Think Big, Act Small - Kenton Beshore | Mariners Church

Welcome to Mariners online. So glad that Welcome to Mariners online. So glad that you're joining us because we're going to you're joining us because we're going to you're joining us because we're going to look at what I think is one of the most look at what I think is one of the most look at what I think is one of the most important passages in all of the Bible. important passages in all of the Bible. important passages in all of the Bible. Are you allowed to say that? Can there Are you allowed to say that? Can there Are you allowed to say that? Can there be one passage that's more important be one passage that's more important be one passage that's more important than the others cuz they're all words than the others cuz they're all words than the others cuz they're all words from God and they're inspired and yeah, from God and they're inspired and yeah, from God and they're inspired and yeah, I guess you probably can't say that it's I guess you probably can't say that it's I guess you probably can't say that it's the most important. So, you know, maybe the most important. So, you know, maybe the most important. So, you know, maybe you could say it's like in the top you could say it's like in the top you could say it's like in the top three. three. three. But if you say even top three, well, But if you say even top three, well, But if you say even top three, well, then you're measuring it against and then you're measuring it against and then you're measuring it against and it's all inspired and it's all inspired and it's all inspired and I'm not sure I can say the top three, I'm not sure I can say the top three, I'm not sure I can say the top three, but I could say it's one of my but I could say it's one of my but I could say it's one of my favorites, favorites, favorites, but then again, it seems like every time but then again, it seems like every time but then again, it seems like every time I teach I'm saying this is my favorite I teach I'm saying this is my favorite I teach I'm saying this is my favorite passage. So, let me just tell you why I passage. So, let me just tell you why I passage. So, let me just tell you why I think that this is one of the most think that this is one of the most think that this is one of the most important passages in all of the Bible important passages in all of the Bible important passages in all of the Bible and then you can decide. Today we're and then you can decide. Today we're and then you can decide. Today we're going to look at a passage that gives us going to look at a passage that gives us going to look at a passage that gives us the most complete picture of who Jesus the most complete picture of who Jesus the most complete picture of who Jesus is. It tells us who Jesus is, what he is. It tells us who Jesus is, what he is. It tells us who Jesus is, what he did, and then the implications for our did, and then the implications for our did, and then the implications for our life. So, I want you to look at that. life. So, I want you to look at that. life. So, I want you to look at that. So, read with me and then you can decide So, read with me and then you can decide So, read with me and then you can decide what's the most important thing about what's the most important thing about what's the most important thing about this passage. Look at what it says in this passage. Look at what it says in this passage. Look at what it says in Philippians 2. You must have the same Philippians 2. You must have the same Philippians 2. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think equality he was God, he did not think equality he was God, he did not think equality with God was something to cling to.

with God was something to cling to. with God was something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine Instead, he gave up his divine Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. He took the humble position privileges. He took the humble position privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human of a slave and was born as a human of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, being. When he appeared in human form, being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God he humbled himself in obedience to God he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. and died a criminal's death on a cross. and died a criminal's death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place Therefore, God elevated him to the place Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name of highest honor and gave him the name of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name above all other names, that at the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and and on earth and under the earth and and on earth and under the earth and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ every tongue declare that Jesus Christ every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. is Lord to the glory of God the Father. is Lord to the glory of God the Father. This is why I love this passage because This is why I love this passage because This is why I love this passage because what it does is it gives us this what it does is it gives us this what it does is it gives us this complete picture of who Jesus is. First complete picture of who Jesus is. First complete picture of who Jesus is. First of all, what's the first thing it tells of all, what's the first thing it tells of all, what's the first thing it tells us about Jesus? Clearly, he says in this us about Jesus? Clearly, he says in this us about Jesus? Clearly, he says in this passage, Jesus is God. Look at what it passage, Jesus is God. Look at what it passage, Jesus is God. Look at what it says. says. says. Uh Uh Uh You must have the same attitude that You must have the same attitude that You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had, though he was God. So, Christ Jesus had, though he was God. So, Christ Jesus had, though he was God. So, he's clearly saying it. he's clearly saying it. he's clearly saying it. Jesus' identity is God, Jesus' character Jesus' identity is God, Jesus' character Jesus' identity is God, Jesus' character is God, his essence is God. And this is is God, his essence is God. And this is is God, his essence is God. And this is the defining issue of Christianity, and the defining issue of Christianity, and the defining issue of Christianity, and it is the dividing issue, which is the it is the dividing issue, which is the it is the dividing issue, which is the identity of Jesus. People are fine if identity of Jesus. People are fine if identity of Jesus. People are fine if you say that Jesus was a good teacher, a you say that Jesus was a good teacher, a you say that Jesus was a good teacher, a prophet, uh or a wonderful man, but they prophet, uh or a wonderful man, but they prophet, uh or a wonderful man, but they want to get out under the out from under want to get out under the out from under want to get out under the out from under the weight of the idea that Jesus is the weight of the idea that Jesus is the weight of the idea that Jesus is God. Because if Jesus is God, it has God. Because if Jesus is God, it has

God. Because if Jesus is God, it has huge implications. So, ever since Jesus huge implications. So, ever since Jesus huge implications. So, ever since Jesus came, people have tried to deny that came, people have tried to deny that came, people have tried to deny that he's God, and they do it in two ways. he's God, and they do it in two ways. he's God, and they do it in two ways. They say, "Jesus never claimed to be They say, "Jesus never claimed to be They say, "Jesus never claimed to be God, and Jesus' followers didn't believe God, and Jesus' followers didn't believe God, and Jesus' followers didn't believe that he was God." And neither one of that he was God." And neither one of that he was God." And neither one of those is true, and I want to show you. those is true, and I want to show you. those is true, and I want to show you. You can see it really easily. Jesus You can see it really easily. Jesus You can see it really easily. Jesus clearly claimed to be God. In John clearly claimed to be God. In John clearly claimed to be God. In John chapter 10, Jesus was speaking, and the chapter 10, Jesus was speaking, and the chapter 10, Jesus was speaking, and the religious leaders understood what he religious leaders understood what he religious leaders understood what he said, and because he claimed to be God, said, and because he claimed to be God, said, and because he claimed to be God, they pick up stones, and they're going they pick up stones, and they're going they pick up stones, and they're going to kill him, which was a first-century to kill him, which was a first-century to kill him, which was a first-century way of killing a heretic. And Jesus way of killing a heretic. And Jesus way of killing a heretic. And Jesus actually said, "Why are you going to actually said, "Why are you going to actually said, "Why are you going to stone me?" And the people said, the stone me?" And the people said, the stone me?" And the people said, the religious leaders, "You, as a man, claim religious leaders, "You, as a man, claim religious leaders, "You, as a man, claim to be God." So, it's very clear they to be God." So, it's very clear they to be God." So, it's very clear they heard Jesus claim to be God. In Mark heard Jesus claim to be God. In Mark heard Jesus claim to be God. In Mark chapter 2, Jesus is teaching, and four chapter 2, Jesus is teaching, and four chapter 2, Jesus is teaching, and four friends bring their paralyzed friend to friends bring their paralyzed friend to friends bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus. They tear up a roof, and they Jesus. They tear up a roof, and they Jesus. They tear up a roof, and they lower him down in front of Jesus. Jesus lower him down in front of Jesus. Jesus lower him down in front of Jesus. Jesus looks at him, and he looks at the looks at him, and he looks at the looks at him, and he looks at the religious leaders, and he says, "Your religious leaders, and he says, "Your religious leaders, and he says, "Your sins are forgiven." And the religious sins are forgiven." And the religious sins are forgiven." And the religious leaders lose their mind because they're leaders lose their mind because they're leaders lose their mind because they're saying that you can't say that. Only God saying that you can't say that. Only God saying that you can't say that. Only God can forgive sins. And so Jesus looks at can forgive sins. And so Jesus looks at can forgive sins. And so Jesus looks at him and says, "So which is easier to him and says, "So which is easier to him and says, "So which is easier to say? Stand up and walk or your sins are say? Stand up and walk or your sins are say? Stand up and walk or your sins are forgiven?" And they don't want any part forgiven?" And they don't want any part forgiven?" And they don't want any part of the the quiz cuz they don't want to of the the quiz cuz they don't want to of the the quiz cuz they don't want to be trapped. And it's obviously way be trapped. And it's obviously way be trapped. And it's obviously way easier to say your sins are forgiven easier to say your sins are forgiven easier to say your sins are forgiven than to stand up, you know, and be than to stand up, you know, and be than to stand up, you know, and be healed. And Jesus says, "So that you

healed. And Jesus says, "So that you healed. And Jesus says, "So that you know that I am God, I'm going to heal know that I am God, I'm going to heal know that I am God, I'm going to heal him." And he turns to the man and he him." And he turns to the man and he him." And he turns to the man and he says, "Stand up and walk." And the man says, "Stand up and walk." And the man says, "Stand up and walk." And the man does it. So Jesus clearly, over and does it. So Jesus clearly, over and does it. So Jesus clearly, over and again, there is no doubt Jesus claims to again, there is no doubt Jesus claims to again, there is no doubt Jesus claims to be God. The second one, Jesus people be God. The second one, Jesus people be God. The second one, Jesus people say, "Well, Jesus' followers never say, "Well, Jesus' followers never say, "Well, Jesus' followers never really believed that he was God." And really believed that he was God." And really believed that he was God." And their argument goes like this that they their argument goes like this that they their argument goes like this that they said that what Jesus said was said that what Jesus said was said that what Jesus said was exaggerated and um embellished over time exaggerated and um embellished over time exaggerated and um embellished over time hundreds of years people that are hundreds of years people that are hundreds of years people that are followers of Jesus came to believe that followers of Jesus came to believe that followers of Jesus came to believe that he claimed to be God or that he was God, he claimed to be God or that he was God, he claimed to be God or that he was God, but the the initial followers didn't but the the initial followers didn't but the the initial followers didn't believe that. But that's not true. And believe that. But that's not true. And believe that. But that's not true. And it is this passage that is the passage it is this passage that is the passage it is this passage that is the passage that shows us that this is not true. that shows us that this is not true. that shows us that this is not true. This passage that it we just read out of This passage that it we just read out of This passage that it we just read out of Philippians 2 was written 25 years after Philippians 2 was written 25 years after Philippians 2 was written 25 years after the crucifixion and the resurrection. the crucifixion and the resurrection. the crucifixion and the resurrection. And what is being quoted here by Paul is And what is being quoted here by Paul is And what is being quoted here by Paul is a creed or confession of the early a creed or confession of the early a creed or confession of the early church. That means within 10 15 years of church. That means within 10 15 years of church. That means within 10 15 years of the crucifixion and the resurrection, the crucifixion and the resurrection, the crucifixion and the resurrection, people were declaring that were people were declaring that were people were declaring that were eyewitnesses of Jesus, people who saw eyewitnesses of Jesus, people who saw eyewitnesses of Jesus, people who saw Jesus teach, people who saw Jesus do Jesus teach, people who saw Jesus do Jesus teach, people who saw Jesus do miracles, saw the crucifixion, saw the miracles, saw the crucifixion, saw the miracles, saw the crucifixion, saw the resurrection, they claimed that Jesus resurrection, they claimed that Jesus resurrection, they claimed that Jesus was God. And the reason, again, get was God. And the reason, again, get was God. And the reason, again, get lost, this is why it's so important, the lost, this is why it's so important, the lost, this is why it's so important, the most important Christians believe the most important Christians believe the most important Christians believe the most important issue in life is the most important issue in life is the most important issue in life is the identity of Jesus. John Stott in his

identity of Jesus. John Stott in his identity of Jesus. John Stott in his book Basic Christianity says this, book Basic Christianity says this, book Basic Christianity says this, "The claims of Jesus and his followers "The claims of Jesus and his followers "The claims of Jesus and his followers are so extreme, it is impossible to have are so extreme, it is impossible to have are so extreme, it is impossible to have a moderate response. People hated Jesus a moderate response. People hated Jesus a moderate response. People hated Jesus and wanted to kill him. They feared him and wanted to kill him. They feared him and wanted to kill him. They feared him and they just wanted to run from him and they just wanted to run from him and they just wanted to run from him because he claimed to be God, or they because he claimed to be God, or they because he claimed to be God, or they were overwhelmed by him and they were overwhelmed by him and they were overwhelmed by him and they surrendered their life to him and surrendered their life to him and surrendered their life to him and followed him. But no one just liked followed him. But no one just liked followed him. But no one just liked Jesus as a good teacher. He was either Jesus as a good teacher. He was either Jesus as a good teacher. He was either delusional or crazy or that he was who delusional or crazy or that he was who delusional or crazy or that he was who he said to be. And this passage is the he said to be. And this passage is the he said to be. And this passage is the defining passage where Jesus says that defining passage where Jesus says that defining passage where Jesus says that he is God or that Jesus claims to be he is God or that Jesus claims to be he is God or that Jesus claims to be God. And this changes everything. It God. And this changes everything. It God. And this changes everything. It changes who we are and the way that we changes who we are and the way that we changes who we are and the way that we think because what we understand is we think because what we understand is we think because what we understand is we have a savior to our rescue who is God. have a savior to our rescue who is God. have a savior to our rescue who is God. God didn't send someone else. He didn't God didn't send someone else. He didn't God didn't send someone else. He didn't send an emissary. send an emissary. send an emissary. He himself came to save us and to rescue He himself came to save us and to rescue He himself came to save us and to rescue us. And this is wonderful news. Paul us. And this is wonderful news. Paul us. And this is wonderful news. Paul celebrates this in Romans chapter 8 celebrates this in Romans chapter 8 celebrates this in Romans chapter 8 where he says that if God is for us, who where he says that if God is for us, who where he says that if God is for us, who can be against us? There's no can be against us? There's no can be against us? There's no condemnation. No one can condemn us condemnation. No one can condemn us condemnation. No one can condemn us because it's Jesus who declares that we because it's Jesus who declares that we because it's Jesus who declares that we are righteous because he is God. Nothing are righteous because he is God. Nothing are righteous because he is God. Nothing can separate us from God's love, not can separate us from God's love, not can separate us from God's love, not trouble or calamity or persecution, trouble or calamity or persecution, trouble or calamity or persecution, danger or death. And we have no reason danger or death. And we have no reason danger or death. And we have no reason to fear. So we have unquenchable to fear. So we have unquenchable to fear. So we have unquenchable optimism because God is for us. He loves optimism because God is for us. He loves optimism because God is for us. He loves us. He provides for us. He works on our

us. He provides for us. He works on our us. He provides for us. He works on our behalf. He's a God who is always behalf. He's a God who is always behalf. He's a God who is always standing with us. And so we don't, you standing with us. And so we don't, you standing with us. And so we don't, you know, even though we live in a world of know, even though we live in a world of know, even though we live in a world of heartbreak and pain and sadness, and heartbreak and pain and sadness, and heartbreak and pain and sadness, and that's just a part of life, we don't that's just a part of life, we don't that's just a part of life, we don't live a pessimistic or a down or a live a pessimistic or a down or a live a pessimistic or a down or a hopeless or a negative life. we live a hopeless or a negative life. we live a hopeless or a negative life. we live a life with unquenchable joy. Doesn't that life with unquenchable joy. Doesn't that life with unquenchable joy. Doesn't that make sense? make sense? make sense? Let me give you an illustration of it. Let me give you an illustration of it. Let me give you an illustration of it. My wife turned 70 in just this past My wife turned 70 in just this past My wife turned 70 in just this past week. I know, 70, she's really old. And week. I know, 70, she's really old. And week. I know, 70, she's really old. And so, so, so, she wanted a gift and I gave her a ring, she wanted a gift and I gave her a ring, she wanted a gift and I gave her a ring, but this is an Aura ring and you've seen but this is an Aura ring and you've seen but this is an Aura ring and you've seen lots of people have them. They're a lots of people have them. They're a lots of people have them. They're a technology ring and this ring tells you technology ring and this ring tells you technology ring and this ring tells you a number of things about your health, a number of things about your health, a number of things about your health, but specifically, it talks it tells you but specifically, it talks it tells you but specifically, it talks it tells you how you slept, you know, when how long how you slept, you know, when how long how you slept, you know, when how long it took you to go to sleep, how deep it took you to go to sleep, how deep it took you to go to sleep, how deep your sleep was, your REMs, you know, and your sleep was, your REMs, you know, and your sleep was, your REMs, you know, and the whole thing just gives you a whole the whole thing just gives you a whole the whole thing just gives you a whole breakdown of your sleep patterns. And breakdown of your sleep patterns. And breakdown of your sleep patterns. And so, just the other day, 2 days ago, so, just the other day, 2 days ago, so, just the other day, 2 days ago, Glory comes and she joins me for coffee.

Glory comes and she joins me for coffee. Glory comes and she joins me for coffee. We always start the morning with coffee We always start the morning with coffee We always start the morning with coffee together around a table and we talk together around a table and we talk together around a table and we talk about what we're going to do for the about what we're going to do for the about what we're going to do for the day. day. day. And she comes in and she comes in and And she comes in and she comes in and And she comes in and she comes in and she is dragging. And I said, "Did you she is dragging. And I said, "Did you she is dragging. And I said, "Did you not sleep well?" She goes, "No, I didn't not sleep well?" She goes, "No, I didn't not sleep well?" She goes, "No, I didn't have a good night's sleep. I was have a good night's sleep. I was have a good night's sleep. I was sleepless. I tossed and turned. I feel sleepless. I tossed and turned. I feel sleepless. I tossed and turned. I feel like I woke up. I am tired. I am like I woke up. I am tired. I am like I woke up. I am tired. I am dragging." And I said, "What is your dragging." And I said, "What is your dragging." And I said, "What is your your ring say? You know, your Aura your ring say? You know, your Aura your ring say? You know, your Aura ring." She goes, "Oh, that's a good ring." She goes, "Oh, that's a good ring." She goes, "Oh, that's a good idea." So, she pulls it out and she idea." So, she pulls it out and she idea." So, she pulls it out and she starts looking at her phone and she starts looking at her phone and she starts looking at her phone and she goes, "Wow, I went to bed pretty quick goes, "Wow, I went to bed pretty quick goes, "Wow, I went to bed pretty quick last night. And you know what? I got a last night. And you know what? I got a last night. And you know what? I got a good I got a good amount of deep sleep, good I got a good amount of deep sleep, good I got a good amount of deep sleep, it says. And I had good times of REM it says. And I had good times of REM it says. And I had good times of REM sleep. And he goes, "You know what? This sleep. And he goes, "You know what? This sleep. And he goes, "You know what? This says that I had a good night's sleep." says that I had a good night's sleep." says that I had a good night's sleep." And as she's explaining it to me, you And as she's explaining it to me, you And as she's explaining it to me, you can see this tired person all of a can see this tired person all of a can see this tired person all of a sudden start to sit up more straight. sudden start to sit up more straight. sudden start to sit up more straight. She's her countenance has got this She's her countenance has got this She's her countenance has got this excitement and energy to life and she excitement and energy to life and she excitement and energy to life and she goes, "This is going to be a good day. goes, "This is going to be a good day. goes, "This is going to be a good day. I'm ready to go." That's what this truth I'm ready to go." That's what this truth I'm ready to go." That's what this truth is. These truths that is. These truths that is. These truths that Jesus is God, that he loves us, that Jesus is God, that he loves us, that Jesus is God, that he loves us, that he's for us, that he's with us, that it, he's for us, that he's with us, that it, he's for us, that he's with us, that it, you know, that nothing can stand against you know, that nothing can stand against you know, that nothing can stand against us is this Aura ring truth that brings us is this Aura ring truth that brings us is this Aura ring truth that brings joy and optimism to our life and gives joy and optimism to our life and gives joy and optimism to our life and gives us a a sense of resilience, spiritual us a a sense of resilience, spiritual us a a sense of resilience, spiritual resilience, that we can do whatever we resilience, that we can do whatever we resilience, that we can do whatever we need to do today as we face the day. We need to do today as we face the day. We need to do today as we face the day. We don't live in fear. We don't live don't live in fear. We don't live don't live in fear. We don't live defeated. We don't live overwhelmed. God defeated. We don't live overwhelmed. God defeated. We don't live overwhelmed. God is for us. He's with us. Jesus is God.

is for us. He's with us. Jesus is God. is for us. He's with us. Jesus is God. That's the first thing. And then the That's the first thing. And then the That's the first thing. And then the second thing that is a profound second thing that is a profound second thing that is a profound implication, I learned in my late 20s. I implication, I learned in my late 20s. I implication, I learned in my late 20s. I read read read something that St. Augustine wrote about something that St. Augustine wrote about something that St. Augustine wrote about this and I really liked it because when this and I really liked it because when this and I really liked it because when you say Jesus is God, immediately you're you say Jesus is God, immediately you're you say Jesus is God, immediately you're faced with the idea of the Trinity. That faced with the idea of the Trinity. That faced with the idea of the Trinity. That there's God the Father, there's God the there's God the Father, there's God the there's God the Father, there's God the Son, and the God the Spirit, and that Son, and the God the Spirit, and that Son, and the God the Spirit, and that there's three Gods and if you have any there's three Gods and if you have any there's three Gods and if you have any one of them, you have all God. God the one of them, you have all God. God the one of them, you have all God. God the Father is all God, Jesus is all God, the Father is all God, Jesus is all God, the Father is all God, Jesus is all God, the Spirit is all God. And so how can there, Spirit is all God. And so how can there, Spirit is all God. And so how can there, you know, be one? And I can't explain you know, be one? And I can't explain you know, be one? And I can't explain the Trinity to you, but I love the the Trinity to you, but I love the the Trinity to you, but I love the implication he drew from this because he implication he drew from this because he implication he drew from this because he said this. He said, "People who believe said this. He said, "People who believe said this. He said, "People who believe in only one God in only one God in only one God have a defective, imperfect, and have a defective, imperfect, and have a defective, imperfect, and incomplete view of God or an incomplete incomplete view of God or an incomplete incomplete view of God or an incomplete God. Because if there's only one God, God. Because if there's only one God, God. Because if there's only one God, that God never knew love or understood that God never knew love or understood that God never knew love or understood love until he created angels and people. love until he created angels and people. love until he created angels and people. And basically, if he created angels and And basically, if he created angels and And basically, if he created angels and people because he needed love, he was people because he needed love, he was people because he needed love, he was trying he created people to use them.

trying he created people to use them. trying he created people to use them. And that is not the bi- that is not the And that is not the bi- that is not the And that is not the bi- that is not the God of the Bible and the God of the God of the Bible and the God of the God of the Bible and the God of the Trinity. It What the Bible teaches us is Trinity. It What the Bible teaches us is Trinity. It What the Bible teaches us is that God lived in loving relationship that God lived in loving relationship that God lived in loving relationship with himself in the sense that there was with himself in the sense that there was with himself in the sense that there was God the Father, God the Son, and God the God the Father, God the Son, and God the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And they lived in communal Holy Spirit. And they lived in communal Holy Spirit. And they lived in communal family love together. And then the family love together. And then the family love together. And then the reason they create is that they are reason they create is that they are reason they create is that they are inviting us into that relationship of inviting us into that relationship of inviting us into that relationship of love. Not to extract something from us, love. Not to extract something from us, love. Not to extract something from us, but to give something to us. And I but to give something to us. And I but to give something to us. And I really like that. I really like that really like that. I really like that really like that. I really like that idea and it has huge implications for us idea and it has huge implications for us idea and it has huge implications for us because so when we love or serve or give because so when we love or serve or give because so when we love or serve or give to someone, and we do it to meet our to someone, and we do it to meet our to someone, and we do it to meet our needs to extract something from a needs to extract something from a needs to extract something from a person, to somehow get something from person, to somehow get something from person, to somehow get something from them, we are not loving as this passage them, we are not loving as this passage them, we are not loving as this passage says in the same attitude that Christ says in the same attitude that Christ says in the same attitude that Christ is, is, is, but we're trying to extract something but we're trying to extract something but we're trying to extract something from them. And we can observe it. We from them. And we can observe it. We from them. And we can observe it. We know when we're doing it because when we know when we're doing it because when we know when we're doing it because when we love people and serve people, and they love people and serve people, and they love people and serve people, and they don't respond with gratitude or they're don't respond with gratitude or they're don't respond with gratitude or they're not grateful, they're not appreciative, not grateful, they're not appreciative, not grateful, they're not appreciative, they don't say thank you or whatever we they don't say thank you or whatever we they don't say thank you or whatever we expect, and then our attitude is, I expect, and then our attitude is, I expect, and then our attitude is, I mean, not just to be sad for them, but mean, not just to be sad for them, but mean, not just to be sad for them, but to say, "You know what? That's it. I'm to say, "You know what? That's it. I'm to say, "You know what? That's it. I'm not going to serve them. I mean, they not going to serve them. I mean, they not going to serve them. I mean, they weren't grateful. I'm not going to care weren't grateful. I'm not going to care weren't grateful. I'm not going to care for them. They weren't appreciative of for them. They weren't appreciative of for them. They weren't appreciative of that." See, we don't have the same that." See, we don't have the same that." See, we don't have the same attitude that Christ did because our attitude that Christ did because our attitude that Christ did because our service isn't just loving someone and service isn't just loving someone and service isn't just loving someone and giving to them, we're trying to extract giving to them, we're trying to extract giving to them, we're trying to extract something from them. And that's not what

something from them. And that's not what something from them. And that's not what it means. So when we say Jesus is God, it means. So when we say Jesus is God, it means. So when we say Jesus is God, he's part of the triune God who then he's part of the triune God who then he's part of the triune God who then invites us into a loving relationship. invites us into a loving relationship. invites us into a loving relationship. So I love this passage because it gives So I love this passage because it gives So I love this passage because it gives us the most complete picture of who us the most complete picture of who us the most complete picture of who Jesus is, and the first thing is is that Jesus is, and the first thing is is that Jesus is, and the first thing is is that Jesus is God. But the second thing that Jesus is God. But the second thing that Jesus is God. But the second thing that it tells us is that Jesus is human. Look it tells us is that Jesus is human. Look it tells us is that Jesus is human. Look at what it says in Philippians 2:6 and at what it says in Philippians 2:6 and at what it says in Philippians 2:6 and 7. He did not think of equality with God 7. He did not think of equality with God 7. He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he as something to cling to. Instead, he as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. the gave up his divine privileges. the gave up his divine privileges. the humble position of a slave and was born humble position of a slave and was born humble position of a slave and was born as a human being when he appeared in as a human being when he appeared in as a human being when he appeared in human form. So Jesus is human, and he human form. So Jesus is human, and he human form. So Jesus is human, and he becomes human. He's both at once. It becomes human. He's both at once. It becomes human. He's both at once. It doesn't say, "Having been God, he then doesn't say, "Having been God, he then doesn't say, "Having been God, he then becomes human," but it says, "Being God, becomes human," but it says, "Being God, becomes human," but it says, "Being God, he also becomes human." So he's both at he also becomes human." So he's both at he also becomes human." So he's both at the same time. Theologians call this the the same time. Theologians call this the the same time. Theologians call this the incarnation. And again, it's not incarnation. And again, it's not incarnation. And again, it's not something that I can totally explain how something that I can totally explain how something that I can totally explain how God can be both God and man, but I can God can be both God and man, but I can God can be both God and man, but I can tell you what it means to us because it tell you what it means to us because it tell you what it means to us because it has a profound implication. And it's has a profound implication. And it's has a profound implication. And it's this, that we have a God who understands this, that we have a God who understands this, that we have a God who understands us because he became like us. We are all us because he became like us. We are all us because he became like us. We are all wired to be connected, to live in wired to be connected, to live in wired to be connected, to live in relationship. Uh, we're designed that relationship. Uh, we're designed that relationship. Uh, we're designed that way, the Bible tells us, but it's not way, the Bible tells us, but it's not way, the Bible tells us, but it's not just because the Bible tells us, uh, just because the Bible tells us, uh, just because the Bible tells us, uh, biologists say that as human beings were biologists say that as human beings were biologists say that as human beings were created to live connected to each other created to live connected to each other created to live connected to each other and live in relationship, social

and live in relationship, social and live in relationship, social scientists do, mental health experts do, scientists do, mental health experts do, scientists do, mental health experts do, uh, doctors do, and pastors all say we uh, doctors do, and pastors all say we uh, doctors do, and pastors all say we are designed to live in loving are designed to live in loving are designed to live in loving relationship. We're designed to live relationship. We're designed to live relationship. We're designed to live connected, to be understood. And when connected, to be understood. And when connected, to be understood. And when you read the Bible in Genesis, you see you read the Bible in Genesis, you see you read the Bible in Genesis, you see that we are created and we live in that we are created and we live in that we are created and we live in loving relationship with God, literally loving relationship with God, literally loving relationship with God, literally walking with God in a garden. But God walking with God in a garden. But God walking with God in a garden. But God gives us this incredible choice with an gives us this incredible choice with an gives us this incredible choice with an incredible consequence. He says, "You incredible consequence. He says, "You incredible consequence. He says, "You have freedom, and so you can choose to have freedom, and so you can choose to have freedom, and so you can choose to love me and to respond to me, or you can love me and to respond to me, or you can love me and to respond to me, or you can choose to go your own way." And sadly, choose to go your own way." And sadly, choose to go your own way." And sadly, we chose to have life on our own terms, we chose to have life on our own terms, we chose to have life on our own terms, and we destroyed everything. We damaged and we destroyed everything. We damaged and we destroyed everything. We damaged our relationship with God and with each our relationship with God and with each our relationship with God and with each other. And the first thing that we do is other. And the first thing that we do is other. And the first thing that we do is there's this profound sense of shame. there's this profound sense of shame. there's this profound sense of shame. We're aware that we're not we're not We're aware that we're not we're not We're aware that we're not we're not enough, we're unworthy, we're broken, enough, we're unworthy, we're broken, enough, we're unworthy, we're broken, and then we hide. And because of that, and then we hide. And because of that, and then we hide. And because of that, that's what we do. And yet, our primary that's what we do. And yet, our primary that's what we do. And yet, our primary need is to be connected, and the only need is to be connected, and the only need is to be connected, and the only way that we can be connected is when way that we can be connected is when way that we can be connected is when we're honest and vulnerable and we're we're honest and vulnerable and we're we're honest and vulnerable and we're willing to connect with other people.

willing to connect with other people. willing to connect with other people. And yet, we're broken and we're And yet, we're broken and we're And yet, we're broken and we're disconnected and moving away from other disconnected and moving away from other disconnected and moving away from other people. But God loved us too much to people. But God loved us too much to people. But God loved us too much to leave us that way. So, God comes to the leave us that way. So, God comes to the leave us that way. So, God comes to the earth 2,000 years ago in the person of earth 2,000 years ago in the person of earth 2,000 years ago in the person of Jesus, and look at what he does to Jesus, and look at what he does to Jesus, and look at what he does to restore relationship. He comes not as a restore relationship. He comes not as a restore relationship. He comes not as a king that is powerful, not as a god that king that is powerful, not as a god that king that is powerful, not as a god that is awesome and distant, but he comes as is awesome and distant, but he comes as is awesome and distant, but he comes as a baby in a manger. He comes in weakness a baby in a manger. He comes in weakness a baby in a manger. He comes in weakness and he's vulnerable and he's small and and he's vulnerable and he's small and and he's vulnerable and he's small and he's just like us and he has to go he's just like us and he has to go he's just like us and he has to go through the same things that we do. He through the same things that we do. He through the same things that we do. He has to grow up. He falls. He skins his has to grow up. He falls. He skins his has to grow up. He falls. He skins his knees. He has to learn how to relate knees. He has to learn how to relate knees. He has to learn how to relate with other people. He's rejected and with other people. He's rejected and with other people. He's rejected and then as an adult he goes through all then as an adult he goes through all then as an adult he goes through all sorts of pain. He was poor. Uh he was sorts of pain. He was poor. Uh he was sorts of pain. He was poor. Uh he was part of a marginalized group. He was the part of a marginalized group. He was the part of a marginalized group. He was the wrong social group and people looked wrong social group and people looked wrong social group and people looked down on his ethnicity. Uh he was uh he down on his ethnicity. Uh he was uh he down on his ethnicity. Uh he was uh he understood sadness and loss. He lost an understood sadness and loss. He lost an understood sadness and loss. He lost an earthly father at an early age and so he earthly father at an early age and so he earthly father at an early age and so he knows that. He had to grow up fast. He knows that. He had to grow up fast. He knows that. He had to grow up fast. He knows the pain of rejection of friends.

knows the pain of rejection of friends. knows the pain of rejection of friends. Uh he knows what it's like to be Uh he knows what it's like to be Uh he knows what it's like to be belittled, to be mocked. Uh he knows belittled, to be mocked. Uh he knows belittled, to be mocked. Uh he knows what it's like to suffer injustice and what it's like to suffer injustice and what it's like to suffer injustice and cruelty. He even knows what it means to cruelty. He even knows what it means to cruelty. He even knows what it means to have an unanswered prayer. He knows what have an unanswered prayer. He knows what have an unanswered prayer. He knows what it means to face death and to die. And it means to face death and to die. And it means to face death and to die. And so this powerful thought that Jesus is so this powerful thought that Jesus is so this powerful thought that Jesus is human helps us understand that we have a human helps us understand that we have a human helps us understand that we have a god who understands us. This is the god who understands us. This is the god who understands us. This is the understanding love of god. And when we understanding love of god. And when we understanding love of god. And when we forget this we think that we're all forget this we think that we're all forget this we think that we're all alone and we live at a distance and we alone and we live at a distance and we alone and we live at a distance and we think if we start to pray we go but god think if we start to pray we go but god think if we start to pray we go but god how could you understand? I mean you how could you understand? I mean you how could you understand? I mean you don't know what it's like to feel don't know what it's like to feel don't know what it's like to feel brokenness, to feel weak, to be brokenness, to feel weak, to be brokenness, to feel weak, to be betrayed. And yet when you look at Jesus betrayed. And yet when you look at Jesus betrayed. And yet when you look at Jesus you realize that he understands you realize that he understands you realize that he understands everything that you have gone through. everything that you have gone through. everything that you have gone through. And because Jesus is human we never have And because Jesus is human we never have And because Jesus is human we never have to wonder where god stands because god to wonder where god stands because god to wonder where god stands because god stands with us. He came to this earth to stands with us. He came to this earth to stands with us. He came to this earth to be with us. He knows he's felt our pain. be with us. He knows he's felt our pain. be with us. He knows he's felt our pain. He knows he has compassion upon us and He knows he has compassion upon us and He knows he has compassion upon us and the most amazing thing about the the most amazing thing about the the most amazing thing about the incarnation is that it is an eternal incarnation is that it is an eternal incarnation is that it is an eternal miracle. I mean think of it. Jesus miracle. I mean think of it. Jesus miracle. I mean think of it. Jesus didn't just come to this earth for 33 didn't just come to this earth for 33 didn't just come to this earth for 33 years and then die, was resurrected and years and then die, was resurrected and years and then die, was resurrected and go back to be what he was before. The go back to be what he was before. The go back to be what he was before. The incarnation is an eternal miracle. Jesus incarnation is an eternal miracle. Jesus incarnation is an eternal miracle. Jesus forever becomes both at the same time.

forever becomes both at the same time. forever becomes both at the same time. He is both God and he is both human at He is both God and he is both human at He is both God and he is both human at the same time. And so because he is God, the same time. And so because he is God, the same time. And so because he is God, he can take all of our sins. Because he he can take all of our sins. Because he he can take all of our sins. Because he is human, he can die ultimately for our is human, he can die ultimately for our is human, he can die ultimately for our sins. And so Jesus dies and then he God sins. And so Jesus dies and then he God sins. And so Jesus dies and then he God raises him from the dead. And so today raises him from the dead. And so today raises him from the dead. And so today there is a man in heaven, the God man, there is a man in heaven, the God man, there is a man in heaven, the God man, who intercedes for us and stands with us who intercedes for us and stands with us who intercedes for us and stands with us on our behalf. And so we never have to on our behalf. And so we never have to on our behalf. And so we never have to worry for all of eternity. We have a God worry for all of eternity. We have a God worry for all of eternity. We have a God who understands and stands with us. who understands and stands with us. who understands and stands with us. So why would you stand away from God? So why would you stand away from God? So why would you stand away from God? Why would you be so afraid and distant Why would you be so afraid and distant Why would you be so afraid and distant and think that he doesn't care, that he and think that he doesn't care, that he and think that he doesn't care, that he doesn't understand? I mean he did doesn't understand? I mean he did doesn't understand? I mean he did everything to come to you to convince everything to come to you to convince everything to come to you to convince you that he understands the world that you that he understands the world that you that he understands the world that you live in and the life that you're you live in and the life that you're you live in and the life that you're living. So I love this passage. It is living. So I love this passage. It is living. So I love this passage. It is the most complete picture of who Jesus the most complete picture of who Jesus the most complete picture of who Jesus is. It says clearly Jesus is God. It is. It says clearly Jesus is God. It is. It says clearly Jesus is God. It says that Jesus is human and that Jesus says that Jesus is human and that Jesus says that Jesus is human and that Jesus is a humble servant. Look at what it is a humble servant. Look at what it is a humble servant. Look at what it says in Philippians 2:8. He humbled says in Philippians 2:8. He humbled says in Philippians 2:8. He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a himself in obedience to God and died a himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. This is the criminal's death on a cross. This is the criminal's death on a cross. This is the sacrificial love of God. And so, you sacrificial love of God. And so, you sacrificial love of God. And so, you know, you just see when we forget this, know, you just see when we forget this, know, you just see when we forget this, look at how different we are from God.

look at how different we are from God. look at how different we are from God. And yet we're supposed to be like who And yet we're supposed to be like who And yet we're supposed to be like who Jesus was. It says though Jesus, though Jesus was. It says though Jesus, though Jesus was. It says though Jesus, though he was God, he did not think equality he was God, he did not think equality he was God, he did not think equality with God was something that he had to with God was something that he had to with God was something that he had to cling to. When we lose sight of that, cling to. When we lose sight of that, cling to. When we lose sight of that, how do we live? We go, though we are not how do we live? We go, though we are not how do we live? We go, though we are not God. See, what would we write about God. See, what would we write about God. See, what would we write about ourselves? Though we are not God, we ourselves? Though we are not God, we ourselves? Though we are not God, we think that being equal to God is think that being equal to God is think that being equal to God is something that we can grasp. You say, something that we can grasp. You say, something that we can grasp. You say, "No, I don't do that." We did that from "No, I don't do that." We did that from "No, I don't do that." We did that from the very beginning. That was the lie of the very beginning. That was the lie of the very beginning. That was the lie of Satan. If you do this, you will be like Satan. If you do this, you will be like Satan. If you do this, you will be like God. You go, "Well, how do I do that?" God. You go, "Well, how do I do that?" God. You go, "Well, how do I do that?" Well, every time you and I know what God Well, every time you and I know what God Well, every time you and I know what God wants us to do, we read something in the wants us to do, we read something in the wants us to do, we read something in the Bible, and we say, "I don't care. I'm Bible, and we say, "I don't care. I'm Bible, and we say, "I don't care. I'm going to do it my way." That's us going to do it my way." That's us going to do it my way." That's us putting ourselves in the place of God. putting ourselves in the place of God. putting ourselves in the place of God. Every time we try to control a Every time we try to control a Every time we try to control a situation, it's us trying to elevate situation, it's us trying to elevate situation, it's us trying to elevate ourselves to God. When we choose our own ourselves to God. When we choose our own ourselves to God. When we choose our own way, it's us trying to elevate our way way, it's us trying to elevate our way way, it's us trying to elevate our way to God. Instead, it says that Jesus gave to God. Instead, it says that Jesus gave to God. Instead, it says that Jesus gave up his divine privilege would just uh he up his divine privilege would just uh he up his divine privilege would just uh he gave up the expression of his power, his gave up the expression of his power, his gave up the expression of his power, his glory, and his honor. And you think glory, and his honor. And you think glory, and his honor. And you think about us, we're constantly pursuing about us, we're constantly pursuing about us, we're constantly pursuing glory and honor. We want people to honor glory and honor. We want people to honor glory and honor. We want people to honor us. And he says he took the humble us. And he says he took the humble us. And he says he took the humble position of a slave. He's dependent. We position of a slave. He's dependent. We position of a slave. He's dependent. We want to have slaves, and yet he's Jesus want to have slaves, and yet he's Jesus want to have slaves, and yet he's Jesus became a slave. And he says, "Being a became a slave. And he says, "Being a became a slave. And he says, "Being a human being, he humbled himself. He's human being, he humbled himself. He's human being, he humbled himself. He's vulnerable and weak." That's how you vulnerable and weak." That's how you vulnerable and weak." That's how you connect, and yet we try to be strong and connect, and yet we try to be strong and connect, and yet we try to be strong and powerful, which we can never can connect powerful, which we can never can connect powerful, which we can never can connect that way. And then he humbled himself in that way. And then he humbled himself in that way. And then he humbled himself in obedience to God. Jesus' whole lifestyle obedience to God. Jesus' whole lifestyle obedience to God. Jesus' whole lifestyle was not my will, but your will. And our

was not my will, but your will. And our was not my will, but your will. And our prayers are so often my own prayers are, prayers are so often my own prayers are, prayers are so often my own prayers are, "God, not your will, my will. Not your "God, not your will, my will. Not your "God, not your will, my will. Not your timing, my timing. God, not This is what timing, my timing. God, not This is what timing, my timing. God, not This is what I want." And then he died a criminal's I want." And then he died a criminal's I want." And then he died a criminal's death on a cross. And so Jesus, you look death on a cross. And so Jesus, you look death on a cross. And so Jesus, you look at the humiliation. He steps down. He at the humiliation. He steps down. He at the humiliation. He steps down. He was God, he comes down, he could becomes was God, he comes down, he could becomes was God, he comes down, he could becomes human, he becomes a servant, and then human, he becomes a servant, and then human, he becomes a servant, and then ultimately he dies on a cross. And there ultimately he dies on a cross. And there ultimately he dies on a cross. And there is no more humiliation than that. And is no more humiliation than that. And is no more humiliation than that. And it's not just a physical death, an it's not just a physical death, an it's not just a physical death, an emotional. I mean, this is a spiritual emotional. I mean, this is a spiritual emotional. I mean, this is a spiritual death. You have Jesus who is absolutely death. You have Jesus who is absolutely death. You have Jesus who is absolutely holy and pure, and he lets sin infect holy and pure, and he lets sin infect holy and pure, and he lets sin infect him that is corrosive to his holiness him that is corrosive to his holiness him that is corrosive to his holiness and purity, that destroys him. And and purity, that destroys him. And and purity, that destroys him. And because he's God, he can take all of our because he's God, he can take all of our because he's God, he can take all of our sins of all of humanity, and he can and sins of all of humanity, and he can and sins of all of humanity, and he can and he can take it on him, and because he's he can take it on him, and because he's he can take it on him, and because he's both God and man, then he can die in our both God and man, then he can die in our both God and man, then he can die in our place for our sin. So, he takes the place for our sin. So, he takes the place for our sin. So, he takes the penalty of our sin, he takes the penalty of our sin, he takes the penalty of our sin, he takes the consequences of our sin, he destroys the consequences of our sin, he destroys the consequences of our sin, he destroys the power of sin, so that he can give to us power of sin, so that he can give to us power of sin, so that he can give to us his righteousness and his purity. He his righteousness and his purity. He his righteousness and his purity. He brings us into his family to loves to brings us into his family to loves to brings us into his family to loves to love us and to make us a part of that.

love us and to make us a part of that. love us and to make us a part of that. And so, that's what it it means. And And so, that's what it it means. And And so, that's what it it means. And when we forget that, what happens is when we forget that, what happens is when we forget that, what happens is that somehow we think, you know, I need that somehow we think, you know, I need that somehow we think, you know, I need to earn it. And so, we go out and we to earn it. And so, we go out and we to earn it. And so, we go out and we say, "Okay, I'll be really good." And we say, "Okay, I'll be really good." And we say, "Okay, I'll be really good." And we make promises to God and we think that make promises to God and we think that make promises to God and we think that somehow if I work really hard and I try somehow if I work really hard and I try somehow if I work really hard and I try really hard, that God then will see my really hard, that God then will see my really hard, that God then will see my effort and he'll honor that and love me effort and he'll honor that and love me effort and he'll honor that and love me and go, "Oh, you're great." But and go, "Oh, you're great." But and go, "Oh, you're great." But ultimately, we just lie to ourselves. ultimately, we just lie to ourselves. ultimately, we just lie to ourselves. We're minimizing our sin, we're We're minimizing our sin, we're We're minimizing our sin, we're minimizing our brokenness. minimizing our brokenness. minimizing our brokenness. Um there's just no way that we can good Um there's just no way that we can good Um there's just no way that we can good our way to God. And so, we just lie. And our way to God. And so, we just lie. And our way to God. And so, we just lie. And that's what the religious people did in that's what the religious people did in that's what the religious people did in Jesus' day. Or we go to the other Jesus' day. Or we go to the other Jesus' day. Or we go to the other extreme and we try, but we can't do it extreme and we try, but we can't do it extreme and we try, but we can't do it and so we just despair. And so, we quit. and so we just despair. And so, we quit. and so we just despair. And so, we quit. But Jesus says, "You just all you need But Jesus says, "You just all you need But Jesus says, "You just all you need to do is come to me. You come to me when to do is come to me. You come to me when to do is come to me. You come to me when you're overwhelmed with your sin and you're overwhelmed with your sin and you're overwhelmed with your sin and your brokenness." And he goes, "I will your brokenness." And he goes, "I will your brokenness." And he goes, "I will give you forgiveness and love. I'll take give you forgiveness and love. I'll take give you forgiveness and love. I'll take your sin and I'll give to you my your sin and I'll give to you my your sin and I'll give to you my righteousness." And so, Jesus does that. righteousness." And so, Jesus does that. righteousness." And so, Jesus does that. And then look at what happens when we And then look at what happens when we And then look at what happens when we when we do when we when Jesus humbles when we do when we when Jesus humbles when we do when we when Jesus humbles himself, look at what happens and how himself, look at what happens and how himself, look at what happens and how this passage ends. Therefore, God this passage ends. Therefore, God this passage ends. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest elevated him to the place of highest elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all honor and gave him the name above all honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus, other names, that at the name of Jesus, other names, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on every knee should bow in heaven and on every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every earth and under the earth, and every earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father. Here what we to the glory of the Father. Here what we to the glory of the Father. Here what we see is Jesus didn't just stay on the see is Jesus didn't just stay on the see is Jesus didn't just stay on the cross and he didn't stay in the grave,

cross and he didn't stay in the grave, cross and he didn't stay in the grave, but God raised him from the dead and he but God raised him from the dead and he but God raised him from the dead and he put him into the place of highest honor. put him into the place of highest honor. put him into the place of highest honor. And so, Jesus is God, the man who is in And so, Jesus is God, the man who is in And so, Jesus is God, the man who is in heaven, who's interceding for us, but heaven, who's interceding for us, but heaven, who's interceding for us, but also says that one day he's going to also says that one day he's going to also says that one day he's going to come back to our broken world and make come back to our broken world and make come back to our broken world and make everything right. And he's not going to everything right. And he's not going to everything right. And he's not going to come as a servant, but when he comes come as a servant, but when he comes come as a servant, but when he comes next time, he comes as a conquering next time, he comes as a conquering next time, he comes as a conquering king. And what Paul writes in this king. And what Paul writes in this king. And what Paul writes in this passage is he says, "Every knee will bow passage is he says, "Every knee will bow passage is he says, "Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus and every tongue will confess that Jesus and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord." Some will bow in gratitude, is Lord." Some will bow in gratitude, is Lord." Some will bow in gratitude, thanking Jesus for his love and his thanking Jesus for his love and his thanking Jesus for his love and his forgiveness, that he's invited us into forgiveness, that he's invited us into forgiveness, that he's invited us into his family and made us his. And others his family and made us his. And others his family and made us his. And others will bow in horror and fear, feeling the will bow in horror and fear, feeling the will bow in horror and fear, feeling the full weight of their sin, realizing that full weight of their sin, realizing that full weight of their sin, realizing that it is just too late. And that's why it is just too late. And that's why it is just too late. And that's why Jesus says over and again, "You do not Jesus says over and again, "You do not Jesus says over and again, "You do not want to go into eternity holding on to want to go into eternity holding on to want to go into eternity holding on to your sin." your sin." your sin." But when we started this passage, you But when we started this passage, you But when we started this passage, you remember the very first line?

remember the very first line? remember the very first line? What the reason Paul writes it all? Look What the reason Paul writes it all? Look What the reason Paul writes it all? Look at what he says in Philippians 2:5. You at what he says in Philippians 2:5. You at what he says in Philippians 2:5. You must have the same attitude that Christ must have the same attitude that Christ must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. We have to have the same Jesus had. We have to have the same Jesus had. We have to have the same lifestyle, the same way of thinking, lifestyle, the same way of thinking, lifestyle, the same way of thinking, that we have to be humble like Jesus that we have to be humble like Jesus that we have to be humble like Jesus was. And this passage tells us what was. And this passage tells us what was. And this passage tells us what humility is. The definition of humility humility is. The definition of humility humility is. The definition of humility is that we consider others more is that we consider others more is that we consider others more important than ourselves. Now, that important than ourselves. Now, that important than ourselves. Now, that doesn't mean that we view ourselves as doesn't mean that we view ourselves as doesn't mean that we view ourselves as worthless or useless. It just means I worthless or useless. It just means I worthless or useless. It just means I love what John Stott says. He says love what John Stott says. He says love what John Stott says. He says this, he says, "It's not to think less this, he says, "It's not to think less this, he says, "It's not to think less of ourselves, it's to think of ourselves of ourselves, it's to think of ourselves of ourselves, it's to think of ourselves less." So, God less." So, God less." So, God doesn't dislike when his children are doesn't dislike when his children are doesn't dislike when his children are honored, and he doesn't want us to live honored, and he doesn't want us to live honored, and he doesn't want us to live as a victim. That's not what humility as a victim. That's not what humility as a victim. That's not what humility means. And it doesn't mean that we don't means. And it doesn't mean that we don't means. And it doesn't mean that we don't think of ourselves. It just means that think of ourselves. It just means that think of ourselves. It just means that we think of ourselves less. And so, we we think of ourselves less. And so, we we think of ourselves less. And so, we see that we are called to live a life of see that we are called to live a life of see that we are called to live a life of humility, and it makes sense to us humility, and it makes sense to us humility, and it makes sense to us because what it says is the only way because what it says is the only way because what it says is the only way that people will be loved and cared for that people will be loved and cared for that people will be loved and cared for is if someone is willing to step down is if someone is willing to step down is if someone is willing to step down and to serve and to be humble. The only and to serve and to be humble. The only and to serve and to be humble. The only way that children are raised in way that children are raised in way that children are raised in confidence and that we have healthy confidence and that we have healthy confidence and that we have healthy families is if parents sacrifice and families is if parents sacrifice and families is if parents sacrifice and serve. The only way that marriages serve. The only way that marriages serve. The only way that marriages thrive and spouses are loved is if thrive and spouses are loved is if thrive and spouses are loved is if someone surrenders or if they put someone surrenders or if they put someone surrenders or if they put another ahead of themselves or they keep another ahead of themselves or they keep another ahead of themselves or they keep no record of wrongs. The only way

no record of wrongs. The only way no record of wrongs. The only way friends are encouraged is if somebody friends are encouraged is if somebody friends are encouraged is if somebody is willing to be humble and step aside is willing to be humble and step aside is willing to be humble and step aside and say go ahead. The only way a church and say go ahead. The only way a church and say go ahead. The only way a church is really a redemptive community and is is really a redemptive community and is is really a redemptive community and is a beautiful picture of Jesus in the a beautiful picture of Jesus in the a beautiful picture of Jesus in the world today is when we as his followers world today is when we as his followers world today is when we as his followers step down and surrender and humble step down and surrender and humble step down and surrender and humble ourselves and live as servants. There is ourselves and live as servants. There is ourselves and live as servants. There is no way for you and I to increase and no way for you and I to increase and no way for you and I to increase and live a life of selfishness and to see live a life of selfishness and to see live a life of selfishness and to see people's lives changed and to see people people's lives changed and to see people people's lives changed and to see people come to Jesus. And Jesus did not step come to Jesus. And Jesus did not step come to Jesus. And Jesus did not step down and humble himself and sacrifice so down and humble himself and sacrifice so down and humble himself and sacrifice so that his followers can step on, step that his followers can step on, step that his followers can step on, step over, and step up. It's not the way we over, and step up. It's not the way we over, and step up. It's not the way we were called to live. Jesus when he was were called to live. Jesus when he was were called to live. Jesus when he was here, he said, "I did not come to be here, he said, "I did not come to be here, he said, "I did not come to be served. I came to serve and to give my served. I came to serve and to give my served. I came to serve and to give my life." And then Jesus says, "So now I life." And then Jesus says, "So now I life." And then Jesus says, "So now I send you out and I want you to love in send you out and I want you to love in send you out and I want you to love in the same way that I've loved. I want you the same way that I've loved. I want you the same way that I've loved. I want you to to be a servant." And so he sends us to to be a servant." And so he sends us to to be a servant." And so he sends us in the world to serve. And the most in the world to serve. And the most in the world to serve. And the most amazing thing as we read through the New amazing thing as we read through the New amazing thing as we read through the New Testament, it says that when we serve Testament, it says that when we serve Testament, it says that when we serve each other, that God supercharges our each other, that God supercharges our each other, that God supercharges our efforts and it makes it it makes a efforts and it makes it it makes a efforts and it makes it it makes a difference in people's love. When we difference in people's love. When we difference in people's love. When we serve others, it literally says that it serve others, it literally says that it serve others, it literally says that it mends and heals people and that we build mends and heals people and that we build mends and heals people and that we build up the body of Christ and so that there up the body of Christ and so that there up the body of Christ and so that there is unity until we all become mature and is unity until we all become mature and is unity until we all become mature and we're growing and we become more like

we're growing and we become more like we're growing and we become more like Jesus. And so when you serve, you have Jesus. And so when you serve, you have Jesus. And so when you serve, you have this promise from God that it's going to this promise from God that it's going to this promise from God that it's going to make an eternal difference in people's make an eternal difference in people's make an eternal difference in people's lives. That he's going to make sure. So lives. That he's going to make sure. So lives. That he's going to make sure. So it's not just your efforts. God is going it's not just your efforts. God is going it's not just your efforts. God is going to bless your efforts, supercharge your to bless your efforts, supercharge your to bless your efforts, supercharge your efforts so that you make a powerful efforts so that you make a powerful efforts so that you make a powerful difference. And so we get involved in difference. And so we get involved in difference. And so we get involved in that. Look at This is why Jesus said in that. Look at This is why Jesus said in that. Look at This is why Jesus said in Matthew 23:11, "The greatest among you Matthew 23:11, "The greatest among you Matthew 23:11, "The greatest among you must be a servant." And then in in Luke must be a servant." And then in in Luke must be a servant." And then in in Luke 22, he says, "But among you, it will be 22, he says, "But among you, it will be 22, he says, "But among you, it will be different. Those who are the greatest different. Those who are the greatest different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank among you should take the lowest rank among you should take the lowest rank and the leader should be a servant." and the leader should be a servant." and the leader should be a servant." What Jesus, you know, in the world What Jesus, you know, in the world What Jesus, you know, in the world What's the world's definition of What's the world's definition of What's the world's definition of greatness? It is to be powerful and to greatness? It is to be powerful and to greatness? It is to be powerful and to have money and strength and status and have money and strength and status and have money and strength and status and to just pressure influence to just pressure influence to just pressure influence into the world. But Jesus says, "Not so into the world. But Jesus says, "Not so into the world. But Jesus says, "Not so with you." He says, "With you, the with you." He says, "With you, the with you." He says, "With you, the greatest is a servant." And we change greatest is a servant." And we change greatest is a servant." And we change the world when we serve. And the best the world when we serve. And the best the world when we serve. And the best part of it is Jesus says, "Everyone can part of it is Jesus says, "Everyone can part of it is Jesus says, "Everyone can be great because everyone can serve."

be great because everyone can serve." be great because everyone can serve." And so when we get involved and we serve And so when we get involved and we serve And so when we get involved and we serve together, the church together as the together, the church together as the together, the church together as the body of Christ, we become like Jesus to body of Christ, we become like Jesus to body of Christ, we become like Jesus to the world and people see it and they the world and people see it and they the world and people see it and they become awestruck. The Bible describes become awestruck. The Bible describes become awestruck. The Bible describes the church and the way it's supposed to the church and the way it's supposed to the church and the way it's supposed to be in the book of Acts and the very be in the book of Acts and the very be in the book of Acts and the very first church. And I love the picture first church. And I love the picture first church. And I love the picture that it paints in in Acts chapter 2 that it paints in in Acts chapter 2 that it paints in in Acts chapter 2 because it says when the church got because it says when the church got because it says when the church got together and it was doing everything together and it was doing everything together and it was doing everything that it should do, there was a sense of that it should do, there was a sense of that it should do, there was a sense of awe. People just would look at it and awe. People just would look at it and awe. People just would look at it and go, go, go, "That is so powerful. That is "That is so powerful. That is "That is so powerful. That is miraculous." And they just lived in awe. miraculous." And they just lived in awe. miraculous." And they just lived in awe. And so what's a word that we use for And so what's a word that we use for And so what's a word that we use for awe? We would say, "Wow." You know, when awe? We would say, "Wow." You know, when awe? We would say, "Wow." You know, when you see the church being what it's you see the church being what it's you see the church being what it's supposed to be and people serving and supposed to be and people serving and supposed to be and people serving and loving they go wow and so in Acts it loving they go wow and so in Acts it loving they go wow and so in Acts it says the church would get together and says the church would get together and says the church would get together and they would devote themselves to God's they would devote themselves to God's they would devote themselves to God's word. That's what we're doing right now. word. That's what we're doing right now. word. That's what we're doing right now. We're studying God's word and We're studying God's word and We're studying God's word and surrendering our life to it and when surrendering our life to it and when surrendering our life to it and when people see God's people surrendering people see God's people surrendering people see God's people surrendering their their their themselves to God's word they'd look at themselves to God's word they'd look at themselves to God's word they'd look at that and they'd go wow. And then when that and they'd go wow. And then when that and they'd go wow. And then when people would get together as God's people would get together as God's people would get together as God's family and they'd worship family and they'd worship family and they'd worship and praise God in in large groups and and praise God in in large groups and and praise God in in large groups and they'd see people lifting their hands they'd see people lifting their hands they'd see people lifting their hands and praising and singing they would go and praising and singing they would go and praising and singing they would go wow, look at that. And then they would wow, look at that. And then they would wow, look at that. And then they would gather in small groups in homes and gather in small groups in homes and gather in small groups in homes and they'd pray for each other and they'd be they'd pray for each other and they'd be they'd pray for each other and they'd be vulnerable and honest and they'd share vulnerable and honest and they'd share vulnerable and honest and they'd share their lives and they support each other their lives and they support each other their lives and they support each other and they saw that and they saw the and they saw that and they saw the and they saw that and they saw the miracles as they pray people would go miracles as they pray people would go miracles as they pray people would go wow, look at that because of the wow, look at that because of the wow, look at that because of the fellowship. And when people the church

fellowship. And when people the church fellowship. And when people the church got together and they would serve each got together and they would serve each got together and they would serve each other in love and trust that God other in love and trust that God other in love and trust that God supercharged that and the supernatural supercharged that and the supernatural supercharged that and the supernatural happened and lives are being changed and happened and lives are being changed and happened and lives are being changed and people were lives are being mended and people were lives are being mended and people were lives are being mended and built up and people were becoming more built up and people were becoming more built up and people were becoming more like Jesus. People went like Jesus. People went like Jesus. People went wow, look at that and as a result of wow, look at that and as a result of wow, look at that and as a result of that there is a miraculous and every day that there is a miraculous and every day that there is a miraculous and every day more and more people came to know Jesus more and more people came to know Jesus more and more people came to know Jesus as their savior and people go as their savior and people go as their savior and people go wow. And that's what we're called to do. wow. And that's what we're called to do. wow. And that's what we're called to do. We're to have the same attitude that We're to have the same attitude that We're to have the same attitude that Jesus had. We are called to show up as Jesus had. We are called to show up as Jesus had. We are called to show up as servants and that's really the servants and that's really the servants and that's really the opportunity that you have. And so what opportunity that you have. And so what opportunity that you have. And so what we want to do is give you the we want to do is give you the we want to do is give you the opportunity to serve. And so for those opportunity to serve. And so for those opportunity to serve. And so for those of you that are online you can serve of you that are online you can serve of you that are online you can serve your family and you can serve in your your family and you can serve in your your family and you can serve in your business, but you can serve in your business, but you can serve in your business, but you can serve in your church. We have some incredible church. We have some incredible church. We have some incredible opportunities. All on the prayer team opportunities. All on the prayer team opportunities. All on the prayer team you can see service as host, as ESL you can see service as host, as ESL you can see service as host, as ESL facilitators. All you have to do is text facilitators. All you have to do is text facilitators. All you have to do is text serve to the number that you see on the serve to the number that you see on the serve to the number that you see on the screen and we will help you serve screen and we will help you serve screen and we will help you serve together because when we serve together, together because when we serve together, together because when we serve together, we change the world and the world will we change the world and the world will we change the world and the world will go go go wow.

wow. wow. All right? All right? All right? Pray with me. Father, we are so grateful Pray with me. Father, we are so grateful Pray with me. Father, we are so grateful that you love us and that you've invited that you love us and that you've invited that you love us and that you've invited us in invited us [clears throat] into us in invited us [clears throat] into us in invited us [clears throat] into this loving family. You saved us and this loving family. You saved us and this loving family. You saved us and rescued us. rescued us. rescued us. And we honor that you are God, but you And we honor that you are God, but you And we honor that you are God, but you are human and that you wonderfully are human and that you wonderfully are human and that you wonderfully on the cross died for our sins so that on the cross died for our sins so that on the cross died for our sins so that we could be forgiven. We are so we could be forgiven. We are so we could be forgiven. We are so grateful. We are so grateful. We pray in grateful. We are so grateful. We pray in grateful. We are so grateful. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. >> Hey, I'm so glad that you joined us for >> Hey, I'm so glad that you joined us for our service today. our service today. our service today. And I hope and pray that God use this And I hope and pray that God use this And I hope and pray that God use this message to encourage you right where you message to encourage you right where you message to encourage you right where you are. are. are. I'd love if you hit the subscribe button I'd love if you hit the subscribe button I'd love if you hit the subscribe button cuz then you could get the next [music] cuz then you could get the next [music] cuz then you could get the next [music] alert for whenever we have services and alert for whenever we have services and alert for whenever we have services and when that we ever offer content here on when that we ever offer content here on when that we ever offer content here on YouTube. So, [music] subscribe and join YouTube. So, [music] subscribe and join YouTube. So, [music] subscribe and join us for Mariners online.