Sermon Philippians 1:21-20 “Heaven on Earth”

Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard

New Covenant Presbyterian Church

Sermon Philippians 1:21-20 “Heaven on Earth”

September 24, 2017

I am beginning today a sermon series drawn from the Book of Philippians.   This book consists of a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to a church he founded around 10 years before.   Paul is writing from prison where he may be executed, but he is thinking about this church and longs to be with them.   The church at Philippi must have been a wonderful church.   We will look at the letter they received from Paul, but first, let’s pray.

“Grant unto us, O Lord, to be occupied in the mysteries of thy heavenly wisdom, with true progress in piety, to thy glory and our own edification. Amen.” (John Calvin)

Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke arrived on European soil for the first time around 50AD.   They went to the city of Philippi.  Philippi has been resettled by the Romans as a colony.  It sat on a major east-west trading route, at the base of a mountain pass leading to Asia.   Most of the inhabitants were Roman citizens with others who had come there for international trade.   It as a relatively new city so many of the people there were starting over with new lives.   On the first Sabbath after their arrival, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke searched for a synagogue for a time of worship and prayer.   Finding no synagogue in the city, they went down to the river to pray.  There they met a group of women who were also praying.   So they got to know each other.   The group of women was led by a merchant of purple cloth named Lydia.     

My guess is that these women were supporting each other.   It was unusual for a woman to own her own business.  And it had to be very difficult for a woman to walk an independent path.  But that seems to be what these women were trying to do.  They had come to Philippi to start a new, independent lives for themselves.  They needed each other for support while trying to navigate in a man’s world.

We know that these women began meeting in Lydia’s house to listen to Paul talk about Jesus Christ.   They were attracted to a gospel of God’s grace and love.   And so a church was formed that loved God and loved each other.

We know of one woman in this church.  She had been a slave but was now independent.   An evil spirit had enslaved her spiritually.   And some men had enslaved her economically.    The evil spirit allowed her to do fortune telling.  And the men profited from this.   Paul had compassion for her and asked Jesus to cast out the evil spirit.   And when this happened the men got rid of her because she could no longer tell fortunes.  This woman, freed from slavery and now independent, joined the church at Philippi.  

Lest you think that only women joined this church, we do know of one male member.  He was a prison guard.   One evening while guarding Paul and Silas an earthquake destroyed the prison.  The guard was filled with fear and was most receptive when Paul told him about Jesus Christ and invited him to church.  Presumably, he was one of the first men to attend the church in Lydia’s house.

So the church at Philippi was made up of people who were making a fresh start in life and needed each other.   If someone lost a job they were there to help.   If someone had problems with health or relationship or finances they would support and pray for each other.  They were a church that loved God and loved one another.

Ten years after starting this church Paul was again in prison this time in Rome.   He was under a death sentence and could be executed at any time.  Life was cheap in Rome.  People could die at any time at the whim of a powerful person.   People were eaten alive by lions for public entertainment and sport.  Paul could lose his life at any moment.

But Paul had reconciled to all that.  He was ready to die because he knew that moment he dies he will be in heaven with his Lord Jesus Christ.

But as Paul prepared for his death and glorious life in heaven he began to think about the church in Philippi.  He remembered how much they loved God and loved each other.  He remembered how they cared for each other and how they prayed for each other.  He remembered how generous they were. And he realized that being with the church in Philippi, with Jesus in their midst, is far better than dying and seeing Jesus in heaven.  And so he picked up a pen and wrote them a letter.

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.  20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.  And Christians suffer in silence.

Many come to church for an hour respite from their troubles.   The come to worship expecting to be filled with hope that one day they will leave all their problems behind and go to heaven to be with Jesus.  This is a most comforting thought.   And I can assure you that if you believe in Jesus you will live with him forever.

The Apostle Paul was comforted by this as he sat in his cell.   But he realized that something much better was being offered.  He realized that he didn’t have to die to go to heaven to see Jesus.  All he had to do was find a loving church with Jesus in its midst.   And he remembered Philippi.

Paul knew that when Christians die we all go to heaven.   There we live with Jesus until the day of resurrection.   This is a glorious thought and the source of our Christian hope.  But wouldn’t it be much better if heaven came to earth right now, and we could enjoy it while we live.   And this is possible.   Any church that exalts Christ, loves God and loves one another is a heavenly outpost on earth.   The kingdom of God is brought down to us as we worship.   God’s kingdom is here now.

New Covenant church prays every Sunday: “Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”   Are serious about this?  Do we really want the church to be like heaven?   

If the church was the same as heaven we wouldn’t have to wait until we die to get there.  If we want to go to heaven all we would have to do is go to church.   And if New Covenant Church was like heaven we couldn’t handle the crowds who would want to be here.  

So how would we do it?  How would we make this church just like heaven?  We would do that by exalting, lifting up Jesus.  Jesus Christ would be the most important thing in our lives.   Worshiping Jesus would be the most important thing that we do.   And we would obediently do what Jesus tells us to do.  We would love God and we would love one another.   And this love would be deep like a mother’s love for her child.   Our love for one another would cause us to care for each other.   We would pray each other’s joys and concerns.  We would help those who have financial difficulties.  We would visit shut-ins and comfort with the bereaved.   We would pray for the sick.  Anyone’s concern would be all of our concerns.   We would truly love each other.  And then this church would be just like heaven.

So let’s pray that the Holy Spirit will fill us with so much love for one another that this church will be a bit of heaven on earth, and Jesus will be here with us.  Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, send your spirit down among us.  Fill our hearts with faith and love.   Teach us how to love God and love each other.   And help this church be heaven on earth.   Amen.