Philippians 1:18-26 (NRSV) Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. 20 It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26 so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.
You have probably seen the guy with the pizza sign up at Lexington and Larpenteur if you are around this neighborhood during the week. We will likely be seeing people dressed up like Lady Liberty soon, to attract you to get your taxes done at their place. Many stores have the wind sleeve blowing in front, inviting you to an oil change or the like.
Paul considers himself a billboard. “I am in prison because I believe God the Father sent Jesus Christ, His Son, into the flesh, to save us eternally and some people do not like me talking that way!” We need not put on a billboard with a big cross on it. But our jewelry tells people something, even though the likes of Madonna wearing a cross lessens the import of that symbol for our society.
Maybe the biggest billboard we wear in our neighborhood and family is revving up the car and driving to Worship and Bible Class/Sunday School every week. THEY really believe that! THEY live by that! We may have neighbors who are distant from us because they assume we are holy or something, but they notice. We may NOT want our neighbors to know about our faith because they might question us about why we are not MORE different. But the Sunday billboard of our weekly travel conveys a lot. Do not think people do not look. You are a Christian and I know it because I see you regularly go off somewhere on Sunday! I did not know you were a Christian! You sleep in just like I do! True Christians cannot hide their colors. Sooner or later, it comes out about what we consider of eternal importance, praising, honoring, worshiping, serving, loving, forgiving. We worship so that the Lord will strengthen us in being billboards for HIS love.
Paul knew he would be released from prison. He did not know if he would be cleared of the charges or die for them. He yearns for the fullness of eternal life with Christ but also sees the need to be a billboard for Christ on this earth. His joy is that God IS at work in him and all believers. Let us be proud billboards, looking for eternity but alive for Christ in the present. See you each Sunday! This MEANS something! It says to your fellow members as well that you are proud to be part of this eternal gift in Christ. Let everyone come, who can, every week, with pride and joy! Let your light shine!
Pastor Tom Trapp, Mission Pastor
Walking the Emmaus Road with the Risen Lord
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XV, Number 7, February 2014)