I had the privilege of preaching at my home church on Sunday evening. The text for my sermon was Philippians 2:5 - 11, very likely the most beautiful and theologically rich Christmas text in all the Scriptures.
This text begins by urging the church to have the same attitude - to think - in the same way as her Savior. What sort of attitude did Jesus have - humility, others first.
Paul shows this in a beautiful piece of poetry. He begins by affirming the absolute Deity of Jesus, and he ends by showing Jesus is the super-exalted Lord of all. In the middle of all this, however, is the fact that God became a man!
Get your mind around that fact! God, whose name is Holy, became a man. He emptied himself by what he took on - humanity. But, He did not stop there. He came as a slave! God made himself a slave in that He willingly went to the cross to take the sins of the world upon Himself and to redeem for Himself all those who trust in Him for the salvation that only He could make possible.
Right in the middle of Paul's hymn to Christ, he shows us the cross. The Son humbled himself to the point of death - even death on a cross. Because of this great demonstration of God's grace and holiness, the Son is exalted, given the name above every name - LORD.
The church is to now demonstrate (bow the knee) and declare (confess) the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We do this by living in humble service to others by the power of the resurrected Lord living within us and the church.
The church will most effectively and accurately represent her Savior when she humbles herself. The Son is best seen as the exalted Lord when we are humble. This flies in the face of a "name it and claim it" or "health and wealth gospel." The church who most exalts Christ is not likely the one with a glorious physical plant but the one who continually lowers herself for the sake of the glorious gospel.
1 comment:
Proudpappa,
I read the comments you made over at Wade's place.
I left a comment there for you. I also know that sometimes my comments get mysteriously deleted. Therefore I am posting it here, although I know it is not related to your post.
I hope you forgive the intrusion. It is as follows:
"
Proudpoppa,
Obviously you are someone's father. Obviously you are proud to be someone's father. Obviously, whomever it is whose father you are is blessed of God in having you as their father. Obviously you are theologically sound. Obviously you have kept yourself in the Word. It is also obvious you are under fire from some who may not have spent enough time in the Word or prayer for wisdom to understand the Word.
Therefore, please take the following ancient admonition to heart as you do battle now and in the future when the old guardians of Truth are with Jesus and have laid down our Swords, Shields, Breastplates, Helmets, and all other parts of the Warriors Armor granted us by God from His Spiritual Armory for Soldiers of the Cross:
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Proudpappa, you have started well. Seek to finish well. Be not as are some among us who did start well. Yet, now their finish is in question as far as holding to sound doctrine.
God bless you my brother. And may your tribe increase.
If you come to Louisville in June, I would certainly like to meet you. I will be in the Crown Plaza Hotel. The coffee is on me.
cb
Sun Feb 01, 10:49:00 PM 2009"
Again, my brother, may your tribe increase.
cb
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