Proper 23: Epistle, Philippians 4:4-13                                   

Philippians 4:4-13

Rejoice in the Lord always. So begins this conclusion of Paul’s most personal letter. He lists our responsibilities to both rejoice in our Lord as a lifestyle and to focus on Jesus as the ground of all our thinking. Immediately following that short exhortation Paul makes a summation that just recently caught my attention. Actually just a portion of it. He says this: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9).

Paul makes an assumption. As I teach weekly, I catch myself making assumptions about those who attend my classes. Sometimes, like all teachers, I forget that my students aren’t spending the same amount of time pouring over the material I see weekly as a matter of course. They are coming to learn from someone who has been given a great privilege. I get to spend time preparing in the Word of God and reading honored men and women under whom I study. But Paul says, “What you have learned.” That caught my attention for both myself and my students. Are we learners? The word translated “disciple” in our English bibles really means “learner.” 

There are those who hear. And there are those who learn. I fear so often I am I white board that gets written on and then erased. Paul wanted his flocks to be filled with learners. I want to be a learner.  Not just in the classroom or sanctuary, but listening, observing, taking in the best I can from other more skilled disciples than myself. And there are so many. 

Lord Jesus, help us all to learn of You, to watch You, to hear You and then welcome us home. Amen!