Listen here.
Welcome to Devotions for Worship where we meditate on the
appointed Scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday. Thank you for being with
me today.
I am Pastor Eric Tritten from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in
Hudson, OH.
This coming Sunday is the 17th Sunday after
Pentecost. Last Sunday we started a new epistle – a new letter – for our New
Testament Lesson; Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Remember that Philippians
is only four chapters long. It would probably take you less than a half-hour to
read the whole thing, so maybe later today you could give that a shot.
The reading today follows directly on last week’s reading in
which Paul confessed that to live is Christ and to die is gain. He also
encouraged the Philippians (and us!) to live a life that is worthy of the
gospel – that is that our lives would be consistent with the hope and salvation
we have in Jesus’ salvation – remembering that such a life sometimes encounters
conflict and suffering for Christ’s sake.
The Reading: Philippians 2:1-4 (5-13) 14-18 - So if there is
any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the
Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of
the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his
own interests, but also to the interests of others.( 5 Have this
mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though
he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be
grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,
being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a
cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him
the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my
presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to
work for his good pleasure.)
14 Do all
things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless
and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and
twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16
holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud
that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be
poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I
am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be
glad and rejoice with me. (Phil. 2:1-18 ESV)
Comments
There are a handful of things going on at this point in this
letter.
First, backing up to the end of chapter 1, Paul spoke to the
Philippians about dealing with their opponents, urging them to strive side by
side with one mind for the faith of gospel. Now, in chapter 2, he is urging
them to be in the same mind with one another as they encourage, comfort and
love one another. Among our brothers and sisters in Christ, we take an attitude
of humility, gentleness, and mercy. And that is in no small part because
humility was an important part of Jesus’ character in his relationship to the
Father, and to us as he humbled himself even to the point of death to redeem
us. There is no room for rivalry or conceit when we see one another through the
filter of Jesus’ humility. All of our puffed up pride must be set aside when we
see what Jesus was willing to do to save us. How would we not humble ourselves
as we deal with our brothers and sisters whom Jesus also loves?
Second, you may have noticed that around v. 6 the feeling of
the reading changes. It is not reflected in the way the English translation is
laid out, but vv. 6 – 11 are actually a hymn. Hymnody is such an important part
of our life as Christians. In Colossians 3 we are urged to let the word of
Christ dwell in us richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,
singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…. Notice how deep and how
beautiful this section is as it praises and proclaims who Jesus is and what
Jesus has done. Paul is using this hymn to draw the Philippians together in the
faith that rests completely on Jesus, and he is pointing to the unity in hope and
faith as the motivation and power for them (and us) to change our behaviors to
be more like Christ. We are forgiven, and therefore our lives change ethically.
We strive to be like Jesus – and in this case that means being humble with one
another which is also a form of obedience to Jesus.
Third, having urged the Philippians toward humility and
rooting their humility in Jesus’ example and his salvation … it is never just
Jesus’ example that changes people, it is his example and his salvation … Paul
now hits a specific behavior that reflects their humility. He says, “Do all
things without grumbling or questioning.” And he even gives them a reason to do
this: it is because God’s children shine like lights in the world. This makes
us think of Jesus’ words to let your light shine before men that they may see
your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. The goal of our godly
behavior is to draw people to Jesus, to have the opportunity to share the
gospel with them!
Finally, let’s notice how Paul places us and himself into
God’s hands. He wants us to hold fast to the word of life – the message of
Jesus crucified, risen, ascended, and coming again so that his labor will not
be in vain. No other message can save us, and Paul urges us to cling to Jesus.
And in clinging to Jesus he is comfortable even to be poured out as a drink
offering – to give his own life for Jesus’ sake. And because we have this good
news we can rejoice no matter our circumstances – even in our suffering –
because of everything Jesus has done for us. He changes our perspective about
what is important and helps us to see that the sufferings of this present age
are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is already being revealed in us
and God works forgiveness, life, salvation, and re-creation in this world even
now.
Prayers
O God, Jesus came and humbled himself even to the point of
death to redeem us, and now his name is the name above all names at which every
knee will bow. Thank you for making us among those who rejoice to hear the
gospel and bend our knees in worship. Even so, Lord, we do not always reflect
his light in this world. We are not always of the same mind, and we act out of
rivalry and conceit, refusing to humble ourselves as Jesus did. We grumble and
question and do not act as good witnesses in this world. Please forgive us and
change our hearts and minds so that we will be united and humble ourselves so
that we reflect our Lord to those around us, so that they too may be drawn to
the cross and receive Jesus’ salvation. Amen.
Thank you so much for using Devotions for Worship, I pray
that our time together has blessed you and given you something to meditate on –
some reminder of God’s grace to rattle around in your brain – for the rest of
the day.
Memory Verse: Psalm 25:5 - Lead me in your truth and teach
me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. (Ps.
25:5 ESV)
Before you go, I have two things:
I just want to remind you of the great need in Puerto Rico, Texas,
Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Please keep those people in your prayers. I
don’t know about you, but the way these natural disasters have all come back to
back, I find myself a little overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do to
help. Prayer is help. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective
says James. So we should pray. And remember that LCMS World Relief and Human
Care does great work to help people in need and to share the gospel with the
hurting. You can learn more about their work and make donations to help the
suffering at www.lcms.org/disaster.
Would you do me a favor? If you got something out of this
devotional time, would you like and/or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or
wherever you do social media? That would help me get the word out, and
hopefully help these devotions be a blessing to others.
God bless you!
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