Becoming FAT Christians
II am sometimes amazed at how the wisdom of Scripture is recognized (perhaps unknowingly) by people in the world. The wisdom imbedded in this week's Bible text became the focus of a commencement address in this year's graduation ceremony at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL—by none other than political satirist Stephen Colbert. Northwestern University is his alma mater so, after spending the first half of the speech with a series of inside university jokes, Colbert took a serious turn. He encouraged the importance of adaptation, change, and—especially—collaboration. He emphasized that since his graduation from college, his career has been a long sequence of changing goalposts, aided by the lessons taught by his background in improvisation. "But," he said, "you cannot 'win' at life through improv. And life is an improvisation. You must learn to walk with others—not beat them." Colbert drove home the view that true and lasting satisfaction/success is born from selflessness, both onstage and off. "No personal winning," Colbert said at the end of his speech. "No living for yourself. Instead, love others and serve others, and hopefully find those who will love and serve you in return.".
This week we will look at two ordinary men (as the world looks at such things) who loved and served others and, through doing so, found life. Their names are Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul simply said to honor men like them. It is clear to me that they were two people who had the "mind of Christ" (cf. Phil. 2:5). As you prepare to meet with the Lord during our gathered worship services, reflect on these words from a pastor of an earlier era:
Suppose you saw
The heavenly hosts
Of saints and angels
Praising God
In the presence
Of his glory...
You belong
To the same family
And society as they.
And are learning
Their work,
And must shortly
Arrive at their perfection.
Strive therefore
To imitate them
In love and joy
And let your very souls
Be poured out
In praises
And thanksgiving.
Richard Baxter, The Practical Works of the Rev. Richard Baxter, 1830
To His glory,
Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor