When I was young there were a number of incentives to encourage weekly church and Sunday School attendance. One I distinctly remember was a perfect attendance pin. Go to Sunday School every week for a year and get a pin. For the second year, get a little bar that hung below the pin, and so on.
Many years later I heard a song that was a parody of the perfect attendance pin. I don’t remember the entire song, that was sung to the tune of “My Grandfather’s Clock”, but one line went, “…my Sunday School pin…for it hung all the way to the floor.”
Paul’s litany of his Hebrew credentials in Philippians 3:4-6 reminds me of that pin. Paul was not bragging about his background in order to puff himself up (certainly not after just quoting the hymn about Jesus emptying Himself of His glory and humbling Himself by being made in the nature of a human). Rather, Paul was criticizing those who would puff up themselves for their Jewishness and who would look down on others who did not have the Jewish credentials they had adopted.
The self-mutilating “dogs” referred to in Philippians 3 supposed that accumulating the credentials of Judaism would give them a kind of righteousness.
Paul had it all, but gave it up for the righteousness that comes from God through faith in Christ. In his way Paul took off his multi-year perfect attendance Sunday School pin and threw it in the trash. He put on the mantle of righteousness that is by God’s grace, not his own works or inheritance.
I am intrigued by a few verses in this chapter that I memorized a long time ago: verse 10 and verses 13-14.
The latter verses first—Paul admits that he has not yet reached his goal. So, he strains toward the finish line to win the prize of eternal life with Jesus Christ in heaven. He’s not saying that his works will get him there. He’s already discarded that as an option. But Paul knows that the Christian life is not just a one-time decision and a sit-down-and-rest ride to heaven. It is, like marriage, a one-time vow followed by a lifelong relationship that needs constant attention. Is there a husband or a wife who can honestly say, “Whew, I’ve made it. I don’t need to work on my marriage any more.”?
It is in verse 10, though, that the goal is specifically described, and upon closer examination it is shocking.
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Phil. 3:10 NIV)
Paul mentions five aspects of his goal. The first, second, and the last parts are something everyone could identify with—to know Christ, to know the power of Christ’s resurrection, and to attain to the resurrection of the dead himself.
But the fourth and fifth aspects are the shocking parts. Did Paul really say, and mean, that he wanted to know the fellowship of sharing in Christ’s sufferings? Did he really want to become like Christ in His death?
I think it would be wonderful to have such an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ that I could say, “I know Christ. It would be exciting to know and use the same power that raised Christ from the dead; and it is indeed the ultimate goal of every Christian to be raised from the dead and be with Christ in heaven.
But when I closely examine my own heart, I can’t honestly say that I get up in the morning and say, “Lord, I want to participate in suffering with you today.” Nor can I honestly say I am eager to become like Jesus in His death. Not even if I move that word “death” from its natural and physical meaning to a spiritual one—that I’m eager to die to my own desires, goals, and ambitions in order to live out my life 100% for Christ.
Come to think of it, what is my goal for my life—or for each day for that matter?
Perhaps it’s time for me to take off my own “Sunday School pin” and adopt a goal that is worthy—one to which I can enthusiastically commit my whole life.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
IN PRAISE OF HYMNS
IN PRAISE OF HYMNS
Philippians 2:6-11 is widely recognized as an early church hymn that Paul quoted in his letter on living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ. A life worthy of the gospel has to include the kind of humility and selflessness exemplified by Jesus himself: “Who being in very nature God considered equality with God not something to be grasped, but made himself nothing…”
Hymns help us live that worthy life because they teach us and remind us of the great theological truths of the Christian faith. Every pastor knows the church members get more theology from the hymns than the sermon each Sunday.
Two of the passages that actually use the word “hymns” (Col. 3:16 & Eph. 5:19) have the phrase “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”. There is a difference.
One way I like to look at the difference is to see that the Psalms themselves can be sung in worship, once again giving musical form to Scripture. Hymns are songs of praise to God, often with the Trinitarian formula or a recapitulation of the Gospel. “Spiritual songs” today includes a wide variety of songs: gospel songs, spirituals, praise songs, choruses, etc.
A good example of a classic hymn is what is known as “The Navy Hymn”: “Eternal Father Strong To Save”. There are four verses. The first starts with “Eternal Father”; the second with “O Savior”; the third with “O Holy Spirit”; and the fourth with “O Trinity”.
Not all hymns have such an obvious Trinitarian formula. Others speak of what Jesus has done on our behalf, such as “Amazing Grace” or “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”.
Each of these is a beautiful marriage of text and music. That’s why they lasted. It’s also why they are sung in serious or solemn occasions, when awe is appropriate.
At other times the gospel music of “I’ll Fly Away”, a spiritual like “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”, an invitational such as “Just As I Am”, or a praise song like “Our God Is An Awesome God” speaks more to those gathered in worship.
There is a place for each type of Christian music. Each has its function in the worship of the church. Recently, though, it has become difficult to find a church which regularly uses the classic Christian hymns. Even when the older hymn tunes are used, the text is often “updated” or even replaced with a text of a completely different meaning.
I grew up singing hymns. Many of them I could sing without looking at the hymnal. I know I’m showing my age, but I have to say I miss the hymns I used to sing at church and throughout the week. The songs that have replaced them are not songs that have the same power to capture and uplift my spirit.
I saw an ad on TV for a CD set of 50 Greatest Hymns. I think I’ll get it.
Philippians 2:6-11 is widely recognized as an early church hymn that Paul quoted in his letter on living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ. A life worthy of the gospel has to include the kind of humility and selflessness exemplified by Jesus himself: “Who being in very nature God considered equality with God not something to be grasped, but made himself nothing…”
Hymns help us live that worthy life because they teach us and remind us of the great theological truths of the Christian faith. Every pastor knows the church members get more theology from the hymns than the sermon each Sunday.
Two of the passages that actually use the word “hymns” (Col. 3:16 & Eph. 5:19) have the phrase “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”. There is a difference.
One way I like to look at the difference is to see that the Psalms themselves can be sung in worship, once again giving musical form to Scripture. Hymns are songs of praise to God, often with the Trinitarian formula or a recapitulation of the Gospel. “Spiritual songs” today includes a wide variety of songs: gospel songs, spirituals, praise songs, choruses, etc.
A good example of a classic hymn is what is known as “The Navy Hymn”: “Eternal Father Strong To Save”. There are four verses. The first starts with “Eternal Father”; the second with “O Savior”; the third with “O Holy Spirit”; and the fourth with “O Trinity”.
Not all hymns have such an obvious Trinitarian formula. Others speak of what Jesus has done on our behalf, such as “Amazing Grace” or “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”.
Each of these is a beautiful marriage of text and music. That’s why they lasted. It’s also why they are sung in serious or solemn occasions, when awe is appropriate.
At other times the gospel music of “I’ll Fly Away”, a spiritual like “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”, an invitational such as “Just As I Am”, or a praise song like “Our God Is An Awesome God” speaks more to those gathered in worship.
There is a place for each type of Christian music. Each has its function in the worship of the church. Recently, though, it has become difficult to find a church which regularly uses the classic Christian hymns. Even when the older hymn tunes are used, the text is often “updated” or even replaced with a text of a completely different meaning.
I grew up singing hymns. Many of them I could sing without looking at the hymnal. I know I’m showing my age, but I have to say I miss the hymns I used to sing at church and throughout the week. The songs that have replaced them are not songs that have the same power to capture and uplift my spirit.
I saw an ad on TV for a CD set of 50 Greatest Hymns. I think I’ll get it.
Monday, September 12, 2005
In Solidarity With Other Christians
In Solidarity With Other Christians
The lesson for this next Sunday for the Koinonia class at Calvary Baptist Church in Denver has its focus as: “To discern ways of living in solidarity within the Christian community”.
The basic idea, taken from Philippians chapter 1, is that there is solidarity between Paul (in a Roman prison) and the church at Philippi (which was experiencing some persecution, but was in a much better situation than Paul).
One application of the lesson is that Christians today are in a hostile and decadent environment just as Paul and the Philippians were, so we too can experience joy by standing together and supporting one another.
What a timely lesson. With thousands of people and possibly hundreds of churches affected by Hurricane Katrina, we can glorify God and minister to fellow Christians by pairing church with church. Yes, we can give personally. Many, including Lindsey and me, have given through the Salvation Army or Red Cross. However, that’s not going to rebuild a church that lost its building to winds or flood and much of its financial support when members lost their jobs.
I’ve seen other bloggers with links and lists of churches of their denomination in Louisiana and Mississippi that need help. American Baptist churches can do the same thing. It’s not likely that the Baptist churches in Louisiana and Mississippi will be American Baptist, but we can experience solidarity with Southern Baptists, National Baptists, and others in the Baptist family. What a witness for unity within diversity that would be!
We often hear the phrase, “We celebrate diversity”. I think a more Christ-like spirit is to honor diversity, but celebrate unity. Let’s see what we can do in solidarity with our Baptist brothers and sisters in distress. Any ideas?
The lesson for this next Sunday for the Koinonia class at Calvary Baptist Church in Denver has its focus as: “To discern ways of living in solidarity within the Christian community”.
The basic idea, taken from Philippians chapter 1, is that there is solidarity between Paul (in a Roman prison) and the church at Philippi (which was experiencing some persecution, but was in a much better situation than Paul).
One application of the lesson is that Christians today are in a hostile and decadent environment just as Paul and the Philippians were, so we too can experience joy by standing together and supporting one another.
What a timely lesson. With thousands of people and possibly hundreds of churches affected by Hurricane Katrina, we can glorify God and minister to fellow Christians by pairing church with church. Yes, we can give personally. Many, including Lindsey and me, have given through the Salvation Army or Red Cross. However, that’s not going to rebuild a church that lost its building to winds or flood and much of its financial support when members lost their jobs.
I’ve seen other bloggers with links and lists of churches of their denomination in Louisiana and Mississippi that need help. American Baptist churches can do the same thing. It’s not likely that the Baptist churches in Louisiana and Mississippi will be American Baptist, but we can experience solidarity with Southern Baptists, National Baptists, and others in the Baptist family. What a witness for unity within diversity that would be!
We often hear the phrase, “We celebrate diversity”. I think a more Christ-like spirit is to honor diversity, but celebrate unity. Let’s see what we can do in solidarity with our Baptist brothers and sisters in distress. Any ideas?
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