Episode 194: August 18, 2024 - Humility In Christ, Part 3 - A Drink Offering

Eternity Church PodCast

A Sunday sermon by Pastor Brett Deal. “Do you know how fast you were going?” Those were the words I heard the last time I got a ticket. It’s been over ten years, but those words still stand out. I’d blown past all the signs. All the posted speed limits, all the cars wisely slowing down in advance of the speed trap. But isn’t that just life? We’re so busy trying to get there, we miss all the signs that get us to our destination. In Philippians 2, Paul commands followers of Jesus to love one another, to put the interests of others before their own. The Philippians were rushing through life and missing the gift of fellowship where we stop long enough to see each other and carrying one another’s burdens. Paul uses the best example he knows: Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God, who being in the very nature and essence God, did not consider equality with the Father something to be grasped but emptied Himself. He slowed down for our sake, so that we might know Him. Matthew’s gospel has several such road signs. At Jesus’ baptism (3.17), the Father called Jesus His “Beloved.” Then, in the hustle and bustle of ministry, Jesus withdrew from the rush with His disciples and fulfills the prophetic words of Isaiah as God’s “Beloved” (12.18). Later, with His three closest friends and disciples, Jesus ascended a mountainside and was transfigured with His glory! Over all the sound and lights, the voice of God proclaimed Jesus His “Beloved” (17.5). What does all of this have to do with Phillipi? Is this midweek thought little more than a speed bump in your busy week? Reflecting on Jesus, Paul turned to the people in Philippi and used the Father’s word. He called them “Beloved.” Slow down and hear that. This is who you are in Christ! You are beloved. You are God’s beloved. Friend, if this is true, it should affect the way we see everything! Today, hear your belovedness over every encouragement and admonition in Philippians 2.12-18.