Author: looking2jesus13

The Divine Worship Leader

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:1-3 

Philippians 3:3, “For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” 

We were created to worship, just as the Westminster Shorter Catechism has instructed, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Being our “chief end,” worship is a matter of extreme importance. Our problem is, however, that sin has worked to debilitate and deceive us. So, Jesus came to make worshippers out of us. I love this quote from A. W. Tozer, “Why did Christ come? Why was He conceived? Why was He born? Why was He crucified? Why did He rise again? Why is He now at the right hand of the Father? The answer to all these questions is, ‘In order that He might make worshipers out of rebels; in order that He might restore us again to the place of worship we knew when we were first created’.”

In order for worship to be acceptable to God, it must meet certain conditions, just as Jesus explained: “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). For worship to be acceptable to God it must be in accordance with the truth, and led by the Spirit. That means, of course, it is only those who are born again of the Spirit who are equipped to worship. Yet the fact they have the Spirit is not, in itself, a guarantee they will worship God as they should. There is the need to be led by the Spirit and to walk by His power. 

Just as gravity works to hold us to the earth, sin perniciously works such that we gravitate towards a fleshly approach to worship. Paul chided the believers in Galatia for that very thing (Galatians 3:1-3). Having heard the gospel and believed, they had begun in their Christian lives “by the Spirit.” Sadly, false teachers came along and set them off course with false teaching emphasizing self-reliance. 

It is impossible for us to move an inch in the heavenly direction apart from the Holy Spirit. His inner workings are as essential to worship as gas is to a car engine. You can turn a car engine over with the starter, yet that car will not go anywhere far. You could have a thousand human worship leaders, yet if the Divine worship leader is not working, all their efforts will be to no avail. This is surely at the heart of much which ails the modern church. 

It is as that great theologian, Francis Schaeffer, long ago noted, “The central problem of our age is not liberalism or modernism, nor the old Roman Catholicism or the new Roman Catholicism, nor the threat of communism, nor even the threat of rationalism and the monolithic consensus which surrounds us [nor, I would add today, postmodernism or materialistic consumerism or visceral sensualism or whatever]. All these are dangerous but not the primary threat. The real problem is this: the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, individually or corporately, tending to do the Lord’s work in the power of the flesh rather than of the Spirit. The central problem is always in the midst of the people of God, not in the circumstances surrounding them.” 

We are those who worship by the Spirit. The indwelling Spirit has a ministry of unveiling to us, in us and through us, the glory of the Lord Jesus (John 16:13-14). Our response is to acknowledge Him in what we say and do–for who He is and what He has done and is doing! There is one sure way to improve our worship, be it in an individual or corporate way. Allow the Spirit to instruct and lead and empower us in all. Two parallel passages have direct relevance to this matter—Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:16-17. Ephesians 5:18-20 instructs that when we are filled with the Spirit, the worship of God is the result. Colossians 3:16-17 speaks of a similar result, but cites the cause to be the word of Christ richly dwelling within. We worship by the Spirit to the extent we are filled with the Spirit and are richly indwelt by the Word. And in that kind of worship, our hearts and lives are in harmony with our Creator and His purpose! 

REVIVE US AGAIN

We praise thee, O God, for the Son of thy love,
for Jesus who died, and is now gone above.

Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory, hallelujah! Amen!
Hallelujah! Thine the glory, revive us again.
We praise thee, O God, for thy Spirit of light
who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night. [Refrain]

We praise thee, O God, for the joy thou hast giv’n
to thy saints in communion, these foretastes of heav’n. [Refrain]
Revive us again, fill each heart with thy love.
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above. [Refrain]

Exemplary Servants 

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:17-30

In one of the most important and majestic passages dealing with His saving work, Philippians 2:5-8, we read of Christ Jesus and His humiliation and ultimate death on a cross. Step by step the passage describes His descent from heaven’s glory, to His obedient subjection, to His death on a cross. It was all voluntary on His part, because He came into the world not to be served, but to serve and give His life and ransom for many (Mark 10:45). In this text I find two incredible truths: 1) That the eternal Son of God would step down from heaven to dwell amongst man and die for my sins is a divine mystery defying all comprehension. It is, as the hymn puts it: “Amazing love, how can it be; That Thou my God shouldst die for me?” and 2) That God would call for me to have the mind of Christ, thereby imitating Him in His humble and self-sacrificing manner of life. Yet that’s exactly what verse five calls upon us to do, saying: “Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Mind = attitude = way of thinking. 

Set against the sin-rooted backdrop of man’s depravity with its associated selfish ways, the life of Jesus shines forth in the glorious beauty of its radical selflessness. His was a perfect life. Never demanding. Always loving. Always serving. Its glorious divergence cries out to us from the majesty of His inner virtue. He’s marked out for all a narrow path of self-sacrifice, which beckons to those weary of the broad path’s selfish and hurtful ways. The cross represents to the believer, not only the basis of salvation, it also sets before us the manner of life to which we are called, according to the example of Christ’s self-sacrificing way of thinking and living. 

Philippians chapter two puts before us three examples of those who walked according to Christ’s example: the Apostle Paul (Philippians 2:17-18); Timothy (Philippians 2:19-24); and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30). All three demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice in obedience to Christ and for the sake of others. They all followed Christ’s example, as we are all called to do. We’ve not the space to look at all three here, but consider the example of Timothy. 

Paul abounded in praise for his son in the faith, Timothy. Note what he said about him: 1) “I have no one like him;” 2) “(he) will be genuinely concerned for your welfare;” and 3) “you know Timothy’s proven worth” (Philippians 2:20-22). On top of all that, Paul made this astounding statement: “For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:21). Who was Paul speaking about when he said they all seek their own interests? Not unbelievers, who have neither the heart nor the ability to do anything except seek their own interests. He was speaking of able-bodied folks in the church who could be useful, yet were debilitated from serving by their own self-focus. How tragic! How heartbreaking when self works to negate our freedom to serve Him who sacrificed all to save us! But then there was Timothy, saying, “Here I am, Lord, ready to do Your bidding!” He had chosen that better, more beautiful path–the one marked out for us by Jesus. In the setting aside of his own personal prerogatives, Timothy would be used by God to bear a glorious harvest of fruit in the instruction, encouragement and care of his fellow believers. In seeking the interests of Jesus Christ, Timothy set his sights on that which was well-pleasing to God and of lasting significance!

To be sure, one can only live this way, by the leading and empowerment of the Spirit, but we do well to think and live like that, according to the example of Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus and most of all, according to the example of Jesus Himself. To serve in selfless fashion is a part of what it means to love like Jesus! 

MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST, MY SAVIOR

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow’r controlling
All I do and say.

May the word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through his pow’r.

May the peace of God, my Father,
Rule my life in ev’rything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea.
Him exalting, self abasing:
This is victory.

May we run the race before us,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As we onward go.

Lights in the Darkness

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:9-16

Philippians 2:14-16, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.”

An Arkansas woman was with her teenage son, waiting in the drive through at a
Starbucks, when they noticed something unusual. The Starbucks employee was
praying with a customer at the front of the line. The woman was touched by the
employee simply being a light for Jesus and hopes the situation will inspire others to demonstrate kindness. She went on to say, “This act of kindness and boldness in faith… gives me hope and reminds myself and hopefully others that being kind and praying for someone doesn’t cost anything.” It’s a good thing to shine as a light in the world.

Two terms speak of the nature of the world in which we live. The first, crooked, comes from a Greek term used to describe winding rivers, or crooked roads. Here it is used of behavior contrary to God’s standards. Paul, speaking of that society and all societies, says they miss the mark when it comes to upholding God’s standard (Romans 3:23).

Now, of course things are this way because of sin. When Adam and Eve sinned against God in the garden, they unleashed a contagion of sin in this world which has infected every person who has been born ever since (Romans 5:12). The evidence of this contagion is everywhere apparent.

The other term, perverse, means to twist or distort. Here it speaks to the condition in which wrong becomes right, a condition readily apparent in our own day (Isaiah 5:20). In a perverse generation, things are turned around. Romans 1:18-32 speaks to this. In the downward spiral of sin, what is good is rejected and what is evil is celebrated (Romans 1:23, 25, 26, 27).

There is a temptation to focus on such flaws and curse the darkness, yet that’s not what God has called us to do. Though the children of God whom Paul addressed lived amid a crooked and perverse generation, what was true for them is true for us, true for believers around the world today and will remain so until Christ’s return. If we are expecting anything different, then we are going to be disappointed. God has called us instead to confront the darkness by living out our relationship with Jesus before the lost. The difference in our lives working to adorn the gospel message of which we speak (John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:50).

When Dr. John Mitchell served as president of Multnomah Bible College one of his students came to him with a problem. He asked Dr. Mitchell to pray for him that God might provide him with a different job. It seems that he was forced to work in a tough environment surrounded by nothing but unbelievers. He had to put up with a lot of cursing and swearing and rude language. Dr. Mitchell surprised the man in his response, saying, “I’m not going to pray God will take you out of that place, but that God will keep you there where God has provided you a unique opportunity to bear witness for Jesus Christ.”

There are people all around who are living in darkness, without God and without hope. God incredibly blessed you by opening your eyes to the light of the gospel. His intent is that You in turn, would be used by Him in making the gospel known. Let His light shine through you!

LET YOUR LOVE FLOW THROUGH ME

Let your love flow through me
Let your love flow through me
Make me a blessing Lord wherever I may be
Keep me pure, Keep me clean
So that you may be seen
Let your love, Let your love flow through me

So many folks are lonely
O they need someone To care,
And when I look about and see them
I can’t help, making this my prayer

Let Your light shine through me
Let Your light shine through me
O Lord make me a blessing wherever, I may be
Keep me pure, keep me clean so that You might be seen
O let Your Light, let Your light shine through me

Grumbling or Grateful?

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:9-16

Philippians 2:14, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence.  After the first 10 years, his superior called him in and asked, “Do you have anything to say?”  The monk replied, “Food bad.”  After another 10 years, the monk again had an opportunity to voice his thoughts, and he said to his superior, “Bed hard.”  Another 10 years passed by and again he was called before his superior.  When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, “I quit.”  To which the superior replied, “That doesn’t surprise me a bit. You’ve done nothing but complain ever since you got here.”

We are all prone to grumble and complain… such is the universal condition of men in sin.  Adults grumble.  Teens grumble.  Children grumble.  Poor people grumble.  Rich people grumble too.  We grumble about all kinds of things—our work, the weather, our food, the government, the cost of things, our illnesses, how we are treated, etc. etc.  For some, grumbling is as natural a thing as breathing.  Some have a special gift for grumbling.  But grumbling is not a spiritual gift.

What is grumbling?  Philippians 2:14 uses two terms to describe this kind of behavior. Grumbling is from the Greek term “gongusmos,” which means “to mutter, murmur, grumble, say anything in a low tone.”  The word is an onomatopoeic word, which means the sound of the word is akin to its meaning.  Disputing is from the Greek term “dialogismos” and is related to our English word “dialog.”  It speaks to an inward reasoning that differs from others and leads to arguments and such.  Our English word is defined as engaging in an argument.  The two terms are related.  Disputing has to do with one’s thinking when it disagrees with God or others, grumbling has to do with the expression of those complaints. Grumbling thoughts lead to grumbling words.

In a world that is given to grumbling and disputing, God’s children are called to a very different kind of behavior.  There is something very attractive and winsome to gratefulness.  What does the world see in you when you are confronted by difficult circumstances?  Do people see you grumbling and disputing, or do they see you trusting and thanking?  You either adorn the gospel or distract from it, depending on your response.

She is thankful.  Every time I visit, she’s thankful.  Thankful to God for her family, the place she has to live, and the care she is receiving.  This although she’s a hospice patient, and experiencing the pain and discomfort associated with her ailments.  After singing together the hymn, “Count Your Blessings,” she wondered why God was keeping her around.  I assured her that with a thankful heart like hers, she’s got an influence and is leaving a legacy for those around her, including her family.  She used to collect rocks.  You know, those gray ordinary orbs we encounter most everywhere.  She’s got one in her room that she found and then cleaned and polished.  It’s no ordinary rock. It’s beautiful and shines with lots of colors.  It’s an easy thing to grumble.  It takes little effort. Any one of us can find plenty of things to grumble about.  But gratefulness is a beautiful virtue that shines, and works to re-direct our attention to God, from whom all blessings flow. 

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. [Refrain]

Your Work and God’s

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:9-16

Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

“Your own salvation”- Is there anything of greater importance or value than that?  In the negative sense you have been saved from sin’s guilt and God’s wrath. In the positive sense you are being saved from sin’s power unto eternal glory.  This salvation has come to you as a gift from God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for your sins.

And you now possess this salvation.  But what are you to do with it?  How are you to work it out?  What does God expect from you?  What are the attitudes and actions that God expects from you with respect to this treasured possession you now possess?

A key phrase in the text is this: “work out your salvation.”  And that has caused some confusion.  Some misread this and erroneously suppose that we are to somehow work for our salvation.  But that would contradict other Scriptures, that make it clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-5).

Our text relates to the aspect of salvation we call sanctification.  That part that has to do with the Spirit’s work of transforming us from the rebel sinners which we were into the Christlikeness God has called us to.  And in this part of salvation, there is something we are called upon to do.  Now we need to be careful here, to keep in mind that every aspect of salvation is “by grace.”  We are justified by grace, sanctified by grace, and we will be glorified by God’s grace.  It all happens by the “unmerited favor” and strengthening of God’s grace.  And were it not for God’s grace, there would be no salvation in any sense or any tense.  We have also considered the working of the Spirit regarding these matters.  All that God calls upon the believer to do is to be done “by the Spirit.”  Later in this epistle Paul will address this, saying: “For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).  We put no confidence in the flesh when it comes to justification, sanctification, or glorification. 

Having said all that, it is important that we avoid either of two extremes when it comes to our understanding of this matter.  It has been noted that heresy is truth taken in its extreme.  And there are extremes for us to avoid with sanctification.  These two extremes could be labeled “quietism” and “pietism.”  Quietism supposes that we are to simply let go and let God.  While there’s an element of truth in that, it’s not the whole story.  Pietism, on the other hand, supposes that the matter of spiritual growth is entirely up to us.  We are to work out our salvation, but that is only possible because God is at work in us to will and to work for His good pleasure.  Let me illustrate.  My Toyota Venza has a lane-keeping feature that will automatically work to keep the car within the lane if I’m not paying attention.  However, if I remove my hands from the steering wheel for too long, an alert will display on the dash, reminding me to keep my hands on the wheel.  The car has not been designed to operate without me doing my part.  And you’ve not been designed by God to operate disengaged from the spiritual disciplines that are essential to your spiritual growth (being in the Word, in prayer, and in fellowship).

The fundamental error of the pietist, on the other hand, is that he wrongly supposes he has it in himself to do that which God requires of him.  Religion is no substitute to being filled with the Spirit and doing that which God calls upon us to do “by the Spirit.”  And by way of my earlier example—the car on autopilot—the pietist stands on the other extreme.  He’s like Fred Flintstone in the old cartoon.  He’s got a car built of giant tree limbs and granite stones.  The wheels themselves probably weigh several tons.  But he jumps in his animated car and pedals his feet, and the car goes.  But that could only happen because it was a cartoon.  And it is cartoonish to suppose that we can work out our salvation in our wisdom and strength and get anywhere close to where we are supposed to be going.  So, the quietist says you don’t need to do anything, “let go and let God.”  And the pietist says that you need to do everything, it’s all up to you to “get ‘er done.”  But our passage speaks to both.  Verse 12 would be impossible were it not for verse 13.  So give serious attention to the working out of your salvation, knowing that God is at work in you, for His good pleasure, to do “far more abundantly than all (you) ask or think, according to the power at work within” you (Ephesians 3:20)!

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Christ Above All

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:9-16

Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Election season is upon us.  Roll out the political ads, yard signs, debates, and endless appeals for funds. As divided as our country now is, be prepared for a lot of name calling and finger pointing.  We’ll all be glad when it’s over.   Do your research.  Vote for those God-fearing folks who possess humility, integrity, compassion, and wisdom.  Our country surely needs some of that, if its not too late to reverse the tide of all the ills that have befallen us.  There’s never been a time in America like that in which we now live—the degree of lawlessness, corruption and injustice is unprecedented!  Illegal drugs and suspicious folks are pouring across our southern border.  Our economy is a house of cards, with some even now warning of big troubles that lie ahead.  Ongoing or pending wars add to the uncertainty, with even the threat of possible nuclear conflict.  Our country is in big trouble!

But a political season is a good time to remind ourselves of some important truths.  We believers in Christ are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20).  Like those men and women of faith before us, our hearts look to “a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16).  Indeed, in that, we are a part of a “kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28).  Kings and Kingdoms will all pass away, but in Jesus Christ we’ve an eternal King who will reign forevermore.

God is sovereign over the affairs of this world. As the hymn says, “Though the wrong, seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.” He “works all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11).” Those earthly leaders who pridefully dismiss God’s relevance and work to gleefully wield their power forget that they are mere pawns on God’s chessboard. “He who sits in the heavens laughs” (Psalm 2:4). It is God who captains this ship of history and there is no one and nothing that can work to deter or deviate it from arriving at its foreordained destiny.

And where is this ship headed?  You know, earthly leaders are sometimes good and sometimes bad, but none are perfect.  They’ve come and gone over the course of history, all here for a short while and none of them deserving of worship—though some have demanded it.  There’s only one who is worthy of that, and that’s the Lord Jesus Himself.

There will come a day when every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will confess Him to be Lord! In every realm of existence, they will—in heaven, on earth, and under the earth—or, as some have said in the “celestial, terrestrial, and infernal.” It’ll matter not whether you be rich or poor or man or woman or young or old. It’ll matter not if you are a president or a CEO or the wealthiest person on earth. There’ll be no election to decide the matter. And it’ll matter not if you are a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent, or even to which nation you’ve belonged. In fact, it’ll matter not your tribe or language or people or nation. There will come a day when you, and every other person who has ever lived on this planet, will bow the knee to Jesus Christ and confess Him to be Lord!

And He is worthy!  He is worthy because He created all things, including you.  All things have been created by Him, through Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16).  He is worthy because of who He is—perfect in all His ways (Isaiah 9:6-7; Hebrews 7:26)!  All wise, all loving, and all powerful!  So great was His love for us that He left His Father’s throne above, and emptied Himself of all but love, that He might die on a cross for our sins—that we might be saved (Philippians 2:5-8; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Timothy 1:15)! 

The long war against God will one day come to an end.  The Lord Jesus has already triumphed through His death and resurrection (Colossians 2:15).  And there will come a day when He will return and “judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31).  And on that day, all will be brought into complete submission to Him.  You wonder where things are headed in this world?  That is where! 

Now what does this mean to you?  If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, then you’ve some soul searching to do.  You will bow the knee to Jesus Christ one day.  The question is, will you do that in adoration and gratitude as one of His own, or will you be compelled to do that, as a vanquished foe (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).  Isaiah 45:22-23 speaks to this: “Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God and there is no other.  I have sworn to Myself, the word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back.  That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.”

For those of us who know Jesus, it’s good to remind ourselves of these things.  The One who once super humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross, will be super exalted above all.  There will come a day when you’ll be in a perfect place where righteousness dwells, and you’ll worship a perfect leader, even the Lord Jesus who loved you and delivered Himself up for you!  That will be glory for you and for me!  And that’s where our hope lies!

HE IS LORD

Emptied of His glory
God became a man
To walk on earth in
Ridicule and shame
A Ruler yet a Servant
A Shepherd yet a Lamb
A Man of Sorrows agony and pain

Humbled and rejected
Beaten and despised
Upon the cross the
Son of God was slain
Just like a lamb to slaughter
A sinless sacrifice
But by His death His loss became our gain

Satan’s forces crumbled
Like a mighty wall
The stone that held Him
In was rolled aside
The Prince of Life in glory
Was lifted over all
Now earth and heaven echoes with the cry

Chorus:
He is Lord He is Lord
He is risen from the dead
And He is Lord
Ev’ry knee shall bow
Ev’ry tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord

The Selfless Love of the Savior

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-8

Philippians 2:5-8, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

I love reading biographies and especially missionary biographies. The account of the life of Gladys Aylward is one of my favorites. She was born to a working-class family in London in 1902. Having believed in Jesus, she was determined from an early age to go overseas as a missionary. She applied to the China Inland Mission, only to be turned down because of her inadequate academic background. Undeterred, she saved up funds while working as a housemaid. She spent all that she had on a train passage to China through Siberia. In Siberia, she was forced to get off the train and walk because of a war that was going on. She traveled by train, by boat, by foot and finally made her way—through a long, arduous journey, to China. And when she finally arrived at her destination, the local villagers threw stones at her. Ultimately, she was much used by God to bring the light of the gospel to that very dark place, ministering to travelers, families and to a prison, and leading a large group of orphans to safety amidst a war. She had the mind of Christ.

It’s a long way from London to the remote region of China where Gladys traveled.  And when you think of missionary endeavor in times past, imagine how long and hard it was for people to go to those faraway places.  But no matter how far any of us ever travel, or how hard and difficult our experience in serving Jesus, nothing compares to the missionary journey Jesus took when He left His Father’s throne above and came to this sin-cursed planet to die on a cross from our sins (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Philippians 2:5-8 is all about Jesus’ missionary descent from heaven to earth to die for our sins.

The word translated “mind” in verse 5 means “to think, have an opinion, to be mindful of, be intent on.”  The term speaks of a way of thinking.  It is a present tense imperative, an all-the-time command. That we are commanded to have this attitude means that it is something possible for us to do.  The reason it is possible for us is not because of us.  It is because of what God has done and is doing in us.  The believer is a person who has been born again and thus made to be a new creature in Christ.  One who has been identified with Christ in His death and resurrection that he might walk in newness of life.  One who is indwelt by the Spirit of God, who works within us to mediate the very presence of Christ.  It is possible for us, as believers, because we’ve been crucified with Christ and it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us (Galatians 2:20).

It is a present tense command.  So, it is a way of thinking by the Spirit that attends our everyday walk in Christ.  It is not something to be turned on and turned off according to a kind of spiritual schizophrenia.  It is the way of thinking that is to characterize our lives 24/7.

Note this about our passage.  We are exhorted to maintain this attitude that was the attitude of Christ.  The passage is saying that we need to maintain a way of thinking that is congruent with that of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It speaks of His incarnation, servanthood, and crucifixion, things which all have great relevance to us as believers when it comes to our salvation.  He came as a man.  He came to serve and give His life for sin.  He died on a cross to save us.  But what this text is saying that He is not only our Savior by way of His sacrifice, but He is also our example.  The cross is not just something in which we believe, it also instructs us as to how we are to behave.

That being said, we do the passage a kind of theological disservice if we get bogged down in the theological minutiae that is here.  There are wonderful and important things that are spoken of regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ here in this passage.  Many suppose that this represented an early Christian hymn that was sung in the churches of that day.  And we can see why!  But we need to pay attention to those truths as we consider this incredible truth—we are called to a radically different way of thinking and living, a manner of life that resembles that of the Lord Jesus Himself.    

TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.

Christ-like Consideration

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-8

Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

In 1973, a man named Robert Ringer wrote a book entitled “Winning Through Intimidation.”  After the manuscript was rejected 23 times by publishers, he decided to self-publish the book.  It became a #1 bestseller and spent 36 weeks on the NY Times bestseller list.  In 1977, he self-published another book, “Looking Out for Number One.” That book also became a #1 bestseller and is still considered to be one of the top 15 self-help books of all time.  That second book was based on the premise that since man’s inherent nature is to look out for number one, we need to do a better job of looking out for number one.  Here’s a quote, “We sometimes lose sight of the fact that our primary objective is really to be happy as possible and that all our other objectives, great and small, are only a means to that end.”

That phrase — “looking out for number one” — has since become a part of our culture’s vernacular. But “looking out for number one” is nothing new to any of us humans.  We don’t need a book to tell us to do a better job of it.  In sin, selfishness reigns.  And since we are all born sinners, we are all born with a natural inclination to put ourselves first.

There is but one example—in the annals of human history—of a man who lived a purely selfless life.  And that man is Jesus Christ.  What happened when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us?  Jesus Christ was the Divine Son of God.  He was also a perfect man.  He was a man without sin.  In Him, there was no sin.  He never sinned.  He was perfectly submitted to the Father in all that He did.  And He lived His life according to the godly character that was innate to His person.  And so, what do we see and find in this God-man, Jesus Christ?  He became man and took on the form of a bondservant.  He lived a life of servanthood.  He came into the world with no entourage.  He had none of the trappings of royalty.  He had no home and no possessions.  He came as a servant, and He served others.  Purposefully.  Relentlessly.  Sacrificially.  And when He had given all that He had but His own life, He gave that up too.  And, as I said, His life is unique in the annals of human history.  He never exercised a selfish thought.  He never did a selfish thing.  He never uttered a selfish word.  Instead of looking out for number one, the Divine Son of God came into this world looking out for everyone else.

Now, by the Spirit, you—as a believer in Christ—have come to understand a measure of the beauty of the person of Christ.  You previously worshipped at the shrine of self but have since realized that “self” is an unworthy, false god that can never satisfy your deepest longings.  Christ alone can do that.  You thought, perhaps, that the universe revolved around you, but you came to realize that it is Christ alone who is worthy of such love and devotion.  But you nonetheless live in this flesh and are surrounded by worshippers of self.  And that’s why this passage is so important.  It reminds us of how God has called us, as believers, to a radically different manner of thinking and living—putting the needs of others ahead of your own.  A way of thinking and living in Christ that meets with Divine approval.  And which proves to be a blessing not only to ourselves but to those around us.

History tells us of how a man named Copernicus studied the sky and came to a startling conclusion regarding the order of things.  He said, “If man is to know the truth, he must change his thinking!  Despite what we have said for years, our earth is not the center of the cosmos—but just one celestial body among many.  The sun does not move around us; we move around the sun.”  Years later, someone did a study on children and concluded, “Each child must have his or her own “Copernicus revelation.”  Indeed, we are all are in need of such a thing.  Empowered by Christ, according to His example, and for His glory!

MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST MY SAVIOR

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow’r controlling
All I do and say.

May the word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through his pow’r.

May the peace of God, my Father,
Rule my life in ev’rything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea.
Him exalting, self abasing:
This is victory.

May we run the race before us,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As we onward go.

Bound Together in Christ

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-8

Colossians 2:1-2, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Note the four-fold occurrence of the phrase “if any” in verse 1.  The Greek grammar is such that it could be translated: “if, and it is so,” or “since.” Paul was inviting his readers to take spiritual inventory, directing their thoughts to Christ and the benefits they mutually enjoy in their common identity in Him.

Positionally speaking, God has made us one in Christ. The practical implications of this are a call to do everything necessary and possible to maintain that unity. This unity of spirit is an incredibly important thing. So much so that Paul elsewhere spoke of the need to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). We do that, as we are all commonly led by the Spirit and forthrightly pursue those attitudes and actions that work to resolve differences and promote unity.

Now, if these two verses are to be fulfilled in us, we are going to have to change some things.  By faith, we need to understand and appreciate how truly blessed we are!  We need to praise God and thank Him for all that He has done for us.  But beyond that we need to value our community.  We need to invest ourselves in it.  We need to be fully enjoined in it, realizing that church is not just something we go to, but something we are.  We need to value that unity that reflects that which exists within the Triune God.  We need to love one another according to Christ’s example, actively pursuing opportunities to show love and practice forbearance and forgiveness.  Such love means exercising our spiritual gifts for the building up of the body in the common pursuit of Christ-like maturity.  It means doing your part, pulling your weight, and being a team player.

The book “The Boys in the Boat,” by author Daniel James Brown, tells the story of the University of Washington eight-oared crew team which represented the US in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.  Team members came from lower middle-class families and had to earn their way through school through the depths of the Depression.  In those days, the competition between schools was fierce and the spectators were many.  Coaches were relentless in preparing their teams to compete and win. 

In the book, you read about the importance of the synchronization of the eight rowers as they responded to the commands of the coxswain.  The coxswain was in the back of the boat, yelling out the command.  The rowers sat one behind another on either side of the boat.  They each needed to listen carefully to the coxswain.  They needed to row according to his command, keeping in sync with their fellow oar men. 

This is a wonderful analogy of what God intends for a local church.  Jesus is the Lord of His church.  He speaks to us by the Spirit through the Word.  And the Spirit leads us on a Christ-ward course.  He yells out the commands.  And he bids us to work in harmony with one another.  It will do the boat no good at all, if one oar man decides that he won’t listen to the coxswain.  It will do the church no good at all, if one of its members heads off in the flesh to cause division and strife.  No, they all need to be pulling together.  They all need to “keep in step with the Spirit.”  They all need to be actively working together by doing their part in using their own spiritual gifts in serving the body of Christ.

OUR GOD HAS MADE US ONE

Our God has made us one —
In Him our hearts unite.
When we, His children, share His love,
Our joy is His delight.

Our God has made us one —
His glory is displayed.
For as we build each other up
Our love becomes His praise.

Our God has made us one —
In sorrow and in joy;
We share the cross of Christ, our Lord,
In Him we now rejoice.

Our God has made us one —
One Church to bear His name;
One body and one Bride of Christ,
And with Him we shall reign

Common Cause

Bible Reading: Philippians 1:19-30

Philippians 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”

A wedding in a graveyard and how it came to be…

My friends, Mike and Lynda, have been caretakers of Greenwood cemetery in Astoria, Oregon for decades.  Established in 1891, the 30-acre cemetery lies on a knoll overlooking Young’s Bay and offers a beautiful panoramic view of the valley and surrounding hills.  Hundreds of headstones mark the graves of generations of those who have departed this life. 

Mike and Lynda have been our friends for many years, having attended the church where I pastored.  They love Jesus and have faithfully served Him in countless ways, one of which has been the discipling young men and women.  Amongst those has been a young lady by the name of Anna Davis, whose family also attended our church.  Since her young teens, Anna has been serving Jesus through the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship.  She’s shared the gospel with hundreds of children, and even on the other side of the world on two trips she made to Uganda with our ministry teams.

When the time came for Anna to head off to college, she attended Frontier School of the Bible in Wyoming.  As sometimes happens in such situations, she met a young man there by the name of Logan.  Both share a love for Jesus and a desire to serve Him in full-time ministry.  One thing led to another—as they say—and they were engaged to be married.  Mike and Lynda did their premarital counseling, so it was altogether fitting for Mike and Lynda to host the ceremony and for Mike to conduct the service.

So, on a late September afternoon, we were all gathered there on that sunny day in that beautiful setting to witness the joyous event.  I was soaking it all in as I was gathered there with the others, many of whom are my friends.  Surveying the beauty of the surroundings, I couldn’t help but think of the glory of the One who created it all.  The blueness of the bay and the greenness of the trees set against the cloudless sky was such a perfect backdrop for the main event.  When the time came, and in keeping with the processional music, Anna made her way across the temporary carpet in her beautiful white wedding gown.  Anna had once said that she intended to never wear a dress, so I commented before my prayer how Logan was able to do a miracle in getting Anna to do that! 

It took a miracle to put the stars in place, and to divide the lands from the sea, and to create all we see.  It took a miracle to bring those two together as He did, both from so far away and from their differing backgrounds.  Indeed, God is the best matchmaker! They both love Jesus.  They both long to serve Him.  The God who created all things made the two into one on that day, and it was a joyous occasion.

As I glanced to the right, I couldn’t help but notice the headstones that were scattered across the green fields.  A wedding in a graveyard.  The celebration of a new life together, in a setting that reminds us all of the brevity of our lives.  To be bound in one spirit and mind, “striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,” is to expend our lives in a noble and worthy cause.  It is as C. T. Studd once wrote:

Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.