Sunday 08:12:12

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is life changing. When you first heard the account of Jesus giving his life for sin, it began a lifetime of change in you. When you understood that you were guilty before the holy God because of your sin, but that Jesus took the punishment for your sin to reconcile your relationship with God, when you first believed that, it changed everything. It is still changing everything. The truth of the gospel is still changing your life. The ramifications of who Jesus is, what he has done, and what it means to you will have a ripple effect in your life from the day you first believed throughout eternity. When you believe the truth of the Gospel, it changes everything. We are a people who have been changed, and are being changed. Passage today is about one of the big changes, that is to happen in the life of a Christian. Philippians 2:1-23 vv. 1-4 – One of the big changes is that a Christian is to be humble. Humility is defined for us. Humility is to set aside differences in love, spirit and purpose. Humility is to set aside our own interests and see to the interests of others. Live selflessly, showing more concern for others than you do for yourself. Live in unity, set aside your differences. The Bible teaches that your individuality takes a backseat to unity in the church. vv. 5-11 – (Probably a hymn sung by the early church) Jesus always existed, is God, became a man, limited his divine nature, died on the cross for our sins, was glorified by God the Father for his obedience, was raised to the position of honor with God the Father. Jesus is held as the example of humility. He made himself nothing. He humbled himself to the point of death, even the humiliating, torturous death on the cross. If Jesus, who is God, humbled himself to the point of humiliation and death, how should you live? You can choose to live a life that is focused on you. Or you can live a life that is primarily concerned about others as you follow Christ’s example. Does the world live like Jesus in humility? Do you and I live like Jesus in humility? vv. 12-13 – “Therefore… obey… continue to work out your salvation.” “Therefore” ties the teaching of humility for unity to work out your salvation. It is hard work together to rid ourselves of divisions and selfishness, but we are to do it together. It is hard work to die to self. I often think of myself as most important. I often think I have the best ideas. I often don’t want that to die. There will be times of struggle to be unified. But it is God’s will that our selfishness and self-centeredness be challenged in a body of believers. It is part of his plan to make us more humble, more like Christ. Fascinating verses, somehow we are to work (v. 12) because it is God working in us (v. 13). Our growth as believers is God’s work and our cooperation. This is a tension of two truths, seemingly contradictory, but both are true. vv. 14-18 – Don’t complain or argue. Let the world see Christ instead. Paul writes, even if I die, I rejoice that I helped you live for Christ. vv. 19-23 – “I have no one like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. Everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” When you read this, don’t you ask, “who am I like?” I am the one looking out for my own interest? Am I concerned for others and for the work of Christ? We have a decision to make; will we reflect Christ or ourselves? Has Jesus changed your life? Will we reflect our own pursuits, our own interests? Or will we reflect our sin? Is Jesus Lord of your life or are you? Do you want to honor Jesus, or focus on you? Forget all that, pursue Christ, reflect his life, follow him. We continually need to be re-focused: In all the confusion of life and struggles… In all the pursuits of this life… I want to reflect Christ, not me. God will help us do it. It is God who works in you, as you work out your salvation.