Love Mercy | Micah 6:8

Love Mercy | Micah 6:8

Darien Gabriel

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.  -Micah 6:8

ACT JUSTLY & TO LOVE MERCY 

1. In order to understand what acting justly and loving mercy looks like, we need to look at the perfect embodiment of justice, mercy AND humility – Jesus Christ 

2. God’s justice is perfect 

a. In God’s perfect justice, the payment for sin is blood. 

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 6:23

For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. 

Leviticus 17:11 

b. BLOOD = LIFE 

22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 

Hebrews 9:22 

C. WHY? 

d. Sin isn’t just a lie here or there. Sin is rebellion against God, and it is serious because of the greatness of the ONE we are rebelling against. 

e. Our sin in THAT bad because God is THAT good. 

f. The punishment for sin (death) is blood (life). 

Think of it this way: the punishment for the treasonous crime of rebellion against the perfect king (sin against God), is the death penalty. 

Death is the payment for the crime of rebellion against the KING. 

WHY? 

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. 

Psalm 89:14 

God is perfect, so it’s impossible for HIS justice to be anything but perfect. 

3. You have to start at the beginning when Adam and Eve sinned (rebelled) against God. They sinned and realized they were naked and ashamed. 

21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 

Genesis 3:21 

a. Out of God’s justice and mercy, He made skins to cover Adam and Eve’s shame...their sin. Something had to die to cover their sin and shame. 

4. Later, we see it demonstrated again after 400 years of captivity in the Passover 

Passover – Lambs blood over the door for protection and deliverance. They were instructed to take a spotless lamb...take care of it for 4 days. Then, they were to kill it and put it’s blood over the doorpost of their home. They were also instructed on how to eat it  

12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. 

Exodus 12:12-13

5. Not too much later, we see it in the Law – God requires His people to make animal sacrifices to atone for their sin... a life sacrificed as a payment for death (sin) 

The Point: God’s perfect justice requires a payment for sin. The payment for sin is death. God’s justice in perfect. 

But why Jesus?  

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 

Romans 5:6-10

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

John 3:16 

a. Don’t you think that if it were possible for God to just ignore our sin...our rebellion, He would have done that? If there was any other way to forgive sinners while still upholding justice, don’t you think He would have taken that option rather than coming in the flesh and suffering the unspeakable agony of dying on the cross? 

Godʼs mercy is perfect. 

Sin is THAT bad, because God is THAT good. Sin is that bad, but God is THAT good. 

Jesus represents God’s mercy shown through His justice. 

a. God is just, and he wants His people to be just. God is merciful and wants us to be merciful. 

Isaiah 1:17 

17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.[Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow 

Luke 6:36 

Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 

b. God wasn’t giving His people a checklist by saying to act justly and love mercy, He was saying: 

3. I’m not looking for people who play at religion...I want people who love Me, and because they love me, they want to be like me. Then, their lives, their families, their priorities, their nations and MY CHURCH will reflect ME to the world. 

c. When we think of the concept of justice, we should keep 3 other ideas in mind: 

1. Integrity – consistent application of the Bible 

2. Honesty – commitment to God’s truth 

3. Concern for the oppressed or those who cannot pursue justice on their own 

d. If we aren’t passionate about the things God is passionate about, then all of our “religious activity” means nothing. We aren’t always going to get it right, but we must strive daily to treat people justly for the glory of God...especially in the spirit of reconciliation. 

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 

18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

1. Don’t just talk about justice, do the just thing yourself. 

a. Acting justly is not the same as acting, then justifying your own position. 

b. Using black celebrities who say there is no race issue in America to justify our own position. We’re not easing racial tension or uniting the church when we profess that it’s not an issue to those who have felt it all their lives. At that point, we’re not seeking justice, we’re seeking justification...we’re trying to justify ourselves. 

Romans 3:21-26 

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[b] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 

a We are justified, declared righteous, through Christ at the moment of our salvation. Justification does not make us righteous, but rather pronounces us righteous. 

2. Love Mercy - So, what is mercy? 

One definition is: Love that responds to human need in an unexpected or unmerited way. 

a. the Hebrew word used for MERCY is HESED. It’s used 250 times in Scripture and is loosely defined as “loyal love that contains mercy”. 

1. This is a character trait of God 

b. We know that we are LOVING MERCY when we begin to view the world the way God does. 

Jesus paid for every single sin ever committed; thus, God was just in punishing sin, and He can also justify sinners who receive Christ by faith. God’s justice and His mercy were demonstrated by Christ’s death on the cross. At the cross, God’s justice was measured out in full (upon Christ), and God’s mercy was extended in full (to all who believe). So God’s perfect mercy was exercised through His perfect justice. 

3. Jesus didn’t just come to die for us, he lived for us too. 

a. The point of the Gospel is that the justice is real—God really laid our sins on Christ. And the mercy is real – He really transferred the righteousness of Christ to us. He is our Savior, not just because He died, but because He lived a sinless life before He died, as only the Son of God could do. 

b. He lived for the same purpose for which He died – to reconcile us with God. 

4. Make a list of 3 things / people / groups / beliefs that you would die for...these are our priorities. 

a. Change the word “die” to “live”. Would we live for the same things you would die for? 

1. Jesus lived and died for us in a perfect balance between justice and mercy. 

b. How do our lives represent those priorities? Do those priorities match up with God’s priorities? Where is OUR balance between justice and mercy? Where do WE demonstrate the spirit of reconciliation talked about in 2 Corinthians? 

1. Are we focused primarily on politics or those priorities? Look at our last social media post. 

2. Are we focused on reconciliation with our black brothers and sisters or justifying our position? 

c. What “hill” are we willing to “die” on that isn’t Calvary? 

1. Our jobs? Our political party? Statues? A flag? Masks? Our rights? Our government? Any organization that does not honor God? Our history? Our future? The color of our skin? 

The Gospel must inform the culture, not the other way around. 

Romans 12:1-2 

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

5. Would we...would you...would I...in an effort to align our priorities with those of our Savior, to act justly and love mercy to the point of living and dying for unity in the church if it meant complete and final reconciliation with all of our brothers and sisters of color?...especially knowing that if we are unified, the world around us will know who Jesus is? Are we willing... 

a. ...to put aside our biases and self-justification? To live like Jesus? 

b. ...to bury our flawed past, and commit a racially divided present and any hope for a peaceful future to Jesus...just to show Him we’re serious? 

c. ...to cling so hard to the justification that His life, death and resurrection bought us...in perfect balance of justice and mercy, that we let go of our idols? 

d....to act justly and stand for our brothers and sisters of color who haven’t shared the same freedoms and privileges that we may have? 

e....to love mercy enough to even show it? 

6. Do you know what mission creep is? 

When you have a mission (love God, love people)...(be the best neighbor ever where you live, work and play)...(to make disciples who make disciples) Mission creep is where you end up spending a lot of resources, time and energy on something that ultimately was not what you were called to pursue and does not directly enhance the end goal of your cause. And often, it actually dilutes and discredits the efforts you have in place that are impacting your original intent. 

1. What’s the mission of the church? 

2. Be clear about the mission 

3. Learn to say no to cultural influences 

4. Use your mission as a filter for decision-making 

5. Show the world that the church...that the members of the body of Christ, are willing...like our Savior...BECAUSE of our Savior...to humble ourselves, to live and even die for our God-given mission, for reconciliation within the Body of Christ, for everyone to know who He is by our unity. That we Love God...that we love ALL people, not just ones that look like us...That we prove it...that we’re willing to act justly and love mercy...just like Him.

Act Justly | Micah 6:1-8 | How God Wants Us To Respond to Racial Injustice, part 1

Act Justly | Micah 6:1-8

Darien Gabriel

Scripture: Acts 10:1-11:4; James 2:1-9; Galatians 3:26-29; Micah 6:1-8

Bottom line: Let’s practice what we preach on how we interact with anyone different than us by acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.

Not limited to black-white relations but that’s a huge part of this today. Includes people of all cultures (not races).

One race - the human race started in Eden. Many ethnicities scattered at tower of Babel. 

Micah 6:1-8

I. God confronts Israel and Judah because of their sin. (6:1-50

II. I & J make their “defense” before God. (6:6-7)

III. God answers I & J (6:8-12)

    A. Act justly.

    B. Love mercy.

    C. Walk humbly with God.

IV. Apply to racial tensions in America today - How do we “act justly”?

1. Look up. Pray. It starts with us admitting we need God.

2. Bow down. We can’t unless we love mercy and walk humbly with our God.

3. Wake up - Admit that we are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Resolve to be part of the solution by acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God.

4. Catch up - 

5. Listen to their stories

   1. Learn about their history

   2. Lean in without being defensive or dismissive 

6. Stand up - 

7. For God’s way - act justly for all

   1. For positive change that dismantles unjust systems and attitudes 

Be Not Restless | Joy No Matter | Philippians 4:10-23

Be Not Restless | Joh No Matter | Philippians 4:10-23

Darien Gabriel

Pastor Darien continues our series on Philippians: “Joy No Matter"“ by addressing the issue of contentment in this sermon, “Be Not Restless.” In this passage, the Apostle Paul writes to the Philippian church , telling them that regardless of circumstances, he has learned to be content. Paul faced need and abundance, hunger and plentiful food. He experienced shipwreck, suffering, prison, and more. He also experienced great moves of God as he took the gospel to the gentiles. Paul noted that he could be joyful and content in any circumstance, because Christ was with him, in him, strengthening him. Paul goes on to admonish the the Philippians, because they have the same Christ in them, providing them the same contentment. Read along as Pastor Darien delivers this timely message.

Notably, if Paul could be joyful in prison and in need, then there is great hope for us in our present circumstances. The gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ means I can be joyful in all circumstances!

“10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

— Philippians 4:10-23 (ESV)

Aim Well, Loose Your Arrow | Luke 10:25-37, Deut 6:4-9

Aim Well - Loose Your Arrow

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37; Deut 6:4-9

Bottom line: Aim your arrow to be and do like Jesus and then loose your arrow to love their neighbor around the corner and around the world.

Aim Well, Lose Your Arrow | Luke 10:25-37, Deut. 6:4-9

Darien Gabriel

Context: 

What a gut-wrenching but refreshing read. Wow

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/george-floyd-and-me/

Fruit of the Spirit - have you loved your neighbor as you love yourself?

Who’s your neighbor? Jesus teaches us that our neighbor is anyone who is in need in front of us. 

• even if not your so-called race

• even if not like you

• even if they make you uncomfortable

• Even if they are your enemy

The Jews listening to Jesus definitely weren’t loving Samaritans (outcasts to them) like they loved their fellow Jewish neighbors. They saw Samaritans as half-breeds and worse than Gentiles, who they called dogs.

“What are you aiming at?

The kid who shoots his arrow and then paints a  around it. 

“If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.”

Or do you even give it much thought?

We’re all shooting. Aiming ourselves and then others. It’s what we mean when we say, “I’m going that way!” “Come on, let’s go!”

Where are you headed?

Where are you aiming your arrows?

The Bible uses arrows to symbolize our kids.

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.” -Solomon

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭127:3-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/111/psa.127.3-5.niv

Notice

• Children are not a disease, hassle or distraction. Not even a necessary evil. They are a lasting reward for our efforts and gift from God himself.

• Contrary to modern sensibilities, a large family is a blessing. Think about the blessing your current family is. It can be more. God is encouraging more children for his people. Obviously we’re all limited and so should our family be. But when weighing out the cost of another child consider the blessing will be even more than you can imagine.

• A quiver full of arrows is meant to be emptied. Don’t empty is aimlessly. This would be a

L - Learn

We continue to live in remarkable days unlike anything any of us have ever lived through. I was reflecting this week with leaders in one of our Gravity Leadership Academy cohorts that it's hard to even know how to answer the question "How are you?" right now. I don't think I've felt more disoriented as a leader. Most of the time I feel "fine," but then there are moments when I realize that my body is telling me that I've been dealing with a whole host of low-grade stressors I'm not used to.

O - Obey

L - Lead others to do the same.

After the message:

Arrows - object lesson and gift

[Children hold their arrow out to their father as one child reads on behalf of them all]

Dear Dad, I am an arrow from God in your quiver called home. 

When I was born, God entrusted my life to you, represented by this arrow. Notch me into the bow that is your life. 

Aim me, through your words and actions, in the way that I should go. 

Aim me towards Jesus so that I’ll BE and DO like Jesus. 

Teach me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. 

Encourage me to follow you as you follow Jesus Christ.

As you draw me back on your bowstring of God’s power, love, and self-control, prepare me for the day you will release me into this dark world. 

Launch me to soar on wings like eagles burning brightly like the stars in the sky. 

I thank God for you. I love you, dad. 

The Exchange | No Matter What | Phil 3:1-11 (Part 11)

The Exchange | No Matter What | Phil 3:1-11 (Part 11)

Pastor Darien Gabriel

Date: 6/7/20
Series: Joy No Matter, Part 11
Scripture: Phil 3:1-11
Title: “The Exchange”

Series bottom line: God pours out his grace and peace in and through us as we show and tell the good news no matter what. Today’s Bottom line: Rejoice in the Lord as you exchange your self-confidence for Savior-confidence no matter what.Intro

What are you placing your confidence in for salvation? For eternal life? For abundant life?

I. Put Little Confidence in Your Spiritual Adversaries (3:1-3)

They are dangerous (1-2)

They possess an unworthy character (dogs)

They practice ungodly conduct (evil workers)

They promote unrestrained confusion (mutilators)

They are deceived (3)

Genuine believers are devoted to worship in the Spirit

Genuine believers are delighted in the Savior

Genuine believers deny works for salvation

II. Put No Confidence in Your Self Achievements (3:4-6)

You cannot trust you rituals for salvation (5)

You cannot trust your race for salvation (5)

You cannot trust your religion for salvation (5-6)

You cannot trust your righteousness for salvation (6)

III. Put ALL Confidence in Your Savior’s Accomplishments (3:7-11)

Be An Example | No Matter What | Phil 2:19-30 (Part 10)

Be An Example | No Matter What | Phil 2:19-30 (Part 10)

Pastor Darien Gabriel

Today’s Bottom line: Follow the Example, Be the Example as You Worship the Example, no matter what.

Intro

Your Trial Will Become Your Triumph by Nicky Gumbel 

‘Houston, we’ve had a problem,’ were the words of Jim Lovell on the evening of 13 April 1970. Nearly fifty-six hours into the mission to the moon, an explosion aboard the spacecraft plunged the crew into a fight for their survival. Within less than a minute there was a cascade of systems failures throughout the spacecraft. ‘It was all at one time – a monstrous failure,’ said NASA’s flight controller.

The spacecraft looped around the moon, using its gravity to return to earth. Millions of people followed the drama on television. Eventually, the capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near Tonga.

In an article headed ‘Apollo 13: From Disaster to Triumph’ the BBC science reporter wrote, ‘Although the mission was not a success from a conventional perspective, it was a triumph of ingenuity and determination.’ 

Jim Lovell said it showed the people of the world that even if there was a great catastrophe, it could be turned into a success.

The supreme example of triumph coming out of apparent catastrophe is the cross. What seemed to the world to be the ultimate defeat was in fact the ultimate triumph.

As we transition towards what’s next, knowing that God can leverage evil for good, why would we care about anyone else? Shouldn’t we just go into survival mode and get things back in order at all costs and forget everyone else?

Paul shows us in this letter that that’s not the path Jesus would take. He takes "the road less traveled” - the way of “others first.”

The Office

Kurt Cooper was a co-worker at my first job. He’d been out of school and in the workplace about 4 years and was doing a great job. He was a great example to me because he showed me how to live out my faith in the workplace. I didn’t have many examples. And I wasn’t looking for any either. 

He invited me to lunch that first week. 

Later he would invite us to church where we eventually would serve as volunteer youth leaders.

He and his wife would model for us our first small group experiences (besides Sunday school) and well as parenting.

They would invite us to a life-changing retreat weekend called the Emmaus Walk. 

All of these hugely shaped my faith-walk in my early years of marriage. I’d never had someone pour themselves into me like that. And I really didn’t even realize it was happening until I looked back later. 

Today I’m going to call you to follow The Example, be an example as you worship The Example as Lord and Savior. Paul says it this way, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

1. Follow the Example Paul describes.

2. Be the Example Jesus called you to be.

3. (As you) Worship the Example who empowers us to follow and be the example.

Series bottom line:

God pours out his grace and peace in and through us as we show and tell the good news no matter what. 

One way we do this seen in the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus in Phil 2:19-30.

The Example leads to Examples

Truth 1: Jesus will show and tell his example to the world through his examples by their example.

Truth 2: Jesus’ true followers, by definition, follow his words, ways and works. To not follow Jesus’ example is to not be a follower of Jesus. 

Outline

I. Follow the Example Paul has described already. (2:5-8) REVIEW

II. Be the example Jesus called you to be. (2:19-30) 2 Examples:

    A. Timothy - An example of 2:19-24

• Lives sent (19, 23) or on mission 24/7 - Jesus sends us out too

• No one else like him; Paul sees him as special family like a faithful son in the Lord (20) - Jesus sees us as family; brothers and sisters 

• Genuinely cares about others; compassionate and merciful (20) - Jesus calls us to “love our neighbor as ourself.” 

• “Others first” (21) mentality c.f. 2:3 and Jesus’ example

• ”Proved himself” faithful son in the work “as a son with his father” (22) “served with me in the work of the gospel” - Jesus calls us to this great work 24/7 too. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you” (Matt 6:33)

    B. Epaphroditus - Another example of 2:25-30

• Also lives sent (25, 28)

• Also lives as family (“brother”) (25)

• Paul calls him a “co-worker” or partner c.f. (1:5)

  • - Jesus calls us to work from rest (semi-circle; abiding; fruitfulness)

• Paul calls him a “fellow soldier” (25) because he went to battle with Paul

  • - Jesus calls us to go to war (sheep among wolves) fighting on our knees; prayer + armor of God (Eph 6:10-18)

• Cares for his flock back home even as he cares for Paul on their behalf;

  • “Love is showing compassion for other people’s reality.” - Neal McGlohon. In other words, love does for others in need. Think Good Samaritan parable.

III. (As you) Worship the Example with your lips and your lives. (2:9-11; Heb 13:15-16)

    A. Jesus is exalted as worthy of our allegiance and worship. (2:9-11)

    B. We worship Jesus with (Heb 13:15-16)

        1. Our lips 

        2. Our lives

Conclusion

References/Bibliography:

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in The Book of Acts” by Tony Merida (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in The Book of Philippians” by Tony Merida & Chan (CCE)

Let’s Study Philippians by Sinclair Ferguson

Outline Bible, D Willmington

DA Carson Basics for Believers commentary

FF Bruce NIBC Commentary on Philippians

To Live is Christ To Die is Gain by Matt Chandler

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

Shine Like The Stars--No Matter What | Phil 2:12-18 (Part 9)

Shine Like The Stars--No Matter What | Phil 2:12-18 (Part 9)

Pastor Darien Gabriel

Series: Joy No Matter

Scripture: Phil 2:12-18

Title: “Shine Like The Stars--No Matter What"

Today’s Bottom line: 

Work out your salvation as God works in and through you so you’ll shine like stars in this dark world no matter what.

Intro

What do you see when you look at the night sky?

When we saw 6 satellites in the sky at F3.

 Matrix: Irrelevant, Dangerous, Limited and Fruitful

I. Workout your salvation. (12-13)

    A. We must work out our salvation (12)

1. We don’t work for our salvation

2. We do put forth effort (not earning)

    B. God works in our salvation (13) (Eph 2:8-9)

II. Shine out your salvation. (14-16a)

    A. Do everything without grumbling or arguing. WHY?

1. You’ll become "blameless and pure, children of God without fault.” (14)

2. It’s tempting which is why Paul brings it up.

3. “Better than I deserve” -Dave Ramsey

4. Al in my co-op days, “Outstanding! But don’t worry, I’ll get better."

    B. "Hold firmly to the word of life.” WHY?

1. Then you’ll shine like the stars in the dark sky.

III. Rejoice in your salvation. (16b-18)

    A. Celebrate God’s grace in those you’ve served.

    B. Celebrate God’s helping you humble yourself & suffer for him as you serve others.

    C. Follow Christ’s (and Paul’s) example. (18)

Conclusion

Where are you on the matrix?

References/Bibliography:

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in The Book of Acts” by Tony Merida (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in The Book of Philippians” by Tony Merida & Chan (CCE)

Let’s Study Philippians by Sinclair Ferguson

Outline Bible, D Willmington

DA Carson Basics for Believers commentary

FF Bruce NIBC Commentary on Philippians

To Live is Christ To Die is Gain by Matt Chandler

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

J Vernon McGee Commentary

Embrace Christ's Attitude, No Matter What | Philippians 2:5-11 (Part 8)

Embrace Christ’s Attitude | Philippians 2

Pastor Darien Gabriel

This sermon is about thinking like Christ, having the mind of our Savior.  Pastor Darien continues our study of Philippians.  This week we study chapter 2, and the mindset God calls us to have, the same mindset of Christ as He humbled Himself to become a man, adding humanity to His deity, further humbling Himself to take on the form of a servant, serving the people he was with, serving to the point of sacrificing His life, even dying on the cross.  Ultimately, God raised Him from the dead.  Paul tells us to have the same mindset.

As you can imagine, there are significant implications for this kind of lifestyle.  The person who serves like Christ is honoring others more than himself/herself.  He/she is sacrificing to make sure that the people they meet are cared for and loved.  Most significantly, this takes place in the proclamation of the gospel, but it also manifests in simple acts of kindness like washing dishes, picking up trash, feeding the hungry, and forgiving your betrayers.  

At Grace Christian Fellowship in Ladson, South Carolina we seek to live this out by being the best neighbors ever.  We don’t want to merely talk about serving, we want to live it.  This is why the concept of having the “mind of Christ” is so important.

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so 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. -Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV)

Series bottom line:

God pours out his grace and peace in and through us as we show and tell the good news no matter what. 

Today’s Bottom line: 

Embrace Christ’s attitude of selfless servitude (to God & people) & let it propel you to celebrate & imitate Christ, no matter what.

Why do we do that?

How do we do that?

Intro

Possible illustrations - Bill Bright

Who is he and what did he do that makes this so amazing?

The late Dr. Bill Bright was Founder and President/Chairman Emeritus of Campus Crusade for Christ, an organization which began as a campus ministry in 1951 and now has more than 27,000 full-time staff and up to 500,000 trained volunteer staff in 196 countries in areas representing 99.6 percent of the world's population. In the past 50 years, Campus Crusade for Christ has seen approximately 6 billion exposures to the gospel worldwide. The film, "JESUS," which Bright conceived and funded through Campus Crusade for Christ, is the most widely translated and viewed film of any type ever produced. Since its use began in 1980, the film has been translated into 839 languages and viewed or listened to by over 5.7 billion people in 228 countries. Dr. Bright was also the author of more than fifty books. 

What is a slave/servant - 

“In Old Testament times, one might enter slavery either voluntarily (e.g., to escape poverty or to pay off a debt) or involuntarily (e.g., by birth, by being captured in battle, or by judicial sentence). Protection for all in servitude in ancient Israel was provided by the Mosaic Law, including specific provisions for release from slavery. (Pierced ear with awl)

In New Testament times, a doulos is often best described as a “bondservant”—that is, someone in the Roman Empire officially bound under contract to serve his master for seven years (except for those in Caesar’s household in Rome who were contracted for fourteen years). When the contract expired, the person was freed, given his wage that had been saved by the master, and officially declared a freedman.” 

-ESV preface

Larger context - zooming out to whole letter:

Paul presents Christ to believers as: (by HL Willmington, Outline Bible)

1. Our life-purpose.

2. Our life-pattern.

3. Our life-prize.

4. Our life-power.

Keep this in mind as we work through this letter. Now today we’ll continue looking at Christ as our pattern or example to imitate.

Our simple outline this week starts this way:

I. The Attitude of Christ. (2:5) - Have this! Embrace this!

II. The Hymn of Christ. (2:6-11)

What I’m still learning about following Jesus Christ is that it doesn’t matter how stoked I am about what he’s leading me to if I don’t discipline myself to follow him habitually and consistently. We must train to remain abiding in Christ (stay connected) or we will fail over and over. 

We need teach on the attitude or mindset of Christ. That needs to be firmly in mind.

We need to train ourselves to remain focused on that important truth.

• Paul puts our thoughts on notice in v. 5 when he says, “In your relationships with one another, have this same mindset (attitude) as Christ Jesus.”

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HUGE application here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Paul gives us the example to pattern our lives after here.

• Paul also shows us the results.

Being like Mike won’t happen for anyone unless they are willing to discipline themselves towards whatever it is they are seeking to master.

Being like Christ won’t happen either unless you are willing to discipline yourself for godliness.

In 1 Timothy 4:8b-9 Paul writes, “rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

But being like Christ won’t happen if we live by feelings instead of a disciplined faith. And a faith rooted in selfless, humble servitude of God and people. To love God and love people means that we serve them seeing their interests as important enough to warrant some of our precious time and energy.

Trust me. This is much easier to preach than to live. I fail at this daily. This may be my biggest struggle.

II. The Hymn of Christ

    A. The selfless humility of Christ. (6-8)

    B. The appropriate celebration of Christ. (9-11)

II. The Hymn of Christ - one of 4 Christological passages in the NT. (John 1, Colossians 1, Hebrews 1)

    A. The selfless humility of Christ. (6-8)

1. See Christ’s humiliation in his humble renunciation. (6)

   1. Jesus is divine. Fully God. Fully divine.

   2. Jesus is equal to his Father. 

   3. Jesus is creator—not created.

   4. Morphe doesn’t refer to external appearance or shape but essential attributes and inner nature.

   5. Jesus didn’t consider being God grounds for getting but for giving.

   6. Jesus lived open-handedly.

2. See Christ’s humiliation in his humble incarnation. (7)

   1. Jesus laid aside his pre-existent glory.

   2. AW Tozer said, “He veiled his deity but he did not void his deity.”

   3. He added humanity without surrendering his deity.

   4. This is huge in our theology. Not getting this is why some turn to false religions and cults. 

   5. Jesus didn’t empty himself of his deity.

   6. Jesus surrendered his rights as king and creator.

   7. African Chief story (below)

   8. ”By assuming they form/nature of a slave” The slave in the Greco-Roman world was deprived of most basic rights. Jesus gave up his sovereign rights and became a slave. The sovereign creator made himself nothing. He identified with the lowest of society. 

   9. Christ “did not come to be served but to serve” Mark 10:45

   10. John 13:3-5 shows us what that looks like. He performed a job so humbling that only slaves would do. He washed their feet (with the water that he created from nothing). Breath-taking!

   11. He didn’t just look human—he took the nature of humanity. Fully human—fully divine.

3. See Christ’s humiliation in his crucifixion. (8)

   1. Jesus was humble his whole life

   1. Born in a feeding trough of a tiny village.

   2. Lived 30 years in relative obscurity.

   3. Earthly ministry he was known for loving unlovable people and humbly serving the least, last and lost.

   4. At his death, he’s nailed to a cross between two criminals.

   1. Jesus humbled himself voluntarily. 

   2. This is the way of the kingdom. (Mandalorian “This is the way”)

   3. As if it couldn’t get any more humbling, Paul tells us he’s executed in a way so horrible, it was only an extreme exception to crucify a Roman citizen.

   4. This was shocking in his day. Like we would pull back from a painting of a scene from the holocaust...

   5. Jesus willingly received 

      1. physical agony

      2. abandonment

      3. shame

      4. wrath of God for the sins of his enemies

   6. Isaiah 52:13-53:12 looms in the background of this hymn.

   7. CS Lewis illustration reminds us of the African Chief story (below)

    B. The appropriate celebration of Christ. (9-11)

1. His exalted position. (9)

   1. “Therefore” or “For this reason”

   2. The name = the Lord (Yahweh) or the Lord Jesus

      1. Yahweh is Lord in the OT

      2. Jesus is Lord in the NT

   3. Exalted means that he reigns over all. 

2. Everyone’s adoration and confession (10-11)

   1. “Everyone” - not just his followers will bow

   2. Some with great joy while others with great anguish.

   3. To confess Jesus as Lord in the first century meant that Caesar was not Lord. It was treason to say it. 

   4. Jesus is Lord was maybe the earliest of early church confessions. 

   5. Many died for believing and saying this aloud.

   6. Jesus is exalted by his Father only to turn it back to his Father. 

   7. 1 Corinthians 15:28 “When everything is subject to Christ, then the Son himself will also be subject to the One who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.”

Conclusion

Embrace Christ’s attitude no matter what. Here are some suggested ways:

1. Memorize this passage.

2. Believe this passage.

3. Follow the lifestyle in this passage.

4. Tell the world about the message of this passage.

Bottom line: Embrace Christ’s attitude of selfless servitude (to God & people) & let it propel you to celebrate & imitate Christ, no matter what.

Let’s pray

References/Bibliography:

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in The Book of Acts” by Tony Merida (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in The Book of Philippians” by Tony Merida & Chan (CCE)

Let’s Study Philippians by Sinclair Ferguson

Outline Bible, D Willmington

DA Carson Basics for Believers commentary

FF Bruce NIBC Commentary on Philippians

To Live is Christ To Die is Gain by Matt Chandler

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

J Vernon McGee Commentary