Tag: service

A Life of Surrender – Mark 10:32-45

November 20, 2023 / Matthew Wilson

Sermon Text: Mark 10:32-45

Sermon Video

Outline

Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice for others (32-34)

Following Jesus requires us to put off selfishness (35-37)

Following Jesus requires us to suffer (38-41)

Following Jesus requires us to serve others (42-45)

Sermon Notes

Jesus is on his way to the cross and he is calling his disciples and the crowds to follow him.

What does it look like to follow Jesus by surrendering to him and serving others?

Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice for others (32-34)

32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

This is the third time that Jesus has told his disciples of his impending arrest, death, and resurrection.

Mark 8-10 is the largest text in the New Testament on discipleship. In each chapter,

Jesus predicts his death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-32, 9:30-31, 10:32-34).
The disciples respond in a foolish way (Mark 8:32-33, 9:32-34, 10:35-41).
Jesus gives a lesson on discipleship, service, and true greatness (Mark 8:34-38, 9:35-37, 10:42-45).

Jesus knew what was going to happen to him and he still went to Jerusalem. He loved and served us even when he knew it would cost him his life.

Though none of us can die a substitutionary death on a cross like Jesus, we are all called to sacrifice for others.

Are you willing to make sacrifices so that other people can hear the gospel?
Are you willing to give of your time to help someone grow in Christ?
Are you willing to serve others?
Does your life have a kingdom focus?

If we are going to impact our community for Christ, then we must be willing to sacrifice for the good of others.

Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice for others. Second, following Jesus requires us to put off selfishness.

Following Jesus requires us to put off selfishness (35-37)

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

The way of the world is self-exaltation. Look at James and John’s demands.
• 35 – “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
• 37 – “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory”

James and John are showing their human nature. Like James and John, we love ourselves and we want others to love and honor us as well. Many of us think way too highly of ourselves. Isn’t it true that we tend to see the faults of others while overlooking many of the same faults in ourselves?

James and John also seem to have already forgotten Jesus’ teaching on what true greatness looks like (see Mark 9:35):

Mark 9:35
“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

While Jesus is talking about all that he is about to give, the disciples are consumed with what they can get. Looking at James and John is like looking in the mirror. We can see our own selfishness, and Mark hopes that we can see how foolish we look.

James and John are making demands of Jesus, the Lord of all creation. When we are self-centered, we are just like James and John.

If you are going to please Jesus with your life, then you must learn to put off selfishness. You must learn to put off selfishness in your marriage. You must learn to put off selfishness within your church family. You must put off selfishness in order to reach the lost.

James and John know Jesus is headed for glory (v. 37), but they don’t have a clue how the glory would come.

Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice for others. Following Jesus requires us to put off selfishness. Third, following Jesus requires us to suffer.

Following Jesus requires us to suffer (38-41)

38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.

Jesus’ path to glory was paved with suffering. Read verse 38 above. Jesus says, “You don’t know what you’re asking…”

John and James were very quick to want the benefits of God’s kingdom, but they have not counted the costs of participating in it.

Jesus asks them two questions:

“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?”
“Are you able to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?

Jesus compares His coming suffering and death to drinking a cup and experiencing a baptism. What does He mean by this?

Drinking a cup with someone speaks of sharing in that person’s fate. The cup that Jesus is referring to here is that of God’s wrath. Later, we will see Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. As he prayed to the Father, he spoke these words: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36).

When Jesus speaks of His coming baptism, it means that his coming suffering and death were all consuming. Just as baptism is by immersion, Jesus was immersed in the destiny that God had planned for Him. Jesus’ suffering and death were all consuming and he was immersed in his mission.

Luke 12:50
I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!

James and John respond that they are able, but their quick response makes it clear that they did not understand what Jesus meant. However, Jesus knows that indeed one day each of them will suffer for the sake of Jesus and His gospel.

James was the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:1-2).
John was exiled to the island of Patmos (Rev 1).

James and John had failed to see that the pathway to glory is paved with suffering. Before we receive the crown of life, we must be willing to drink the cup of suffering and be immersed in living for Christ. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul noted that believers are not called simply to believe in Jesus, but should also be willing to suffer for his sake.

Phil 1:29
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

Do we really think that we can follow Jesus and not suffer? Do we think that revitalizing a church will be easy? Do we think we won’t be rejected by others or be persecuted? Do we really think that we won’t be hated for the sake of Jesus

“The early church was married to poverty, prisons, and persecutions. Today, ‘the church’ is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.”
Leonard Ravenhill

The other disciples were indignant at James and John (v. 41). James and John’s selfish request had strained the unity of the group. Isn’t that what selfishness does? When we seek after power and position at the expense of those around us, others will be indignant at us.

Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice for others. Following Jesus requires us to put off selfishness. Following Jesus requires us to suffer. Finally, following Jesus requires us to serve others.

Following Jesus requires us to serve others (42-45)

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus says that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and that they exercise authority over them (v. 42). People in the world want more power, more position, more fame, and more influence. In the world, the more important you are, the more people you have that serve you.

But Jesus says, “it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (v. 43).

Once again, Jesus has changed the scorecard. The world says that power and authority are to be desired, but Jesus says if you want to be great you must be a servant.

If service is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.

Think about this in marriage. Men, if you make marriage all about you, then your wife isn’t going to submit to your leadership.

If you’re the boss at work but you’re always making demands but never willing to help, you are not going to be effective.

Jesus says it’s not even enough to be like a servant but you must become like a slave (v. 44). In biblical times, slaves had very little rights and were taken for granted by those that they served.

Who are you more like? Are you more like the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22) and James and John? Are you seeking to exalt yourself or you a servant that is willing to pour out your life for others and to be taken for granted like a slave?

Verse 45 is the key verse of Mark’s Gospel. Mark 1:15 is Jesus’ message. Mark 10:45 is Jesus’ mission.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The reason that service is preeminent in the kingdom of God is because it grows out of a love for one’s neighbor. Service is love made tangible.^[1]James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002), 326. If we refuse to serve others it is because we don’t love others. If we don’t love others, then we do not love God.

Jesus has told us his disciples that he is going to Jerusalem and that he will die. Now he tells them why. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Conclusion

Jesus combines the “Son of Man” title from Daniel 7 with the “ransom for many” language from Isaiah 53.

Daniel 7:13-14
13 “I saw in the night visions,

and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.

Isaiah 53:12c
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.

This is the Jesus we follow! He came to earth as a baby. He died as a sacrifice for sinners. And one day, he will return as a warrior to mete out God’s judgment. After the final judgment, Jesus will rule his kingdom forever and ever. He will have an everlasting dominion.

That’s the amazing truth of the gospel, that Jesus, the Son of God, became the Son of Man in order to pay the penalty for sin. We needed a ransom for our sin because we had all gladly and willfully sold ourselves into the bondage of slavery to sin. Jesus saves us from God’s wrath and gives us the victory over sin, death, and hell.

By paying the ransom for our sins, Jesus made it possible for the children of man to become the children of God.

Jesus, the Son of God, and the Son of Man, gave His life as a ransom for many.

We respond in repentance and faith. After we come to Christ, we follow Jesus by

sacrificing for others (32-34)
putting off selfishness (35-37)
suffering for his sake (38-41)
serving others (42-45)

If we’re honest, many of us have a wrong view of Christianity. We think that Christianity is punching a ticket to heaven. In truth, Christianity is following Jesus, laying down our lives in service to the King who laid down his life for us.

Will we believe the philosophy of the world that life is all about us or will we give ourselves away in service to Jesus, his Gospel, his church, and a lost and dying world?

References[+]

References
↑1	James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002), 326.

The Way to True Greatness – Mark 9:30-42

October 2, 2023 / Matthew Wilson

Sermon text: Mark 9:30-42

Sermon Video

Outline

The way to true greatness is through selfless sacrifice (30-32)

The way to true greatness is through humble service (33-37)

The way to true greatness is through unwavering allegiance (38-42)

Summary

What is true greatness? In our culture, we hear about greatness all the time. Sports pundits debate about who is the greatest player in each sport. Political pundits talk about the greatest (and worst) presidents. Those debates are fine to have but what really matters is God’s definition of greatness. We find this in today’s text (Mark 9:30-42).

First, the way to true greatness is through selfless sacrifice (vv. 30-32). For the second time (see Mark 8:31), Jesus tells his disciples that he will be handed over, killed, and after three days, rise again. The disciples still do not understand that Jesus, the Messiah, has to die (v. 32). Jesus went to the cross knowing the agonizing fate that awaited him. Jesus’ selfless sacrifice is the pattern for all his disciples (not that we need to die on the cross but we must be willing to die to ourselves).

Second, the way to true greatness is through humble service (vv. 33-37). On their way back to Capernaum, the disciples argued about who was the greatest among them. Jesus overheard their conversation and taught them a lesson on true greatness – “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (v. 35). Of course, this was totally countercultural then and still is today. Jesus took a child in his arms and explained to his disciples that they should be willing to receive those whom society rejects in his name (vv. 36-37).

Consider the paradox of greatness in God’s kingdom: If you desire to be first by gaining position, power, and prestige, then you will get nowhere in the kingdom of God. However, if you seek to serve, you will be exalted; for in serving, you serve Jesus, and in serving Jesus, you are serving God the Father.

Third, the way to true greatness is through unwavering allegiance to Christ (vv. 38-42). Jesus rebuked the disciples for trying to stop a man who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name (v. 38). Ironically, this man had succeeded where the disciples had failed (Mark 9:18). Perhaps they were jealous of his success. John reasoned that because this new disciple was not in their circle he was not to be trusted with such responsibilities. This is a lesson most of us need to learn as well.

We can easily fall into the trap of thinking that our church, our denomination, our worship style, or our Bible translation is the only right one. Jesus is saying don’t be so critical of others. Sure, time will tell whether or not a ministry is truly honoring to Christ but our default should be to give someone the benefit of the doubt until they prove themselves unfaithful.

God’s kingdom is bigger than our experience of it (Mark 4:26-32). We tend to think in terms of our community, our church, our association, our denomination, but God’s kingdom is for every tribe, every tongue, and every nation (Rev 7:9).

In closing, here are a few questions to consider:

What is your standard greatness – the world’s or Jesus’?
Do you seek to promote yourself or serve others?
Do you expect others to serve you or are you seeking to serve others?
Are you willing to follow Jesus’ example? Are you willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel and doing good to others?

Commit to the Church: Serve Faithfully

November 15, 2022 / Matthew Wilson

I recently began a new sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the eighth sermon in that series, which was not recorded.

This blog post is about the importance of serving within the church. You may not know it, but the verbal form of diakonos (the Greek word sometimes translated deacon) means to serve or to minister. However, serving in the church is not limited to deacons. We could go back to Acts 2:42-47 and see how the early Christians served one another. The call to serve one another is found all over the New Testament.

I would argue that anyone that claims to be a Christian must be a servant because Christ our Lord is the ultimate example of humility and service. We saw that in our Scripture reading from Philippians 2:1-11 and we’ll see it today in our Scripture text. If you would, turn in your Bibles to Mark 10.

As you’re turning to Mark 10, I want to give you some context. In Mark 10, Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus will be crucified within 1-2 weeks of when the events of our text took place.

Mark 8-10 is the largest text in the New Testament on discipleship. In Mark 8:34-36, Jesus spoke these challenging words:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

In each chapter of Mark 8-10:

Jesus predicted his death and resurrection (8:31-32, 9:30-31, 10:32-34).
The disciples responded in a foolish way (8:32-33, 9:32-34, 10:35-41).
Jesus gave a lesson on discipleship and service (8:34-38, 9:35-37, 10:42-45).

In our text today, we’ll see just how much we are like Jesus’ first disciples when it comes to service.

Sermon Text: Mark 10:32-45

BIG IDEA: As followers of Jesus, we should humbly serve one another.

We know that we need to serve, but it seems to be hard at times. This text helps us see why serving faithfully is difficult for so many of us.

Serving faithfully will cost us (32-34)

Jesus knew what was going to happen (32-34) and he still went to Jerusalem. He loved and served us even when he knew he would suffer and that it would cost him his life. Even while His disciples were fearful (32), Jesus was focused on the mission that had been given to him by the Father.

Jesus’ mission was to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). He came to bear witness to the Father and to die for the sins of the world. While it is unlikely that many of us will physically die in service to Christ, the reality is that God has given our church a mission – to make disciples of Jesus Christ by sharing the gospel, baptizing, and teaching people to obey Jesus in all of life for the rest of life (Matt 28:18-20).

Are you serving Jesus in this way? Are you, like Jesus, focused on the mission that God has given to us as a church? How are you serving the Great Commission? How are you serving the church?

Serving faithfully will cost you. It will cost you to:

serve in the nursery
teach a Sunday school class
show up for church clean up days
babysit for a young couple with children so they can have a date night
serve on the music team
clean up a widow’s yard
take a meal to a homebound or sick church member
pick up a homebound member and bring them to church
host another family in the church in your home
disciple that young believer by helping him/her to read the Bible, pray, and share the gospel

Jesus served us faithfully despite an unimaginable cost to himself. Like Jesus, we should faithfully serve the church despite the cost. Jesus bought the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28). Are we willing to give our blood, sweat, and tears to serve him by serving his church?

So, serving faithfully will cost us. Second, it will challenge us.

Second, serving faithfully will challenge us (35-44)

Serving faithfully goes against our human nature (35-37)

The way of the world: self-exaltation.

35 – “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
37 – “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory”

James and John are showing their human natures. Like these two men, we love ourselves and want others to love and honor us as well. Many of us think way too highly of ourselves. Isn’t it true that we tend to see the specks in others’ eyes while overlooking the log in our own eyes?

James and John also seem to have already forgotten Jesus’ teaching on what true greatness looks like. In the previous chapter of Mark, we read the words below.

Mark 9:35

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

On the way to his death here in chapter 10, Jesus is talking about all that he is about to give. But the self-absorbed disciples are consumed with all they can get. When we see James and John, it’s like looking in the mirror. We see our own selfishness, and Mark hopes that we see how foolish we look. Once again, this is one of the reasons that serving is so challenging for us – it goes against our human nature.

Friends, the way of the world is to exalt yourself. The way of Christ is to serve others.

The way of the world is to exalt yourself. The way of Christ is to serve others.

Serving faithfully will challenge us because it goes against our human nature and because it comes at a cost. I’ve already discussed this in vv. 32-35, but let’s now look at vv. 38-40.

³⁸Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” ³⁹And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, ⁴⁰but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Serving faithfully comes at a cost (38-40)

James and John know Jesus is headed for glory (37), but they don’t have a clue how that glory would come. They expected Jesus to overthrow the Romans and establish a political kingdom but Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world. His path to glory was paved with suffering. Look again at v. 38 – Jesus tells his disciples, “You don’t know what you’re asking…”

“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?”
“Are you able to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?

Jesus compares His coming suffering and death to drinking a cup and experiencing a baptism. What does He mean by this? Drinking a cup with someone speaks of sharing in that person’s fate. The cup that Jesus is referring to here is that of God’s wrath.

When Jesus speaks of His coming baptism, He means that His coming suffering and death were all consuming. Just as baptism is by immersion, Jesus was immersed in the destiny that God had planned for Him. Jesus’ suffering and death were all consuming and He was immersed in His mission.

Luke 12:50

I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!

In verse 39, James and John told Jesus, “We are able.” Their quick response, however, makes it clear that they did not understand what Jesus meant. Jesus knew that indeed one day each of them would suffer for the sake of Jesus.

James was the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:1-2).
John was exiled to the island of Patmos (Rev 1).

Phil 1:29

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

“The early church was married to poverty, prisons, and persecutions. Today, ‘the church’ is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.”
Leonard Ravehnill

Serving faithfully challenges us because it is contrary to the ways of the world (41-43)

In v. 41, the other disciples were indignant at James and John. In v. 42, Jesus says that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and that they exercise authority over them. People in the world want more power, more position, more fame, and more influence. In the world, the more important you are, the more people you have that serve you.

But Jesus says in v. 43, “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.”

Once again, Jesus has changed the scorecard. The world says that power and authority are to be desired, but Jesus says if you want to be great, you must be a servant.

Serving faithfully challenges us because we must become like slaves (44)

Jesus says it’s not even enough to be like a servant, but you must become like a slave. In biblical times, slaves had very little rights and were taken for granted by those that they served.

Who are you more like? Are you like James and John seeking to exalt yourself? Are you like Jesus, a servant that is willing to pour out your life for others and to be taken for granted like a slave?

Serving faithfully will cost us. Serving faithfully will challenge us. But serving faithfully is the way of Christ.

Serving faithfully is the way of Christ (45)

Mark 10:45 is the key verse of Mark’s Gospel. Mark 1:15 is Jesus’ message; Mark 10:45 is Jesus’ mission.

Jesus has told us He is going to Jerusalem and that He will die. Now He tells us why. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Jesus combines the “Son of Man” title from Daniel 7:13-14 with the “ransom for many” language from Isaiah 53:10-12. The Son of Man (Dan 7:13-14) will be given dominion and glory and a kingdom. He came to earth and gave his life as a ransom for many (Isa 53:12).

That’s the amazing truth of the gospel, that Jesus, the Son of God, became the Son of Man to pay the penalty for sin. We needed a ransom for our sin because we had all gladly and willfully sold ourselves into the slavery to sin. Jesus purchased us from our masters of sin, death, and hell to set us free.

By paying the ransom for our sins, Jesus made it possible for the children of Adam to become the children of God (John 1:12). Jesus, the Son of God, and the Son of Man, gave His life as a ransom for many.

We must respond in repentance and faith. After we come to Christ, we live a life of humble service to Jesus and others.

1 John 3:16

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

Conclusion

There are some of you that are members of our church but are not serving in any way. I want to challenge you today. Would you speak with me or someone else about how you can regularly serve in the church?

If Jesus was a member of our church, can you imagine that he would do nothing? Would Jesus simply attend the worship service and leave? We know the answer.

Many people today get married only when it’s convenient (when each person has something to offer), but they aren’t really committed to each other through thick and thin. We have a lot of Christians like that today. Some of you will serve in the church only when it’s convenient but you’re not committed to serving week-by-week in the body of Christ.

Donald Whitney writes, “The church needs soldiers who will enlist and fill the ranks, not people who will help only as last-minute reinforcements and if the battle won’t last too long.”^[1]Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, 113..

The way you serve the church reflects your love for Christ. Friends, Jesus is worthy of our service.

Will we believe the lie of the world that life is all about us or will we give ourselves away in service to Jesus, his Gospel, his church, and a lost and dying world?

“Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe.” Will you serve the one who gave it all for you?

References[+]

References
↑1	Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, 113.

The Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus – Philippians 2:5-11

June 22, 2022 / Matthew Wilson

This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. Unfortunately, the sermon was not recorded. I previously preached this sermon at another church, when you can view here.

We’ve been walking through Philippians, which is a letter that Paul wrote from prison to a church that he loved very much.

In the last two posts, we’ve seen:

First, that we should live worthy of the gospel in the face of external opposition (1:27-30).

Second, that our church should be marked by unity and we should practice humility, and service (2:1-4).

We cannot achieve unity in our church simply by me preaching on it. I agree with Tony Merida:

“Unity is a result of people adoring and emulating Jesus. The more we behold His glory and imitate His character, the more unified we will be as a church.”
tony merida

In simple terms, we should adore Jesus and live like Jesus.

Our text today is one of the most famous passages in the New Testament and is one of the foremost Christological passages. It is sometimes referred to as the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus.

Sermon Text: Philippians 2:5-11

BIG IDEA: The humiliation and exaltation of Jesus should lead us to follow Jesus’ example and to worship Him as Lord of all.

We are to have the attitude of Christ (5)

v. 5 – “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,”

The ESV says “mind”. The NIV says “mind-set.” Most translations say “attitude.”

We are to think like Jesus, and value what he values. In this context, we see that Jesus values humility and service more than self-exaltation.

The attitude of Christians should reflect the attitude of their master, Jesus Christ.

When Paul says that we are to have the mind or attitude of Christ, he is saying that we should not be prideful and selfish, but rather that we should be humble and selflessly serve others.

In this passage, we see the attitude of Christ. First, we see his humility:

“did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (6)

“emptied himself” or “made himself nothing” (7)

We also see his service:

“took the form of a servant” (7)

“became a man and died on the cross” (8)

The world lives to get and get and get—more pleasure, more praise, more money. What Paul is saying to us is that as Christians, we are to imitate Christ, who came to give and give and give.

As we look at Philippians 2:6-11 this morning, I want you think about these questions:

Do you seek to get, get, and get, or to give, give, and give?
Do you have the mind/attitude of Christ?
Are you humbly seeking serve others within the church as well as those outside the church?

We are to have the attitude of Christ. We are also to learn humility from Christ.

We are to learn humility from Christ (6-8)

Jesus’ Humble Renunciation (6)

“who, though he was in the form of God”

The phrase “form of God” doesn’t mean that Jesus “had some Godlike qualities or appearance, but that he was of the same nature or essence.”

Jesus was the true and exact nature of God. This phrase means that Jesus was and is equal with God.

Biblical Christianity says is that there is one God who has eternally existed in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He was not created. There was never a time when the Son of God did not exist.

“We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.”
Council of Nicea (325 AD)

John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 17:5

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

“did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (6)

This means that although Jesus was God, He did not use his high position for His own advantage but chose to serve and to give. Jesus deserved the praise of every person He encountered but He lived open-handedly and provided an example for all of us to follow.

So often, we live exactly the opposite of how Christ lived.

We want to exalt ourselves, but Jesus made himself nothing and submitted to the will of the Father.
We want to be in charge, but Jesus took the form of a slave.
We reject God’s Word in sinful disobedience, but Jesus perfectly obeyed God’s Word.
We so often give in to temptation, but Jesus always overcame temptation.

What are you grasping for? What are you holding onto?

Are you living for pleasure?

Are you seeking power and position?

Are you living for money?

Have you bought into the lie of the prosperity gospel? Do you think that if you come to church and give that God will make you happy, healthy, and wealthy?

Christians are not immune to pride and selfishness.

We see it in the SBC with denominational politics – pastors promoting themselves and slandering others on social media.

We see women seeking to be pastors when God has forbidden it.

In many churches, there are some people who want all the power in the church but don’t want to serve in any way.

In our marriages, are we seeking to serve or be served?

Friends, Paul is calling us to live like Jesus, who, rather than grasping for a position of power, took on the form of a servant.

How can we do this? We need the gospel, as Paul shows us in the next verses.

Jesus’ Humble Incarnation (7)

“but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (7)

Jesus did not cease to be God when he took on human form but rather gave up his rights. He rightfully deserved to remain at the right hand of God, but He took on the form of a servant and was born as a baby.

Jesus, the perfect Son of God, took on human flesh. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”

Norm Geisler writes, “Jesus’ incarnation was not the subtraction of deity, but the addition of humanity.”

A.W. Tozer said, “Jesus veiled His deity but He did not void it.”

Jesus took on the form of a servant.

Have you noticed in the Gospels that Jesus is always serving others and not the other way around?

While American Christianity says to live your best life now, to become a better you, to love yourself, and to slay your giants, Jesus exemplified true greatness by serving and dying.

Imagine what would happen in the church if we all followed the example of Jesus and sought not to grasp for power and position but to seek to humbly serve one another.

Jesus’ Humble Crucifixion (8)

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death…”

Jesus’ whole life was marked by humility:

He was not born in Rome, Athens, or Jerusalem, but Bethlehem.
He lived 30 years in relative obscurity in Nazareth.
In his earthly ministry, he was known for loving the unlovable.
At this death, he was nailed to a cross between two criminals.

Notice that the text says that Jesus humbled himself. No one humbled Jesus.

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Jesus, John 10:18

“…even death on a cross.”

In the Roman empire, crucifixion was the cruelest form of official execution. Depending on who you read, some say that Roman citizens could not be crucified. Others say that Roman citizens could only be crucified if they were convicted of high treason. Certainly, crucifixion was commonly reserved for the lower classes, especially slaves.

The Jews believed a person was cursed if he died by crucifixion. And yet, Scripture says that Jesus became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13).

Christ went from the highest position imaginable (the right hand of the Father) to the lowest (crucified between two criminals) because of His love for His people. His selfless love was an expression of His deity.

Even Hollywood understands what a powerful story the gospel is.

In the live action Lion King movie, Mufasa tells Simba this: “While others search for what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give.”

In The Dark Knight Rises, Batman (who is billionaire Bruce Wayne) fights to save Gotham and its people when he could’ve lived for pleasure and himself. Instead, he serves the city of Gotham by putting his life on the line every night.

Because of the gospel, we should be marked by service and love to others.

As Christians, we are to have the attitude of Christ. We are to learn humility from Christ. Finally, we are to bow the knee and exalt Jesus Christ.

We are to bow the knee and exalt Jesus Christ (9-11)

Jesus’ Exalted Position (9)

Jesus humbled himself, and God has highly exalted Him.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (9)

The phrase “the name that is above every name” refers to Lord (see v. 11). The Father has given Jesus a new name – “Lord” (Phil 2:11; cf. Isa 45:23-24). This name that is above every name is Lord. The Greek word is kurios, which was the word used to translate Yahweh into the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament).

Look at one verse from the Old Testament:

Is 42:8
I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.

Yahweh (Lord) is the awesome covenant name of the God of Israel – “the name that is above every name.”

Our Adoration and Confession (10-11)

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Notice that Paul mentions heaven, earth, and under the earth.

Every part of creation will bow. No part of creation is exempt:

In heaven, the angels will bow.
On earth, humanity will bow.
Under the earth, the demons and Satan will bow.

Every creature will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Every creature will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

In New Testament times, Christians were persecuted and could be killed for saying that “Jesus is Lord” rather than Caesar.

Every week, we gather as Christians to declare that Jesus is Lord – not Caesar, not President Biden, and not anyone else on earth.

Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

To be saved, we must repent and believe the gospel.

At Christ’s exaltation, Jesus will be acknowledged by all creation as Lord of all Creation.

Every one of us will bow the knee.
Some will bow before Him and confess Him as Lord with great joy.
Others will bow before Him and confess Him as Lord with despair and anguish.

How would you answer these questions?

Have you bowed the knee to Jesus?
Do you have the attitude of Jesus?
Are you serving others like Jesus?
Are you seeking to exalt yourself or to exalt Jesus?

Gospel Unity – Philippians 2:1-4

June 21, 2022 / Matthew Wilson

This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here (unfortunately, some of the sermon was not recorded).

Sermon Text: Philippians 2:1-4

If you’ve been a part of a church for a while, you’ve probably experienced or witnessed conflict within the church.

Why is it that so many churches seem to have so much conflict?

Of course, no church will never be able to eradicate all conflict because every church is made up of sinful people.

But what if there is some way that we can minimize conflict within the church? Our text this morning speaks to this issue.

Last week, as we finished Philippians 1, Paul began giving instructions to the Philippian church.

Paul told the Philippians to “live worthy of the gospel” by:

Being unified around the gospel (27)
Not fearing those who oppose the gospel (28)
Being willing to suffer for the sake of Christ and the gospel (29-30)

In last week’s text, Paul was addressing external opposition. In today’s text, we see Paul focusing on how to have unity within the church.

BIG IDEA: Our church will have unity as we practice Christlike humility and service.

Our church should be marked by unity (1-2)

We see in verse 2 Paul’s command to have unity. But before he gives the command, he provides the basis for Christian unity and fellowship in verse 1.

The basis of unity and Christian fellowship (1)

Phil 2:1 – So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

Paul uses the conditional statement “if” to get the Philippians to consider whether these qualities are present in their lives.

Encouragement in Christ – nothing should lift our spirits more than knowing that we are in Christ. Paul is encouraging these believers when he himself is in prison.
Comfort from love – because we know the love of Christ, we are to love others. See 1 John 4:19.
Participation (or fellowship) in the Spirit – since all who are in Christ have the Holy Spirit within them, this should bring unity.
- If the Holy Spirit truly lives within us, then we will be united around the Bible, which is breathed out by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21).
- If someone in the church consistently causes division, this text implies that they do not have the Holy Spirit living within them.
Affection and sympathy – affections and sympathy (or mercy) towards others flows from our union with Christ.

Because we are in Christ, we should be encouraged and comforted, knowing that we are loved by him.

Furthermore, because we are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit, we should have unity and love one another.

In other words, Paul is saying if we have truly come to know Christ, then as true believers, we will be progressing in the faith.

These qualities will be increasingly present in our lives. Remember, Paul said in Phil 1:6 that where God has begun a work, He will bring it to completion.

So, our union with Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit within our hearts is the basis for unity in the church.

We see the basis for unity in verse 1. We see the command for unity in verse 2.

The command for unity (2)

Phil 2:2 – complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Paul says to the Philippians, since the things from verse 1 are present in your lives, “Complete my joy”, or “Make my joy complete”.

How could the Philippians complete Paul’s joy?

First, by “being of the same mind” – As Christians, our minds should be in tune with God’s Word.

Second, Paul says, “Having the same love” – We should love Christ as well as other Christians.

And finally, “being in full accord and of one mind” – We should be in agreement about the purpose of the church – to make disciples of Jesus (Matt 28:18-20).

Each of these phrases Paul uses in verse 2 point to unity. Paul, who is imprisoned for the sake of the gospel, says that his joy would be complete if the Philippians would live in unity. This shows us how important unity is in the church.

Why is Paul so concerned with unity?

If believers cannot live in unity, the transformative power of the gospel comes into question and the gospel message loses credibility among unbelievers.

If believers cannot live in unity, the transformative power of the gospel comes into question and the gospel message loses credibility among unbelievers.

How can we say we believe the gospel and have been transformed by the gospel if we are unwilling to forgive one another and to serve others (see Matt 6:14-15; 18:21-35)?

Just as a house divided against itself cannot stand, neither can a divided church. A divided church will be spiritually weak and no threat to the kingdom of darkness.

What are some ways we can cultivate unity?

By assuming the best of others’ motives.
By listening in order to understand the perspective of others.
Be refusing to speak ill of our Christian brothers and sisters.

We should practice Christlike humility and service (3-4)

Phil 2:3 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Remember from Phil 1:15 that Paul said some people were preaching out of envy and rivalry.

Some people, in their selfish ambition, join a church for the wrong reasons. They think it will increase their stature in the community – perhaps to win a vote or to market their business.

Others will leave a church and join another church if they are not given a certain position within the church. A person who is conceited believes he is always right and expects others to agree with him. He is only happy when he gets what he wants. I’ve heard it said that you see someone’s spiritual maturity (or the lack of it) when they don’t get their way.

Both those who are driven by selfish ambition and those driven by conceit are not seeking to make much of Christ, but to make much of themselves. They are seeking to advance their own agenda rather than that of Jesus.

This attitude is totally different than that of Jesus, who took emptied himself, took on the form of a servant, and humbled himself to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Notice that Paul continues in v. 3: “but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Paul wants us to see that selfish ambition will ruin a church, but humility helps build it.

Selfish ambition will ruin a church but humility helps build it.

When Paul wrote Philippians, humility was not considered a virtue. There were likely many retired Roman soldiers who were members of the Philippian church. These were proud men of position, but Paul told them to have humility.

Paul says that rather than being motivated by selfish ambition or conceit, we as Christians should walk in humility by counting others more significant than ourselves.

In verse 4, Paul shows what it looks like to put others first.

Phil 2:4 – “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

I’ve heard it said that humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. A humble person thinks of others while a selfish person thinks only of himself.

In a culture that is all about me, myself, and I, Paul says that we should seek to put others first.

Many people in America attend a worship service to get something (a good message, good music, God’s blessing) for themselves rather seeking to serve their fellow church members and exalt Jesus.

In reality, church is not a service you attend but a people to belong to – other baptized Christians who are seeking to further the kingdom of God.

Conclusion

So, Paul’s argument in vv. 1-4 is this: if we are truly Christians, then we should be unified. The problem is that in our flesh we are driven by selfish ambition and conceit. But we are to put off those things and grow in humility and service.

As we grow in humility and service, we will grow in unity.

First, how can we grow in humility?

1. We can grow in humility by reflecting on the cross (see Phil 2:6-8).

There is no room for pride when we realize that we deserve nothing but God’s wrath and eternal punishment.

2. We can grow in humility by reflecting on the glory of Jesus (see Phil 2:9-11).

Rather than making much of ourselves, we should bow the knee to King Jesus.

3. We can grow in humility through prayer.

When we refuse to pray, we are pridefully refusing to acknowledge that we need God’s help. We should also pray to God for humility, asking him to help us love others more than ourselves.

4. We can grow in humility by serving others (Mark 10:45)

Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

As we serve others, we are reminded that we are not the center of the universe.

Second, what are some practical ways we can look to the interests of others within the church?

Pray for one another.
Show hospitality by having church members into your home, especially those that you don’t know well.
Invite someone to your Sunday school class.
Take someone a meal when they have a baby or are sick.
A younger Sunday school class might give up the nicer classroom on the first floor to the senior adults who have a hard time climbing the stairs.
Older members can serve younger members by being okay with adding an instrument or two to the church music (so long as the congregational voices are still featured).
Serve in the nursery even when you don’t have kids.

The important thing to remember is this – we should look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.

We should not think in terms of “us vs them” but instead “let’s make much of Jesus together.”

When Christians are controlled by humility and love, they will be genuinely united in spirit and will not allow small differences to divide them or hinder their service for the Lord.

Why do many churches have so much conflict? Because of of pride and selfishness.

How can we avoid conflict within the church? Through humility and service.

As a church, are we united?

Are we humble?

More personally:

Has your life been changed by the gospel?

Are you walking in a manner worthy of the gospel?

Do you promote unity within the church?

Is your life marked by humility and service?

To Live is Christ – Philippians 1:18b-26

June 14, 2022 / Matthew Wilson

This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here.

People will do incredible things to avoid death. Perhaps you’ve heard the story of hiker Aron Ralston.

While hiking, a boulder fell and pinned his right arm. After attempting to get free, on the sixth day, he amputated his right forearm with a dull multi-tool. He then rappelled down a 60 foot cliff and hiked eight miles before finding a family that took him to a rescue helicopter. He wrote a book called Between a Rock and a Hard Place, which was later made into a movie called 127 Hours.

People will do incredible things to avoid death. What lengths would you go to in order to avoid death?

Here’s a more important question: What do you live for?

Sermon Text: Philippians 1:18b-26

We should live for the glory of Christ (18b-20)

18b – Yes, and I will rejoice.

It’s evident through the book of Philippians that Paul is full of joy stemming from his union with Christ and his relationship with the Philippian church.

In v. 19, Paul mentions that he knows that he will be delivered. The deliverance that Paul speaks of is not his release from prison, but rather ultimate deliverance – the hope of being with Christ in life or in death (Phil 1:20-21).

Paul knew that whether he was executed for his faith or he continued to live and minister, that he would honor Christ in his body (v. 20). Paul’s confidence in this fact came from the prayers of the saints, the provision of the Holy Spirit, and the plan of God.

First, like Paul, we should have confidence in the prayers of the saints (v. 19).

Our trials should lead us not to despair, but to God in prayer.

Our trials should lead us not to despair, but to God in prayer.

Prayer is the normal means by which God provides help to the struggling believer (Jam 5:16). God uses the prayer of his people to provide strength to his servants.

In my church experience, there are some people that want prayer for the smallest things. If they stub their toe, they desire prayer. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some people never want to be put on the prayer list because they are so full of pride that they don’t want others to know about their struggles.

I want to encourage you to be like Paul and to be transparent with your prayer requests. This implies that you have relationships with others in your church that you can share your prayer requests with them. Relationships between believers are meant to be a source of encouragement to us!

Second, like Paul, we have confidence in the provision of the Holy Spirit (v. 19).

The Holy Spirit helps us in our hardest trials. I’m reminded of Paul’s words in Romans 8:26.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26

Third, like Paul, we should have confidence in the plan of God (v. 20).

Paul trusted in God’s sovereign plan when mentioned “whether by life or by death” in v. 20. Paul trusted that God knew what was best for him and the churches he was ministering to. Paul was resolved to honor Christ in life or in death. May we have the same confidence in God’s sovereignty. After all, He knows all our days (Ps 139:16).

We should long for the presence of Christ (21-23)

Paul lived for the glory of Christ, but he also longed for the presence of Christ.

Phil 1:21 – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

What does it mean to live is Christ? It means that Christ completely defines the meaning of life. I’m reminded of Galatians 2:20.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Verse 21 is a test for our lives. What do you live for? We show what’s most important to us by what we speak of and how we spend out time and money.

Some would say, “For me to live is money and possessions and to die is to leave it all behind.” These people work all the time so they can buy more stuff to make themselves happy.

Some would say, “For me to live is power and to die is to lose it all.” These people spend all their time trying to influence people for their own gain.

Some would say, “For me to live is beauty and to die is to rot in the grave.” These people work out all the time, eat perfectly, and spend hours in front of a mirror.

Some would say, “For me to live is entertainment and pleasure and to die is to be bored.” These people play video games or watch countless hours of TV or maybe enjoy pornography and sexual pleasure.

Some would say, “For me to live is sports and to die is to not get to enjoy competition.” These people spend lots of money and time playing and/or watching sports.

Some would say, “For me to live is the weekend and to die is to be alone.” These people spend excessive amounts of time with family and friends, to the detriment of their walk with Christ.

What will you be known for at your funeral?

A good man that worked hard and took care of his family?
Someone that loved to play golf?
A woman that was very beautiful?
A man that loved going hunting and fishing?

None of those things are bad, but by God’s grace, I hope that all of us would want to be known as men and women that were passionate about Christ and the furtherance of the gospel; that the gospel was the driving passion of our lives.

The gospel should change us. It should affect us so greatly that we can’t help but want to share its message with others. Consider Paul’s attitude in Acts 20:24.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24

Phil 1:22-23 – If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

We see in these verses that Paul was torn between two options. He desired to be with Christ but he also saw the need for him to be able to minister to the Philippian church.

In v. 23, we see that if Paul only had his own interest to consider, then he would depart and be with Christ.

In our culture, we avoid death at all costs. Today, people die in hospitals and hospice houses. In the not-so-distant past, people died in their homes and even children knew about the reality of death.

In reality, death is not the enemy for the Christian. It is a boat that takes you where you want to go – to be with Christ. I’m not going to spend a ton of time on this topic, but Phil 1:23 is a verse that speaks against the idea of soul sleep.

Finally, notice that Paul doesn’t mention a desire for rewards or to be reunited with loved ones, but instead Paul desires Christ himself, who is the ultimate reward.

We’ve seen that we should live for the glory of Christ and long for the presence of Christ. Finally, we should labor among the people of Christ.

We should labor among the people of Christ (24-26)

There is more to life than meeting our needs and sustaining our bodies – we are to help others grow into spiritual maturity (vv. 24-26).

Paul is saying, “I want to be with Jesus, but I want to help your progress in the faith.”

Are you serving others in your local church? Are you a “necessary” member? Is it necessary for you to stay at your church? If you left, would people really miss you?

Are you serving for the progress and joy of others (v. 25)? Do you live for the benefit of others’ progress in the faith?

Paul was in his late 50s or early 60s when he wrote Philippians, yet he was continuing to faithfully labor among the churches he had planted for the glory of God. There is no such thing as retirement from God’s kingdom work!

Conclusion

What is the focus of your life?

For me to live is ___________. If you’re honest, how would you answer that question?

“Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
C.T. Studd

Do you live for the glory of Christ?

Do you long for the presence of Christ?

Are you laboring among the people of Christ?

At the beginning of my message, I said that people will go to great lengths to stay alive. The reality is that every one of us will die. When you depart from this life, will you be with Christ or separated from Him for all of eternity?

Tag: service

A Life of Surrender – Mark 10:32-45

The Way to True Greatness – Mark 9:30-42

Commit to the Church: Serve Faithfully

The Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus – Philippians 2:5-11

Gospel Unity – Philippians 2:1-4

To Live is Christ – Philippians 1:18b-26

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