March 31, 2011

  • Unit: Advance the Gospel
    Lesson: Live Up to the Gospel
    Read: Philippians 1:27-2:11

    To “work side by side” is to strive together, to labor and toil along with other brothers and sisters for the benefit of one another. The book of Nehemiah tells the story of the third and final wave of exiles who returned to Judah from Persia and rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah, the people’s governor and “project manager,” instructed them to build together, side by side, with a tool in their hands and a sword on their belt. The Jews worked in shifts, allowing one anther to rest and gain strength for more work, or keeping watch for enemies from Samaria who sought to thwart their plans. That’s an excellent picture of what Paul wanted from the Philippian church. Gospel work is “together” work.

    The best Christmas sermon I ever heard was based on Phil. 2:5-11. We don’t always have to turn to Luke 2 or Matthew 1-2 to hear the Christmas story. Seeing the images of the baby Jesus in the manger, we easily forget the miraculous majesty of that reality. The Lord of the universe confined Himself to eight pounds of humanity. He was able to do that because nothing He created was able to limit His power. He was willing to do that because no one He created was outside of His reach. Jesus coming as a man simply proves the point that no religion has ever manufactured a reasonable way for us to reach up and touch the divine. When Mary had her baby boy, God began His work of transversing that infinite gap for us. The sinless life He lived kept the Law for us when we had transgressed it. The death He died satisfied the wrath of God we could never appease. The victory He won took place when He rose from the grave, putting death to death and guaranteeing us eternal life by faith. Paul tells us that our attitude should be like Christ’s - thinking ahead to the long-term effects our actions have on our fellow believers.

    We may celebrate Christmas and Easter as separate holidays, but truly they are inseparable. Our confession as Christians is that the Son who was given is the Savior who has risen. He was born a slave, but His Father gave Him the name of Lord. It’s startling to realize that one day everyone will proclaim the gospel - even those who have rejected it. The confession that Jesus Christ is Lord will flow from every tongue, and submission to His will and authority will be marked by every bowed knee. The gospel we must proclaim until then is that He wants unbelievers to make this confession before they are made to.