Bro. Yap is from Scripture Union. His sermon is based on Philippians 2:5-11. To illustrate a point about humility Bro. Yap
shared a story about Ronald Regan, the former President of United State who
gave a speech in English in Mexico. The
audience could not understand English so they were quiet. The next speaker came to the stage, and as he
spoke the audience began to clap.
Mr.Regan clapped even louder each time the speaker paused. He did not realise that the speaker was
translating his speech.
We are all prideful and we tend to “blow our own
trumpet”. This is prideful and it is an
idolatry. How we solve this
problem? According to Bro. Yap we must
fix our eyes on Jesus.
Indeed there is a doctrine of Christianity as taught by
Apostle Paul. He taught and spoke to the
ordinary people and not to Theologians.
Philippians 2:5-11 is considered a hymn. Why is this so? Because the theme of Philippians is found in
chapter 1:27-30 : Live in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
2:2 They should
have the same spirit, same mind and same love.
2:3 They should do nothing out of
selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others
Better than yourselves.
2:4 They should look not only to
their own interests but also the interest of others.
The problem is that we have
selfish pride. It is always about ourselves. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and learn from
Him.
1.
Imitate
Christ model of humility 2:5-8
2:6 - Who, being in
very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to
his own advantage;
2:7 - rather, he made
himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human
likeness.
Jesus is God, yet He came in human form and made Himself
nothing by being a servant. This is very
profound and we may not understand.
He prepared Himself to be cursed by God Deut 21:23 - you must not leave the body hanging on the
pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on
a pole is under God’s curse.
1 Corinthians 1:23 - but
we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
The Cross is central to Christianity, yet it is a stumbling
block to the Jews and Gentiles, as it was not comprehensible to them. It was not logical how God can be crucified
on a Cross.
“To give my life for
Christ appears glorious. To pour myself out for others…to pay the ultimate
price of martyrdom—I’ll do it. I’m ready, Lord, to go out in a blaze of glory.
We think giving my life to the Lord is like putting a RM 100 bill on the
table—here’s my life, Lord. I’m giving it all. But the reality for most of us
is that He sends us to change the RM 100 bill into RM 1 bills. We go through life putting out RM 1 here and
RM 2 there. ” Fred Craddock
This quote typical of most of us, giving out a couple of
Ringgit here and there throughout our lives.
2.
Acknowledge
Christ Lordship – Philippians 2:9-11
“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 acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.”
Ephesians 1:21 (NCV)
“God has put Christ
over all rulers, authorities, powers, and kings, not only in this world but
also in the next.”
Isaiah 45:23b (ESV)
“To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.”
No matter who we are this applies
: In heaven, on earth and under the
earth.
The Exaltation of JESUS is An
Encouragement
To Humility
“For
all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves
will be exalted”. Luke 14:11 (NIV)
“Be
humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the
time comes .” 1 Pet. 5:6 (CEV)
The Exaltation of JESUS is An
Encouragement – A Summary
1. To
Humility
2. In
Trials
3. To
Salvation
Isaiah 45:22-25 (CEV)
“I invite the whole world
to turn to me and be saved.
I alone am God!
No others are real.
I have made a solemn promise,
one that won’t be broken:
Everyone will bow down
and worship me. They will admit that I
alone
can bring about justice.
Everyone who is angry with me
will be terribly ashamed
and will turn to me.
I, the Lord, will give
victory and great honor
to the people of Israel.”
