Over the last three weeks, we have been walking through the book of Philippians in a message series we have entitled “Jesus, I’m just not feeling it.” We have been on this journey together because we know that we all have gone through or will go through times when, well, we just not feeling it too. It’s part of the Christian walk.
So what have we learned so far from our time together and the scriptures? First, we have learned that Christian friendships are ultimately about witnessing to the glory of God and therefore fundamentally different than your social media, work or neighborhood friendships and that they carry with them some basic tenets which hold us together. As a part of that glue, we are to act in humility, service and obedience to God and to one another. It is through these basic sustained actions we find that our faith and our friendships growing stronger and are not so susceptible to being derailed when we are in either the desert or on the mountain top. Ultimately, Christian life can be defined by creeds and covenants but in the end it must be experienced to mature.
Today, we continue by looking at the final chapter of Philippians and ask one final time, “Where are you Jesus, when we’re just not feeling it?” The answer is almost intuitive isn’t it? God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have never left. They are right beside you, in front of you, behind you and even within you. It was never God who moved. It was us. We moved away. So how do we get back?
The answer is simple. However, most of us do not want to hear it. We want to think God moved away and the reality is we have and we must chose to move back. It is for this reason I find the traditions of the church so rewarding. People have moved away from God and back to God for centuries. In so doing, they have left us breadcrumbs on their journey on how to find your way back. One of those ways is through the reciting of creeds and covenants that clarify what it means to called a Christian. Last week, we read the Wesley Covenant Prayer. It is a powerful witness to what it is we are called to. The prayer itself was written and part of a service in 1755 and became a part of being Methodist in the 1780’s. In the covenant is a distinct moment of recommitting oneself to the Lord. It’s a surrender moment.
Remember these words: <slide with the whole covenant prayer on it>
The beginning of this screams surrender. As someone said last week, as we read it in service, I couldn’t stop thinking do you all know what we are committing ourselves to and then the final lines came. In the 2nd to last line there comes a sense of we make this commitment not out of our power but with God. The line “You are mine and I am yours, so be it” is like saying, “I Surrender to you and your love and power so ‘whatever!’”
“Whatever you bring.” “Whatever you want.” You got this. Whatever!” Look to your neighbor and say, “Whatever”
Now a really cool aspect of being part of this movement we call Methodism is how the tradition connects to the history. John Wesley didn’t make this covenant up. It came about as a part of his connection and study of God’s Word. As I review this prayer, it screams a section of scripture from the 4th chapter of the book Paul wrote to the Philippians. Let’s read it together…
<Phil. 4:8-14>
I would summarize the whole scripture in three phrases: Surrender, Practice and Rejoice. <Slide>
As long as I live, I will never forget one of my first forays into serving at a gift mart. One of my small group friends was encouraging me to get involved so I let him sign me up for a shift at gift mart to help out. I was bit taken a back at how nervous I was going there the first time but how great I felt when I went home. The next year I signed up again and some of you were there. I was serving in the gift wrap area when a volunteer from the church, a new Christian herself, came up to me with tears in her eyes and said, “It’s really blowing me away that every time I try to give back to God , he out gives me.” We both started to get misty eyed and I think it’s a universal truth of Christianity.
One the apostle Paul seems to sum up pretty well in verse 9-10a: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.”
Paul appreciates the Philippians group’s willingness to care for him because of the bond they shared and learned from him.
I find that bond today most often in those moments when I am unsure of how it will all unfold. Nick shared a great story about his small group when his son was born. Tell the story
One the apostle Paul seems to sum up pretty well in verse 9-10a: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.”
Paul was adamant about the fact that being a Christian means nothing if we don’t put into practice all we have learned. It reminds of a story from the author Russ Robinson who wrote the book Building a church of small groups. He wrote:
It was Christmas morning in 1998. Russ Robinson and his family climbed into their motor home. They were leaving the frigid winter climate of Chicago for the warmth of Phoenix, Arizona. Russ and his wife took turns driving all day and into the night. While cruising along in the darkness of a rural interstate highway, the headlights suddenly revealed a woman, dressed in black, walking in the middle of the road. Russ swerved, but it was too late. The motor home crashed into the woman. Her head hit the windshield. Her body smashed into the right side of the vehicle, tossing her into the ditch. Later, it was discovered that the woman had been drunk and was attempting to commit suicide. Despite the horrific collision, she survived. Russ was devastated. He pulled off the road, dialed 911, and nearly went into shock. Seconds later, he phoned a friend in his small group. Then his wife called someone in her group. The two groups gathered to pray. Russ writes: "Their prayer support helped me begin the road to emotional recovery. My community listened during long conversations while I tried to process confusing emotions. When I wrestled with God—seeking to make sense of the experience—people offered reassurance and other help. I needed people to pray with and for me, and I came to know what it was to have someone 'weep with those who weep' (Romans 12:15). I experienced how the body of Christ can extend real, personal hands to someone in pain." Relating his experience to the vital need for Christian community, Russ continues, "You need to invest in community today, so you can reap the benefits during tomorrow's seasons of deprivation and loss." - Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson, Building a Church of Small Groups (Zondervan, 2001), p. 39
Again, did you hear Paul, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me- put it into practice? And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.”
Put it into practice! When we invite you to be part of group around here, we are asking you to be a part of the hope Christ offers. This is the result for all of our groups around here. Groups through their action demonstrate the hope of Christ. Whether it’s a ministry group, a support group, a community group or a growth group, it’s the hope that will spring forth from your connection. Joining a group is more about your journey with Christ. But make no mistake, living in community is hard.
Let us pray
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