Nov 28-29, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters in RCAC,

In the past, every time I concluded a ministry, be it at a church where I have served or at the seminaries where I have taught in Hong Kong, I have always struggled to know what to say in my farewell speech (臨別贈言). Should I speak my mind or should I just say some nice things. It is not that I ever left with grudges or bitterness, but since I knew every time that it would be the last time I have the mic, I was always tempted to at least leave “some words of wisdom.” As far as I can remember, I was able to resist, mainly because I realize that was not the purpose of the occasion. I usually end up with thanking everyone for supporting me and working with me so harmoniously. This is why I marvel at Paul for his true wisdom in his final words, or his further final words to the Christians at Philippi, which was consistently again and again “Rejoice in the Lord always!” which is a theme he had repeated about 11 times in 4 short chapters of his letter.

Paul in countering those who took pride in “proper religion,” had just briefly shared his “resume,” only to dismiss it by saying his credentials have absolutely no value to him anymore, saying, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (3:8) He further added any righteousness he may have comes from God that depends on faith – ‘that I may know him and the power of his resurrection.” (3:10) That is why he himself “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (3:14) For in the end, his ultimate joy was in seeing the Christians serving in unity as we have seen in his words to the Philippians: “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. “ (2:2) Thus he urges the Christians to stand firm in the Lord for they are to him “my joy and crown.”(4:1)

This theme to “rejoice in the Lord always… and again rejoice” (4:4) is carried through to Paul’s “final” exhortations, not to the Church in general, but also to different individuals personally and publicly in the open letter to the Church, including Euodia, Syntyche and Clement, “true companion (yokefellow)” and other coworkers. For Paul, these are all coworkers who had struggled and laboured side by side with him.
This joy should be practised by the Christians together, with “forbearance” (gentleness) knowing that the day of the coming of the Lord is near. For the same reason, they should not worry about anything, for why worry when you can pray (with thanksgiving). By some doing, “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:7)

Furthermore, Christians should let their minds be filled with godly and spiritual things, as they practise applying the apostolic teaching of Paul to their daily lives. The amazing message was that in so doing, they will experience the constant presence of the God of Peace (9) and not just have the peace of God (7) when we need it! What a blessing! What a joy!

This joy was felt by Paul (“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly”, 4:10) in very tangible and practical ways when the Philippians revived and extended their concern for the material needs of Paul. Paul did not speak out of need, as he said, “You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”(4: 10-11) What a beautiful picture, for in his perfect contentment in God and His provision, he was able to have the Philippians “share” in his ministry and his needs. (4:14-16) He stated that it was “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” (4:17ff). By sharing and supporting Paul and his ministry, they were adding “capital increase” (dividend) to their own “spiritual account!” What a profitable investment! Paul describes such “sharing” (support) as “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” (4:18) In addition, all the needs of the Christians will be rewarded by God, as he says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (4:19)

As I have shared in an earlier sermon in this series, “There is joy in serving Jesus,” as in a hymn written by Oswald J, Smith (November 8, 1889 – January 25, 1986) in 1931. According to his biography, Oswald Smith was “a Canadian pastor, author, and missions advocate. He founded The Peoples Church in Toronto in 1928… Smith was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Canada in 1918. However, he resigned from the Presbyterian Church, set up his own church in Toronto, which merged with a small Christian and Missionary Alliance congregation in 1921. In 1928, he started another independent church in Toronto, the Peoples Church.” He was a godly man mightily used by God, and served faithfully for nearly 80 years.

There is another hymn that Smith wrote, which was used at his ordination in 1918, named “Deeper and Deeper” (first line “Into the heart of Jesus”). Related to our theme here is verse 4:

Into the joy of Jesus
Deeper and deeper I go,
Rising, with soul enraptured,
Far from the world below;
Joy in the place of sorrow,
Peace in the midst of pain,
Jesus will give, Jesus will give –
He will uphold and sustain.

As a Canadian pastor and mission advocate, who also studied in Winnipeg and had served with the Alliance Church briefly in the early days, Smith has become an inspiration to me. A man of prayer and as a pastor with fire in his heart for mission, he is an excellent model for me to follow. Every time I visit Tyndale University (formerly, Toronto Bible College) in Toronto, I love to look at his memorabilia left there. The joy that he talks about is something I have deeply craved for in my 40 years of full time ministry, and continue to crave for in my present and future ministry.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice.

Your servant in Christ

Rev. Dr. Simon Lee
Senior Pastor