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2/03/02 - E4 INI Phil. 1:27-2:4 Dear Friends in Christ, Fellow Redeemed, Paul had been under house-arrest in Rome for nearly two years because of the Gospel of Christ. Now the Philippians rejoiced that his release seemed certain. Perhaps he would return to them. What great stories he would have to tell them about his stay in Rome and the victories of the Gospel he preached there. They had so much to talk about, if only he would come to them in person again! But there is something better than a good Christian talk, and that is a good Christian walk. The Philippians might have thought, “If only we could talk with Paul. But Paul writes, “only let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, whether I come and see your or not.” As much as Paul longed to see the Philippian Christians again, the only thing that really mattered was that they conducted themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Isn’t this the really important thing for you and me also— to be walking Christians, not just talking Christians? Think of it! Our Christ paid a tremendous price to redeem us all from sin and to give us eternal salvation in heaven. Shouldn’t we want to I. Living up to the gospel of Christ means that with one mind we stand firm and strive together for the Gospel faith! While Paul was away from them in Rome, he wanted to hear about the Philippians that they stood fast “in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” (V. 27) The Christian who says he believes in the Gospel of Christ, cannot be of the mind or spirit which compromises the teachings of Christ’s gospel. One such Christian was J.A.W. Haas. You won’t remember him. But back in 1936 he was one of the leaders of the old United Lutheran Church or ULC — which today is the ELCA. The ULC convention in 1936 declared, and I quote: “The service of women as members of church councils, delegates to synods, and members of boards is not unscriptural.” That ULC Convention further declared that, and I quote: “the words of Paul in 1Corinthians 11:3, 14:34, and ITimothy 2:11,12, were to be interpreted as temporary advice and not as containing a fundamental principle going back to the place of woman through creation.” (The Quartalschrift, Jan. 1937) This was Professor Haas’ firm response, and I quote: “If these words are simply opinions of St. Paul and are eliminated, then a dangerous, procedure has begun; for then other principles which have always been considered binding will be put aside according to the spirit of an age. I protest thoroughly against this type of interpretation which reduces certain words to mere human opinion and assails the integrity of the Word of God. Let us have this question out, and let us return to the sound position which has always been maintained in our church.” (Ibid.) Professor Haas had the right mind and spirit. But the United Lutheran Church did not have one and the same spirit and mind with him and the minority. Professor Haas’ church did NOT “strive together for the faith of the gospel.” One by one, the scriptural principles fell by the wayside in what became the LCA and now is the ELCA. Today this church is better known for “putting down” the gospel of Christ as the only way to salvation than for LIVING UP to it! We are not shooting down the ELCA in order to make ourselves look better. Rather, I want us all to see how important it is that we stand fast and strive together (Gr.= shoulder to shoulder) for the faith — the doctrine, the confession, the truth of the Gospel. If a church says it believes the Gospel of Christ, then it must be ready and willing to confess and defend all of its principles, or it will lose even faith in the cross itself, and be damned for it! The Apostle says here that the foundation for living up to the Gospel in our lives is CONFESSIONAL FIRMNESS on the part of all! But isn’t it a whole lot easier to run or fly away? Surely it’s easier to begin our public confession of Christ with our confirmation vows, than it is to continue confessing Him when so many of our friends do not! It is easier to “talk” about the teachings of Christ’s gospel among ourselves, then to “walk” in them among the unbelieving and those who scoff at God’s Word. Is this because we are afraid that others might think less of us, make fun of us, or harm us in some way because our beliefs and confession are not shared by the majority? Well, fill your hearts this morning with Paul’s encouraging words: “not terrified in any way by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition (eternal damnation), but to you (a proof) of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.” We should be happy to “stand fast” and to “strive” for the gospel faith without being afraid “in any way.” Why? Because those who oppose the truth of Christ and our speaking and living it, are showing that they are headed in the path which could lead to their eternal ruin, while we ourselves are taking part right now in the salvation “which comes from God.” But how can such opposition to us be evidence of our salvation which comes from God? Because when God graciously converted you and me, and made us His own, we were graciously granted “on behalf of Christ,” “not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” Paul says. Suffering in some measure for the sake of our Savior is part of the same territory that brings us that peace and everlasting life with God which is our greatest treasure. You can’t have one without the other! When we suffer for Christ’s sake, we experience what God’s believing children have always experienced. The Philippians had seen Paul and Silas terribly mistreated and thrown into prison on their first visit to their city. Now they heard that Paul was under arrest in Rome for the sake of the Gospel. The Philippian Christians were “having this same conflict.” This was no reason to become traitors to their Lord, or to lose their joy in standing firm together for the Gospel, because of the fear of embarrassment, ridicule, or injury. Rather, they should joyfully see the evidence of God’s continuing efforts to save them for Christ’s sake! So also should we. LIVING UP to the Gospel is a matter of having the right mind regarding the faithful and joyful confession of it, without compromise — in spite of all opposition! May it be said of this congregation that WE so STRIVE TOGETHER FOR THE GOSPEL FAITH! And may it also be said of us that with one mind we also strive for the sake of one another. This too is LIVING UP to the gospel of Christ. “If there is any consolation or admonition in Christ, if there is any comfort of love, if there is any fellowship of spirit, any affection and mercy,” — you KNOW all these wonderful fruits of the Spirit’s working among the believers in Philippi, are also here among us, and wherever the preaching of the Gospel of Christ’s love is found. When these conditions are present, Christians TOGETHER LIVE UP to the Gospel of Christ in their congregational life. They are like-minded toward one another, that is, they have the SAME LOVE each for the other. What this means in actual practice is stated in verses 3 and 4. Selfish ambition or conceit which is always trying to put one’s self forward, seeks it’s own glory, at the expense or shame of others, is entirely out of place in the Christian congregation. Rather, the opposite rule among us is that “each of us thinks more highly of everyone else in the congregation than he or she thinks of himself.” This means that each one of us should see in himself chiefly his own faults and weaknesses; but in all the other members of the congregation he should see chiefly their good qualities and strengths. It means that we should “not look out only for our own spiritual interests in the congregation, but also for the interests of others.” The worldling looks out for his own interests only. He looks out for others only when there may be some benefit for him. But we are to look out for our brother’s spiritual welfare, as also his physical and material welfare, just as we look out for our own — at the same time! — for his benefit alone. To have this “same love” for one another, this same humble, self-sacrificing way of thinking about each other, is to LIVE UP to the gospel of Christ. For this is the love which each of us has known from our Savior, who humbled Himself for our sakes even to the point of dying for our sins on the cross! Think! Each day of His humble existence on earth the Son of God was thinking of YOU more highly — as if you were worth much more than He! Christ considers US worthy! He was holy, yet He took upon Himself all of our faults, weaknesses, and punishments, so that the heavenly Father might consider the wretchedly wicked brothers and sisters of His Son as if we are good and holy people! Think on these things as you see Jesus marching to the cross for YOU. See the love that acted to overcome fear until the suffering of death and hell for you and me. Then with the same LOVE and the same MIND we shall learn the more to strive for one another. Lord, grant that we all may LIVE UP TO YOUR GOSPEL -- striving together for its faithful confession and for one another! Amen. |