Every Shepherd Needs a Sheepdog: One Another Ministry

Posted by Chris on March 16, 2008 under Sermons

Focus: Equip the entire church for shepherding in the congregation.

The origin of the phrase: “Every shepherd needs a sheepdog.”

The shepherds described in the bible do not have sheepdogs. Shepherds are leaders and the various leaders of God’s people – kings, judges, elders – are described as shepherds. sheepdogs are not known in any of the biblical literature. It wouldn’t be a good image anyway as herding dogs are not what biblical leadership is all about. But there is a biblical idea of other leaders who are a companion and support to the leaders – like a sheepdog is for a shepherd. Now that’s biblical …

Read Exodus 18
Focus: Biblical teaching affirms that there is a place for those who help the shepherds shepherd.
Isn’t it great that God’s Word recalls a time when Moses, the great hero and leader of God’s people, gets some advice from his father-in-law! That makes sense, too: Since Moses was raised in Egypt, we might safely assume that it was his father-in-law who taught him how to shepherd …

1. Jethro’s wisdom to Moses affirms that God’s spirit may be shared with others. Jethro affirms that leadership may be shared. Even though Jethro isn’t an Israelite, he knows a lot about the Most High God. He knows that God is not threatened by others who can administer his grace and wisdom. In fact, when more people are equipped to administer God’s grace and spirit it makes all of God’s people healthier. (verse 23)
2. It is also good for God’s leaders. Jethro is giving Moses a little lesson in preventing burnout. Burnout is a bad thing when we ignore its message. The ultimate message of burnout is: You are not God. Let’s encourage all ministry leaders to equip others to do what they do. There will be countless leaders among God’s people – ministers, elders, ministry leaders. We come and go – but only God remains. So it isn’t just a good idea to equip others to do what we do – it is God’s idea, too!
3. In the early church, this principle was put into practice by the apostles. (Acts 6.) They entrusted seven men to lead the distribution of food to widows. They shared God’s leadership and equipped others to minister in their stead. They equipped others to “shepherd” in response to church conflict and the church was healthier as a result. But the mission of God was also supplied. After appointing Phillip to this ministry we don’t read about his adventures in the food pantry, rather we see that he is doing an apostle’s work – he’s making disciples! Equipping others to shepherd in God’s name furthers the mission of God.

Concern: But if we permit everyone to “shepherd” then who’s in charge? Who has authority?

1. Let’s be clear – When we say that we are the “Church of Christ” that means that all authority among us belongs to Christ Jesus. Who’s in charge? Christ is Lord.
2. Christ is so clearly Lord that his authority can be dispensed among those who develop his character and spirit. Now that certainly includes elders. When the “qualifications” of an elder are mentioned it turns out that those are characteristics. All of these characteristics are the sort of behavior that should be standard for all of God’s people. The authority of elders is rooted in their credibility to teach and model how we ought to behave. Their main task is to lead us – or shepherd us – to become more like Christ.
   • In the early centuries, what was the focus of shepherding: spiritual care, care of souls, spiritual formation, tending to people and their needs?

   • What do we typically associate with shepherding now? (Over the last 100 years) – Board meetings, decisions, building budgets, property projects. This is not classical shepherding.

In Christ’s church, the Holy Spirit of God equips members to minister to one another. (See Ephesians 4:11). Let’s do two things:

1. Let’s affirm others gifts for ministry and encourage them to minister to the church. [Several of our Lions for Christ college students are making a trip this week to Texas to do ministry. Shane is their leader, their “shepherd” of sorts, but he has equipped these young adults to minister to others and to minister to one another.]

2. Let’s all make a personal commitment to step up with whatever God has given us and find a way to minister to others with the resources and talents that God has given us.

I am thankful that our elders and ministers have the wisdom of Jethro and Moses and they are prepared and ready to encourage each of you to minister to others. They believe in the words that Paul wrote to the Romans …

I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. – Romans 15:14

Old Country and Promised Land

Posted by Chris on March 9, 2008 under Sermons

1. Protestant Reformation

   16th century challenges to authority of the Pope in Western Europe

   • Lutheran Reformation [Luther, 1517]
   • Reformed Reformation [Zwingli & Calvin, 1518]
   • Radical Reformation/Anabaptists [Menno Simons, 1520’s]
   • English Reformation [Henry VIII & Cromwell, 1530’s]
   • Scottish Reformation [John Knox, 1559]

   “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils … my conscience is captive to the Word of God.” — Martin Luther

   “We acknowledge and confess that we now … have two sacraments only, instituted by the Lord Jesus … baptism and the supper, or table of the Lord Jesus.” — Scottish Confession of Faith (1560)

   Legacy of the Reformation

   1. Papal authority rejected
   2. Biblical authority emphasized
   3. Worship simplified
   4. Baptism and Communion essential sacraments
2. The Enlightenment
   • Philosophical movement during 17th and 18th century.
   • Confidence in the power of human reason.
   • Knowledge comes through experience and observation.
   • All assumptions about life, world and humanity are reconsidered.

   Ren? Descartes (1596-1650)

   “I think, therefore I am.”

   Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

   • Introduced empirical method
   • Promoted Christian unity as reasonable
   • Truth is fruit of experience, not authority

   John Locke (1632-1704)

   • Founder of Empiricism
   • Human Reasoning and the Tabula Rasa
   • Separation of Church and State
   • Power resides with the people

   Thomas Reid (1710-1796)

   • Scottish “Common Sense” School of Philosophy
   • We know things directly
   • University of Glasgow professor

   Legacy of the Enlightenment

   1. Emphasis on Human Reason
   2. Truth is perceived through experience and human senses
   3. Common Sense – “We know things directly and do not infer them through ideas.”
3. Religious Revival
   • Religious revivals generated new religious movements.
     • Anglican
       • Congregationalists (Cotton, 1636)
       • Quakers (Fox, 1647)
       • Methodists (Wesley, 1729)
     • Reformed
       • Baptists (Williams, 1639)
   • The Great Awakening of 18th century [Johnathan Edwards& George Whitefield] split some mainline churches.
     • Presbyterians
     • Episcopalians

   Legacy of the Revivals

   1. Church autonomy
   2. Evangelicalism – personal saving faith rather than routine membership in the national church
   3. Fractured fellowships – Presbyterians & Anglicans especially
4. American Democracy
   • The American Colonies are religiously diverse and a refuge from persecution.
   • America is regarded as uncorrupted
   • American democracy appeared to be God’s government.
   • America was destined to be the land of the millennial dawn.

   Great Seal of the United States
   
   ANNUIT COEPTIS = He has smiled on our beginnings
   NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM = A New Order of the Ages
   “There’s an all-seeing eye …”

   God’s Promised Land

   A battle flag of the Revolution read: “Resistance to Tyrants is Obedience to God”

   Freedom from Church Control

   • Casting out the Anglican Bishop (1769)
   • “No lords spiritual or temporal in New England!”
   • Banner: “Liberty and Freedom of Conscience.”

   The U.S. Constitution

   • If God-ordained nation was possible, why not religion?
   • Many churches organize to become independent American churches.

   Primitive Religion

   “When we shall have unlearned everything which has been taught since [Jesus’] day, and got back to the pure and simple doctrines … if nothing had ever been added … the whole world would at this day have been Christian.” — Thomas Jefferson (1821)

   Christians Only

   • James O’Kelly (1735-1826)
   • Methodist; North Carolina & Virginia
   • “I am for Bible government, Christian equality, and the Christian name.”

   Religious Freedom

   • Abner Jones – Vermont
   • Elias Smith – New Hampshire
   • Baptists
   • New England Christian Connection
   

   Legacy of American Democracy

   1. Millennial expectations
   2. Independence from older state churches
   3. Primitive, simple religion
   4. Independent churches – religious freedom

Diet and Exercise for the Soul: The Importance of Spiritual Formation

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

In February 2003, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock began an experiment that would later become the basis for his documentary, “Supersize Me.” For 30 days, Spurlock vowed to eat nothing but McDonald’s food – all three meals. He exercised very little, only walking around town – but nothing strenuous or regular.

Spurlock’s film caused McDonald’s to drop its Super-Sized menu. They also added healthier choices to their menus. Spurlock claimed that he made the movie to highlight the growing epidemic of “obesity” in the United States.

Thanks to Spurlock and many, many others the incontrovertible evidence is before us – diet and exercise matter. If one eats too much or eats poorly and exercises very little or not at all, then we know what happens. It isn’t a mystery. It shouldn’t really shock us. Did we really need a film to convince us that eating McD’s for 30 days probably isn’t the best diet? If you want to get healthy there’s no mystery to that – eat right and exercise more. That’s really all there is to it.

We understand this when it comes to our physical health. But do we realize that it is pretty much the same when it comes to our spiritual health?

If the goal of diet and exercise for our physical bodies is to maintain our health, then there should also be some sort of goal when it comes to diet and exercise for the soul. Paul described that goal in Galatians 4:8-20.

Christ Formed in Us …

1. “Straining at Gnats, Swallowing Camels” – (legalism vs. formation) – Paul was very concerned that the Galatians were not getting the right sort of spiritual diet and exercise. They has resorted to legalism which is the spiritual equivalent of quick fix weight loss treatments. Legalism is the mistaken and arrogant attempt to focus in on rules and codes. Very often legalism attracts us by causing us to focus on things that we can do to get it right. Jesus encountered this sort of thinking among the Pharisees. Matthew 23:23-24 – “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”
   1. Legalism is a neurotic focus on our ability to keep rules
   2. Spiritual Formation is focusing on becoming more like Jesus
   3. Being like Jesus means having the ability to recognize what’s important to God rather than what’s important to us. Notice what Jesus’ weight issue – justice, mercy, faithfulness.
2. Teaching to the Test rather than Training for Life (information vs. formation) – Spiritual formation involves more than simple information. One of the first groups in Christianity to be labeled heretics were the Gnostics. The Gnostics believed that salvation could be achieved by knowledge. If you knew the right things, if you had access to information, then you were among the saved.
   1. The Gnostic tendency is still with us. Knowledge is a good thing – much better than ignorance. It is rewarding to learn. In a culture where knowledge is emphasized it is easy to describe our faith in terms of “what we know.”
   2. But it doesn’t really do us any good to know the names of the 12 apostles if we lie to our mom. Are we more like Christ when we articulate a doctrine of church government or are we more like Christ when we treat our neighbors with love and respect?
   3. Paul warned Timothy not to be distracted by those who thought of faith in terms of teaching to the test. (1 Timothy 4:6-8, The Message) “Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God-no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.”

Training for Godliness

1. Discipline – Being a disciple means learning to be a discipline. Richard Foster wrote a book about 25 years ago that has become a modern classic. It is titled The Celebration of Discipline. Foster rediscovered the classical spiritual disciplines: prayer, study, meditation, worship, fasting, service, silence. Christian authors had not focused on such things in years. Critics claimed that these spiritual disciplines were in danger of becoming “works righteousness.” But Foster pointed out that was absolutely contrary to the spirit of the disciplines. The disciplines are training for godliness. We cannot expect to godly people “when it counts” if we are not training in godliness every day.
2. Trials – Godliness counts when the difficulties arise. Rather than see these as setbacks to faith or misfortune, this is where our training goes to work. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1.)
3. Cord of Three Strands – One of the best bits of advice that’s given to people who are trying to change their health through diet and exercise is: Find a friend. We take encouragement from others and we give encouragement to others. A well worn lesson about spiritual formation builds on the image of Ecclesiastes 4:12 – A cord of three strands is not easily broken. The wise teacher is saying that we don’t do well on our own. We need each other. The lesson built on this cord of three strands suggests that each of us has in our sphere of influence: mentors, peers, and students.
   1. Who is your influence? Who helps you become more like Christ?
   2. Who do you influence? Who could you help become more like Christ?

Remembering a Forgotten Past

Posted by Chris on March 2, 2008 under Sermons

Discovering Our Roots

• Roots: The Saga of an American Family — Alex Haley’s family story
• 1977 mini-series
• Increased interest in genealogy and history
• Unknown history

Do We Have a History?

“The past should be consigned to the rubbish heap where Christ died!” — Barton W. Stone

Why Study Our History?

1. Wisdom of Past Generations
2. Understanding the Bible
3. Understanding our Culture
4. Understanding our Future
5. Understanding Tradition

• The Road to the Future Leads through the Past

Tradition: Good or Bad?

• Empty traditions distract from the intent of God.
  Matthew 15:1-6; Colossians 2:8
• Enriching traditions draw us to the intent of God.
  1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6

time changes things

“Critical History”

• HAGIOGRAPHY – (Non-Critical)
• DECONSTRUCTION – (Over-Critical)

What is Restoration?

• Plan
• Purpose
• On-going
• Unity

“Unity is my polar star.” — Barton W. Stone

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one-as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.”— Jesus Christ (John 17:20-22)

Raising the Bar: Expecting the Best From One Another

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

He said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, making rude gestures at the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday-School’ bumper sticker, the ‘Choose Life’ license plate holder, and the chrome-plated Jesus fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally … I assumed you had stolen the car.”

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? This story reminds us that being a disciple is more than simply signing up for the right causes or taking a particular stance on issues and doctrines; being a disciple of Jesus means living out the teachings of Jesus.

Every Sunday we are sent out beneath a banner that reminds us of our mission: “Making Disciples for Jesus Who Are Eager to Serve Others.” Let’s start talking about some practical efforts that would help us fulfill this mission. A few weeks ago, Charles Siburt started the conversation by describing what congregations similar to ours are doing to fulfill Christ’s mission. I’ve adapted that list and attempted to make these suggestions practical to our situation. I’ve also considered the biblical principles involved in each of these. So over the next few weeks, why don’t we study and converse about our Future Together as Disciples of Jesus.

We’ve got to begin by Raising the Bar. Following Jesus means something. As someone once said, “Christ takes us as we are, but he isn’t content to leave us like that.” If we are going to effectively “make disciples for Jesus,” then it is critical that we should “be disciples” of Jesus.

1. Maturing in Christ (Colossians 1:28) – When I was beginning my ministry as a campus minister at Arkansas Tech University, I searched for a way to describe what that ministry was about. After all, there were so many things that had to be done – preaching, teaching, evangelism, and fellowship. Was one more important than the others? I wondered if they all fit together somehow. Why spend time on fellowship if evangelism is more important. Why not spend every minute teaching? Then I paid attention to something that Paul wrote in Colossians 1:28 “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”

There it was all together. The preaching, teaching, and encouraging had a goal: perfection in Christ. Not perfection as a flawless performance, but perfection as maturity. When Paul worked to “make disciples” he raised the bar high. His goal was to present disciples who grew up (matured) to be more like Christ.

The standard we should have then should be no less. Let’s strive with all the energy and resources that Christ gives us to present ourselves and one another as mature, Christ-like disciples. Let’s expect the best from one another. Let’s expect healthy, mature behavior from one another.

The letters of the New Testament were not written to perfect, flawless church communities. The writers did not sit down and write out ideal theories of how the church should work. Rather, the letters of the NT are written often to hurting, conflicted, troubled churches and the writers are inspired to apply the teachings of Christ to the situation at hand. [Think of Philippians which we just finished.] The writers of the NT always expect the best of these troubled churches. They raise the bar! In another letter to a very troubled church, Paul describes this as type of mature, healthy, Christ-like behavior as love …

Read 1 Corinthians 13.

2. Acting Like Jesus. About 20 years ago, Paul Faulkner wrote a book called Making Things Right When Things Go Wrong. One of the ways of doing that is to “Act Better Than You Feel.” It sounds like hypocrisy at first, but Dr. Faulkner makes this distinction: A hypocrite is one who acts like that which he or she never intends to become. Acting better than we feel is growth. We act like that which we do intend to become.

I think the advice to act better than we feel is even more needed today. We should expect more from one another than the upper limit of our feelings. We may not feel like being polite. We may not feel like being kind. We may not feel like sharing. We may not feel like being responsible. We may not feel like being patient. But at best our feelings can only serve as an explanation for our behavior; never an excuse!

When we are stressed, angry, upset or in disagreement with others we especially need to act better than we feel. Being a disciple of Jesus means we might think or feel any number of ways, but we don’t act any way we want. We act like Jesus – which means as his disciples we will be patient, kind, not envious, not arrogant, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered.

3. Expect the Best and Think the Best of Others. You never know which Razorback basketball team is going to show up at the game – the good one or the not so good one. But despite their ups and downs, no one is seriously criticizing Coach John Pelphrey. Maybe that’s because he seems to consistently expect the best and makes no excuses. His high expectations make them a better team.

If we can expect a coach to expect the best of athletes, then we should certainly expect the best from one another as disciples. High expectation will make us better people. But is that really loving to expect so much? Paul described love as a virtue that “keeps no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”

Raising the Bar and expecting the best from ourselves and others means practicing loving accountability. Love demands it.

• We are not keeping a list of offenses.
• We are not delighting or feeling vindicated when others sin and fail. Rather we rejoice when they live their lives honestly.

Expecting the best from one another means we must also think the best about one another. Disciples of Jesus can put aside suspicion and mistrust.

• We seek to promote the truth about others (holy gossip).
• We protect the integrity of others and show respect for everyone.
• We hope for the best behavior in others.
• We will endure difficulties together and hope for better days. And we believe we can get there with Christ’s help because we have raised the bar high enough.

Conflict Resolution

Posted by Chris on February 24, 2008 under Sermons

Philippians 4

Parakaleo Formula

Therefore + parakaleo (“I urge”) + addressed person(s) + infinitive verb = purpose of letter

Examples of Formula

• Romans 12:1 – Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices
• 1 Corinthians 4:16 – Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
• Ephesians 4:1 – I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
• 1 Peter 2:11- I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

Who Are They?

• Euodia – Good Luck
• Syntyche – Fortunate or Success
• They were “fellow workers” with Paul and others.
• They “contended at his side”
• Influential in the congregation

The Loyal Yokefellow

• Paul’s wife (Lydia?)
• The husband or brother of either Euodia or Syntyche
• Epaphroditus
• Timothy
• Silas
• Luke
• Christ
• The bishop of Philippi
• A proper name – Syzygos

Paul and Philippians

• They were the only church to support Paul in his mission to Macedonia
• Team talk – “synathlein” (v. 3)
• Unity talk – Shared in support and shared in troubles (v. 14)

Unity

• Is it a spirit and attitude?
• Is it a plan or movement?
• Story of the 1832 Union in Lexington, Kentucky

Having the Same Mind

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Philippians 4:1-9

How do we stand firm?

1. Have the same mind in the Lord. (v. 1-3) What sort of surprise or electric tension must have filled the room when Paul named names. Euodia and Syntyche were very important leaders in the Philippian congregation. They had worked along side Paul in his mission. However, they were quarreling.
   • What was the issue? Who was right? Paul doesn’t mention it. Why? — Obviously because it did not matter. What mattered was that Euodia and Synthyche should move past their quarrel, conflict, and anxiety and “have the same mind in the Lord.”
   • Paul pleads with them to agree with each other, but he doesn’t want them to simply conform or set aside their convictions. Rather, he wants them to agree “in the Lord.” Having the same mind and attitude that Christ Jesus had (Philippians 2:5-11). All that talk about being like Christ and being concerned about others interests and not just your own – it was aimed at these two women that Paul cared about.
   • And Paul calls upon this loyal companion (yokefellow) to help them. Who does he mean? Maybe he didn’t name anyone because he wants everyone in the congregation to be the loyal companion and help these women come together rather than rip apart. When disputes and disagreements take place among us and around us we may be asked, “Whose side are you on? Who do you side with?” Will you “go camping” or will you be a loyal yokefellow?
   • Conflict in any group is inevitable. It will happen, but how we manage it as a group depends on our attitude and our maturity. Euodia and Syntyche were quarreling and they began to think that the solution was for the church to “go camping.” That sounds nice, but they were trying to form two separate camping parties. The rest of should be careful that we don’t get caught up in the camping trip. We too easily get divided and our language and labeling begins to reflect that: Black and white, right and wrong, red state/blue state, conservatives/liberals, anti’s and pro’s, fer it and agin it. These sort of polarizations are not part of the work of the gospel.
   • Maybe that sounds as if I (and Paul) are saying “There are no absolutes; only a big fuzzy warm gray middle of the road mush.” No, there is an absolute and we’ve already acknowledged that: The example and attitude of Jesus Christ is the absolute. Euodia and Syntyche do not have a corner on absolutes – neither do we. Being a disciple does not mean working to make others agree with us, it means working with each other to agree with Christ.
   • Paul is not avoiding conflict, and neither can we. But let’s understand whose team we’re on. Paul commends Euodia and Syntyche by remembering how they were part of the same team. They struggled with each other and with Paul, and Clement, and all the others who are on God’s roster. When we start opposing each other and positioning others to oppose each other we are not behaving as those who have faced opposition together. It’s not friendly fire when you spend too much time “aiming your sights” on your fellow soldier. Let’s stand firm together – having the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.
2. Rejoice Always! (v. 4) Internal conflicts and anxieties make us lose courage and creativity. We get depressed and angry and that only fuels the fire. It only makes us more anxious and paranoid. Paul encouraged the Philippians to rejoice in all situations – even those where joy might not be the typical response. How do we do that? First, our rejoicing is in Christ. We have comfort and encouragement in Christ. So, we can be encouraged and come together because we have a source of joy that is much deeper and richer than sugary glee. Rejoicing is more than happiness and enjoyment. Without denying sorrow and suffering, it means participating in the grace and peace of Christ regardless of our circumstances.

3. Make it evident. (v. 5) Make what evident? KJV reads moderation. NIV reads gentleness. NLT reads consideration. What is it that we are supposed to make evident? Outside of biblical usage this word might be translated as “sweet reasonableness” (Matthew Arnold). Aristotle described it as a quality of character that respected justice, but was generous enough to allow that justice did not injure. In other words, it is the sort of maturity and graciousness in someone that they can forgive and not insist on demanding that all their rights be satisfied. That seems to work really well in this letter. That sounds a lot like the attitude of Christ who demand his rights but humbled himself. That sounds like the sort of attitude that could help a fractured, conflicted church family move toward peace.
   • And we ought to make it evident and visible because “the Lord is near.” That’s doesn’t just mean that he’s coming back, it means he is always near by. That sounds like Jesus himself who said, “I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:19-20
   • (v. 6a) And if we are going to make this sort of “graciousness and sweet reasonableness” evident then we will need to stop worrying. Conflict and disputing magnifies worry. It’s a vicious cycle because the worry in turn makes the conflict continue. But when the Lord is with us we can hear him say to us, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6)
   • (v. 6b) The way to be anxious about nothing is to pray about everything. We worry about what others think, but in prayer we are assured that it only matters what God thinks. We worry about what others may do, but in prayer we are assured that it only matters what God will do. We worry about change, but in prayer we are assured that God does not change.
   • (v. 7) Euodia and Syntyche were without a doubt very worried, very anxious, and perhaps angry. They had come down with the “frantic flu” and they had spread the virus in the congregation. [And when you spread a virus you don’t spread the gospel]. They had tried all their own remedies to ease their symptoms, but Paul offers the only cure – the peace of God. The peace of God is greater than our own ability to understand. It is effective enough to protect our hearts and minds. If we will have the same mind and heart that was in Jesus, we will also have that peace.
4. Finally, we need to think and act like Christ.
   • We focus our minds on: whatever is truthful, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. What if we focused on these qualities in others. What if Euodia could focus on that which is [list] in Syntyche? What if Syntyche could focus on that which is [list] in Euodia? What if we focused on that which is [list] in the people that we might disagree with? Would that make a difference? Would that turn conflict around and lead us to the peace of Christ?
   • But we are responsible for our own behavior and so we have to put into action: 1) the lessons we’ve learned, 2) the trust and good traditions that were passed on to us, and 3) the examples of others who show us the way. If we do that then the peace of God will be with us.

Epilogue:

So what happened after this letter was read to this church family in Philippi? Euodia was on one side of the room. Syntyche was standing on the other side. Most likely after the reading of the letter, the congregation gathered around a table. Some folks brought bread and they shared with those who didn’t have any. Some folks brought wine and they shared with others. Wouldn’t it have been fitting if the church circled together, pulling in Euodia and Syntyche from their opposite sides and seated them at the table. And there in the presence of the Lord, these two women and all the church family prayed together. And Euodia served bread to Syntyche and Syntyche served a cup of joy to Euodia. And they ate and drank together with thanksgiving.

What will we do now that this letter has been read to us? “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

Imitation of Christ

Posted by Chris on February 17, 2008 under Sermons

The dynamic of the Christ hymn in Philippians 2:5-11 shows a downward movement and upward movement. The downward movement is the humility of Christ who abandons his interest in self for the sake of obedience and identification with humanity. The upward movement is God’s exaltation of Christ.

This becomes the key example in a set of other examples for the edification of the Philippian congregation …

CHRIST (2:5-11)
Philippians 2:4 – Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1. Paul (2:17-18)
2. Timothy (2:19-24)
3. Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

Paul (2:17-18)

1. Poured out like wine …
2. On their sacrifice and service
3. Mutual rejoicing – He is glad for them and they should be glad for him.

Timothy (2:19-24)

1. Interest in the welfare of others
2. Concerned about Christ’s interests and not self-interest
3. Timothy proved himself through his service to Paul

Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

1. Brother, fellow-worker, fellow -soldier
2. He was sent for Paul’s sake by Philippian church
3. His mission nearly cost him his life
4. He is concerned for them
5. Paul sends him for their sake

Christian Maturity
“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” – Philippians 3:10-11

Maturity in Christ

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Read Philippians 3:1 – 4:1.

Two undesirable extremes …

1. Self-Righteousness. The characteristics are as follows:
   • Self-Righteousness
     – Misplaced Confidence
   • Laws, Customs
   • “Dead Faith”
   • Arrogance
   • Anxiety
   • Appearances
   • Materialistic
   1. The confidence is in laws, rituals, and customs. In Philippi, there were some who were insisting that Gentiles had to take on the practice of the Jewish system. Circumcision was the first step. The confidence is misplaced
   2. Tradition vs. Traditionalism – There’s nothing wrong with tradition. It is good in many ways. Just as there is nothing wrong with law. But when our confidence and maturity depends on these externals we have traditionalism. “Tradition is the living faith of dead people, traditionalism is the dead faith of living people.” (Jaroslav Pelikan)
   3. Arrogance – Self-righteousness leads to the mindset that our self-designed system is the only means of salvation. We become “brokers” of God’s grace and others have to come through us to get to God. We get over-confident in our efforts and our achievements.
   4. Anxiety – Of course this can also make us anxious. If it is all up to us to figure this out, then that is quite a burden. We don’t want anyone to tamper with our efforts and we are threatened by anything that seems to threaten the “system.”
   5. Appearances – Since the focus is on the externals (a checklist mentality) faithfulness and righteousness tend to be judged on appearance only. The observables. This is how we evaluate ourselves and others.
   6. Materialistic – Spirituality becomes nothing more than what is tangible and quantitative. This is not to say that embodied practice is not spiritual, but if the material is the extent of the experience, then spirituality is limited.
2. Self-Indulgence. The characteristics are as follows:
   • Self-Indulgence
     – No confidence
   • Worldliness
     – Sensual satisfaction
   • Justifying Shame
   • “Dead Future”
   • Materialistic
   1. There’s no confidence in spiritual things. Enemies of the cross. Spiritual things are useless or too hard to understand. It’s magic and/or academics. No interest in the spiritual.
   2. Worldliness – God is the belly. God is the body. In poverty, you have to think about bodily survival. In wealth, even moderate wealth, we focus on sensual satisfaction. Think of the indulgence industry in this culture: entertainment, thrill-seeking, porn, appearance and beauty, mood adjustment – “make me feel better, make me happy!”
   3. Justifying Shame – We don’t want to hear God’s challenge. We want to be okay just as we are. We don’t want to be ashamed. Please don’t make us repent – Don’t make us change.
   4. Dead Future – Destiny is destruction. It will kill us and consume us. Emptiness, Loneliness, Anger are the result of excess indulgence.
   5. Materialistic – No spirituality, the focus is on worldliness. So if there is any grasping about for something spiritual, then the self-righteous is actually attractive. Why? Because it is a materialistic faith that promises a few quick fixes that satisfy self.

So which option is best? Are they really that different? Which way should we lean? Neither tendency seems acceptable …

What if there is a different, more excellent way? Not a mid-point or a balance, but a way that pushes out the empty, unsatisfying options – even the unsatisfying blend of options.

This is the righteousness of the cross – the attitude of Christ Jesus.

1. Worship by the power of God’s Spirit and take pride in Christ Jesus. That’s our confidence
2. We don’t brag about our heritage or our accomplishments. It doesn’t mean we cannot appreciate tradition nor does it mean we shouldn’t do anything. There’s nothing wrong with it, but we don’t boast about it. We don’t seek advantage based on our efforts or past.
3. We simply have a perspective that puts Christ above everything else. Christ and his power and person is the test of all things.
4. So we want to KNOW Christ – It’s not what you know, but who you know. Since Christ is alive, we don’t just learn about him, we learn from him. We imitate him. We want to be like him. We imitate those who follow him. [Christianity is not a degree, it’s on the job training.] (Nothing wrong with education or academics – it beats ignorance, but that doesn’t insure righteousness! We have to learn how to live and learn character and spirit).
5. Righteousness is about developing faith and trust in God, not a checklist of do’s and don’ts. Do’s and don’ts are for beginners, for infants.
6. Maturity is developing perfection in Christ. We grow. We learn from God along the way. This is not a stale and static system. It’s a living process. Developmental.
7. So, we come back to these old lessons … We live life worthily. Life has meaning; it’s worth living if we live it worthily. (Philippians 1:27) We can say no to sensual indulgence and get past legalistic concerns because life has meaning in God. We are citizens of heaven – that’s special.
8. We have something to look forward to because our lives are changed and they are being made new by God as we go along. This is the power of the resurrection at work – even now!
9. We practice love. (2:1-4) That’s Christ’s attitude – taking interest in others (Philippians 2:5-11). That is commUNITY. We are joined together in CHRIST. So we are not alone. We have genuine relationship that are not possible through self-righteousness (always worried about what others think) or self-indulgence (using others for our pleasure)
10. Stand Firm – This is how we strive together and work together. (1:27-30)

Faith or Works

Posted by Chris on February 3, 2008 under Sermons

Theme: Maturity in Christ, Transformation of Character, Virtue and Spiritual Discipline

The background to the debate –

Oct. 31, 1517 – 95 theses. The sale of indulgences. Martin Luther was reacting to an empty system of righteousness that had been turned into a commercial transaction.

Luther was particularly fascinated with the Book of Romans.

Martin Luther was never sure about the book of James.

• Luther lived in a time when the church taught that grace could be merited through works of righteousness. Salvation could be bought. Sins were forgiven only if proper penance were performed. This system of merit and penance made the rulers of the powerful -they held the keys to heaven.
• Luther’s great discovery was the doctrine of grace as it was laid out in Romans. That teaching on grace shook the power of the corrupt church hierarchy.
• But the Epistle of James was a problem. “Faith without works is dead” was difficult for the leader of the Reformation. He called the epistle “strawy” and wondered if it should even be taken out of the NT.

Soren Kierkegaard later recognized the problems of his day when Luther’s teaching on salvation by grace was misunderstood.

• He warned of worldliness and cheap grace. That Christ died so that we may indulge ourselves.
• “We are free from all works. Long live Luther! Who loves not women, wine and song remains a fool his whole life long! This is the significance of the life of Luther, this man of God who, suited to the times, reformed Christianity.”
• Kierkegaard’s comments still apply. We are so conditioned to react against faith by works and legalism that we can talk about holiness and spiritual discipline only with difficulty.
• Self-righteousness is repulsive. But how can we be righteous without being holier-than-thou? Can we celebrate spiritual maturity or must we be content to say “I’m just human”?

Bonhoeffer – Cheap grace vs. Costly Grace

James and Paul:

• James’ message is about the nature of faith. Faith, real faith, will take action. That’s just its nature. .
• Luther understood this: “It is impossible to separate works from faith – yea, just as impossible as to separate burning and shining from fire.”
• Paul makes it clear that no work or deed can earn the love and grace of God. God’s salvation is a gift.
• It is unmerited, but to say it is “unconditional” is not entirely accurate – for it changes our condition. Once we were sinners, now we are the saved. Once we were controlled by the sinful nature, now we are led by the Spirit of Christ.
• God’s love and grace are transforming. Paul believed that the Holy Spirit working in people could be seen in real action: the fruit of the spirit!

Mature in Christ:

• Paul believed that the goal of his ministry was to create mature believers. This I have taken as my vision statement for my ministry (Colossians 1:28)
• “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.” Admirable for its humility, but not for its vision of holiness and maturity.
• We are called to “work out our salvation.” Not work for or work toward, but work out. That means our salvation must show “in the flesh.” Jesus was God “in the flesh” and our salvation (like our Lord) must come in the flesh. Our inward faith and our outward deeds must be consistent.
• This means we become intentional, deliberate and disciplined with the life we live. Why? Because not only have we heard the truth of the gospel, we desire to live it!

What Would Jesus Do (WWJD)?

• Why can’t we just play golf like Tiger Woods? Why can’t we simply play football like Eli Manning or Tom Brady after watching the Super Bowl?
• We know that they can do what they do because of years of training and a dedication to their sport. To be like them means much more than copying their moves after watching them once.
• WWJD on a deeper level means more than just thinking about Christ at a moment of decision or temptation. It means practicing his manner of life. It means being Christ every minute. Following him. How can we know what Jesus would do if we don’t follow him totally?
• Look at what he did when he was alone – he was in prayer, he fasted, he was in the temple at age 12. For Jesus, faith and works were the same thing. And it can be for us too if we will get serious about becoming disciples of the Lord Jesus.

The Great Commission:

• “What is our plan for teaching our people to do everything Christ commanded?” (Willard, p. 16) Does this seem like too much to ask? It’s not my idea, it’s part of the great commission – a part we have neglected.
• We have a sort of defeatist attitude too often. We admit that we’re going to sin no matter how hard we try, so we might as well just accept it. I think there is a way for us to be more confident without boasting. It will mean relying on the spirit of Christ. It will mean submitting our works to God’s will so that he can accomplish his purposes through us.
• Christianity can only be a guide if … [see Willard p. ix]
• Our works and deeds do matter for salvation. But not so we will be saved. No, that misses the point – it’s not for our sake, but for the sake of the world!
• The greatest obstacle for nonbelievers today is that they recognize no difference between Christians and non-Christians. How can we be salt if we have lost our saltiness?