Merredin Uniting Church

Texts: Psalm 126:1-6; Acts 16:11-15; Philippians 1:1-11

Roy Robertson, a former sailor, founder of “The Navigators” and staff member of the Billy Graham organisation gives this testimony:

“My ship, the West Virginia, docked at Pearl Harbor on the evening of December 6, 1941. A couple of the fellows and I left the ship that night and attended a Bible study. About fifteen sailors sat in a circle on the floor. The leader asked us to each recite our favorite scripture verse. In turn each sailor shared a verse and briefly commented on it. I sat there in terror. I couldn’t recall a single verse. I grew up in a Christian home, went to church three times a week, but I sat there terrified. I couldn’t recall a single verse. Finally, I remembered one verse – John 3.16. I silently rehearsed it in my mind. The spotlight of attention grew closer as each sailor took his turn. It was up to the fellow next to me. He recited John 3.16. He took my verse! As he commented on it I sat there in stunned humiliation. In a few moments everyone would know that I could not recall from memory even a single verse. Later that night I went to bed thinking, ’Robertson, you’re a fake.’ At 7:55 the next morning I was awakened by the ship alarm ordering us to battle stations. 360 planes of the Japanese Imperial Fleet were attacking our ship and the other military installations. My crew and I raced to our machine gun emplacement, but all we had was practice ammunition. So for the first fifteen minutes of the two hour battle, we only fired blanks, hoping to scare the Japanese airplanes. As I stood there firing fake ammunition I thought, ’Robertson, this is how your whole life has been — firing blanks for Christ.’ I made up my mind as Japanese bullets slammed into our ship, ’If I escape with my life, I will get serious about following Jesus.’”

When it comes to finding real joy in our life, pretty much all of us are simply firing blanks. We live in an age consumed by entertainment. All around us advertisements tell us that there is absolutely nothing money can’t buy to make our lives happier. Many Christian people talk about joy; some actually show joy — at least when they’re near other believers. But all too often our experience lacks the real joy of the abundant life which the Bible promises.

Paul in the four short chapters of Philippians, uses the word “joy” six times as his frame of reference. He cared a lot about this church. He had been instrumental in founding it on his second “missionary journey”. We read in Acts 16, how Paul had wanted to go north with the gospel (through what we used to call the “Eastern-bloc” countries), but a strong vision of a Macedonian man calling-out for his help he was compelled to cross the Aegean Sea towards Greece, and the European continent.

The first town Paul encountered was Philippi. His first convert was Lydia, and she opened her home for the first (and only) church Paul ever allowed to financially support his work. This church evidently had a number of members gifted by God with a giving spirit. They not only supported Paul, but, even though they were themselves poor, got involved in seeing to the needs of the poor at Jerusalem. This is a secret we see in Philippians — You are in a better position to receive when your hand is open to give.

This letter is all about the search for genuine joy. It is a call back to the roots of our Christian faith and the joy that is to be found in the life lived in Christ.

In contrast, we live in a society that has gone materialistically mad!

We have become isolated

We have lost the sense of community. We live largely in isolation from one another and the world. We are isolated in our homes, transfixed by our TV gods; protected from interruption by our answering machines and we have insulated ourselves from human touch.

Second, we have become selfish

Frank Sinatra established the anthem of the era in his song, “I did it my way”.

Third, there is a growing air of ambivalence

We used to be passionate, with fire in our bellies. We used to have a sense of right and wrong; of good and evil. Today feelings are as dependent upon the direction of the prevailing winds, as on any code of morals or values.

One of the reasons our society is where it is.. why it has no interest in life, is that we see no firmness of commitment to an ethic, or to ideals, or to each other.

Fourth, our focus is on human rights

We have become so obsessed with gender, human sexuality and empowerment issues that we have lost all clear and balanced Biblical thinking.

Our contemporary culture has made us isolated, selfish, ambivalent, individualistic and ultra gender sensitive. It seems to me that we are leaving no joy-filled legacy for the next generation.

Paul writes in Philippians about genuine joy. The one truly satisfying (joyful) condition is a surrender to the saving grace and Lordship of Jesus Christ. Only salvation, coupled with a lifetime of discipleship provides the genuine joy of which Paul speaks. Everything else is diversion!

And the most joyful people are the believers who practice their faith, faithfully everyday – pursuing this “long obedience in the same direction”. And as they do that they discover the things which Paul addresses in his letter to the Philippians:

1. JOY OF PURPOSE Philippians 1:1

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Paul called himself and Timothy “servants”. The word literally means slave.” That doesn’t sound particularly joyful but to go from servant, with some choices and freedom, to slave, totally bound to the will or whim of a master, has to have some strong motivation.

For Paul it was the realization that being “In Christ” was greater than anything else life offered.

Paul had a wide range of experience and education. He was self-motivated, self-actualized, self-justified and totally self-righteous. Then he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and he discovered all that self stuff was empty and meaningless! Paul had been involved, accomplishing, and climbing social, political and personal ladders. But, compared to the loveliness of Christ, all that personal fulfillment stuff paled, lost its attractiveness and faded into oblivion.

From that moment Paul could see no further than the cross, and it drew him to offer himself as servant, then as slave of the Lord Jesus. Paul used the phrase “In Christ,” or “In the Lord” some 150 times in his letters. Much like a fish lives “in water”, Paul could feel the close, comforting, compelling presence of Jesus in every waking moment. Paul had given himself over to the cause of Christ – it had become his purpose.

There is something unique and joyful about people who are driven from within, in a noble cause that is from above.

For each of us there is a person out there whom you must face someday. It is the person you are becoming. The purpose you give yourself to now is the person you will become. Paul gave himself to Christ as Lord and Master — slave for life! The spiritual principle is that the slave will do the Master’s will, and in the doing, become like the Master. In Christ, Paul’s life was purpose-filled, purposeful, and he was focused on the “joy set before him.”

2. JOY OF PEACE Philippians 1:2

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you.

In his letters, Paul did a most remarkable thing which we often overlook – He brought together the words “grace” and “peace”. Grace is the Greek word, the Hebrew is peace. The order is theological; grace comes first (from God), and then peace follows.

Many people are looking for peace (both public and private), but are looking in all the wrong places. Politicians negotiate treaties, supposing that peace is the result. Policemen are sometimes called “peace officers”, supposing that legal order passes for inner peace (joy). The popularity of alcohol and drugs manifests the craving for peace, as people attempt to gain escape from the war (within and without) by getting “high” for a few hours.

The “high” that is really needed is grace. You cannot experience peace until you’ve known grace. There can never be a friendship with God — the “peace that passes understanding” – until there is a settlement of the wages of sin that comes by the grace of God. The joy of peace comes after the gift of grace through the cross. The order is important for the peace which brings the joy must be built on the solid foundation of God’s grace.

A foreman was once called to inspect a concrete basin at a sewerage plant. He asked a worker if the bottom of the basin was solid. The man replied, “Solid as a rock”. The boss, being a man of action, promptly waded in. To his great surprise he slowly sank up to his waist in the gooey mess, and as he was going down he yelled at the worker, “I thought you said this bottom was solid?” The worker replied, “It IS, boss, you just ain’t come to it yet!”

If you’ve looked for your peace in a better job or bigger car, a prettier wife, more leisure time, or anything else, you may be a person of action, but you haven’t come to THE SOLID ROCK! Peace comes after the grace which is found in the relationship with Jesus.

3. JOY OF PRAYER Philippians 1.4, 5 (NIV)

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

The Philippian church had been faithful. Their gifts, prayers and encouragement had followed and undergirded Paul throughout his ministry.

Many times during the ministry I have felt low, struggling with issues and people. When both my brother and my Dad died in the same year I experienced a particularly depressive time. But it was the prayers and messages of comfort that came from my congregation which undergirded me. It was the fact that my family dropped everything to stand by me that pulled me up. It was the elders who granted me two month’s Sabbatical leave who showed me that I could refind that joy.

It was those who are in partnership with me in the gospel who through prayer and support gave me back my joy. Real joy is undergirded with prayer.

4. JOY OF PERSUASION Philippians 1.6

“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.”

The world is constantly bombarding us with new thoughts and plans but without confidence in what you yourself know to be right, you cannot function like God intended. You need to be sure of what you believe.

A minister was doing his usual “children’s sermon” during the morning service. They were gathered on the floor around him. “Tell me, kids, what is furry, gray and lives in a tree?” No reply. “Okay, let me give you a better hint. What’s furry, gray, lives in a tree and eats nuts?” Nothing! “One of you must have the answer.” Dead quiet. “All right, see if you can get it on this; what’s furry, gray, has a long bushy tail, eats nuts, and lives in a tree?” Little Johnny only half-raised his hand. “Ahh, John, you know?” “Sir,” said the hesitant Johnny, “I know the answer must be Jesus, but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me.”

What are you absolutely certain about? What really important things (i.e.: that which will still matter a hundred years from now) are you certain about? Paul was convinced about the salvation which comes by the love of God.

“For I am CONVINCED that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 8.38, 39

Are you confident in God’s love and His plans for you? In that confidence you will know joy.

5. JOY OF PARTICIPATION Philippians 1.7 (NIV)

“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.

There’s a certain joy about participating together in kingdom work. Oh yes, there is a camaraderie that develops when people work together in other fields but there is nothing quite like being involved in Kingdom work in the fullness of the grace of God.

Gary Inrig, in his book, “Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay” tells the story of an evangelist whom God had used in a significant way in England, and how he drifted into a life of sin. Most of his sin was private, but the burden was so great that he left the ministry. Finally, when the man realized what a fool he’d been, he came back to the Lord like the prodigal from the pigpen. He found exactly what the prodigal son had found, a loving Father who received him back, blessed and re-strengthened him.

After a long period of waiting, he felt called back to ministry. However, he constantly feared that his sin would come back to haunt him and cripple his ministry. After a time, he was finally able to rejoice in the forgiveness of God. One night in Aberdeen, he was given a sealed note just before the service. It described the shameful events of his sin years ago. His stomach churned as he read, “If you have the gall to preach tonight, I’ll stand and expose you”.

The evangelist took the letter and went on his knees. When he stood to address the crowd. He began by reading the note … every word. Then he said, “I want to make it clear that this letter is true. I’m ashamed of what I’ve done. I come tonight not as one who is perfect, but as one who is forgiven”.

He knew the grace of God and he knew that he was in partnership with God in His work – despite his past.

What have you done?

What letter – if the truth be known – would you have to read? “Sinner” describes all of us, and it is all “first degree,” premeditated! So where’s the joy in that you may ask. That’s just the point – joy isn’t in sin! It’s in Jesus!

This letter to the Philippians is a call back to the community of faith (away from our isolation); it is a call back to self-denying serving (away from our selfish ways); it is a call back to standing for Christ-likeness and Godly living (in spite of today’s pluralistic trends); and it is a call to respect and cooperation between men and women of God – a partnership in the gospel. It is a call to servanthood – that which Jesus was, and what He wants us to be. It is a call out of the place of “no joy”, and into the kingdom of God. And there we would find our purpose, our peace, our prayers in partnership, our persuasion, our participation in the gospel, and our joy …real joy!

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