Christ Church December 17, 2006: 8 and 10am Philippians 4:4-7
Today is the third
Sunday in Advent- Advent, the time of the year when we turn our minds
to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into this world- of his coming
two millennia ago, and- less often, we think of that time when he will
come again in his power and in great glory as Judge. Neither message is
exactly what you would call 'politically correct'! The thoughts of a
God who judges; of a God who gave his Son to save us from that just
judgment do not sit well with a materialistic, hedonistic society.
So, Christmas has become 'Winter Festival', by name in some
politically correct councils, and if not by name, then at least by the
way it is celebrated. I was heartened to read in the paper the other
day that John Reid, our Home Secretary, said he wished be could get
away from all this political correctness and call Christmas
"Christmas". This time, which should be the celebrating the coming of
God's Son into this world as our Saviour has become for many a time of
enjoying ourselves just for the sake of doing so! It's the time of
parties- so 'enjoy yourself'. Cast your inhibitions and your restraints
to one side, so that that enjoyment may be unfettered.
Set beside this, Paul's words to the Christians of Philippi is seen as
something very different. "Rejoice
in the Lord always, I will say
again: 'Rejoice'". A command to rejoice; a command to rejoice
written by a man in prison, in chains, restrained for his message about
the Lord, in whose Name, he commanded; "Again, I will say 'Rejoice'".
Then Paul continues, "Let
your gentleness be evident to all" This is very different to the
joy, the enjoyment indulged in, often with a distinct lack of
'gentleness', or as the Authorised Version has it- 'moderation'. Paul
goes on in these few verses to point up the same difference which
existed between Christian joy and the enjoyment which characterised and
was indulged in by the Roman world of the First Century.
No! Joy is very different; Christian joy is not dependant on have a
good time, or on ephemeral enjoyment. It has a much more solid and firm
base which is not affected by what's going on inside us or round about
us. So-
First, Paul reminds us "The Lord is near" Paul offers a sobering
thought- the Lord was 'near' in the sense of his return to judge the
world. Yes, he is near to those who love Him and follow Him, but Paul
has a different meaning of nearness, a nearness which remains true 2000
years later. The fact is we know no more than did Paul when the Lord
Jesus Christ will return.And for each one of us there remains the fact
that when this life has run its course he will return. For those who
love Jesus his words in John chapter 14 stand: "I will come back and take you to be
with me that you also may be where I am" Yes, - the fact remains
that we will stand before his judgment seat, to be judged for the
things done in the body, but if we believe in Him as Lord and Saviour
we need not fear his judgment. For John 5:24 tells us "I tell you the truth: Whoever hears my
Word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be
condemned" What words to bring joy; what words to celebrate!
Then comes the exhortation to pray, to put all our needs and cares
before our Lord. Peter, in his first epistle writes "Cast all your
anxiety on Him, for He cares for you". Paul also tells us to join
thanksgiving to our prayer. How often do we do that? How much joy do we
rob ourselves of because we fail to come before God with thankful
hearts. When things go wrong, go to Him, yes, but do so with thankful
hearts! We can do so just because Jesus cares for us and knows our
needs already: all we need do is cast our needs, our cares on Him- and
then leave them there.
Paul's last word is about the peace of God guarding our hearts. Peace
and Joy are both fruit of God's Holy Spirit, so there's little surprise
that they are thus inter-related, As has been said
Peace is joy resting,
joy is peace dancing.
The Christian does
indeed 'enjoy' Christmas; in a much deeper sense. It is indeed 'peace
dancing'
So, my wish for you
all is a joyous and peaceful Christmas.