Bethel Baptist Church of St. Johns

How far did Jesus empty Himself--We see the depth of Jesus' self-emptying in 3 events. -First, in His humble birth.

Pastor Andrew Reynolds reads the whole book of Philippians.---faith comes from hearing- -Romans 10-17--People believe in Christ as a response to hearing a message that has been preached about Him.

Jesus emptied Himself. Jesus demonstrated humility in 3 remarkable ways--A. Jesus embraced the attitude of a slave--B. Internally, Jesus had a human nature--C. Externally, Jesus looked like a normal Jewish man

6 steps Jesus made, from glory to glory, which illustrate humility---1- Preexistence- His exalted position -2-6--2- Incarnation- born as a man -2-7---Rather than using His identity for His own advantage, Jesus emptied Himself.--Jesus emptied Himself by putting on the form of a slave.--Jesus-free from weakness, pain, and decay- contemplated the riches of His pre-incarnate glory, and humbly chose to take on humanity, to live and die as a slave.--3- Humiliation-4- Crucifixion-5- Ascension-6- Exaltation---though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor- -2 Corinthians 8-9-

To understand humility, we first must understand 2 truths about Jesus' exalted position--- Prior to His birth, Jesus existed as 100- God.-- In becoming a man, Jesus did not in any way forfeit or diminish His absolute equality with God.--6 steps Jesus made, from glory to glory, which illustrate humility--1- Preexistence- His exalted position -2-6--2- Incarnation-3- Humiliation-4- Crucifixion-5- Ascension-6- Exaltation---though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor- -2 Corinthians 8-9-

Adopt Christ's attitude- the supreme example of humility-2 reasons why you must prioritize humility--1. You have the ethical responsibility to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ-2. The Bible imposes holistic commands

The Lord hopes our relationships with one another will demonstrate a -humility- that promotes the good of others even at personal expense.--A guide to church unity- 3 principles to preserve the unity of the Spirit-1- Apply effort and concern-2- Purify your interests-3- Exalt the interests of others

In Philippians 2-2-4, Paul provides 6 descriptions showing how joy may be completed in others.--The fifth description is found in verse 3- Humility as the key to unity.--The key to developing the attitudes of verse 2 is humility and concern for others. --The true obstacle to unity is not the presence of legitimate differences of opinion but self-centeredness.

6 descriptions showing how joy may be completed in others -2-2-4--1- Agree with one another about matters related to the church-2- Love one another equally-3- Live in selfless harmony with the church-4- Think the same--These principles are complementary, overlapping, and inseparable.

Suffering is bitter medicine--- It is bitter - suffering hurts -- It is medicine - suffering heals-Suffering brings benefits - and that is what I intend to prove today--granted-given- to give freely as a favor, give graciously--Reasons why you must consider suffering as a gracious gift from God--- Suffering is necessary -Acts 14-22--- Suffering teaches obedience -Psalm 119-67, 71--- We learn obedience-sympathy through suffering -Hebrews 5-8--- Suffering enables you to strengthen others in their trials -Luke 22-31-32- 2 Corinthians 1-3-6--- Suffering develops character -Romans 5-3-4--- Suffering causes us to trust in God instead of ourselves -2 Corinthians 1-8-9--- Suffering humbles us -2 Corinthians 12-7--- Some suffering is given only to glorify God in it and by it -John 9-3--- Some suffering demonstrates how God is worthy of worship- not because of what He gives, but because of who He is -Job 1-9--- Suffering produces an eternal reward -Matthew 5-11-12- 2 Corinthians 4-7---What a gracious gift God has given us in our suffering-