Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost September 30 – October 1, 2023
“A Proud Citizen” Philippians 2:1-18
Rev. John R. Larson Ascension Lutheran Church Littleton, Colorado
Sometimes I just need a reminder. I need someone to remind me of what I already know. That happened this week in two different ways.
A few weeks ago, following the third weekend in a row of burying one of our dear saints, Patti Zeggert, who heads up the funeral luncheon committee asked me, “Do you get depressed?” And my answer was, “Don’t ask me that, then I won’t have to answer.” She didn’t ask me the question after the Bronco’s 70 point mess this past Sunday, or after the Rockies topped 100 loses for the season this past week, but she asked that question after another of the many funerals that we have had here.
We’ve buried your spouse, your mother, your father, your friend, and a dozen of my friends in these past four months. It has been painful for you and for me.
So, God sent me some folks that reminded me of my God and His love. God sent me some folks that let me know that Jesus was the master and Lord of all things. God sent me people who would lift my spirits.
On Wednesday morning two men, Mike and Phil, popped in at my office. They had come on Tuesday, but I told them I didn’t have the time they needed and wondered if they could come back the next day. They did. They are members of an organization called the Gideon’s. They distribute Bible’s all over the world. Hundreds of millions of Bibles have been placed in hotels and motels, given to members of the military, given to students, and placed in many other locations, since they began this ministry many years ago. I bet you have seen a Gideon’s Bible sometime in your life.
They came and they told me what I already knew. God’s word is alive and active and brings life and changes the outcomes of so many people. Though when they stand outside a high school or a college many of the students don’t want to take the Bible, more of them than in the recent past receive the Scriptures and thank them for it.
I needed a reminder that the word of God is desired by many people yet today. This week I needed to be reminded that God works in my limited abilities to bring His truth and compassion to the folks that I serve in this congregation. I went to see Henry Kerluke, now 91 years old. Can’t hear a thing. Limited eyesight. Just got out of the hospital because he had a serious infection throughout his body. When I went to his room he was sound asleep. My initial words didn’t seem to get him awake. I didn’t want to leave without saying something, so I read some Scripture, but there was no response. Sound asleep. He had a ski cap on his head and over his eyes. But Henry always prays the Lord’s Prayer with me when we visit. I began the Lord’s Prayer and after a few petitions, Henry, with full voice, is praying it with me. He raises the cap and smiles and says, “Pastor!” We speak briefly, I celebrate the holy meal of the Lord’s Supper with him, and he, just as quickly as he woke, now goes back to sleep.
This week was a week when God reminded me that He has not forgotten me. He reminded me in the face of two men who visited me, and another that I went to visit, that His hand was placed on me. I wonder, if every so often, you need a reminder from God that He has you in mind and meets the anxieties of your soul? Do you need a reminder that He has not forgotten you?
Philippians 2 comes as a reminder to us of the supremacy of Christ. I bet those believers in Jesus needed to hear once again about who Jesus was and what Jesus had done for them. Verse 1 is a reminder of who they were and what Christ has done for them. “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit…” He reminds them that they are “in Christ”, a term that speaks of our identity. “In Christ” means connected to Him with a living, certain faith. You know that you are considered complete and whole by His claim on your life. “In Christ” – the solid rock, the one who died and rose again.
I cannot even describe to you the greatness of our God. Whatever words I use cannot fully explain to you His full being and His deep love for you and your life. But if somehow I can remind you of this truth, and you can stake your life on this, then I will be like those two Gideon’s in my office on Wednesday.
The sufficiency of Christ rolls from the lips of Paul with these words:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:6-11)
That reminder of faith in Him tells me that life is different now. It is different because Jesus has taken His rightful place. He is the Savior. He is the Sacrifice for the ills of the world and for ours. Jesus Christ is Lord. He cares about me. And you.
Such a reaching out to each individual allows our reach then to be toward others. Here are two sections in this reading that speak that the sufficiency of Christ to us changes how we are to others, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness or compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (2:1-4) Later, his directive was, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” (2:14-16)
You have been changed by Jesus. He has loved you with every emotion, thought and action of His life. You are “In Him” and He is “In you.” One of my favorite verses in the Bible are the first few verses in Romans 12. Romans, chapters 1 through 11 is the word that we are saved completely, wholly and securely by the work of Jesus. Romans 3:21-22 says, “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Then Romans 12 says, “Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy”, (All of this stuff of how Jesus gave Himself as the sacrifice for our sins), to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Verses 1-2)
I want to remind you of the greatness of Jesus. I want to remind you of a life that is made whole by His Spirit. Receive from Jesus all that He wants to give you. I pray that it makes your faith strong and firm and filled with true joy. Give to others what God wants to bring them through you. “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27)
Lord, remind us every day of Your care for us and Your desires for our life. Amen!!
