Friday, April 6, 2012

Jesus Did All That For Me

(Notes from ChristChurch in West Monroe, Sunday morning, April 1. Was visiting daddy, in from Georgia, and went to church with my bro-in-law and little sis. It was great! Tom Lowe offered this message from Phillipians.)

Philippians 2:5-11

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


In a world of bad news, Christ brings good news
How do we deal with inner chaos?
Not the best sports program or school or extracurricular activity can give your child what he really needs.

1. Jesus Gave Up His Rights
We are more into defending and demanding our rights.

Isaiah 14:12-14 ... The fall of Lucifer. Satan says I WILL
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” 15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

v. 5 .. Let Christ's mind be in your ... service, submission, servanthood, compassion

2. Jesus Didn't Consider Status Something To Be Grasped v. 7
God made himself of no reputation

John 13 (Passion Weed begins) ... Jesus knew where he was from, where he was going, and that he was about to die. Jesus had a lot of security in knowing who he was ... he didn't have to grapple for identity

3. Jesus' Humanity Never Gained The Upper Hand
What a level of MERCY He has ... he never gave up on me, or on others.
You will not escape the love of God
Jesus went the distance for me
Once his love is evident, you will have no peace or joy until you serve Him

(Illustration of The Saint of Auschwitz, a priest who died in the place of another prisoner)

Like the woman who wished to touch the hem of Jesus' garmet, fight your way to him. Go to where Jesus is.

-30-