"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians:4:4-7
The Apostle Paul writing to the Christian Church at Philippi in Macedonia had words of encouragement and instruction for them, but not only they who lived 2000 years ago but for Christians down through the ages.
Where Paul Preached
This Roman enclave was the community to where the Apostle Paul visited in 49-50 AD and met with the Jewish women who gathered at the Krenides River where they worshiped outside due having no Synagogue in the city. Here Paul preached the Gospel to the assembled woman and Lydia the textile merchant heard about Jesus and came to believe and was baptized.
Philippi was a city that was founded by the Macedonian King Phillip II around 356 BC, situated on the Via Egnatia, the Egnatian Way, that was a major road way, which moved east-to-west , and allowed Roman troops to move quickly to the Eastern provinces of Empire. This road way was also a major trade root for the Empire into Asia Minor and beyond.
The city of Philippi also had a local economy that was straighten by mines, this sources of revenue gave Philippi an important place along the Egnatian Way and generated commerce and a general prosperity for the city. It was also known as the city of fountains due to major water sources found near by.
Presence of Cesar
Philippi had become in many respects a very Roman city ruled by the power of Rome with the banner of Cesar representing Cesar's imperial presence there showing that this city was part of the Empire.Where Cesar's banner flew the Empire ruled; his imperial banner was to reflect his imperial presence, this showed that the power of Rome was near at hand.
Roman envoys would transverse the known world bringing a message of "Roman Salvation" , that is, when a given land would accept,whether by force or choice, Roman rule and become franchised within the Empire they would benefit from the establishment of Roman courts, enforcement of law ,schools, and trade and the stability of society.
Often Roman rule brought many benefits and improvements to a nation;even the coinage of the day carried the words minted upon them "Peace and Safety" along with the likeness of Cesar, this was to convey that in Rome all the blessings and advantages that a people could ever want to achieve could be found under the rule of the Empire; all they need do is give their loyalty to Cesar and accept his banner reflecting his imperial presence in their lives and showing that the power of Rome was near at hand.
The city of Philippi had become an important outpost for the Roman Legions and became populated with many retired Roman soldiers after their time of service had expired, it is probable and likely that many of the Christians to whom the Apostle Paul wrote were either former Legionnaires or familiar with them due to the cities historical ties with the Roman Army.
Their Needs Met
The former Legionnaires would have been used to relying upon the power of the Cesar for the material supplies and food and other needs as they were on the march in far flung places or in long campaigns away from their homes.
These retired Legionnaires also were now having their needs met and were supported through receiving an imperial pension from the Roman Legion . It was to them that Paul speaks directly in his time and is now shared with all Christians though his Epistle.
Paul directs them , and we, to be a people who are in a state of perpetual worship and praise for the great acts of Salvation accomplished for each and all through our Lord Jesus Christ, as he admonishes each and all Christians to rejoice. Paul even quickly reiterates it in his Epistle twice to emphasize our need to have a heart of worship toward and for our God.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Phip:4:4a
The Apostle then admonishes them to reflect a transformed life one led and controlled by the Holy Spirit, which is the outward evidence which has been set fully on the person of Jesus Christ.
"let your gentleness(or moderation ) be evident to all"(5a)
For these Christians, many of whom once serves Cesar and Rome , they now served the true Lord and King Jesus Christ, therefor that truth should be demonstrated before all.
"the Lord is near" (5b)
Many Christians have read this verse over the years as an admonishment to remain faithful, and reminding them that our Jesus will come "soon" that is, his "coming is near" ; and in truth there may be some broad appliance to the literal return of Jesus Christ to bring the reign of God over all things which is truth.
Many have concluded this, by referencing Paul word's to the Christians of the Thessalonian Church when Paul speaks of the coming of Jesus. The word used by Paul in 1Thessalonians:5:2 is "Parousia" it is a word that just does not speak of Jesus to come future, but is speaking that Jesus is come even here and now to us. That is, Jesus is near, that his royal "presence" is , present tense, with us even now in this life. He is more with us than we are with our selves.
When, at the end of human civilization, at the literal second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus will descend from the heavens when the last trumpet does sound, the dead are raised and those alive will be changes , this in truth , only shows or manifest openly what is now true, that our " Lord is near".
Jesus' royal "presence" in our lives is what make us part of his Kingdom even now, demonstrated by the transformed lives we live, even as Cesar's banner flew within the provincial territories of the Empire showing the power of Rome was near and at hand.
This speaks to us, and to our Philippian Christian predecessors, that the power of God is at hand and near to us to help us and provide for us even more than Rome could provide for the troops in the field; this would have resounded with the Christians at Phillippi. They knew Cesar provided for them as part of the Legion, and even now through the pensions which they they received at their discharge from service, so how much more can Jesus provided for us here and now?
"Do not be anxious about anything,"(6a)
You and I need not fear or to be anxious about anything for we now see that our Lord Jesus is with us and near at hand to provide for us and see us through the marches and long campaigns of this life as we head for eternity.
When on the march through life we encounter needs we, like the Roman Legions can ask for help. The Legions were used to the concept of drawing on the supply lines and depots established by the Roman armies for their uses and needs while in the field or at garrison or in battle what ever the given situation was all they need do is to make a request to the quarter master and the needed supplies would be issued.
In the same way when we have needs we can make our request known to God and we can have confidence that he will provided our needs even more so than the Legions of Roma could receive.What ever confronts Christians, the understanding that Jesus is ever with them and near at hand can , we can turn to the great God and our Lord Jesus for help.
" but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."(6b-c)
This verse speaks as well of a heart that is filled with the very faith of our Lord Jesus and is a worshiping heart, as Paul tell us that it is "with thanksgiving" that is we present our request.
We approach Jesus thanking him in faith in advance that our Lord will respond with a gracious answer. Thanking Jesus reflects a trust that he will answer, and that we worship him acknowledging him as the only one to whom we should and can look to for help, that he is our God,the only one to whom our allegiance is due, remember the Cesar(s) demanded complete loyalty to Rome and nations were to participation in the Imperial cult of Empire worship giving Rome that place which only our Lord Jesus should have in our lives.
"present your request to God" (6 last part)
This, as with all that Paul speaks of is due again to the truth that our Lord Jesus Christ is near to us all , Jesus is with his people near to each and all , his abiding presence is never diminished, what rises and falls is our awareness of his presence with us.
Our Lord has given his word that he is with us in all that we encounter in this life , therefore we need not fear nor be dismayed at what we encounter while on the march toward his Kingdom, therefor we should rejoice always for "the Lord is Near"....Amen.
Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor,
These retired Legionnaires also were now having their needs met and were supported through receiving an imperial pension from the Roman Legion . It was to them that Paul speaks directly in his time and is now shared with all Christians though his Epistle.
Paul directs them , and we, to be a people who are in a state of perpetual worship and praise for the great acts of Salvation accomplished for each and all through our Lord Jesus Christ, as he admonishes each and all Christians to rejoice. Paul even quickly reiterates it in his Epistle twice to emphasize our need to have a heart of worship toward and for our God.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Phip:4:4a
The Apostle then admonishes them to reflect a transformed life one led and controlled by the Holy Spirit, which is the outward evidence which has been set fully on the person of Jesus Christ.
"let your gentleness(or moderation ) be evident to all"(5a)
For these Christians, many of whom once serves Cesar and Rome , they now served the true Lord and King Jesus Christ, therefor that truth should be demonstrated before all.
Jesus is Near
Paul now tells them and us, why Christians should rejoice and why there should be an outward display of a transformed life in the very next verses, a verses which is in truth the crux and point of this section of the fourth chapter of this Epistle.
"the Lord is near" (5b)
Many Christians have read this verse over the years as an admonishment to remain faithful, and reminding them that our Jesus will come "soon" that is, his "coming is near" ; and in truth there may be some broad appliance to the literal return of Jesus Christ to bring the reign of God over all things which is truth.
Many have concluded this, by referencing Paul word's to the Christians of the Thessalonian Church when Paul speaks of the coming of Jesus. The word used by Paul in 1Thessalonians:5:2 is "Parousia" it is a word that just does not speak of Jesus to come future, but is speaking that Jesus is come even here and now to us. That is, Jesus is near, that his royal "presence" is , present tense, with us even now in this life. He is more with us than we are with our selves.
When, at the end of human civilization, at the literal second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus will descend from the heavens when the last trumpet does sound, the dead are raised and those alive will be changes , this in truth , only shows or manifest openly what is now true, that our " Lord is near".
Jesus' royal "presence" in our lives is what make us part of his Kingdom even now, demonstrated by the transformed lives we live, even as Cesar's banner flew within the provincial territories of the Empire showing the power of Rome was near and at hand.
This speaks to us, and to our Philippian Christian predecessors, that the power of God is at hand and near to us to help us and provide for us even more than Rome could provide for the troops in the field; this would have resounded with the Christians at Phillippi. They knew Cesar provided for them as part of the Legion, and even now through the pensions which they they received at their discharge from service, so how much more can Jesus provided for us here and now?
No Fear
With the truth knowing that the "Lord is near" they could move forward in life knowing that Jesus was with them and would not fail them, therefore they could face anything with out fear, as Paul tells they and we.
"Do not be anxious about anything,"(6a)
You and I need not fear or to be anxious about anything for we now see that our Lord Jesus is with us and near at hand to provide for us and see us through the marches and long campaigns of this life as we head for eternity.
When on the march through life we encounter needs we, like the Roman Legions can ask for help. The Legions were used to the concept of drawing on the supply lines and depots established by the Roman armies for their uses and needs while in the field or at garrison or in battle what ever the given situation was all they need do is to make a request to the quarter master and the needed supplies would be issued.
Make Our Request
In the same way when we have needs we can make our request known to God and we can have confidence that he will provided our needs even more so than the Legions of Roma could receive.What ever confronts Christians, the understanding that Jesus is ever with them and near at hand can , we can turn to the great God and our Lord Jesus for help.
" but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."(6b-c)
With Thanksgiving
This verse speaks as well of a heart that is filled with the very faith of our Lord Jesus and is a worshiping heart, as Paul tell us that it is "with thanksgiving" that is we present our request.
To God
We approach Jesus thanking him in faith in advance that our Lord will respond with a gracious answer. Thanking Jesus reflects a trust that he will answer, and that we worship him acknowledging him as the only one to whom we should and can look to for help, that he is our God,the only one to whom our allegiance is due, remember the Cesar(s) demanded complete loyalty to Rome and nations were to participation in the Imperial cult of Empire worship giving Rome that place which only our Lord Jesus should have in our lives.
"present your request to God" (6 last part)
The Peace of God
When see that our Lord is near and that Jesus is with us we , knowing that he has dealt with anything which would prevent us from having an eternal relationship with him , what ever that might be , sin, fear, feelings of disenfranchisement, whatever it might be we can be at peace.
This is peace arises form recognizing and believing and accepting that Jesus is the one and only Savior of humanity God's only true Son, fully God yet fully human. This Savior knows and understands our weakness and limitations and he is there for each and all who will but freely receive him.
Jesus has done for us what we could never have done for our selves. Jesus died to make peace for us with the Great God. This is the peace that Jesus give to us as he said "peace I give you, but not as the world gives" this is the peace that goes beyond circumstance or conditions it is peace of knowing that the Lord is near, that he will never "leave you nor forsake you" . This is true peace, a peace that Cesar's enforced peace could never be. Jesus himself is our peace.
This peace which is born out of our Lord being near at hand and this gives us stillness of heart that is like the high walls of a strong garrison which allows us to face even the most difficult of challenges of the march though life. The Roman soldiers would have grasped the idea being conveyed by the words of the Apostle that of walled enclosures which kept one safe while under assault by adversaries.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (7)
This peace which is born out of our Lord being near at hand and this gives us stillness of heart that is like the high walls of a strong garrison which allows us to face even the most difficult of challenges of the march though life. The Roman soldiers would have grasped the idea being conveyed by the words of the Apostle that of walled enclosures which kept one safe while under assault by adversaries.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (7)
Our Lord has given his word that he is with us in all that we encounter in this life , therefore we need not fear nor be dismayed at what we encounter while on the march toward his Kingdom, therefor we should rejoice always for "the Lord is Near"....Amen.
Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor,
The
Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.
2101 Old National Pike.
Washington,
Pennsylvania. www.gcfountainoflife.org
The
Fountain of Life is heard on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in
Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM in the Arden Fair Grounds area
of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela,
Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
No comments:
Post a Comment