Grace to You
We are starting a small group study in the book of Philippians. Philippians is a book of joy and grace. If I were writing a commentary on the book, I would probably title the work, “Faith Makes My Heart Smile.”
You can study by talking about the context and the background of the writing of an epistle like Philippians. Who wrote the book, when was it written, to whom was it written, what were the circumstances of the church and these particular Christians at the time, what important unchanging truths does this book contain that I can apply to my life? Those are all important questions to ask as you study a book in the New Testament.
It is easy for me to study this way. Seven years and three seminary degrees later, I have learned a great deal about the backgrounds and doctrines of the books of the Bible. I was in high school when I was asked to teach Sunday School for the first time. A young group of fifth and sixth grade boys – and I was immediately hooked on the dynamic of the teaching experience. As best my recollection, this spring marks the 50th year that has me teaching God’s Word to others.
When you study a book in the Bible, it is also important to wonder about specific applications. What does this book mean to you? Why and how is this book important in the walk of your faith? When difficult times cross your path, how do you cope? What things do you do to try to stay close to God? Shouldn’t you be applying the Scripture in this way? Small groups provide the perfect setting to talk to each other about how to apply the truths of the Bible.
When I open the book of Philippians, before any context or doctrine stirs in my mind, two phrases in the opening chapter stand out to me so much – and so personally – that I teach and reinforce these concepts in my mind before I talk about anything else. This time through I determined that I was going to write them down and share them with others.
The first phrase is in the opening paragraph and is usually considered a greeting – sort of like saying “Hello” or “Dear Mr. Smith” in the opening of a letter. Paul writes, “Grace to you,” as he begins so many of his epistles. Scholars will point out that “Grace” to the Greeks was similar to the greeting of “Shalom” – “Peace” for the Hebrews – a typical greeting to one another. Theologians will mention that by combining the two, the church was welcoming believers who were both Jew and Gentile.
All of that is true, but I think the impact was even greater.
Several years ago, I attended the NCAA Final Four Men’s Basketball Championship game in Atlanta with my son and two incredibly special friends. The University of Louisville would end up playing Michigan for the final game. The city of Atlanta was filled with fans from each of the schools, along with their own members of the community. The time was very exciting, but the crowds and often a physical distance separated fans from each other. Everywhere you traveled, all across the city, you could hear “C – A – R – D – S” from little clusters of fans. (Those of you who are Louisville fans, know they were also making hand motions spelling out the letters.)
When you heard that cheer, you knew that you were not alone. You knew that you could find information, and even physical help if you needed it, from people who either lived around Louisville, were alumni, or were big University of Louisville fans. You were not in enemy territory – you were among friends.
When you said “grace” to someone in the first century, you were identifying yourself with other Christian believers. You were amazed at the goodness and mercy of God in providing salvation so freely to you. You were signifying that you were not a Roman soldier or a Jewish zealot. You were there to help and support a person of similar faith. You were a part of something that was bigger than yourself – and you were setting aside any physical differences, because you were joined with this person at the spiritual hip.
It was grace that led Paul to his next statement, “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:5 NIV). The word for “remember” in the Greek is the word by which we get our term “mnemonic device” – a calculated way to remember. Paul is saying there are times when he purposely thought of, remembered and prayed for the Philippians. Listen to how The Message renders the passage: “We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God … Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God.”
Imagine Paul had a refrigerator. The Philippians’ pictures and a Post-it® note are stuck on the door. Each time Paul walked past, he paused and remembered the Philippians. Each time he paused, he offered a sincere prayer of thanks to God. Does it really get any better than that?
I have been a part of small group studies since I was in high school. Sometimes the small group was my sister and I. Sometimes the small group met but nothing dynamic took place – a nice fellowship, good times with people who loved the Lord.
But sometimes the group clicked – almost from day one. The personalities blended. The care was obvious. The support was genuine.
And Paul said that dynamic is one that you make sure you are thankful for every time you think about it. Pause right then and pray a thankful prayer. That blend of community and fellowship doesn’t always happen. But when it does, it should leave you breathless.
We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God … Every time Beth crosses my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. How incredibly blessed I am to have someone of her spirit, her personality, her parenting and teaching skills and her strong faith and love for the Lord in my life. Struggles and problems seem to be nothing more than small bumps in the road, as we have learned to allow God to be the glue that cements our relationship. God performs an amazing work when he weaves the two to become one. I could not find someone to more perfectly balance who I am, how I dream, and to place structure into my world.
We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God … Every time Bill and Sue cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. You may never meet people with a kinder, gentler spirit than Bill and Sue. I still remember the first time that I saw Bill at our church. He came over to the parking lot, late in the afternoon, to run around the church building. Some days Sue joined him in the journey. I wished I had the drive and the discipline to be that dedicated to my health. It was not long after that Bill and Sue decided to join the church. As we counseled about church membership, Bill sternly warned me, “I will do anything you ask, but please don’t ask me to speak in public.” I nodded my head in agreement.
I have a handful of men with whom I share an incredible friendship. It is as if we part ways in mid-sentence and eventually pick up the sentence right where we left off with no beat missed. Bill is one of those handful of men. Our spirits seemed to connect from the very beginning.
Bill has spent years experiencing success in running a newspaper and building its presence in a community. God has blessed his efforts in city after city and in paper after paper. Like Moses, Bill would never have guessed that God would use those years in a desert to prepare him to communicate with and lead a kingdom of faithful people. Do you remember the words of Moses? “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent in speech.”
I wonder if there was a grin on God’s face as He said, “I will tell you what to say.”
We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God … Every time Kenny and Jane cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. I served for several years as the Discipleship Minister for Eastside. Kenny and Jane were one of the first couples to take the class offered for newer members. Seeing them causes me to rejoice on two different fronts. First, I am so thankful for the times that I have spent in the paid, professional ministry. I have so enjoyed spending time serving with and ministering around God’s people. Although like Paul, I have spent just as much time in my life “making tents,” there is no higher calling, no more fulfilling task than to encourage the saints. But also, Kenny and Jane remind me of the faithfulness of God’s people, patient in season, consistent and constant as they serve. You never see either seeking a spotlight upon themselves. You never see them without a smile. The joy of the Lord is their strength and its written all over their faces.
We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God … Every time Darryl and Michelle cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Whenever I see Darryl and Michelle in our small group or at church, I am reminded of God’s power to do incredible things in places we do not expect. I met Michelle first, again at a point when I was on staff at Eastside. We expect God to work in certain ways, we expect our ministries to fit into certain boundaries. Michelle reminds me that one day God might say, “Would your church like to work in a movie?” And we need to be willing to say, “Sure,” instead of “We’ve never done it that way before.”
The perils of the pandemic cost Darryl his job. Darryl and Michelle faithfully continued to meet in our small group. My tendency would have been to have desired to be alone – to stay at home for this particular season. I am encouraged and challenged by a willingness to lead even during difficult times – to want to be together, to realize the need for community, and to accept how much we need each other.
We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God … Every time Javier and Angelica cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. We live in a world that wonders if people who are different can get along. Most of the time, the world sees that it cannot. Strife and turmoil seems to reign with a conquering vengeance. But inside the church, we are reminded that all of us share one legacy, one heritage, one Savior. Javier and Angelica enthusiastically remind me of what joy among the faithful should look like. The smiles on their faces are always expressive of the love in their hearts for God’s Word and for His people. We learn so much from the differences of our cultures, but there is no difference under the umbrella of the blood of Jesus Christ. A wise man once said, “The ground is level at the foot of the cross.” Love knows no language. Diversity proves that God is good, all the time.
We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God … Every time Bill and Kathy cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. We need people in our lives that demonstrate that God is faithful throughout the whole of one’s life – as newly-weds, as beginning parents, as “empty-nesters,” and as seasoned grandparents. God blesses our lives when we are faithful to Him. I am encouraged by the consistent witness and faithfulness of Bill and Kathy. I love their knowledge of God’s Word and their desire to see the Word touch every aspect, every application of their lives. I am built up by their love for each other, their love for their families, and their dedication to helping God’s kingdom grow at Eastside, in a small group, and in the community. I need a light in front of me that says, “You can be faithful your whole life. This is how it is done; this is how it can look.”
We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God … Every time Nathan and Jessica cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Just as we need people in our lives to remind us of the faithfulness of God throughout the span of a lifetime, we also need people in our lives to remind us of the energy and enthusiasm and strength that God provides when we are younger. Nathan and Jessica passionately try to serve God as they parent their children and demonstrate purpose and direction to their friends. They will give of their all as they volunteer in areas ministering to youth or in decisions that steer the mission work of the church. Nathan and Jessica remind me to never lose the desire to share faith, never to lose the passion and energy in being faithful.
Even as I type this, my cell phone is blowing up because of this group of people.
“Will you all please pray for my friend? Her father passed away this morning.”
“Sorry to hear, prayers on the way.”
“Folded hands.”
“Oh man. Sad to hear this.”
“Sorry will do.”
“Prayers.”
“Prayers for your friend.”
I need people like that in my life. Every time they cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God.
Isn’t God grand? Grace to you.
