| From
the Church on the Hill
by D. Eric Williams Pastor, Cottonwood Community Church pastor@cottonwoodcommunitychurch.org The Epistle reading for the fourth Sunday in Advent is found in Philippians where Paul says, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-7). The city of Philippi was a Roman colony and thus was afforded special privileges such as exemption from certain taxes. However, there were distinct responsibilities as well. For instance, a Roman colony was expected to realize the rule of Rome in the territory under its sway. In other words, the Roman citizens of Philippi were expected to bring Rome to Macedonia. Just so, Paul’s letter to the Philippian church is a call to bring heaven to earth. In the passage above Paul tells the Philippian Christians that part of the arsenal for accomplishing the task is found in joyful faith and peace. Christians bring heaven to earth (Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Matthew 6:10) when we bring our life and area of responsibility under the authority of King Jesus. And there is nothing more attractive to “Macedonians” than a joy filled life. Now, bear in mind; when I say ‘attractive’ I don’t necessarily mean the world will like seeing your joyous life in the mist of the prevailing ‘Macedonian Misery.’ Yet, it will be attractive in the sense that it will attract attention. And when it does [attract negative attention] you will have opportunity to imitate our Lord Jesus, extending grace while you, Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28). Thus, Let your graciousness be known to everyone. Faith is another characteristic of the kingdom of God in Christ. Indeed, faith is the fertile ground from which springs joy. To have faith in the Lord is to have confidence and contentment. It is to know you are safe and secure regardless of any ‘Macedonian Malaise’ the country mighty find itself in. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) and so without faith it is impossible to bring your life and arena of activity under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Therefore, faith is a requirement for kingdom colonists tasked with bringing heaven to earth. Finally, Christians bring heaven to earth in their acknowledgement of right relationship with God. This is what peace is all about. As Paul says in his letter to the Roman church, Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Truly this is peace that surpasses every thought (passeth all understanding as the King James Version reads). There is nothing that can impugn this peace. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:38-39). The birth of Jesus was a prelude to the earth’s colonization by the people of God. Once Jesus had accomplished his earthy ministry (it is finished, John 19:30), the colonization of the earth for the kingdom of God began. Each and every Believer is called to bring their life and sphere of influence under the lordship of Jesus Christ – to bring heaven to earth. And to do so until the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9). |
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