Scripture
Intro Questions
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Other Resources:
The Humility of Jesus - Philippians 2 https://virtualbiblestudy.com/lessons/philippians/2/
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LEADERS LIVE ON THEIR KNEES
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5–8
I wish the door to the Oval Office, every political office, every executive of a company’s office, every pastor’s office, every principal’s office, every headmaster’s office, and every boss’s office was small, so small that the occupants would have to get on their knees— briefcase and all—and crawl through the door and into their office.
A small door serving as a simple reminder that leadership and authority mean getting low and being a servant. And every morning when arriving at work serving as a reminder again that the attitude of our hearts should be “there is nothing too low for me to do today; I am here to serve.” What a good reminder for all of us.
This is the example and mindset of Jesus, the son of God; born in a barn, wrapped up and put in a feeding trough (talk about coming into the job low!). Paul expands in Philippians 2:6–7, “Though [Jesus] was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant”.
What an amazing mystery and example: God becoming human and entering into his kingly office through the small door of Bethlehem. Not coming to be served but to serve and calling us to do the same. Friends, today, let’s get low together, looking into the eyes of children, helping to clean the mess that is on the floor; washing the feet of our friends, and most of all reminding those around us that we are here to serve—just like our Savior, Jesus.
Thought of the Day: Pray and thank Jesus today for being a servant to you. Thank Him for humbling Himself and becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
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JUST BECAUSE
December 8 , 2018
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
“Instead, he gave up his divine privileges: He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human
being.” Philippians 2:7
There was an older man that recently died, and only a few knew his name. After his death many stories surfaced of his genuine concern for others. He once
saw a woman standing beside her broken down car on the side of a busy highway. Approaching her, he offered help and was able to fix her car.
When the grateful woman offered to pay him, he said, “Oh no, that’s not necessary.” “But why else would you, a black man, have done that for me
if you didn’t want money?” she asked. “Because you were stranded on the side of the road,” he replied, “that's why.”
In this season of giving, most of us are more generous and outward-focused than we might ordinarily be. The apostle Paul applauded the church in Philippi
from his prison cell and thanked them for their generosity (Philippians 4:15-18), but he also warned them against wrong motives (Philippians 2:3-4). His words remind us not to be selfish, urge us to be humble, call us to think of others as better than ourselves, and require that we be genuinely interested in them and
their needs.
The apostle challenged others to have the same attitude as that of Jesus Christ: Though He was God, He gave up His divine privileges, took on the humble
position of a slave, and was born a human being. He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
God therefore raised Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and
every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).
Thought of the Day: He gave His life because we were stranded in sin and death. May we live out His servant heart.
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“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow...” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
THE GOD WE serve is an august, spiritual being both deserving and desirous of our deepest respect...
Though described in Scripture as a friend to man (Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23), He is not some sort of "good buddy" to joke with or about.
Our God is still on the throne (Psalm 45:6), His ways remain higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9), and His authoritative Word still promises to judge us in
the Last Day (Revelation 20:12).
No measure of self-appointed, flippant familiarity with the God of heaven detracts one bit or whit from His inherent majesty. Our God is eminently worthy
of our reverence, this we must serve Him "acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Hebrews 12:28). Truly, reverence is the "very first element of religion."
Moreover, our periods of public worship should express this spirit of reverence. "God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to
be had in reverence of all about Him" (Psalm 89:7). Worship performed "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24) suggests a demeanor or awe and reverence.
We agree that our worship services should be permeated with expressions of joy and thanksgiving - they should not come to resemble a congregational visit
to the dentist; but neither should the reverent worship of our heavenly Father be confused for a carnival or rock concert. Whether our worship is that offered during a Sunday morning service, that which involves a lectureship
assembly, or that which is engaged in by a zealous throng of your people attending a youth rally - regardless where, when or by whom the worship is performed - it must be characterized by reverence and decorum. "Let
all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40).
The worship assembly is not the proper setting for screaming, whistling, clapping, and stomping the feet in response to a speaker's message. We do not gather
to pay homage to men, but to worship God. We do not come together as a football game or a stage-band concert, we come to worship God. We do not assemble with the intent of being entertained or sensually excited; we come
to worship God. Any assembly of saints with the intent of worshipping and praising the God of heaven should reject that which emphasizes the carnal emotions and minimizes the spiritual man. An outsider should be able to
attend one of our Sunday assemblies, or one of our many youth gatherings, and see a marked difference between the worship of God and the Jay Leno show.
In the realm of worship, "zeal without knowledge" paves a dangerous road toward pagan, flesh-oriented, and riotous assemblies. Most of our denominational
neighbors have long gone this route, with services geared more toward entertaining man than worshipping God. May we learn to temper our joy in Christ with a Christ-like reverence for things holy. And may we teach our children
so.
Remember, our God is on the throne - not on stage. Dalton Key, "God is on the Throne not on Stage"
KneEmail: "He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen" (Deuteronomy 10:21)
Bible reading for 04.26.12: Luke 19:1-27; 2 Samuel 23-24
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