In our scripture readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter, approximately 10 years after the miraculous earthquake in the prison of Philippi we heard about two Sundays ago, Paul writes to the church in Philippi from another prison, this time in Rome. Paul is awaiting trial before the emperor, and if the trial goes poorly, Paul is awaiting execution. So Paul writes to his friends in Philippi to comfort them, AND to encourage them to stay the course – to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, and to proclaim Christ from goodwill, and not selfish ambition....
If there ever was a poster child for recruitment to the ministry, it would have to be Pastor Kenneth Copeland. Pastor Copeland started his ministry in Fort Worth, Texas in 1967, and to say his ministry has grown would be a severe understatement! He has been a constant presence on television and now on streaming services, he has international offices on four continents, and he sits on evangelical advisory boards for American presidents. Maybe even more impressive, Kenneth Copeland Ministries owns four private jets, one for international, one for domestic, one that used to belong to a rock star, and one vintage, because who wants to spend time in prayer sitting in coach? And Pastor Copeland's PERSONAL net worth is estimated somewhere between one quarter and three quarters of a billion dollars U.S. How does one become THIS GOOD at proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ? Teach your followers that for every single dollar they contribute to your ministry, God will provide a hundred bucks cash – that is what Jesus said, isn't it?
With Paul in prison, other factions of the early church are making hay. The topic of circumcision has resurfaced, with preachers insisting that new converts to Christianity must be circumcised, in contradiction to the decision of the Jerusalem Conference 15 years prior. And with the greatest missionary in history stuck on the sidelines, others are stepping up in the hopes of acquiring influence and yes....acquiring power within the church. It is a time for ambitious preachers to collect some followers to their own personal brand of Christianity.
Now, Paul is anticipating that Jesus will secure his release from Roman prison, so that his work in the mission field may continue. Spoiler, yes, but not for long! But Paul is also accepting of martyrdom- in fact, martyrdom is his preference, and his eventual destiny. And part of the reason for writing this letter, is to convince the Philippians to be accepting of Paul's martyrdom also. “If I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you-and in the same way, you also must be glad and rejoice with me.” Paul wants to be seen as helpful, but not necessary for their growth in faith, a position of influence, but NOT power.
And what Paul stresses in the first part of this letter, is the need for Christ-like humility. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” recognize that the changes you are experiencing are not of your own ability or merit, but it is God at work in you. Do not regard yourselves as better than others. Shine like stars in the world AS A RESULT of being the blameless and innocent children of God.
This, of course, runs in direct opposition to the system of power established in our world. In our society, selfish ambition is seen as virtuous. Conceit, in the form of likes and digital followers, is the currency of the day. And the church is not immune to this temptation today, any more than in Paul's day. Whenever there is more than one Christian church in a town, there is a human tendency to act as rivals instead of teammates, especially when a church's survival is in question. Now I must say, here in Provost, with the Provost Ministerial, this rivalry is minimized and we cooperate well. But in other communities and at other times, the churches were hard pressed to regard others as better than themselves. Yes, Jesus Christ was proclaimed, and in that we rejoice. But we do not rejoice in the spirit of envy and lack of goodwill between churches that has happened in other times and places.