Full Circle

As Paul opens up his letter to the Philippians we see that he is in prison. While there is not complete consensus on how many times he was imprisoned, I also want to point out that he was also under house arrest multiple times which means that Paul was in prison in three major events and under house arrest several times leading some scholars to believe the number to be around 7. What I find both awe inspiring and a bit hilarious is that both Paul and as he indicates in verse 14 as well as other brothers and sisters are encouraged to preach the gospel more because of his imprisonment. No one is letting this imprisonment slow them down from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

What is also a bit funny and almost ironic about him writing to the Philippians from prison is that when he first arrived in Philippi many years before, he was thrown into prison for preaching the gospel. So you could say, in a way, that Paul’s letter to the Philppians is him coming full circle. Beginning in prison to found the church and then writing this letter to them from prison still preaching the gospel. In fact, Pastor John preached on the text when Paul and Silas were in prison and even back then praising God through song despite having been placed in Jail. So the story of Paul’s imprisonment should still be somewhat fresh in your minds. Something else that is important to note is that Philippi was the first church Paul founded in Europe and they were incredible in supporting him throughout his ministry so that he could do the work that God had called him to do. That is part of the reason why he begins his letter, after his greeting, that he gives thanks to God every time he prays for the work that they do. They have been faithful to the gospel and they have been with Paul, in Spirit, throughout the ups and downs of his ministry.

This is the reason why I chose to quote this portion of Paul’s letter when I wrote to you before going in for my most recent surgery. Although different circumstances I feel a bit like Paul. I joined this congregation’s ministry as we were emerging from the pandemic. We were able to start anew as well as bring back ministries and practices that were important to this congregation. We started a life of ministry together. Then on August 5th of last year that ministry changed for all of us. I was, in a way, placed into my own prison. I was unable to serve in the way that I had before, and I was unable to be with the people I loved serving to and alongside. I was physically cut off my my community.

Despite that physical disconnect I was reminded of God’s love for me and for all of us. As soon as I came to after the impact I heard a voice in my head say, “You’re going to be ok”. To this day I still hold onto that phrase like a precious gem. In the hospital Bekkah would read me text messages and emails from people and that connected me and strengthened me. Then the letters came. It was overwhelming in both terms of numbers and content. The pure loved that poured out from people both in this congregation and in past congregations kept coming, even with my most recent surgery last month. I have all those letters in a box and it is amazing how it’s still growing. Even though I was imprisoned by my physical limitations I continued to feel the partnership in the gospel that spanned years of ministry and congregations.

To learn that Pastor John and Marsha and Sharon stepped up to lead worship without being asked was incredible. To know that our council leadership were doing not only what they had been elected to do but even more filled me with joy. The way that all the ministries stepped up and carried on during my absence so that there were no hiccups or stops to anything was inspiring, including my Bible study and Coffee Theology. To know that the ministries that we had built up together were so important to everyone that nothing was going to be left behind. I’m not saying that some of it may not have been hard, and that not everything went perfectly, but if we’re perfectly honest, it doesn’t even under the best of circumstances.

It was probably those same and similar circumstances that inspired Paul to write to the Philippians that the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus. When Paul says this to them we have to remember what he said during his greeting to really understand the importance of these words beyond them in and of themselves. Paul addresses the letter to all the people in Philippi including the supervisors and the servants, and that Paul calls both himself and Timothy slaves of Christ Jesus. Paul is including everyone in his letter. He’s not just talkiing about the leadership in Philippi, but to everyone, those who have leadership roles as well as those who are slaves or servants, because Paul calls himself a slave of Christ Jesus. So everyone is included in this ministry. That is because the work of the gospel, including the worship of our creator involves the whole community, we are all equally important to do what we can to advance and complete the work of Jesus Christ.

I feel one of the most important things that Paul says in this opening is talking about how his prayer is that their love would be more and more. It is God’s love that gave us Jesus. It is God’s love that provides forgiveness. It is God’s love that changes the world. There is nothing more life-changing that sharing the unaltered love of God with each other. While often used at weddings Paul’s conversation about love to the Corinthians is probably the most comprehensive way of understanding both God’s love and the kind of love we should share with each other and this world. 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 “Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

It is possible and even probable that Paul never physically saw the church in Philippi again, but he knew what incredible work they had been doing and would continue to do if they continued to follow in the path of the gospel. It is incredible to think about Paul writing this joyful letter while in prison and knowing that he would likely not see this church that he loved so much again. But then again, maybe it was fitting that he write a love letter to them from pirson, It really does bring things full circle in a way.

So, Bethlehem, this is my letter to you. Unlike Paul, I am able to come and be with you and to really bring things full circle. I want you to truly know that the work you have done while I was gone was nothing but the work of the gospel. The love and support you showed me and my family is beyond measure. The love and grace you extended and still extend to us is felt daily. And while there may still be more that I have to do physically to heal my body, you and all those who have lifted me up during this time have sustained me and helped me know with certainty that the voice I heard was true…you’re going to be ok. From the depths of my heart thank you for the love of God you have extended to us, that has allowed me to come back full circle so that we can continue the good work that Christ began in each of us and that we may work together to bring that good news to a hurting world that it may too experience the healing power of love and grace. Amen.