you have ever received.or given? In or around the year 1421, King Henry V of England, gave to the city of London a token of his thanks for their part in helping to finance his army in the fight against the French in the battle of Agincourt in The gift, known as The Crystal Sceptre has been on display in London since last November in commemoration of the 600 th anniversary of the victory of the English over the French in this battle. It stands just 17 inches tall. The carved rock-crystal stem is thought to have been made in Paris and was inlaid with gold. The jewels which decorate the crown at the top of the stem were sourced from the far corners of the known world; its red spinels from what is now Afghanistan, blue sapphires from Ceylon (India) and dozens of pearls plucked from the seas of the Arabian gulf and traded in Cairo. There is no current estimation of its value today, though when the deal was made back in the 1400 s, the City of London loaned the King the equivalent of 3,000,000 pounds (equal to $4,276,000). Beyond extravagant gifts or heart-shaped greeting cards, what does it take to really say thank-you? Need At what seemed to be the height of his ministry, the Apostle Paul was arrested while in Jerusalem after performing a Jewish temple ritual (Acts 21). After a long and complicated

2 2 detention in which he defended himself before a Jewish mob (Acts 21), a Roman Centurion (Acts 22), the Jewish Religious Council (called the Sanhedrin) (Acts 22), Felix (the Roman Governor of the region) (Acts 23-24), his successor, Festus (Acts 25) and King Agrippa (Acts 25, 26), he was finally taken to Rome to appear before Caesar. In Acts 28: we read, And when we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. And it happened that after three days he called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they had come together, he began by saying to them, Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar; not that I had any accusation against my nation. And then at the very end of the chapter which happens to be the last two verses of the book of Acts, we read in verses 30-31, And he (Paul) stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered. It is widely believed that it was during this two-year period of detention, that Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians. The letter itself, what we call the Book of Philippians, was written as a thank you. For, as we learn later in Chapter 4:18, the Philippian Church had sent a gift to Paul by the hand of whom some believe may have been their pastor, Epaphroditus. And so having received their gift and the encouragement of his friend Epaphroditus, Paul writes this letter as a thank-you and encouragement to the Philippian Church. But the question for us today is this, what difference does this make? Or, better, why should we care what Paul did to say thank you to a church in Philippi some 2000 years ago? How does their experience relate to our own? Great question. Consider the following:

3 3 First of all, the Philippian Christians were a very small minority in a religiously intolerant Roman city. The city of Philippi itself was founded initially as a Roman military colony. As such, there were few Jews not even the minimum (10 males) needed to establish a synagogue. As for the Philippian Church, it was planted by Paul during his second missionary journey (Acts 16). Now the history of the Christian Church in general, in the first several centuries following the death of Christ, was full of flare-ups between Roman authorities and Christians over two things: 1) the supposed secrecy of the Christian faith (which raised all sorts of accusations against them). The Christian use of such terms as "love feast" and the talk of "eating Christ's flesh" sounded understandably suspicious to the Romans. As a result, Christians were suspected of cannibalism and all sorts of immorality. 2) the Christians refusal to take part in public displays of religious loyalty to Caesar. Even though Paul s letter to the Philippians does not speak of these suspicions and possible disfavor from the Roman authorities directly, we know from other texts- both religious and historical that this was the case in the first century across the Roman Empire. And so, in a very real way, the Philippian Church was a Christian minority in the midst of a pagan majority who distrusted and looked down upon them. In a very similar way, Christians in the West in general and CrossPoint Church in particular - are also a religious minority in the midst of a sometimes hostile, non-religious majority who distrust and look down up on us. Secondly, the Philippian Christians had proven themselves to be a generous people, sending gifts of money as well as some of their own people (like Epaphroditus), to encourage and help Paul while he was in prison in Rome. The reality that their gifts were going to help a

4 4 brother in prison, could have reminded them that they could also become a target of Roman oppression at any moment. As a wise pastor, Paul understood that his own imprisonment could make others feel anxious and perhaps fearful of the future. In a very similar way, our current circumstances which include the transition to a new pastor can be very unsettling and give reason for us to feel anxious and fearful of our future. We too are in need of encouragement. Thirdly, Paul takes advantage of his thank-you to deal with some issues in the Philippian Church that were likely brought to his attention by Epaphroditus. And so, Paul addresses such things as the necessity of unity in the church (chapter 2), the importance of grace over law (chapter 3), and the disruption caused by disregard for appropriate Christian discipline (chapter 3). In a similar fashion, because of the external threat to our Christian liberty from the prevailing American culture, together with the internal threat to our unity caused by our current transition to a new Sr Pastor, the words of Paul to the Philippians are a timely set of instructions and helpful encouragement as we take the next steps in the life of our Church. And so, in a very real way, Paul s letter to the Philippians could have been written to us. Paul s encouragement and counsel to his Philippian friends speak very intimately to our own uncertainty, anxiety and fear of the future. In the end, Paul s letter to the Philippian Church is for us a sort of spiritual prescription that we need to take to heart to both keep us from spiritual illness and make us spiritually strong to face the challenges that we are currently facing. Preview Over the next several weeks we will work our way through Paul s letter to the Philippians in an effort to mine out from its contents the richness of the particular spiritual encouragement and counsel that we need. In order to get the most from this exercise, let me encourage you to read through the letter at least once a week just as if it was a letter from your long-lost best

5 5 friend, spouse or lover; that is to say, from beginning to end in one sitting just as you would read any letter. This morning, to get started on our exploration of Paul s letter to the Philippians, we will look at Paul s introductory comments in chapter 1, verses And it is in this early part of the letter that we hear Paul s heart for his friends in verses 3-8, as he all but gushes in his thanks to them and then heaps praise and encouragement upon them for their generous partnership with him in ministry. Then before he runs out of literary breath in this section, Paul explains the content and motive of his prayers for his dear friends in verses In summary, Paul says: Text Body I thank God for you (v. 3-8) because of your partnership in the ministry of the Gospel. I pray for you (v. 9-11) that you will become spiritually mature. 1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Paul begins this letter in verses 1 and 2, much as he does several other letters by identifying himself and, in this case, Timothy who is likely not only a traveling companion and co-worker in the Gospel, but also someone known to the Philippians as servants of Jesus

6 6 Christ. He then continues with the identity of the audience of the letter: all the saints in Jesus Christ and the elders and deacons. His reference then to grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ summarizes in one short phrase both the means and end of the Gospel. Grace is what makes the Gospel available, and peace especially with God is what the Gospel brings. Following his introduction, Paul then moves into the body of the letter in verses One thing to note is that Paul will often introduce themes in the early paragraphs of his letters that he will come back to discuss later. So a good way to understand the important issues of any of Paul s letters is to read the introduction that he provides in the first few paragraphs. In the case of his letter to the Philippians, Paul mentions joy, the work of Christ in the believer, the defense of the Gospel and its consequences and the necessity of love for God and for others. As we move together through this letter in the next several weeks, it will be interesting and important to see how Paul comes back to each of these themes to develop them for the benefit of the Philippian Christians. The initial context of the letter in verses 3-11 is marked by two strong ideas: Paul s giving of thanks for the Philippian Christians (v. 3) and Paul s intentional prayer for them (v. 9). In verses 3-8, Paul lays out exactly why he is thankful for the Philippians. First, he notes that he is thankful for them because of their participation in the Gospel from the first day until now (v. 5). This is likely Paul s way of saying that he is thankful because of how they responded to the Gospel from the first days that they heard him explain it and that their responsiveness has continued right up to the time of his writing. This reference by Paul to the first day likely refers back to the time of his second missionary journey (Act 16) and the contact he had with Lydia a Gentile, God-fearer who responded to Paul s Gospel explanation, a slave girl from

7 7 whom Paul cast out demons, and finally with the jailer and his family who responded to the Gospel following Paul s miraculous release from prison. These early responders likely became the first members of the now fledgling church. Paul goes on to add to his thanksgiving a statement of his confidence in God s care for them in verse 6 - which results in what he refers to as some kind of perfection or completion of their spiritual life which will continue in and for them right up until the very end what he refers to here as the Day of Christ Jesus. Finally, Paul s thanksgiving is fueled by genuine affection for the Philippian Christians in verse 8 - which is no doubt a mutual feeling as evidenced by the Philippian gift(s) that they had sent to Paul in his hour of need by the hand of one of their prominent leaders Epaphroditus. Following this summary of the reasons for his thankful heart for them, Paul moves on to describe the content and motivation of his on-going prayer for them. In verse 9, Paul explains that he prays that their love may abound - but not just any kind of love. Paul is asking that God give these believers a love that is fueled by knowledge and discernment. This is likely referring to not just any knowledge, but spiritual knowledge as opposed to earthly knowledge. Paul fills in some of what is included in this knowledge idea in chapter 2 verse 5 where he encourages the Philippians to Have this attitude in yourselves or better, keep thinking this way about yourselves or have this knowledge and then goes on to explain how it is that Jesus came down from heaven, took on human flesh and voluntarily died on the cross for our sins. Then later, in chapter 3 and verse 10, Paul himself reveals that his ultimate goal is to know Him Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

8 8 This idea of the importance of the spiritual knowledge shows up in all of Paul s letters. Clearly it is important to him to emphasize that the spiritual life is fueled by proper knowledge: of God, of His plans, and of His expectations of us as followers of Christ in the Body of Christ. But Paul doesn t stop there. He prays that the Philippian Christians would abound in this kind of love that is fueled by a knowledge of Christ so that in verses 10 and 11 they may be discerning, sincere, blameless, and filled with the fruit of righteousness until the very end of their days what Paul refers to here again as the day of Jesus Christ ; that is to say, the day that they meet Christ on the other side of death. This is a mouthful but clearly the point Paul is making is that with this kind of love, which is fueled by the knowledge of God, the Philippian Christians will be able to live in such a way that their lives will stand out from the rest of the crowd all the days of their lives. Now it s interesting, I think, to consider that of all the things that Paul could have prayed for the Philippians, he chose to pray that their love would abound. Notice he didn t pray for their health in fact you almost never see that in Paul s prayers. And he didn t pray for their protection despite the fact that he himself was in prison and knew the risks of living an obviously Christian life in a hostile Roman world. But out of everything else, out of every other thing he could have asked for he prayed for their capacity to love. Why? Why love? It sounds so cliché so small. Why not pray for revival? Why not call down God s grace to cause the Church to grow and multiply and win the whole city? Why not ask God to overthrow the Roman government while we re at it and relieve some of the pressure that the Romans were putting on the Christians which though Paul didn t know this then would in just a couple of years - in 64 AD - turn into an infamously bloody persecution against

9 9 the Church under the direction of the Roman Emperor Nero. The Roman historian, Tacitus, tells what happened like this: Therefore, to stop the rumor [that he had set Rome on fire], he [Emperor Nero] falsely charged with guilt, and punished with the most fearful tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were [generally] hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of that name, was put to death as a criminal by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea, in the reign of Tiberius, but the pernicious superstition - repressed for a time, broke out yet again, not only through Judea, - where the mischief originated, but through the city of Rome also, whither all things horrible and disgraceful flow from all quarters, as to a common receptacle, and where they are encouraged. Accordingly first those were arrested who confessed they were Christians; next on their information, a vast multitude was convicted, not so much on the charge of burning the city, as of "hating the human race." In their very deaths they were made the subjects of sport: for they were covered with the hides of wild beasts, and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights [ in Nero s own gardens]. Why pray for love? Because Paul knew that without a robust, God-filled, knowledge-fueled love the Philippian Church would never survive. Why? Because without this kind of love, they would either destroy each other from the inside or they would be destroyed by false religious ideas from the outside. The first of these challenges that of being destroyed from the inside Paul speaks to in Chapter 2: 1-4 where he says, Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. The key to preventing self-destruction of the Church, Paul says, is found in a mutually satisfying unity which is marked by affection, compassion, humility and a genuine concern for

10 10 others all with the intent of being, as Paul says, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. In other words, a robust, mutual, inclusive love. As to the second challenge of not being destroyed from outside religious false ideas, Paul addresses this in Chapter 3:17-21, where he says, Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have (seen) in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Here, Paul argues, the key to preventing destruction of the Church through the influence of false ideas from outside is found in three inter-related recommendations: 1) Follow the example of godly men and women (verse 17) 2) Recognize and admit that some who say they are spiritual guides are really enemies of the Gospel and only really care about their own influence and success (verses 18,19) 3) Understand that our identity is derived from our citizenship which is in Heaven. And that Jesus who dwells in Heaven will come again and transform us, making us fit to dwell in His presence for eternity (verse 20) So what does all of this have to do with us? What does Paul s letter to the Philippians written in 60 AD +/- to a small mixed Jewish/Gentile church in Asia Minor have to say to a suburban, mostly white, non-jewish Church in Bloomington, MN in 2016? I would say this: First of all, without a robust, God-filled, knowledge-fueled love, we are doomed. As you well know, CrossPoint Church is facing a first-of-its kind crisis which is resulting in the need for

11 11 us to seek and find a new senior pastor. On the one hand we can thank God that we have never had to deal with this before. God s grace has been strong upon us as a Church family and this is new a new journey for us. On the other hand, it stinks. Satan has bitten us. Sin has erupted and like an unanticipated squall flattened our roof, knocked out our electricity and caused us to stand at least momentarily shaking in our boots. In light of this crisis we have a choice to make; all of us. We can choose to cooperate with Satan s plot to cause further pain and wreak further havoc through gossip and complaining and having a judgmental spirit or we can choose to love, to forgive, to be compassionate and to extend grace not at the expense of appropriate consequences but with a desire for a greater transformation and healing. In Paul s prayer for the Philippians in chapter 1 verses 9-11, he says, And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve or rightly judge the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere (that is, without hypocrisy) and blameless. What does this mean for us at Crosspoint? It means we will choose to love. We will choose to meet together and not isolate ourselves. It means we will talk with each other and help each other and pray for each other and serve each other and be generous and gracious and thankful to each other. We choose love, not because its nice. Love has nothing to do with nice. We choose love for our very survival. Love is what God has designed to preserve life. So, three takeaways. How do we put on love not just individually, but as a Church family? First. Show up! We ve been reading as a congregation for the last 6 weeks or so a passage from Hebrews 10: Verses 24 and 25 of that passage says, and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as

12 12 is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. We can t grow in our love for each other if we don t learn and worship and serve together. So we show up on Sunday morning. We show up to our small groups. We show up on occasions that God gives us to serve each other. Last fall one of my students was from China and at one point in our class on the Theology of Suffering, I asked him to describe for us what it is like to be a Christian in China. Among other things he said, when you decide to go to Church on Sunday, you choose to give up your life because you don t know if you will make it there or back home again after the service. I wonder how many of us would have come today if we had that same choice to make? If we knew that we might not make it here or home again afterwards, would we come anyway? Love of Christ and love for each other helps us answer that question yes. Second. Hold up! That is hold up each other in prayer. Pray for each other. Each week things happen in the life of the people of this Church. Pray for them. Pray for Brett and his family. Pray for the elders and the pastoral search committee. Pray for others who have left us in the last while. Pray what Paul prayed for the Philippians. Let his words be your words of prayer. This week Barbara Turner was in a very serious car accident. God saved her life but she will be recovering for long time. Pray for her and Steve. And there are others in our midst who are suffering, anxious, sad, fearful.let s pray for them. Third. Look up! Throughout his letter to the Philippians, Paul repeatedly paints very clear, compelling pictures of God the Father and especially of Jesus our Savior. Why? Because having a clear picture of God who is the embodiment of love - delivers us from fear, restores hope and reminds us of our singular purpose. So, look up look to God. Remind yourself of who He is. As we close, let these words fix your mind on this God that we worship.

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