260 in 2012 DEVOS 176-180 (yeah, I fell behind with our move)

Philippians 2: Humility, Humility, Humility… This chapter totally ROCKS! Four times he uses “if” in verse one, and it is better translated “since” because we do have encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness & compassion IN Christ! Since this is true we should be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” And because being precedes doing, then we are reminded how to act – not with… - selfish ambition = wanting what others have - vain conceit = prideful about what we have Instead – in HUMILITY (this is the key) – consider others better than ourselves! Not our natural attitude but a supernatural one! And are you ready for an attitude adjustment? OUR 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, = Jesus had the right to His “Godness” but did not exercise that right! - But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. = this is the kenosis, the emptying of Himself. Not sure what all he emptied or gave up (certainly some knowledge – Matthew 24:36) but is was a lot! - And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! = Humility & obedience are still great character qualities in God’s eyes! And as a result, God exalted Jesus! So how do we exercise humility? - With fear, trembling, without complaining or arguing and sacrificially – even to death! Paul then concludes by giving two living examples of humility: Timothy – “…no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Epaphroditus – “brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill….welcome him ….honor men like him” SO WHAT?! *PRIDE – It started in the garden and is still the root of most sin! On the pride-humility scale, where do you locate yourself? What are we willing to give up for Jesus, the One who gave up everything for ALL of us?! *If actions speak louder than words, then attitudes speak louder still. How’s the attitude today? Do you need an AA class? (Attitude Adjustment) *Look at what Paul wrote about Tim & Epapy – WOWSA!~! What would others write about you in a letter? What would you like them to write? What needs to change in our lives in order for these two questions to have the same answer??? Philippians 3: The Best Prize Ever! In this chapter, Paul gives a warning, his personal example and shares his heart. Paul called Judaizers (Jews who insisted on circumcision) “dogs” – a term used to describe Gentiles. So……...ummmm…………this was not a complement! He goes on to say that if you want to take confidence in fleshy stuff, man I gotcha’ beat: “…circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.” No one could contend with Paul in a battle of “religious accomplishments.” So – what does Paul call all these so called “accomplishments”? Rubbish – and ya’ want to know what this word means? Dung! Crap! Get the picture?! Knowing Jesus & Making Him Known (this would be a great purpose statement for a student ministry J) is far more valuable: “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ…” Because this is a process, Paul continues: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me…..Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – BEST PRIZE E-V-E-R! Paul concludes by sharing his heart for the lost: “For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.” Paul’s heart was broken for those who would not believe. SO WHAT?! *So, what trophies have you won? What awards hang on your wall? What is to your profit? Oh Lord help us today to lay them all aside in comparison to our relationship with YOU! Give us daily the passion & desire to Know You & Make You Known! Amen. *What bums us out? Things not going our way? A dent in the car? Not getting something we want? How about our family, friends & neighbors not knowing Jesus and on their way to hell? As horrible as it sounds, it’s true. Lord may THIS break our hearts the most – so much so that we will share Jesus with whomever we can! Philippians 4: Whatever!~ We’ve all been in a conversation with someone where they’ve said in sarcasm “whatever.” Well, this is Paul’s “whatever” chapter – only sarcasm is not intended! We begin with a “cat fight” – 2 ladies not getting along – and Paul is pleading with them to do so, and even asking “loyal yokefellow” to step in and referee a bit! Christian love is to be a hallmark of how a believer lives because it shows love and leaves a great testimony of Jesus. So Euodia & Syntyche – chill! Paul’s advice? “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near…..prayer……with thanksgiving…..the peace of God.” Praying, focusing on the Lord, being thankful and taking the focus off of self is always helpful in conflict! And here is what Paul says to focus on: “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” In addition, Paul says “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Contentment is another way to avoid selfish conflict! Paul concludes by thanking them for their gifts and assuring them that God will meet THEIR needs as well! SO WHAT?! *Ok, who was your last fight with? Side note – Jean & I don’t fight, we have “serious fellowship.” (he, he…) Actually, sometimes it’s intense fellowship!~ LOL! Back to the question – what was your fight about? Usually it’s pretty dumb stuff, or at least misunderstandings. Regardless, seek to work it out! I’m not sure how much I’ve done right in our marriage, but only once since 1991 have Jean & I not worked it our before we went to bed – and that time we worked it out the next day. Totally helps in keeping accounts short and thoughts from brewing “evil stew”! Don’t let the sun go down on your anger….Ephesians 4:26 *Contentment – not really a part of the American way huh?! Well, it is God’s way. What is something you could get if you wanted but that you can choose to do without this week? Maybe it’s eating out or a new computer or cell phone or you fill in the blank. How about using “whatever” money you don’t spend on that this week and investing it in the Lord?! Maybe memorize today’s “whatever passage” so you can remember it when you face circumstances?! Introduction to Colossians: Like Ephesians, Philippians & Philemon, Colossians was written during Paul’s first time in prison while in Rome. There was false teaching going on which was a mix of Jewish legalism, Greek philosophy and Eastern mysticism (worshipping angels, visions, etc…).So Paul writes this letter to combat these things. The theme of this letter that Jesus is both sufficient (enough) and supreme (over & before all)! Colossians is very similar to Ephesians. Both letters are broken into 2 equal parts with the first half being doctrinal and the second half being applicational. Both books also cover similar topics. Colossians 1: Jesus is God! I was taught in Bible college, and still remember, that whenever someone is doubting the deity (being God) of Jesus, take them to Romans 1, Hebrews 1, John 1, Revelation 1 & Colossians 1. Each of these passages speak of Jesus being God. Paul begins by giving thanks for their faith, hope and witness for Jesus Christ – each of which is founded in grace & truth! Then he launches into an amazing passage on Jesus! He is: - “…the image of the invisible God…” – the exact representation! In other words, Jesus IS God! - “…the firstborn over all creation.” – this is not that He was a created being, but that Jesus has all the rights belonging to the firstborn because He was before and is over all creation! - “For by him all things were created: …by him and for him.” – Jesus was with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit in the beginning creating everything! And it was all created FOR Him as well! - “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” – Not only is Jesus before all things, but He’s the one who hold everything together! - “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead…” – Jesus is the firstborn = the first one to rise from the dead with a resurrection body! Why? “…so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” – We were separated from God and HE brought us back to Him! What a deal! Paul concludes with two of the verses I have for my job description: “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” My goal is to point people to Jesus through His Word so that I can see every student I’ve ever influenced in heaven someday! And man, it’s hard work, but God’s Holy Spirit is the one working hard in me toward accomplishing this! SO WHAT?! *Is Jesus enough (sufficient) for you? Often times we fill emptiness in our lives with things or other people but JESUS wants to be our everything! Lets ask Him to make us increasingly more aware that HE is enough! *If I am created FOR Jesus, then I am to be used for His purposes not mine! Take a moment and look at your daily schedule. How much of it is filled with His purposes and how much is filled with my own purposes? *When we are passionate about something, we work hard at it! That is what Paul is saying in 28-29. Do you work hard at being God’s Ambassador (Ephesians 2:10)? Lord, give us a passion for the things YOU are passionate about! Colossians 2: Jesus Trumps False Teaching Paul ended chapter one saying that he labored/struggled to teach people the truth about Jesus. In this chapter he explains how that looks as he combats the false teachings going around. He wanted them to “know the mystery of God, namely, Christ…” He reminds them to stay rooted in what he taught them about Jesus and to “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” Some Greeks would use the stars or traditions to determine their religious practices. These are misleading and not Biblical! The next verse is an amazingly clear verse that Jesus is God: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form…” I’m always amazed how a Jehovah’s Witness can read this and say how it doesn’t mean that. Why? Because they’ve been taken captive! We need to fight for them to be released! When we were dead in sin, God made us alive in Jesus and forgave all our sins. As a result, legalistic systems & the worship of angels are not to be – “the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Those who teach otherwise have “…lost connection with the Head…” SO WHAT?! *What are some of the hollow & deceptive philosophies in our culture? Being good enough to get to heaven, going to church or RSM, giving money, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, etc…. are all ways the enemy uses to deceive! Stand up for truth today so both you and others won’t be deceived! *What application does Jesus being God have for your life & mine? Let’s marinate on this one today!