THANK YOU JESUS
Rev. Richard Wilson
Today we come to give thanks. God has richly blessed us. He has met our needs. We have enjoyed His presence. He have been touched by His great provision.
As Christians so much of what we have is a result of what Jesus Christ has done for us. Where would we be without the work of Jesus Christ?
Tonight the focus of our message is on what Jesus has done for us. Tonight we say "Thank You Jesus"
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I. Thank You Jesus For Self Sacrifice
A. Thanksgiving is a time where we are often mindful of what we have received.
1. Good things done for us or to us
2. Blessings received
3. Time of giving thanks for meaningful things in our lives.
B. We first want to give thanks for what Jesus gave up. The life of Christ is the most powerful example of self sacrifice.
C. Phil 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped
1. He was willing to give up his place in Heaven
2. He was willing to accept limits in coming to be with us (self limitations)
3. Instead of holding on, Jesus chose to give it all up, to let it all go and to come be with us.
D. We should give thanks that Jesus was willing to make incredible sacrifices for our salvation.
II. Thank You Jesus Being a Servant
A. As part of the self sacrifice of Jesus, he laid aside his glory to as a servant. Phil 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
B. What do we know about his servanthood?
1. He was a willful servant- he was not forced to be a servant (he made himself)
2. He became the lowest of servants (nothing) nothing as compared to what he gave up!!
3. He became a true servant (very nature of a servant) This was not just a disguise. He truly took up the garments of servanthood.
4. He became a human servant. There are other servants in the heavenly realms. He did not take up the role of a heavenly servant like an angel. He took up human form and became a human servant. (Being made in human likeness) Living in human flesh, serving human beings.
C. He exhibited his servanthood throughout his life.
1. Born not to a family of nobility
2. Lived and learned a common trade
3. Related to the common person of Israel
4. Touched the lives of those thrown away by society
D. Jesus was truly a servant. The purpose of his coming was to serve. The mission that he carried out day by day was one of service.
III. Thank You Jesus For the Cross
A. The servant attitude of Jesus led him to fulfill his ultimate purpose. Our text shows that even as a humble servant he was willing to take even more humbling steps to complete his mission. Phil. 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
B. It was humbling enough for Jesus to lay aside glory for human flesh. The next steps Jesus would take were even humbling for humans. He was willing to give his life for others.
C. As a humble human being, he humbled himself to the cross. He was obedient to the plan of God. Jesus came to carry out this mission of salvation and resolved to complete it is the garden as he said in Matt 26:42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
D. He was obedient to the will of the Father. Not only was it the will of the Father for Jesus to die but to die the most humiliating death of the day- death on the cross.
E. But in that moment, by the shedding of blood and the breaking of his body, Jesus opened the way for forgiveness and salvation. Indeed, thank you Jesus for the cross!
IV. Thank You Jesus For Victory
A. We know the story so well. The work of the cross was completed with the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. As he promised, he rose again on the third day. With the resurrection came victory.
B. 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
C. These are verses of victory.
1. Victory for Jesus as he is returned to his rightful place of glory
2. Victory for Jesus as all the earth bows in humility before him
3. Victory for Jesus as all confess that Jesus Christ is no longer servant but Lord!!
D. His victory means victory for us:
1. Over death and hell. 1 Cor 15:54-55 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
2. Victory for everyday life. John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
3. Victory over temptation and sin. 1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
4. Complete victory through Jesus. 1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
