Sermon Application
You know, before Sunday morning's message by Pastor Tim, I never connected Philippians 4:8 with the preceding verses of that chapter where Paul urges certain believers toward unity and peace. Phil. 4:8 has always been a kind of "stand alone" text for me: "...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just... think on these things." But Tim was clearly suggesting 4:8 was a "how to" text intended by Paul to instruct us how to keep unity, or if necessary, how to repair unity between believers.
Tim concluded his sermon by asking the Euodias among us to think of our Syntyche-- someone with whom we've had difficulty being at peace with; someone with whom we have disagreed; someone we might be nurturing hard feelings toward, or an unloving and unforgiving spirit.
Tim urged us to consider that person in the light of Philippians 4:8. What is there in that person that is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise? He then instructed us to go to that person at our earliest opportunity, and humbly praise them for their many good qualities. Tim said we'd be amazed at what God would do!
I thought of my dad at the end of Tim's sermon. It isn't that we've been enemies, not at all. But I have not been the warm and loving son to an aging father. Sure, my dad missed some things that might have made for a better situation, but then what father has done it perfectly? He lost his own father when he was 10 years old. Surely I can extend grace and forgiveness for that reason alone!
It's funny, we had decided to visit my parents that day before we even arrived at church. When Tim gave the closing challenge, I thought of my dad-- there is surely room for improvement in our relationship.
A month ago, my parents were involved in serious traffic accident in Whiting. I received a late night call from Community Medical Center and arrived at the hospital to find my mom badly bruised, and my dad shaken, and tearful. If not for the air bags, we might have lost our parents. And if the Lord taken them that night, I would have had certain regrets. But God is giving me more time...
And so, today I invited my dad into the back room, telling him I wanted to talk with him for a few moments. I told him that he was a good man. I thanked him for the way he faithfully brought home his paycheck, carefully providing for his family with a limited income. I told him how much I appreciated his love for mom, his fidelity to her; and I thanked him for memories of a safe, secure, and carefree childhood.
My dad, of course, was blessed.
Thank you Tim. Life is too short not to be at peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and especially with those in our own household!
Tim concluded his sermon by asking the Euodias among us to think of our Syntyche-- someone with whom we've had difficulty being at peace with; someone with whom we have disagreed; someone we might be nurturing hard feelings toward, or an unloving and unforgiving spirit.
Tim urged us to consider that person in the light of Philippians 4:8. What is there in that person that is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise? He then instructed us to go to that person at our earliest opportunity, and humbly praise them for their many good qualities. Tim said we'd be amazed at what God would do!
I thought of my dad at the end of Tim's sermon. It isn't that we've been enemies, not at all. But I have not been the warm and loving son to an aging father. Sure, my dad missed some things that might have made for a better situation, but then what father has done it perfectly? He lost his own father when he was 10 years old. Surely I can extend grace and forgiveness for that reason alone!
It's funny, we had decided to visit my parents that day before we even arrived at church. When Tim gave the closing challenge, I thought of my dad-- there is surely room for improvement in our relationship.
A month ago, my parents were involved in serious traffic accident in Whiting. I received a late night call from Community Medical Center and arrived at the hospital to find my mom badly bruised, and my dad shaken, and tearful. If not for the air bags, we might have lost our parents. And if the Lord taken them that night, I would have had certain regrets. But God is giving me more time...
And so, today I invited my dad into the back room, telling him I wanted to talk with him for a few moments. I told him that he was a good man. I thanked him for the way he faithfully brought home his paycheck, carefully providing for his family with a limited income. I told him how much I appreciated his love for mom, his fidelity to her; and I thanked him for memories of a safe, secure, and carefree childhood.
My dad, of course, was blessed.
Thank you Tim. Life is too short not to be at peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and especially with those in our own household!
Labels: Charitable Judgments, Forgiveness of Others, Guest Post, Relationships
4 Comments:
Peter,
It's 6:45 AM Monday; a little early on a day off for me to be commenting on blogs, but I cannot help but do so today.
Thank you so much for the example of grace and humility expressed in your post. I said recently that hardly a day goes by during which I do not--at least once--tear up with profound joy for the goodness of God in my life and in the church He has privileged me to help lead.
Well, your post got those tears going again. Do you realize the joy a shepherd feels when the sheep he loves head into the green pastures of humble obedience to God's truth? It's simply wonderful.
And what about the joy a shepherd feels when the flock drinks of the quiet sweet stream of peace and love with other sheep--including their spouses and children and in your case, parents?
Thank you brother for hearing God's voice through a fallible shepherd, who knows himself to be more sheep than shepherd, and for walking in the truth of the Word and the love and peace of Christ.
You've started my day off with much joy!
Tim
Wonderful! So glad I was able to help "fulfil your joy."
I've done this with my dad in the past, only to allow feelings to return and disturb. By the grace of God I want to follow through this time, and be kind to him, and more attentive every time we are together. He is 85. I'm glad there's still time.
You reminded us yesterday-- we have been loved, and forgiven so much-- How sinful it would be for me to withhold love, forgiveness, and grace.
What a blessed word we had yesterday. From a Pastor who has preached these words by his life, long before he preached them from the pulpit. What a joy for me to do an honest assessment of my life and relationships and know by the grace of God, it is well with my soul. Recently, with the death of my mother, I was enabled to live these truths with my lost siblings. In one case , it meant ignoring the bad and praising the good. In another case it meant saying nothing at all when there was plenty of evil to speak out against. These are real truths that make a real difference in real lives. My one daughter has been drawn closer to God by seeing this grace in her father. I have learned to bless other s by watching this grace at work in my pastors. A picture (or life) is worth a thousand words. We at TFC have an abundance of good "pictures" to observe. I thank Go d more and more for the priveledge of being a member at TFC.
JR
Amen to that!
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