What's the opposite of love? Most people would say hate. But the opposite of love can also be arrogance. An arrogant person is one who stands above others and keeps his distance. A Christian is one who stands shoulder to shoulder with the least and the lost, the down and the out.
What sets us apart from the busy people all around us is that we have a goal to our race. It is to receive a prize that will make whatever we suffer and lose so much refuse compared to the glory that is ours in Christ. We press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, to eternal life in his name. Amen.
Paul insists on the whole package. He not only wants to know Christ and the power of Christ's resurrection, but he wants to share in the crucifixion as well. The two aspects are as one to him. Neither can exist alone. Paul wants a cruciform life. Not simply life by itself, not simply a cruciform death, but a cruciform life.
Didn't most of us know all along that neither Wall Street nor WalMart could ever hold the secret to real contentment! So now it's the perfect time to look to Jesus Christ as our source of strength and we'll find our life secured in the blessing of peace and contentment that only Christ can bring.
Truth to tell, the Philippians had a problem. They were divided along many lines--all of which all had one thing in common: Self-interest. One wanted this, another wanted that, and another wanted something altogether different. Paul knew they'd never reach their potential as the Body of Christ until they overcame their divisions.
Paul suggests an "alternative" lifestyle for the believer. In that day there was a tendency toward ritual and religion. But when we are truly transformed by faith our lives are evidenced by "virtues"--compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience--not religious practices. Paul singles out "love" as the one that stands above all the rest.
On this day and in this gathering two birthdays coincide. The first is the birthday of this congregation. Some of you were here when this congregation was born. The second birthday is the Holy Baptism we celebrate today as Griffin David McIsaac is brought to the waters of salvation.
The recovery of God in our lives means the recovery of the experience of depth, richness, that comes in the awareness of life as a precious gift to be approached in awe and reverence. But look at the landscape. How do we see life treated? Is it not more often as just another commodity to do with as individuals will?
Paul knew being church is hard work, and he never minced words about it. Listen to his sales pitch, what he tells the folk in the church at Philippi. "Be of the same mind." You think that's easy? Paul doesn't mean they have to agree all the time. He means that no matter what decisions the congregation makes, they will all support it. Do you know how hard that is?
What would Jesus drive? If Jesus were on earth today, what kind of vehicle would he choose? Can you imagine Jesus tooling around town in Volkswagen Beetle or do you see him driving a Hummer? What would Jesus drive? I recently found two very different answers to this question.