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The Fellowship of the King, Part 1: A Son and a Servant - Philippians 2:19-24

  THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE KING, PART 1: A Son and a Servant Philippians 2:19-24 Introduction : In the epic trilogy; The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkein told a story of the battle of good against evil. A team was assembled to strike a blow against the forces of darkness and cast the ring into the fires of Mordor, “The Fellowship of the Ring.”  In that epic each one who had a part in the fellowship had a role to fulfill. They were all different, but they were all needed, and each had a part in the unfolding story. We have a part in a far greater story, a true story planned by God Himself. Instead of “The fellowship of the ring,” I’ve titled our next two sermons in Philippians, “ The Fellowship of the King .” I’ll call part 1, where Paul speaks of Timothy, “ A Son and a Servant .” Of course, Jesus is Lord, and The Lord is our King!         Shockingly, the King came as a servant, gave his life for us, and was exalted to the right hand of the Father.  We’ve seen Paul’s humility as he just
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Shine Christian, Shine! - Philippians 2:14-18

  Shine Christian, Shine! (or, “God’s Cure for Spiritual Myopia”) Philippians 2:14-18 Introduction: Before our granddaughter got glasses a few years ago, for some time we had noticed her squinting to see things in the distance. She was hesitant about the idea of glasses at first, but when she put on her new glasses, she just couldn’t stop smiling! She said, “Everything looks so clear!” Myopia is a common eyesight problem, and figuratively speaking, it is common in the Christian life as well. We can get so distracted by the struggles of life in a fallen world that are right in front of us, that we can easily lose sight of the bigger picture . Paul used that imagery as he prayed for the Ephesians in Eph 1:16-20, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,   17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,   18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened , that

Willing, Working, and the Sovereignty of God - Philippians 2:12-13

  Willing, Working, and the Sovereignty of God Philippians 2:12-13 Introduction: There is a famous story about Earl Weaver when he managed the Baltimore Orioles… Outfielder Pat Kelley had come to faith in Christ and told Weaver that he had learned to walk with God.  Weaver replied, “I’d rather have you walk with the bases loaded!”  The Christian life is incomprehensible to those who don’t know the Lord (1 Cor 2:14). What does it mean to walk with God? It’s a lifelong process of learning and growth as we strive to do that!   For Paul theology is always practical – it should make a difference in how we live . What we have in our head, has to make its way to our heart, and then to our hands and our feet. In our context in Philippians, Paul has just pointed to Jesus in his self-humiliation and exaltation as our example: “ Have this attitude in yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus …” Jesus, the sinless, perfect Son of God, is our example of a humble spirit and the attitude of a ser

All Hail King Jesus! - Philippians 2:9-11; Psalm 2

  “All Hail King Jesus!” Philippians 2:9-11; Psalm 2 Introduction: Election Day is just over seven weeks away, Americans will be making an important decision. By all means, be informed on the issues, and prayerfully vote consistently with your Christian values. But ultimately, the most important question we must all answer is “What will you do with Jesus?” Psalm 2 begins with a question that has echoed throughout the course of human history: “ Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing?   2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed…” Resistance against the rule of God and His Anointed is the essence of sin.   Contrast the scene that is pictured in Isaiah’s vision, recorded in Isaiah 6:1-4…   …I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.   2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered hi