For What Purpose?

Cows have a wonderful life. There only purpose in life is to get fat. They are fed and fed for that purpose. They graze , chew their cud and sleep, that’s all. Ever watched a cow graze and wander till their lost. Some people shop like that.

The end of their purpose is not good. They get eaten. A natural purpose.

Ever have a day off thinking you will accomplish some things but by the end of the day nothing is done.

It is true - if you aim at nothing your bound to hit it. - What are you aiming at?

Birds have a little more to do than eat. They are God’s decoration, God’s natural orchestra. - Wood peckers are the percussion.

Beaver? Make a mess.

What is your purpose in life?

I. A People Purpose v 1-11

A. Respond to your benefits v1

1Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (NIV =one spirit, one purpose)

The therefore is from 1:29 = Saved by God

encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness, compassion,

ILL>> My dad responded to the grace & forgiveness of God by hearing the call to preach. He loaded up a u-haul and headed to Bible college having never been to Chattanooga.

B. Respond with a unified purpose v2

C. Respond by being selfless v3-4

3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

1. God’s ambition not ours

2. God’s view of you - not egotistical

3. God’s humility is a holy humility - “I can do all things through Christ...”

4. God’s will is a proper self esteem J-Jesus- O- others- Y - you

ILL>> It was through an understanding of the gifts of the Spirit and how God taught me that I found the will of God for my life.

D. Respond with His attitude v6-8

5Let this mind (attitude)be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

1. Made Himself a nobody (not disreputable, or dishonorable)

Verse 5 introduces one of the most sublime and wonderful mysteries of the Scriptures, what is called the doctrine of the kenosis. This doctrine of our Lord’s self-emptying is used as an example of the lowliness of mind which should be the pattern for all the followers of Christ.

The word being (Gr hyparchoµ) is better translated existing or subsisting. This word is much stronger than the verb to be; it does not simply mean being but existing. Christ ever was, is, and ever shall be God. This word denotes prior existence (cf. Jn 1:1; Col 1:17).

16For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

From all eternity the Son was co-existent, co-equal, and co-eternal with the Father.

Christ existed in the form of God. This is the strongest Greek word (Gr morpheµ) to denote the exact image, the image of being and essence.

2. Serving others -- washed feet, served bread, healed lepers, ...

3. Obedient to the death - a criminal execution (all for us!)

ILL>> The dog is the greatest servant of the animal world. Friend - pet. Seeing eye dog, aid for the handicapped...

I. A People Purpose

II. A Powerful Purpose

A. Therefore- God reveals His ultimate purpose v 9-11

9Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This passage does not teach that ultimately all the lost will be saved, as taught by many cults. It is His will and desire that all be saved. (2 Pet 3:9 KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.