Status Consciousness

Status Consciousness (PRINTED OUT)

July 02

Jesus was against the Pecking Order.

1. In any church: strife among members is a bad spirit

a. The fight for position

b. Power struggles

c. Jealousy

They are in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Bible shows that Jesus arose from the grave as conqueror, we arose with Him

Rom 6:4,5 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection

Eph 2:5-6 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

a. We must know our status ,authority and rights in Christ-

b. Not in the church-setting

c. Then Satan will yield to us

But we see a story in the New Testament in

Luke 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. (25) And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. (26) But ye shall not be so; but he that is greatest among you , let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. (27) For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth.

2. Here we see a scene of where Jesus Himself faced death.

a. And even during the emotional Last Supper the disciples argued on who is the greatest

b. We can get so wrapped up in ourselves

c.that we cannot see what the Lord really wants us to do.

3. Even though the disciples were close to the Lord they did not really have the understanding of what the Lord had come to do.

a. Right in the shadows of the cross

b. the disciples were grasping for position

4. Our motives must be examined for doing something

a. ambition can trip us up

b. Romans 15:17-20: 17I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: 21But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

This was also before Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane (and the great spiritual warfare that He would experience)

a. Jesus was in the spirit and His disciples were in the flesh

b. We see in the Bible that Jesus went to the Garden to pray

Jesus was in such (spiritual warfare) that the angels came to minister to Him

Luke 22:43: And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. (44) And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (45) And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, (46) and said unto them, Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation

Jesus’ words to the disciples in Luke 22:24–30 touch on this difficult issue.

The Lord often challenged the motives of His followers rather than their desires.

He realized that they wanted greatness for its own sake,

in order to lord it over others.

They sought position and power as means to personal gain,

not service to others.

There was ambition among the disciples; and it caused strife to be among them

Matt 20:25-28 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. (26) But it shall not be so among you: but, let him be your minister; (27) And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.