Sermon
Isaiah 49:8
Stay in Step with God
Introduction: We learn that this is the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz writing for the purpose to call the nation of Judah back to God and to tell of God’s salvation through the Messiah.
Just like there’s a rhythm to your physical life, there’s one to your spiritual life. And God determines the best. God has a plan, and a “set…time.” Sometimes He moves suddenly. But usually He has to prepare you for the changes he has in mind. Often He’ll start by loosening your grip on a career that provided security, a home you’re invested in, a relationship you considered long-term. Then he gives you the passion to pursue fresh interest and before long you’re thinking, “Hold, on. These dreams will never be fulfilled where I am sitting tight now.” Thus the desire for change takes root!
· Let’s look at this:
o SIX WAYS TO THINK LIKE CHRIST
Example Reference It’s not enough to We must also
Murder Matt. 5:21, 22 Avoid killing Avoid anger and hatred
Offerings Matt. 5:23-26 Offer regular gifts Have right relationship with God and others
Adultery Mattt. 5:27-30 Avoid Adultery Keep our hearts from lusting and be
Faithful
Divorce Matt. 5:31, 32 Be legally married Live out marriage commitments
Vows Matt. 5:33-37 Keep a vow Avoid casual and irresponsible
Commitments to God
Revenge Matt. 5:38-47 Seek justice for Show mercy and love to others
Ourselves
We, more often than not, avoid the extreme sins but regularly commit the type of sins with which Jesus was most concerned. In these six examples, our real struggle with sin is exposed. Jesus pointed out what kind of lives would be required of his followers.
Are you living as Jesus taught?
Philippians 2:5-11
1. Christ provides a perfect model for us
a. Christ had always existed in the form of God (Phil.2: 6) even though He also took on human flesh (Phil 2:8).
i. Man only exists for a short period of time in human form, and therefore, could never claim to be what Christ always had been, namely, God. He did not consider it robbery to claim equality with God because he always has been God.
b. The preeminent characteristic of Jesus was his humility.
i. While He was one earth He “though it not robbery to be equal with God” (Phil. 2:6). Even as man, Jesus had the authority to demonstrate His deity at all times, but He did not do so. His example teaches us that he who is great does not need to parade it before others who are lower station.
ii. “But He emptied Himself, having taken the form of a servant…” (v.7). This is a more accurate translation. His emptying of Himself was an act of His own will. At a point in history, he emptied Himself of that which He has always enjoyed “toward the God,” (John 1:1). This was a full recognition by the father of His eternal Son. When He became incarnated He left that recognition behind. He was not going to find it on earth as the God-man. John 1:18 declares that there was no time at which God the Father and God the Son as such were separated. The verb here means “who being” in the bosom of the Father. Because Jesus Christ had always been in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18), He had the full recognition or “glory” of the Father. By placing Himself among men, he deprived Himself of this honor for the most part, only regaining it in full when he returned to the Father (John 17:5).
iii. He took upon himself “the form of a servant.” The verb is the participial aorist active to take. This was not something placed upon Him; He was not forced to become a servant. Rather, he took the role upon himself voluntarily be coming in the “likeness of men” (v.7). Although he became flesh (John 1:14) and was truly man, yet in a sense he was only “in the likeness of man” because he was not sinful (Heb 4:15). The reason for His death was not His own sin, but His voluntary assumption of our sins.
iv. “He humbled himself, and because obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (v.8). Christ’s humility was supremely demonstrated through His subjection to death on the cross. In this verse we do not have the two indicative verbs. Only “he humbled himself” is in the indicatives aorist while “he became” is an aorist participle (“when he became” or “having become”). Our humility is shown when we are willing to die for Christ even as He died for us. His death, however, was redemptive for us, while ours for Him is a demonstration of our love. If we want to think as Christ did, we must not consider that we deserve any better treatment than that which Christ received.
2. The greater our humility, the more we are honored by God.
a. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (v.9). The verb to lift up (more than any person would otherwise experience) is only used here. His elevation is the reward that Christ received for subjecting Himself to the cross. The climax of his glorification will occur when “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow…” (v.10).
b. In like manner, we, too, shall be raised and glorified with Him someday (Col. 3:1, 4) if we obey Him (Matt. 7:21) and maintain the humble mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16; Phil 2:5, 6).
(Conclusion):
· Then comes the waiting. Why? Because it takes time for change to produce the maximum benefit. During that time God:
A. Begins healing your past so it can’t pollute your future.
B. Expands your knowledge so you’re better prepared.
C. Develops your character. Even though God says. “When the time comes, I will… do all this” (Is. 60:22 CEV). We don’t appreciate His timing until after the dust has settled. One thing, however, is certain. When you allow God to work out His plan on His schedule, you get only His best. And remember, it’s easier to know when to move, if you stay in step with God and hear the beat. That sometimes means turning a deaf ear to the clamor of the outside world or the advice of well-intentioned friends. But the end results are always well worth it!
