Delivered Nov. 18, 2007
by Pastors Marilyn and Eric Henderson
John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us."
But Jesus said, Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you , whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. (NRSV)
Christ-like living calls us to humbly join others in ministry and humbly receive from others.
The sobering news is that the needs of the world are immense. The good news is that the number followers of Christ are also immense. The good news is that Jesus calls us to minister in his name with the help of others.
The good news is that Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to help us with our attitude and empowers us to minister with others and receive from others.
(Marilyn) - "From Persecutor to Partner"Paul's life was an example of how God can transform a gifted, brilliant leader from working against God's kingdom to being one of the kingdom's most passionate advocates.
When Paul was Saul, he was convinced that his group was on God's side and the Jesus followers were against God. So he imprisoned people and vigorously tried to stamp out the Jesus followers. But Saul's encounters with God and the ministry of God's Spirit produced humility that enabled him to write in a letter to the believers in Philippi.
Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defence of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. (Philippians 1:15-18 )
(Eric)Someone other than Paul had begun a church in the city of Rome. But Paul wanted to be partners with them. Paul had a vision of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ across Europe into Spain and recognized he couldn't do it alone. He intended to visit the group of believers in Rome sometime in the future. However, before the visit he writes and sends a lengthy letter to them in which he tells them what to believe in the first 11 chapters, and how to behave in the final five chapters. Paul teaches them to believe and receive the universal availability of God's mercy and grace. Paul teaches them to behave as people that have received God's mercy and grace.
Romans is a long, somewhat weighty book. Even the final greetings in the last chapter are longer than any other book. In chapter 16 I find that Paul applies what Jesus taught the disciples about leadership and living as a member of God's family.
Read text 16: 1-16Greetings/Affirmation/encouragement to all and by all help build up the church.
One of the first things most of us notice about Romans 16, after Paul commends Phoebe's ministry, are all the greetings. Paul greets numerous people who have been significant to him in some way:
Priscilla and Aquila - co-workers with Paul in Corinth and Ephesus
The church in their house
Epaenetus - first convert in Asia
Mary - hard worker
And so on. And not only are these greetings. Paul's greetings are also a way he encourages people. For instance, wouldn't you imagine Priscilla and Aquila felt encouraged that Paul would recognize not only their work, but the risks they took in helping him? And he does this in quite a public way. And the first convert in Asia - Epaenetus. Paul remembers Epaenetus and the significance of what that meant for the church of Christ. I would imagine Epaenetus was pleased to be remembered. It was also a good reminder to the church of how much the church had grown.
Paul does this frequently. While Romans 16 has the lengthiest example of Paul's greetings of affirmation and encouragement, he is consistent in including encouragement and affirmation in his letters. For an example of affirmation and encouragement,
Ph. 1.3-6 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. NIV.
Even in his letters of correction, Paul finds ways to encourage and cheer on followers of Jesus with whom he partners in his mission of spreading the Good Word of God. 2 Cor. 13.79; Gal. 6.9-10;
Affirmations to all and by all help build up the church.
One of the things I've noticed about North American Mennonites that's different from African or African American or South American Mennonites is how difficult it is to speak God's words of truth and life to each other. We just don't do it very much, and there are probably as many reasons as there are people in this room! Perhaps we grew up in families that weren't God-seekers or maybe we did, but our families were reserved about talking about the deeper things of faith and God.
So, maybe we just need practice! Let's affirm and encourage each other by greeting each other with the following phrase - Grace to you and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
HWB #24 Grace To You And PeaceWe want to affirm this congregation for your warmth and friendliness; for putting up so graciously with all the ways we've made changes; openness to doing things differently, as well as, doing the things that need to be done for the well-being of the congregation; energy for projects that continue to minister Christ's peace.
Encourage someone or thank someone this week. Now, lest someone use the excuse that encouragement isn't your gift, remember that that there are some gifts the Spirit gives for specific times. If God puts someone in your mind, and you believe you should encourage them, do it! Not only is it an encouragement for someone to know you are thinking of them. It is also encouraging to know that God was thinking of them, also, and placed them on your heart. Paul says that followers of Jesus should "strive for the spiritual gifts" (1 Cor. 14.1), implying that we should be interested in all spiritual gifts, not that we'll have them all at once or ever for it is the Spirit that gives ... as the Spirit chooses. I wonder how this congregation would be different if we began to tell each other how we see God at work in each others lives?
Both Eric and I have greatly appreciated your response to our pastoral review. I have been greatly encouraged by your gracious affirmations that have encouraged me in my ministry. Thank you!
(Eric)Jesus and Paul included men and women of various ethnic groups are as partners in ministry. 1/3 of those addressed by Paul are women. Those greeted indicate a diverse ethnicity within the budding church.
We commend you for inviting Marilyn as a pastor and trust you will continue making room in the church for both genders in leadership. We also commend you for integrating and working together as people of British, French, Scottish, Dutch and German origins. Our support of ministries to people around the world continues the teaching of Jesus who commissioned us to make disciples of all nations.
(Marilyn)Leaders have diverse relationships with Christians:
Allow leaders to have a variety of relationships.
(Eric)Another observation from this chapter of greetings, is that Paul encouraged the believers to use signs or symbols of affection for one another such as a holy kiss. . v. 17
One man new to the Mennonite Church just about got himself into trouble, because he was kissing the women and shaking hands with the men. Some practice this verse literally with men kissing men, and women kissing women. I understand it to endorse a sign of Christian love.
I encourage you to keep hugging, shaking hands, birthday acknowledgment at fellowship meals and showing Christian love for one another in a variety of ways.
Not only does Paul greet and encourage numerous people but he addresses conflict in verses 17-20.
Read 16:17-20Conflict (disagreement between interdependent people) must be addressed for the health of a fellowship of believers. Those who obviously or subtly cause dissension and oppose the teaching of the church, are to be treated with respect as people created in God's image with faith in Jesus Christ.
At times confrontation should be practiced as taught by Jesus in Matt. 18. Paul instructed believers in Thessalonica by writing 3:15 Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers. I believe that if a common understanding cannot be reached after making significant efforts it may be necessary to ask someone to find another group with whom they more fully agree.
I appreciate your realization of the importance of vigilantly growing in the ability to cope with conflict for the health of the cong. We courageously addressed a conflict in the past, and I'm confident you will continue recognizing and addressing disagreements in the future. There's been strong participation in the Sunday School Class currently happening and I hope that others classes and groups will continue learning how to address conflict.
(Marilyn)God helps us deal with others disagreements.
The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Paul seems to think that we can't deal with difficult situations on our own. Not only that. We aren't meant to do so. God will deal with Satan and evil in the world. But we need the help of Jesus' Holy Spirit in order to live with other people who may not only disagree with us but positively oppose us. We are to live in peace with all people - according to kingdom law. I remember times when I have been so angry - not in this congregation, by the way - that I couldn't even open my mouth, let alone find words that wouldn't make the situation worse. Our human response is to strike back, to set someone straight, to have "the Last Word." But Paul seems to say that God's way for us is one of grace, even though the other may be a troublemaker. We are always to love people, to love the other, even if they seem to be an enemy. We are to be gracious and God will do all the dirty work that needs to be done.
(Eric)21 Timothy, my co-worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.
22 I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you.
24Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.
25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
26but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith
27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen.
Jesus wants to strengthen us in various ways - through Paul's preaching, as we proclaim Jesus, through Spirit-revealed scripture - Jesus wants to strengthen us so that we grow in your obedience that comes through faith and knowledge of God.
Conclusion:Paul evangelized and wrote with a passionate zeal for Jesus Christ and a desire to spread good news to everyone. But he knew it was vital to be in partnership with others to spread the good news of God's mercy and grace. We trust that you will continue to encourage one another, and continue being partners with other believers.
Muriel' s presence is an example of your willingness to be partners with other leaders and with the broader Mennonite Church. An official greeting to you and we invite you to share with us.
SOURCES CONSULTED
Petitcodiac Mennonite Church