The Potential Church

Do you know everything at some point becomes obsolete? Usually, we tend to believe everything has an expiration date when it no longer serves our purpose.

Just as a matter of fact, last October, Sarah and I picked up the latest iPhones. We didn't need all the fancy new features. The main reason why we got different phones is that our old ones frequently died and were aging poorly. So in our minds, we justified the purchase was reasonable. But were our old iPhones obsolete? No, it was just slow and needed to be plugged into the wall more often. Could the phones have been fixed and restored? Yes, they could have been restored and brought back to new life.

The same motif can be said about the life of the church. Large parts of American Christianity have become irrelevant, obsolete, unnecessary, and even worse, purposeless. In the West, we believe Christianity is only about coming together once a come week to Sunday Morning Service, and we continue to go through the same rhythm and expect the church to be with the times. Yet, the modern world keeps innovating new things; we are stuck in the old mindset.

I don't say this to sound the alarm, but to raise this point. The church is not obsolete by any means. The church, which is an extension of the body of Christ, will always be relevant, necessary, and has been given a purpose-filled mission given by Jesus, which is to make disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them the ways of Christ's kingdom. The church can only become obsolete if it chooses that path.

That is why Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, told them to preach the good news. To live worthy of the gospel of Christ by the way you count others more significant than yourself and by counting everything else as loss for the sake of the resurrection. Paul preached to them not words of obsoletion but words of potential. We can become the potential church that draws people towards Christ if we choose so.

And how does the 21st century Western American Church find its relevance, purpose, and vision again? By understanding what truly makes us different from the obsolete world around us. We differ because our spirits and hearts are joyful, agreeable, and peace-filled in contentment.

When we lose these qualities, the church starts slipping to irrelevance, and the world questions, "Why do I need the church? Or even Christians start asking, why do I even do church anymore?" So we need to go back to the basics. We can become the potential church in the thumb when we listen and obey the heart of scripture found in Philippians chapter four.

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. (Phil 4:1-3).

The first problem of the Philippian church is there are argumentative women in the church who cannot get along with each other. God's will is for there to be no division or hatred, but the unity of the same mind and love. Then Paul continues to set three principles of the Christian life in front of us.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4-7)

Easy for you to say, Paul. I can't happy today. I got pain, anxiety, discontentment piling up on me a mile high. My job stinks, my home life is a wreck. I have nothing going for me. I'm tired, underappreciated, overworked, and miserable inside. Why do you have the right to tell me to be joyful? I would never understand what I'm going through right now. And maybe he wouldn't understand what you're going through only God knows, but if Paul could speak for himself, I bet he would tell you why we can rejoice.

Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? (2 Cor 11:23-29)

If Paul can experience all of this hardship and still come out with joy. Realize this, it is possible to have authentic joy every day, no matter what's happening in your life. Our joy is not a result of getting a promotion, buying new material goods, or getting married, or having children. Joy comes when we behold our God and holds us in His loving arms.

"I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess " - Martin Luther.

Joy is found not in the world, but in Christ, this is why Paul tells the church to rejoice daily. When you start feeling pain, hurt, and brokenness that is the moment when you reflect on the love of God and Jesus bearing the weight of sins on the cross. He took our pain, suffering so we can be joyful. Reclaim joy is the first principle.

Then Paul tells speaks to us in verse five saying, let your reasonableness be known to everyone. Do you know what it means to be reasonable? It also could be translated as gentle. Christians are the ones who are to be reasonable by the means of gentleness even when there is conflict.

Let's go back a second, joy comes from God, which then enables you to then be a reasonable person to others. Because if we're honest, we are more gentle in spirit when we're filled with joy. It is way easier to be chaotic people when you have the right mindset in place. We're not reasonable or gentle when we're anxious, hurting, and angry. That's why before we can live reasonably with others we focusing our faith on Christ.

Paul also gives us a simple reminder on why we should be gentle. Well, it severely lacking in the world and the church should be the one exampling it because we represent Jesus. But we're told that God is at hand. This means any time now, Jesus will come. It's better for him to find us in the spirit of gentleness rather than a spirit of wrath and hatred.

Now, we should deal with those around us in a different manner. We are slow to anger, slow to speak, and quick to listen because we are choosing to be more reasonable rather than choosing to be right or get the last word.

In this way, the potential church has the spirit of joy down in their hearts and is reasonable with one another, not causing schism or separation. But willing to let the fighting go on for the sake of keeping a gentle spirit. Then Paul moves to his third principle of the life of a Christian about not worrying. It takes me back to the lion king song Hakuna Matata.

It means no worries

For the rest of your days

It's our problem-free philosophy

Hakuna Matata!

Here is comes a negative command, Christians are not to be known for anxiety. So now when these moments come to pass, rather than allow that emotion of fear and panic to strike us. We begin to speak to God and let him know from our hearts what's troubling us.

Then this promise of God will come. His peace is more powerful than knowledge and wisdom itself will guard your heart and mind. When we give our troubles and anxieties to God. He comes a military general equipping us with the armor that will protect our spirit. The world's blows cannot damage the armor of God and in so, we are free to not contemplate the pain, but the good which is God himself.

Paul's application reminds me of Brandon Heath's Hands of the Healer

Hang it up like a coat

Tear it up like a note

Let the pieces fall to the ground

Like falling snow

Go for a walk outside

Watch as the red bird flies

He needs lifting

And we need lifting, too

If we're gonna pray about it

There's no use in worrying

If we're gonna worry about it

Why are we praying?

Just leave it in the hands of the Father

Leave it in the hands of the Healer

Leave it in the hands of Jesus

And walk away

Oh, walk away

Restoration of peace does not come by removing ourselves away from conflict, but when we invite God's presence into it. After the time of prayer, we don't dwell on the problems. No, we dwell on the goodness of God.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil 4:8-9)

Peace is not found in perfected places but within God's peaceful presence.

The potential church is joyous, gentle, and most especially peace-filled.

The peace that comes from God then accommodates us to be ready for when the storm comes into our lives. The marriage that hanging on the edge, the bills that keep climbing higher, the girlfriend/boyfriend relationships that fail, and when life seems to be bottoming out. God is sending us the reminder that he is all we need and he always provides. That's what Paul says with our last principle of the potential church.

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil 4:10-13)

No matter what Paul is suffering, the church of Philippi couldn't give him everything he needed at that moment. He knew God would give him everything he needed. This is the spirit of contentment. Paul also writes in his letter to Timothy.

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. (1 Tim 6:6)

The church that has joy, becomes gentle and reasonable. When the church has gentleness because God is near us. We then have peace guarded by Jesus Christ. By that peace that only comes from God, we have contentment. The potential church cannot flourish unless it entirely relies on God to empower it from beginning to end. This is why Paul ends his letter thanking God and the church of Philippi because he knows God is going to use them for making disciples and blessing the kingdom

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Phil 4:14-23)

The church of Philippi has gone down in history as not an obsolete church, but a church that focused on the mission of making disciples. When you and I as followers of Jesus, filled with the characteristics of the potential church go, we can change the world.

What if the world didn't see a church as obsolete anymore, but a purpose-driven. Something that made a difference in everyone's life. I guess we will only experience that kind of church when we truly give ourselves fully to God and live out intentionally. Will you make the commitment to live by faith so this Ubly Christian will be the potential church that changes the thumb of Michigan? I pray you to do, as Paul said,

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil 4:9)