First Lutheran Church
October 18, 2020
Philippians Sermon Series – Chapter Four
Philippians 4:4-9
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Sermon “Think About These Things”
Pastor Greg Ronning
Today we conclude our sermon series on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In chapter four Paul effectively sums up his teachings from the first three chapters and provides us with some practical instructions for faithful living.
In today’s reading Paul begins by exhorting us, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” In this final chapter we once again emphatically return to one of the central themes found in the book of Philippians, - “joy.” Remember, in this short letter Paul uses the word “joy” or “rejoice” sixteen times! Paul is filled with joy and Paul calls each of us to rejoice, “always.” Once again these are remarkable and profound words, words filled with incredible depth and meaning; because they are spoken by someone languishing in a first century prison, someone bound in shackles, someone who has suffered beatings, someone living under the threat of death. So it is we must ask, how is it that he can speak of “joy?”
Paul invites us to make a distinction between joy and mere happiness. Joy is neither short lived nor superficial. Joy comes from a deeper theological place. Joy comes from a life filled with meaning and purpose. Joy comes from making a difference. Joy is found in knowing Christ, in following the way of Christ, in living in - and out of - the death and resurrection of Christ. Joy, unlike happiness, is not temporal, it is not dependent on external comforts and pleasures but rather something that is profoundly present even under dire circumstances. Joy is always present in the heart and soul of someone who has a vocation, someone who has a profound reason to live, someone who has a calling from God.
Today’s reading continues. The call to “rejoice” is followed by a call to “gentleness.” Paul writes in verse five, “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” The word, “gentleness” has also been translated as graciousness, reasonableness, moderation, and consideration. This verse, the call to practice “gentleness,” takes me back to the second chapter of Philippians and Paul’s appeal to the followers of Jesus to “be of the same mind,” to “do nothing from selfish ambition,” to practice “humility,” to look “to the interests of others.” Paul concludes, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross.”
Paul connects this practicing of “gentleness” to the presence of Christ, by pointing out that, “the Lord is near.” Here we are reminded once again that the direction of the Gospel is downward. Jesus leaves the glories of heaven and comes down to us, Jesus embraces humility and comes down to us, Jesus empties himself and comes down to us, God leaves a position of wrath to practice “gentleness.” We find great comfort in this truth, that God comes to us, that we don’t need to climb up to the heavens. God comes down, and in Jesus, God fleshed out, the grace, mercy, and love of God is made known to us. Of course, these words that comfort us also challenge us, we are challenged to embrace “gentleness,” “humility,” and the “emptiness of descent” in our relationships with others, our neighbors, and even the stranger; that they too may know the grace, mercy, and love of God. Such “gentleness” invites us into deeper living, a life of service, a life of meaning and purpose, the life of joy!
Our reading continues in verse six with this crazy outlandish invitation from Paul, “Do not worry about anything.” Now that’s a tall order, “Don’t worry about anything!” Doesn’t Paul understand, that right now, in this moment, there are so many things to worry about? We’re in the middle of a pandemic that just doesn’t seem to end! We’re worried about our health, our finances, and a myriad of complex social-political realities. I don’t know about you, but these days I’m worried about all kinds of things, sometimes I think I’m worried about everything. Yet I suppose they don’t really compare to the things that Paul was facing, - life in a first century prison and the threat of death. Now that’s something to worry about! Yet Paul speaks confidently of joy and “no worries.” How does Paul do it, what does he do to avoid being consumed by the “worries of life?”
The fourth chapter continues, Paul encourages us to take up a few spiritual habits, habits of the heart and habits of the mind. Paul is grounded in joy and peace because he practices his faith; - and he calls us to these particular practices, “prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” Paul shares in prayer with his faith community, they pray for him and he prays for them. Being held in prayer and holding others in prayer makes a difference. The prayers of the faith community are central to its health and vitality. And Paul practices his faith with gratitude. He gives thanks for all that he has, he does not dwell on the negative. We are reminded that prayer is not just about offering up your shopping lists of wants, desires, and needs; prayer is also about taking of inventory of your blessings. Such prayers, prayers that align us with God, with the Kingdom of God, prayers that count our blessings, prayers of gratitude are transformative. Social scientists have observed, “People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems.” Prayer, practiced in the faith community, practiced in thanksgiving with gratitude, leads us into joy, and moves us from anxiety to peace, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,” the peace that “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The Fourth Chapter of Philippians continues. At this point Paul brings his letter to a wonderful poetic conclusion, “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Paul concludes with some more practical advice. How often do we “think about things,” fill our minds with things, obsess over things, - that don’t really matter. Paul echoes this theme in the book of Colossians, Chapter Three, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” It’s so easy to be distracted from the things of heaven, the things of God, the things that flow from joy and peace. The things of this world are loud and “in our face,” they take advantage of our fears and our anxieties, they demand our attention. And they get us going in the wrong direction, instead of following the gospel down into a life of humble service we find ourselves climbing up, seeking status, protecting privilege, seeking the principalities and powers of this world, storing up earthly treasures that moths and rust will destroy.
So, what is worthy of our thinking, our time and our energy, our best thoughts? What is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise? What will bring us joy and peace? The Gospel of Christ.
Let us be of the same mind, the mind of Christ, may the thoughts of our minds, the meditations of our hearts, be solely focused on love. God’s great love for us, lived out in loving service to others. And in our humble descent with Christ (into Christ), may we be blessed to discover that “holy place” where our great passion in life, (our talents, gifts and resources) intersects with the world’s great needs. And in that “holy place,” living out our calling in life, may we be filled with the peace that comes from the depths of joy.
May the journey of faith before each of us, the journey inspired by love and sustained by grace, lead us ever deeper into joy and peace abundant. Amen.