9.00am and 10.30am Sunday 16 November 2003
Rev Des Botting
Reading: Philippians 1:1-11; Matthew 28:16-21
Last Sunday we joined with churches around the world to remember the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. The focus of the message was Sharing in Christs Sufferings. We looked at one of the references where the Greek word, koinonia, meaning fellowship, sharing or partnership, is found, and learnt that part of what it means to be a Spirit-filled community winning followers for Christ locally and globally, as our Churchs Vision Statement says, is to know the special fellowship that comes from sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Suffering for our faith is an aspect of church life that isnt talked about very much in countries like New Zealand, but is an everyday reality in many parts of the world. Stories, like the ones I shared of Helen Roseveare and Simon Zao, make us aware of what is actually happening and are constant reminders of the need to pray for those who are persecuted for Christs sake. (Blank screen)
The fellowship of sharing in Christs sufferings is only one of the many aspects that make belonging to the family of God so special. If we look at some of the other references in the New Testament where this important Greek word, koinonia, is found, we can discover many others. The sermon topic this morning, taken from Philippians 1, introduces us to one of them. Most of us are familiar with the words, When the Saints Come Marching In, but these words carry with them the assumption that at some time or other the saints have gone marching out. Although scattered around the world Gods church is on the march, commissioned with the task of heralding the good news of Christ Jesus. All such work develops a deep sense of fellowship, and is another part of what it means to be a Spirit-filled community winning followers for Christ locally and globally. Paul describes this in Philippians where he says I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now[1] Through all the dangers and difficulties faced in sharing the good news of Jesus, a deep bond was forged between Paul and the Philippian Christians that inspired and encouraged Paul even though he was far away in prison. This is what makes the partnership that God calls us into with his Son, Jesus Christ, so special.
This relationship between Paul and the church in Philippi began when he, accompanied by Silas, was on his second missionary journey. (show slide of map) He had revisited the churches that he and Barnabas had established on their first journey, and Paul was now looking to take the Gospel into Asia. At the time, Europe didnt even figure in his thinking. But God had other plans in mind. Acts tells us, the Holy Spirit wouldnt let them preach in Asia.[2] It would appear that Paul had tried to do this on at least two occasions but each time the Holy Spirit closed the door. And so they moved to Troas, a port on the Aegean Sea. Very soon after they had arrived there Paul had a vision during the night of someone from Macedonia begging him to Come to Macedonia and help us! Paul took this as Gods direction and acted upon it immediately. It was a step that altered the course of European history. Paul and Silas sailed via Samothrace to Neapolis, then traveled along the Via Egnatia, the newly constructed road built by the Romans to link Asia with the Adriatic ports that led to Italy. Philippi, a Roman colony in the first district of Macedonia, was the first city of note along this road. It was a strategic location, built on the main route between Europe and Asia, and its cosmopolitan population made ripe ground for preaching the gospel. (Blank screen) As was his custom Paul went to a place of prayer where the Jewish people gathered on the Sabbath and as he shared the good news, he found that God had prepared the heart of Lydia, a worshipper of God. She eagerly listened to what Paul had to say, and became the first believer in Europe. After she and her family were baptized she invited Paul and Silas to stay with her.
As was so often the case with Paul, it wasnt long before there was trouble. The incessant ravings of a slave girl yelling out that Paul and Silas were servants of the High God, greatly upset Paul. He commanded the spirit that gave her the power to tell the future, to leave the girl alone. Instantly the spirit left her. The girls owners, now deprived of the large sums of money shed made for them, grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them into court. A crowd quickly gathered, and without even being tried, the authorities had them whipped. They were handed over to the jailer who put them in the prison dungeon and chained their feet to heavy blocks of wood. But even there God was with them, for as Paul and Silas prayed and sung praises to God in the middle of the night, an earthquake shook the jail to its foundations, so much so that the prison doors were opened and the chains fell off from all the prisoners. The jailer, thinking the prisoners had escaped, and knowing if that was the case he would be killed, was about to take his life when Paul shouted, Dont harm yourself! No one has escaped.[3] Paul was able to share the Gospel with the jailers household, and they, too, believed and were baptized.
It was the first Christian community in Europe. Although Paul had to move on soon after this, these young Christians remained true to the Gospel and to Paul who had shared it with them. Its obvious that the church at Philippi became one of Pauls favourites because he always speaks of them with great affection. Something of the depth of their fellowship can be seen in his words in verse 8 where he says, For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.[4] The struggle in getting the church established, and the practical and financial support they provided for Pauls on-going ministry created a special bond between them.
Theres much we can learn from this fellowship in the gospel Paul speaks of here, thats relevant to our situation at St Davids in the Fields, not only in relation to our churchs vision statement, but also as we seek to nurture loving relationships in the life of our church, and as we seek to see our total church budget as being for the mission of the church. The first characteristic to note is that
1. It was a JOYFUL fellowship. Paul said, I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.[5] This is the first of sixteen references to joy in this letter. (Blank screen) Theres a joy that comes from working together to share the good news thats like the joy of those who gather in the harvest. Jesus speaks of Gods eternal harvest as a harvest where everyone will celebrate together.[6] Its exciting work, because the good news transforms lives, families, communities and even nations. This is why the angel said to the shepherds when Jesus was born, Dont be afraid; for I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.[7] Its a wonderful message to share, and whenever a person comes to faith in Gods Son we rejoice with the angels of heaven. God wants us all to be involved in gathering his harvest. It must be a team effort. When a rugby team runs on to the field, every player knows exactly what they have to do to help the team win. We need to be clear on what part we have to play in Gods team, and to do it to the very best of our ability. This is why we offer courses such as Network. It helps to develop the team. And as we serve together to disciple the nations, we, like these Philippians, will experience the joy of this fellowship of the gospel Paul speaks of here. This is the kind of fellowship we want to nurture within our church in being a Spirit filled community winning followers for Christ locally and globally.
The second characteristic of this fellowship in the gospel is, that
2. It was a FAITHFUL fellowship. Paul was able to write of their fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. There was a consistency about it. That is, their involvement continued long after Paul left Philippi. And it wasnt just personal support. They also gave liberally to the spread of the gospel. Paul makes reference to their support at the end of this letter. He said, It was good of you to help me (the word used for help is another from the same root as koinonia)when I was having such a hard time. Then he reminds them of what it was like when he was first with them. He says, My friends at Philippi, you remember what it was like when I started preaching the good news in Macedonia. After I left there, you were the only church that became my partner (another word linked to koinonia) by giving blessings and by receiving them in return. Even when I was in Thessalonica, you helped me more than once.[8] Paul also refers to their giving in Corinthians. (Blank screen) He says, My friends, we want you to know that the churches in Macedonia have shown others how kind God is. Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously. They gave as much as they could afford and even more, simply because they wanted to. They even asked and begged us to let them have the joy of giving their money for Gods people.[9] This church provided both practical and financial support for the work of Paul and the church in Jerusalem in spite of all the discouragements, disappointments and difficulties they faced. Its an example were seeking to follow in our missions giving programme at St Davids in the Fields. We need to be in it for the long haul, just as these Philippians were. Paul would have been writing this letter some years after his last visit to Philippi, and they were still faithfully carrying on the work God had begun in their midst, as well as supporting him and encouraging him in prison. God calls us to be a faithful fellowship in the gospel.
There is one further reference in these verses from Philippians where Paul uses the word sugkoinonous, translated as sharing, in verse 7. He says, 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 Gods grace with me.[10] This tells us that their fellowship in the gospel
3. was a GRACE-FILLED fellowship. All within Gods family are recipients of the amazing grace of God in Christ Jesus. Its something that well be eternally grateful for, because were all sinners undeserving of Gods favour. The grace of God is the essence of what the gospel is about. It unites us and binds us together as we serve to disciple the nations in obedience to Christs command. (Blank screen) This, after all, is what weve been commissioned to do. Jesus said, Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.[11]
And this is how we best experience the fellowship in the gospel that Paul speaks about here in Philippians. It comes through being obedient to God. Note first that Jesus says we are to Go. So many of our church programmes have a come focus. Thats not the way Jesus ministered. Jesus left heavens glory to go to earth. When the disciples found him praying early one morning, saying, Everyone is looking for you! He said, We must go to the nearby towns, so that I can tell the good news to those people. This is why Ive come.[12] The promise of his presence is conditional upon our obedience to his command.
The example of others, particularly those who live in places where its very difficult to be a Christian, can inspire and encourage us. Here is one such story. A missionary was taking a seminar with house church leaders in China. (Their meetings normally lasted from 6am to 11pm, and starting the next day again at 6 am.) He sensed one evening that God was calling one of the thirty people to be the first of a movement to go abroad as a missionary. For a moment no one responded, but then a woman raised her hand, saying, Thats me. God has been showing me for some time that I should become a missionary. The group prayed for her, and the missionary left the group to go to bed at around midnight. The next morning at 6am everyone was present except the woman who had raised her hand. Where is she? the missionary asked. Oh, have you forgotten already: She raised her hand to go on her mission, the others told him. When you went to bed, we prayed about where God wanted to send her. God told us she should go to Myanmar. Another Christian volunteered to be her prayer partner, so we gathered some money and put them on the 4am bus to Myanmar. The woman was a hard-working doctor who had a fulfilling life, but dropped everything the moment God called her! The missionary said, One of the secrets of the Chinese Christians is their rapid expensive obedience.
Someone through the week said that coming to church is like half time in a rugby game. Its time for a breather and to review our strategy, before heading out into action again. Our instructions are clear. A rich sense of fellowship awaits us as we serve together to make Jesus Christ known through love in action. Each time we leave this church, the saints are going marching out. And each time we go marching out, will be one day nearer to the time when the saints will come marching in, rejoicing in the harvest God has enabled us to gather for His glory.
As we saw last week, the task will not be easy. But even amidst the difficulties to be faced and overcome, there is something very special in being counted worthy to share in Christs sufferings.
The Bible tells us that the Christian church is made up of those whom God has called into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ.[13] Its a unique fellowship of believers that crosses all social, racial, political and economic barriers. Paul writes of it a number of times in his letter to the Church at Philippi. Last week we focused on the fellowship of his sufferings as we joined in the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, and shared in Communion together. This morning were going to look at another reference to fellowship from Pauls letter. Its found in the first chapter where he says, reading from the Authorised Version of the Bible, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you over your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now[14]
Pauls relationship with those who came to faith in Philippi was very precious.
What gave Paul the most joy was the knowledge that the gospel message was being shared.
We can start on the gospel enterprise with great enthusiasm and gusto, but it wont all be plain sailing. Therell be discouragements and disappointments.
[1] Philippians 1:3,5 AV
[2] Acts 16:6 (All Bible references are from the Contemporary English Version unless otherwise stated.)
[3] Acts 16:28
[4] Philippians 1:8 NRSV
[5] Philippians 1:3-5 NRSV
[6] John 4:36b
[7] Luke 2:10 NRSV
[8] Philippians 4:14-16
[9] 2 Corinthians 8:1-4
[10] Philippians 1:7-8 NIV
[11] Matthew 28:19-20
[12] Mark 1:35-38
[13] 1 Corinthians 1:9
[14] Philippians 1:3,5