Philippians 1:1-18a
(sermon note: 05-10 sermon note)
1This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.
This morning’s reading reminds me of the one about Jesus who was wandering around Jerusalem one day and decided he really needed a new robe. After looking around, he saw a sign for “Finkelstein, the Tailor.” He went in and Finkelstein prepared a new robe for him which was a perfect fit. When Jesus asked how much he owed, Finkelstein brushed him off. “No, no, there’s no charge. But, may I ask a small favor? Maybe whenever you give a sermon you could just mention a little something about how your nice robe was prepared by Finkelstein the Tailor.” Jesus readily agreed and, as promised, plugged Finkelstein’s robes every time he preached. Some months later, Jesus was again wandering through Jerusalem and happened by Finkelstein’s shop. He was amazed to see a huge line of people waiting for Finkelstein’s robes. He pushed his way through the crowd to speak to Finkelstein himself. “Jesus, Jesus, look what a marvel you’ve been for business!” gushes Finkelstein. “Would you consider a partnership?” “Sure, sure,” replied Jesus. “Jesus & Finkelstein it is.” “Uh, no, no,” said Finkelstein. “Finkelstein & Jesus.” The two of them argued for some time about the name. Finally, they came to a compromise decision. They decided to name the new business, “Lord & Taylor.”
And who knew that respectable department store had such an auspicious start?! A little out of my price range, along with Macy’s, but boy, did my mom and great aunt sure like to shop there out at Oakbrook Mall in the Chicago suburbs when I was younger! Well, maybe not “shop” but rather “browse.” Those high-end department stores always seemed a little too stuffy for my taste. JC Penny is about as snooty as I can handle. Well, a good illustration of how partnerships can be formed and partnerships are the fruitful sides of relationships.
We’ve been walking with our friend Paul for a few weeks now and it’s been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride. Recall how once was known by the name of Saul, the great persecutor of early Christians. He had that epiphany on the road to Damascus, and his life was forever changed. He went from persecuting Christians as Saul to evangelizing Christianity as Paul. Early in his ministry, he found himself imprisoned alongside his fellow evangelist, Silas. But that didn’t dampen his spirits and God miraculously freed him from his imprisonment. He went on to convert the jailer and his whole family. Last week we heard how Paul found himself among a group of great thinkers who had little to no relationship with our God. Paul helped them to come to know our God and be in relationship with him. We had a good reflection on the importance of relationships. Well, as important as they are, not all relationships are fruitful. Some relationships can be harmful to those involved in them or those around them. Sadly, not all relationships are fruitful. And I imagine on his journeys Paul found himself in many unfruitful relationships. I imagine he encountered many people who were hostile to his teaching and preaching. Not all people want to hear about Jesus and the love of God, believe it or not. Some people are comfortable in their selfish misery, and they end up living lonely, fearful lives. But some people are receptive to Jesus and Jesus’ love. Some people actually enjoy walking in the light…in HIS light. Go figure?! And just as Paul met many selfish, miserable people, he also met many selfless, God-fearing people too. He met people like the good people of Philippi.
What made his relationship with the people of Philippi especially fruitful was everyone’s understanding of partnership. Paul had found himself imprisoned yet again and while was sitting in that prison, he took great comfort in reflecting on his partnership with his congregation in Philippi. He knew that their ministry was continuing to grow even while he was imprisoned, and he trusted that Jesus would protect them in his absence. They understood what it means to be the body of Christ, to go out and serve as Christ’s serves us. They understood that the ministry wasn’t dependent on Paul but rather on Jesus. Without Jesus there is no ministry but without Paul, well, there is probably not as deep of a ministry. But what makes their relationship particularly noteworthy is this sense of partnership. They were each working towards the common goal of spreading the word about Jesus. And because they were working towards the same goal, they helped each other succeed, doing exactly what Ecclesiastes tells us, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” (4:9) Probably more than two people in this particular partnership but the wisdom still applies. It is good to be in partnership with others! Paul’s early ministry of planting churches and checking back in with them through letters is a testament to how good partnerships can be. More gets done in partnerships! And what gets done is of better quality in partnerships.
Paul’s early ministry showed the importance of our partnerships with each other. Friends, we are partners in this business of church. We need each other to succeed! Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians, “For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.” (3:9) Through partnerships great things are accomplished! God’s kingdom is built in this world and that is no small feat. Recall the words of the angel spoke to Mary when she was bewildered by her pregnancy. The angel offered words of reassurance: “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) I emphasize “with” because it is within that partnership with God that nothing is impossible. Partnerships are great and powerful!
So as we continue walking with Paul through this season of Easter, let us recognize the importance of partnerships. And let us give thanks for them. Thanks be to God!
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
