Sermon Central
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Christcame To Be A Servant
Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 19, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Christ came to be an example of servanthood, so that we may learn how to be a servant to others.
CHRIST CAME TO BE A SERVANT
WHEN IT COMES TO UNDERSTANDING THE STORY OF ADVENT, IT IS NECESSARY TO LOOK AT THE LIFE OF JESUS AFTER HE WAS BORN. AS WE STUDY HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY WE WILL FIND PURPOSE FOR OUR OWN, BECAUSE AS CHRISTIANS WE HAVE CHRIST IN US.
NOW I REJOICE IN WHAT I AM SUFFERING FOR YOU, AND I FILL UP IN MY FLESH WHAT IS STILL LACKING IN REGARD TO CHRIST’S AFFLICTIONS, FOR THE SAKE OF HIS BODY, WHICH IS THE CHURCH. 25 I HAVE BECOME ITS SERVANT BY THE COMMISSION GOD GAVE ME TO PRESENT TO YOU THE WORD OF GOD IN ITS FULLNESS—26 THE MYSTERY THAT HAS BEEN KEPT HIDDEN FOR AGES AND GENERATIONS, BUT IS NOW DISCLOSED TO THE LORD’S PEOPLE. 27 TO THEM GOD HAS CHOSEN TO MAKE KNOWN AMONG THE GENTILES THE GLORIOUS RICHES OF THIS MYSTERY, WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY.
28 HE IS THE ONE WE PROCLAIM, ADMONISHING AND TEACHING EVERYONE WITH ALL WISDOM, SO THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERYONE FULLY MATURE IN CHRIST. 29 TO THIS END I STRENUOUSLY CONTEND WITH ALL THE ENERGY CHRIST SO POWERFULLY WORKS IN ME.
PAUL IS TELLING THE PEOPLE OF COLOSSE THAT WE ARE TO BE SERVANTS FOR EACH OTHER. HE IS TELLING US THAT WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO THE GLORIOUS RICHES OF THE GOSPEL, AND THAT MYSTERY IS CHRIST IN YOU.
THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL IS NO MYSTERY TO THE CONVERTED. IT IS THOUGH TO THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW CHRIST.
WE ARE TO PRESENT CHRIST, BECAUSE CHRIST IS IN US, AS IS THE SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE THAT EVERYTHING WE BELIEVE IN IS GOING TO COME TO PASS.
WHEN WE LOVE SOMEONE, WE ALLOW THAT PERSON TO GO BEYOND A CASUAL RECOGNITION. PICTURE THE FRIENDS THAT HAVEN’T SEEN EACH OTHER FOR 25 YEARS. WHEN THEY ARE REUNITED FOR THE FIRST TIME THERE IS GREAT EXCITEMENT. THERE’S HUGGING, LAUGHING, AND DOING THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT SILLY, BUT YOU DON’T CARE BECAUSE INSIDE YOU ARE BURSTING WITH HAPPINESS.
AS CHRISTIANS THIS IS THE CHRIST WE ARE SUPPOSED TO SHOW TO OTHERS. I WANT TO ALSO SAY THAT NOT EVERYDAY WILL BE A MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCE, AND ON THOSE DAYS WE EXPECT SOMEONE ELSE TO CARRY THE LOAD, BUT THIS SHOULD BE OUR CONSISTENT DESIRE.
THIS PASSAGE DEALS WITH WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE CHRIST IN YOU AND ANSWERS THE QUESTION TO SOME EXTENT AS TO WHY JESUS TOOK ON HUMAN FORM SO LONG AGO.
AS WE SERACH FOR THE MIND AND PURPOSE OF JESUS CHRIST, WE MAY BE IN FOR A REAL SHOCK. CHRIST IN US PROVIDES US WITH A SPIRITUAL NATURE THAT IS TOTALLY CONTRARY TO THE WORLDLY NATURE THAT IS AROUND US.
CHRIST LIVED TO BE A GIVER RATHER THAN A GETTER. HE LIVED FOR OTHERS RATHER THAN SEEKING HIS OWN PERSONAL HAPPINESS. HE LIVED TO SERVE RATHER THAN BE SERVED BY OTHERS. HE LIVED A LIFE OF SELF-DENIAL THAT HE MIGHT CHANNEL GOD’S LOVE TO US.
THE DIFFICULTY FOR US IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OLD NATURE THAT WE WANT TO HOLD ONTO. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO EXPRESS ANGER, TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO REPAY HURT WITH HURT, INSULT WITH INSULT. THE THING THAT REALLY IS ANNOYING IS THAT IT IS A CONSCIOUS CHOICE, AT ALL TIMES, WHETHER OR NOT TO FOLLOW CHRIST.
EPHESIANS 4:26-27: “IN YOUR ANGER DO NOT SIN”: DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN WHILE YOU ARE STILL ANGRY, 27 AND DO NOT GIVE THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD.
PAUL IS NOT LETTING THE EPHESIANS OR US OFF THE HOOK HERE. HE ADMITS THAT WE CAN GET ANGRY, BUT HE ALSO TEACHES US THAT WE CAN CONTROL OUR RESPONSE TO THAT ANGER. SATAN CAN PACKAGE IT UP IN VERY NICE WAYS, BUT THE RESPONSIBILITY IS STILL OURS TO BEHAVE IN AN APPROPRIATE FASHION.
THE DISCIPLES, IN OUR PASSAGE ARE LOOKING FOR POWERFUL POSITIONS IN JESUS’ KINGDOM. THEY BELIEVE HE IS GOING TO SET IT UP HERE ON EARTH AT THAT TIME, AND THEY ALL WANTED A PROMINENT PLACE.
JESUS’ RESPONSE BRINGS US BACK TO HIS MISSION AND WHAT OURS SHOULD BE. LETS GO TO OUR PASSAGE NOW.
JESUS IN VERSES 17-19 IS ONCE AGAIN PROCLAIMING THE FACT THAT HE IS GOING TO DIE. HE GOES TO GREAT PAIN TO INDICATE THE TERRIBLE TORTUROUS WAY THAT HE IS GOING TO DIE.
I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND IT PUZZLING THAT THE DISCIPLES WOULD WANT A PLACE OF PREDOMINANCE, IN A KINGDOM WHOSE LEADER HAD JUST PROCLAIMED TO ALL THAT HE WAS GOING TO DIE A HORRIFYING DEATH. THE DISCIPLES WERE NOT STRANGES TO CRUCIFIXION AND TORTURE OF THE ROMANS. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF THEIR DAILY LIVES.
