CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

May 8, 2005 

 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! 

 

MATTERS OF THE FAMILY:

Our congregation     Our college students 

 

Various friends, relatives and co-workers  David, Leon, and James in the military 

 

Our leaders, military and nation Ben is in San Antonio with his school band 

 

SUMMER YOUTH SERIES: (SYS) - 7 PM

June 6 - North Wayside June 20 - Bammel

June 13 - Memorial June 27 - Westbury with Jerome Williams 

 

 

SO WHAT? 

 

"But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice" (Philippians 1:18). 

 

Philippians is one of Paul's prison letters written from Rome sometime in the early 60s. Paul was defending himself against charges from Jewish authorities (see Acts 21-26). Since the wheels of government move slowly, he was able to take time to write congregations that he had had reports from concerning problems and difficulties. Philippi was one such church. 

 

Philippi was founded by Philip of Macedon when gold was found there. He of course named the town after himself. Along with gold there were springs there that were beneficial. Octavian fought and won the battle of Philippi against Cassius and Brutus in 42 B.C. When he became Caesar Augustus in 29 B.C., he made Philippi a Roman colony with all the benefits that Rome had itself. Because of the above, many Romans settled there including retired soldiers. We are told in Acts 16 that a woman named Lydia was selling purple goods there when Paul met her. He also was arrested by the authorities and converted the jailor and his household.  

 

The church in Philippi was facing some difficulties both internally and externally. Internally, there were some selfish and divisive situations going on (2:3 and 4:2-3). Externally, some outside influences were trying to make headway into the congregation (1:15-17 and 3:17-21). He reminds them in 3:21 that their citizenship is in heaven and in 2:9-11 that Jesus is Lord. Both of these ideas is a challenge to the Roman authority. Paul himself was a Roman citizen but recognized a higher authority and would not declare Caesar as Lord. There are those today who want to remove any mention of God or scripture from the public area. It will not succeed. The good news of Jesus eventually overthrew Rome peacefully. The communists tried to remove God from the Russian mind, but when the Berlin Wall fell, churches opened and people came to worship and praise God. In China today, the government has recognized churches but the "illegal" house church movement has around 80 million adherents. 

 

They were concerned about his imprisonment and how that could help the presentation of the good news (1:12-21). He tells them first that life is hard. He was "in chains for Christ." As such the whole palace guard in Rome had heard the message of the Christ. One can just imagine a shift in which each guard was watching Paul. Some would be frustrated by his message; others would carefully listen. What looked like a difficult situation to the outsider was to God's glory. Then there were those who "preached Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains." Whoever they were, and we don't really know, the point Paul is making is that Jesus Christ is being proclaimed.  

 

It is not much different today. About eighty years ago a preacher wrote and preached emphasizing the Man over the plan. He was criticized for doing so. That idea continues to be debated today. A recent critical review of a book on the humility of Christ called it dangerous to one's spiritual health. It is if put into practice, though that is not what the reviewer had in mind. Others quietly, even secretly, proclaim Jesus in areas where it would mean death. Converts from Islam face death if caught. Chinese are in prison for following the Carpenter. Contrary to the health and wealth preachers, life is hard. Paul knows that life is hard. Read 2 Corinthians 12. He says that he was beaten five times with forty lashes minus one. That means that he had 195 scars on his back. He was beaten with rods three times. More scars. He was stoned once. That means broken bones. Life is hard. Ask Jeremiah, Job, David and even Jesus, life is hard. 

 

The second thing he tells them is that Jesus is Lord. This was a challenge because Paul is in prison under Roman, and therefore Caesar's, authority. Emperor worship was developing not just for the dead ones, but for the living. Caesar is lord was the claim being made. The Philippi church wondered who was in control, Rome or God? Paul would deal with this more fully in 2:6-11. When life is hard, things look bad, but we must remember that God is still ruling. Jesus is Lord is what they, and we, need to keep in mind.  

 

Even today we recognize that Jesus is Lord, not government, not science, not education, nor Hollywood or the media. They do not understand this because they are proud and selfish, wanting to control as much as they can. Many could not understand the "values" vote in the last election because many do not understand the religious aspects of life in America. That carries over into many areas around the world. False comparisons, stereotypes, and many other ideas ignore, reject or misrepresent religion, and especially the Judeo-Christian worldview. Europe cannot understand a President with faith in God. The media and Hollywood refuse to see the importance of faith in the lives of ordinary Americans. Jesus is Lord. 

 

Finally, Paul tells the Philippians, I will rejoice. "And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice." What an attitude! Life is hard but he was going to rejoice. He said it again in 4:4. He is telling those in Philippi that they will face difficulties, will suffer and should be prepared to share in the Lord's suffering (3:10-11), that life is hard and they should be content in any and all circumstances; and in all of that they should rejoice because Jesus is Lord.  

 

Those are tough words. We normally do not think that a hard life leads to rejoicing but Paul, from prison, tells us to do just that! In the face of terror and war, can we rejoice? In the face of sickness and death can we rejoice? In the face of loss of finances and friends can we rejoice? That is something to think about. 

 

One other thing to mention from this text. Paul said about all that was going against him, "But what does it matter?" (vs. 18). This can be boiled down to "so what?" Life is hard. So what? Rejoice in the Lord. The car isn't working. So what? Get another car. There is no advancement in a job. So what? Get another job. The preacher is boring. So what? Send him on a two week vacation to Hawaii.  

 

Life is hard. So what? Jesus is Lord. I will rejoice. What a way to live! 

 

      George B. Mearns