Rev.
Debbie Cato
Philippians
1:27 – 2:4
Fairfield
Community Church
October
15, 2023
Holy God, So
far, the Apostle Paul has taught us about joy and hope. Continue to open our minds and our hearts to
all that he has to teach us. Help us to
hear all that he writes to the Church in Philippi and apply it to our lives and
the life of our church. Amen.
Unity in
Christ
We saw
last week that Paul’s most important goal in life was for the gospel to be
proclaimed throughout the world. It didn’t
matter to him if the motives of the people sharing that message were for envy or
rivalry, or for love and goodwill. It also
didn’t matter if he was the one delivering the message – he would continue to
rejoice in spite of any hardships or setbacks because he knew God was always in
control.
As Paul continues his letter to the church in Philippi, he writes, 27 “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[e] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.”
Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. What are some actions that you would consider worthy of the gospel of Christ?
Paul is raising a key matter he wants to address further with the Philippian believers: the issue of them conducting themselves in a way that will serve to bring others to Christ. Although he is thankful for them, he has heard of some disharmony among the members of the congregation that is disrupting their witness to the world. Paul points out some of the qualities that make for a harmonious and unified community – ones that imitates the example and humility of Christ.
As Christ’s ministry drew to a close, Jesus spoke urgently and prayed fervently about the unified way his followers should live. The Gospel of John speaks about how Jesus wants us to live in harmony and love one another sacrificially. Such unconditional devotion sets us apart and causes the world to stare in awe.[1] To love someone sacrificially means it costs me something to love you. I give up something of myself to love you unconditionally. Can we say we love one another – members of this faith community, sacrificially?
Conversely, if we bicker and feud among ourselves or when we bring shame on the name of Christ, the world mocks us. So often this is what the world sees of us Christians. It is not good. It is not good advertisement. It is only in unity we shine and only together we fully enjoy all the blessings of God.[2]
The truth is, people are watching our behavior as Christians and this can either persuade or dissuade them from seeking Jesus. It is vital that our public behavior matches up with the gospel we proclaim. What would people say your reputation as a Christian is? What about our church’s reputation? Do we represent Christ well? Will our reputation persuade or dissuade others from seeking Christ? What do you need to change this week to ensure that all your intentions with other believers are worthy of the gospel?
Whether we like it or not, we are walking billboards for the gospel. People form opinions about Christ and draw conclusions about our faith based on how we live and interact. Imagine the damage when we claim to be Christians but then hold on to petty grudges. Or when we advertise ourselves as a God-inhabited community, yet our relationships are marked by self-centeredness and divisiveness. Paul suggests such disunity is the result of spiritual immaturity and insecurity. It’s only when we truly embrace the unlimited resources we have in Christ that we find the capacity to stop our selfish grasping for lesser things. When we are secure in him, we are freed up to become others-centered. Such selflessness shocks the world.[3]
Paul does not say that we should or even need to bring our thinking in line with each other. We do not have to hold the same opinions, we do not have to agree politically, we don’t even have to agree theologically! It’s o.k. that we come from different backgrounds and different cultures. God created us as unique individuals. Instead, what unites Christians is Christ and the characteristics that Christ himself exhibited.
If we receive any comfort from his love;
If there is
any common sharing in the Spirit;
If there is
any tenderness and compassion;
Then… then because there has been these
things. Because there has been comfort
from Christ’s love; sharing in His Spirit; tenderness and compassion; then, make
my joy complete by being like-minded –
Having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Do nothing
out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
In humility
value others above yourselves.
Do not
look at your own interests, look to the
interests of others.
There’s the answer! Since we have been given the absolute, unconditional, unending, perfect love of God, as true followers of Christ we must have the same love for others. We must be one in spirit since we all have the gift of the Holy Spirit. These things enable us to be of one mind and be unified. .
A number of years ago, I learned that I do not belong on a boat in the middle of the ocean. The waves and movement of the ocean is too much for me. Picture the color green if you would. Anyway, I do know that when a ship is out to sea and a bad storm hits, the secret for finding land is not to aim toward another boat. It is also not to stare at the waves. Instead, you set your eyes on something that is unaffected by the wind – a light on the shore, and you head straight toward it. This is why light- houses were built. The lights of the lighthouse, or the fog lights shine brightly on a dark, storm driven sea at night. The light shines steady and the captain of a boat aims for it and is able to find land. The light is unaffected by the storm.[4] It does not move.
God is the same way. By seeking God, we do the same thing as that boat in the storm. When we set our sights on God, we focus on the one that never moves. That never changes. That is unaffected by the storms in our lives. When we focus on God, we will find our way.[5] When we focus on God as a community of faith, we find unity.
Let’s be a church; let’s be a people – a community, that focuses on Christ. Let’s focus on His extreme sacrificial love for us and continue to search for ways that we can share this love not only with one another here in these pews, but with our neighbors in our community. Let’s be a people – a community that refuses to get caught up in pettiness and disagreements that cause hurt feelings and division in our community and with one another. Let’s make a commitment that we will be focused on reconciliation and wholeness and continue to be a healthy community of believers – for the sake of the searchers and the unbelievers. Let’s be the lovers, the healers and helpers. Let’s be the truth-tellers and caregivers. People need a reminder that goodness still lives here. Let’s conduct ourselves in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.
[1] Life Lessons from Philippians. Max Lucado. HarperCollins Christian
Publishing. 2018. P 26.
[2] Life Lessons from
Philippians. Max Lucado. HarperCollins
Christian Publishing. 2018. P 26.
[3] Life Lessons from Philippians. Max Lucado. HarperCollins Christian
Publishing. 2018. P 36.
[4] Life Lessons from Philippians. Max Lucado. HarperCollins Christian
Publishing. 2018. P 26.
[5] [5] Life Lessons from
Philippians. Max Lucado. HarperCollins
Christian Publishing. 2018. P 26.
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