Humble

Yesterday, Paul offered a challenging thought. Today’s passage has become one of the most important passages in the study of Jesus (known as Christology). It offers a humbling thought.

Philippians 2

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,

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

Humble. Perhaps you have heard the comment, “I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day”. That is one of the things I love most about Jesus ... He “walked the talk”. As Jesus followers, our desire is be like Jesus ... to walk and talk and think as He did. You will never be more like Him than when you express humility toward others.

Better

We have been working our way through the four letters Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome. We have already looked at Colossians and Philemon. Today, we begin a letter written to Jesus followers living in the city of Philippi. Paul began this church on his second missionary journey (check out Acts 16:11-40). One of the things I love most about this letter is that it is primarily positive ... it provides a glimpse of a healthy church. Today, Paul offers an abstract thought concerning an absolute.

Philippians 1

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.

21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.

23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.

24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.

26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.

Better. Remember, Paul was in prison awaiting a trial and an eventual sentence ... a sentence that could easily lead to his execution. When you come face-to-face with death, it causes you to take stock in life. For some, the thought of death makes them angry at God. For some, the thought of death makes life seem futile. For Paul, it did the opposite ... it made him excited to be with Jesus and it challenged him to continue helping people with their journey. How does the thought of death make you feel?

Told

Every Wednesday, we review the previous weekend’s message. This past weekend, Jonathan talked about a little known character in the Story of God ... Rhoda. Take a minute to reread her scene ...

Acts 12

1 About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church.

2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword.

3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.)

4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover.

5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate.

7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists.

8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.

9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening.

10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”

12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer.

13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it.

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”

15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”

16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.

Told. Part of our responsibility as a Jesus follower is telling others (followers and non-followers alike) what God is doing in our lives. It is important for us because we need to be cognizant of what God is doing (keeping a journal helps with this part). You may be surprised how many obvious things you miss. It is important for others because it gives God a chance to reveal Himself to them. They may dismiss you or think “you’re out of your mind” (even the Jesus followers). At the same time, they may be overjoyed or even amazed.

Action

Action

Yesterday, we finished up a letter Paul wrote to a community of Jesus followers in Colosse. Today, we will take a look at a short, personal letter Paul wrote to a friend (Philemon) on behalf of a former slave (Onesimus). It was probably delivered at the same time as Colossians (check out Colossians 4:7-9)

Philemon

1 This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,

2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.

3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,

5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.

9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me - Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.

10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.

11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.

12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.

14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.

15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever.

16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.

19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!

20 Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!

22 One more thing - please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.

24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Action. This is one of my favorite books in the entire Bible (maybe because it is so short). Yes, you just read an entire “book” of the Bible! Seriously, I love the idea of family (verse 16) and the possibility of restoration (verses 17 and 18) that Paul presents. My favorite part, though, is the phrase “put into action the generosity that comes from your faith”. Our understand of Jesus and our experience with the grace God offers through Jesus ought to lead us to generosity.

Devote

As Paul concludes his letter to the Jesus followers in Colosse, he offers some final instructions.

Colossians 4

2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.

4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Devote. For those of you that don’t know me, I am a huge football fan (especially Ohio State). Last Monday was an exciting day for me because the Buckeyes began practicing for the upcoming season. They spent the first week focusing on the basics ... blocking, tackling, footwork, route running, etc. Why? Because any coach knows that the key to a successful season is executing the basics consistently. The same is true in life. Paul’s final instructions were a reminder to focus on the basics ... pray continually, live wisely, speak graciously ... and when the opportunity presents itself share your story of journeying with Jesus clearly. Wherever you are on your journey, I encourage you to return to the basics.