"Have The Same Mind"

Many of you know that I spent several years coaching Abby’s softball teams. There is something special about the role of a coach: you have the opportunity to teach, train, exhort, and cheer those under your charge.  One part of coaching is the pre-game speech. There are a variety of approaches.

One of our favorite coaches always told the girls with a smile, “You know, I was over by the other dugout and those girls are talking trash about you. They are saying they do not know why you bothered to come out here today, this is just an easy workout for them.” Everyone knew he was yanking their chains, but it served its purpose: it created a “we will show them” attitude.

Another approach I heard was the “foot of the mountain” speech. The point here was to set the challenge in front of the team and have them work towards the goal. Each inning, each at bat, each play was an opportunity to get closer to the goal.

A third approach was the “we need you to step up and play like you can play” talk. This was more of an in-your-face stern talking-to that was designed to wake up the team from just going through the motions.

I always tended towards the exhortation speech, the one that starts with “you are capable of doing mighty things together – stay focused on what is important and work together!”

The back half of these verses are known as the great “Christ Hymn.” These are familiar words. In these verses are some of the most majestic, wonderful, musical words of glory and honor for Christ that we find anywhere in Scripture. It is stirring rhetoric and a powerful summation of God’s great love expressed in Jesus. It is high, high Christology.

But it is more than high theology.

As we read our Scripture lesson today, picture yourselves sitting in a dugout with Coach Paul addressing the team together.

Read Philippians 1:27-2:11

The Pep Talk

It is clear this part of the letter was intended to be a pep talk. Paul transitioned from reporting his own situation: “Yes, I am in prison, but I’m OK; and look at what God is doing with my imprisonment!” to exhort the Philippians about their situation. But why the pep talk from Coach Paul? Why did – and why do – believers need to be encouraged in this particular way? As much as these words were intended to lift up glory and honor to God, they were also intended to be an exhortation – an encouragement by way of command – for the Philippians to persevere together in the midst of their own struggles.

We do not know the specific details of the struggles the Philippians were experiencing. We can pick up that Paul was intimately familiar with their situation and felt compelled to exhort the whole community. Remember: this letter was written to the entire congregation, not just a few individuals. The command here was to the group. The command was to “stand firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and in no way [be] intimidated by your opponents.”

I. Stand firm in one spirit.

Now, the Philippians were like most every other congregation, including this one in Carson City. It was made up of men and women from a variety of backgrounds, a variety of traditions, and a variety of perspectives. Acts 16 tells us that included in the congregation were Lydia, the dealer in purple cloth; the jailer who had interacted with Paul and Silas, along with the jailer’s whole household; and, other brothers and sisters.

As I look out on this congregation, similar things could be said. We come from different places, different heritages, different vocations and different interests. We even come from different church backgrounds – including from no church background. We are a diverse group of people who come together – gather; which is the meaning of ecclesia or “the church”, anyway – we come together as First Presbyterian Church. Each one of us individually is an integral part of what we are collectively.

So, when Paul wrote for the Philippians to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, so that “I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel,” he was urging them to do something that happens only when people support something greater than themselves. They commit to supporting something beyond their own self-interest. Standing firm does not just happen. Standing firm requires a commitment to the mission and to each other, knowing that this is the team on which we are called to serve.

Paul was not naïve. He understood from his own experience and from his own observation that standing firm is work. It does not mean we all agree about everything. It does not mean that we will get along at every point. It does mean we will work through our disagreements. It does mean that we will work through our conflicts so that we can stand firm in one spirit. Teammates cheer and encourage one another, pick up one another, and pray for one another. They do not abandon each other after an error or defeat. They practice together to make each other better and stronger. They sacrifice for each other.

That is true for this congregation. There are people who have made great sacrifices to build up this congregation. As the full body we cannot take those sacrifices for granted. Where we are today and how we are able to worship together is a legacy of those who have gone before as well as those who have been faithful in season and out of season – those who looked beyond themselves to make sure that the gospel would be proclaimed to the next generation. I have been talking about legacy recently: we have been planning and working to start a video archive of church members talking about their lives, their experiences here, and how they have experienced God throughout. I mentioned this to Chuck Beattie and he said, “Well, we were interviewed before.” In fact, that is true. In 2011, celebrating the 150^th anniversary of this congregation, Jane Lehrman and Mary Bangert put together Treasured Memories, “A collection of interviews with long-time members of Carson City First Presbyterian Church.” They were not kidding: they included interviews with people who had been members more than 50 years, 40 years, 30 years, and 20 years. Think of the experiences, think of the struggles and successes, the joys and sorrows, and the ways that this congregation has born witness in this community to the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ.

“Live in a manner worthy of the gospel, so that I will know you are standing firm in one spirit.”

II. Strive side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.

Standing firm together is important, but it is not everything. The game is not played in the dugout. There is work to be done. Not only are we called to stand together, we also are called to strive for the faith together. The church does not stop at the doors of this sanctuary on the way out. The team has to get out on the field. It has to go out on the field and it has to remember what it is trying to accomplish.

We are a team, committed to the purpose of glorifying God and proclaiming the gospel, and each one of us has a position to play in the field. Not everyone is going to be in the infield – some will be in the outfield. Outfielders are every bit as important as the infielders – I can tell you that games can be lost when the outfield does not pay attention or feels like they do are not needed. No matter what position or responsibility you are called to play, we all are striving together for the faith of the gospel. It is the good news we have to share.

Part of our being called together is to prepare to go out from here to proclaim that message. Our message is the gospel of Jesus Christ – Paul calls it “the faith” – and we are to live in such a way as bear a faithful witness to those to whom Christ has sent us. Going out is an essential part of our calling. The point is NOT to simply fill up the dugout, it is to share the good news with others so that they, too, can go out and share the good news.  

“He has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well.” Paul did not candy-coat it for the Philippians. Discipleship is not the easy road. There is work to be done – remembering that the work of our salvation has already been completed by Christ and we are assured of victory. The work we have to do is to herald the victory that has been won.

What does that look like? Well, I wrote about this in the Trumpet article this month. We are one of two ECO congregations in Northern Nevada. With the number of people moving into this region, from Sparks/Reno to Fallon to Gardnerville, we need to see that the harvest is ready and the laborers are few. What would Paul say if he looked at our situation? He would see the possibility building a Northern Nevada Presbytery – that is, multiple congregations bearing witness throughout this region. He would see the searching and spiritual longing of those who have found empty the things of this world. He would see the yearning for something more than government and politicians can provide, than money can buy, and than fame can fill.  He would see the ripe fields for a revival of God. Friends, these are the times the next generations will be talking about – what is the legacy of faith that we will be passing on to our children and grandchildren? Now is the time for us to be thinking, planning, and – most of all – praying for God to lead us in growing new disciples and new congregations.

III. And In No Way Be Intimidated By Your Opponents

Growing new disciples and growing new congregations are not without risk. Our culture has a pre-disposition against the gospel: following Jesus is perceived as exclusivist, it is perceived as intolerant, it is perceived as the perpetuation of old-fashioned oppressive ways and structures. In so many different ways, Americans have been ingrained with the subtle message: “It is ok if you want to believe in Jesus; just do not talk to me about it or ask me to believe it.”

It is a subtle form of intimidation. However, the question is: is it more important to go along to get along, or is it more important to hear and see as God has revealed? John Ortberg wrote:

‎"The truth will set you free. But first it will make you miserable.

Let's try a thought experiment. Imagine picking your car up from a tune-up.

The technician says: 'This car is in great shape. Clearly you have an automotive genius to take great care of your car.' Later that day your brakes don't work. You find out you were out of brake fluid. You could have died.

You go back to the shop and ask, "Why didn't you tell me?"

'Well, I didn't want you to feel bad. Plus, to be honest, I was afraid you might get upset with me. I want this to be a safe place where you feel loved and accepted.' You'd be furious. You'd say, 'I didn't come in here for a little fantasy-based ego boost! When it comes to my car, I want the truth.'

You go in for a checkup. The doctor says to you, 'You are a magnificent physical specimen. You have the body of an Olympian. You are to be congratulated.' Later that day while climbing the stairs, your heart gives out. You find out later your arteries were so clogged, you were one jelly doughnut away from the grim reaper.

You go back to the doctor and say, 'Why didn't you tell me?'

'Well, I knew your body is in worse shape than the Pillsbury dough-boy, but if I tell people stuff like that, they get kind of offended. It's kind of bad for business. They don't come back. I want this to be a safe place where you feel loved and accepted.' You'd be furious! You'd say to the doctor, 'When it comes to my body, I want the truth!'"[1]

Being intimidated and not sharing the gospel – not sharing the truth: the whole gospel including the recognition of sin, its consequences, and Christ’s atoning sacrifice for us – not sharing so as to not offend does not bless anyone. The gospel is good news; to be sure. However, it initially stings like crazy because it reveals to us the depth of our corruption, our rebellion, and our hardness against God. The gospel calls us to repent which is no easy task. It means giving up things that we hold dear and secure – our sin – and means yielding up sovereign control of our lives.

Sharing the gospel with other people will sting. It will draw opposition. People are not afraid of change; they are afraid of loss. They are afraid of the pain that giving up what they hold onto dearly – money, power, control, others, whatever – will be too much for them to bear and they prefer the emptiness and isolation to the truth. Their fear and anger will come across as rejection. That can be intimidating. Coach Paul exhorted: don’t be intimidated. Stand firm. Strive for the faith.

IV. The Example of Jesus Christ

After exhorting the Philippians, Paul provided an illustration (the illustration) for how he intended them to understand what he expected going forward. The great Christ hymn in 2:6-11 was not new information for his readers and friends. This hymn they either knew or Paul composed with material they had already learned.

Because he knew their affection for him, he was able to call upon them, “make my joy complete.” In other words, if you really want to support and encourage me, be unified. That was Paul’s hope and prayer, and it is the hope and prayer of every pastor called to shepherd a congregation. Be unified. “Be of the same mind. Have the same love. Be in full accord and of one mind.

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Jesus Christ.” What does that mean? Look again at how radical was the path Paul described: God’s power was manifest in Christ’s obedience, Christ’s suffering, and Christ’s humiliating death on the cross. The hymn itself seemed to be a theological reflection of the cross as a large version of  the visual imagery of John 13 where Jesus – clearly the leader – rose from his place at the head of the table, disrobed, wrapped himself in a towel, washed the disciples’ feet and then resumed his place at the head of the table. We marvel at the beauty of Jesus doing that; however, how many of us would be willing to suffer the humiliation of doing that ourselves outside the carefully scripted context of a church setting? We understand the concept of servant leadership but enacting it in our own lives or in our culture seems crazy or unreasonable.

Paul was addressing that very thing in this letter. It is the “just do it” of Paul’s letters: have the mind of Christ. It was so radical and different than what they knew or what they had experienced. The model for power and success in the world Paul knew and in which he traveled was Caesar Augustus, who had put an end to the long-running Roman civil war and brought peace to the known world. Augustus was a military leader. He exercised political power and acumen to make his way to the top. He achieved his goals by asserting his will over others. Because of his success, he was widely considered to have been touched by the divine – if he was not outright a god.

Who are the people our culture celebrates? Who do we consider powerful? Who is successful? Who is worthy of our respect, time and attention? I will give you one illustration you are going to reject at first – until I show it to you: think of Simon Cowell.

Really? Simon Cowell? Most people have an opinion about Simon; but their opinion does not seem to have much of an impact on his approach. And here is the proof that he is an example of an American Idol (and, yes, I meant every bit of that pun): He has a new season of “America’s Got Talent.”  A national network has discerned that enough people in the country actually think (as opposed to “are willing to admit they think”) that Simon’s judgment is worthy of respect, time and resources.

Now, for our purposes today, let’s compare Philippians 2:6-11 to Simon’s role in American culture:

• Jesus did not regard equality with God as something he ought to exploit; Simon happily sits as judge and determiner of value based upon his own perception of good;
• Jesus emptied himself and became a slave to God (“the Son of Man came to serve and not to be served”); while Simon serves no one but his own interests;
• Jesus was obedient to God’s call on his life – suffering, being humiliated, and crucified; while Simon made his reputation by being “brutally honest” with the emphasis on brutally; and,
• Jesus gave his life willingly; while Simon lives his life without reference to death.

In fairness to Simon, he has (as far as I know) never claimed to be divine. But he has cast himself as a judge – as someone who has a keen grasp on good and bad, just like God. And that makes the point: look at how radical is the path Paul was exhorting the Philippians to follow. Simon’s public persona is more in line with the American perception of success, virtue and good than is Christ’s example.

Remember, Paul quoted this great Christ-hymn as the object lesson of the mind the Philippian believers were to hold – how they can stand together, strive for the faith together, and persevere through opposition.

V. Conclusion

So, let me put on my coach’s hat here for a moment and translate Paul for First Presbyterian Church: let’s go.

Our mission is not a solo endeavor; it is a collective effort. We need everyone to help. Understand that success is not measured in numbers other than the number one: the relationship that we have nurturing one another, exhorting one another, reaching out into the community one person at a time or one family at a time; sharing the gospel one conversation at a time. There is no one who can give your testimony for you. I am counting on you. The people next to you are counting on you. God has put you in this place for the purpose of using you for his glory – and he is worthy of all your time, attention, and energy. The road is not easy. The opposition is real. But the battle is worth waging.

Stand firm in one spirit. Strive side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel. That is how God will grow new disciples through us. That is how God will build new congregations from us. Let us stay focused, remember what is most important, and work together – for the glory of God.

 

Amen.

 

Prayer

Father, we praise you for your incredible love for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Fill us anew with the wonder at your grace, mercy, and power. Embolden us to share the good news with others in word and indeed. Unite us, strengthen us, and send us out into the community. Help our lives be pleasing in your sight and an encouragement to one another. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

[1]John Ortberg, "Who is this Man: The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus" Chapter 9.