SERVANTHOOD July 23, 2017
Philippians 2:1-11
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 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. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Greetings my friends, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I thank you God for the opportunity to share His word concerning servanthood. Lord I pray that you open the hearts and mind of all who read this message, so that they will be able to benefit from what is revealed to them. Especially if they don.t know Jesus concerning their salvation. Thank you Lord God, in Jesus name I pray Amen.
While Jesus was preparing to go to the cross He gave this commandment to us. ” This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you(John 15:12). As members of the Church of Jesus Christ we must understand that in order for us to serve Christ and live in this world we must utilize our attribute of love for one another. Love is what separates us from the world. This is a harsh and cruel world, unmerciful , unrelentingly evil, and totally out of harmony with the creator. The world is determined to destroy God’s people. Love is the key to rendering the world and it’s deceptive ways practices upon the church of no effect.
If we are to experience comfort in Christ we must love one another with equal love. We must have fellowship with one another sharing in the fellowship of the Spirit. We must be of like mind, having the same love. The same love that we are required to express to others, is the same that others are bound to give to us. Christian love is mutual, and reciprocal, love and you shall be loved. Being of like mind or being on one accord, not working on separate interest but unanimously agreeing on the same great things of God to be done. If you expect to benefit from God’s compassion, you should be compassionate. If you benefit from God’s mercy you should be merciful.
When ever we are doing God’s will the enemy is watching and waiting for the opportunity to obstruct God’s work through us. Pride is the number one villain that is used by the enemy to penetrate the Church. We should do nothing in the church out of strife. How can we be successful in doing God’s work if we are competing against one another instead of working together. We should not think ourselves to be better than others, ostentatious, Vain glorious, but we should esteem others higher than ourselves and place others interest before our own. We must be hard on ourselves concerning our own faults, and more understanding and permissive of someone else’s faults. We must look favorable on the good of others above our own. We must lay down our lives for others who are in need. We must interest ourselves in the concerns of others not as a busy body, in other men’s matters, but in Christian love. A selfish spirit is destructive to the church, and Christian love. We must not only be concerned for our own credit, and comfort and safety, but also of others. If our brothers are prosperous we should rejoice as if it was our own. We must love our neighbor as our selves, and make their case our own.
Jesus did not just command us to love one another, but He also gave us an example . Jesus who by nature is God. He acknowledged that by taking on the nature of a human being He was not taking away from anything that did not belong to Him. He set aside the use of His power as God, and took on the lower nature of a human being, to live a life of humility and servitude in perfect obedience before God and man. For the purpose of dying a shameful death on the cross for the sin of humanity. Jesus was not forced to lay down His life for us , He did so willingly, for the express purpose of dying for our sin. This is the purest definition of love, there is no higher manifestation of love ever in the history of the world. There is no love greater then the love of God, which He extended to us through Jesus Christ, amen. Because of Christ obedience to the Father even to the point of death on the cross, God the Father rewarded Him and exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him the name that is above every name. If you want to show favor to someone using your influence you will tell them to mention your name when applying for a Job. Because of your name they were able to get hired. Your name remind the employer of the excellent work you do and if you recommend someone, on your name that person will get hired because of the high opinion your employer has of you. In a similar way, but at a much, much, much, higher level than one can even imagine. When you confess your belief in Jesus Christ you receive the gift of eternal life., because of the high esteem Jesus is given by God. God is so pleased with the work of Christ, that God has promoted Him to the highest place that anyone could be and place everyone and everything under His authority. All people, everyone who has ever lived, and everyone who is alive, and everyone who is not born yet, knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, saved or unsaved. Either you will do it now or later, but you will do it. Hopefully you will do it on this side of life.
The Church is a example of God’s grace and mercy to the world, and is a huge influence on people who are not saved. The way Christians live before the world attract people out of the world for Christ. The church is to glorify God in the way that we live, the way that we express our love and kindness to one another, the way that we sacrifice for one another, and the way we forgive one another, because of what Jesus did for us. His sacrifice and His forgiveness to all who receive it through belief in His work on the cross.
My friends God has held back nothing in expressing His love to you and I. God love us so much He sent His one and only Son to die for our sins. The death of God’s Son was the payment due in our place to appease the righteous demand of God’s holiness, providing forgiveness for everyone who believe in the atoning work Christ did for us. If you believe in Jesus and the work He did for you, you will not perish, but you will have everlasting life. My friends do you believe? Do you now understand enough that you can see God’s work in your life. If so and you don’t know what to do call me and allow me to help you. Brothers and sisters thank you reading this message I hope that it encouraged you and brought you to a even higher understanding of God’s love, and kindness, and compassion, and power and, wisdom. If so Let me know, contact me , blog my post let me know what you think.
God Bless you, love always
Rev. Reginald Stevens
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