This article is part of the worship series
Whistling in the Dark
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
WEEK 4: TRUE FELLOWSHIP ON DISPLAY
Prelude (organ)
"Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," arr. Gilbert M. Martin based on the melody by A. J. Showalter.
Welcome, Announcements, and Prayer
Call to Worship
Greetings
Exaltation (congregation)
"We Bow Down" Paris
"He Is Exalted" Paris
"I Exalt Thee" Sanchez
Unison Prayer
You are our eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them. You still uphold and rule them by your eternal counsel and providence.
You are my God and Father because of Christ your Son.
You are eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good.
I trust you so much that I do not doubt you will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and you will turn to my good whatever adversity you send me in this sad world.
You are able to do this because you are almighty God. You desire to do this because you are a faithful Father.
—Based on Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 26, Translation © 2011, Faith Alive Christian Resources. Used by permission. And Belgic Confession Article 1, Translation © 2011, Faith Alive Christian Resources. Used by permission
[Piano continues to segue during prayer to introduce the next selection.]
Sung Prayer (congregation)
"Be Thou My Vision" Hull, trans. Byrne
Use of an electronic keyboard that offers a good orchestral string section is effective on this selection; you may want to bring in the organ on the last verse.
Congregational Prayer
Our Gifts of Tithes and Offerings
Ministry in Music (solo)
"I Will Choose Christ," words and music by Tom Booth and Kathy Troccoli (Word Music).
Message
“True Fellowship on Display”
Scripture: Philippians 2:19–30
Churches can end up being very strange places if men and women are not vibrantly relating with Christ and if they are not involved in authentic fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Throughout chapter 2 we have been learning the importance—if we are to glorify God and if we are to learn to whistle in the darkness of a fallen world—of reflecting Christ in our relationships. As he concludes the chapter, Paul addresses some matters involving Timothy and Epaphroditus. As he talks about them, he provides a very effective illustration of what he has been teaching in the first half of the chapter. In essence, he is saying, "Here are Exhibits A and B."
These two men represent two general kinds of relationships we experience in the church: close friends and others with whom we enjoy fellowship. Timothy was a very close friend of Paul's—a kindred spirit. Epaphroditus was someone with whom Paul enjoyed a relationship even though he and Paul did not share the same intimacy as, say, two people who had worked together for many years.
As I read this passage, I can see how authentic friendships and fellowship within the church can refine some very important habits. True biblical friendship and fellowship will both require and enable me to reveal four important and related habits in my lifestyle:
1. The habit of placing God's will ahead of my agenda (w. 19, 23–24). Paul made his plans "in the Lord." His plans did not rest ultimately on any human plan or the outcome of his trial. His plans rested in God and in God's agenda for him as well as for other believers. Paul knew that in the give and take of relationships within the body of Christ, and in light of God's agenda in the lives of his Christian brothers and sisters, he would not always be able to do what he wanted when he wanted. It is one thing to make our plans without consideration of anyone else or even of God's plan. It is an entirely different matter to live our lives in the context of deferring to others' needs and timetables as well as God's agenda for them.
2. The habit of placing others' interests ahead of my own (vv. 20, 26). All four parties in this scenario—Timothy, Epaphroditus, Paul, and the Philippians—are demonstrating a willingness to put one another's interests ahead of their own. A tremendous difference can appear in a fellowship of believers when everyone is focusing on giving instead of getting. Cries of, "What's in it for me?" "What am I going to get out of this?" "What about my needs?" all begin to fade into the background. Instead, a yearning to put one another's interests first becomes the dominant concern, creating a refreshing, winsome, and Christ-honoring atmosphere.
3. The habit of placing God's calling ahead of convenience (vv. 21-22, 30). Timothy, Epaphroditus, and Paul knew what it means to be faithful in spite of hardship. Such faithfulness is so contrary to our culture, which worships comfort. That me-first attitude seeps into the church, and our obedience and involvement in kingdom causes become a matter of our schedules and moods rather than of heeding the call of our King. Getting involved at church tragically becomes an issue of convenience. If we would only learn that half-hearted commitment to the gospel actually results in no commitment at all!
Epaphroditus risked his life to obey God in demonstrating care for Paul. Paul said that Timothy proved himself in his devotion to service for the sake of Paul and the gospel. The word he uses for proved is the same Greek word he uses in Romans 5:4, only there it is translated as "character"—character that is honed in the midst of suffering. In our willingness to place God's call ahead of convenience, in our willingness to walk through hardship in order to serve one another and obey God, our character is both revealed and refined.
4. The habit of placing love ahead of mere sentimentality (vv. 25-30). Epaphroditus is an unusual name. It was derived from the name "Aphrodite," the Greek goddess of love. Perhaps Epaphroditus was named in honor of her, but he now has become a follower of Jesus Christ, the true lover of his soul. He has learned the difference between trite love that is limited to the fickle realm of emotion and often focuses on what someone does for him and true love that gives sacrificially. The result is his journey of immense hardship in order to truly love his brother, Paul.
In Romans 12:9, Paul reminds us that love must be sincere. The root of the word he uses for sincere is the same root from which we get the word hypocrisy. In Paul's day it was a word used to describe a stage actor who wore various masks, depending on which character he was playing. In Romans 12, Paul is exhorting us with a word that means the opposite of simply putting on a show for applause. In Philippians 2, he is illustrating what he taught.
In the last paragraph of Philippians 2, we read of a group of people who have all been gripped by the love of Christ and are giving that love to one another: a church wanting to help a brother in jail; another brother traveling hundreds of miles in terrible conditions to demonstrate that love; a prisoner who cares more for those outside of prison than for himself. No wonder these Christians were able to whistle in the dark!
Closing Response (congregation)
"Here I Am," Bowater
Parting Blessing
Postlude (band and organ)
"There Is Joy in Serving Jesus" Smith, Ackley
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A - Season after Pentecost - Proper 21 (26)
