Tamworth Community Presbyterian Church

According to a survey done this year in Great Britain, Brits only trust three people, …Almost 1 in 10 adults admit they don’t always feel they can trust their mum,…7% don’t have any faith in their father. 1 in 20 even distrust their own partner and almost 3 in 10 don’t feel they can depend on their colleagues. Others admit they don’t always trust their children, grandparents or even their best friend. Worryingly, almost 1 in 5 don’t trust anyone at all. But it also emerged the lack of trust could be with good reason as the average adult will be betrayed 3 times a year… Researchers from OnePoll.com revealed Brits consider integrity, honesty, dependability and consistency to be a person’s most trustworthy characteristics. Conversely, sneakiness, manipulative behaviour and selfishness are the least trustworthy qualities, along with promiscuity, a lack of empathy and no sense of humour.

It also emerged legendary wildlife filmmaker David Attenborough is the nation’s most trustworthy celebrity - with Tom Hanks, Prince William and Stephen Hawking also among the top ten.[1] As we drill down into Philippians 2 today we are reminded to shine like the stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life – in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain. (Philippians 2:15c-16). This is a reminder about God’s love, and the relief of God’s peace in the midst of trouble, or a struggle that doesn’t seem as big in answer to prayer. This is a trouble you know is hard and yet you also know Jesus is with you and near you and you were not afraid as some weeks we are filled with anything but thankfulness in our hearts. The hard-earned savings have evaporated, and the boss at work’s decided to get nasty, or the kids seem to be acting even more selfishly than you thought was ever possible, and you’ve had a hard week keeping yourself in check, or you feel like yourself let someone down; or said a rash word spoken in anger that you wish you could unsay. Our Bible is not an encyclopaedia or even a “complete catalogue of human problems with a completed list of divine answers”[2] It is why I am thankful how Jesus anchors us to relationship as the invitation from God to show us Jesus clearer and better and in ways we can see the things in our relationship with him. The Bible’s unfolding story tells me about the God who made me for relationship; how he also made me for worship, and how he made me curious for understanding, for life to be on God’s terms as we let him shape our lives relationally. We need Jesus! As God calls me to be watchful, prayerful, and thankful to notice we are in good company. As we read in Philippians 2:12-13

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Paul tells us work out our salvation with fear and trembling, as he points out our relationship with God is the story of Jesus in us, and spiritually working out how we will set our day, or what we will give our priorities to, while noticing what God is working on in our lives. Maybe you’ve been noticing this week how God has been dealing with something you’ve been grumbling about? Paul reminds us relationship with God means we continually turn back to God. Can you recall a good purpose God has called you live out today; or an encouragement you might be able to give to someone who you know is feeling low. May be getting along to help someone you know needs a hand. Holiness isn’t withdrawn contemplation. Holiness is the activity of bringing the love of God shining a light into the darkness of sin or bringing what we know is wrong in us to God and asking for forgiveness and seeking his help. Holiness is the drive to let God work out in us what is pleasing in his sight.

Even though we don’t like any words that smack of punishment (because we are such a positive self reinforcement age) fear and trembling reminds us relationship with Jesus is about; that is being drawn into thankfulness for his mercy to live God’s way, on God’s terms, not ours, and looking to the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. In practice Paul draws that out how we are called to live further in Philippians 2:14-16a

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.

I am a worshipper by nature, that’s how God made me, as we are always acting on that, either by giving our worship to God or we’re serving something else as a replacement. It is like worshipping ourselves by demanding to be at the centre of our own universe.[3] Thankfulness is the opposite to grumbling and arguing

Paul says that a little clearer later on in that letter to the Philippians in 4:4-6

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Summed up in three words: Rejoice, give thanks, pray. Rejoicing by looking out for what God is doing; Thankful with who God is; Prayerful as relationship with God is not one way. So notice now how Paul lines this up verse 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Lift up your head and notice what God has done is doing and will do in your life that is good. It might be a hard thing. It might be something you’re struggling with, and get noticing that this is the story that is all about the praise and the glory of God and not about ourselves. A call to rejoice in the love he has showed, the forgiveness you have received; the life we have been given, the call on us is to shine like the stars. We are to shine as a community of believers with courageous faith and see how each one of us has a part to play. Just as the stars of the night are many, each one of them goes into making up the great vista of the night sky. We all have some part to play as each one of us we are told by Paul to hold out the word of life. The challenge is why not during the rest of today to have a think about what you give thanks to God for being part of this church family. Pray and give thanks. The question is what is going on in our lives? Make an assessment on what gets our time and energy in our relationships. It is said that what often shows us something of what is going on in our vertical in our relationship with God. Fellowship, relationship and worship, prayer, thanksgiving. Finally Shining like the stars

Let’s pray…

David Hassan@ Tamworth Community Presbyterian Church 11/11/18

[1] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/most-trusted-celebrities-david-attenborough-tom-hanks-michelle-obama-piers-morgan-boris-johnson-a8143096.html

[2] Tripp, Instruments, p 24

[3] Tripp, Paul Instruments in the Redeemers Hand P&R,USA 2002, p 45

Shining Like the Stars