The Living Word, 19 January 2020

Admin’s note: the Vicar’s Voice entries will henceforth be known as ‘The Living Word,’ as we invite Zane Elliott as Associate Minister to contribute his writings.

Once upon a time, I’d intended to audition for Toi Whakaari, New Zealand’s National Drama School. Although acting was my strength, I’m also lover of musicals. I’ve been in a few, and I’ve seen a few. I think Les Misérables is my all time favourite. It's an amazing story of Grace and the Law in the life of Jean Valjean a convict, and man on the run. The music is outstanding, and right from the first bar of the overture the melody is applied to the score and a sweeping musical journey holds tight to that central melody. 

Through the book of Philippians, which we pick up over the next six weeks we will hear a strong melody ring out time and time again from this deeply intimate letter, which Paul writes to a church he loves dearly. That melody is designed to strengthen them, and us as we hear “Live as Christ (preaching the gospel, in unity), sure it hurts, but don’t stop” running through the heart of this book. It runs through a commendation of their partnership in the gospel, and inside the walls of a Roman prison, where Paul is condemned as a slave of Christ. It lifts them in praise of their generosity, though many are dirt poor, and strengthens them as they reflect on the way the gospel is advanced, even in great suffering and trials.

The rag-tag group of Christians, recent converts from Judaism and Roman Pagan Worship, were living out a sacrificial and costly faith in Jesus. Paul warmly commends them for the way they have endured in the face of heavy, and costly opposition. (Read Acts 16 for their biography).

He calls them to set aside differences in the Church. To let the preferences and personal wants subside to their main aim “Live as Christ (preaching the gospel, in unity), sure it hurts, but don’t stop”

It is hard work to go against the flow. It is painful when ties with us are cut because we won’t engage in immoral practices, or pledge loyalty to someone other than the Lord Jesus. “Live as Christ (preaching the gospel, in unity), sure it hurts, but don’t stop”

It’s hard to follow Jesus in a time of Religious pluralism, and relative moralism, but, it's ok. It's ok because God is glorified through our loyalty to Him (no matter how weak and shaky it is). The gospel is advanced when we share in the suffering of Jesus, for his sake. “Live as Christ (preaching the gospel, in unity), sure it hurts, but don’t stop”

I hope and pray that right through this journey with the believers at Phillipi you too can hear the melody, and see it applied in your daily life, and our life as a church family “Live as Christ (preaching the gospel, in unity), sure it hurts, but don’t stop.”

 In Christ,

Zane Elliott