THE PASTOR’S POINTS
Bible-Teaching Ministry of
CEDAR LODGE BAPTIST CHURCH
Thomasville, NC
Dr. Russell Brownworth, Pastor
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Phil 4:23 (NIV)
All throughout this letter to the Philippian church Paul’s theme has been joy. Indeed, rejoicing was his life.
This week as I stood with the family of a 22 year-old boy, looking into the casket, it was hard to imagine joy. His mother and Dad shared with me their son’s great plans for the future -- Master’s degree, advancement, family, and his love for the Lord -- it was hard to imagine joy. They told me how Ricky worked hard every day, never late; how he went to school nights -- and studied. It was hard to conjure-up joy amidst all the stock phrases people nervously utter at such times; words won’t do!
There was lots of hugging and remembering at the funeral home. But I knew that would pass; in the morning there would be a funeral service, and soon we would be at the cemetery, ready to lower a young man into a grave, when he hadn’t even begun to live.
Joy was AWOL! And so I asked the Lord to speak to my heart -- so I could speak to this broken-hearted family. Often I’m a poor listener, so the Lord waited until I walked out on the platform for the service. It was the faces of the young people -- most of whom I’d never seen before. The faces were streaming with tears, disbelief and stunned silence. The faces were grieving "as those with no hope". The Lord then spoke to my heart and the one-sided conversation went thus:
"Russell, among those young
people are those who have
left me out -- a few have never
even heard the gospel. Tell
them I love them."
What a privilege! I not only rediscovered joy -- I was downright happy! This gave meaning to Ricky’s death. His friends were sitting there, wishing for some kind of meaning -- any kind of sense in the madness and chaos of losing their friend. They were facing the reality that if it could happen to Ricky -- 22, strong, bright and alive; well it could happen to anyone! And their attention was focused toward the pulpit -- God’s sacred desk. Awesome responsibility...Incredible joy!
I can imagine more easily now the joy Paul felt, sitting in that Roman jail. He and Ricky had similarities; schooling, energetic and ambitious. In their respective fields they were tops! But Paul had lived his life, accomplishing much for the cause of Christ, and now he was in prison, in danger of being executed as a common criminal --All because of his faithfulness!
And in the middle of all that, Paul would say "joy". I want you to know, beloved, there is only one thing in all of this universe that can make a person joyful in the midst of that kind of circumstance -- It is the grace of Almighty God. Note what grace does:
Grace makes you joyfully grateful.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Phil 4:14(NIV)
For others’ participation.
Paul was grateful for the gift brought by Epaphroditus. None of the other churches had shared in the financial needs of his ministry. Paul was joyfully grateful because the Philippian church had a proper sense of why they were giving. It was not just for Paul’s sake -- they knew they were ministering with their gifts. "...we act on behalf of each other, knowing that we are acting for the sake of God." [1]
In the daily arena of life God provides that which we cannot do for ourselves. Margaret Trudeau is the wife of Canada’s Pierre Trudeau. In her autobiography she tells of meeting Britain’s Queen Elizabeth:
"I was wearing a brand-new haute-couture suit and very high-heeled shoes. I was extremely nervous. As I sank into a deep curtsy, it became crystal clear to both of us that I was not going to make it up again. Without altering her expression by as much as a flicker, the queen strengthened her grasp, tensed all the muscles of her right arm, and drew me up to my feet with a grip of iron, smiling steadily all the while." [2]
For God’s purpose.
Paul was working to see the gospel spread -- that was his call from God. The circumstances were not wonderful, but he could see the purpose of God being worked-out, even in his misery. "What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." (Php 1.12) Paul could "see". That means he was able to look past the circumstances, and see God’s hand at work.
Often I am "blind" in this area. I sometimes seem to live my life succumbing to the principle that it’s tough to remember you were sent to drain the swamp when you are surrounded by alligators. What I SEE is the circumstance -- great big green, saw-toothed, nasty gators. What I really need to remember is that those circumstances are often what God has to work with, considering the "material" (me) He has to start with.
Even more important is that those circumstances are by His design to accomplish His purpose. I can trust better when my will is surrendered to His purpose. It also makes you joyful!
Grace makes you a joyful giver
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:15-19 (NIV)
Giving is a touchy subject -- for those who have not yet gotten the idea that it is a joy to give. One church held a Sunday service patterned after the Colonial days in America. Everything they did was according to the old ways. The pastor dressed in long coat and knickers, and the congregation was divided by gender -- male on one side, ladies on the other.
At the time of giving the pastor announced that in keeping with the theme, they were going to do it the old way. Would the "head of the household" please come forward and place their gift on the altar? All the men instantly rose...and crossed the aisle to get the money from their wives.[3]
Giving is never a touchy subject when the right conditions exist:
People give when hearts are touched. I have a friend who manages to put a few dollars away each month for the purpose of finding God’s needy spot. He prays about this money, that God will direct him to the need. This is a heart that is touched with compassion and enthusiasm for the gospel. I can tell it gives him a lot of joy to be able to give.
One church member confided in me that giving just a dollar or two above her tithe to help a needy child gave her more joy than anything else she does. When your heart is touched with compassion for the needs of people, you give joyfully.
But then, People give sacrificially when the heart is transferred (to God). There is a difference in the joy of a gift, and a sacrificial gift. Paul’s pride and joy, the Philippian group were examples of sacrificial giving. "Their giving was exemplary because they gave out of ’rock-bottom poverty.’"[4]
What is it like to give sacrificially? A man who had been laid-off from his job for four years gave his wife a dishwasher at Christmas. What a gift! But there’s more...The old house they lived in had its original wiring, and could not have handled the required installation. There was no spot big enough in the kitchen for such a machine. And they had not been able to meet even the interest payment on their mortgage in six months. No large box appeared -- no new plumbing or wiring. There was just a small handwritten note on the branch of somebody’s castaway Christmas tree:
"For one year I will wash all
of the dirty dishes in
this household.
Every one!"
And he did![5]
Now, that’s sacrificial -- by most men’s standards! And sacrifice only comes under the influence of love.
I have a coupon booklet that I will always treasure. It is from my three kids. It was given to me one Father’s Day. The kids had no money because of "U.I.S." (Under the Influence of Seminary). So they gave me 21 different slips of paper as handwritten credit vouchers. One voucher was good for a car wash. Another was good for a "no-gripe lawnmower usage" (I think the girls blackmailed my son into that one.) Still another was for "a whole day of kids being good without Dad having to remind anybody." I want to tell you, I’ve never cashed a single coupon -- they are too precious to me. Those kids loved me, and gave sacrificially.
When you transfer your heart to God you will give sacrificially, and love it!
Grace makes you a joyful glorifier of God.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Phil 4:20 (NIV)
It seems Paul often stopped to "praise God from whom all blessings flow". We ought to give praise instead of gripe persistently. Considering the fact that God deserves our praise, and we are created for Him, and not ourselves, it ought to be without question.
However, we don’t even have the ability to glorify God, except that He gives that also!
Danny West tells how he tried time and again when he was a teenager to "ring the bell". It was one of those contraptions that had a "slam-board" and a bell at the top. You slap that board with a hammer, and the weight flies upward to ring the bell. He never could ring it, no matter how hard he tried. Ringing that bell became a driving passion. Even with all his adrenaline flowing, and his friends rooting him on, he could not ring that bell. [6]
We have the same problem in "doing church". There is not anything -- including worship -- we can do, except by the grace of God. We religiously do our rituals, pay our tithes, and go through the cultural rites...but where is the joy? I am not saying we ought to cancel the church services. However, it seems we ought to be a little more like Paul, and recount the blessings till we cannot but stop and sing the Doxology!
Grace makes you grow joyfully
Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Phil 4:14-23 (NIV)
Notice the innocuous little reference to "Caesar’s household"? Paul had been a prisoner. While most people would view that as the screeching, grinding halt to his ministry, it was the very thing that defined the ministry of Paul.
While others were mourning his circumstances -- even the brethren at Philippi -- Paul was winning soldier-souls to Christ. What else would a Christian do with a soldier chained to him 24 hours a day? It is like dog-sitting Kyle and Nancy were doing for their daughter and son-in-law. Nancy took the dog out for a walk every day, but it was Nancy who got walked (or pulled) wherever "Stormin’ Shelby" wanted to go! Who had whom?
The Romans may have imagined they had captured Paul, but, as William Barclay put it, "The crucified Galilaean carpenter had already begun to rule those who ruled the greatest empire in the world." [7]
Now, what are your circumstances? Are you joyful over the impact Christ is making on your part of the world because of what is happening in your life? Or are you groaning and griping every day because of the circumstances?
Multiplied thousands of so-called unfulfilled, unhappy people would see their world and circumstances differently if they would transfer their hearts to Jesus.
Is there a need for grace? Our family pet (or maybe we’re the pets) "Kiwi-the-wonderdog" has long hair, that is, what’s left of it. She has just about made herself an entirely unique species; Kheeshond Hairless.
This mutt has bitten and scratched the hair off one part of her back, attempting to get at an itch that just won’t be scratched. Day and night she makes this thumping sound as her leg hits the floor as she tries to satisfy her craving. When you speak firmly to her, "STOP!" She looks up as if to say, "Easy for you to say, fella." Then she digs right in again. She’s trapped.
So we finally bought the right stuff. The powder costs enough to pay most of the national debt, but at least we can sleep through the night without that thumping. She still scratches on occasion (remember she’s a dog), but she has gotten some relief! To paraphrase holy writ,
From whence cometh
your relief?
The songwriter has it:
When we have exhausted our store of endurance;
When our strength has failed ’ere the day is half done;
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources;
Our Father’s forgiveness is only begun.
His love has no limit; His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto man;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again. [8]
Circumstances are not a choice. Sometimes it is the Devil, sometimes the Lord’s design; sometimes it is just "stuff" happening. But joy IS a matter of choice. You can choose to have God scratch that unreachable human itch -- that need to know Him and His power and His salvation. It is available by grace, through faith (Eph 2.8,9).
For Paul, it was not just a sign-off to say "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." Phil 4:23 (NIV) For him it is God’s "bottom line". Meet Him there -- it will make you joyful!
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ENDNOTES
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1] Dunham, Maxie D., THE COMMUNICATOR’S COMMENTARY VOL. 8, (Waco, Word Inc., 1982), 320
2] Trudeau, Margaret, BEYOND REASON, (Paddington Press, As quoted in Reader’s Digest)
3] READER’S DIGEST, (June 1989), 128
4] Melick, Richard R., Jr., THE NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY, 158
5] Rogers, Judy, GUIDEPOSTS (Dec 1988)
6] West, Danny, PROCLAIM MAGAZINE
7] Barclay, William, THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE, 87
8] HE GIVETH MORE GRACE, Composer: H. Mitchell, Arr T. Fetke (Lillenas Publishers), 1983
