Pray for People You Struggle With

Transcript

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[0:00] And now our sermon text today comes from Philippians chapter 1 verses 1 through 11. This is the letter from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God's holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons. May God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

[0:31] Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the good news about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God who began the good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

[0:58] So it is right that I should fear. May God give you great peace. May God give you great peace for you. May God give you great peace for you. so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return.

[1:35] May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation, the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ. For this will bring much glory and praise to God. Gracious God, we ask for your blessing upon this word.

[1:59] Would you speak to our hearts? Would you speak to our minds? And would you help us to hear your will for us? These things we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. So the letter to the Philippians was written by Paul when he was in prison. Paul had journeyed to Philippi before this, and he kept in touch with his brothers and sisters there. And since this is only one, we don't get to see what was communicated before this happened. We only get to see Paul's response to the communications and all of the goings-ons that have happened since he was last there.

[2:42] Though we do get a clear picture that Paul really loved the Philippians, and they loved him. In fact, we almost get the idea that the church at Philippi was one of Paul's favorite. His words of love to them are genuine. And we see that the Philippians supported Paul's journeys financially. In fact, they even supported him on more than one occasion. And even when other churches either couldn't support him or just didn't want to support him.

[3:21] So a lot of our background on Philippi actually comes from the Acts recording of Paul's first book. missionary journey. Acts 16.3 tells us that the group of believers there was small but mighty. There were probably not enough men to form a synagogue. So a small group of women gathered each Sabbath to pray outside the city gate. That tells us that Jewish worship was not welcome in this very Roman city. So there was persecution. It was not an easy thing for a person to be Jewish or Christian in that city. Now when Paul left Philippi, there was a pretty diverse group of people meeting. There was Lydia and her household, and not much is known about Lydia except that she was a dealer in purple cloth. She was my kind of a person. Purple cloth was purchased by very wealthy people and by royalty, and no one else. No one else could afford purple cloth. In fact, in some cases, other people weren't allowed to have purple cloth. It was reserved for very important people. So we know that Lydia and her household were very well off because of that.

[4:50] There was a jailer and his family. They were probably middle class. He had a job, but it wasn't a great job. They were probably happy and healthy and comfortable in their lifestyle. Nothing like Lydia and her household, though. And then there was a slave girl who's definitely not wealthy or even middle class. So God had brought together a group of people who were very wealthy and comfortable in their lives. And so the church was able to bring together these people regardless of their social differences that would have otherwise divided them. And perhaps these differences even did divide them. We know that there was some arguing, and we know that not everyone in the church was acting with the humility of Christ toward each other. We don't know exactly which stressors caused the rift. But we know that between the persecution and the violence, there was a lot of conflict. And so the church was able to come together and have a good relationship with the people.

[5:55] So if we look at some of the end end end end end end end end end end We just don't know. And we don't want to cause, we don't want to go into the assumption route because that's not going to help us to get a good message of what God wants us to do. So we have to go ahead and acknowledge that we only get one side of the story.

[6:33] But it is this that Paul is addressing in his letter. We know that much. And Paul, from the very get-go, wants to set an example with his letter. Paul never minces words. Paul's the type of person who says, if I'm going to spend the energy and the resources on writing this letter, and it's not like sending off a text that you can send millions of texts in a day, it's not that easy. So if Paul's going to go ahead and write this letter, he's going to make every word count, as Paul seems to always do. Now, first century letters followed a certain pattern, and there was a very particular way that they began. It would say the name of the sender to the name of the recipient, colon, greetings.

[7:29] Paul, however, liked to make every word he wrote significant, so he deviated from the norm of first century letter writing. First, instead of only listing the names of Paul and Timothy as the senders, he added a description, slaves of Christ Jesus.

[7:49] In the Old Testament, the phrase slave of God is used for some of the most admired people of faith. Some translations would use the word servant, but the original terminology indicates that slave is a closer description. So, for example, Joshua says that, Moses was a servant or a slave of God in Joshua 14, 7. And there are other times that that is used.

[8:17] There are only three letters of Paul where he refers to him as a slave of Christ, the other two being Romans and Titus. However, in both of those, he follows up with a reference to himself as an apostle.

[8:34] He drops the honorable title in Philippians, and only uses this incredibly humble position as slave. Next, Paul deviated slightly from the norm by addressing the letter to all of God's holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.

[9:00] So he gave an honorable mention to the leaders, but he wanted to emphasize that the letter was actually directed to every single person, every single believer. Otherwise, it would have been common in that day for the leaders to just assume that they were the important ones to whom the letter was addressed, and everyone else might not necessarily get to hear it. So he addressed this very deliberately to every single believer in the church, and then he just gave this extra mention to the leaders and deacons.

[9:33] There is a catch in what he says, though. The word he uses for God's holy people, is saints. And so here the word people is described with the word holy. These are people whom God has set apart, which means they were marked with the salvation of Christ. But it also means that they carry a very specific responsibility of being set apart for carrying out the mission of the new covenant, just as in old times, the people of the new covenant were called saints. The people of God were set apart by God with the purpose of carrying out the responsibilities of the old covenant. So when God's holy people are called, it means that they are set apart by him, they are saved by him, but they also have a covenant to uphold. And by calling the people holy people of God, or by calling the people saints, Paul is reminding them, yes, you have been saved, but yes, you have a responsibility. So from the very, very first line, Paul made it clear that even as an apostle, he sees himself as a humble servant of Christ on equal footing with all of his brothers and sisters in Christ.

[10:54] As a leader, he doesn't have to specifically say that he expects his brothers and sisters to view themselves in the same manner, but the unspoken words ring loudly. But he also reminds them, that they have this responsibility to the gospel, to act in a way that is holy. He doesn't even get them a second to breathe after the opening of the letter, before he reminds them, you have a responsibility. And he sets their minds up for the fact that he's going to tell them what it is.

[11:26] So again, we don't know what all was happening at Philippi, we don't know what whispers and rumors he's heard, or has not heard. We don't know what they've written to him in the past, but we do know that he's addressing something, and right from the very beginning of his letter, he's hoping to demonstrate humility and love to them, and humble service to others, because he wants the church at Philippi to mirror that. And as their leader, just like Christ led by demonstration, Paul is leading by demonstration to the church at Philippi.

[12:07] Thereby, he wants them to cease their complaining and arguing, which he mentions in 2.14, and he wants them to mend relationships between members who are at odds with each other. And he specifically mentions Euodia and Syntyche in chapter 4.2.

[12:26] Now Paul has great things to say about the Philippians, and Paul even has great things to say about Euodia and Syntyche, specifically, even though he's calling them out. Because he recalls how both women worked hard alongside him and proclaimed the good news of the gospel. And yet they're at odds with each other. They're not enemies from differing religions. They have a very common goal in life, but they simply don't get along.

[12:59] Do you get along with every single person who has ever come through the doors of the church? Or with every single person who has ever come through the doors of any church? This is a 2,000 year old problem, and it hasn't gone away today. You can be a very good person with a heart on fire for God, and it's completely possible that you butt heads with another very good person whose heart is on fire for God.

[13:30] And who's in the wrong? Not necessarily anybody, but at least for the most part, both. So Paul set an example for how we are meant to treat each other right in the very beginning of his letter. Now first of all, and foremost, Paul prays for the people at Corinth.

[13:52] And I want to underline how often this happens. First, we read today from, um, sorry, we read from Colossians first today. But in Colossians and James, he says he prays for the people since he met them. Continuously since he met them.

[14:20] That's hard to do. I have not prayed for you guys continuously since I met you. It's hard to do. I pray for you guys. We pray together for the whole church. Once every month, we at prayer team go through the directory of the whole church and just pray for our community. But that's not continuously since we met you. That's really hard to do.

[14:45] And then Paul says again in his letters to the Philippians, that he prays for them whenever he prays to God. That's a little more reasonable. Even though we're supposed to live a life of continuous praise. And continuous prayer. So here's what I think that means. Since we're supposed to live a life of continuous prayer, but I don't think any of us can possibly do that. What this means is that we need to live a life that is continuously reflective of Christ.

[15:22] And when Paul says he is praying for these people continuously, that means he is continuously living this life reflective of Christ. And a life that is a life of responsibility, mutual responsibility with his brothers and sisters in Christ. So what he's saying is, you are constantly on my heart. I live for Christ and by living for Christ, I live for you.

[15:55] So whenever he prays to God, he prays for them. And not only that, but he prays for them. He prays for them with joy. He prays for all of them with joy. He doesn't just pray for specific people in the church whom he especially loves, but he prays for all of them and he does it with joy.

[16:23] I imagine that's hard to do too. To pray for the people who irk you and to do it with joy. That's a calling that we have. Now Paul is not superhuman. Paul was simply just a person. He was not Christ who was able to pray for all people with absolute love. Paul had his human brokenness. And there were people who rubbed him the wrong way. There are even records of it in Acts. And yet he prayed for all of his brothers and sisters. Joyfully.

[17:03] And I need you right now to do something. I need you to think of a name. And I don't want you to think too hard because my guess is that somebody has already popped into your mind. Who is a Christian brother or sister that you've butted heads with either recently or in the past?

[17:23] I want you to take out a pencil from the pew or a pen and your bulletin or a piece of paper or even a memo on your cell phone. And I want you to write down the name and then I want you to write next to that name of someone you've butted heads with. I want you to write something that they have contributed to the kingdom of heaven. So I'm going to just wait for about 30 seconds for everyone to do this. In fact, I'm going to set a little timer.

[18:11] So if you want to get started with some great stuff for me. So if you want to get started with some great stuff for me. So if you want to get started with some great stuff for me. So if you want to get started with some great stuff for me. So if you want to get started with some great stuff for me.

[18:25] So if you want to get started with some great stuff for me. Okay. Now, second, Paul says that he gives thanks to God whenever he remembers the Philippians. So not only does he pray for them whenever he prays, but then whenever he happens to remember them, he also prays and gives thanks for them. So we talked in youth group this past Friday about people in our lives who are catalysts in our faith. That means somebody who has spurred a faith reaction in our lives, whether big or small.

[19:11] And so I want you to just think about the many, many people in your own personal faith journey who have taught you, who have prayed for you, who have gone through trials with you, who have given you hope, who have encouraged you, who have shaped you, who have walked alongside of you.

[19:31] And that's going to be a long list. How often do you remember to simply thank God for them? I want you to take out your paper or your cell phone again, and I want you to write down at least two more names.

[19:50] Two names of people who have been catalysts in your faith, and then just write a sentence next to those names, thanking God for each of them. It can be a very simple sentence. I'll give you 30 more seconds.

[20:41] So, finally, Paul intercedes for the people at Philippi right in his letter. He has love for them and longs for their presence. And so, I want you to think about that. And his love for them is also an example that he is setting for them to have for each other. And so, he prays for them and for their love to increase.

[21:08] In another letter Paul wrote, the one to the Corinthians, he says, three things will last forever, faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love. Paul knew that they are nothing without the love of Christ. Jesus told us that the world would know we are Christians by our love. So, when we show this radical love of Christ, this shocking type of love which Christ showed to us, love so incredible that he died to take the punishment of our sins so that we could have everlasting life, free of sorrow and pain and brokenness, that is love. And that is the love that defines us as Christians. And that is the love that defines us as Christians. So we need to allow ourselves to be bought by that kind of love of Christ and reborn into it every single day. And then we need to allow that love to define us inside and out. If we do that, then certainly we'll be able to live in God's peace and love with our fellow Christians. And we'll be able to live in God's peace and love with the world outside of the church. And we'll be able to live in God's peace and love with the world outside of the church. And we'll be able to live in God's peace prayer that Paul prays for his brothers and sisters. And that's another incredibly difficult thing to do

[22:30] because it's not just a one and done action. Each of us needs to wake up every single day and recommit to taking up the cross and following Jesus. Each of us needs to commit every single day to making choices that most reflect Christ's love for the world. And in the heat of the moment with a co-worker or when that one person is just driving us insane, or when the brokenness of the world is trying to sway us, that's the most difficult task that we have to face. Your brothers and sisters need you to pray for them that their love would overflow from them more and more.

[23:14] Because they can't do that on their own. They can pray to God for them, they can pray to God on their own, but they can't on their own make that love flow through them more and more. It is only by God's help that we can live in love. Because it is God who is love. Without God we cannot love, so it's by God's help that we learn more about his love over us and how to reflect that love to the world. So we're going to go back to our list and we're going to take 30 more seconds. Think for a moment. Think for a moment about a person that God is putting on your heart. Write their name down and then write, God, would they know you love them, and may your love overflow from them more and more.

[24:19] Ask them for some great gifts for them. Ask them for some great gifts for them. Ask them for some great gifts for them. Ask them for some great gifts for them. Ask them for some great gifts for them Ask them for some great gifts for them Ask them for some great gifts for them And this is another hard thing to do because we're human and we have a human perspective shaped by other humans, some of whom are Christian and some of whom are not.

[25:02] If we are to grow in the knowledge of the things of God and have an understanding of that which is truly important, that means we will analyze every situation through the lens of God. We will live every situation in life through the spirit and not the flesh.

[25:23] Their every thought, word, and deed should align with God's kingdom purposes and not necessarily their own human desires or the desires of society around them. And that's a tall order, an order that truly requires God's help once again. So not only are these things that we should be desiring for other people who surround us, but because we know that God is not alone, they are just as human as we are, we really need to be praying for God's assistance and helping other people reach these things. First, we should pray it over our own lives, but I think it's easier for us to pray for ourselves in these things. What Paul is calling us here to is praying for other Christians to also achieve these things. So here's the last one. Take out your list and write down another name and pray for them to be led every day through this broken and confused world by nothing other than God's wisdom.

[26:59] Now, have you ever heard somebody tell you that their thoughts and prayers are with you, but instead of feeling relief or instead of feeling your burden being lifted, what you feel is that they are, well, not being completely honest? Maybe they have good intentions, but you feel distinctly as though they're not really going to pray for your situation.

[27:27] Maybe it's just a platitude, because people tend to wish us well, and it's an easy thing to say, I'll pray for you, but oftentimes when people say that, they don't actually do that. When you tell somebody you're going to pray for them, make sure that you actually do. If you have to stop what you're doing and pray for them right then and there, then do it. It is God's desire that we come to Him in conversation. That we lift each other up and intercede for each other. It certainly isn't because God needs prayer to survive. And it's not that God needs us to pray in order to make up his mind. Pray. Prayer has always been for human benefit. In prayer, we grow closer to God. We learn more about his character and we grow more like him. Perhaps by beginning his letter with a prayer for them, Paul was showing the Philippians how to spend more time in prayer too. That by spending time with God, they would develop more of God's humble and loving nature for each other. In Galatians 6.2, Paul tells us to carry each other's burdens and in that way we will fulfill the law of Christ.

[28:50] Praying for each other is a powerful way to bear each other's burdens while also trusting in God for his provisions over each other's lives. The Philippians were struggling to love deeply enough or to be humble enough to truly pray for each other. To truly understand each other. By turning to God in prayer for each other, they are open to learning God's view of the other person and their situation. And they are learning to trust God on an ever-deepening basis and learn of his character as it pertains to the people beyond themselves. And each of us needs that. We will never know so much about God and others that we couldn't stand to learn more. And God is calling you to have conversation with him. So take your lists home this week and pray for those people in earnest.

[29:49] Pray for them in joy, in thanksgiving, in intercession. Pray for the people you butt heads with, with humility and love. And in all things remember that we are unified under one perfect mission by he who shed blood for the sins of every one of us. Let's pray.

[30:12] God, we thank you that you put many people in our lives. People we find easy to get along with. People who stretch us and people we struggle with. God, all of them came from you and all of them are loved deeply by you.

[30:34] Help us to understand your love more and more for each of these people. Help us to come to you in prayer and show us more about who you are. These things we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.