|
|
SERMON for SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
|
JOY IN FAITH
Text: Philippians 1: 21-30; Matthew 20: 1-16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” Philippians 1: 21-30
What brings you joy? Joy is a central theme in Paul’s letters to the church at Philippi. Joy – that gift of the Holy Spirit – a feeling that is deeper and greater than the fleeting emotion of happiness. Joy might be described as a spiritual state that transcends the usual and predictable emotional responses to events in our lives and the conditions around us. Paul is in prison for preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ. It is hard to imagine that Paul, or anyone else incarcerated, would feel happy about being in prison. Paul has already experienced persecution and physical suffering for proclaiming the Gospel, and now Paul faces the prospect of being executed for his faith. There is nothing happy about that potential outcome. Confined in jail, Paul longs for freedom – freedom to be with other disciples, freedom to share in life and ministry with his brothers and sisters in Christ in the church at Philippi, and freedom to continue on with his mission of proclaiming the Gospel, founding churches, and supporting other believers. Locked up behind bars and blocked from being with believers, no doubt the Apostle Paul was not happy about that state of affairs: being in jail and cut off from others. Happy – no. Nevertheless, Paul was experiencing something much, much deeper – joy!
Joy is a spiritual gift – a blessing that comes in times and ways often unexpected – and always appreciated. To have our spirits lifted to a place above and beyond the usual, to transcend the normal reactions to what is going on in our lives, to experience overflowing, living water that brings pain relief to our deepest heartaches and mental anguish, a spiritual balm for suffering and sorrow. C. S. Lewis wrote about being “surprised by joy” when his young wife died. Joy is the gift that sustained and strengthened the Apostle Paul when he was in jail; however, describing how he copes with imprisonment is not the intention of Paul’s letters. Paul writes to encourage and strengthen these disciples with spiritual truth about the everlasting joy comes the Risen Lord – in this life and in the life to come.
Early in this letter, Paul writes about how he is weighing the reality of his present circumstances, that he is in jail, with the sure knowledge that he will be with the Lord forever when he dies. Paul admits that he is hard pressed with conflicting desire. On the one hand, he would rather die and be with Christ forever. Clearly, his suffering would then be over, and he would know the everlasting joy that comes from abiding with the Lord for eternity. Quite a few people have told me that they have had similar thoughts when under duress. On the other hand, despite his suffering, Paul believes that it is more necessary that he keeps on living for the sake of his brothers and sisters in Christ in the church at Philippi. Paul longs to be with the Philippians in person, for their fellowship and in order to strengthen and prepare them for what is likely to come: persecution. Paul anticipates that they, too, will be persecuted and will suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, Paul writes these words of encouragement and truth, words that apply to their unique situation in their time and place, words that have encouraged and comforted Christians in faith communities throughout the world ever since. I imagine that I am not speaking just for myself when I say that we really need to hear this first-century Apostle’s words about joy at this time in world history.
Who among us, when faced with trials and tribulations, has not wanted escape from reality? When we are suffering, it is hard not to focus on one’s own needs and personal circumstances, especially when our life and livelihood are threatened. If we were imprisoned for our faith, but not from committing any crime, it would be hard not to be preoccupied with the injustice of the incarceration. We would be hard-pressed not to feel discouraged and depressed. From such a tough situation, from prison, the Apostle Paul is able to transcend his own thoughts and feelings – not on his own strength, but through Jesus Christ who strengthens him. Despite what Paul is undergoing, he experiences joy – the joy of the Lord – this gift of the Holy Spirit that blesses him and us with being drawn into the joyful presence of the Risen Lord. Christ breaks through jails and prisons of the mind, transcending the boundaries of time, space, and matter.
The Apostle Paul knows a great deal about suffering and joy. On the road to Damascus, shipwrecked on the island of Malta, imprisoned in Rome, and at other times and places, the Apostle Paul has experienced firsthand the power of Christ to break through and into the situation, not only into his own heart and mind, but also into the environment and into people around him, transforming that present reality into one that glorified God.
Perhaps you are thinking to yourself – well, good for Paul. It would be such sweet relief to know this joy of the Lord, for I am sick and tired of suffering. Is there anything that we can do to find this joy? This question is not so easy to answer.
On one hand, as people of faith, we believe in the power of prayer – and we do find joy in prayer and through prayer. We are taught in the scriptures to lift up our prayers to God – and to pray without ceasing. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit breaks into people’s lives – sometimes surprising us with joy in the midst of suffering. Whether or not we are suffering, whenever we pray, and whenever we gather for worship, let us to remember to offer one of the earliest prayers of the faithful: “Come, Holy Spirit, Come.” In this prayer, we are inviting the Holy Spirit to be with us. Even as we make this prayer, we do so humbly acknowledging that God is God – and we are not. We pray for the Holy Spirit to come, yet the Holy Spirit is not like a magic genii who responds to our prayers and does our bidding whenever we pray and however we wish. Sometimes we pray and pray and pray about a situation or for something specific to happen, and we might not experience evidence of our prayers being answered. God always hears our every prayer, but that does not mean that God is at our beck and call like a heavenly servant. This point may seem obvious to you, yet I mention it because I have heard people say that they have turned away from faith because God did not answer their prayers. There is no promise that God will answer our prayers in the ways we desire. Still – though – still – we are encouraged to pray without ceasing, to ask God for help and healing for particular needs, and to be patient even while persistent in prayer.
In addition to prayer, Paul gives some concrete spiritual guidance to the church:
“Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.” Even in those words from just one verse of today’s epistle lesson (v.27), I can assure you, there are and would be many different opinions about they mean. How do we live life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ? What happens when we disagree and are not of one mind? How can we strive, side by side, with one mind for the faith of the gospel, when interpretations about the scriptures, the Christian faith, our witness as disciples, and the focus of our ministries and mission can take such wildly divergent paths? Sadly, there have been far too many examples of faithful people fighting and dividing over matters of belief and spiritual practices. Church fights and splits do not result in real joy for anyone. Again, there are no simple answers or magic formulas. For today, guided by scripture, let us return to the consideration of those things that help us to stand firm in one spirit – what I have noted over the decades. For each point that I am about to share, you may think of exceptions. Nevertheless, I would ask that you suspend making judgments and comparisons. [for as Teddy Roosevelt expressed it, “comparison is the thief of joy.” Let’s not have any joy robbing today in your hearing].
Joy comes from faithful people who gather for worship. When the focus of worship is glorifying God and uniting us as God’s people, it brings joy to the Lord and the heavenly host. Paul is addressing the worshiping community in this letter, thus when we read in chapter four the words: “Rejoice in the Lord, always! Again I will say, rejoice!” let us remember that these words are meant for the community together. I know of a Presbyterian congregation whose mission is summarized in three words: “Cause God Joy!”
Joy in faith comes from making joyful noise to the Lord – that is, from making church music and singing in worship. As the Apostle Paul writes to the church at Colossus, “… with gratitude in your hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” [Colossians 3: 16] Music is so vital to our worship life, contributing to the joy that comes from worshiping together as God’s people. Consider how much joy we have as a congregation because of the music of our choir and church musicians, even during these pandemic times. Truly, we experience joy on Sunday mornings as we are blessed by the music they offer to glorify God in our services. On behalf of the congregation, again and again, we cannot thank you enough.
Joy in faith comes from thinking about and praying for the spiritual health and healing of others, especially in praying for those who are suffering. Praying for one another helps us to stand firm in one spirit. When we pray together for the health and wholeness of people who are suffering, whether the suffering is of body, mind, or spirit, Christ’s Spirit unites us. You probably know the saying, “a family that prays together, stays together.” The same is true for churches: a church family that prays together, stays together. Intercessory prayer unites us: firm in one spirit, and Christ’s Spirit blesses those who pray in addition to those for whom we pray.
Standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, together in faith, we create opportunities in which the Spirit of God can break through and into our lives – surprising us with experiences in which spiritual abundance happens – the joy of the Lord – joy that strengthens our faith.
For the next three Sundays, the sermons will focus on the book of Philippians. In anticipation of the message for each week, I encourage you to read one or more of the four chapters of Philippians. For instance, in this upcoming week, you might read the second chapter of Philippians in anticipation of the sermon that will focus on it next Sunday, then read the third chapter in the next week for the message of October 4th, and the fourth chapter in the next week for the message of October 11th. This book of the Bible is only four chapters long, yet very profound. You might consider reading all four chapters in one sitting – each week – or more often – to experience a deeper immersion into God’s Word. Philippians overflows with joy – so – let us pray, Come, Holy Spirit, Come! Christ’s Spirit might surprise us, too, with joy.
Let me close with Paul’s words from earlier in the first chapter of Philippians, for his prayer is my prayer for you:
“And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.” [Philippians 1: 9]
Amen!
Text: Philippians 1: 21-30; Matthew 20: 1-16
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” Philippians 1: 21-30
What brings you joy? Joy is a central theme in Paul’s letters to the church at Philippi. Joy – that gift of the Holy Spirit – a feeling that is deeper and greater than the fleeting emotion of happiness. Joy might be described as a spiritual state that transcends the usual and predictable emotional responses to events in our lives and the conditions around us. Paul is in prison for preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ. It is hard to imagine that Paul, or anyone else incarcerated, would feel happy about being in prison. Paul has already experienced persecution and physical suffering for proclaiming the Gospel, and now Paul faces the prospect of being executed for his faith. There is nothing happy about that potential outcome. Confined in jail, Paul longs for freedom – freedom to be with other disciples, freedom to share in life and ministry with his brothers and sisters in Christ in the church at Philippi, and freedom to continue on with his mission of proclaiming the Gospel, founding churches, and supporting other believers. Locked up behind bars and blocked from being with believers, no doubt the Apostle Paul was not happy about that state of affairs: being in jail and cut off from others. Happy – no. Nevertheless, Paul was experiencing something much, much deeper – joy!
Joy is a spiritual gift – a blessing that comes in times and ways often unexpected – and always appreciated. To have our spirits lifted to a place above and beyond the usual, to transcend the normal reactions to what is going on in our lives, to experience overflowing, living water that brings pain relief to our deepest heartaches and mental anguish, a spiritual balm for suffering and sorrow. C. S. Lewis wrote about being “surprised by joy” when his young wife died. Joy is the gift that sustained and strengthened the Apostle Paul when he was in jail; however, describing how he copes with imprisonment is not the intention of Paul’s letters. Paul writes to encourage and strengthen these disciples with spiritual truth about the everlasting joy comes the Risen Lord – in this life and in the life to come.
Early in this letter, Paul writes about how he is weighing the reality of his present circumstances, that he is in jail, with the sure knowledge that he will be with the Lord forever when he dies. Paul admits that he is hard pressed with conflicting desire. On the one hand, he would rather die and be with Christ forever. Clearly, his suffering would then be over, and he would know the everlasting joy that comes from abiding with the Lord for eternity. Quite a few people have told me that they have had similar thoughts when under duress. On the other hand, despite his suffering, Paul believes that it is more necessary that he keeps on living for the sake of his brothers and sisters in Christ in the church at Philippi. Paul longs to be with the Philippians in person, for their fellowship and in order to strengthen and prepare them for what is likely to come: persecution. Paul anticipates that they, too, will be persecuted and will suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, Paul writes these words of encouragement and truth, words that apply to their unique situation in their time and place, words that have encouraged and comforted Christians in faith communities throughout the world ever since. I imagine that I am not speaking just for myself when I say that we really need to hear this first-century Apostle’s words about joy at this time in world history.
Who among us, when faced with trials and tribulations, has not wanted escape from reality? When we are suffering, it is hard not to focus on one’s own needs and personal circumstances, especially when our life and livelihood are threatened. If we were imprisoned for our faith, but not from committing any crime, it would be hard not to be preoccupied with the injustice of the incarceration. We would be hard-pressed not to feel discouraged and depressed. From such a tough situation, from prison, the Apostle Paul is able to transcend his own thoughts and feelings – not on his own strength, but through Jesus Christ who strengthens him. Despite what Paul is undergoing, he experiences joy – the joy of the Lord – this gift of the Holy Spirit that blesses him and us with being drawn into the joyful presence of the Risen Lord. Christ breaks through jails and prisons of the mind, transcending the boundaries of time, space, and matter.
The Apostle Paul knows a great deal about suffering and joy. On the road to Damascus, shipwrecked on the island of Malta, imprisoned in Rome, and at other times and places, the Apostle Paul has experienced firsthand the power of Christ to break through and into the situation, not only into his own heart and mind, but also into the environment and into people around him, transforming that present reality into one that glorified God.
Perhaps you are thinking to yourself – well, good for Paul. It would be such sweet relief to know this joy of the Lord, for I am sick and tired of suffering. Is there anything that we can do to find this joy? This question is not so easy to answer.
On one hand, as people of faith, we believe in the power of prayer – and we do find joy in prayer and through prayer. We are taught in the scriptures to lift up our prayers to God – and to pray without ceasing. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit breaks into people’s lives – sometimes surprising us with joy in the midst of suffering. Whether or not we are suffering, whenever we pray, and whenever we gather for worship, let us to remember to offer one of the earliest prayers of the faithful: “Come, Holy Spirit, Come.” In this prayer, we are inviting the Holy Spirit to be with us. Even as we make this prayer, we do so humbly acknowledging that God is God – and we are not. We pray for the Holy Spirit to come, yet the Holy Spirit is not like a magic genii who responds to our prayers and does our bidding whenever we pray and however we wish. Sometimes we pray and pray and pray about a situation or for something specific to happen, and we might not experience evidence of our prayers being answered. God always hears our every prayer, but that does not mean that God is at our beck and call like a heavenly servant. This point may seem obvious to you, yet I mention it because I have heard people say that they have turned away from faith because God did not answer their prayers. There is no promise that God will answer our prayers in the ways we desire. Still – though – still – we are encouraged to pray without ceasing, to ask God for help and healing for particular needs, and to be patient even while persistent in prayer.
In addition to prayer, Paul gives some concrete spiritual guidance to the church:
“Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.” Even in those words from just one verse of today’s epistle lesson (v.27), I can assure you, there are and would be many different opinions about they mean. How do we live life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ? What happens when we disagree and are not of one mind? How can we strive, side by side, with one mind for the faith of the gospel, when interpretations about the scriptures, the Christian faith, our witness as disciples, and the focus of our ministries and mission can take such wildly divergent paths? Sadly, there have been far too many examples of faithful people fighting and dividing over matters of belief and spiritual practices. Church fights and splits do not result in real joy for anyone. Again, there are no simple answers or magic formulas. For today, guided by scripture, let us return to the consideration of those things that help us to stand firm in one spirit – what I have noted over the decades. For each point that I am about to share, you may think of exceptions. Nevertheless, I would ask that you suspend making judgments and comparisons. [for as Teddy Roosevelt expressed it, “comparison is the thief of joy.” Let’s not have any joy robbing today in your hearing].
Joy comes from faithful people who gather for worship. When the focus of worship is glorifying God and uniting us as God’s people, it brings joy to the Lord and the heavenly host. Paul is addressing the worshiping community in this letter, thus when we read in chapter four the words: “Rejoice in the Lord, always! Again I will say, rejoice!” let us remember that these words are meant for the community together. I know of a Presbyterian congregation whose mission is summarized in three words: “Cause God Joy!”
Joy in faith comes from making joyful noise to the Lord – that is, from making church music and singing in worship. As the Apostle Paul writes to the church at Colossus, “… with gratitude in your hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” [Colossians 3: 16] Music is so vital to our worship life, contributing to the joy that comes from worshiping together as God’s people. Consider how much joy we have as a congregation because of the music of our choir and church musicians, even during these pandemic times. Truly, we experience joy on Sunday mornings as we are blessed by the music they offer to glorify God in our services. On behalf of the congregation, again and again, we cannot thank you enough.
Joy in faith comes from thinking about and praying for the spiritual health and healing of others, especially in praying for those who are suffering. Praying for one another helps us to stand firm in one spirit. When we pray together for the health and wholeness of people who are suffering, whether the suffering is of body, mind, or spirit, Christ’s Spirit unites us. You probably know the saying, “a family that prays together, stays together.” The same is true for churches: a church family that prays together, stays together. Intercessory prayer unites us: firm in one spirit, and Christ’s Spirit blesses those who pray in addition to those for whom we pray.
Standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, together in faith, we create opportunities in which the Spirit of God can break through and into our lives – surprising us with experiences in which spiritual abundance happens – the joy of the Lord – joy that strengthens our faith.
For the next three Sundays, the sermons will focus on the book of Philippians. In anticipation of the message for each week, I encourage you to read one or more of the four chapters of Philippians. For instance, in this upcoming week, you might read the second chapter of Philippians in anticipation of the sermon that will focus on it next Sunday, then read the third chapter in the next week for the message of October 4th, and the fourth chapter in the next week for the message of October 11th. This book of the Bible is only four chapters long, yet very profound. You might consider reading all four chapters in one sitting – each week – or more often – to experience a deeper immersion into God’s Word. Philippians overflows with joy – so – let us pray, Come, Holy Spirit, Come! Christ’s Spirit might surprise us, too, with joy.
Let me close with Paul’s words from earlier in the first chapter of Philippians, for his prayer is my prayer for you:
“And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.” [Philippians 1: 9]
Amen!