The Joy of Living in Harmony

“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose,” Philippians 2:2

Paul says that complete joy can be made. He pleads with the Christians at the church at Philippi to make his joy complete. You sense his enthusiasm and excitement for this complete joy as soon as you read his “If” and “Then” as he lists these four characteristics. It’s important to note here that he doesn’t say you can purchase complete joy from making a trip to the market. Complete joy is not for sale anywhere. You cannot turn on and off complete joy as you do a water spigot. It comes from Christians that possess four specific characteristics. He names them for us:

1) Encouragement - I must admit that the word encouragement takes on a brand new meaning for me as a Christian. I didn’t know the full meaning of the word until I matured in Christ. Yes, as a child of God I am encouraged in ways I cannot describe in words. The key here is “encouragement from being united with Christ.” I am so happy that I am united with Christ. Of course there are lots of things in this world to be united with, but to be united with Christ is supreme.

2) Comfort - “Comfort from his love.” Of course there is lots of emotional talk about love in our world. But I must tell you there is no comfort equal to the comfort from his love.

3) Fellowship - “Fellowship with the Spirit” I believe it is a most wonderful thing to have fellowship with the Spirit. You see, we are spiritual beings; God made us that way. The Psalmist says, God “made man a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” Let’s never forget that there is no sustainable fellowship except in Christ

4) Tenderness and compassion – this is about our emotions- the seat of our emotions; our inward parts. Christians are duty bounded to exude tenderness and compassion. Our Lord is our example.

These four characteristics, encouragement, comfort, fellowship, and tenderness and compassion, are to be evident in the lives of Christians. They are givens for those that have accepted Christ as their Lord. Paul knew that these four characteristics were to be evident in the Christians at the church in Philippi. These characteristics are to be present in all Christian congregations.

Do you understand how any gathering of Christians can name themselves as a church with any name and not have these characteristics evident in the church members? I don’t see how. Christ demonstrated all of these in his life.

It is these characteristics and motives that enable Christians to bring complete joy in their lives and the lives of others. Notice Paul makes his request of them to make his joy complete after he reminds them that they should have these based on their being in Christ. So since you have these characteristics and motives as a result of being in Christ, then make my joy complete by doing the following:

1) By being like-minded – our minds should always be the same about Christ Jesus. Jesus asks his disciples once who do men say that I am. They gave a number of answers. Then he asked them. Whom do you say that I am? Peter spoke up and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That too should be our like-minded answer at all times and in all places.

2) By having the same love – Our love for him should be the same. When we stand and sang, “I Love you Lord,” there should be no difference in our love for our Lord. I believe our love must be the same toward one another. Having the same love is to love all of God’s people the same.

3) By being one in spirit and purpose – now there are some beautiful things to see in this life. I believe this would be the most beautiful things to see in all of life. To see a group of Christians who are truly of one spirit and purpose. The idea is that they have the same urge and desire to do the Lord’s work, to plead his cause, and to be together for his cause.

Now, Paul gives us three specific instructions that will always result in complete joy and harmonious relationships:

1) “Don’t be selfish!” Our generation needs to stop being selfish. What a selfish generation! One of the things I relished during my time away on vacation was watching the Olympics. I was shocked at how selfish some of the judges were and how blatant they were in expressing it. Some of the judges gave unbelievably high scores to athletes from their country even though it was clear that particular athlete was an embarrassment. I mean it was ugly and shameful what some of those judges did on international television. There was zero shame in their scoring. Now, I would feel somewhat relieved if this was relegated to the world alone. But the fact is this same degree and scope of selfishness is just as present among Christians as it is among those in the world. I won’t beat this point home here this morning. I think you know what I mean. I think you see it in our churches and among Christians as I do. Amen!

2) “Consider others better than you.” Many Christians failed to get this message. There is too much bragging about themselves for them to have gotten this message. Now, there is a time for us to toot our own horns. But you certainly ought to hold off until you are asked to do so in a job interview or some other setting where it is appropriate to catalog your strong points and outstanding characteristics. There is no place in the church for God’s people to stand up pat themselves on the chest, on the back, and everywhere else to get accolades from others. Rather we are to consider others better than ourselves. In God’s church there are no big people and little people. We are all equal! We belong to God and that’s what truly matters. Lord, please give us humility and lots of it in the church!

3) “Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Upon my return from vacation a member here saved an article and shared it with me about Rev. Marvin McMickle and Bishop Ellis. Both of these ministers shared what they have gone through fighting for their health and life. One was fighting prostate cancer; the other one was fighting leukemia. They shared their health battles to help others who may be facing similar health problems or will face them in the future. Thank God for these ministers looking out not only for their own interest but also to the interest of others.

Do you want complete joy? Do you want to make someone’s joy complete? Here is the sure way to do it. You cannot miss if you are like-minded in Christ; you cannot miss if your love is the same for Christ; you cannot miss if you have one spirit and purpose for Christ; you cannot miss if you are not selfish; you cannot miss if you consider others better than yourselves; you cannot miss if you look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others. These are characteristics, motives, and behaviors that are clearly within the reach of each of us. These things can be done by you in your home, at your job, in your neighborhood, and certainly in your place of worship. Then you too can have complete joy. Amen.