HOW TO BE A
Philippians 2:1-5
INTRODUCTION:
A.
As we look
at scripture we find different names for The Church (Called Out)
1. flock of God – 1 Peter 5:2
2.
God’s building – 1 Corinthians 3:9
3. Body of Christ – Ephesians 1:22-23
4.
5. church of the Gentiles – Romans 16:4
6. church of the Living God – 1 Timothy 3:15
7. church of the first-born – Hebrews 12:23
8. churches of Christ – Romans 16:16
B.
All of these
are descriptive terms describing the church Christ established
C.
As we look
across
1. Many of these churches claim to be Christian – Yet, wear different names
2. They have diverse worship services / Organized in various ways
3. They teach different theologies
4. YET THEY ALL CLAIM TO HAVE A KINSHIP WITH JESUS THE CHRIST
D.
What makes
one of these churches a
1. Is it the name?
2. Is it the teaching?
3. Is it the organization?
4.
What makes a group of people a true
E.
God answers
this question for us
1.
John
2. To teach us what a church of Christ to be – God started by sending His Son to live among us
3. In living as a human Christ demonstrated a lifestyle that was to be a characteristic of His followers
F.
So to be
among the CALLED OUT of Christ or
1. Is to be like Christ
2. Act like Christ
3. Think like Christ
4. This would include His Teachings / Actions / Attitudes
5.
When people decide to be a
6. They must first go to the life of Christ
7. Then determine to be like Christ
8. What was the life of Christ like?
BODY:
I.
JESUS
SUBMITTED IN ALL THINGS
A.
The great
characteristic in the life of Jesus
1. He submitted to God’s will in everything
2. Philippians 2:6-7 – Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
B.
Jesus
1. Gave up the power and majesty of heaven to live among men
2. This had to be difficult
3. But Jesus was committed to honoring God in all things
4. So when God asked Jesus to come to earth as a human – Christ submitted to God’s will
C.
This
submission went beyond accepting life as a human
1. Philippians 2:8 – And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross.
2. Even though He was the Son of God – He submitted to the cross
3. Hebrews 5:8-9 – Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
D.
The decision
to submit was not easy for Jesus
1. He struggled in the garden with the torture and death He was about to endure
2.
Mark
3.
Submission was the
defining characteristic of the perfect life of Christ
E.
This points
us in the right direction in learning how to be a
1. We begin by determining to be submissive in all ways to the WILL OF GOD
2. As Jesus showed – It is this type of submission that pleases / honors God
3. Anyone wanting to be a part of the church that Christ established should have the desire to Seek God’s Will and Submit to God’s Will
F.
This is true
in terms of how
1. Become a Christian
2. To organize the church
3. To lead the church
G.
If we are to
be Christians then we must do as Christ did – Make Submission our defining
characteristic
H.
That alone
would simplify what we are and what we do as a church
1. We will worship as the N.T. believers did – Singing / Praying / Teaching about God
2. We will partake of the Lord’s Supper on Sunday as they did (Acts 20:7)
3. We will have Elders / Deacons / Ministers who are given the duty of leadership
4. We will teach Faith / Repentance / Baptism just as the Apostles taught
5. As the early church tried to copy Christ – So will those who Submit to God
6. The question is not – “What do I want?” – But “What does God say?”
7. Let each of us be like Christ and Submit to the Will of God
8. Jesus not only Submitted to the Will of God….He also
II.
JESUS PUT
PEOPLE FIRST
A.
Throughout
His ministry
1. Jesus was adored by the common people
2. Especially those who were not in the religious circles of the day
B.
In Mark
1. Jesus not only healed the man – He broke with custom and touched the leper
2. Jesus could have healed him from a distance
3. But He knew he must have craved the touch of a human hand after who knows how long of uncleanness
C.
Jesus
accepted the appreciation of a woman who was a sinner in Luke 7:36-50
1. Jesus had accepted to eat at a Pharisee’s house
2. The Pharisee was uncomfortable with this sinner of a woman entering into his house
3. His traditional way of thinking was getting in the way of this woman’s need
4. But Jesus was willing to see her needs
5. He forgave her right there – Because that was more important than the traditions of the fathers.
D.
We look down
on the Pharisees today because of their attitudes
1. But Jesus was willing to eat with the Pharisees
2. They had souls too – And every soul was worth saving
3. He would talk with and teach the Pharisees
4. Even accepting their customs as He could
5. But when their traditions got in the way of helping / serving / ministering to people
6. Like the lepers and sinners – Jesus always put people first
E.
A
1. The church will first submit to the Will of God
2. Then it will try to put people at the center of their work and service
F.
Jesus didn’t
come with a new set of rules
1. He came with the warm touch of a human hand
2. Many people who were out of step with the religious world of their day – sought Jesus
3. Jesus always put their needs above Traditions / His needs
4. Once we learn to submit to God – We then learn to put people first
G.
To be a
III.
JESUS
TREATED PEOPLE RIGHT
A.
In John
8:2-11
1. We see another encounter between the religious leaders and Jesus
2. This time we see some men who caught a woman in the act of adultery
3. They brought her to Jesus to be judged
B.
Imagine from
this woman’s perspective
1. She is wrong in her act and she is caught
2. Then dragged in front of everyone to be brought before a man who is seen as righteous
3. Imagine her pain and humiliation
4. She deserves to be punished
C.
But Jesus
would not play their games
1. He refused to allow a human being (even a sinful one) to be used
2. He stooped and wrote something on the ground
3. One by one her accusers left
4. Finally, Jesus turned to the woman telling her He would not condemn her either
5.
John
6. She deserved to be punished – Yet, Jesus treated her with gentleness and dignity
D.
Jesus
1. Saw worth in her and honored her – In spite of her sin
2. Others were interested in using her – Jesus was kind and tender toward her
3. Jesus not only put people first – He also treated them right
E.
A church
that wants to wear the name of Jesus
1. Will treat people right
2. Even if members are caught in sin they will according to Galatians 6:1 – Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness
3. How sad when people who call themselves Christians mistreat the very people the Christ died for
4.
No matter the issue – If we are a
a. Submit to God’s will
b. Put people first
c. Treat people right – Even when they are caught in sin
5. Jesus not only did these things…He also
IV.
JESUS
ENJOYED PEOPLE
A.
Jesus
actually found pleasure in being with people
1.
Jesus went to the wedding of
2. Weddings were times of joy and celebration
3. Jesus went to places where people went to celebrate the joys of life
4. Jesus must have found pleasure in seeing people who wanted to be happy in the marriage that God gave them
B.
Jesus also
accepted small children
1. Luke 18:15-17 – The disciples were trying to protect Jesus form the intrusions of small children
2. But Jesus plainly said in Luke 18:16 – Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them
3. This was to teach us about faith and humility
4. For in Luke 18:17 – Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.
C.
But it also
must have been because Jesus like children
1. Kids then are like kids now
2. Their curiosity / joy / drool / etc.
3. Jesus Touched / Held / Took time to be with them
4. Jesus not only put people first – He enjoyed them
D.
This
pleasure is what moved God to reach out to save us
1. God did not act out of duty – God acted out of love
2.
John
3.
God loved us
E.
God
1. Loves us
2. Wants us to be happy and content in an ongoing relationship with Him
3. Finds pleasure in us – When we honor God with our choices
a. Submitting to His will
b. Putting people first
c. Treating people right
F.
If a church
wants to be a
1. They must learn to Submit / Put people first / Treat people right
2. And Enjoy the very people they serve
3. That might be the children they keep / teach / touch
4. Might be sinners they are trying to gently restore
G.
Be like
Jesus and learn to love and enjoy the souls we attempt to reach
V.
A.
It is more
than putting a sign on the building
B.
More than
dispensing with human doctrines and traditions
C.
More than
worshipping as God commands
D.
These things
will occur as we submit to the Will of God
E.
But being a
1. We put people ahead of our traditions
2. Treat others right even when they are wrong
3. Actually learning to like and enjoy the people we serve
F.
ALL THIS IS
ACCOMPLISHED WHEN WE FIRST SUBMIT TO GOD’S WILL
G.
THAT IS WHAT
IT MEANS TO BE A