Sermon: "Growing in Faith Together"

3rd in the "Being a Jesus Follower" series.
Delivered January 17, 2010 by Rev. George Antonakos.
Sermon Text: Colossians 1:24-2:7

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Just let me add one or two more thoughts about what's on everybody's mind, this terrible situation. I know everyone's heart goes out to those who are suffering. It's so hard to watch these pictures, and I know that our prayers are going up to God for his mercy on the afflicted. And I do not pretend to have any answers as to why so needy a place already would suffer such further desperate indignity, but I pray that God would awaken us in whatever way we need to be awakened as a nation, as a church, as individuals. I believe that is happening, and God will use this suffering. What is intended for evil, so to speak, God will turn to good in some way even though it is very hard to make about that right now and what that would look like.

When I selected the Scripture passage that we're going to look at some months ago for today's sermon in our second sermon in the series on being a Jesus follower, I wrestled with how long or how short to make the text, and a couple of times I almost over shortened it just to make it a couple of verses, but I'm kind of strange about all that so I just need to put a lot of context in. I never know where to stop on the context when I'm jumping right into the middle of a text or a book. So I chose in Colossians, chapter 1, to go along with our growing emphasis today as one of our marks of being a disciple of Jesus Christ, Colossians, chapter 1, verses 24 through 2:7.

It's interesting that in choosing it that way that the very first verse of this text starts out talking about affliction and suffering. It's a very different kind of affliction and suffering than we are seeing in the news, but it's similar in other ways. And as we will see from the entire passage, we are pointed to a sense of hope no matter how desperate our circumstances. And as we read this, let's pray and ask God to speak to each of us, even in its reading, as well as in its preaching.

Our Lord, we thank you that your Spirit is with us, that you promise never to leave us or forsake us. You told us that in this world we would have trouble but to be of good courage, you overcome the world, that part of the Spirit's work in our life is to lead us into truth, to take the things of Jesus, and apply them to our lives in very understandable and practical ways. So now, Lord, we ask that as we read the Scriptures as an act of worship that they would become to us the very Word of God by your Spirit, and we ask that you would help us understand them in a way that transforms us more into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Colossians, chapter 1:24 through 2:7.

"Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

If the apostle Paul was about anything, he was always about a couple of things. One, he always pointed to the supremacy and the sufficiency of Jesus Christ; and two, he was always encouraging others to grow in Christ as the whole sense of what their life was about. It's where we get our mission statement from: Moving people toward Christ, pointing to Christ, guiding people, helping people, coaching people. It's all about Jesus, moving people toward him.

Last week, Pastor Laura did a nice job of helping us understand the first of our four aspects of Christian discipleship in knowing and worshiping God. Today we're going to talk about growing with a special emphasis on being assisted by others and assisting others to help in their spiritual growth. We don't have any need of an illustration other than what we've seen this week about the importance of assistance. I love the graphic that is up on the screen. It really tells a story. It is about being together. It is about helping each other move up closer to the Lord.

You see, every living thing is designed to grow. When an organism is healthy and the environment is right, growth will take place. Growth even takes place in non-optimal situations. Every time I walk past asphalt and I see weeds growing up through it, I'm reminded that growth can even happen in non-optimal circumstances. So I hope you agree with me that we are exhorted by Scripture and Spirit to continue to develop spiritually, but it doesn't just happen. Gardens need tending. Relationships need work. Growth requires intentionality.

Months ago, I mentioned the VIM acronym: Vision. Intentionality. Method. Apart from vision, intentionality, and method, nothing will grow. I mean, we won't grow spiritually in any endeavor. Again, we talk about Financial Peace University. There is a vision to be debt-free. There is an intention to do something about it, and the method is to take the classes and work the program.

Now here's something simple yet profound about God's method of inducing spiritual growth. Spiritual growth happens through God taking common ordinary substances and translating them into extraordinary reality. God takes the natural and moves it into something supernatural by his Spirit.

Let me illustrate. I have here today a mug. You could probably pick up this mug for a dollar at the dollar store, but this is no ordinary mug. This mug has been transformed by something special, at least for Ellen and for me. Let me show you how this mug has been transformed. On the other side, and I think we have a picture to go along with what I'm showing you here. On the other side is a picture of our grandchildren.

Isn't this sneaky grandfather shenanigans right now? This was given to us for Christmas. This mug is no ordinary mug. This mug now is a treasure. Ellen said to me the other day, "Don't put this in the dishwasher." This is so important to us. These are our three... Just be thankful I don't have to corner you in the concourse now. You know, I'm just doing it all at once right here.

But God will take water and transform it into something that is part of cleansing in belonging to the sacrament of baptism. God takes bread and the fruit of the vine and translates it into spiritual nurturance for us. God will put a star in the sky over Bethlehem to guide people who are seekers of the truth. For me, a long time ago, God used an icon of Jesus in a church, as an altar boy was carrying that icon, and it was moving toward me. God used that icon, a natural substance, translated it into something supernatural for me.

And also for me and for millions of others, God will take printed words on paper in the form of normal letters in the ancient times the way letters were written, and it becomes the source of truth for all who will open their hearts. But one of the chief means, if not the chief means, by which God takes common ordinary reality and transforms it into spiritual reality... Do you know what it is? Do you know what it is?

Just look around you. Look around you. Just kind of reach out. Maybe you are not sitting close enough, but just reach your hand out, and you'll touch someone. It's us. It's you and me, common ordinary old us that God uses to help other people see the reality of God. How did Peter meet Jesus? His brother. Andrew said, "Come here!" We grow spiritually through allowing others to assist us in our growth and to allow God to use us in the lives of others.

The other day on TV I saw a workout buddy system. Some study had been done that people who work out with someone else achieve their goals more consistently than those who don't. They get both psychological and physiological benefit because they team together. We all know the illustration of synergy. You know, one horse can pull 5,000 pounds, another horse can pull 5,000 pounds, but together they can pull like 17,000 pounds. Synergy makes something happen greater than the individual parts.

Paul was always looking to help others in a very proactive way. He was not waiting, sitting; he was proactive, and that comes through very clearly in the text. In verse 24, this first verse, he says, "Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is the lacking in regard to Christ's affliction for the sake of his body which is the church." At first glance, it looks like maybe he is trying to add to Christ's atonement, but that is certainly not what he means. He would be the last person to ever say that.

I think it simply means that we are all called the Christians at times to voluntarily suffer on behalf of others. I see folks here in this congregation who voluntarily suffer on behalf of others. We've had an inkling of that suffering. You know, the Scripture says we should weep with those who weep. We've had an inkling of that just this past few days as we suffer with, and we want to do something, but as Sandy Motts said, we don't know what to do.

Here's an illustration of entering into legitimate suffering. Sometimes we have to suffer legitimately in order for God to do what God wants to do through us. One of my favorite quotes in the whole world is when Carl Young, a great psychiatrist/psychologist said that all neurosis is an escape from legitimate suffering. We don't want to go through something that we need to go through. We don't want to go through it, so we develop these neurotic behaviors to avoid it.

Here is an illustration of entering through legitimate suffering. Lani already mentioned it because Alec went down there to visit K.C. and to help the Wings of Hope, and I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this; I didn't ask his permission, but here are some of the lines from his email.

"Since Tuesday night, I've been thinking, meditating, praying on something in particular that has been gnawing at me." And he goes on to talk about whether he should stay or leave. He says, "My original day of departure is February 1. I've talked to my family, both here and Haiti and in the states, and with their blessing, I have decided I will not leave on my original departure date. I will remain in the country indefinitely. At this point, I have absolutely no idea how long it will be. I will be in Haiti past my originally planned departure date...a month, two months, maybe more, however long I need to be here, however long I am directed to be here. This is certainly not permanent, merely extended. Sometime soon I may have a sense of how long I need to be here, but for now I have no sense of a timeline."

Many of you already know that Alec already struggles with health issues personally. So that kind of puts another frame on this.

"While there are certainly things that I have in the states, such as college and looking for a job, nothing I have in Baltimore even begins to equal the priorities that exist here. I am here for this disaster. There is a reason for that. And I truly think it would be wrong for me to go back to my safe easy life in Baltimore when I'm already equipped to help here. I can always go back to school. I can always find a job later. All I ask for is support and prayer for guidance. I have no idea what the future is going to hold except that I need to find that out here. Please continue to pray, spread awareness, do whatever else you can to help raise money, resources, and general support for the family."

Voluntary suffering intended to encourage and help others. Paul not only endured suffering to help others; he also calls himself the church's servant. He says that he has been commissioned as a steward to proclaim Christ. Paul reminds me of green thumb people who talk to their plants. That's kind of the feeling I get when I read through this text. You know, it's kind of like, "Come on now, little darlings. Come on, take root. Grow strong, strong, strong! Come on! I know you can do it. You're so beautiful."

And he goes on and he says specifically, "Come on now, here is the mystery of Christ, here is the mystery of God that has been revealed from ages past. Here is the essence of truth. Christ in you, the hope of glory, the risen Christ, by faith, living inside of you and me." And he admonishes people and he teaches people, and he tries to present people mature in Jesus Christ. Just like every saint, he wants to be the blue-ribbon orchid that he can present at the fair. He labored and agonized to that end.

What did he try to do? He was trying to help encourage them in their hearts, unite them in their hearts together. "Christ in you is the hope of glory," and here is the first and foundational aspect of what it means to grow maturely in Jesus Christ. You listen very carefully. The Christian faith is not about struggling to copy or follow a leader named Jesus; it is about a death and a resurrection. We die in Christ by faith. When we put our faith in Jesus, we enter into a death. That is what baptism signifies, that we have died with Jesus.

It also signifies that we have been raised up with Jesus, that God supernaturally helps us to die to everything that is at cross-purposes with God's design, and then we are raised to new life in which we are free to obey God's will. It is about a life exchange.

In chapter 2, verse 6, of this text, Paul paints it very clearly. He says, "So then, as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him." He is the source of everything that you need. He is the source; he is the treasure of all wisdom and knowledge.

Yesterday, I conducted a wedding in the sanctuary. The unusual thing about this wedding (not unusual, but different), it was a second marriage for both the bride and groom and both were in their 50s. They both met here at church. It was interesting, about three years ago. When the bride was speaking her vows, when I was leading her through her vows, she couldn't get through them. About halfway through, she just couldn't make it. And I just kind of kept going, and she tried as best she could to say them. She was just overcome. She knew, I think, more than most younger brides who stayed there, based on past experiences and based on the awareness of what had once been tried and failed, she knew the kind of commitment she was making to receive the one that she loved.

Like most pastors, I've seen folks start with great intention only to see a few years later they're wondering who this person is that they married. What is that all about? It's about isolation. It's about not asking for help. It's about complacency. All of those things block spiritual growth. All those things. Just like positive things can nurture it; negative things obviously can block it.

Wise people seek help from others. If your spiritual development seems sluggish, the same wisdom applies here. You cannot remain isolated or alone and expect to grow spiritually. When Paul tells his friends that he is delighted to see how disciplined they are... this is in chapter 2, verse 5. He says, "Though I am absent from you in body, I'm present with you in spirit. I delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is."

When Paul is saying that, he is using military imagery. The word "discipline" speaks of a military formation, in the words "how firm your faith in Christ" speaks of the solid front of an army. It is like these movies where all the soldiers have these big shields in front of them, and they're all side by side, and they are moving like a phalanx together.

Here is a really cool vision statement for a church. If we ever change it, maybe we could consider this one: Aligned and solid. Aligned and solid. That's why one of the marks or habits that we've determined is most important in growing in Christ at Central Church is encouragement to be involved in a small group, to be aligned with others, solidly with others in moving toward Christ.

Last semester, we had over 200 people in traditional small groups, and almost 300 people signed up for Grow Groups. But there are about 750 on average they come here. Our goal is that 100 percent of all who regularly attend or members would find their way into a small group. Now that is aligned and solid. Can you think of that? If everybody was in a small group at least once a semester or a Grow Group at least once a semester, that's alignment and solidarity. In this way we will deepen our roots, we will be spiritual green thumbs to each other. We'll be saying, "Come on! You can do it! Christ can help you!" That's trusting together. We know things look dismal sometimes. Let's trust him together. We can pray each other through this.

I remember my first small group as an attendee. I was a college student. Some disciple-oriented guy... I can't remember his name. I can see his face. He invited me to a Bible study in the dormitory. I had only been a Christian for about a month or so. I remember the strange mixture of feeling this is really odd, and this is really right. It took some getting used to, talking to people in the group about the Bible. I hadn't done that. I was 19 years old, and I'd never done that before in my life, and it felt so strange. But at the same time, it felt so right.

That's what Paul is talking about. He says, "Look, as you received Jesus Christ as your Lord, so walk in him, you've been rooted..." That's what he is saying. That word is a sense of, "You have been rooted once for all in Christ. Your roots are in there. Christ is in you; you're in him." "But now be built up." The building up is a continuous tense. It's why people do piano scales. It's why people practice their golf swing. It's why people bench-press. It's why people run laps and swim laps. Bible study, prayer, church attendance, small group life...that's the stuff of being built up in him.

One of my pastor friends challenges people who've been away from spiritual disciplines. He says, "Here is something I want you to do. I want you to attend church eight weeks in a row without fail and sit in the same place every Sunday and see what God does." Now if you've been sitting in the same place for eight months or eight years, you probably just need to find another seat, if that's, you know, to try this. But I'm talking about those who are truly trying to start. What does it mean to grow spiritually? It means to be with other people, and that can start on Sunday morning. Sit in the same place. Just get to know the people around you. See what God will do.

Rooted, built up, established. Last year, we took out a tree in our yard, and we didn't take out the stump. I was constantly amazed at how those shoots kept growing up out of that stump. I couldn't stay on top of them. It was so hard. It was so hard to whack those things. Finally, we ground the stump down. But it's amazing, when those roots are deep, nothing is going to shake them. That's what Paul is saying about, "In Jesus Christ." That is what we have to help each other to do.

What Paul teaches here is what he prays in Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 16 and 17. Let's see that slide. This is his prayer in Ephesians. It is such a similar sense, but here he turns it into a prayer. He says, "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love..." and then he goes on and he talks about that you'll just know the love of God.

Growing together intentionally, deep in roots. So I ask you this question as we close. Who is growing in Christ because of you? For whom are you praying? For whom are you calling? For whom are you nudging? Are you humbly allowing others to speak into your life? Can you get away from that Lone Ranger mindset and let other people have a word? For whom are you laboring in prayer, thought, and service? Paul says, "I labor and I contend for you." That's how he was doing it. Praying. Thinking about them. Serving. Agonizing with them. Just like we do for those in Haiti right now.

I'll never forget Pastor Ben Gould, retired Methodist minister. We went up and did our interim in Paoli, Pennsylvania. He and his wife lived right next door to us for about 10 months in one of the church-owned homes. They grew increasingly frail, but he would always stop by and encourage me. He had been a pastor for many, many years. He was in his 80s, but he would stop by every now and then. I can hear his voice, "Hello, George!" And other times, I would get a note in the mail, just a little postcard, a little encouraging note in there. You know, from somebody who knew what is involved with continuing to lead and guide in ministry.

The day after he died, I learned that he practiced that simple postcard encouragement for 40 or 50 years. When I told somebody about it, he said, "Oh yeah, we've gotten lots of those. We've gotten lots of postcards from Ben. He's always written just a few sentences just to let us know that he was thinking about us, just to pray, just to say, "God brought you to my mind."

You've heard the words "shop till you drop," how about "Grow and help others grow until you drop"? That's what Peter said. We're going to close with this. Look at this verse from 2 Peter, chapter 1. We haven't said anything about developing a spiritual growth plan. That's part of one of the marks of discipleship, but if ever there was a Scripture for developing an intentional spiritual growth plan, not only to help others grow, but for us to grow, like a workout plan, look at this.

"So I will always remind you of these things..." (Peter is about to die.) "...even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body. Because I know that I will soon set it aside as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me, and I will make every effort to see that after my departure, you will always be able to remember these things."

If ever there was a Scripture that says that we should be constantly reminding ourselves, this is it. You don't have to be a pastor. You don't have to be an apostle. Just take the next step of growth that God is nudging you toward. For some of you, it's going to be signing up for a Grow Group or becoming part of a small group. Or intentionally reach out to others to help others grow as well. Maybe you know someone who is not connected. "Hey, come on over to the Grow Group table, let's see what maybe we can check out here." For some, it may be finally making a commitment to just walk with another person, include another person, mentor another person, encourage someone this week as a servant of Christ.

Let's pray: Lord, we ask that you would help us to see that in Paul's writing, he was both the medium and the message, that he did in his encouragement through Scripture what he was doing all the time. Whatever way we need to hear this message, we pray that you would seal it to our hearts so that we might be aligned and solid together in Jesus Christ. In his name we pray, Amen.

© 2010, Rev. George Antonakos
Central Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, MD 21204 410/823-6145
www.centralpc.org