Sermon from 18th May 2008

Today our Associate Vicar, John Itumu, delivers his sermon - New Attitude 2 - True Humility- based on the reading from Philippians 2:5-11


Today we carry on with our ongoing study called a life worth living which is based on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. This is also the second session about new Christian attitudes. Last time we were reminded about an imperative that is required of all the followers of Jesus Christ - to be of one heart and mind. It is a must-have new attitude that believers are called to strive at.

A quest for unity and oneness of mind is not our natural human inclination. However even though we have myriad reasons for wanting to be different, we are implored to do anything - whatever it takes to achieve this unity of purpose and disposition. It is not a unity of mind that denigrates our God given uniqueness and individuality. No. God celebrates in our diversity otherwise he wouldn’t have made us so. He nevertheless calls us, just as he spoke to Philippians through the apostle Paul to be of the same attitude of mind, the same humility, the same way of thinking about life and others, the same kind of selflessness and to exercise selfless humility.

Paul in this letter to the Philippians realised that if such a unity was to be achieved among this group of followers of Christ, they had to understand and engage more deeply with the character of Jesus. He therefore tells them:
In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had. The contemporary bible version says ‘think the same way that Christ Jesus thought’; according to the King James version ‘let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…’ Paul is very keen that they emulate the best example there ever will be – that of Christ.
The mission of Christ on earth is summarised in the most widely translated – probably famous bible verse John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

If however God is who we believe him to be – our creator, the creator of all that is on the heavens and the earth, visible and invisible, the source of all being, he could have chosen another method to deliver the human race from eternal damnation and reconcile us with himself. He could have chosen to not to be born on earth and live for 33 years. He could have certainly chosen not to die on such a gruesome death on a Roman cross.

However there are things that we are required to and ought to learn from the life and death of Christ.
Paul was desperate that the Philippians church emulates Christ. He was also aware that for them to do this, they needed to grasp his spirit, the love, the passion that controlled his life. And we listen together with the Philippians as he urges them:
Be of the same mind as Christ Jesus…

What was his mind then?

6being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
being in very nature God…Jesus Christ of Nazareth was equal with God. The Greek translation of the noun nature refers to that form that truly expresses the being that underlies it.
Equality of Christ with God is therefore not that which he desired which was not his, but exactly that which was always his. It is vital that we grasp this because these verses provide important underpinnings of our understanding of the mission of Jesus – his pre-existence, incarnation, humiliation, crucifixion and exaltation.

I could go as far as saying these verses are the bedrock of the Christian faith. They help us engage with the paradox of a crucified God. That is why the disciples of Jesus could not comprehend how their master would die like a common criminal on a cross. They were convinced that he was the long prophesied about Messiah and Deliverer! Messiahs and Deliverers don’t die that way. Jewish scriptures clearly said that people who are hung on a wooden pole are actually under God’s curse. Deut 21:23

Paul however reminds the Philippians that the equality of Jesus with God is something that was inherent to his pre-existence. And this God-likeness was not something to be seized upon to his advantage, which would be the normal expectation of ordinary earthly and lordly power – the very lowest point of selfishness.

Rather his equality with God found its truest expression when he lowered himself to the level of a servant by making himself nothing.

Other versions use the metaphor ‘he emptied himself’, not of anything but simply poured himself out. He made himself of no reputation. In other words, it is on the cross that God’s true character, his peculiar and most generous expression of love was fully manifested. It was a deliberate and voluntary action of the pre-existent Christ.

As one biblical scholar once put it, the real humiliation of the incarnation and the cross is that one who was himself God, and who never during the whole process stopped being God, could embrace such a vocation. It paints the picture of a self-giving God for the sake of others – Philippians, all peoples of the earth and that includes you and I today. He is a God whose love for us expresses itself in self-sacrifice.

Jesus defined true and ultimate humility and obedience by first becoming a human being and then again by voluntarily assenting to the most shameful and painful death imaginable in his day. And so if you want to have an idea of humility and obedience, look at the example of Jesus, Paul insists.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Paul then shifts gear from presenting Christ as the subject to the object. It is this humble Christ who took the nature of a lowly servant to whom all worship is finally due. He is now exalted to the highest possible degree. Every human knee shall eventually bow before him in recognition of his authority and sovereignty, whether or not they yield to him now. Not left out too is all other created beings – in heaven, on earth and under the earth.

This theme of humility followed by exaltation is very often repeated by Jesus in his ministry. I don’t think we should be surprised as he was speaking about himself.

…Take the lowest place when you are a guest at a banquet, For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted… (Luke 14:11)

…Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven…(Matthew 18:4)

The recipe that brings about love and unity among followers of Jesus is genuine self imposed humility. Self imposed because that is not our natural inclination. We often have too much opinion, too much to say and no time to hear what others think and say. Well, we know it, don’t we? And when we are finally silent and apparently listening it is because our minds are busy constructing a rejoinder to demolish what we have not even heard.

An assertive and abrasive disposition is regarded a useful tool if we are serious about getting things done and rising in our careers. Ruthlessness is a novelty in a world crowded with competitors of all sorts. Never mind who we trample on, on our quest for achievement and significance and security. Other times humility in our world is an adjective that describes wimps.
I do not suggest in the least that we should be doormats for others to trample on without a response. Jesus didn’t let anyone get away with that sort of behaviour. That is why He demonstrated assertiveness when he drove out money changers out of the temple with a whip – but with an absolute lack of arrogance.

Paul reminded this ancient church, as he is reminding us today that relationships matter. Being of one mind, sharing the same love, not having selfish ambition or vain conceit, not looking to our own interest but to the interest of other and imitating Christ’s humility – these things matter and they are the very essence of the family of the people of God.
The question for us all is – if humility is the key that unlocks good and loving relationships, how do I rate on the humility gauge? Or what does it matter whether I have humility or not? Or it is just one of those Sunday moral platitudes thank you very much.

I will suggest to you why imitating Christ’s humility matters. It bring us to that place of esteem where we understand who we are in Christ — people made in God’s own image as responsible, capable and beloved creatures who don’t need to prove who they are to themselves or anyone else. It stops us from taking quiet pleasure when we see others, especially our detractors nose dive and humiliated. It is truly liberating .
When we encompass this conviction about our superior worth, it stops any act of kindness we perform from becoming a source of pride – overt or hidden. It becomes a constant reminder that we go out of our way to give ourselves to others for a higher purpose – the God we serve.

Lord please help us to want to change our attitudes, especially imitate your humility so that we may have the fullness of life that you have promised, and be your true and faithful witnesses. Amen.

Message from our Vicar, Cameron, and the Barker family

After being seriously ill for many years, our dear friend and our Vicar's wife, Jocelyn Barker, recently had a double lung transplant operation.

This is obviously a critical time, and she is expected to remain at Harefield Hospital for quite a long period.

Last Sunday, the Barker family sent this message to the Parish.

To all the saints in Christ Jesus at St Saviour's / St Paul's,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we're sure you can imagine, this last week has been quite a time for all of us Barkers! However, this isn't an update on the latest ups and downs we have experienced since Jocelyn's double-lung transplant on 3rd May. There have, of course, been plenty of those – in both directions, though so far more ups than downs, overall. At this stage the situation varies from day to day, and it is likely to do that for quite some time to come. Rather, we're writing to thank you all for your love, support and prayers for us as we go on through this hugely challenging experience, and to encourage you to continue in them.

In the midst of what we are going through we are very aware that others of you will also be finding this situation immensely difficult to live, and deal, with. All we can say and do is encourage you to live each day in faith and trust in God's loving goodness, at all times, and in all circumstances, as we ourselves are trying to do.

I (Cameron) deliberately began writing by quoting Paul's opening to the church in Philippi. It has not been lost on me that my last sermon here was about us needing to face any and all circumstances – including the prospect of death – in faith and trust in God's loving goodness. As a family we are now having the opportunity to practice what I preached!

In that sermon I spoke of how Paul didn't focus on his feelings about what he faced. Instead he relied far more on the facts of who Jesus is and what He has done. Since last Saturday we have needed that perspective, regularly. And we will continue to need it, not least while the short, medium and long-term outcomes of the transplant remain uncertain. We don't, and can't, know what the situation will be tomorrow, let alone this time next week. And that is very hard indeed to live with. But we do, and can know that, by His Spirit, God is with us in it all, no matter what may happen.

So, please do keep on praying for us, fervently! Pray for one another too. And go on showing your love for each other and for us, in what you do and in how you do it. Pray also for John and the Itumu family, and the others who are picking up what I am now unable to do. Go on supporting them; go on supporting one another; and go on supporting us. In other words, be God's saints, His holy people, so that in even these circumstances the gospel of Jesus Christ may be continue to be preached, and His name be glorified

In His great love,

Cameron, Caleb, Hope – and Jocelyn

Sermon from 11th May 2008 Pentecost

Here's this week's sermon, from our Associate Vicar, John Itumu. It's based on the reading from John 14:15-21

Jesus’ promised Spirit

I quite like visiting new places and I must say that London has always posed a particular challenge due to the dense network of roads and streets and housing. If you have lived in London all your life, it may not be so bad – not so for a Kenyan village bred like me. We have had our moments as a family in the car trying to read a map and missing a crucial turning point and having to drive some 5 miles before the next exit… I am sure we are not alone in this!

So with all that has been said against Satellite Navigation Units – like taking one to a dead end or in the wrong direction, I still think they are among the cleverest gadgets around today. In my opinion they are very useful! I only need a postcode and bang – I am there!
And the instructions are full:
at the end of the road turn left, exit ahead, toll charge – do you want to continue – I can even choose my favourite voice. I love it – because I can just relax and enjoy the drive.

In this very significant gospel passage, Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for his death. He is leaving them. At the beginning of the chapter he says:
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust in me. My Fathers house has plenty of room… and I am going there to prepare a place for you. You know the way to the place I am going…
And Thomas shoots the first question that must speak for all of them: Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?
Jesus replies: I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, then you know my Father as well.
This is now getting too complex, and Philip thinks of a shortcut:
Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.

Jesus answers him: Philip, don’t you know me, even after I have been among you such a long time?

The disciples were anxious about what would happen to them if Jesus left them. How would they cope? How would they carry on his spectacular ministry? They had heard and witnessed his teaching first hand – but how could they remember it all? How could they do it? How would they begin mixing with prostitutes, lepers, the demon possessed, and ritually unclean people?

They had already witnessed opposition to the ministry of Jesus from the temple leadership and the religious leaders, and this was intensifying by the day. How would they cope without their charismatic leader? How could they navigate thorough life’s maze?

And Jesus has an answer for them. He says to them: wait for a free gift - the Holy Spirit. I will not leave you as orphans, my Father will give you another advocate. He will be your navigator, and more than that.

He will be your helper, comforter, teacher, enabler, strengthener, warrior, counsellor, healer, fore-runner, deliverer, refiner - to help you and be with you – not just for three years like you have been with me, but for ever. Yes, for ever!

How good is that! Never to get lost again in life’s journey.
This promise of the Holy Spirit still stands for anyone who will dare ask. Jesus at one time, while teaching on prayer challenges his listeners: Luke 11:11-13
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish will give him a snake… if you then, though you are evil know how to give god gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
Ask and you will receive!

Jesus goes on to say that his true followers will love him, they will obey him and he on his part will secure for them, from the Father who denies nothing to his Son, another Counsellor. Obedience to the teachings of Jesus is the sign of love. Our Lord observes not the loud confessions of our love for Him but the reality of our obedience to him.

What a splendid promise for us as a church and as we look back at all the blessings that God has poured upon us in the last one year! There is reason to celebrate the plenty of good that has come our way, as detailed in the AGM booklet, and as we have tried to be mission shaped in our life together as church family. I am certain that those who have been around longer see a great deal more of God’s blessings upon his church in Herne Hill Parish. For all this we can only thank and praise God.

The journey however is far from over. Today we open a new chapter in the church calendar year. A few of you will even be taking up new responsibilities. So where do we go from here? How do we get there? How can we be sure?

Well, let’s remember the promise of Jesus about a navigator in this journey – the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Truth. He promises to be with us – for ever. May we aspire to always be in relationship with him, in obedience to his word as we reap all the benefits he has kept for those who abide in him. Amen.

Sermon 4th May 2008

Today our Associate Vicar, John Itumu, continues our study of Paul's letter to the Philippians

A New Attitude 1 – Philippians 2:1-4

It seems that the incident at the Tower of Babel (Gen 11) when human languages were confused – as in not understanding one another- triggered off a passion for division. It is an understatement to say that the Christian religion in our world is deeply divided. We have a plethora of opinion on almost any subject we can think about; even on whether the bible is really the revealed word of God or not. And for those who agree that it is God’s word, there is an ever increasing diversity of opinion about how we read and interpret it today.

Just think for a moment about the proliferation of churches and denominations – and the staggering variety of choice within each strand:
Evangelical, broad evangelical, evangelical charismatic, open evangelical, conservative evangelical…
And it doesn’t end there:
when and who should be baptised, do we call it a holy/communion table or an altar, should we preach from the pulpit or the lectern, should a man or woman preside, how should you pray, what should be sung, when… – I leave the rest to you.

Now, I am aware that diversity of style has often been described as the greatest gift of Anglicanism to the world, indeed even Christianity. It allows for a multiplicity of opinion and method in being followers of Jesus.
That in itself is positive, especially because the gospel of Jesus Christ needs to be proclaimed afresh to each generation in a language that they understand.

Unfortunately, this diversity arises quite often out of our own self-seeking, preferences. It is borne of leadership and personality differences, doctrinal issues. It frequently comes out of a lack of consensus about our least common denominator – scripture. That is not a desirable thing.

I often reflect on new converts, people wanting to simply follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. They must gaze in panic and utter amazement as they are presented with this overabundance, terrifying range of denominational choice. Some must be crying in their hearts – oh please, please deliver me from the responsibility of having to choose one of these!

Friends, unity among followers of Jesus Christ is a quality, a value they should seek, strive for and uphold. It is a must have attitude for all Christians. Why? Because it imitates Christ-likeness.
It is not a unity that compels all people to having the same opinions about everything. No. God must delight in our variety and individuality, otherwise he would not have created us so. But unity among followers of Jesus imitates Christ-likeness.

And Paul in his letter to the Philippians urges them to work towards this unity. It is a unity of purpose and disposition. It is a unity with regard to the gospel and their heavenly citizenship. It is a unity with regard to what it means to be God’s people, followers of Jesus Christ for the Philippians and for us today.
It is a unity that compels them ‘to be of the same mind in the Lord’ 4:2. In this verse Paul pleads with two women, Euodia and Syntyche, his former co-workers and long-time friends, leaders in the Philippi church who seem to have differed while serving the gospel. Please be of the same mind in the Lord, he implores them

Having different views and arguments is inevitable even for followers of Jesus. The question here is, what do you do when you have opposing views? Paul reminds the Philippians believers that they have an extra responsibility of ensuring a Godly unity whenever this happens. It is an attitude, a trait that defines them as believers.

His first ground for this passionate appeal is Christ himself.

If you have found any encouragement from being with Christ…then make my joy complete by being like-minded…

This appeal needs to be seen in the light of the Philippians’ suffering and which takes us back to last week when we heard that the special privilege of believing in Christ and knowing him also includes suffering for him. Paul appeals to this common experience of Christ’s comfort in the face of suffering. He writes this letter to the church in Philippi while in a Roman prison, chained to a soldier, unjustly accused, wasting away and possibly waiting to die.

His dismal circumstances, however, instead of breaking him, have emboldened him, to preach and proclaim the gospel of Christ. His imprisonment even gives him access to audiences that he would otherwise never have reached 1:13-14 palace guards, other prisoners etc

Why? Because he finds his comfort in Christ – in his words – for me to live is Christ. 1:21 His appeal presupposes that the recipients of this letter – the Philippians - share this comfort just as they do the suffering and the struggle in their Christian lives. We heard last week that if we are ready to truly live the abundant life that God offers in Christ, then we have to be ready to die. We all have a share of suffering – in varying degrees. Paul reminds the Philippians that the comfort and encouragement found in Christ should be shared with others.
In other words, have you found encouragement in knowing Christ? If so, then do encourage others! Encouragement only occurs in an environment of unity. The two feed each other. whoosh – two miles…

How much more in our life’s journey! Are we an encouragement to one another? When did you last encourage someone? It is a unique gift that we should pray for and work towards. Encouragement builds the church community and suffocates disunity. If we have found encouragement in knowing Christ, let us make it our business to pass it on to others.

If you have found any comfort from the love of Christ…then make my joy complete by being like minded

God’s love through Christ is lavished upon all human beings – but only those who respond to it really experience and enjoy it. Paul is keen to remind this church in Philippi of this immense love that God has poured out to them. If we really know the blessing of his love, let us extend it to others without bias or restrain. God has poured out his love to us. Let us not withhold love from anyone. Let this give us enough reason to seek unity with one another, even when it doesn’t look feasible. The intention to love must be allowed to prevail even when circumstances militate against it.

A woman accompanied her frail husband to the doctor's office for a check-up. Afterwards, the doctor took his wife aside and said, "Unless you do the following things, your husband will surely die." "Here's what you need to do. Make sure you serve him a good healthy breakfast, feed him a good hot meal each evening and don't overburden him with any stressful conversation. Also, keep the house spotless and clean so that he doesn't get exposed to any threatening germs."On the way home, the husband asked his wife, “what did the doctor say?”She replied, "He said that you're going to die."

It feels like that sometimes, doesn’t it? Someone said that love is the only virtue that can be divided endlessly and still not be diminished.

John the apostle quotes Jesus in his letter.
1 John 4:7-8
Dear friends let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

If you have any sharing in the Spirit…then make my joy complete by being like-minded…
It is the Spirit of God by whom the Philippians have stood united in contending for the gospel this far. 1:27. By the same Spirit, they have experienced God’s love in their lives. This same Spirit unites them to Christ and to one another, and to Paul. The Spirit of God is strong ground for unity, just as the comfort of being in Christ and sharing his love. On the same note, if they know in Christ any tenderness and compassion, they should willingly pass it on to others.

Do these things and make my joy complete – Paul tells them. Isn’t it amazing that Paul declares himself a very happy man in his present circumstances in prison – hardly the place to experience immense joy! The only thing that will make his joy 100% is unity among the followers of Jesus in Philippi. That is how important unity is to him. Is unity important to you? Does it matter to you if you are not in unity? For a follower of Christ, it ought to.

As the Philippians hear this letter read aloud to them, from a man they respect so much, it must make a rather uncomfortable listening. While there is no evidence of full scale fighting in the Philippian church, Paul was certainly aware of a growing spirit of dissension and potential disunity.

And since he has such a deep affection for this church, he moves quickly to warn them of the dangers ahead. A divided church cannot witness to people about the good news of Jesus. Selfish ambition and vain conceit – these are breeding grounds for disunity. Shun them!

I wonder where all that leaves us. Being of one mind in Christ is not the natural thing for us to be. It is far much easier to walk our different paths. It is what the world around us advocates and glorifies. Do whatever you please, whatever brings pleasure – after all it is your life!

Christ followers must however live by different standards and attitudes. Unity, being like minded, having the same love, being in one spirit and one mind – these characteristics are a must. They must live as citizens of heaven and in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. That is a reminder for us too.

And since therefore we are so different, we must all be willing to travel some mileage in search of this common united front as we look at Jesus. Someone said love begins when someone else’s needs are more important than my own
It might be that there is some mileage you need to travel to break a barrier with someone – build unity. That is Christ-likeness. Don’t delay – just do it! Amen.