By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

My Joy and Crown!

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“… you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!”
Philippians 4:1b New International Version

Junior Confirmation Sunday in the Lutheran church is a big deal.  Young people who have been instructed in God’s Word and the doctrine of the church make a public confirmation of the faith into which they have been baptized.  Here a proud mom pins a flower on the shirt of her son who is making that commitment to Jesus that day.  She is full of joy and pride and great hope that her son will stand firm in the faith and grow to be a strong follower of Jesus.

Saint Paul is saying the same thing in today’s verse, telling his beloved church in Philippi that they are “my joy and crown”.  As their spiritual father the apostle is intensely proud of the believers in Philippi.  He has great joy in their faith in Jesus and their love for one another.  Their growth in the faith is like a “crown” that he wears proudly, standing out for all to see as a witness of what Jesus Christ has done in their lives.

Paul tells them that He loves them and prays for them and longs to see them again.  And most of all, he encourages them to “stand firm” in the Lord, to not be drawn away by the devil, the world, or their own sinful flesh.  And lastly he calls them his “dear friends”, as Jesus called His beloved disciples.

I encourage you to pray for those young in the faith, to encourage them with your words and actions, and to let them know that you love them, that they give you joy, and that you are so proud that they can use their faith in Jesus as a witness to Him.  Most of all, encourage them to stand firm in the faith and to follow Jesus all their lives.  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado