to New Orleans in the less than optimal time to visit New Orleans in July. You have been

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1 1 In Christ Alone: National Youth Gathering 2016 Text: Philippians 1:19-30, 3:12-21, 4:4-13 August 7, 206 Pastor Ryan Honeycutt Imagine being gathered in a faraway city, you are a teenager, you made the long journey to New Orleans in the less than optimal time to visit New Orleans in July. You have been anticipating this journey, your parents or other adults shared with you their own stories about their gathering experiences. When you finally get there, it is hotter than you think, but all around you there are other teenagers wearing their Christian t-shirts. In the evening we make a river of teens and adults walking down the streets of New Orleans, towards the Superdome, where the New Orleans Saints play NFL games. But instead of the 25,000 gathering in the building for a spectacle of football, you are a part of this sea of youth and adults gathering to worship Jesus, to sing songs of praise, to pray together as the body of Christ, to hear stories from Christian speakers who are expounding on this identity of being in Christ Alone. Over the Course of the Gathering we were asked a different question each day. Day 1: What does True Joy Look Like? True Joy is found in Christ alone. True Joy stays. Philippians 4:7 Rejoice in the Lord always. Day 2: What is competing with your identity in Christ? The truth is Christ is greater than my accomplishments. Philippians 3:8-11 In Christ alone I am righteous. Day 3: How are you an echo of Christ s humility? I am an echo that points to Jesus. Philippians 2:3 Count others more significant than yourself. Day 4: How does Community in Christ look different than every other community? We are one body, diverse, united, and forgiven, let that light shine. Forgiveness forms and keeps community. God created the community of Church. When we got our backpacks at registration we also received a special gathering Lutheran Study Bible. Every day we had bible study in our hotels, we took time to examine the

2 2 book of Philippians. We reflected on that day s theme and scriptures. We were challenged to daily to read the book of Philippians to look for different nuances of the text. That is why my sermon today is based on Paul s letter to the Philippians. Philippians 1:21 This is the first point I want to make today. Paul wrote: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. This verse means to me, that after you were baptized into Christ s death, you were given a new purpose for this life. You born again of water and the Spirit, given the keys to the Kingdom of God. Every breath a believer takes is a gift given by God with the purpose to reciprocate the love He has poured out for us on the cross of Christ. To love God in return, and then to extend that love to the other people he has placed in our lives. We were made to reflect the image of Christ to the world, a world needing to be healed by the faithful hands of our Lord Jesus. And the last part of that verse. Death has lost its claim on you and me. It is no longer something that can hold us hostage in this life, because like it says in Romans 14:8 whether we live or whether we die we belong to the Lord. The truth is for good or for bad, we represent Christ in our lives. How we live our lives, our small choices each day is a reflection of our faith in Jesus Christ. Other people that don t know Jesus yet, look to you and me as examples of how a Christian lives. How are you measuring up to that name, Christian, which means little Christ? There is a saying, that you might be the only Bible some of your friends and family ever read. There is some truth to that. But in reality, your salvation is not based on your goodness, on your righteousness, it is based on what Christ alone has fulfilled for you. Therefore rest assured it is enough to save

3 3 you. It is enough to build your life upon. It is enough to save your friends and family, think about this, God loves your friend and or your family member more than you or I ever could. He chose to die for them that is the good news of the Gospel. Our salvation is secure because it God s work not ours. Jesus said in John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide We are saved by through faith, apart from our own works, only by the precious blood of Christ which he willingly shed for you on the cross. If you and I are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, reaching, serving and loving our fellow man. Where is our focus? Philippians chapter 3 gives us some insight into this question. Paul says, he does one thing. It is a top priority for his daily life as a missionary and church planter, as he travels and encourages new believers all around the Roman Empire. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14) Paul is the first one to admit, he has flaws. He has temptations that trip him up. His priorities get mixed up at times just like we do. What motivates Paul to forget what is behind and strain to what lies ahead is, simply what he mentioned in verse 12, Because Christ Jesus has made me His own. All of his effort to fight the good fight of faith, originates from the

4 4 Gospel, the fact that Jesus has already made Paul his own. That is what needs to motivate us as well to live for Christ. I press on toward the goal of our faith, the salvation of my soul. Every time we study God s Word, every time we worship our Creator, every time we come to our Heavenly Father in prayer, He already knew those of those moments, and He wants to share His love with us. God speaks to us through His Word and the Sacraments. God wants to strengthen our relationship with Him, which is why he instructs us to pray without ceasing, to rejoice always, to always trust in His Son, Jesus. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:20-21) My third point today is a question: What does a Life in Christ Alone look like? Rejoicing in the Lord always. It begins with joy. Not happiness. Happiness is not that same thing as joy. Happiness is fleeting because it based on the happenings of our lives. But joy, specifically the joy of the Lord, is based on what Christ has done to make us His own. It is unshakeable, it is a foundation for a lifelong relationship with our Heavenly Father. No matter what happens in this life, in Christ alone we are blessed and always able to rejoice. I remember back in July of 2008, when I was getting installed here at Redeemer. My parents had flown up to come the installation service. Early that Sunday morning, I drove my mother to the hospital. She was short of breath and was admitted to the hospital. On my way back home I had one song on repeat in my car, a Relient K song called The Lining is Silver. Its

5 5 chorus repeats: Isn't it nice to know, that the lining is silver. Isn't it nice to know, that we're golden. In Christ Alone, there is always a silver lining in every grey cloud, isn t it nice to know that we are golden, because of Christ love for us. I cried a lot in that car ride back home. But no matter what happened, I knew that God was in control, and in Christ I knew that trust Him always. My mother had to have open heart surgery, and God spared her life to give my family more years with her. I just got back from visiting my parents and I am thankful for God watching over her that day, and the weeks and years to follow. Which brings me back to Philippians chapter 4: Do not be anxious about anything. What can worry bring into our lives that is good or constructive? I cannot think of one. Jesus told us throughout the Gospels, not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Rest in the fact that God loves you passionately and He is in control. Pray about everything with supplications and words of thanksgiving. Paul encourages the church to pray. Nothing is too important nor too insignificant to pray about. My favorite example is the miracle at the wedding in Cana, Jesus didn t want this couple to be embarrassed therefore he cared enough about embarrassment, to reveal his power by turning water into wine. A result of rejoicing always, praying continuously, relying on God s love in Jesus Christ. God s perfect peace will guard your hearts and minds. It is that peace that keeps our hands steady as we navigate through the most torrential storms that wail against us in life. A peace that the world cannot give, a peace that comes from God and faith in His Son, Jesus.

6 6 In vs. 8 Paul gives in exhortation of daily life. Focus on the Good things in life. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Throughout my reading of the book of Philippians, my mind kept coming back to a verse about contentment. It is probably the most popular verse in the book of Philippians. In Christ Alone was the theme for the 2016 LCMS National Youth Gathering. As the 25,000 youth and adults departed, one of the biggest things we experienced that week was that In Christ Alone we are never truly alone. We are united by the same Spirit who called and gathers the entire Christian Church around the world and throughout time. What does a life in Christ alone look like? It looks like a believer living confidently in Christ s power and love which leads us to firmly say and believe: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)