PR500: Homiletics

Eu-o-di-a. Syn-ty-che. Euodia and Syntyche are the names of two women in the ancient Church at Philippi. They are only mentioned once in the entire Bible. It is in Philippians 4:2, in which Paul writes, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.”

How would you like to be remembered for all time, how would you like your only mention in God’s Holy Word, to say that you were a pain in the neck! That is essentially what it boils down to for these two women. Ouch. Even though we are also told they helped Paul spread the Gospel, whatever accomplishment they may have had is overshadowed by their complaining. Maybe if they had realized this, they would have behaved a little better! And apparently, despite all their fussing and arguing over whatever it was that must have seemed so important to them at the time – whatever that issue or problem was, has now been forgotten.

So these two women had some kind of division between them, and were irritating the people around them. …Is there someone in your life that is difficult to be around? Do you know have a Euodia-type person in your life? Maybe, like Euodia, it is someone who seems to be a Christian. Maybe there is a person at work who hangs around the water cooler, and always gossips. Or the one who pretends to work all the time, but who you know is really just faking it. Or maybe it’s that person at school who just seems to really get under your skin, even if you don’t know why. Or maybe it’s one of your in-laws. Someone who isn’t exactly a friend, but despite everything, is still a part of your life. Everybody has a Euodia or a Syntyche somewhere in their lives.

The ironic thing is that Euodia and Syntyche are mentioned in this particular Letter, because this Letter to the Philippians is often said the most upbeat letter in the New Testament. In fact, one of the key words in this letter is “joy” because it occurs so much. Paul is joyful over many things. He is joyful that the Church at Philippi shares in God’s grace with him. He rejoices that they are growing. He rejoices, even though he is enchained in prison. Even though Paul does not know whether or not he is about to die – even though he is faced with the real possibility of an imminent death – He is filled with joy and boldly declares that to live is Christ and to die is gain. So it is odd that in this joyful letter, we have two people who are a pain in the neck.

This is when we come to the heart of the letter, because we realize that Paul is filled with joy because He is looking to Jesus Christ. And He tells us beautifully who Jesus is in our Scripture reading today. I think that this is one of the most beautiful and meaningful passages in the whole New Testament about Jesus. Let’s revisit this text for a moment.

Here Paul tells us that Jesus is God. And although Jesus was equal to God, He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Then He was obedient, and was obedient unto death – even death on a cross.

Just sit with that for a moment. Jesus was, and is, equal to God. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the God of the entire universe, emptied Himself. The King of Kings emptied Himself for us, and took the nature of a servant. Even to the point of a slow torturous death.

Now if you’re thinking, “This is hard to grasp; I’m not sure I fully understand this.” The reason that it may seem hard to grasp is because it is! It is very hard to understand. We can’t take it all in. We can’t figure it all out. So we just sit, focused on Jesus. Jesus who is co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and the God the Holy Spirit. This same Jesus died for us. And this is such an incredible inspiration, that it is simply beyond words. We cannot fully grasp it, and we cannot take it all in. It is so far beyond us that we just sit still. We dwell on it. And we are inspired. Inspired by Jesus Christ.

And this brings us to the next mystery. Scripture then tells us that “⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Here again, we cannot understand this whole thing. We cannot imagine “every knee under the earth,” or exactly what the “highest place” is. So just sit and think and dwell upon it: Every knee in heaven, on earth and under the earth will bow to Jesus. That is truly incredible. Because while we dwell on this inspirational and utterly marvelous truth, we are moved. The Holy Spirit moves in us and changes us and works in us.

This points us to the transforming power of God. This is not about our own efforts. When we dwell on this beautiful and holy text, God moves us. We do not move ourselves. It is not about what we do.

Jesus did give us this pattern of a suffering servant. And we will never be able to do what Jesus did in Philippians 2. It is not about how hard we try. It is not about how many Bible studies and how often we make an appearance at church. It is not about what face we give to the community; it is about who we truly are. Who we truly are. This is about matters of the heart. We are told that Jesus is a servant here. And the reason this text is so meaningful and touching is not that is tells us what Jesus did; it tells us who Jesus is. What His character is. So do not immediately think of what you need to do; think about who Jesus is. And dwell upon this text. And it is then you will be changed.

In this Letter to the Philippians, we are given examples of people who had been changed. People who had been changed, so that now they stood in this Jesus tradition of selfless service. These are people who have been changed deep in their hearts and it is reflected in their character. These are people who are responding in the truth; not people who are simply doing works. Who do we see it in?

First, We see it in Paul. Paul, who is a prisoner for the Gospel. Paul, who is giving of his very life for the benefit of others. Paul says that even if his life is being poured out like a drink offering, he is rejoicing that he is able to serve others (2:17). That is to say, even if he dies, he is willing to forfeit his very life for others. Why? Why is he this way? Because he has been moved by the truth.

We see it Timothy. For with all this quarreling and fighting, no one looks out for others. Except Timothy. Paul writes that he has no one else like Timothy. No one. For Timothy takes a genuine interest in their welfare (2:20). Just as Jesus looked to the interests of others and humbled Himself to death on a cross, so too Timothy genuinely looks out for the interests of others. Why is he this way? Because he has been moved by the truth.

We see it in Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus was a companion of Paul. In fact, in his work of the Gospel, in his service of others, Epaphroditus became ill and almost died. Paul says that Epaphroditus “almost died for the work of Christ” (2:30). Why is he this way? Because he has been moved by the truth.

So this is the model Jesus gives us for our relationships, and it springs out of our heart. It is the model of the suffering servant. We saw it in Jesus. We saw it in Paul. We saw it in Timothy. We saw it in Epaphroditus. And so what about us? Have we dwelt upon this mystery and been moved by its utter depth and holy beauty? Do we stand in the same tradition? Do we follow the model of our Lord in those relationships with Euodia and Syntyche that we feel just slow us down? Or are we like Euodia and Syntyche, and others look at us and just think, “Oh, if they would just shut up and agree, things would be so much better!” Do we stand in the tradition of Jesus, or do we stand in the way of others, and merely become speed bumps in life’s road?

Dealing with difficult people, whether it is in the church, at work, at home or at play is a part of life. The question is, “How is Jesus working in us that affects the way we respond?” How do we respond to people who just want to make us tear our hair out? How do we respond to those relationships?

I don’t know about you, but sometimes my earthly nature will try to speak up here. Sometimes I struggle with difficult people. Sometimes it feels like you’re cruising down the road of life and this person or this relationship feels like a huge speed bump. And everywhere you turn you just hit and get a little whiplash. You get jerked around a little. And you hit this bump again and again and again because you have to see this person again and again and again. And we think, “Hey I already have enough things going on in my life.” Our earthly nature says, “I already have enough problems. I don’t need more speed bumps on the road of life. Thank you very much!” We wish we could just get out our jackhammer and pound this speed bump into dust so we could get on our way. We don’t need that person anyway!” I think we all feel that way sometimes.

But Philippians calls us, and Jesus calls us, to extend grace and service. Even if you’re not the one in the wrong. Even if its one of the most difficult problems you’ve faced in your life up to this point, Jesus calls us to look out for the interest of others. This does not mean that they should walk all over you or continue in the way of wickedness, but it does mean that even if someone sins against you, you should do that confronting or approach that relationship with that other person’s interest in mind. It means that we have regard for the salvation of other people’s souls, even if they don’t now appreciate how they are hurting us, or how much they have cost us. Because we look out for the interests of others and have great joy in the Lord. This is a hard way to go. But it is the right way.

Think about those difficult relationships in your life, because those are the ones that can truly help you build character. Those are the ones in which the imitation of Jesus can really shine through in you. If you have a problem with a difficult relationship, it doesn’t matter if you didn’t start it. It doesn’t even always matter if you’re right. It doesn’t matter if they have more to loose than you do, and you feel like you have the power in the relationship. When it’s difficult – in fact, particularly when our relationship with another is difficult – is precisely when we need to follow Jesus example. Jesus, who did not regard equality with God something to be grasped, but looked out to the interests of others, even when it meant to be obedient unto crucifixion.

The alternative is simply to contribute to the brokenness in an already broken and dying world. People are already broken. None of us is perfect. But we can by the grace of God be agents of healing in areas of brokenness that would attempt to steal our joy.

The next time you come across Euodia and Syntyche, remember who you are. And remember whose you are. And in what tradition you are called to. You are called to stand in the same line. To stand in line behind service behind Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus. A line of service that is rooted in Jesus Christ.

And if you come – or rather – when you hit your next speed bump in the road of life. Don’t run over him or her. Slow down. Slow way down. Even if you don’t know what to do. Dwell on the beautiful mystery that we have in Jesus Christ. The One who was in the very nature God, yet took on the form of a human being, and became a servant. And look to Jesus to move and fill you with joy in the healing of the moment. Amen.

First Presbyterian Church

211 W. 2^nd Street / Washington, NC 27889 / 252-946-4616

www.fpcwashington.org

Services at 8:30 & 11:00 am