Providence Church of San Diego

2 Corinthians 4:5: For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

Servanthood

“Fellowship involves sharing what we have with others. One of the most valuable things we can share is ourselves: our time, our talents, and our energies in serving one another in the Body of Christ.”  —Jerry Bridges

The Christian’s call to serve. (Hebrews 9:14).

Servanthood is modeled by Jesus’ _________________.

Philippians 2:5-8; John 13:14-17

Servanthood is mandated by Jesus’ _______________.

Mark 10:43-45

Servanthood is motivated by Jesus’ _______________.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

“We should serve God not just because it is a duty, because serving him is much more than that. We should serve God because it glorifies God. He is worthy of everything we can do for him and his church. Wouldn’t you agree?” —Donald Whitney

The marks of Christian service:

Christian service is __________________-centered.

Colossians 3:23-24

Christian service is _______________________-focused. Galatians 5:13

Christian service is characterized by _______________.

Philippians: 2:3-4

Christian service is ______________________________ by the Spirit of God. 1 Peter 4:10-11

Giving expression to servanthood in our church family

“Christian stewardship is the management of life and all its resources for the glory of God.” —Murray J. Harris

The reality of stewardship. Psalm 50:10-12

In the Old Testament (Genesis 14:20; Genesis 28:22; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 14:22-24).

In the New Testament (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).

Giving to support the needs of _____________:

Acts 4:34-35

Giving to support the church’s ______________ so they can devote their time and energies to serving the church: 1 Corinthians 9:13-14

Giving to support the ______________________ of the gospel: Philippians 4:15-16

The practice of _______________________ illustrates important guidelines and provides a helpful starting point for regular giving to the church.

Believers are commanded to financially support the local church where they receive care and training. 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:13-14; Matthew 10:10

In the New Testament, obedience to God’s law is intensified due to the transforming work of the Spirit in light of Christ’s work on the cross. In the same way, our giving is not merely to be thought of as “paying our dues,” but should flow from the giving of our entire selves to God. In light of this, tithing is a reminder of God’s ownership of us, and is an appropriate starting point for our giving.

2 Corinthians 8:3-5

We are to give _______________________ and ______________________. 1 Corinthians 16:2

The character of stewardship. Luke 16:11-13; Matthew 6:19-21

Giving is to be ______________________, not stingy. 2 Corinthians 9:6

Giving is to be ________________________________, not grudging. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Giving is to be ________________________________, not haphazard. 2 Corinthians 9:7; Acts 11:29

Giving is to be _______________________________, not showy. Matthew 6:1-4

Giving is to be with ___________________________, not anxiety. Malachi 3:10

III. Participation in God’s church is a ______________________.

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say? In a sentence or two, write down here what you would say:

Today’s Lunch Discussion: 1. Considering our introductory Scriptures, does your lifestyle reflect the Christian teaching that you are not your own? 2. What areas of your life need to more accurately reflect your identity in Christ? 3. Are you an active or passive participant in the church? 4. Do you see serving the church as a duty or as a privilege? 5. Are you faithfully stewarding God’s resources He has entrusted to you? 6. Do you waste money on temporal things? 7. Does your giving reflect that you are living for God’s glory alone?

Guest Preacher: Elias Adamo (Pastor at Bread of Life Fellowship in New Milford, New Jersey)

Text: 1 Peter 1:18-21

Ephesians 3:16-21 offers a clear guide for the church:

The church exists by the abundance of spiritual riches that God supplies.

Acts 2:42-47

Regular gatherings

Sunday Corporate Worship

The Second London Baptist Confession 22.1:

iii. We Sing the Word (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)

iv. We Pray (1Timothy 2:1–2)

v. We Baptize and Take the Lord’s Supper

vi. We Give Offerings (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9)

Sunday School

Intentional Relationships

Today's Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today's sermon with a friend, what would you say? In a sentence or two, write down what you would say:

Discussion Questions: 1. What do you believe most people are looking for in a church? 2. Why do you believe churches are willing to compromise by accommodating to the demands of the consumer? 3. Who should the church seek to please and how will this affect its activities? 4. What should determine the focus of the church? 5. Why should preaching be the principle focus of the local church? 6. Does your life reflect that prayer is important? 7. What are some reasons for why the local church should be the principle source of Christian fellowship? 8. Are baptism and the Lord’s Supper optional? Why or why not?

I. The Church, the Dearest Place on Earth

It is where the gospel is preached.

II. What is Doctrine?

The Storyline of the Bible.

Creation.

When we study to understand what the Bible teaches about any subject, we are pursuing doctrine.

III. Why We Need Sound Doctrine.

The necessity of doctrine.

“The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important points of growth of a Christian.” Sinclair Ferguson

The purpose of sound doctrine

Sound doctrine provides a right understanding of God.

IV. How Does Helix Bible Church Express its Commitment to Sound Doctrine?

A commitment to the authority of God’s Word.

The Bible is God’s self-revelation to man. In it we learn who God is – what God is like and how we are to respond to Him.

A commitment to provide Biblical resources to the member of Helix Bible Church.

V. Conclusion – Psalm 19:7-11.

Text: Ephesians 3:10

Why is the Church Important?

The ultimate purpose of the church is the glory of God.

Exodus 19:4-6

The church is God's chosen means for carrying out His purposes until He returns. He has ordained no other organization or structure for this purpose.

Matthew 16:18

The Purpose of the Church in the Book of Ephesians

Ephesians 2:4-5

A Biblical Case for Church Membership

Love One Another. 

1 Peter 2:17

Encourage One Another.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Guard One Another. 

Hebrews 12:15-16

Obey Your Leaders.

Hebrews 13:17

Putting it all together:

It’s got to be a committed relationship.

Today's Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today's sermon with a friend, what would you say? In a sentence or two, write down what you would say:

Discussion Questions: What is the church? What preconceptions might you have brought into your understanding of the church? Are those preconceptions based more on tradition, opinion, or Scripture? What are the marks of a true church (see supplemental handout), and why are they important? How does being distinctly different from the world glorify God? Why is love for one another an essential part of being the church? How does Biblical love have “staying power?” How should we encourage one another? How should we guard one another? Do I live life in such a way that displays the importance of the church? Review the three aspects of the “putting it all together” section; are you in such relationships at HBC? If not, why not? Are you a member of HBC? If not, why not?

I. The context: thinking with the mind of Jesus Christ. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5

II. The mind of Jesus Christ displayed in His humiliation. He thought it not robbery to be equal with God; He made Himself of no reputation; He took upon Him the form of a servant; He was made in the likeness of men; He humbled Himself; He became obedient unto the cursed death of the cross.

III. The glorification of Jesus Christ.

A. God the Father has highly exalted Him.

B. The importance of names.

C. God the Father has given Him a name above every name.

D. At the name of Jesus every knee should bow.

E. At the name of Jesus every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Q. 52. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection? A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, . . . he rose again from the dead the third day; whereby he was declared to be the Son of God, to have satisfied divine justice, to have vanquished death, and him that had power of it, and to be Lord of quick and dead: all which he did as a public person, the head of his church, for their justification, quickening in grace, support against enemies, and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day.

"Lastly, beloved, if it be true, as it is that Christ is so exalted that He is to have a name above every name, and every knee is to bow to Him, will we not bow our knees this morning before His Majesty? You must, whether you will or no, one day bow your knee. O Lord of hosts! bend the knees of men! Make us all the willing subjects of thy grace." Charles Spurgeon (from Spurgeon's sermon entitled 'The Exaltation of Christ,' preached November 2, 1856, two weeks after the disaster at The Royal Surrey Garden Music Hall--12,000 inside, 10,000 outside, 7 dead, dozens injured)

Text: Philippians 2:8

Philippians 2:5–11: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so 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.

Jesus the Christ freely, willingly, and joyfully humbled himself.

Luke 2:52; Isaiah 53:2

Hebrews 5:8; Matthew 26:39; Romans 5:19

The extent of His humiliation is a death on a cross.

Deuteronomy 21:23; 1 Corinthians 1:23; Romans 5:8:; Ephesians 1:4–5

Application by Implication:

You are loved!

When you treasure Jesus as the Christ, you freely, willingly, and joyfully humble yourself to obey Him.

John 15:12–13; Philippians 2:1–11

Today's Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today's sermon with a friend, what would you say? In a sentence or two, write down what you would say:

Discussion Questions: What does it mean in verse 8 that Jesus was “found in human form”? How and when did Jesus humble himself? To whom was Jesus obedient? Why is it significant that Jesus lived a full life of total obedience? Why did Jesus have to die? What does the incarnation tell us about ourselves and what we need? How is Jesus as much a rebuke to us as He is a comfort? Where does truth come from? Why is that important? Review the 3 applications under point 1, then examine your heart considering the statement of point 2. Do you treasure Jesus as you should?

Text: Philippians 2:7

Philippians 2:5–11: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so 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.

NASB: but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

KJV: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Jesus _____ Himself.

Creed of Chalcedon: We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable [rational] soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the God-bearer, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeable, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God, the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has been handed down to us..

By taking the form of a servant.

2. We _____ with faith and repentance expressed through emptying _____ to serve.

John 13:3–17

Today's Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today's sermon with a friend, what would you say? In a sentence or two, write down what you would say:

Discussion Questions: What does it mean that Jesus emptied Himself? How does this passage help us to understanding the doctrine of the Incarnation? How would you respond to those who say that Jesus cannot be God because he slept, got hungry, was weary, grew older, bled, and died? What is the significance of the Incarnation for our communion with God? What would it look like for you to follow Christ’s example of self-emptying? What are some practical ways that you could “empty” yourself in order to serve others around you this week?