Living With An Attitude of
Gratitude
Thankful for The Incarnation
Antioch Church, December
20, 2015
Text
Philippians
2:1–11 (NIV) — 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united
with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being
like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of
you to the interests of the others. 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.
John
1:1–4, 10-14, 17-18 (NIV) — 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been
made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind…10
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did
not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did
not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s
will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling
among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came
from the Father, full of grace and truth…17 For the law was given
through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has
ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest
relationship with the Father, has made him known.
REVIEW
Thankful for God’s people who bring great blessing
into our lives. Thank God for them and pray for His blessings to return upon
them!
Thankful for God’s promise in suffering,
that as we follow
Jesus, our suffering will never be in vain. He will help us through it
and He will use it to point others to Him!
Thankful for the Gospel, that it is powerful, no
matter where, when, how, or even why we proclaim it. We should celebrate it,
live it, and spread it!
Thankful for life after death, that for the Christian
it means stepping into the presence of Jesus. Thankful that life after death
means continuity, that we will be the same, yet glorified. Thankful that
life after death means community, that we will be reunited with friends
and loved ones who have gone before. Thankful that life after death means destiny,
that rule and reign, i.e., exercise authority and carry
responsibility, throughout all eternity. Thankful that life after death
means glory, that we will experience the full measure of God’s presence,
purity, and power.
The BIG Idea
God became flesh in Jesus so we could
draw near to Him, better understand Him, & become more like Him, clothed in
both power and humility.
Introduction
What are the implications of the Incarnation?
John’s majestic opening lines in his
Gospel give us the theological perspective on the Incarnation.
Paul’s words in Philippians give us the practical
perspective on the Incarnation. We will return to that in a moment because our
focus today is on what the Incarnation means in our daily lives.
But, first, let’s take a moment and set
the larger spiritual context…
Central philosophical
problem of the ages has been the tension between what is “real” and what is “ideal”;
the “theoretical” and the “advisers”; the “one” and the “many”; the “universal”
and the “particulars”; the “forest” and the “trees”, etc..
·
The ages-long search for an “integration point”
between what “is” and what “ought to be” that has left both “revolutionaries”
and ”mystics” wanting…
·
The followers of Karl Marx utterly failed in all
their attempts to eradicate evil by eliminating class struggle. Their efforts
only proved that producing a new “man” without giving men new “hearts” is
always doomed to failure!
·
Socrates’s lament – “In all of Athens I have
never seen a single truly honest face.
·
Plato’s cry – “O, that virtue could be found in
a body!”
““I, Jesus…am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright
Morning Star.”” Revelation 22:16 NIV
The Incarnation gives the only answer…!
Juan 1:1 (RVES) - 1 En el principio era el Verbo, y el Verbo era
con Dios, y el Verbo era Dios.
W hat does the term, “logos,” mean?
…it
corresponds to Aramaic “memra” (also “word”), a technical theological term used
by the rabbis in the centuries before and after Yeshua when speaking of God’s
expression of himself. In the Septuagint logos translates Hebrew davar, which
can mean not only “word” but “thing” or “matter”; hence the Messianic Jew
Richard Wurmbrand has suggested this midrashic understanding of the initial
phrase of this verse: “In the
beginning was the Real Thing.”[1]
It was used among the
Stoics to describe the principle of divine reason which caused the natural
creation to grow.[2]
The Greek term
translated “word” was also used by many philosophers to mean “reason,” the
force which structured the universe; Philo combined this image with Jewish
conceptions of the “word.” The Old Testament had personified Wisdom (Prov 8),
and ancient Judaism eventually identified personified Wisdom, the Word and the
Law (the Torah). By calling Jesus “the Word,” John calls him the embodiment of
all God’s revelation in the Scriptures and thus declares that only those who
accept Jesus honor the law fully (1:17). Jewish
people considered Wisdom/Word divine yet distinct from God the Father, so it
was the closest available term John had to describe Jesus.[3]
The term “Word” is
the common Greek word logos, which meant “speaking,
a message, or words.” “Logos” was widely used in Greek philosophical
teaching as well as in Jewish wisdom literature and philosophy. John chose this
term because it was familiar to his readers, but he invested it with his own meaning…[4]
Parallels can be
found (1) in the OT ideas of God’s creative and sustaining word, the
word of God spoken through the prophets, later Jewish personification of
wisdom as the agent of God in creation; (2) in Stoic ideas of the logos
as divine reason pervading and giving order to creation and relieving human
ignorance; (3) in Philo’s writings where the word logos is used
extensively to denote the mind of God, the agent of creation and the mediator
between God and the creation; (4) in rabbinic speculation in which the
logos was identified with the pre-existent Torah; and (5) in the Gnostic
writings in which a heavenly emissary bridges the spiritual and material worlds.[5]
In a more practical vein, what does the incarnation mean for me on my
daily life?
1.
It means that God is more approachable. (vs. 6-7; Heb.
4:14-16)
Philippians 2:6–7 (NIV) — 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…
Immanuel – The great God above us
came to live among us and now He is forever God with us…!
Hebrews 4:14–16
(NIV) — 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended
into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15
For we do not have a high priest who
is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been
tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of
grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to
help us in our time of need.
2.
It means that God is more understandable. (vs. 7; Col.
1:15-20, 2:9)
Philippians 2:6–7 (NIV) —7…being made in human
likeness.
Talking about God’s love in the abstract
is not nearly as powerful as seeing God’s love in the concrete.
Everything you need to know about God,
you can learn from Jesus Christ!
Colossians
1:15–20, 2:9 (NIV) — 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created:
things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers
or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the
firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the
supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have ALL his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to
reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,
by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross…2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form…
3.
It means that I am more capable. (vs. 7; Acts 10:37-38; John
14:12-14; Eph.4:29-32)
Philippians 2:6–7 (NIV) —7…taking the very
nature of a servant..
Through His earthly life, Jesus showed
us what humans are capable of when they are filled with the Holy
Spirit.
Jesus went about doing good because God
was with Him (not because He was God!)
Note the Apostle Peter’s words to
Cornelius…
Acts 10:37–38
(NIV) — 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—38 how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went
around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Nicodemus concurred with Peter’s
assessment,
John 3:2 (NIV) —
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a
teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing
if God were not with him.”
Because of the Incarnation, we can do
anything we need to do in order to accomplish God’s will for our lives!
John 14:12–14
(NIV) — 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever
believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than
these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do
whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
One of the most supernatural things I am
capable of doing is forgiving as Jesus forgave…!
Ephesians 4:29–32
(NIV) — 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but
only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it
may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of
God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of
all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of
malice. 32 Be kind and
compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God
forgave you.
4.
It means that I must be more humble. (vs. 8; Col.
3:12-13)
Philippians 2:8 (NIV) — 8 And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even
death on a cross!
Paul says that we should think
like Jesus thought and act like Jesus acted.
Colossians
3:12–13 (NIV) — 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of
you has a grievance against someone. Forgive
as the Lord forgave you.
Who being in the form of God thought
it not robbery to be equal with God but made Himself of no reputation…
Humility is not the same thing as
humiliation. Humiliation is something that is done to you;
Humility is something that is done by you.
How can we “do” humility? How can we “become” humble?
Humility begins with how we think,
but it always affects how we act.
If Jesus willingly gave up position,
we should be willing to give position; If Jesus served those around Him, we
should be willing to serve those around us.
How do you know if you are humble? Although in reality,
you may never know completely – because the moment you think you are, you aren’t
– but, we can take stock of how act?
More specifically, how do you treat those around you?
If He be God and
died for me, there is no sacrifice that I could make that would be too great
for Him. C.T. Studd
Beware the pride of
humility. Jerome
We “walk” in humility by “putting on the
mind of Christ…”
Notice the specifics that Paul gives…
1.
Walk in unity: “…being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one
mind…(vs. 2)” (vs. 2; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:3; Ps. 133:1-3)
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) — 10 I appeal to you,
brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you
agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among
you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Unity does not mean uniformity. In fact, true unity cannot exist
without diversity. God created diversity and it is here to stay,
but He calls us to walk in unity in spite of our diversity…!
It does not “just happen”…it takes hard work…!
Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) — 3 Make every effort to
keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Unity brings tremendous blessing and anointing…
Psalm 133:1–3 (NIV) — 1 How good and pleasant it
is when God’s people live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil
poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were
falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord
bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
2.
Avoid self-centeredness: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
conceit…(vs. 3)” (1 Pet. 3:8; Col. 3:14))
Compassion is a key to humility…
1 Peter 3:8 (NIV) — 8 Finally, all of you, be
like-minded, be sympathetic,
love one another, be compassionate
and humble.
Love is a key to unity…
Colossians 3:14 (NIV) —14 And over all these
virtues put on love, which
binds them all together in perfect unity.
3.
Always cherish others: “In humility, value others above
yourselves…(vs. 3)” (Rom. 12:10,16; Prov. 13:10)
Romans 12:10, 16 (NIV) — 10 Be devoted to one
another in love. Honor one another
above yourselves…16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be
proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Proverbs 13:10 (NIV) — 10 Where there is strife, there is pride…
4.
Prioritize the welfare of others: “…not looking to your own interests but each of you
to the interests of the others. (vs. 4)” (1 Cor. 10:24)
JOY = Jesus first, Others next, Yourself last
1 Corinthians 10:24 (NIV) — 24 No one should
seek their own good, but the good of others.
What is the Result of Humility?
1.
God promoted Him - “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and
gave him the name that is above every name…” (vs. 9) James 4:6-10; 1 Peter
5:5-7)
James 4:6–10
(NIV) — 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God
opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves,
then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near
to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify
your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your
laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
1 Peter 5:5–7
(NIV) — 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your
elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,
because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore,
under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift
you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he
cares for you.
2.
God empowered Him - “…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth..” (vs. 10) (Luke 7:6-8)
Luke 7:6–8 (NIV) — 6 So Jesus went with them. He
was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him:
“Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my
roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to
you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am
a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he
goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and
he does it.”
3.
God vindicated Him - “…and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (vs. 11) (Is. 54:17)
Isaiah 54:17 (NIV) — 17 no weapon forged against
you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is
the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.
[1]
Stern, David H. Jewish New Testament Commentary : A
Companion Volume to the Jewish New Testament. electronic ed. Clarksville:
Jewish New Testament Publications, 1996. Print.
[2]
Carson, D. A. et al., eds. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition.
4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
Print.
[3]
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New
Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. Print.
[4]
Blum, Edwin A. “John.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An
Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2.
Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 271. Print.
[5]
Kruse, Colin G. John: An Introduction and Commentary.
Vol. 4. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003. Print. Tyndale New
Testament Commentaries.
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