Sermon, Pentecost +16 (A)

 SERMON PENTE +16

This morning, we have some clear messaging coming through in the readings - there's an underlying thread that connects the scriptures, and we can sum it up nicely: 

Be fair. Be kind. Be faithful.

 

The Israelites in Exodus are now facing the reality that life isn't always fair, but that they have the chance to act with grace and dignity as they journey forward.

Our psalm reiterates the provisions that God gives - not out of merit - or fairness - but modeling abundance and sharing.

 

The Gospel, with the landowner, again invites us to see that while life isn't always fair, what matters is how we respond to it. And for Christians, the answer is always with love and compassion - when we're on the giving end, and when we're on the receiving end.

 

Where I felt called to spend some extra time this week was the passage from the Philippians. Paul is writing an epistle - which is essentially a pastoral letter - where he wants to convey the Good News of God in Christ - obviously - but also to offer his reflections on the way the community was engaging - with one another, and with God. 

 

That's the fun thing about the epistles - they're a bit like a GPS for the spiritual journey... with a kind but necessary "course correction" and "recalculating route" in order to stay as close to that spiritual straight and narrow as possible.

 

So, whenever I am reading an epistle passage, I often wonder: what was the background story? What was the impetus for this letter to be written? 

And, when we get a passage that starts in the middle of such a letter - what's the context here?

 

So! For us, we need to realise that Paul is writing to a young Christian community, from away, trying to prepare them for the harsh reality of his prison sentence. He's not likely going to be with them in person. 

 

Yet despite this, he feels that he is part of their community. He is with them - and urges them to work towards unity and humility - two realities that Paul expects to be entirely interconnected. For Paul, the nudge of this epistle is to remind the church that their disunity or competition is, in fact, sinful. It's problematic. It will tear them apart. 

 

He calls for the church to come together in prayer and with humble hearts, to love and care for one another, to express kindness even when it's difficult, even when they disagree, even when they don't want to.

 

The piece we get is in the first chapter - it's part of the beginning of the letter. And so it's important for us to hear the message of the introductory piece before we delve too deeply into this passage. 

So Paul starts with a salutation, saying "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ."

What a great way to start a letter! Giving thanks for the community's commitment to the Gospel, and praying that they will continue in discernment and love until the Day of Christ's return. 

He then describes a little bit about where he's at - both physically in the prison, and mentally in terms of his earthly desire to live, and spiritually in the positive expression that his circumstances have helped him to spread the good news. 

"Yes," Paul writes, "and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.  It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death."

 

And here our passage starts - "For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer."

 

What a great way to frame a life - no matter how long it will be: living is Christ - because of the opportunities to share the Good News, to follow the right path, to continually re-orient thoughts and words and actions towards God. 

 

And death is gain - not that death is wanted, but that through death comes eternal life - an unearthly connection with God - where all challenges of this life - be they oppression or inconvenience or anywhere in between - are removed. 

 

And Paul's reference to suffering is a great commentary not only on his own personal position, but on what he is hearing of the church, too. They are struggling. The politics of the day is difficult, and they are called to stand against and unjust. They are experiencing oppression, and are called to work towards the liberation of others. They are limited in positive realities, yet are called to respond - even to those who hate them and act against them - with love. 

 

This is the fruitful labour that Paul speaks of - the Christian response to the world around you. It's speaking up for the voiceless, and helping those in need without judging how they came to BE in need. It's telling the truth even when it's not popular, and it's treating others with more than what basic civility calls for.

 

It's seeing that the suffering of one is the suffering of all; and that suffering is a call for us to come together and help; 

It's "liv[ing] your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ", even when - especially when - things feel unfair. 

 

My goodness, what a powerful letter that Paul has written to this young church. What a connection he is making with the folks in that community. What a reminder to them all about what is possible when they live the Gospel truth: proclaiming in thought, word, and deed, that they are followers of Christ. 

 

My goodness, what power this letter continues to give to us: as we do our best to journey forward in times that are full of struggle and uncertainty. 

 

What a gift from Paul to the church - wherever and whenever the church is. What a gift from Paul to US this week - a reminder of prayerful thanksgiving, and of re-focusing our path towards God, and of the privilege we carry in being Gospel people - called to love and serve the Lord.