Rev. George Miller
May 29, 2022
Philippians 2:1-13
I had a goal today; thought it would be so simple- preach a lighthearted
message that would make us smile, allowing us to leave this place with a light
in our heart and step in our spirit.
For weeks we’ve discussed heavy issues such as namelessness, slavery, Holocaust.
Plus all the stress of Roe vs. Wade, hailstorms,
and Disney.
Dear God- can we get a break, a time to breathe, a chance to not be so serious?
Current events said no.
On May 14, a Christian named Payton traveled 200 miles to Buffalo,
killing Black human beings in an attempt to intimidate non-white, non-Christian
people to flee America.
On May 15 we said Long Live Haiti, Long Live America, Long Live Liberty.
But can Liberty exist when there are people, acting in the name of
Christ, who see no place for Black, brown, olive-skinned people?
Can Liberty exist when either Christ is in your heart or a
white-supremist will use a weapon to stop your heart?
It’s been 2 weeks now since we’ve had the chance to be shocked, process,
be numb, and move on.
What’s left lingering, for me, is our ability to distance ourselves from
other Christians when they do things that we know are unchristian.
Think about it. The moment the
Twin Towers fell, we knew the assailant’s religion. Whenever a bomb explodes or a plane falls, assumptions
are made of the person’s faith.
If a person of a different faith commits a heinous crime, their faith is
almost always listed in the paper.
But when a bunch a khaki wearing men marched with tiki torchers, there was
no headline saying “Christian Extremists Rally In the Street.”
When the Capital was ravished, not one headline shouted “Christians Assault
and Kill Police Officer.”
And on May 15, the headline in our local paper was not “White Christian Massacres
11 Americans in Act of Terrorism,” but it was something so mundane- “Buffalo
Shooter’s prior Threat under scrutiny.”
There was no mention of which branch of Christianity he belongs to, where
he worships, no use of the word “radical” or tearing apart his scriptures.
Why? Because it is easy for many
of us to say 1 person does not represent all of Christianity, to act like 1
person does not represent all of us.
The moment someone named Tyrique or Mohammed does something?
It’s easy for us to say, “well you know, those people….”
But when we see John, James, or Julie do something atrocious, we never
refer to them as “those people” or think about what their religion is.
Perhaps we should. Perhaps every
time we see or hear someone do an act of hate, who is white, we should ask “What
religion are they?”
We may not realize it, but what they do does influence how others see us,
and what they do does shape what others think about our faith.
This is a HUGE part of today’s reading-
How do we live as Christians?
How do we act?
What does the world see about our faith via
the way we move,
act, talk,
engage,
help, hurt, live.
This is something Paul is so keenly aware about.
Paul is writing his letter from prison.
He’s aware that the world sees him as a troublemaker. He knows everything he’s doing is being
scrutinized.
So Paul is on his best behavior, using this unfortunate time to be a testimony
to how a life in Christ looks.
He’s using this chance to let Christ’s light shine to the guards and cell
mates.
Paul is doing so boldly, naturally, without apology. He’s sharing the message. He’s finding ways to rejoice.
He’s engaging with folk in the way they will understand.
In today’s portion of the letter, Paul holds a light to the Christ
experience.
Paul is not asking “What would Jesus do?” He’s stating what Jesus has
done.
And the first thing Jesus did, according to Paul - Christ emptied himself
out. He became a servant.
Christ didn’t arm himself with bullets and take out a store. Christ humbled himself, he poured himself
out.
Christ served.
And we know Christ served because we heard in John how Jesus fed, healed,
taught, empowered.
Christ emptied himself so he could serve, care for, love.
In this act of pouring out, serving, Christ brought forth encouragement,
he brought forth love, a sharing in the Spirit, he brought about compassion and
sympathy.
According to Paul, in the act of Christ pouring himself out to serve, we
are to act in humility, and regard others as worthy and valuable.
As followers of Christ, we are to look to the interests of others.
There is nothing in today’s letter about seeing those of a different
belief or different ethnicity as lesser than you or worthy of death.
There is nothing in today’s letter about Jesus wanting us to eradicate those
who look different, believe different.
There is nothing in today’s letter that creates a space for hate or crossing
200 miles with a bullet proof vest.
Today’s reading is so simple, so full of light-
Make our joy complete by having love,
acting humbly,
and looking out for one another.
Today’s reading is so simple, so full of light-
Let us be of the same mind of Christ.
The One who emptied himself out.
Who was willing to serve.
Today’s reading is so simple, so full of light-
Let us each work on our own salvation,
Not worry about or judge others,
Knowing that it is God
who is at work
In us
Through us
All for God’s good pleasure.
All for the Kingdom of God.
Christians were never meant to stir fear or take away another’s freedom.
Christians are simply to love others in such a way that they know they
are loved by God.
Can you be a light?
Will you be a light
Of Christ’s love
during this dark, dark time?
Amen
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