Posts Tagged ‘Philippians’

Posted on January 31, 2010 - by Tim L

Just walk across the room - Who are you walking with?

Today we start a new series called Just Walk across the room.  It is based on a book by a guy called Bill Hybels who is the leader of a church in the USA called Willow Creek.  Some of may have heard of the church and or Bill Hybels.  We are going to be looking at some simple steps that help point people to faith.  This week is a little bit of an introduction with some stories and some thoughts about taking one simple step across a room,,……

A story
A man was travelling in a plane.  He was travelling with a work colleague and they had travelled together many times before,  They discussed the business they had done and the the trip they had made.  They did all of the small talk stuff, caught up over each others families and the things they enjoyed.  The conversation began to try dry up. One of the men was a Christian, he was friends and a work colleague with this man, he didn’t want to betray the trust they had together.  But he wondered if God might intervene in this plane ride and help the conversation take a steer towards more spiritual issues,….
He prayed….
He then asked the man what it might be like to fly a plane without listening to air traffic control.  The man laughed in return and said that he wished he could off right now if the pilot wasn’t tuned into air traffic control, especially as he knew how busy the skies were.
Then taking his life into his hands and asking for some confidence the man said “if you can believe it, some people fly their entire lives with the radio to heaven turned off.  They receive zero input from God, no guidance or wisdom and no counsel.  A lot of times they fly into bad weather and end up crashed and burned.  You’d be surprised how many people do that”.  As you can imagine it went very quiet, the man prayed in the silence and the man then replied “I guess that would be pretty stupid wouldn’t it?”

He then asked quite simply “how do I turn the radio on?”
(Taken from Just walk across the room by Bill Hybels)

How far can you walk?
I have had the pleasure of walking quite a miles over the past couple of days.  A couple of lovely days in Derbyshire walking with friends and family.  But there are days when I can’t walk very far at all.

I was at a wedding a couple of weeks ago.  At those events I always try to make sure I take some time just to sit and people watch, it is good just to see the smiles on peoples faces and who is talking to who.
As I looked around the room there was a man standing on his own. He had come with a group of people but they were nowhere to be seen. He was quite a tall man but seemed to hang his head, his whole body language was of someone who seemed to be unsure about where he was and what he was doing.  I stood there and knew I should walk across the room to him and engage him in conversation.  I had a whole series of open ended questions to ask him that I hoped that get the conversation going, but…..But I never made it across the room.  No one came and joined him or me I just chickened out.  I talked myself out of it.

How far can I walk?  Some days it is miles there are other days when I can’t even walk across the room.
How far can you walk?

I was involved in a conversation with someone one day and they were talking to me about the problems they had with evangelism.  They said they found it hard to do and found it confrontational too many times.  There were times when they worried about the questions they might get asked and that they would not be able to answer them.
It got me to thinking about the pictures that we often have inside our heads about sharing our faith or pointing others to spiritual matters.
The picture we often have is one of two people standing face to face with each, often they will be discussing or even arguing about the subject matter.  It can be seen as a very confrontational way of speaking to someone.  I was reminded of a number of New Testament stories or pictures where God does not confront people but walks along side them and journeys with them. Not in confrontation with them but to share the journey with them and help them with the steps on their journey of faith.

A Japanese Christian, once wrote a book which I still have on my shelves at home called the 3 mile an hour God.  Why 3 miles an hour?  Simple it is walking pace.  God doesn’t zoom around in a car at 70mph.  He chooses to walk with us.  We know how easy it is to miss things then.  God chooses to walk with us, at walking pace, at 3 miles an hour.

When Claire and I were first married we spent a lot of time in the car travelling to see family and friends up and won the motorways.  They were always times of great discussion, chatting and a time to catch up.  We journeyed with each other - side by side - around the country.
The story we heard earlier of the two men on the plane - side by side - journeying with each other, sharing lives, their stories, their hopes and dreams and one of them shares his faith with the other.  No big deal, it is part of that man being a human - he has a relationship with God that helps him journey through his life and he wanted to share that information with his good friend.

But why should I walk across the room?
Why should I care about the person on the other side of the room?  Why should I risk looking daft or being embarrassed?  Why should I walk across the room on God’s behalf?

Reading - Philippians
5Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. 6He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! 8Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death-and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
9Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honoured him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, 10so that all created beings in heaven and on earth-even those long ago dead and buried-will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, 11and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honour of God the Father.
Philippians 2; 5-11 (The Message)

Because when we walk across the room we are acting like God.
Our reading is about God making the step across the room, it was just a bit bigger than our lounge or kitchen.  It was step across the whole of the universe - from heaven to earth. Jesus, God in human form, came to journey with us, to walk with us,
There is a posh theological word for it - the incarnation - God coming and living amongst us.

Followers of Jesus who get it more right are the ones who give themselves to people.  They give themselves to pointing people to faith in Christ.  Jesus, who walked across the universe, from heaven to earth, says to his followers “I want you to do it now”  Every day try to point every person you meet to me.  Live as though your work colleagues, family, friends and neighbours would be better off if they knew Jesus’ father in heaven.  Better off because they could receive the wisdom, counsel and guidance to live their lives,…
The single greatest gift you can give someone is an introduction to God who asked his Son to cross the unthinkable distance to redeem them and make them his friends.  You will find then you can walk across the room, stand by someone’s side, you can journey with them, and tell them of the God who journeys every day with you at 3 miles an hour.
How far can you walk?
Dare you walk across the room?
Will you walk across the room?

Who are you walking with?
Talk with your neighbour in 2 and 3’s.  Who has walked with you?  Who are you walking with?
How could you help them make simple steps of faith?

Posted on April 5, 2009 - by Tim L

Lent Week 7 - Palm Sunday

Today is celebrated as Palm Sunday in the Christian Church.  It’s when we remember Jesus travelling into Jerusalem knowing that the end point is near.  That he will face betrayal and death.  We are all sitting here thinking next week is Easter and thinking of all the extra things we may have to do or activities we’ve got planned.  We might be looking forward to and hoping for a whole mountain of chocolate or other presents to arrive in our homes next Sunday.  As the play suggests we need to make sure that in all of that preparation we don’t forget the events of the first Easter and the amazing love that Jesus showed to all of us.  His death on the cross shows us all that it is possible for each one of us to live in relationship with the God who made us both on this earth and in heaven.

Whenever there’s a big gathering such as the G20 summit

[The G-20 is an informal forum that promotes open and constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability. By contributing to the strengthening of the international financial architecture and providing opportunities for dialogue on national policies, international co-operation, and international financial institutions, the G-20 helps to support growth and development across the globe.]

There is also a protest opportunity as these pictures show.  When national leaders gather it’s a good time for organizations to try and get their message heard.  While the national leaders are flying into international airports and bringing their own security teams with them, then the counter procession also kicks into gear.  Banners are made, plans are organized, megaphones are dusted down.

It was no different in around 30AD.  As Jesus rides the donkey into Jerusalem this is a carefully orchestrated procession, not the mad cap impulsive move you might have thought.  Its carefully planned on two counts - first, Jesus knows his Old Testament very well and he knows that the prophets have spoken about the King, the one who saves God’s people, who will enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey.  It’s in a book called Zechariah if you want to check it out.  So Jesus plans this procession to coincide with the start of the Passover which is a very important week in the Jewish calendar.  So to all those who know the Jewish story Jesus is very carefully planning to say to anyone who wants to watch, “hey, that King you’re waiting for - well he’s here, I’m the one, it’s me!”.  Jesus also demonstrates that wry, ironic sense of fun that he has too, instead of riding a fully grown donkey, he rides a colt, a young donkey, you can imagine his feet brushing the floor as the procession makes it way into Jerusalem.

The second point in the story relates to the fact that this is the start of the Passover week.  The population of Jerusalem is going to swell from around 45,000 people to nearer 180,000 and so the Roman prefect (guy in charge!) made sure that he was in the city too, to keep order along with his garrison of troops.  So as Jesus is riding his donkey into town so too is Pontius Pilate on the other side of Jerusalem.  He is going to make sure that the Jewish people remembered who was really in charge.  Picture this procession though, rich deep red cloth, bright shining breastplates, polished leather, cavalrymen on horseback and the head of the procession full of pomp and ceremony would have been Pontius himself.

So now on the same day we have the civic and ceremonial and the protest gathering to make itself heard.  You can choose which you think is which!

Which one is the show of power, the show of authority?  Who was throwing down the gauntlet to who?

So on one side of the town you could be watching the soldiers, enjoying their show of power, admiring the good looking men, hoping to catch someone’s eye.  Would you be wishing you could join in, be one of the cavalry, part of the glamour and the prestige?  Would you be at the front, with a good view, or nervously casting around at the back, only getting a glimpse now and then?

Imagine for a moment that you were at the other side of the town watching Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem.  Would you get the irony, the send up?  Would you be puzzled, thinking what on earth is going on here?  Would you join in the party atmosphere, any excuse for a party is a good one?  Would you be looking to see if you were being watched?  You might get reported if you’re involved in the counter-procession to the civic ceremony on the other side of town! Or would you be joining in, any cause is a good cause if it stands against the Romans?

The crowds on both sides of the city were looking for someone with the power to make their lives safe and happy.  They were looking for something to believe in, something to follow, something that made sense of their lives.  Would it be the Romans or would it be Jesus?

If you were there and had the choice, which procession would you be watching?  The two processions sum up the daily choice we faced with.  Which side will you choose?  But before you decide - the benefit of hindsight - there is a health warning to be observed.

Those who thought Jesus was the answer, that he fulfilled the prophecies of the one who save God’s people had a shock coming.  They wanted a King, a leader who through control and physical power would overrun the Romans and give the Jewish people back their land and their freedom.  Jesus knew that for many of the people cheering at the side of the road that day, they were only prepared to acknowledge him as King if he fulfilled their picture of what that King should do and be - a warrior, a freedom fighter, a King who would beat off all challenge to his throne.

Jesus response to that was to offer his life.  His rallying call for his “army” was one of self-sacrifice, humility and obedience.  Not exactly the strong, controlling message of our champion that we might want to see or hear.

Reading

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!  Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death-and the worst kind of  death at that: a crucifixion.

Philippians 2: 5-8 (The Message)

Response

In any crowd, there are a number of different types of people. If you are part of or see the walk of witness next Friday you’ll see them all here in Hinckley!

wholehearted - tying their colours to the mast.

enquiring - what’s this all about?  What’s going on?

not involved - its nothing to do with me, I’ll make the best of whoever’s in charge

timid - want to do the right thing but full of fear

unworthy - I can’t be of any help, I’m useless

looking good - I don’t get it but I think I should be involved

unfriendly - I got involved once before and got hurt/let down

image-conscious - he’s ridiculous, I’m not associating with him

You might be able to think of others.

Take a few moments to put yourself in that crowd as Jesus rides his donkey, feet dragging on the ground, a motley crew of ordinary people following after him.  Hopes high, waiting for something new to happen.

Which one are you?  Which one would you like to be?  Take a few moments just to think about it?

Then as we sing the final song this evening, if you would like to respond to what God’s been saying to you this evening then come to the cross.

AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS

Where I kneel in adoration,

And I lay my burdens down

I exchange all my sin

For the promise of salvation,

And Your name across my brow.

At the foot of the cross

I give up my vain ambition,

And I leave my selfish pride.

In the peace that is there

Will You restore my vision

In all the places I am blind?

I will wait here at the cross. (x4)

At the foot of the cross

There is healing for this nation,

There is rest for those who wait;

And the love that we find

Is the hope of all creation,

We are stunned by what You gave.

We will wait here at the cross. (x4)

We will wait at the cross,

A hungry generation,

With our broken hearts and lives.

Will You hear, will You come,

Will You fill our desperation?

O God, let this be the time.

We will wait here at the cross. (x4)

Tré Sheppard

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