Rev. George Miller
June 29, 2025
Philippians 4:1-9
What a month! What a month we’ve had-
Pass the Brick
Lego Work Day
Pentecost; Ministry
Fair
Mission Trip
Shares
Juneteenth; Pet
Blessing
68th
Anniversary of the UCC
LGBTQ PRIDE.
All I can say is- Poor
Dads.
All the men of St. Lucas who get one day
in the year to celebrate Fatherhood and you can’t really get a full Sunday to
celebrate it because of so many other events.
Somewhere on this planet a church held a “Happy
Father’s Juneteeth Gay Pride UCC Day” worship service; be we weren’t the
one.
Bless our Dads, and all the men who have
done the best they can do; and may we gracefully mourn those who did not or
could not…
In some ways, today we can celebrate all these
things, as we dwell with Paul inside his home, and hear his words of freedom,
rejoice, and unity.
Paul is not just our Brother in Christ,
but he is also one of the Fathers of our faith, establishing many churches
along his journeys.
So let us take a moment to learn about
what’s going on.
After his tearful goodbye to the elders in
Asia Minor, Paul is in Rome under house arrest for 2 years, awaiting trial.
We can only imagine what it’s like for
Paul, limited to the walls of his home and property line. Part of the time he is chained to a Roman
soldier.
Though under house arrest, he can have
guests, preach, teach, write and receive letters.
He experiences the mild weather of Fall
and Winter with cloudy skies, damp stone buildings that call for a light cloak
at night.
And the long, dry warm-to-hot days of Spring
and Summer, with sunny skies and a breeze from the Tiber River, waters he can
sense but cannot go to.
One day a package arrives from Philippi;
in it a gift- something sweet-smelling that lifts his day. Perhaps a candle from the Flower Patch, or
essential oil from Kirkwood Farmers Market.
Whatever it is prompts Paul to write this
letter of thanks and guidance to those in Philippi.
Philippi has the most special place in
Paul’s heart. It’s where he met Lydia, a
businesswoman who became the 1st convert in Europe.
Her home becomes the 1st European
church, known for their generosity and care.
Over the decade Paul and the people of
Philippi maintain a close, supportive relationship.
Even when Paul was a continent away, they
sent money to support him. Even when he’s
under Roman arrest, they do not neglect him.
Though other churches seem to fail Paul,
even when other Christ followers have forgotten about him, those in Philippi do
not.
They send him a sweet-smelling gift. Though he’s under arrest, though they’ll
never see each other again, he has joy in remembering them.
There is another part to this letter. Paul has gotten word that in this thriving,
generous community, some infighting has taken place.
2 of the women, Euodia and Syntyche just can’t
seem to get along, and it’s hurting the community. It baffles Paul.
He knows these women; he knows their
heart. They have worked side by side, as
equals. They have been strong, solid
leaders and co-ministers.
Now there’s confusion.
So Paul, filled with wisdom that comes
from age and lived experience, writes this letter to not only thank folks for
their gift, but to bring a sense of harmony into the church.
Paul does it so beautifully, so honestly. He grounds everything in grace and Christ’s
humility.
Paul gives thanks for them, how they hold him
in their heart. He prays that their love
for the Gospel grows and overflows.
He reflects upon his life.
He looks ahead, knowing soon he
will die. He looks back, over his life, with no regrets, seeing how
everything came together and glorified God.
In a moment of theological clarity he says
“In no way have I reached the goal, but I press on, because Christ Jesus has
made me his own.”
He reminds the church that they should
have the same mind and love. To look towards
Christ who poured himself out.
Like a loving Dad, he warns them of what
to watch out for.
Like a Big Poppa, he encourages the
feuding siblings to work things out.
Then, from his reality of house arrest,
possibly chained to a Roman guard, Paul writes-
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is pure, pleasing, worthy of praise think about them. Keep doing what you’re doing and all you
learned.”
Last week we witnessed Paul’s tearful
goodbye to the elders as he prepared to board a boat to Jerusalem. Today, we hear his words to a church that is
a world away.
He says “I rejoice in God that you care
about me. I’m content. I’ve had little, I’ve had a lot. I know what it’s like to be well-fed and what
it’s like to go to bed hungry.”
“I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.”
What Paul writes is soulful; his
expression of faith; his strength in Jesus.
The freedom he finds, even when in chains,
even if he is sad or melancholy.
From the damp cold of winter to the heat
of summer, Paul finds a stability in Christ and a reason for his life.
In response to their sweet smelling gift
and the issues they face, Paul uses this time to remind them, reassure them, and
to celebrate them.
They are saints, they are siblings, they
are generous, they are joy…as are we.
So in Christ, we keep on keeping on,
Brick by brick,
in freedom and in pride, blessings and
mission, knowing that although perfection will never be reached, Jesus Christ
has already made us his own.
For that we can say “Amen.”
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