Sermon: Christ Working through Us

 Philippians 1:21-30
Christ Working Through Us
James Sledge                                                                                       September 20, 2020

Following our worship this morning, we will hold a congregational meeting where we will elect a Congregational Nominating Committee or CNC. That CNC will nominate new elders and deacons to be elected by the congregation early next year.

If you’ve ever served on a nominating committee, you know it can be a difficult task. Most every CNC I’ve ever been a part of has dealt with the frustration of being turned down by people they think would make excellent elders or deacons. Inevitably there are more meetings to come up with more names. The whole point of a CNC is to prayerful discern those whom God is calling to lead the congregation, but some years it begins to feel like just filling slots. “Surely there is someone who will do this.”

People have many reasons for saying “No” to a nominating committee. Many are busy and feel like they already have too much on their plates. Often times they say they might consider it the next year. Some people don’t feel they are qualified, doubting that they have enough faith, enough knowledge of the Bible, or enough leadership qualities. Some aren’t sure their personal beliefs line up with Presbyterian doctrines. Others give no reason at all.

In the Bible, when God calls someone, they typically turn down the job as well. But God rarely takes “No” for an answer, and ends up convincing the person, often against their better judgment, to say “Yes.” Nominating Committees are rarely so persuasive. They’re also not God which means they are never 100% sure that God is calling any particular person. For that reason, Presbyterians say that a genuine call has three parts: the individual’s own sense of God’s call, the requisite gifts for the work, and the faith community’s confirming the call.

This threefold call sometimes happens in the order I’ve listed the parts, but it can happen in any order. It’s probably more typical for the CNC to observe the gifts and sense that a person is called. Then they contact the person and hope that they, too, will sense that call.

It’s probably just as well that people don’t say “Yes” too easily. Leading a faith community is often difficult and thankless work. Just ask Moses or Aaron. They led Israel in the wilderness for over 40 years, and Israel complained almost every step of the way. There wasn’t enough bread. There wasn’t enough water. They were sick of manna, and on and on. 

Moses hadn’t wanted the job to begin with. He tried hard to talk God out of it, listing lots of reasons why it would never work. But in the end, God overwhelmed his resistance. Moses regretted saying “Yes” a number of times. More than once he tried to turn in his staff. But in the end he led the people of God right up to the day he died. Somehow Moses’ close relationship with God kept him going. Somehow, knowing this God who saved was enough.

Centuries later, the apostle Paul could surely understand. He had been called by God, against his will, to spread the news of Jesus. And not only did he have problems with people in his congregations complaining against him, he also got thrown in prison on a regular basis. He was whipped and stoned and, most likely, finally executed.

Paul writes the words we heard this morning from prison. This may well have been one of those times when Paul thought about turning in his apostle credentials and retiring. But he doesn’t. Quite the opposite. Paul’s relationship with Jesus is so central to his life, the certainty of resurrection is so real to him, that he seems completely unfazed.

Prison, living, dying, it makes no difference. The reality of Christ has so transformed Paul’s life that nothing seems able to frighten or discourage him. Dying might even seem preferable, says Paul. The resurrection has made death a toothless enemy to him. 

Still, Paul finally decides that living is better than dying, but not because he fears death. If Paul only considered his personal needs, death would be the better choice. But living is better because then he can continue to serve Christ, continue to lead the flock. In time he will be with Jesus. But for now, the better part is to fulfil his calling.

When we look at Paul, it is easy to see him as some sort of Christian Superman, someone whose faith soars above our own, not anyone we would look at as an example to emulate. But I think that misunderstands Paul’s faith.

Paul is not the person of faith he is because he tries harder than everyone else. If Paul is some sort of example for us, I think he is an example of what God can do, of what can happen to someone, when they are “in Christ.”

Perhaps our experience of Christ won’t be as vivid as Paul’s was. We certainly won’t have the dramatic conversion experience he had of being blinded, knocked off his horse, and hearing Jesus speak to him. But even the most spectacular, mountaintop experiences tend to fade with time. Paul does not continue to risk his life for the gospel years later because of the memories of that day. Rather, it is Christ at work in Paul.

Jesus may never call any of us to a ministry like Paul’s, but Jesus does call each and every one of us. Answering that call is not about any sort of enough. Not about being good enough or smart enough or having enough faith or knowing the Bible well enough. It’s not about more faith or knowledge. It is about letting go, entrusting ourselves to God, relying on the power of the Spirit, and allowing Christ to work through us.
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When we elect our Congregational Nominating Committee just a little while from now, it will be the start of a process that leads to people standing before the congregation and making solemn vows to, among other things, trust in Jesus Christ, fulfill their ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love neighbor, and work for the reconciliation of the world. They will say “Yes” to a high calling from God.

Between now and then, the CNC will work to discern who it is that God is calling. It may be tempting to look first at the usual suspects, at those who served sometime in the past, or at those who have a good head for finance, or HR issues or some other attribute that seems helpful. Some of those things should be considered. Elder and deacon are just two of many callings from God in this congregation, and they do require certain sorts of gifts.

But I wonder if the most critical trait for would-be elders and deacons isn’t the ability, or perhaps the willingness, to let go, entrust themselves to God, rely on the power of the Sprit, and let Christ work through them. I wonder if the most important gift required isn’t being able to listen for the Spirit, to hear what God wants, where Jesus is calling the church to go rather than doing what they want or think is best.

We are living in uncertain, turbulent, anxious times, times that have been difficult and challenging for many churches. Even when the November elections are over and the threat of the coronavirus recedes, things will not go back to where they were.

In such a time, Jesus is calling, calling us to be his body in new ways for this new time so that we can minister in his name and work for the coming day he proclaims. Now, more than ever, we need to listen, to rely on the power of the Spirit, to trust less in our own abilities and more in Christ working through us. And we will be the church God calls us to be.