The Lutheran Hour
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"Like-Minded Mission"
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Text: Philippians 2:1-2
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Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
I know where I’d like to have been in the early morning hours of August 9, 2005. Across the United States of America and in many parts of the world, men, women, and children sat in their living rooms or their offices with the television on. Some stood by televisions at airport gates or in hospital waiting rooms. They were watching a return-a dramatic return from space. The shuttle Discovery was coming home! After 14 days and 5.8 million miles orbiting the globe, the crew of Discovery was coming home… coming back to planet Earth.
I know where I’d like to have been during the early morning hours of August the 9th: Mission Control.
I’d love to have been at NASA Mission Control, with the hundreds of men and women who shared one objective that day, one central goal that had consumed their weeks and months for two long years: Bring Discovery home! Bring these seven astronauts home! And they did. With a singular sense of mission, the men and women of NASA, together with thousands and thousands of men and women behind the scenes, brought that brilliant white shuttle home safely. Millions of Americans and many people around the world watched a picture-perfect landing on the dark desert runway of Edwards Air Force Base. Discovery was home!
One mission on the morning of August 9, 2005; the people at NASA had one mission.
Today, my friends, and every day God gives us on earth, we, too, have one mission: witness to the love of Jesus Christ for all people.
That’s the apostle Paul’s perspective as he writes to his fellow Christians in our reading today. He loves these believers! He calls them saints! He thanks God for their partnership! He trusts that the Lord Jesus is right now, as Paul writes his letter, carrying on the good work He began in these men, women, and children. They were baptized into His name. They were connected by water and the Word to His death and resurrection. They make up a family-the family of God. They live in their neighborhoods; they work in their community, with a gentle confidence in Christ and a joy inspired by the Holy Spirit. Together they carry the name of Christian, wherever they go, to whomever they meet. They’re united in one faith. They share a common purpose. And every day Paul offers up a prayer for these Philippians: “make my joy complete by being like-minded.”
Like-minded has a soothing ring to it, doesn’t it? We’re “one mind,” a friend might say to another, basking in a sense of unity and harmony. I suppose most people like to be around like-minded people. It seems only natural to gravitate toward people who think like you do, who on the whole feel like you do, people who believe like you do.
In a study published by the Health and Wellness Center of Vanderbilt University, Dr. Larry Axmaker notes some of the characteristics found in strong, lasting friendships.
“You enjoy spending time together. You feel comfortable and relaxed together. You look forward to the next contact.”
“It’s easy to talk together. You lose track of time and laugh a lot.”
“You care about the actions and feelings of your friend. You want your friend to be happy.”
“You listen to each other. You hear the meaning, not just the words.”
“You pay attention to what the other person says and does. It matters to you.”
“You show empathy — understanding each other’s feelings. You hear and care, but you don’t [rush to] judge.”
“You can tell your friend that he or she is important to you, and that the friendship is important.”
“You trust your friend — he or she will not gossip or tell your secrets. You can count on him or her to help you in a tight situation.”
“You have a 50/50 relationship – nobody is the boss. You don’t worry about being right or getting your way.”
“You are able to share your feelings with your friend… ” (http://vanderbiltowc.wellsource.com/dh/)
All of these qualities and many more bring individuals together in a lifelong bond of friendship. Two people become, in a sense, like-minded. They view the world through similar lenses. They speak and act in similar ways. They’re not identical; they’re not the same. But they’re like-minded. They have much in common.
That’s Paul’s prayer for us. He prayed for the Philippians. He prayed for all believers he had ministered to in the cities and towns of the ancient world. The Bible speaks to us today: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded.” Yes, be like-minded, Paul prays for his fellow Christians, in a world too often at odds.
That’s the harsh reality: our world is really quite divided. Our world, planet Earth, is in truth quite fractured. You wouldn’t notice the divisions and the separation if you orbited this globe from hundreds of miles up in space. No, you’d see the grandeur of God’s good creation. You’d see the massive oceans and imposing landmasses that the eternal God brought into being by His powerful Word. He made all things. He formed the solar systems and the planets and the mountains and the rivers by His almighty Word. In His incomparable love He created this world of ours, this spinning globe, and He fashioned us in His likeness and image. God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and from the beginning of human history He has preserved us and provided for us and permitted us to live in His world.
But we’ve done the damage here. We’ve divided His world. We’ve separated ourselves from one another, setting ourselves at odds by our disobedience to His Word and will. Adam and Eve plunged us into disarray by their deliberate rejection of God’s command. And now we all follow suit.
We share in that rebellion. We contribute to the disorder. We live in the harsh reality of sin, sin we’ve inherited and sin we commit, as we disagree with others, as our wills clash, as we demand our way and insist on the paths we’ve laid out for ourselves. But we don’t simply sin against one another; we sin against God. We sin against the holy, loving God who wants all people to come to forgiveness and wholeness and peace and unity of spirit and purpose. We sin against the God who made us to be like-minded, to live in fellowship with Him.
The harsh reality is we are divided. We’re fractured. We’re no longer simpatico-“one mind.”Until Jesus saves us. Until Jesus seeks and finds and rescues us from our self-imposed brokenness.
That’s the apostle Paul’s perspective as he writes to the Christians in Philippi. That’s Paul’s Gospel as he preaches in the cities and towns of the ancient world. That’s his public witness, wherever he goes, to whomever he meets, a very personal and a very open witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ for all people.
One mission He had. One mission the Lord Jesus accepted when the time had fully come… “Who, being in very nature God,” the Bible says, “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.”
Jesus is God! Jesus is true God with the Father and the Spirit, one God, exalted over all creation.
Yet the Son of God did not refuse to leave the glory of heaven, the glory He shared with the Father and the Spirit from eternity. No, He did not disdain us. He did not say “no” to the Father’s will; say “no” to entering this world of hostility and separation and cruelty and sin. He said “Yes!” He said “Yes!”
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!”
Here’s His mission, my friends: He comes into our world to save us-to save us by offering His life for us, laying down His life for us, giving up His life for us… on a cross. He sacrifices for me. He demonstrates strong, lasting love by giving everything for you. He takes the nature of a servant, Paul reminds us, appearing on this earth as a man, fully human. He humbles Himself and becomes obedient, even to dying on a cross!
But when His work of saving us was finished, the Father raised His Son from the dead and exalted Him to the highest place…
“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
One mission-a purpose so wonderful, so valuable, that Jesus plans it from eternity and fulfills it when the time is right: He brings us home! He brings us into a new relationship with our Father in heaven. He was picture-perfect that Easter morning, when He walked from His tomb alive and showed Himself the Lord of all. And now by His grace you share in His family-the family of God.
Where’s your mind today? It’s united with Christ through faith. Your heart and your mind are comforted by His love. Your spirit lives in fellowship with His Spirit, the Spirit He has poured out on His redeemed people. The tenderness and compassion that Jesus showed to so many people when He walked on this earth He shows to you also today, for He brings you into the strongest and most lasting friendship of all: You are His friend. In love He has chosen you. In mercy He has forgiven you. Trust Him! Trust His promise to be with you and watch over you and unite you into the body of believers that is “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”
That’s our mission today-our one objective, our central goal that shapes our weeks and months as long as we live.
We are richly blessed to live in this fellowship called the Christian Church. We are men, women, and children who have been gathered together by the Spirit of God, baptized into Christ, baptized into His death and resurrection. We’re not all identical; we’re not all the same. But we’re like-minded. Our hearts and minds are one in faith in Jesus our Savior and Lord.
Thank God today that He carries out His mission through His church. Thank God that He has brought you into a congregation, a fellowship of believers…
Like-minded believers who spend time together in worship, who feel comfortable with one another, and look forward to weekly worship.
Like-minded people who belong to Christ and talk together, sharing their faith, building one another up in the knowledge of His Word and truth, caring for each other, listening to each other, understanding each other.
Like-minded men, women, and children who convey by our words and demonstrate by our actions that we are important to each other, that we trust each other, and that we are here for one another.
Like-minded Christians who want to share Jesus’ love with all people.
Do you need a fellowship like this? Are you longing for a home, a place to be among friends who will welcome you and support you and serve you? Jesus invites you to His church. He invites you to come to worship, to hear His Word, to receive His forgiveness, to take your place among His beloved redeemed people. Come to church, my friend. Make it a weekly commitment to gather in God’s house. For through the Word the Spirit of God will strengthen you and shape you into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Lord. The Spirit will make you like-minded as you trust in Jesus.
That’s where we’d like to be every day-in this fellowship, with this mission, trusting in the Captain of our souls. He will bring us safely home. He promises!
To Jesus be all glory and praise forever! Amen.LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for September 25, 2005
Topic: Why did God let Bush Win?ANNOUNCER: And now Pastor Ken Klaus answers questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer, and today we have a very, very short question. It’s only seven words long.
KLAUS: I like short questions. Let’s have at it. OK?
ANNOUNCER: The question is, “Why did God let President Bush win?”
KLAUS: Yep, that’s a short question, all right.
ANNOUNCER: And, what’s your answer?
KLAUS: I may ask a few questions first. Do we know if the person who’s asking this is a Republican or a Democrat?
ANNOUNCER: We don’t know.
KLAUS: Do we know if this is a Bush supporter or a Bush detractor?
ANNOUNCER: We don’t know.
KLAUS: Do we know if the person is thanking God for President Bush, or angry with God on account of President Bush?
ANNOUNCER: We really don’t know, but what difference does any of that make?
KLAUS: Well, about the only difference it might make is that I’d have to give you an answer faster.
ANNOUNCER: Well, that’s not a bad thing.
KLAUS: Well, you know Mark; it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to politically alienate half the country in one fell swoop.
ANNOUNCER: But that’s why we should try to give an answer that keeps everybody happy.
KLAUS: Yeah, right. Let’s see, keep everybody happy by dealing with a political question on a religious broadcast. Let me see what I can do. First, let’s begin by saying that this question could be asked no matter who got elected.
ANNOUNCER: In other words, the question could just as well have been “Why did God allow President Clinton to stay in office for eight years?
KLAUS: People always question why this person or that individual is in office. The question is one that could come from anybody anywhere in any century.
ANNOUNCER: And that’s sort of your disclaimer, isn’t it?
KLAUS: Not, really. But it is a way of removing this discussion from dealing with a specific individual. Having said that, we can say first, God didn’t vote for President Bush. He also didn’t cast a ballot for Senator Kerry. As far as I am aware, the Lord is not a registered voter. He doesn’t belong to any political party although both parties seem to claim Him. Democracy is a good system, albeit not a perfect system. The outcome of elections generally reflects what the people want, but not necessarily what God commands.
ANNOUNCER: So then you’re saying God is not involved in our election process?
KLAUS: Although religion is certainly part of many of national political debates, and although God knows who would be the better person elected to serve Him, the country, and the world, He generally doesn’t dictate who sits in the Oval Office.
ANNOUNCER: You are saying God knows the better individual, but He doesn’t push that choice?
KLAUS: Right. We live in a democracy, not a theocracy. God doesn’t give direct orders to the leaders or voters of this or any nation. He doesn’t call them up to Mount Sinai and give them some stone tablets telling them which program should be cut or funded.
ANNOUNCER: OK. So you’re saying God doesn’t directly lead us in that way. What else could you say?
KLAUS: In His Word, God gives certain guidelines for political leadership. I believe the closer a ruler follows those guidelines, the happier the majority of His people will be. On the other hand, the further that leader and nation get away from the moral principles of God’s law, the more discontent and unrest there will be.
ANNOUNCER: And, would you say that God’s principles of governance are proper for every generation and every land?
KLAUS: I would. Mark, we dare not forget Scripture which says in the book of Romans that we must all submit ourselves to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
ANNOUNCER: But that almost sounds like God then hand-picked President Bush to sit in the White House.
KLAUS: Well, God can certainly use the Presidency, even as He can use all political leaders. They can be instruments for God’s blessing or of God’s judgment. You can find that in the Bible, or you can look at history.
ANNOUNCER: And what is the Christian’s responsibility with regard to these leaders?
KLAUS: We are to respect them. God, the Ultimate Authority, gives these human beings a reasonable and seasonal authority. Christians must obey as long as they are not commanded by an earthly ruler to do that which is disobedient to God and conscience. That’s what God says in the book of Titus (3:1): Remind your people to obey the government and its officers, and always to be obedient and ready for any honest work.”
ANNOUNCER: So, if we had to sum up the answer, we’re saying President Bush…
KLAUS: Or any ruler…
ANNOUNCER: …Or any ruler can be used by God to accomplish His purposes. And so long as that leader does not tell us to go against God’s will, we respect the office.
KLAUS: You’ve got it.
ANNOUNCER: This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music selections from this program:
“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by John Leavitt. Concordia Publishing House/SESAC
“I Love Your Kingdom, Lord” arranged by Henry Gerike. Used by permission.
“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” arranged by Henry Gerike. Used by permission.
“Lift High the Cross” setting by Carl Schalk. From Praise to the Lord! by the Schola Cantorum of St. Peter’s (© 1998 The Order of St. Benedict, Inc.)
“The Church’s One Foundation” by David Cherwien. From Hymn Interpretations by David Cherwien (© 1992 Summa Productions)