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LORD JESUS: MODEL AND MOTIVATION (Rev. David Hanger)

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27/10/19                                           Lord Jesus: Model and Motivation                                 Philippians 2:1-11

The greatest testimony to Jesus in the New Testament. Included in today’s Philippians reading. Jesus’ life captured from eternity to eternity. The last chapter of the story written but not completely fulfilled. A model and motivation for me, for you. In living our gospel partnerships in fellowship with each other. In a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Worthy of the Christ of the gospel. Allow it to grip your heart, soul, mind. (reading here). Brothers and sisters, how did those words impact you? What fresh revelations of the majesty of Jesus? Let’s examine together the riches of this passage. Beginning with v6-11. An early Christian hymn or creed. Possibly written by Paul. Or used by him to shape his message. Beginning with breath taking words about Jesus. ‘Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;’ v6 Jesus existed before his birth. Sharing the nature, divine majesty and splendour of God from eternity. Because he is God. Jesus understood his divine nature. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.’ John 17:5 Certain privileges go with the territory of being God. Including the glory of heaven for eternity. Human leaders have privileges too. Tempting to use them to one’s own advantage. Recently US President, Donald Trump, announced the next G7 Summit would be held at his Florida Golf Resort. A nice little money spinner for the President. Jesus seeks no advantage from his divine privileges. Though equal with God, he did not excuse himself from suffering and death. Voluntarily walking a path chosen by no other deity. ‘rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.’ v7 Never ceasing to be God, Jesus made himself powerless. Adopting the nature and character of a slave. Becoming a real human being with no rights whatsoever. A gigantic step down for the creator of the universe. Dying the most cruel, shameful death. Execution on a cross. Form of death reserved for slaves and criminals. ‘And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!’ v8 The God/man Jesus at a particular point in history died, being nailed to a cross. In v9-11 this hymn decisively shifts. Signalled by the word ‘therefore’. The Father, not Jesus, active in what follows. Exalting the self-humbling Jesus. There are exaltations and there are exaltations. Retiring football stars chaired off the field to generous applause. Nobel Prize winners honoured by speeches and standing ovations. Public praise for those dying trying to save others. State funerals for past Prime Ministers. Jesus’ exaltation a much bigger deal than all that put together. Placing him in a class of his own. ‘Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ v9-11  Exalted above the whole of creation. No one higher or greater than Jesus. Given the highest possible name: Lord. Identifying him with Yahweh. The one who says, ‘I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.’  Isaiah 42:8 A purpose and outcome in the exaltation of Jesus. Universal adulation and recognition that he is Lord of all. He alone has the right to rule the universe. To rule our lives. The exaltation of Jesus begins in the hearts of his disciples. In their worship and submission. The breadth of his exaltation grows whenever another enters his kingdom. His exaltation complete when he comes again in glory. Every knee will bow before him on that final day. Some bowing the knee in grudging, dreadful acknowledgment. The one they rebelling against is Lord of all. How foolish are those who refuse to see what is plain to see. If you are a Christian, Jesus is your exalted Lord. How are you acknowledging that in word and deed? If you are not a Christian, what prevents you, before it’s too late, from bowing in willing submission before the Lord Jesus? Sisters and brothers, a majestic picture of our Saviour’s sacrificial love for humanity. Of the Father’s perfect, approving, exalting love for his Son. Take the time to soak up the majesty of Jesus. But recognise Paul’s purpose in revealing it to us. To add the divine weight of Jesus’ example to his exhortation to the Philippian church. Desiring to move them to embrace a lifestyle worthy of the gospel of the exalted Lord Jesus. Verse 5,In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:’ Jesus the model for their church relationships. Christlike honouring the gospel, bearing fruit in gospel partnership. The encouragement and exhortation of v1-4 grounded in this model.  ‘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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.’ v1-2  Paul urges unity. Oneness in aim and direction. Concrete expression of worthy conduct. Four times the word ‘if’ in our translation. Best translated ‘since’. Expressing that which already exists in the lives of the Philippian believers. In the life of each Christian. Supernaturally present by the work of God. Salvation, uniting them to Christ. Consoling comforting love of Jesus. Possession by the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. God’s tender compassion. Recognise and rejoice my brothers and sisters. These are present in your life by the grace of God. Allow them to sustain and shape your behaviour. For, the Philippians, and us, are to love one another. Are to live with single-minded, unified determination to be gospel orientated. Rejecting that which destroys. Embracing that which builds. ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.’ v3-4 Paul teaches: humbly put others first. Set aside the tendency to wilful preoccupation with self as number one. In other words, do what Jesus did. Sisters and brothers, the Lord Jesus our model too. Of obedient self-sacrifice, loving self-giving. Other person-centred willingness to give up privileges and authority. What impact is his humility and character having on your Christian living? Brothers and sisters, the Lord Jesus our motivation too. Our motivation to worship him as the exalted Lord he is. To submit our lives to him daily. To bring him the glory that is his by lives reflecting his character, by doing the will of God even when it is costly. Telling others about him so they too will bow before him willingly and gratefully before their opportunity to do so is lost.  Use this passage for your reflection and Bible reading this week. Prayerfully read it more than once. Come to the passage with the following questions. What aspects of my attitude and behaviour need repentance in the light of Jesus’ example? Which brothers or sisters do I need to ask forgiveness from? For not living in relationship with them as I ought. This passage addressed to a church. God’s word to us today.  Christlike unity, humble submission, servant hearts, valuing others above ourselves are to be visible. Each day as we serve together for the cause of the gospel. In the Op Shop, parish office, Sunday gatherings, small groups. In our various ministries and partnerships in the Diocese and beyond. To the glory of the Father and his exalted Son.

 

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