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Notes
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Introduction
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Bible Reading 7/5 - 7/11: 1Chron 1:1 - 12:18; Acts 23:11 - 28:31; Psalm 3:1 - 9:12; Prov 18:14 - 19:3
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Review
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My Brothers and Sisters Deserve Better (Part 1)
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Preparation - Philippians 2:1-11
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Expository Preaching
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Select the Passage - Philippians 2:1-11
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Study the Passage
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NIV
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Hebrew Study Bible
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KJV
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The Message
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NASB
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RSV
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Discover the Exegetical Idea
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Believers should demonstrate their connection to Jesus Christ by becoming one in heart and mind, turning from self-centeredness to other-centeredness.
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Analyze the Exegetical Idea
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Explain It: What does this mean?
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Paul appeals to the encouragement, comfort, and spiritual fellowship that they are already experiencing with Jesus and the Holy Spirit as believers.
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As recipients of these blessings he urges them to make his joy (Philip 1:4) complete (Philip 1:6) by continuing in their spiritual growth to become unified.
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Putting the interests of others ahead of their own is essential if they are to achieve unity.
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He doesn't make this exhortation based on his own example. Instead he points them to Jesus as the supreme role model - putting the Father's interests (redeeming lost humanity) ahead of his own (his eternal equality with God).
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Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
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Jesus prayed for his followers to be one - John 17:20-23
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Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
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It glorifies God - Philip 1:9-11
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Self-centeredness is addictive and other-centeredness is the cure.
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There are two kingdoms and you want to connect to the right one.
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God's Kingdom is winning; Satan's is losing - 2Cor 2:12-16; Philip 1:27-30
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God's Kingdom
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Putting others first is compatible with this one - Philip 2:1-4
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Members will be rewarded - Philip 3:12-14; 20-21
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Satan's kingdom is losing -
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Putting yourself first is compatible with this one.
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Members will be destroyed - Philip 3:18-19
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People in our communities long for examples of unity:
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The Greatest Minds
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Music?
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Selfish ambition eritheia (eriqeia Gk.):
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“I deserve better”
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Vain conceit - kenodoxia (kenodoxia Gk.):
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“It’s all about me”
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“what’s going to make me?”
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In humility consider others better than yourselves:
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“my brother and sister deserve better”
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Each of you should look not only to your own interests . . .:
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“it’s not just about me”
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Formulate the Homiletical Idea
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Develop a new attitude:
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from "I deserve better" to "my brothers and sisters deserve better";
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from "it's all about me" to "it's not just about me".
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Determine the Purpose of the Sermon
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I want people who hear this message to:
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Understand how unity is hindered by self-centeredness
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Recognize key ways that self-centeredness manifests itself.
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Understand how unity is promoted by other-centeredness
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Recognize key ways that we can be "other-centered"
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Begin doing so.
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Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose
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Outline the Sermon
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Standing Issues
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From a word Bishop gave me:
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Make it plain
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Use accessible language and modern parables.
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Make sure people do something with God's message.
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Keep it simple.
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Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.
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Impart faith to obey the Word and receive God's promises.
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Introduction
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Paul writes from prison (probably circa 61 A.D. in Rome - Acts 28:16-31)
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Read Philippians 1:1-20
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Note the goal of Paul's prayer (Philippians 1:9-11):
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that their love would grow enabling them to be pure and blameless
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that God would be glorified and praised as a result
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Love is a key underlying motivation for everything that follows here.
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Read Philippians 1:27-30
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Note - "in one spirit, contending as one man (i.e. one soul)"
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Paul is writing to believers who are themselves experiencing struggles (agon agwn Gk. - imagery of conflict in a stadium).
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This sounds religious, but God has some real treasure here for us.
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Unity In The Body
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This should remind us of Jesus' prayer:
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He prayed for his followers to be one - John 17:20-23
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He prayed for the world to know that the Father has loved them even as he has loved Jesus.
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Remember we said that love was a key underlying motivation!
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Love spends itself on others.
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Love seeks to benefit others even at its own expense.
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Love and unity go together!
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Paul has more to say on the subject - Philippians 2:1-2
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"One in spirit and purpose"
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Paul appeals to the encouragement, comfort, and spiritual fellowship that they are already experiencing with Jesus and the Holy Spirit as believers.
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As recipients of these blessings he urges them to make his joy (Philip 1:4) complete (Philip 1:6) by growing in unity.
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Some questions to consider:
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Do you have any encouragement from being united with Christ?
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Do you have any comfort from his love?
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Do you have any fellowship with the Spirit?
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Do you have any tenderness and compassion?
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Do you still experience these blessings in your struggles?
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Unity is challenging (so is love)!
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It's hard to be united when things are going well!
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How can we be united when things are tough?
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People will often unite against a common enemy.
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What do we do when we feel that we're each encountering unrelated enemies or struggles?
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It's fashionable to say "why can't we come together?"
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Especially in the black community.
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Remember the sixties
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People in our communities long for examples of unity:
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The Greatest Minds
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Music?
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God's Word gives us some practical steps for achieving unity.
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Read the passage: Philippians 2:3-4
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Key thoughts:
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Abandon selfish ambition and vain conceit
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Consider others better than yourself and look to their interests
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Follow Jesus' example
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Summary: Move from self-centeredness to other-centeredness
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Transition: Let's take a deeper look at self-centeredness.
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Self-centeredness
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Two key manifestations of self-centeredness:
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Selfish ambition eritheia (eriqeia Gk.):
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“I deserve better”, "my child deserves better"
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Illustration
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Keeping score with money
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Vain conceit - kenodoxia (kenodoxia Gk.):
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“It’s all about me”
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“what’s going to make me happy?”
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Illustration
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How does this affect me? What's in it for me?
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Union negotiations
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Self-centeredness is part of a bigger problem
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We were not designed for self-centeredness
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Our first parents, Adam and Eve, chose "independence" (i.e. sin)
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Independence from God leads to self-centeredness
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Independence from God forces me to rely on myself.
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Self-centeredness hinders the unity that God wants for us.
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Self-centered people can't unite.
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They make divergent choices based on their distinct circumstances.
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Illustration
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choosing a movie or a restaurant
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Transition: Now that we've looked at self-centeredness, let's take a look at "other-centeredness".
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Other-centeredness
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Read the passage: Philippians 2:3-11
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The focus of the passage is primarily our other brothers and sisters in Christ.
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"Other-centeredness" is a prerequisite for the unity God wants for us.
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Key manifestations of "other-centeredness":
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In humility consider others better than yourselves:
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“my brother and sister deserve better”
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Illustration
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We do this with family,, especially with our children.
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The movie "The Brothers" reference to the "last piece of food".
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Giving up your place in line and going to the back.
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Each of you should look not only to your own interests . . .:
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“it’s not just about me”
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Illustration
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People who come early to set up on Sunday
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"Other-centeredness" promotes unity.
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Transition:
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Paul is practical.
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He doesn't just tell us what to do, he gives us a practical example.
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Paul himself is sacrificing for others (he's writing from prison).
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He doesn't use his own example however - he cites Jesus.
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Follow Jesus' Example
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Jesus puts the Father's interests (redeeming lost humanity) ahead of his own (his eternal equality with God).
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From heaven to earth to show the way
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From the earth to the cross my debt to pay
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From the cross to the grave
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From the grave to the sky - Lord I lift your name on high
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Transition: OK that's Jesus, but what about you and me.
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What difference does it make? So What?
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Self-centeredness is addictive and other-centeredness is the cure.
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The more you focus on your own needs the more important they seem to you.
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The more you focus on your own needs the less you're able to stand on God's promises (which are based on trusting him).
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The less you're able to stand on God's promises the more you have to rely on yourself.
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There are two kingdoms - God's and Satan's
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One wins; one loses - 2Corinthians 2:12-16; Philippians 1:27-30
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God's Kingdom
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Members put others first - Philippians 2:1-4
|
|
|
|
Members will be rewarded - Philippians 3:12-14; 20-21
|
|
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|
Satan's kingdom is losing -
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Members put themselves first.
|
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Members will be destroyed - Philippians 3:18-19
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Transition: Now that you know what's at stake let's see how we can put this into practice!
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Begin focusing on others:
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In humility consider others better than yourselves (i.e. “my brother and sister deserve better”):
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Waiting in line
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Each of you should look not only to your own interests . . . (i.e. “it’s not just about me”):
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Transition
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Conclusion
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New Material
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Preparation
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Expository Preaching
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Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through the preacher, applies to the hearers.
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Select the Passage
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Study the Passage
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NIV
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Hebrew Study Bible
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KJV
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The Message
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NASB
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RSV
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Discover the Exegetical Idea
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Subject
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Tools: How, Who, What, When, Where, Why
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Complement
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Analyze the Exegetical Idea
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Explain It: What does this mean?
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Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
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Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
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Formulate the Homiletical Idea
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Determine the Purpose of the Sermon
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|
|
|
Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose
|
|
|
|
Make it plain
|
|
|
|
Use accessible language and modern parables.
|
|
|
|
Make sure people do something with God's message.
|
|
|
|
Keep it simple.
|
|
|
|
Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.
|
|
|
|
Impart faith to obey the Word and receive God's promises.
|
|
|
|
Outline the Sermon
|
|
|
|
My Brothers and Sisters Deserve Better (Part 2)
|
|
|
|
Preparation - Philippians 2:1-11
|
|
|
|
Expository Preaching
|
|
|
|
Select the Passage - Philippians 2:1-11
|
|
|
|
Study the Passage
|
|
|
|
NIV
|
|
|
|
Hebrew Study Bible
|
|
|
|
KJV
|
|
|
|
The Message
|
|
|
|
NASB
|
|
|
|
RSV
|
|
|
|
Discover the Exegetical Idea
|
|
|
|
|
Believers should demonstrate their connection to Jesus Christ by becoming one in heart and mind, turning from self-centeredness to other-centeredness.
|
|
|
|
Analyze the Exegetical Idea
|
|
|
|
Explain It: What does this mean?
|
|
|
|
Paul appeals to the encouragement, comfort, and spiritual fellowship that they are already experiencing with Jesus and the Holy Spirit as believers.
|
|
|
|
As recipients of these blessings he urges them to make his joy (Philip 1:4) complete (Philip 1:6) by continuing in their spiritual growth to become unified.
|
|
|
|
Putting the interests of others ahead of their own is essential if they are to achieve unity.
|
|
|
|
He doesn't make this exhortation based on his own example. Instead he points them to Jesus as the supreme role model - putting the Father's interests (redeeming lost humanity) ahead of his own (his eternal equality with God).
|
|
|
|
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
|
|
|
|
Jesus prayed for his followers to be one - John 17:20-23
|
|
|
|
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
|
|
|
|
It glorifies God - Philip 1:9-11
|
|
|
|
Self-centeredness is addictive and other-centeredness is the cure.
|
|
|
|
There are two kingdoms and you want to connect to the right one.
|
|
|
|
God's Kingdom is winning; Satan's is losing - 2Cor 2:12-16; Philip 1:27-30
|
|
|
|
God's Kingdom
|
|
|
|
Putting others first is compatible with this one - Philip 2:1-4
|
|
|
|
Members will be rewarded - Philip 3:12-14; 20-21
|
|
|
|
Satan's kingdom is losing -
|
|
|
|
Putting yourself first is compatible with this one.
|
|
|
|
Members will be destroyed - Philip 3:18-19
|
|
|
|
People in our communities long for examples of unity:
|
|
|
|
The Greatest Minds
|
|
|
|
Music?
|
|
|
|
Selfish ambition eritheia (eriqeia Gk.):
|
|
|
|
“I deserve better”
|
|
|
|
Vain conceit - kenodoxia (kenodoxia Gk.):
|
|
|
|
“It’s all about me”
|
|
|
|
“what’s going to make me happy?”
|
|
|
|
In humility consider others better than yourselves:
|
|
|
|
“my brother and sister deserve better”
|
|
|
|
Each of you should look not only to your own interests . . .:
|
|
|
|
“it’s not just about me”
|
|
|
|
Formulate the Homiletical Idea
|
|
|
|
Develop a new attitude:
|
|
|
|
from "I deserve better" to "my brothers and sisters deserve better";
|
|
|
|
from "it's all about me" to "it's not just about me".
|
|
|
|
Determine the Purpose of the Sermon
|
|
|
|
I want people who hear this message to:
|
|
|
|
Understand how unity is hindered by self-centeredness
|
|
|
|
Recognize key ways that self-centeredness manifests itself.
|
|
|
|
Understand how unity is promoted by other-centeredness
|
|
|
|
Recognize key ways that we can be "other-centered"
|
|
|
|
Begin doing so.
|
|
|
|
Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose
|
|
|
|
Outline the Sermon
|
|
|
|
Standing Issues
|
|
|
|
From a word Bishop gave me:
|
|
|
|
Make sure people do something with God's message.
|
|
|
|
Make it plain: Use accessible language and modern parables.
|
|
|
|
Keep it simple.
|
|
|
|
Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.
|
|
|
|
Impart faith to obey the Word and receive God's promises.
|
|
|
|
Introduction
|
|
|
|
I want people who hear this message to:
|
|
|
|
Recognize that God is demanding something of us in this passage.
|
|
|
|
Recognize their own self-centeredness and how it manifests itself.
|
|
|
|
Develop a lifestyle of other-centeredness.
|
|
|
|
Understand practical ways of being "other-centered".
|
|
|
|
Develop "triggers" that will remind them to be other-centered.
|
|
|
|
Paul writes from prison (probably circa 61 A.D. in Rome - Acts 28:16-31)
|
|
|
|
God Is Asking Something Of Us
|
|
|
|
Read Philippians 1:27-30
|
|
|
|
Note - "in one spirit, contending as one man (i.e. one soul)"
|
|
|
|
Paul is writing to believers who are themselves experiencing struggles (agon agwn Gk. - imagery of conflict in a stadium).
|
|
|
|
Read - Philippians 2:1-2
|
|
|
|
Paul appeals to the encouragement, comfort, and spiritual fellowship that they are already experiencing with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
|
|
|
|
As recipients of these blessings he urges them to make his joy (Philip 1:4) complete (Philip 1:6) by growing in unity.
|
|
|
|
Unity in general terms:
|
|
|
|
"like-minded
|
|
|
|
"having the same love"
|
|
|
|
"one in spirit and purpose"
|
|
|
|
These terms are aspirational and general.
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|
|
They create a sense of purpose.
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They aren't detailed enough for us to really engage however.
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We can fool ourselves in to believing we're in compliance.
|
|
|
|
Paul doesn't leave us with generalities - he gets specific:
|
|
|
|
Read the passage: Philippians 2:3-4
|
|
|
|
Key thoughts:
|
|
|
|
Abandon selfish ambition and vain conceit
|
|
|
|
Consider others better than yourself and look to their interests
|
|
|
|
Follow Jesus' example
|
|
|
|
Summary: Move from self-centeredness to other-centeredness
|
|
|
|
Transition: Let's take a deeper look at self-centeredness.
|
|
|
|
Self-centeredness
|
|
|
|
Two key manifestations of self-centeredness:
|
|
|
|
Selfish ambition eritheia (eriqeia Gk.):
|
|
|
|
“I deserve better”, "my child deserves better"
|
|
|
|
Illustration
|
|
|
|
Keeping score with money
|
|
|
|
Vain conceit - kenodoxia (kenodoxia Gk.):
|
|
|
|
“It’s all about me”; "What's in it for me?"
|
|
|
|
My happiness does not authoritatively reveal God’s will for my life.
|
|
|
|
Illustration
|
|
|
|
authoritative vs. non-authoritative indicators
|
|
|
|
“What’s going to make me happy?”
|
|
|
|
We can be so preoccupied with achieving some measure of happiness that we neglect things God has told us to do.
|
|
|
|
Me - watching tv when I should be praying or serving.
|
|
|
|
Review origin and impact of self-centeredness
|
|
|
|
Self-centeredness is part of a bigger problem
|
|
|
|
We were not designed for self-centeredness
|
|
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Our first parents, Adam and Eve, chose "independence" (i.e. sin)
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God talked to Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening.
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Independence from God leads to self-centeredness
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Independence from God forces me to rely on myself.
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Self-centeredness hinders the unity that God wants for us.
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Self-centered people can't unite.
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They make divergent choices based on their distinct circumstances.
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Illustration
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choosing a movie or a restaurant
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Transition: Now that we've looked at self-centeredness, let's take a look at "other-centeredness".
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Other-centeredness
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Read the passage: Philippians 2:3-11
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The focus is primarily on our other brothers and sisters in Christ
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All of them, not just the ones we happen to especially like.
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It has application beyond the church however as we will see shortly.
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"Other-centeredness" is a prerequisite for the unity God wants for us.
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Key manifestations of "other-centeredness":
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In humility consider others better than yourselves:
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“My brother and sister deserve better.”
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“My brother and sister deserve better from me!”
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Illustration
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Review - Giving up your place in line and going to the back.
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We do this with family,, especially with our children.
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The movie "The Brothers" reference to the "last piece of food".
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Each of you should look not only to your own interests . . .:
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“It’s not just about me”
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"It's about my brothers and sisters in Christ."
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Illustration
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Review - People who come early to set up on Sunday
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I like to tackle tasks in my own preferred order
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"Other-centeredness" promotes unity.
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Follow Jesus' Example
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Jesus puts the Father's interests (redeeming lost humanity) ahead of his own (his eternal equality with God).
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Lord I Life Your Name On High
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From heaven to earth to show the way
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From the earth to the cross my debt to pay
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From the cross to the grave
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From the grave to the sky - Lord I lift your name on high
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In nature God
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Gospel: The Son was, is, and always will be God
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Made himself nothing (emptied himself)
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taking the nature of a servant
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being made in human likeness
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Gospel: The Son emptied himself to become human - Jesus
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Being found in appearance as a man, humbled himself
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Became obedient to death
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death on a cross
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Gospel: Jesus humbled himself to die for us.
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This gives the passage an application that goes beyond how we treat other believers.
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Jesus died for everyone, not just for those who would follow him.
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Therefore God
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exalted him to the highest place
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gave him the name that is above every name
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Gospel: The name of Jesus is as high as you can go!
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No greater name
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No higher authority
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God's terms are: follow Jesus!
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All will submit to him
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every knee will bow everywhere (i.e. heaven, earth, the grave)
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every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord
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confess: to say the same thing
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Gospel: Confess now voluntarily or confess later involuntarily
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What difference does it make? So What?
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Review: Self-centeredness is addictive
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The more you focus on your own needs the more important they seem to you.
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The more you focus on your own needs the less you're able to stand on God's promises (which are based on trusting him).
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The less you're able to stand on God's promises the more you have to rely on yourself.
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Transition: Now that you know what's at stake let's see how we can put this into practice!
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Philip 2:12-18 “as you have always obeyed”
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". . . as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence . . ."
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Believers obey apostolic teaching - Acts 2:37-43
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Presence, absence - we need to obey in church and out of church.
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For this to really make a difference you need to be a believer.
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You can't claim the benefits of a Bible passage written to disciples unless you are a disciple yourself.
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Some questions to consider:
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Do you have any encouragement from being united with Christ?
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Do you have any comfort from his love?
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Do you have any fellowship with the Spirit?
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Do you have any tenderness and compassion?
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Do you still experience these blessings in your struggles?
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Work out your salvation with fear and trembling
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This is a broad command that needs specifics for success!
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e.g. "Do well in school!"
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Get to school on time
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Pay attention in class
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Study effectively
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Obey your teachers
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Get along with other students
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e.g. "???"
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Fill in the content from the previous passage.
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Illustrations:
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My past lab experiment precautions?
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Watching linemen reconnect power outside our window.
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Take it seriously!
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God is demanding something of us in these passages.
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God is working on your will and your actions:
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This is why you can be confidant about putting this into practice.
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Your actions are driven by your will!
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Your will is driven by the Word!
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Review sermon passages to improve your grasp of the Word!
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Don't complain or argue (consider others better than yourselves)
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Other-centeredness trigger! If you're complaining or arguing you're probably in danger of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
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Be blameless and pure - without fault (consider others better . . .)
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"children of God without fault . . ." - this is what God expects of us.
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" . . . crooked and depraved generation . . . shine like stars"
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There should be a difference between us and the world.
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Our behavior should be attractive
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Hold out the word of life
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Make God's Word available to those around you.
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They'll be more likely to receive it if you're other-centered.
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In order that I may boast . . . that I did not run or labor for nothing"
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Illustrations:
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Stand and Deliver: Jaime Escalante taught students AP Calculus
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". . . poured out like a drink offering"
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Paul's was living his life with the Philippians and others in mind.
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"I am glad and rejoice with all of you"
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Paul rejoiced at how God was moving in their lives.
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"So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."
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We need to rejoice at what God is accomplishing in us as a body!
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Conclusion
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Love is key!
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Love is a key underlying motivation for everything that follows here.
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Love spends itself on others.
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Love seeks to benefit others even at its own expense.
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Love and unity go together!
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Examine your various "contexts":
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family and people you live with
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your life group (emphasize these)
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the congregation
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the people you work with or go to school with
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Whose interests have you been prioritizing recently?
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Are you arguing or complaining with any of these people?
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Are you fighting for some position, advantage, or promotion?
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In humility consider others better than yourselves (i.e. “My brothers and sisters in Christ deserve better from me!”):
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Each of you should look not only to your own interests . . . (i.e. “It’s not just about me, it's about my brothers and sisters in Christ”):
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Altar Call / Welcome Cards / Communion
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Welcome Cards - refer to script
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Men's Prayer
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Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)
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Philippians 2:1-11
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If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
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. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 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.
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Discuss the following:
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Any selfish ambition (i.e. an "I deserve better" attitude) or vain conceit (i.e. an "it's all about me" attitude) you've demonstrated recently.
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Practical ways you can consider others better than yourself this week.
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Practical ways you can look to the interests of others this week.
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How does Jesus' attitude as described in this passage help you?
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Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, 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 as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
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Discussion Questions / Topics:
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Paul asked the Philippians to obey in his absence just as they had when he was with them. How do you do at obeying God's Word outside of church and when no one is watching?
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Philip 2:13 says that God is working in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. What are you doing to cooperate with God?
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Did you complain to or argue with other brothers or sisters in Christ this week? If so, was this the result of any selfish ambition or vain conceit on your part? Discuss.
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Witnessing Activities
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What do you find helpful when it comes to evangelism?
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What makes evangelism more difficult for you? How can we help?
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Scriptures For 07/12/2009 Life Church Sermon
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Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
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“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
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If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
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. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 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.
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Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, 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 as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
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Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
Here, for your convenience, are the Bible passages that we will be using in today's sermon at Life Church. We use the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible so that you can read it in modern English. You may have been accustomed to reading or hearing the King James Version of the Bible, which uses older English (with words like "thee" , "thou", "thine", "believeth", etc.). If so, don't be alarmed - the passages below are really from the Bible even though they are in modern English.
The Bible was originally written in three ancient languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. None of the people in the Bible, and none of the people who God used to write it spoke English. In fact, English did not even exist as a language when the Bible was written. The King James Version, first published in 1611, was a translation of the Bible from it's original languages into the every day English that people used back then - almost 400 years ago! They didn't just speak that way in church - they spoke that way with everyone. English has certainly changed a lot since then! Since you probably don't speak Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek, you're going to have to read the Bible in translated form. At Life Church we believe that since you're going to read an English translation of the Bible you might as well use an up to date one - written in the English you speak every day. God wants you to understand his Word so that you can put it into practice!
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Thank you for joining us! You can listen to our sermons and view our other resources at our web site:
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