Sunday, September 22, 2013

Pursuit of Joy

Pursuit of Happiness Joy
Philippians 1: 12 – 18


Introduction

We have a motto / mantra in our home: “Choose to be Happy.”  Shauna recently wrote this on a chalkboard in our kitchen as a reminder to all of us that we have a choice about how we will respond to our circumstances.  You can’t always choose your circumstances.  But, you can choose your attitude.
There are basically two narratives we believe about happiness.
According to fairytales and movies, happiness is something that magically appears in our lives.  One day, you are living a sad and meaningless life.  The next day, happiness magically appears—your prince charming comes riding on a white unicorn.
The other narrative teaches us that happiness is basically unobtainable for most of us.  Happiness is reserved for people who were born wealthy or born beautiful.  Or, that happiness is something enjoyed by people who are fortunate enough to live stress-free lives.
The problem with these two views of happiness is that they both depend on circumstances we cannot control.  No one can control whether or not they are born wealthy or beautiful.  No one can determine whether or not their “prince charming” will come.  And, no one lives a completely stress-free life.  As a result, happiness remains out of reach.
It might surprise you that the Bible doesn’t have much to say about happiness.  Instead, the Bible teaches us about Joy.  And, Joy is not the same thing as happiness.  Happiness is an emotion (or feeling) that can be affected some of the smallest changes in our daily circumstances.  If you don’t get enough sleep at night, it will affect your happiness.  The same thing happens if your bank account is running low or if you are suffering from ragweed allergies in September.
The Bible teaches us that Joy is completely different.  Joy does not depend on our circumstances.  It is possible to experience Joy in the good circumstances as well as the most difficult circumstances.  Joy is not the same thing as happiness.  Joy does not depend on our experience of pleasure or pain.
The Book of Philippians is a very short book in the New Testament.  It only has four chapters.  But Philippians mentions Joy in four chapters more than any other four chapters in the New Testament.  That raises a question about the circumstances going on when Philippians was written.  We might be tempted to think Philippians was written by someone who was experiencing the best day (or the best year) of his life. 
Philippians 1: 12 – 18 describe the circumstances the Apostle Paul was facing when he wrote this letter.


Philippians 1: 12 – 18
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. 
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. 

Notice in verse 13 that Paul tells us he was “in chains for Christ” when he wrote this letter.  More than likely, this refers to the story we read about Paul at the end of the Book of Acts.  Paul returned to Jerusalem after his three missionary journeys.  Because of some false charges levied against him, Paul was arrested by the Romans and placed under house arrest in Rome.  There he waited on a decision from the Roman Emperor about his fate.  Either, Paul would be released as a free man, or Paul would be executed for threatening the Roman peace.
While Paul was under house arrest, his friends in the Philippian churches worried about him.  They sent money to him to take care of his living expenses.  And, they sent a disciple named Epaphroditus to check on Paul’s well being.  Therefore, Paul feels it is important to let the Philippians know how he is doing.
I think the Philippians were probably concerned about a couple of things.  On one hand, they were genuinely concerned about Paul.  He was their friend, and they wanted him to be OK.  On the other hand, they were probably worried about Paul’s ministry.  If Paul was under house arrest, then (logic would tell us) the spread of the Gospel would either stop or slow down.  So, Paul writes to them about how God is using him while he is in chains.


Captive Audience


Paul assures the Philippians that what has happened to him has not slowed down his ministry.  In fact, just the opposite is the case.  Paul is in chains, but the Gospel is unfettered.  Paul continues to preach the Gospel.  He just has a different audience now.  We might say that Paul is preaching to a “captive audience.”
A person under house arrest had some freedoms.  People were free to come to visit Paul in his rented house.  Paul was free to write letters to the churches.  But, Paul was not free to come and go as he pleased.  More than likely Paul was chained to a Roman soldier around the clock.  A soldier would have been chained to Paul for a four hour shift, then a new soldier would take his place for the next four hour shift.  As a result, Paul had access to a lot of different soldiers.
This is what Paul is referring to in verse 13.  He said that his arrest has advanced the Gospel, because the Gospel has spread throughout the palace guard.  Because of his arrest, Paul can preach to an elite division of the Roman army—a group of people who would have otherwise been unreachable.
The same kind of thing happens to us when we are going through difficult situations.  Sometimes suffering brings us into contact with people we might not otherwise meet. 
This makes me think of Cindy Ramsey.  When Cindy was going through her lung disease and eventually underwent a double lung transplant, she found herself in strange places with people she didn’t know.  And, those of you who remember Cindy know what Cindy did.  She talked about Jesus and prayed with her doctors and caregivers.  Cindy thought of these encounters as “divine appointments.”  God had placed these people in her life so she could be a source of encouragement and a witness for the Gospel.
Do you think of encounters with other people as “divine appointments?”  Regardless of your circumstances—sometimes it may be a happy occasion, sometimes it might be a hospital room (hopefully it won’t be a Roman prison)—God has placed these people in your life and has placed you in their lives.  We must use these opportunities to encourage others and demonstrate that faith in Jesus makes a difference in our lives.


More Preachers


Paul found two positive results from his imprisonment.  First, he got to preach to Roman soldiers who were otherwise out of his reach.  Second, other preachers picked up where Paul left off and were preaching more than ever.
Not all of these preachers had good intentions.  Some took advantage of Paul’s house arrest as an opportunity to promote themselves.  They probably raised questions about Paul’s arrest.  They may have even tried to replace him as the recognized authority in the Christian churches. But, in trying to stir up trouble for Paul, they also preached the Gospel.  Regardless of their motives, Christ was preached and lost people were saved.
There is an interesting thing about the Gospel.  The Gospel is God’s work.  God uses people like you and me to spread the message of salvation.  And, since God uses people to spread his message, the messengers are often flawed and imperfect.  (In fact, I would even argue that all of God’s messengers are flawed.)  But, this does not hinder the Gospel.  As the old saying goes, “God can hit straight licks with crooked sticks.”  While the messenger is an important part of the Gospel, the message is more important than the messenger.  If God can use flawed and imperfect people, then God can use us!
Other Christian preachers recognized that Paul’s imprisonment meant that they needed to do more than they were doing while Paul was free to travel around the world with the Gospel.  Perhaps they had been too dependent on Paul in the past.  They could send him money to help in his ministry.  They could pray for Paul to be successful.  But, otherwise, they could just go about their daily lives and let Paul do all the work.  As long as Paul was successful, they didn’t have to take any risks.
Now that Paul is under house arrest, these Christians recognized that they had to take up the responsibility and face the risks so that the Gospel would continue to be preached.  They understood an important facet of the Gospel.  The Gospel is always a collaborative effort.  The spread of the Gospel does not depend on just one person—even if that one person is someone like the Apostle Paul.  The Gospel is bigger than just one person.  The Gospel is bigger that the pastor (or staff) of the church.  The Gospel is something we do together.
Some of you think that as a pastor I have more opportunities than you do to tell others about Jesus.  But, that’s not the case.  I spend a lot of time with Christian people and members of this church.  I have to look for non-Christian people.  You don’t have to look as far as I do.  You work with non-Christians and go to school with non-Christians.
This leads me to a couple of conclusions about collaboration…
First, you can be a witness by inviting other people to come to church.  I promise that I will preach about Jesus every Sunday.  If there is someone in your life who needs to hear about Jesus, bring them to church.  Any Sunday will be fine.  I won’t embarrass you.  I will simply stand right here and talk about Jesus.
Second, you have a great opportunity to be a witness next Sunday.  We will have a special evangelistic service next week.  I have invited Richard Jackson to preach next Sunday and present the Gospel.  He has put together a “soul-winning” New Testament.  We are providing one of these New Testaments to every person who is in church next week—members and guests.  Then, Pastor Jackson will walk through the plan of salvation with us and give everyone an opportunity to profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
This is what it means to collaborate to spread the Gospel.  Everyone has a job to do.  If you will bring your friends, you will be spreading the Gospel.


Joy in All Circumstances


Paul was not having the best day of his life when he wrote the Book of Philippians.  It wasn’t even the best year of his life.  Yet, Paul found reasons to rejoice in the midst of his difficult circumstances.
This is one of the remarkable things about the Christian faith.  As Christians, we have a difficult time explaining the presence of evil and the reality of suffering.  We cannot explain why bad things happen to good people.  However, we do believe that suffering always has a purpose.  There is no such thing as meaningless suffering.
Of course, we need to be careful here.  I do not believe that God is the source of evil.  I do not believe God causes us to suffer (or causes bad things to happen to good people).  Instead, I believe that God brings something good out of every difficult situation.
Paul’s words to the Philippians show us that Paul was able to see what God was doing.  Even though Paul was under house arrest, God continued to work through Paul and through other preachers.  There are some times when we get to see what God is doing through our suffering and difficulties.  But, that is not always the case.  Oftentimes we have to accept by faith that God will bring something good out of our suffering.
There is an important point to notice about Paul’s Joy.  Paul was able to experience and express Joy, because Paul was not focused on himself.  Instead of concentrating on how difficult it was to be falsely accused, arrested, in chains and facing execution, Paul focused on how the Gospel could not be stopped.
In other words, Paul had a bigger purpose in life than being happy and comfortable. 
Do you have a bigger purpose in life?  If the only purpose of your life is to be happy and comfortable, then you will not experience Joy in all circumstances.  Your Joy will fluctuate with your checking account balance or will come and go as your stress level increases.
Paul lived for a bigger purpose.  He gave his life away for other people.  He wanted to be a blessing and encouragement to other people.  He took great risks to start new churches throughout the Roman Empire.  He was willing to go to jail so that other people could experience the Grace of God through Jesus Christ.


Conclusion: Joy Is a Gift


The Book of Galatians is another of Paul’s letters to the churches.  In Galatians 5, Paul tells us that Joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit…

Galatians 5: 22 – 23…  22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Technically, Paul says Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.  But, there’s not much difference between fruit and gift.  To say that Joy is a “fruit” of the Spirit is to say that Joy is something the Holy Spirit produces in us.  Joy is not something we conjure up within ourselves.  Joy is a product / produce / result / fruit of the Holy Spirit in us.  Therefore, Joy is a gift from God.

If Joy comes from God, then Joy does not come from our circumstances.  The world does not give us Joy, and the world cannot take Joy away from us.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Under Construction

Under Construction


Philippians 1: 3 – 11.


Introduction

Most of you know that I grew up in Mississippi, and that my parents still live in Mississippi.  But, I married a Texas girl, and that means two things.  First, I’m not from Texas but got here as quick as I could.  Second, when we were living in Mississippi, we had to drive through Louisiana on Interstate 20 to visit Shauna’s parents; and now that we live in Texas, we have to drive through Louisiana on Interstate 20 to visit my family. 
There’s an interesting thing about Interstate 20 in Louisiana…It is always under construction!  One year around Christmas, we spent several hours at a complete stop because of construction.  We were so late getting to Shauna’s parents that they ate Christmas dinner, opened their presents and went home before we could get there!
We used to say, “Man, I’ll be glad when all this construction is complete.”  But, we have quit saying that.  Over the past twenty years, we have discovered that once construction is complete in one area, they are going to start working on something else!  Or, they discover it is time to go back and repair what they have completed.
In a lot of ways, life is like a road construction project.  When we become Christians, God starts working on us.  And, just like the roads in Louisiana, when one construction project is completed, it’s time to start working on something else.  As long as we are alive, God is still working on us.  God does not finish his work in us until we are with the Lord in Heaven.  As long as we are alive, God is working on us.  And, God does not stop working on us until his work is complete.
God does not have any “unfinished projects” lying around the house.  Instead, all of God’s projects are “under construction.”  God is actively working in you and me to bring about his ultimate purpose—to make you Holy, as God is Holy.


Philippians 1: 3 – 11.

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.

We are still at the very beginning of the Book of Philippians.  In a conventional First Century letter, the author did two things at the beginning of a letter.  First, he introduced himself to his audience.  Second, he tried to establish some kind of rapport with his audience.
The Book of Philippians does not exactly fit the norm of First Century letters.  That is because Paul already has such a strong relationship with the Christians at Philippi that he does not have to follow the conventional writing techniques.  He never lists out all his credentials as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, and he never establishes his authority to speak words of instruction to the churches.
Instead, Paul introduces himself (briefly) and immediately describes how frequently and how fervently he prays for them.  He ALWAYS prays in ALL his prayers for ALL the Christians at Philippi.


Partnership


It makes sense that Paul feels so strongly for the Philippian Christians.  According to the Book of Acts, Paul probably visited them three times on his second and third missionary journeys.  Also, Paul was specifically led by the Holy Spirit to change his plans and go to Philippi instead of the place he was planning to go.  Then, he established a church in Philippi—a church which began with only a handful of faithful women he first met while they were worshipping / praying at the river.  These women opened their homes to Paul and his companions every time they traveled through Philippi.
Also, the Christians at Philippi never gave up on Paul.  They sent Epaphroditus to accompany Paul in his mission work.  They sent financial gifts to support Paul’s mission to spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire.  And, they continued to show support and hospitality to Paul when he was under house arrest in Rome.
By supporting Paul while he was held captive was a great risk to the Philippians.  On one hand, they were aligning themselves against the Roman government.  On the other hand, they were showing their support for an “illegal religion.”
There were more religions in ancient Rome than any of us could count.  Some of these religions were given official status by the Roman government.  It was “legal” to worship the pantheon of Roman gods or even the Greek gods.  It was “legal” to be a Jew and worship at the local synagogues.  It was “legal” (and even encouraged) for people to worship the Roman Emperor.  But, Christianity was not considered a “legal” religion.  Christianity was considered an “illicit superstition.”  And, the Philippians were willing to take Paul’s side in his struggle with the Roman government despite the political and economic repercussions they might face.
Partnership is important to Paul.  Paul gives thanks to God for this partnership with his friends at Philippi.  They supported Paul financially…They supported Paul by sending others to work alongside him… They supported Paul with their hospitality…They (probably) supported Paul with their prayers.  Paul thanked God for them, because their partnership made Paul’s ministry more effective.  But, Paul did not stop at giving thanks for his friends.  He also prayed that God would strengthen their partnership.
As Christians, we have a great deal of admiration for people like Paul.  He is a missionary who chose to spread the Gospel around the world instead of pursuing a secular career.  He is a Christian who is willing to spend time in jail for the sake of the Gospel.  Yet, Paul gave thanks for a church like ours.  Paul prayed that people like you and me would continue to support missions around the world.


Partnership Is God’s Work


I think we ought to make a connection between the word “partnership” in verse 5 with the phrase “good work” in verse 6.  According to Paul, God is the one who established the partnership between Paul and the Philippian Christians.  This partnership is God’s “good work” in them.
This is a significant connection to make.  By connecting partnership with God’s good work, Paul is in essence telling the Philippians that they have nothing to brag about.  They should not say things like, “We are the number one missions-minded church in our association.”  Or, “Look at all we have accomplished for Jesus.”
In some ways, I feel like I am treading on very dangerous territory here, because that is a very good description of Lufkin’s First Baptist Church.  We give a lot of money to missions every year and send people out on short-term mission trips.  We have a long history of planting and supporting new churches (locally and around the world).  We have had ministers and missionaries come out of this church.  And, all of those things are good…as long as we don’t try to take credit for it.
According to Paul, churches who partner in missions are churches where God is at work.  If we ever fail to let God work in us, we will not be the missions-minded church we have always been.  Missions is God’s work.  And missions always begins at home—in the individual hearts and lives of the members of this church.
When I look back at the history of this church, it seems obvious that God started this work in us.  From the very beginning of our history, our earliest church members wanted to be obedient to God’s call to missions partnership.  I don’t say that to lead you to believe our ancestors were better Christians than we are.  Instead, I say that to offer you a warning and a promise.  God began this work with them and will continue this work in us.  God’s purpose for this church has not changed.  He is still working on us, in us and among us.  And, God will not stop working on us until he has accomplished his ultimate purpose for us—that we would become full partners in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
There is an interesting thing about the way God works.  We cannot manipulate God into doing what we want God to do.  And, there is no exact formula of the right things a church can do to ensure that God is at work in our church.  However, it is possible to stop God’s work or even to prevent God’s work in our church…To quench the Spirit.
In fact, this is one of the themes of the Book of Philippians.  Later in the book, Paul inserts himself into a personal conflict in their church.  Two women in the church are at odds.  Paul never tells us why these two women can’t get along.  But, it is safe to say that Paul sees it as harmful to the church.  Their disagreement has divided the spirit of the church.  Instead of following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, they are following human leaders and dividing into different groups.  As long as their church is divided, they cannot be the church God wants them to be.  As long as they focus on human leadership instead of God’s leadership and work in their midst, they will be distracted from their mission.
Unity is what results when God is at work in a church.  Division is not God’s work.


Love Is God’s Work


Partnership in the Gospel is only one work God is accomplishing in the churches of Philippi.  At the end of the passage, Paul tells more about his prayers.  He is praying that God will increase Love within the church.
There are a couple of important things we can say about the biblical view of Love.
First, biblical Love is best defined by our actions and not our feelings.  In the Bible, Love is something expressed in tangible / visible expressions.  To Love someone is to serve them by meeting their needs.  Biblical Love is self-giving and puts the needs of others ahead of our own needs. 
Our modern understanding of Love is much more selfish.  We tend to define Love by the way another person makes us feel.  Teenagers think they love each other, because they enjoy spending time with each other.  That is a selfish feeling and not a self-giving action.
Second, biblical Love is demonstrated perfectly by the character of God.  God loves us so much that he met our needs.  He sent his Son, Jesus, as the ultimate expression of his character.  God gives.  God Loves.  God meets all our needs as an expression of Love.
When we put these two ideas together, we get a good picture of what God wants to do in our individual lives.  God is at work in us to make us more loving toward others—self-giving actions to serve the needs of others.  Ultimately, as we become more loving, we become more like Jesus—pure and blameless.
If you are a Christian, this is God’s work in your life.  God will not stop working on you and in you until you are a full partner in the work of the Gospel and a person who loves others the way Jesus loves us.  God will not stop working until your life looks like Jesus’ life.


Conclusion


In 1952, Florence Chadwick became the first woman to swim the English Channel, both ways.  Later that year, she attempted another swimming feat—to swim the Pacific Ocean from the Catalina Islands to mainland California.
The day of her swim was so foggy that Florence could hardly see the row boats which accompanied her on her swim.  But, she swam anyway.  In fact, she swam for fifteen hours before she finally stopped and begged to be taken from the water.  Her mother was in one of the row boats and tried to encourage Florence to keep swimming.  She was so close.  She could do it.  Don’t give up so close to your goal.
When Florence was taken from the water, she discovered that she was only one half of a mile away from her goal.  If there had been no fog, she could have seen the shore.  At a news conference the next day, Florence said, “All I could see was fog…I think if I could have seen the shore; I would have made it (Randy Alcorn, Heaven. [Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004], p. xxii.).”

Imagine that…If I could only see my goal, I could make it…

Paul has set out the goals where we can see them.  God is at work in your life (individually) to make you more like Jesus.  God is at work in our church (corporately) to make us full partners in the Gospel.  And, God is faithful.  God will not stop working in you (and in us) until he brings his work to completion.

The question is not whether we can achieve our goals.  The question is whether we will allow God to finish the good work he began in us.

Sunday, September 08, 2013

Servants of Christ Jesus

Servants of Christ Jesus
Philippians 1: 1 – 2.


Introduction

Today, I am beginning a new series of sermons on the Book of Philippians.  I hesitate to use the word “series,” because I am not going in a predetermined direction.  When I think of a “sermon series,” I think of a group of sermons about the same theme or that the preacher has one point he wants to emphasize.  But, that is not what I am doing with these sermons on Philippians.  Instead, I think of this more like a journey together.  We are going to read the Book of Philippians together and allow the Bible to speak to us every week.
For many Christians, the Book of Philippians is one of our favorites.   At least, it is one of our favorite New Testament books written by the Apostle Paul.  Paul wrote the Book of Romans, but Philippians is not quite as complicated or as long as Romans.  Paul wrote the Book of Galatians, but Paul does not sound as angry in the Book of Philippians.  In fact, Philippians is a very encouraging and uplifting book…One of the recurring themes is the joy that comes from being a Christian.  Joy in the midst of difficulties.  Joy that cannot be taken away by your circumstances.
One of the remarkable things about Philippians is the fact that Paul wrote this book about joy during one of the most difficult times of his life.  The traditional view is that Paul wrote this book from prison.  However, it was not exactly what we think of as prison.  More than likely, Paul was under house arrest in Rome.  He didn’t live in a prison cell.  He lived in a house, where he was free to write letters to churches and people were free to visit him most any time.  But, Paul was not free to leave.  He was constantly under Roman supervision and probably was chained to a Roman soldier around the clock.  (Soldiers would change shifts every four hours.)  During this house arrest, Paul was waiting for a final decision about his life.  There were only two choices.  Either he would be released by the Roman government, or he would be executed.  (Imprisonment was generally not considered a long term punishment.)
Yet, Paul was able to write this encouraging and uplifting book about Christian joy in the face of these difficult circumstances.  He found joy that was bigger than his circumstances…a joy that allowed him to rise above what was happening around him.
Today, we are going to look at Paul’s first words and the way he introduced this letter to the churches of Philippi.


Philippians 1: 1 – 2.
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, 
To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


If you read the New Testament, these opening verses do not sound very unusual.  Paul follows the general rules for writing letters in the First Century world.  He introduces himself at the beginning of the letter and offers a greeting to his readers.  But, there are a couple of interesting things that Paul does differently (from conventional letter writing) in his letters.


Grace and Peace

One of the differences we notice is the special greeting Paul gives in verse two: “Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The words “Grace and Peace” are not usually found in other First Century letters, but this was Paul’s common form of greeting.  Other letter writers typically introduce themselves, address their audience and say “Greetings.”  Paul changes this typical greeting and uses the word Grace instead…Grace and “Greetings” sound similar in Greek.
Paul takes the typical Greek introduction—“Greetings”—and changes it to the Christian word “Grace.”  Then, he adds the typical Jewish idea of “Peace.”  In Hebrew thought, it would have been the word “Shalom.”  But, notice that Paul is not sending his Grace and Peace.  Instead, he makes a theological statement that Grace and Peace can only come from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 
This is significant, because Paul is teaching us his theological position in the introduction of the book.  The Grace and Peace of God are not only better than the grace and peace of the world…God’s Grace and Peace are the only true Grace and Peace we will ever experience.  Just as salvation is a free gift of God’s Grace that can never be taken away from us, God’s Peace is a Peace which can never be snuffed out by the conflict and competition of the world.  True Peace comes from God and does not depend on international relations or on living in a favorable environment.


To All the Saints

The first verse of Philippians addresses Paul’s intended audience: “to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi.”
Literally, “saints” means “the holy ones.”  We are not very comfortable with this, but “holy” is one of the words used consistently in the New Testament to refer to Christians.  According to the Bible, you and I are “holy people.”
We aren’t comfortable with this, because it makes us think of “holier than thou.”  We don’t want to be people who think we are so perfect that we can judge other people and look down on their lives or choices.  But, there is something different about us as Christians.  Christians are not supposed to be like the rest of the world.  We don’t live for the same purposes that other people live for.  We are not motivated by the same things that motivate other people.  We are not influenced by the things that influence other people.  We are different from the world—and different is one meaning of the word “holy.” 
God is holy, because God is different from us.  God’s people are holy, because God’s people are different from the rest of the world.
Another meaning for the word “holy” comes from the Old Testament teaching about the tabernacle and the Temple.  The tabernacle was a tent God’s people used for worship until they reached the Promised Land and built a more permanent Temple structure.  The tabernacle was no ordinary tent.  It was holy, because it had been “set apart” for God’s purposes and not for human purposes.  “Set apart” is another meaning for the word “holy.”
As Christians, you and I are “holy people,” because we have been set apart to be used by God for Godly purposes. 
When God gave instructions to build the tabernacle and the Temple, he also instructed his people to furnish the tabernacle and Temple with forks, bowls and lamps.  These forks, bowls and lamps were to be “set apart” from ordinary forks, bowls and lamps.  The forks were to be used for placing and removing sacrifices on the altar—they were not to be used for supper.  The bowls were to be used for wine and oil associated with sacrifices—they were not to be used for Frosted Mini Wheats.  The lamps were to be used to symbolize God’s presence in the Temple—they were not to be used as reading lamps.
Perhaps we can learn something from forks, bowls and lamps.  In the same way these Temple articles have been set apart (or even “reserved”) for Godly purposes, your life has been set apart (or “reserved”) for God.  This is not something you do for yourself.  According to Paul, we become saints (or “holy people”) in Christ Jesus.  Jesus is the one who sets us apart and uses us in his service. 
Of course, that raises a question about availability.  Do you make yourself available to Jesus more than you make yourself available to other influences?
One of the things we will notice as we read the Book of Philippians is the way Paul sets himself up as an example for the Christians at Philippi to follow.  Anything they see him doing, they should imitate in their own lives.  He begins setting himself up as an example by introducing himself as a “servant of Christ Jesus.”

Servants = Slaves

Unlike other books Paul wrote, Paul does not introduce himself as an Apostle in these opening verses.  I think there are a couple of reasons for this. 
First, Paul possibly knew the Christians at Philippi better than most other groups of Christians during his missionary career.  Reading the Book of Acts, it appears that Paul visited Philippi three times during his missionary journeys.  The first time, Paul went to Philippi on his second missionary journey and established the first church in this prominent city.  The second and third times, Paul made stops in Philippi as he was establishing churches in other cities on his third missionary journey.  These stops in Philippi were not missionary destinations for Paul but were probably personal visits to encourage the church and to allow them to encourage Paul.  These people knew Paul and did not need him to list all his apostolic credentials.
The second reason why Paul did not introduce himself as an Apostle probably relates to Paul’s understanding of the word “servant” and his understanding of himself as a “servant of Christ Jesus.”
Our English Bible translators have “sanitized” this word for us.  Paul does not call himself a “servant.”  He actually calls himself a “slave.”  Perhaps it would be offensive for us to read that Paul considered himself a “slave of Christ Jesus.”  After all, we recognize slavery as an evil institution and have rightfully removed it from modern society.  Even though slavery was an important part of the economy in the First Century Roman Empire, this word for “slave” would have been even more offensive to Paul’s culture.  Yet, Paul intentionally chose to call himself a slave.
Just like Twenty-First Century America, the people of the First Century valued freedom over all other virtues.  A First Century person took a great deal of pride in claiming to be slave to no one.  If a First Century person was a slave, he or she sought to gain their freedom from slavery at any cost.  Freedom was the only way to have dignity.  Without freedom, there was no dignity.  Slaves were not free, and therefore there was no dignity in being a slave.
In Acts 16, we read the story of Paul’s first visit to Philippi.  Paul didn’t really want to go to Philippi.  He wanted to go to Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit would not let him.  Instead, Paul had a dream of a Macedonian man pleading with him to come to Macedonia.  So, Paul and his companions went to Philippi—the leading city of Macedonia.  In Philippi, Paul met two women.  The first woman was Lydia.  She was praying with a group of women at the river.  Paul shared the Gospel with these women and, through their faith in Jesus, established the first church in Philippi.  A few days later, Paul met a second woman—a slave woman who was being exploited by her masters to tell people their futures for money.  When this woman first encountered Paul, she was a nuisance to him.  She followed him everywhere he went and shouted, “These men as SERVANTS of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”  Literally, she said, “These men are SLAVES of the Most High God…”  Paul eventually cast out the demonic spirit from the woman and ended up in a Philippian jail.  But, I want you to notice that she labeled Paul as a “slave of God.”
Servant of God and Slave of God are not unusual phrases for you and me.  But, this was a highly unusual phrase in First Century Greek.  The Greeks and Romans valued freedom so much that they didn’t even consider themselves servants / slaves of their gods.  Instead, they preferred to think of themselves as “friends / lovers of god.”  It was actually an INSULT for this woman to call a free man a slave of anything—even a slave of the Most High God.
Calling someone a slave was offensive, because it insinuated that person was not a free person.  He or she had a master and was not free to live their own life.
Calling someone a slave was offensive, because it meant that person did not have the inherent value or dignity of a free person.  The only value a slave could claim was how valuable he was to his master.  The only dignity a slave could claim was the dignity of her master.
Calling someone a slave was offensive, because it meant that person lived a life of service to someone who had more dignity and more value.
In a remarkable turn of events, Paul came to embrace the words of this slave woman.  He took her insult and turned it into a compliment.  When Paul called himself a slave of Christ Jesus, he was reinterpreting the meaning of human life, freedom, dignity and value.
Paul found the meaning and purpose for his life in service to Christ Jesus.  Paul confessed that he was not his own master.  Christ Jesus is his master, and therefore Paul defines his dignity and value as a person in his service to Jesus.


Conclusion

Ultimately, Paul’s understanding of servant / slave is the Gospel.
Our culture believes that freedom is the most valuable value.  We profess freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of actions, freedom of lifestyle choices, and on and on and on…
Without Jesus, people only think they are free.  Without Jesus, we are actually slaves to sin, death, law and evil.  Non-Christian people do not choose to live as they live.  They live like they do, because they are slaves to sin and evil.
The only way to break free from this kind of slavery is to be redeemed through the cross and Resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for sin and to offer us forgiveness.  Jesus rose again to set us free from death and to be with us always.  He is with us in our struggle with sin and gives us the strength we lack to overcome our struggle with sin.
Jesus died on the cross and rose again to set us free from sin.  But, this freedom does not mean autonomy—the freedom to live our own lives.  No.  Jesus died and rose again, so that we could become God’s people—God’s possession.  Sin no longer owns us.  Now, we belong to God.
If you belong to God, then your life does not belong to yourself.  You are God’s possession to be used as only God sees fit.
Again, that raises a question about availability.  A servant is always available to his or her master.  There is no difference between being available on Sunday and being available on Monday.  A servant is available every day and at all times to be used as the master sees fit.

You are not your own master.  Either you are a servant to sin and evil, or you are a servant to Christ Jesus.

Sunday, September 01, 2013

Working for More than Money

Working for More than Money
Matthew 6: 19 – 24.


Introduction.

When I was pastor in Mississippi, one of my church members told a story I plan to remember for the rest of my life.  This man had been good friends with his pastor when he lived in a different town.  One day, he was driving past the pastor’s house and saw the pastor outside mowing his grass.  He pulled over in front of the house and waited for the pastor to come over to his truck.  He rolled his window down and said, “Preacher, you have two teenage sons.  Can’t you get one of those sons to mow the grass for you?”
The pastor answered, “In my line of work, this is the only thing I do all week long, that at the end of the day, I can tell I have accomplished something.”
This is the reason why I mow my own yard.  I don’t necessarily enjoy working in 100 degree temperatures in August.  I don’t enjoy the way the grass makes my legs and arms itch the next day.  But, I do enjoy the feeling of accomplishment I get when I finish mowing and sweeping off the driveway.  In fact, when I finished mowing Tuesday night, I sat down in the driveway and looked around at my completed work.
Now, I am not so arrogant to think that my work as a pastor is much different from the work other people do.  In fact, I think a lot of people can relate to my story.  You go to work, Monday through Friday…you work hard every day, all week long…then, at the end of the week, you aren’t sure you have anything to show what you have done.  The work never seems to be complete.
Most people get paid for their work, Monday through Friday.  And, money is a good reward.  After all, we have to have money to live.  But sometimes, money is not enough.  We need to feel like we are making progress, accomplishing something, or making a difference in the world.
I am truly thankful that I love my job as a pastor.  I believe that God has called me, and there is nothing else I would rather do.  However, you do not have to be a pastor to feel that God has called you and equipped you for your work.  God wants you to feel satisfied in your work / career.  God wants you to work for more than just money.  Your work can be an expression of your love for God and your love for other people.
Jesus has something to say about working for more than money in the Sermon on the Mount.


Matthew 6: 19 – 24.

This Scripture is a part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus addresses several important themes in his Sermon on the Mount.  Ultimately it is a sermon about the Kingdom of God…or, we might say the reign of God.  God becomes the King by becoming the King of our lives individually.  The Kingdom of God becomes manifest on earth when individual Christian men and women are transformed by God’s Kingship within us.  When God is our King, it changes the way we live our lives.  It changes the way we pray, the way we use financial resources, and the way we serve other people.  It changes our private lives and our public lives.  We might even say it changes our spiritual lives and our secular lives.  The only problem with that last statement is the fact that Christians don’t have secular lives.
Everything we do in private is done in the presence of God.  Everything we do in public is done in the presence of God.  Everything we do in church is done in the presence of God.  Everything we do at work, school or home is done in the presence of God.  God is equally concerned with how we live in public and in private.  Christians are not supposed to draw a distinction between the spiritual and the secular.  Everywhere we go, we are in the presence of God.  Therefore, everything we do is done in the presence of God.
Jesus’ teaching here is organized around three illustrations.  All three of these illustrations can be described as contrasts or as a choice between two opposites:  treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven; good eyes versus bad eyes; and Lord God versus lord money. 


Matthew 6: 19 – 21… Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

People in the ancient world did not use money, banking and investments like we do today.  The most valuable things to ancient people were precious metals and fine clothing or fabrics.  These treasures were vulnerable to at least three enemies.  Fabrics could be eaten by moths.  Metals could rust or corrode in the desert heat.  And, all treasures were vulnerable to thieves. 
If you think about it, modern day treasures are also vulnerable.  Of course, we use pesticides to get rid of insects.  We use climate controlled storage to reduce the threat of corrosion.  However, theft continues to be a problem.  In addition to theft, we also face the effects of inflation, depreciation, the strength of the U.S. dollar on the international market as well as devaluation from market fluctuation. 
The ultimate worth of your treasure depends on where it is stored.  Any treasure stored on earth is vulnerable.  It is perishable and cannot last forever.  Yet, treasures stored in heaven are neither vulnerable nor perishable.  Treasures stored in heaven are the only treasures that can stand the test of time.
What is the difference between earthly treasure and heavenly treasure?  Earthly treasure includes anything that has value on earth.  Money, gold, diamonds, houses, cars, stocks, investment funds…  All earthly treasure can depreciate in value or it can be stolen.  By contrast, heavenly treasure includes anything that has value in heaven.  These treasures have eternal value, will never depreciate in value, and cannot be stolen from you.  Heavenly treasure should be defined in broad terms as anything that lasts forever.  We could argue that salvation is a heavenly treasure.  However, Jesus was speaking to his disciples who were already saved.  Salvation is a heavenly treasure, but this is not all Jesus is talking about.  Jesus also has in mind treasures like: holiness, obedience, serving others, souls won to Christ, and disciples nurtured in their faith.
The key to understanding Jesus’ words is not the definition of “treasure.”  I believe the key is what is meant by “storing up.”  I believe this refers to accumulating resources.  When we accumulate earthly treasure we risk losing all we have.  In Jesus’ economy, only heavenly treasures are to be stored up.  Earthly treasures are to be used while we are on earth.
Accumulating resources is not the same thing as saving for the future.  Christians should save for the future.  Accumulating resources is not the same thing as making a lot of money in order to provide for our personal needs and the needs of our families.  Christians should work and earn money for ourselves and our families.  Accumulating resources is being stingy and greedy and covetous with earthly treasure.
This is perhaps the greatest threat to American Christianity.  We spend a lot of our time thinking about the implications of the growing Islamic population and the complacency of the church.  However, we need to worry about how we are using our earthly resources.  Earthly treasure is not intended for accumulation.  It is intended to be used to the glory of God and for the pursuit of God’s Kingdom.


Matthew 6: 22 – 23… "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

This illustration has always confused me for two reasons.  First, I don’t understand what Jesus is saying.  Second, it doesn’t seem to fit well in this context.  Jesus began by talking about money and ended by talking about money.  In the middle, it seems that he is talking about the difference between good eyes and bad eyes.
However, it does make sense when we realize that the Bible often uses the eye figuratively and connects it to the heart.  The eyes reveal the condition of the heart.  We also see this same concept in the expression “fix your eyes on” something.  A person fixes his or her eyes on the thing that is most important to them.  The eyes reveal the heart by showing our ambitions.
Jesus did not literally say the words “good” and “bad” in describing human eyes.  The word “good” is literally the word “single.”  “If your eyes are single, your whole body will be full of light.”  The word “bad” is literally the word “evil.”  “But if your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness.”  Since “light” and “darkness” are opposites, it seems that Jesus intends for us to interpret “single” and “evil” as opposites as well.
The “evil eye” is a concept that was familiar to Jesus’ ancient audience.  It is still a familiar concept in the Near Eastern world.  The evil eye does not refer to witchcraft or a hex.  It refers to covetousness, stinginess, greed and theft.  A person who looks at you with an evil eye is a person who wants to take your stuff.
This contrast becomes more apparent to us when we realize that the Greek word for “single” is a form of the Greek word “generous.”  In other words, this is what Jesus was saying: “If your eyes are generous, your whole body will be filled with light. But if your eyes are covetous, stingy or greedy, your whole body will be full of darkness.” 
Jesus is talking about money and possessions!  This is how we “store up” treasures in heaven.  The answer is the way we use our earthly resources.  We can be generous, or we can be stingy and greedy.  The generous person serves God with their entire life—not just on Sunday mornings.  The stingy and greedy person thinks only about their own life—and one day wakes up and finds that all their resources have deteriorated, depreciated and have been lost.


Matthew 6: 24… "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

This is an illustration from slavery.  Slavery is a repulsive institution to us today.  However, this was an important part of the ancient culture.  It was so important that the New Testament is filled with imagery and illustrations about slavery.  In fact, the Bible teaches us that all humans will be slaves to something.  We can be slaves to sin, death, fear, or to Jesus.
Here, Jesus says we can be slaves either to God or to money.  This is a choice between the Creator or the creation.  You and I are going to be slaves to something.  But, we get to choose our master. 
Imagine what a difficult situation it would be for a slave to have two masters.  The relationship would work fine as long as both masters agreed.  Yet, it would be impossible for the slave to meet the demands of two masters who were making opposite demands.  God and money are not usually in agreement.  They make opposing demands.
The literal word translated “money” in this Scripture is the word mammon.  Mammon includes money, but it is much broader than that.  It includes money and all earthly possessions.  Basically, it refers to anything of value…Anything money can buy.
Jesus is not saying we should not have money and possessions.  This is what I think Jesus is saying…  It’s OK to have possessions.  It’s not OK for your possessions to have you.  It’s OK to save money.  It’s not OK to think money can save you.
Do you wonder why the words “In God We Trust” appear on all of our money?  I think it is there to remind us not to worship money.  It’s like a sermon “to go” carried around in your wallet.  Every time you buy a cup of coffee, a hamburger, a new car or a new house, there is a reminder.  Money cannot save you.  Only God can save.  Only God should be worshipped and trusted as Lord.


Conclusion.

Jewish author Elie Weisel is famous for writing about his experience in Auschwitz, a German concentration camp during World War 2.  Weisel was taken captive along with both of his parents, his brother and his sister.  His father and sister did not survive.
In his memoir, All Rivers Run to the Sea, Weisel described the pain and suffering he experienced in Auschwitz.  He also made observations about the people who survived and who did not survive. 
In his first few months in the concentration camp, he watched the other prisoners as they were struggling to survive.  He noticed that many of the people who died had one thing in common.  They had no one to live for beyond themselves.  They selfishly ate all of their food, drank all of their water and kept to themselves.
The ones who survived were the ones who shared their food and water and did everything they could to preserve the lives of others.
This is what made all the difference for Weisel’s experience in Auschwitz.  He survived, because he was not focused on himself.  He was not trying to preserve his own life.  He wanted to live for his mother.

People who go to work only to make more money and to accumulate more possessions are only living for themselves.  This is a selfish existence and a life where money is lord.
Christians are supposed to be different.  As Christians, we do not live for ourselves… we do not work for money as our lord…we work for Jesus as our Lord.