For us here, the way we think about things should ultimately flow from how we think about God. So, in that light, I wanted to follow up the sermon from last week.

Last week, in anticipation of the food distribution and the Christmas dinner we’ll be serving, we talked about how we should pray for those who need Jesus. Since Jesus actually accomplishes our salvation from beginning to end, since he is the author and perfector of our faith, we need to pray that our neighbors would, not only hear the gospel but that God would save them.

“God, please have mercy on my co-worker. Would you convict him of his sin and show him how helpless he is before you? Please open his heart to the truth of the gospel and the beauty of Jesus. Would you please save him?

I pray that the truth of God’s unilateral, merciful, saving action toward us penetrates you such that you are undone. The truth that I was dead and without hope in my helplessness but am now alive and forgiven and loved by God should shatter my reality and change me in every way. It should cause me to worship.

Worship is an attitude and the activity designed to recognize, describe, reflect and exalt the worth of God. All activity and motive should be oriented around Jesus.

Now, there is a very natural, and wonderful, and important question that often follows the biblical reality of a sovereign, saving, merciful God – How should I respond? What should I do? How should I think about me in this? The one word answer is worship. Our lives should be worship.

God has ordained that his people, in their worship, be a means of his grace in this world. God has ordained that his people be a conduit through which the Spirit works. Sharing the gospel with someone is a primary example of how we are to be a means of grace.

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – The way we live should be a means of grace

John 15:7 (ESV)
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – Prayer is a means of grace

And our disposition in this? Servant. We should be so undone by the magnitude of who God is and what he has done for us that we are fulfilled in being servants of King Jesus. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus… (Rom 1:1), James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ… (James 1:1)

We are to be a means of God’s grace to this world as servants of Jesus.

If you don’t find being God’s slave, or being God’s servant attractive – you’re not looking at God correctly.

- – -

I’d like to look at John 12:23-26 this morning as we focus on the heart of being a servant of Jesus. It would be easy to sidestep this but this is core to where we are going – both individually and as a fellowship. God would birth radical servants.

John 12:23-26 (ESV)
²³ And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ²⁵ Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Vs 23 – “to be glorified” – isn’t it interesting that for most people death is a humiliation. Not for Jesus. His death was the very event through which he would kill sin and bring countless people eternal life. And in doing this God would receive great glory.

Vs 24 – “Truly, truly” – When Jesus says truly, truly, what follows is VERY important and not negotiable. “unless a grain…”

Jesus used the image of a seed to illustrate the great reality – just as a seed’s purpose is to go into the earth and die to produce fruit, Jesus must die if we are to live. Have you ever wondered why God arranged reality so that Jesus had to die? The truth of this lies in the reality that God exists to be God. God exists to “flex” his reality, his attributes, his perfections. For example – God is love (1 John 4:8). So how does a God who is perfect love “flex” that? By doing what only God can do:

Romans 5:8 (ESV)
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

While we were hating him, he dies for us. While we were nailing him to the cross, he was dying for us – saving us. This is the gospel – Jesus left glory to come here to die so that he could be judged by God for the sins of those who would take him as their substitute before God. His death for my death – his rightness for my sinfulness – his victory on the cross for my helplessness.

There is another absolutely beautiful and terrifying perfection that God will “flex” some day. Some day God will execute perfect and final judgment on sin and sin will be no more.

Jesus had to die to give us life.

- – -

John 12:25-26 (ESV)
²⁵ Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Vs 25 – Now Jesus moves this same principal into the lives of those who would follow him. Whoever loves his life here will lose it. If you want to keep your life, you must die to this godless, self-centered self.

Matthew 10:39 (ESV)
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Mark 8:36 (ESV)
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…

James 4:4 (ESV)
…Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

1 John 2:15 (ESV)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Vs 26 – Clearly verse 26 is calling everyone who would serve King Jesus to die to this world so you can bear fruit. This is an imperative, “If anyone serves me, he MUST follow me…” If you would like to serve Jesus this is what it looks like.

We too must die if we are to bear fruit

- – -

So, I’d like to leave you with two things: First – please don’t be discouraged in the magnitude of the call here. We are all “in process”. You should know, however, that this is where God is taking his children as those rescued from hell by the love of God. Increasingly you should find joy, and fulfillment, and purpose in God and his vision rather than in the vision of this world – servant.

Second – While we must be obedient to God’s call on our lives, this obedience should flow from our vision of God. God must increase and we must decrease. All we are and all we do should move toward God’s vision.

What captures you? Is it money? Is it sports? Is it pornography? Is it television? Is it your work? Why are you in the work you are in? How do you live and lead in your family? How do you spend your time? How do you envision retirement?

Summary

• We die to bear fruit.

• We hate our lives in this world to have eternal life.

• We follow Jesus to be where he is in glory.

• We serve Jesus to be honored by his Father.¹

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Piper, J. (2007). Sermons from John Piper (1990-1999). Minneapolis: Desiring God.

Issac had twin sons – Esau and Jacob. As the oldest son, Esau had the generational birthright – this was a sacred thing. The oldest son received a double inheritance, a special blessing from the father, and the judicial authority of the father – the birthright was a huge deal in that culture. The concept of birthright was part of the very fabric of society. In fact, if we look in the book of Deuteronomy (ch 21) we see that the rules for “birthright” are in the law – this was big. The birthright set the oldest son apart as THE family representative. He was to lead the family “line” into the future with authority and honor.

Scripture uses this concept of birthright to give us a vision of Jesus’ position.

Colossians 1:18 (NIV)
And he is the head of the body, the church (all those who belong to God); he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Here, Jesus has the eternal birthright and sets the pattern for his family – victory over death.

Hebrews 1:4-6 (NIV)
So [Jesus] became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. ⁵ For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? ⁶ And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

Jesus carries with him the full weight of his father and is worthy of worship.

So this was Esau – the firstborn. Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob. Isaac was a man’s man, a hairy hunter guy. Isaac intended the blessing to go to Esau.

Jacob, Esau’s younger twin brother, grew up in the shadow of his manipulative mother Rachel. He became a self-sufficient, self-made man, grabbing opportunities as they presented themselves. He was good at following behind someone and then making their profit his own. His name was a forecast of this – Jacob means “heal-grabber”. At birth Jacob was holding on to the heal of his older brother as if to lay claim to what was Esau’s. Jacob was good at using manipulation and deception as the way to get ahead. Twice Jacob took his brother’s honor. Once when he bargained Esau out of his birthright for a bowl of stew and later when he deceived their father, Isaac, into giving him the family blessing that would have gone to Esau. After this Jacob ran for his life because Esau wanted to kill him.

Jacob spent a number of years with his uncle Laban, another greedy deceiver – remember the story? Jacob thought he had worked seven years to marry Laban’s daughter Rachel, but when he woke up on the morning after the wedding, Leah, Rachel’s older sister, was in bed next to him. As a result Jacob worked another seven years for Laban in order to get Rachel. But, in the end , through trickery, Jacob got the best of Laban and built great wealth for himself at Laban’s expense. Jacob was good at thinking about himself. Now Jacob decided to flee from Laban.

So now Jacob, his wives, his children, his servants, and his flocks are on the move back toward to the promised land. When Jacob gets to the river his messengers tell him about a problem in front of him – Esau is coming to meet him with four hundred men. The Bible tells us that at that point Jacob was scared and out of options. So he did two things:

First – Jacob splits his possessions and servants and livestock into two groups and sends them across the river. He hopes that if Esau is distracted by one group, the other might escape.

Second – Jacob, in desperation, prayed for deliverance.

Genesis 32:9-12 (NIV)
“O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O Lord, who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ ¹⁰ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. ¹¹ Save me (deliver me), I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. ¹² But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’”

Jacob knew God’s promises toward him, but now Jacob was at the end of his own effort. He was about to get what he deserved.

Genesis 32:22-32 (NIV)
That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. ²³ After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. ²⁴ So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. (It may be that the man would not let him cross the river) ²⁵ When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. ²⁶ Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” ²⁷ The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. ²⁸ Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” ²⁹ Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. ³⁰ So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared (delivered – same as verse 11).” ³¹ The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. ³² Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.

Vs 24-26 – God fought with Jacob as a man would fight a man – all night long. We don’t know much about what happened in this fight but I think the point here is that Jacob would not surrender. Jacob won his battles. Jacob would figure out a way to gain the advantage. Jacob was the king of his little kingdom. Jacob would not yield. It took a supernatural, crippling blow for Jacob to submit. Suddenly Jacob understands that his resources are not the answer. God wins the fight – always. Now the most important thing for Jacob was that he received God’s blessing.

Vs 27 – Before God blessed Jacob, Jacob needed to come face-to-face with who he really was. Before he was blessed, he had to say his name – he had to confess who he really was – a heal-grabber, a sinful man. In one instant Jacob moved from a self-righteous person to one who needed help.

Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ ¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ ¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Vs 28 – Jacob now receives a new name. The only One who has the ability to give new names calls him Israel. No longer “heal grabber” – now “one who wrestles with God”

Vs 31-32 – Jacob carried with him a constant reminder of God’s saving power over his life. Now crippled physically he became bold in faith – God would provide (just like we saw last week as Abraham trusted God to provide). After this life-changing event Jacob moves to the front of his family and flocks to meet Esau in submission – and Esau embraces Jacob. God must cripple the natural strength of those he rescues so we will trust him.

Scripture is clear that those God rescues have a new name. Abram believed God and he was counted righteous – he was right with God. God changed his name from Abram (“exalted father” – probably looking back to his earthly heritage), to Abraham (“father of a multitude” – looking toward God’s victory over sin). Abraham’s wife’s name was changed from Sarai (“my princess” – probably a name reflecting how her earthly father thought of her), to Sarah (“princess” – looking forward God’s promise). Jacob was given a new name when he met God. Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. Jesus told a great religious leader of the day that even he needed to be born again.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Self-sufficient people WILL NOT enter the Kingdom. Self-sufficient people WILL NOT see God. Before we can be right with God we must be changed

Matthew 19:23-26 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” ²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

There are many, like Jacob, who misunderstood blessing. It’s easy to think that because we have earthly wealth, health, and success, we must be operating in line with God’s vision. This is simply a self-centered way to justify our materialism.

Jacob did not enter the promised land until he came to the end of himself. Until we understand that our rescue, our salvation, our hope is only because God is unimaginably kind, we are still fighting with God – we are taking some amount of credit for God’s work – we are insulting God.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.

Here is my question this morning – Have you ever come to Jesus knowing that you have nothing to offer? Have you ever come to Jesus knowing that all you have is ultimately only due to God’s kindness? Have you ever come to Jesus in desperate need?  Has God changed your name?

Matthew 18:1-4, “gaining biblical humility – pt 2″ [Listen]

Jesus was skilled in using everyday situations and objects to teach profound truth. A tiny mustard seed growing into a large tree showed his listeners God’s vision for reclaiming humanity. Yeast became analogous to the easily spread hypocrisy of the religious leaders. A grape vine illustrated how godly fruit must come from those who are attached to Jesus. As we read about teaching moments like these, it’s easy to be confused. Many of Jesus’ truths are foreign to our experience and disposition, AND the illustration itself can create another layer of mystery and discussion.

One of these moments presented itself as the disciples discussed God’s sure and soon delivery of his people from outside domination. While others may have doubted, the disciples seemed convinced of Jesus’ identity in this long awaited rescue – he was the Messiah. This change and the resulting new kingdom would obviously need administration, and since they were the chosen disciples of the One who would usher in this victory, they had questions about their coming responsibilities and positions. How will all this work? What will the organizational chart look like? Who will be the greatest?

This seems to be an important moment for the gospel authors. We find reference to it in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In this lesson the very object Jesus uses as a teaching aid will create the desired result. He will do much more than answer their question about “position” – he will help them with an underlying problem – pride. After Jesus is done they will better understand who fits into the coming reality he will establish and who doesn’t. They will feel the distance between themselves and their rabbi.

Matthew 18:1-4 (NIV)
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child (Gr – padion, very small child) and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change (turn around, change your ways, reject your current thinking) and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Under the question, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdome of heaven?”, was MUCH MORE than innocent curiosity – this was a play for power, influence, and wealth. This is not the first time this prideful, self-centered, “small” thinking will emerged. Some time later the mother of James and John asks Jesus if her sons can have places of great honor in the Kingdom (Matt 20:20-21). While they saw Jesus as the Messiah they had little understanding of exactly what Jesus was going to create.

Jesus’ response was nothing short of stunning, “Unless you change you will not enter the Kingdom.”

IN THE STORIES OF THE BIBLE WE SEE HUMILITY take root as characters experience God. Here, in the teachings of Jesus we understand humility as a required characteristic of anyone who would actually receive the relationship he would offer. And in Jesus himself we find the breath-taking example of humility we are challenged to follow.

—

The thing I struggle with is moving what I profess to know and believe into action. Being self-centered, I often try to embrace the concept of humility while I try to avoid the action that would naturally flow from the embrace. It’s in the action that I measure my understanding. In the action I can see humility, or not.

Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

While being humble has many, many implications, I would like to mention just a few:

• When self becomes the focus, the fulcrum around which life revolves, God’s vision and ability to achieve the vision become my vision – a weak, self-serving, and limited vision. The magnificent crumbles into what we humans can accomplish because now it is about us. Humility understands the power and purpose of God, and our small effort is not enough.
• Humility compels us toward the attitude of Jesus when dealing with those in sin. When we are humbled by, first a glimpse of God’s magnitude, power, authority, and holiness, and then by this God’s kindness to us, we will care like Jesus cared – not the religious leaders of the day.
• Pain – The humble one will embrace God’s promise that God works all things for the good of his children
• Accept the difficult – sexuality
• The humble will live the mission – they will lead by example so others will follow

Humility is a foundational requirement for, not only moving forward in the Christian walk, but for becoming a Christian. Pride and self-centeredness emerge early as tools that help us fit into our society and succeed in life. As is the case with most godly attributes I find humility very difficult. To make matters worse, being humble is vital to being the person God would have me be.

Let’s look at examples of Jesus’ humility:

Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Even though Jesus was the Son of God he had a submissive relationship with the Father

Matthew 3:13-15 (NIV)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

Jesus did not demand we follow, he lead by example

Luke 15:1-2 (NIV)
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. ² But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Jesus did not “cave” in the face of societal pressure. He humbly followed the mission.

Luke 22:27 (NIV)
For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Lead by example

Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross!

Humility leads to proper ACTION

Colossians 3:12, “gaining biblical humility” [Listen]

Remember when we looked at Matt 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”? I’d like to look at “humility” again, and also look at three examples we can learn from. We’ll see that “humility” is VERY connected to the way we see our mission here.

Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

In this day and age, it seems that it’s easy to think of our spiritual lives, our relationship with God, as a type of exchange. I will make much of you, God, if you make much of me. I will give you praise and follow you, God, as long as you are moving me toward a life of ease. I will commit to a Bible study or Christ-exalting lifestyle as long as I FEEL you are near. I put money in the offering plate because I “trust” that, at some day, God will make me rich – like a business transaction. In the end this kind of thinking is not about the God who is at the center of reality or God’s purpose, it’s about me.

This world is built on the principle of exchange. In exchange for a college diploma – I must pay (work). In exchange for the trendy coffee – I must pay (work). Often it goes like this: in exchange for my love – you must pay (work).

The Bible gives us a pretty clear picture of how we should live and think and relate to God – and it has nothing to do with exchange. It has everything to do with humility and dependence. The Bible shows God’s salvation coming to those who have NOTHING to offer – only desperate need.

Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone (man’s provision) but on every word (God is the provider) that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Psalm 138:6 (NIV)
Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon (is near) the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.

Proverbs 18:12 (NIV)
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Matthew 18:4 (NIV)
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

James 4:6 (NIV)
…“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:10 (NIV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Three examples:

Peter

Luke 5:8 (NIV)
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

When Peter experienced the magnitude of Jesus’ power and authority he had his eyes opened. He saw the giant chasm between who Jesus was and what he could offer. The result was genuine humility.

Isaiah

Isaiah 6:1-8 (NIV)
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³ And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” ⁴ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. ⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” ⁶ Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” ⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

First – Isaiah, like Peter, saw God / experienced God.

Second – seeing God’s magnitude the natural reaction emerged – “I am sinful.

Third – after Isaiah experienced God’s acceptance he saw God’s mission as important.

Jesus

Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross!

The humility of Jesus is directly connected to his mission…

Summarize -

1. Biblical humility arises from seeing the magnitude of God. Seeing God correctly will give us a proper perspective of his power and our helplessness.
2. Seeing God correctly will expose our sinfulness
3. Seeing God correctly will give us a needed perspective of our vision and priorities as compared to God’s vision and priorities. A proper

God is NOT interested in a business agreement. God would, however, like to do amazing things in the lives of those who desperately need him and have no merit in themselves.

This very much relates to what we’re doing here. [Listen to the sermon for more]

James 5:13-20, “publicly confessing sin” [Listen]

Our culture today is desperately looking for real meaning, purpose, hope and relationship. This is GOOD NEWS for us here today – we have that to share. We have that to share in the person of Jesus and we should have that to share in our fellowship. God’s design is that we live meaning, purpose, hope and relationship! The problem is that much of what passes for Christianity today is nothing more than a different version of the world’s priorities and values. In the end it’s about the money, it’s about the “club”, it’s about self – how can we spin the Bible so that we can live for this world’s priorities and still talk like my loyalty is to Jesus and the Kingdom.

We have many today who complain about the church not being the instrument God intended. At the same time, however, often those that complain are unwilling to give their lives for the King and lead the way toward the way things should be. God’s plan for those who have been made right with God through faith in Jesus is that they would dedicate their lives to his fame and his mission. We are meant to be a people that participate in God’s vision (salt & light – Matt 5).

Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)
¹⁴ Do everything without complaining or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

Three weeks ago we talked about “the great commission” and how it is our calling to move the gospel of Jesus forward in this world. Two weeks ago we talked about how God has entrusted to each of us great wealth (money, spiritual gifts, time, talent, purpose of life, etc) to be used for God’s glory. Because our talent is God’s property, using it wrongly is tantamount to theft. And last week we saw how Jesus, in the face of the religious norm, engaged those who needed him.

Today I’d like to talk about our health as we pursue God’s vision. I’d like to talk about one of the roles we should be playing in each others lives. We’re going to look at an often ignored biblical reality in the development of those who would follow Jesus so we can move toward the image of Jesus so we can better do the work of Jesus – the public confession of sin.

James 5:13-20 (NIV)
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

I have said repeatedly that we should be earnestly praying for and with each other, we should be supporting each other, we should love each other. In Romans 15:1 Paul says we should, “bear with the failings of each other” not for our own benefit but for the benefit of the other person.

The thinking that confessing sin is ONLY a necessary reality between God and the sinner is wrong (vs 16)! Yes I should absolutely confess to God and the individual I have sinned against. However, I am NOT living the gospel with you, as God intended, if I am not willing to live in community with you as God intended. God intended that we give of ourselves to each other, that we be open with each other so that we can be instruments of healing and grace for each other and thus better messengers of the gospel.

Confession is the open declaration of something. It is right that we publicly confess Jesus, for example. When we speak of confessing our sin we are declaring who we really are and how we have fallen short of God’s mark – so we can be healed.

We have a great example of confession and humility in the gospel of Luke:

Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Church is only partially defined by what happens here on Sunday mornings. If, when you think of church, you think of Sunday morning as the definition; you’re in trouble. God has designed the local fellowship of God’s people to be God’s people being God’s people for God, for those around them, and for each other.

The public confession of sin:

1. conditions the church to better participate in its mission – making disciples. It helps us learn how to deal with the human condition in a healing way.
2. helps us curtail the masquerade. It helps us be real with each other. It seems like the longer you participate in a local fellowship the more likely it is that there is pressure to live up to some “I’ve got it all together” image.
3. allows us to expose our sin so we can put it behind us. It helps others put it away as well. I think there are those here who have not found full freedom from sin restoration with God because they have not taken the step of public confession. They are not getting the support, care and prayer that we as God’s people are here to give.
4. is an indicator that, not only are we confessing; we are repenting. Confession is not the same as repentance. It is one thing to confess, it is another to despise our sin and want to change direction. Most do not go through public confession if there is no repentance.

1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV)

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens (sin), and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

If you are not in a discipling relationship with someone where you can confess sin, I would encourage you to actively connect in this way. We must be real with each other so we can be healed and be agents of healing.

Luke 2:1-7, “Jesus came in humility” [Listen]

I would like to ask a simple question this morning. Why did Jesus come in humility?

Luke 2:1-7 – In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

1) Jesus came in humility in order to be the one who could represent us before God.

Jesus came to absorb the impact of God’s just verdict for you and me – he is our substitute. In order for him to take our place he needed to be able to take our place. He needed to be one of us, he needed to face temptation, and yet be the perfect human, he needed to be the reality of who we were designed to be.

So, part of the answer to the question, “Why did Jesus come in humility?” is that in order for him to save us he needed to embody humanity as it was designed to be.

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Heb 2.14-18)

——

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor 8:8-9)

2) Jesus came in humility so we could kill him.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! (Phil 2:8)

If Jesus had not come in vulnerability we would have no way of getting at him.

“No on takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” (John 10:18)

3) He also came in humility to show us, to illustrate, what it means to be who we were meant to be. Who are we meant to be?

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:14-15)

This is an interesting passage where Jesus uses simple logic to call attention to the need for humility and servitude. “If you believe me to be your teacher and Lord; and you do, don’t you? Then learn from me – follow me. Do not think of yourself as greater than God. Serve each other.”

Humility allows us to align with God’s will for us. God’s will for your life will NEVER unfold smoothly if your motives are self-serving, or self-exalting. This way of thinking is moving you in the opposite direction of God’s plan.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil 2:5-7)

Very practical issues of how to lead are illustrated through Jesus’ humility.

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt 20:24-28

Humility should define us:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Col 3:12-14) also Eph 4:1-2

——

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:33-35)

The authors of Scripture invest a great deal of time pointing out pride and commending humility. Pride seems to be hardwired into who we are naturally. Trusting Jesus as the One who can save us is an act of humility. When we, through God’s kindness, say, “I am not and cannot be good enough”, or, “I deserve judgment”, or better yet, “Jesus, please save me, I have nothing to bring that’s of value – I trust you are my only hope” it is an act of humility. If it is not a humble, desperate cry for help, it is just words.

In order to be the person God wants you to be, in order to be the people God wants us to be, you must be humble, we must be humble. We cannot walk by faith (moving away from self and trusting God) without humility.

The Christmas story is full of God’s work through humble people:

• Mary, when confronted with God’s plan said, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.”

• Joseph took on shame by standing beside a woman who had become pregnant outside of marriage

• Jesus left unimaginable glory to come here and be killed by those he would then save.

One last lesson I’d like to emphasize this morning. Jesus, as a part of his glorious calling, humbled himself and went to the need – HE BECAME ONE OF US! He left what he knew and exposed himself to the hostilities of the mission field. This is what it means to be incarnational. It means becoming like or associating with those in need. This too is an act of humility, an act of faith.

If we understand the magnitude of God’s mission, and his kindness to us, moving toward need should be a logical response. If we grasp what God is doing in this world our natural response will be a longing to participate.

As I was thinking about last Sunday’s sermon (Matthew 5:21-26), I started pondering the reality of God knowing our deepest thoughts, inclinations, motives, emotions, etc. If this was real me how could I not be undone? I think we would be more Jesus-like if I cared that God sees and knows EVERYTHING.

I seem to live my life based on my ability to hide my true thoughts. I pretend to really care about the problems of thoses around me – and when I do they think I’m great. I pretend to have a calm and controlled demeaner – and when I do people think I’m mature. At work I give the appearance of full committment to the job – and my employer likes me. You get the idea. What if those around me knew what I was thinking about them, or they could see my demeaner, or my employer knew exactly how committed I was – my life would turn upside down. GOD KNOWS!

This world seems to have little real, genuine, godly care for people or God – it’s self centered. Whatever care there seems to be emerges from a selfish motive – a need to “help” them so we can move on to self. The examples of this are endless. The civil rights movement was launched when African Americans gained enough power to apply the needed pressure. Aid for the HIV/AIDS devastated populations comes only because HIV/AIDS might ravage us.

So, here’s my conclusion: Believing that God knows me (and I do) should naturally result in my being humble, merciful, completely broken, and trusting Jesus as my only hope (because I know there is no hope in my virtures).

So why am I not humble, merciful, broken, and completely trusting Jesus? Do I not believe? Do I not care that God knows my deepest me?

Proverbs 21:2 – All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7 – The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.