The Word Without Blemish

The Lord Has Come – He Shines Through You

(Philippians 2:12-16, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, November 24, 2019)

[12] 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, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

[14] Do all things without grumbling or disputing, [15] 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, [16] holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

What role has God planned for obedience in our lives? Could we ever be saved by our works? Why not? Are works then irrelevant to our salvation? Why do works matter?

Obedience and Salvation

Why did Jesus come? The humiliation and exaltation of Jesus as seen in Phil. 2

Christ's obedience is our salvation. If we could have done it, the cross would be useless.

Yet Paul's call to the Lord's beloved church in Philippi: Obey

Obedience is the outworking of God's salvation in the Lord's children.

Why the Fear and Trembling? (See Mark 16:8 for another example of trembling.)

The I-Am is at work in you

Both to will and to work

For his good pleasure

What does it look like to have God shine through us?

Do all things without grumbling or disputing (See 4:2)

Blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish (See 1 Peter 1:19, sacrifice)

In the midst of a crooked and twisted generation (See Acts 20:30 and watch out)

Among whom you shine as lights in the world (luminaries on Christmas Eve)

Holding fast to the word of life... (See 1 Timothy 4:16, keep a close watch on)

What should grace look like in us? Case in point: Philemon and Onesimus

(More on the rest of verse 16 next week—The example of Paul)

THE POINT: Jesus saved us by his obedience. He shines through us by ours.

Applying these verses:

1. It is the Word that shows us Jesus and obedience. Don't let it run away from you.

2. Confusing our obedience with his dishonors the Lord and disturbs our assurance.

3. Ignoring the duties of grace diminishes our joy. Closing illustration: Jan Manson

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 119:137-144 – Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.

New Testament Reading—Romans 9:19-33 – Righteousness that is by faith and not based on works

We need to know this in "well-being" and "calamity".

The Lord Has Come – Jesus Christ is the Lord of Isaiah 45:14-25

(Philippians 2:5-11, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, November 17, 2019)

[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Why would God record important truths in the Old Testament centuries before their ultimate fulfillment? What does it reveal to us today when we see a beautiful connection between an Old Testament passage and a New Testament partial fulfillment of that passage? Do these ancient texts help us to understand the first coming of Christ and to trust him for his second coming?

“Have this mind among yourselves” Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation

There is a mind which Jesus had when he came

Which we can have now among ourselves

That mind is ours

In Christ Jesus

Two weeks ago: Paul tells the church that “this mind” was beautifully expressed through the incarnation, obedience, and sacrificial death of Jesus.

Last week: “This mind” also includes a vibrant and fruitful Christian hope.

Today: More on our preparation for that hope through the Old Testament prophets...

Isaiah 45

Isaiah 45:1-13 Thus says the LORD to his anointed Cyrus

[2] I will go before you (150 years before the events came to pass)

[3] that you may know that it is I, the LORD, who call you by your name

[4] For the sake of Israel my chosen

[6] That people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west

Know what?

[6] That there is none besides me

[7] I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity

[8] Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness

[13] He shall build my city and set my exiles free

Isaiah 45:14-25 Thus says the LORD (to Israel)

[14] Egypt Cush (Ethiopia) Sabeans (Sheba, Yemen) shall come over to you

[14] They will plead with you, saying: ‘Surely God is in you, and there is no other’

[16] Makers of idols go in confusion together

[17] But Israel is saved by the LORD with everlasting salvation (Who is this “Israel”?)

[20] “Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save. [21] Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. [22] Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

[23] By myself I have sworn;

from my mouth has gone out in righteousness

a word that shall not return:

‘To me every knee shall bow,

every tongue shall swear allegiance.’

[24] Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me,

are righteousness and strength;

to him shall come and be ashamed

all who were incensed against him.

[25] In the LORD all the offspring of Israel

shall be justified and shall glory.

THE POINT of Isaiah 45: Those who respond to God's call from the nations shall be justified and shall glory in the LORD

1. Who is this God of Israel who chose Cyrus?

2. Assemble yourselves and come to him!

3. There is another Christ (anointed one) beyond Cyrus. (Philippians 2:10-11)

Isaiah 45 in Philippians 2

The name of Jesus is the name of the Lord God Almighty, come to save.

Jesus Christ is Lord

All Israel includes all who call upon the Lord.

Note Romans 10:10–13 [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. [11] For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” [12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. [13] For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (See also Joel 2:28-32.)

THE POINT: The Lord has come. Eternal righteousness, strength, and glory can only be found in him. One day everyone from every tribe, tongue, and nation will most certainly see this.

Applying these verses:

1. Today is and is not the very final day of Isaiah 45:23. Many people from all over the world are bowing the knee to Jesus, but many still do not believe in their hearts and confess with their lips that Jesus Christ is Lord.

2. This will all change in the twinkling of an eye. Like the shutting of the door of Noah's ark so long ago, one day the trumpet will sound, and Isaiah 45 will be entirely fulfilled.

3. God knows all about this and recorded it centuries before the birth of Jesus.

4. There is nothing more secure in this life and the next than the truth of God in Isaiah 45 and Phil. 2. Have this mind among yourselves in both “well-being” and “calamity.”

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 119:129-136 – Streams of Tears

New Testament Reading—Romans 9:1-18 – He has mercy on whomever he wills

A Promise

The Lord Has Come – God Has Highly Exalted Him

(Philippians 2:5-11, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, November 10, 2019)

[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

While some Christian groups may diminish the role of suffering in the life Jesus has for his beloved church, we are not in their number. Is it possible, however, that we do not sufficiently contemplate the glory that Christ has won for us through his death and resurrection? Could it be that we are forgetting the scope of Christ's reign over all the people groups of the earth or trivializing the joyful hope that is ours in our Savior?

“Have this mind among yourselves... even death on a cross”

There is a mind which Jesus had when he came

Which we can have now among ourselves

That mind is ours

In Christ Jesus

Last week: “This mind” was beautifully expressed through the incarnation, obedience, and sacrificial death of Jesus. But now...

The exaltation of Jesus is also an essential expression of “this mind”.

The exaltation of Jesus is connected to his obedience and suffering.

God has highly exalted him – resurrection, ascension, gifting, returning, uniting

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.

(More on this next week from Isaiah 45)

Every tongue? The story of the dispersing of the tongues and the uniting of the tongues

Genesis 11:4 “Let us make a name for ourselves.”, 12:2, 8

Acts 2:11 “We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”, 2:38-39

THE POINT: The Lord has come. Yes, he suffered greatly for us, but he has been and will be highly exalted for us as well. That has to mean something to his followers.

Applying these verses:

1. SCOPE: God has a massive plan for the unity of his people. Don't settle for less.

2. HOPE: Hope is not optional for those who trust in Christ. Be willing to live in hope.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 119:121-128 – A Secure Pledge of Good

New Testament Reading—Romans 8:18-39 – More than Conquerors

Let this mind be among us

The Lord Has Come – Born to Obey and to Die

(Philippians 2:5-8, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, November 3, 2019)

[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

How can we tell if a church is made up of Christ-followers? It cannot simply be a matter of what we say we believe. We need to show evidence among us of “this mind” of Christ. What is this mind? What does it teach us about our bodies, our service, and our ultimate act of worship?

“Have this mind among yourselves.”

There is a mind which Jesus had when he came

Which we can have now among us

That mind is ours – and it is reflected in our life together as a family

This mind is ours in Christ Jesus

A gift that we are called to receive

The incarnation of Jesus was an expression of “this mind”.

Though he was in the form of God

He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (grabbed from the real gods)

But emptied himself

A true body and a reasonable soul

The service of Jesus was an expression of “this mind”.

By taking the form of a servant – John 13

What was the fullest expression of “this mind”?

Being found in human form, he went further according to “this mind”

He humbled himself by becoming obedient

To the point of death

Even death on a cross

Cross as bride price – the ancient vows

“Then, as the groom places the ring on the bride's finger, he says the following: 'With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the name of the Father, and of Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.'”

Cross as worship – “With my body, I thee worship.” This is what Jesus did for his bride.

Those words need to mean something...

THE POINT: The Lord has come. He came to obey and to die. That has to mean something to his followers.

Applying these verses:

1. Our bodies are not inherently bad. The Son of God was found in one, and he did not despise it or throw it away.

We have so much that needs doing. Sympathy is helpful, and prayers are marvelous, but at some point there must be that marvelous human connection between mind and body, where someone knows what must be done, and combines strength and will to actually do it.

Yet even if a person has limitations that prevent the accomplishment of one project or another, what a wonder it is to be a human being! Deb Kneisley's former student is an MD and a mom. She is carrying a baby who has Trisomy-18. Not every doctor understands her feelings about her baby. Let this mind be among us...

2. We don't have to be in charge of everything in order to have a meaningful life. Being a servant is an excellent expression of godly obedience.

Chet & Deb DuPont just want to serve in Rwanda. I remember when they first came to a clearer faith in Christ. The message was about receiving a Christmas gift, and the title was, “Have you received my gift?” Jesus is the gift. They have received him. Now they want to share that gift in Rwanda. Who would have thought where that would lead? Female goats and clean water in two villages. Let this mind be among us...

3. Precious in the Lord's sight is the death of his Son... and the death of his saints. If it were not so, he never would have commanded the cross of Christ and appointed that we should live and die. Clearly there is more to this story than life under the sun. Every worldview that neglects this central fact of theology, will be a lie and a dead end.

Death cannot be passed over as if it were a nothing. Cain: “Am I my brother's keeper?” Christ's death cannot be ignored. Neither is the death of any person something to be ignored and lost as nothing. We show respect for life and for acts of service when we are able to agree with the Lord about the sacred reality of life and death. And we look beyond this life because of the cross of Jesus. Let this mind be among us...

4. The church is not truly Christian if we refuse to have “this mind” of incarnation, obedience, and the death of the cross in us.

It is our privilege to stand with others who share the faith that we possess. Yesterday I was able to give testimony to that fact for my friend Jim Blair and our friends over many years at the Exeter United Methodist Church. Their church signed on to be in partnership with the New Hampshire Alliance. To do so they had to affirm basic Christian doctrines about God and Christ, an ethical oneness with those who hold to historic understandings of the Ten Commandments, particularly regarding murder and adultery. It was great to stand with them as they face the potential of criticism for their fidelity to Christ the Word made flesh and to the Word of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. Let this mind be among us...

This is how we celebrate Jesus. We understand that we are united to this Christ in his birth, his service, and his death. All this makes a difference. Let this mind be among us now and forever.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 119:113-120 – One Heart

New Testament Reading—Romans 8:1-17 – Provided we suffer with him