The Mind of Christ: How Humility Forges Christian Unity

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[00:00:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Please join me in standing as the one true living God calls us to worship this first Lord's Day of 2026.
[00:00:51] Worthy are you to take the scroll and open its seal, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God.
[00:01:00] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, and wealth, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
[00:01:09] To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing, and honor, and glory, and might, forever and ever. Amen.
[00:01:19] Indeed, let us sing praise to our King this morning as we join our voices together singing hymn 296, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.
[00:01:28] We'll sing the first four verses.

[00:01:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.
[00:02:28] All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.
[00:02:58] All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.
[00:02:58] All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.

[00:03:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.
[00:03:58] All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.
[00:04:28] All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.
[00:04:58] Amen.
[00:04:59] Please turn with me in your bulletins for our corporate voice of faith to page 871.
[00:05:14] Page 871 in your hymnals.
[00:05:19] And we'll read responsibly questions 27 and 28 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
[00:05:28] Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?

[00:05:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born and that in a low condition made under the law,
[00:05:45] undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross,
[00:05:53] and being buried and continuing under the power of death.

[00:05:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?

[00:06:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day and ascending up into heaven and sitting at the right hand of God the Father and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

[00:06:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Please be seated.
[00:06:28] And please turn with me in your Bibles to our Old Testament reading this morning, Isaiah chapter 45.
[00:06:39] Isaiah chapter 45 verses 18 through 23, a prophecy of the Lord, the only Savior.
[00:06:47] And we notice at the end of this reading this morning that promise, that prophecy, that to the Lord every knee shall bow and every tongue swear allegiance.
[00:06:58] Let's hear now this reading of God's word, Isaiah chapter 45 verses 18 through 23.
[00:07:09] For thus says the Lord who created the heavens, he is God, who formed the earth and made it.
[00:07:17] He established it. He did not create it empty. He formed it to be inhabited.
[00:07:24] I am the Lord and there is no other.
[00:07:28] I did not speak in secret in a land of darkness.
[00:07:31] I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, seek me in vain.
[00:07:36] I, the Lord, speak the truth.
[00:07:39] I declare what is right.
[00:07:42] Assemble yourselves and come, draw near together, you survivors of the nations.
[00:07:47] They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols and keep on praying to a God that cannot save.
[00:07:54] Declare and present your case.
[00:07:57] Let them take counsel.
[00:07:58] Who told this long ago?
[00:08:02] Who declared it of old?
[00:08:05] Was it not I, the Lord?
[00:08:07] There is no other God besides me, a righteous God and a Savior.
[00:08:13] There is none besides me.
[00:08:16] Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.
[00:08:19] For I am God and there is no other.
[00:08:22] By myself I have sworn, for my mouth has gone out in righteousness.
[00:08:27] A word that shall not be spoken.
[00:08:28] A word that shall not return.
[00:08:29] To me, every knee shall bow.
[00:08:32] Every tongue shall swear allegiance.
[00:08:36] The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of God will stand forever.
[00:08:40] Amen.
[00:08:45] I invite you to grab your hymnals and join me in standing as we sing together hymn 302,
[00:08:52] Come, Christians, Join to Sing.
[00:08:54] Let's stand.

[00:08:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Come, Christians, Join to Sing.
[00:09:18] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:20] All praise to Christ our King.
[00:09:25] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:28] Let all with heart and voice before his throne rejoice.
[00:09:37] Praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:42] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:47] Come, lift your hearts on high.
[00:09:52] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:54] Let's stand.
[00:09:55] Let's stand.
[00:09:55] Let's stand.
[00:09:56] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:57] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:57] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:57] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:57] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:58] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:59] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:59] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:59] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:59] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:59] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:59] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:59] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:59] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:59] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:59] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:59] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:59] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:59] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:09:59] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:09:59] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:10:00] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:10:00] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:10:00] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:10:00] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:10:00] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:10:00] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:10:00] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:10:00] Let's praise his gracious choice.
[00:10:00] Alleluia, Amen.
[00:10:00] Alleluia, amen.
[00:10:04] He is our guide and friend.
[00:10:08] To us who call His hand.
[00:10:12] His love shall never end.
[00:10:17] Alleluia, amen.
[00:10:22] Praise to the Christ again.
[00:10:27] Alleluia, amen.
[00:10:30] Life shall not end the strain.
[00:10:35] Alleluia, amen.
[00:10:39] On heaven's blissful shore.
[00:10:44] His goodness we'll adore.
[00:10:48] Singing forevermore.
[00:10:53] Alleluia, amen.

[00:10:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Let's pray together.
[00:11:00] Oh Lord,
[00:11:00] our God,
[00:11:01] indeed we have gathered together
[00:11:02] to praise Your name,
[00:11:04] to sing our alleluias and amens
[00:11:06] because You are a God
[00:11:08] whose love for Your people
[00:11:09] will never end.
[00:11:12] Indeed, oh Lord,
[00:11:13] You have blessed us
[00:11:14] with every blessing
[00:11:15] in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
[00:11:18] And it is our privilege now
[00:11:19] in worship at this point
[00:11:20] to return to You
[00:11:21] a portion of those blessings
[00:11:23] through the giving of Your tithes
[00:11:25] and our offerings.
[00:11:27] Lord, we acknowledge
[00:11:28] that everything we have
[00:11:30] in this life,
[00:11:30] is a gift from Your generous hand.
[00:11:34] And so we seek to honor You
[00:11:35] by returning this first part
[00:11:37] back to You
[00:11:38] and asking that You would be pleased
[00:11:40] to receive it
[00:11:40] and that You would use these gifts
[00:11:42] to build up Your church
[00:11:43] and to advance Your gospel
[00:11:45] through our community
[00:11:46] and through all the world.
[00:11:48] We ask this in Jesus' name, amen.
[00:11:51] You may be seated.
[00:12:00] Amen.
[00:12:01] You may be seated.
[00:12:02] You may be seated.
[00:12:03] You may be seated.
[00:12:04] You may be seated.
[00:12:05] You may be seated.
[00:12:06] You may be seated.
[00:12:07] You may be seated.
[00:12:08] You may be seated.
[00:12:09] You may be seated.
[00:12:10] You may be seated.
[00:12:11] You may be seated.
[00:12:12] You may be seated.
[00:12:13] You may be seated.
[00:12:14] You may be seated.
[00:12:15] You may be seated.
[00:12:16] You may be seated.
[00:12:17] You may be seated.
[00:12:18] You may be seated.
[00:12:19] You may be seated.
[00:12:20] You may be seated.
[00:12:21] You may be seated.
[00:12:22] You may be seated.
[00:12:23] You may be seated.
[00:12:24] You may be seated.
[00:12:25] You may be seated.
[00:12:26] You may be seated.
[00:12:27] You may be seated.
[00:12:28] You may be seated.
[00:12:29] You may be seated.

[00:12:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
I love you.
[00:13:00] I love you.
[00:13:30] I love you.
[00:14:00] I love you.

[00:14:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
You may be seated.
[00:14:30] You may be seated.
[00:15:00] You may be seated.
[00:15:30] You may be seated.
[00:16:00] You may be seated.
[00:16:30] For all of us, we need to sort of ready ourselves for what this means.
[00:16:33] It means that he'll be working with our congregation to help identify a core group from our church that would, in the Lord's time, depart from us to go and start a new church.
[00:16:44] And it's also an opportunity for those who are not going but for staying here to consider ways that we would come alongside those who are going in encouragement and support and prayer and word but also in financial support as well.
[00:16:55] So this is a reason for joy.
[00:16:58] This is a reason for much prayer.
[00:16:59] Again, there is still a process to go through, but we want to share that with you.
[00:17:04] We are very hopeful, very excited at what the Lord seems to be doing.
[00:17:07] So with those things in mind, let's look to the Lord now in a time of prayer together.
[00:17:16] Oh, Lord, our God, we come before you this morning on this first Sunday of a new year, January 4th, 2026.
[00:17:25] And, Father, along with the psalmist, we confess that...
[00:17:29] ...that none of us knows what tomorrow will bring or what the year will bring, but we know that you know.
[00:17:41] We know that every single day that has been laid out for us has been ordained by you.
[00:17:48] There is nothing that happens in this world or in our lives that takes you by surprise, that surprises you, that throws you off of your plan.
[00:17:58] But rather, you...
[00:17:59] ...you have decreed everything that comes to pass.
[00:18:03] And, Father, that gives us great assurance and great comfort, especially at the cusp of a new year.
[00:18:09] Father, we thank you that you are a God who never changes, the same yesterday, today, and forever.
[00:18:17] That you are a God who has fixed history and all that transpires within it.
[00:18:22] And that you have even fixed a day when time as we know it will cease, when Jesus Christ returns.
[00:18:29] And...
[00:18:29] ...and eternity is ushered in.
[00:18:32] And so, Lord, as we think about all of these things, as we think about your sovereign rule and reign and control over all of the events of our lives,
[00:18:42] we find great comfort and we find great assurance.
[00:18:47] Lord, we would pray for the days that lie ahead.
[00:18:50] We would pray for those who will experience moments of great joy and those who will walk through difficult valleys and vales.
[00:18:58] And as we think about...
[00:18:59] ...those, we do think this morning of the Goodrum family.
[00:19:02] We pray for Ruth as she is under the care of hospice even now.
[00:19:07] Father, we thank you for their attentiveness and their care for her.
[00:19:11] We thank you, Lord, that she has a great confidence in her faith in you and what you have prepared for her.
[00:19:16] And we pray that you would deal gently and kindly with her in these closing days of her life.
[00:19:22] We would pray for Freddie and for Casey as they stand by her side, as they walk this valley with her,
[00:19:28] that you would comfort them and that you would give them hope in the good news and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
[00:19:35] We would pray for this congregation, many of whom know Ruth, love Ruth, and will sorely miss her in the day that she departs.
[00:19:43] But, Father, we thank you for the great courage and hope that we can have in Jesus Christ through it all.
[00:19:49] We would pray, Father, also for this opportunity that you have presented this congregation to plant a daughter church in your timing.
[00:19:58] And we thank...
[00:19:58] We thank you that after a couple of years of looking and searching and waiting in your time,
[00:20:03] that it seems you have provided for us a strong candidate that can come alongside us in this work.
[00:20:10] Father, we pray for the process that lies ahead, that if this is indeed your will,
[00:20:15] if this is indeed the right man for this call, that all would work itself out
[00:20:19] and that in due time we as a congregation would be able to rejoice in him coming alongside us
[00:20:25] and to help identify a group from this church that would go out,
[00:20:28] to start this new work.
[00:20:31] Lord, we would pray that this would be a stronghold for the gospel in our community,
[00:20:35] that you would use this work to draw many who do not know Jesus Christ to a saving relationship with him
[00:20:41] and that we as the mothering church would be blessed as well with a fresh love and heart for the gospel and for outreach.
[00:20:50] Father, we thank you for everything that you have in store for us
[00:20:54] because you tell us in your word that we are to give thanks in all things.
[00:20:58] And so we commit this year, just as we commit our lives, to your good providence.
[00:21:05] And we pray this now in Jesus' name. Amen.

[00:21:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Christ, we do all adore thee, and we do praise thee forever.
[00:21:42] Christ, we do all adore thee, and we do praise thee forever.
[00:21:54] For on the holy cross that thou art,
[00:21:58] for the world from sin redeemed,
[00:22:03] Christ, we do all adore thee, and we do praise thee forever.
[00:22:22] Christ, we do all adore thee, and we do praise thee forever.
[00:22:28] For on the holy cross that thou art,
[00:22:30] for the world from sin redeemed,
[00:22:32] Christ, we do all adore thee, and we do praise thee forever.
[00:22:34] For on the holy cross that thou art,

[00:22:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
for the world from sin redeemed,
[00:22:38] Christ, we do all adore thee, and we do praise thee forever.
[00:22:40] Amen indeed. Thank you choir.
[00:22:42] Well I invite you to turn with me in your Bibles this morning to Philippians chapter 2.
[00:22:46] We're going to be returning to our study of 1st Corinthians next Sunday.
[00:22:50] But given the fact that we celebrated Christmas just a week and a half ago,
[00:22:55] and we spent a month celebrating the wonders of the earth,
[00:22:57] and the wonders of the Incarnation,
[00:22:59] it felt like this would be a good opportunity for us to take that celebration and that consideration one more step.
[00:23:07] We spent a lot of time last month singing all kinds of hymns and songs about the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
[00:23:15] And as we come to our text this morning from Philippians chapter 2,
[00:23:19] we find another hymn of sorts that celebrates the Incarnation as well.
[00:23:27] And in these verses, we're going to see that Paul takes us beyond the manger.
[00:23:31] And he takes us to look at both the humiliation and the exaltation of Jesus Christ.
[00:23:39] Now hopefully from our reading a little while ago from the Shorter Catechism,
[00:23:43] those two words ring familiar to you.
[00:23:45] The humiliation and the exaltation of Christ.
[00:23:47] And we'll have opportunity to consider those in greater depth in just a few moments.
[00:23:53] But this is one of those texts that is so crucial.
[00:23:55] But this is one of those texts that is so crucial.
[00:23:57] For our understanding of Jesus Christ.
[00:24:01] For theologians, this is one of the crucial texts for our Christology.
[00:24:05] That is a big way of saying our theology of Jesus Christ.
[00:24:09] It's a passage that has captivated theologians and biblical scholars for centuries.
[00:24:16] And it has helped to shape our understanding of the God-man, Jesus Christ.
[00:24:22] In fact, more is written about Philippians 2 verses 5 and 10.
[00:24:26] In fact, more is written about Philippians 2 verses 5 and 10.
[00:24:28] Than any other portion of this particular letter.
[00:24:32] And while it's true then that these verses play a vital role in our understanding of Christ and his incarnation.
[00:24:39] We do need to recognize though that there is more going on here than just fun for theologians.
[00:24:44] This is more than just a theologian's workshop.
[00:24:48] Paul is also laying down a standard for us as Christians.
[00:24:54] For how we are to live our lives in community with other believers.
[00:25:02] You see, theology isn't just supposed to be somewhere out there in the ether or in the highly minded.
[00:25:09] No, theology needs to come down and impact how we live our lives.
[00:25:16] It's more than an intellectual exercise.
[00:25:19] It has to have bearing on how we live.
[00:25:22] And Paul knew this.
[00:25:23] Paul understood that the humiliation, the humility of Christ.
[00:25:27] That he would come and be born in low condition.
[00:25:31] That he would undergo the miseries of this life and even death on a cross.
[00:25:37] All for our sake.
[00:25:39] Paul understood that this sets the pattern for us.
[00:25:44] It sets the pattern for how we ought to live our lives in community with other people.
[00:25:52] And particularly with other believers.
[00:25:54] And it seems to me a good way for us to begin this new year.
[00:25:59] Setting sort of the tone and tenor for our life together as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
[00:26:05] So, hear now then the word of God from Philippians chapter 2 verses 1 through 11.
[00:26:13] Paul says,
[00:26:15] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit,
[00:26:21] any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind,
[00:26:28] having the same love, and being in full accord and of one mind.
[00:26:33] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
[00:26:42] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
[00:26:48] Have this mind among yourselves,
[00:26:50] which is yours in Christ Jesus,
[00:26:53] who though he was in the form of God,
[00:26:55] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
[00:26:59] but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant,
[00:27:03] being born in the likeness of men.
[00:27:06] And being found in human form,
[00:27:08] he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
[00:27:12] even death on a cross.
[00:27:15] Therefore God has highly exalted him,
[00:27:18] and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
[00:27:21] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
[00:27:27] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
[00:27:31] to the glory of God the Father.
[00:27:35] Let's pray together.
[00:27:38] Lord our God, as we come to your word this morning,
[00:27:42] as we consider the example of our Savior Jesus Christ,
[00:27:46] who humbled himself in order to lift us up,
[00:27:50] help us to see then how that sets for us the standard
[00:27:53] of how we ought also to humble ourselves for the sake of our brothers and sisters.
[00:27:59] Lord, teach us what it means to empty ourselves,
[00:28:03] to let go of selfish ambition and conceit and rivalry,
[00:28:08] and instead be concerned for the sake of those around us.
[00:28:12] In other words, Lord, help us to love
[00:28:15] those who have loved us.
[00:28:18] We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
[00:28:22] So, by and large, the Philippian church to whom Paul writes this letter,
[00:28:28] it was a healthy, properly ordered congregation.
[00:28:32] They were committed to the gospel,
[00:28:34] they were excited to see it spread,
[00:28:36] and they were enthusiastic in supporting Paul in his missionary endeavors.
[00:28:41] And to be quite honest, I see a lot of similarities
[00:28:44] between that part of the Philippian church
[00:28:46] and our own congregation here at Cottle Creek.
[00:28:49] And I'm thankful for that.
[00:28:51] And so Paul writes this letter then,
[00:28:54] in thankful response to the Philippians,
[00:28:57] to their ongoing care and love and support for him.
[00:29:00] You see, he had been imprisoned.
[00:29:02] And they got wind of this, and they sent him support.
[00:29:05] And they sent him care, and they sent him love.
[00:29:08] And he writes this letter in part to say thank you.
[00:29:12] And so it's a letter that's marked with this.
[00:29:13] It's a letter that's marked with great joy.
[00:29:16] Every chapter in the letter of Philippians mentions joy
[00:29:19] or includes calls to rejoice.
[00:29:22] And that's a sentiment that I can share with the Apostle Paul
[00:29:25] towards the congregation,
[00:29:27] especially one that apparently plans surprise receptions after worship today.
[00:29:33] Paul's tone in this letter to the Philippians
[00:29:36] really stands in stark contrast to the tone that we've heard
[00:29:40] in his letter to the Corinthians,
[00:29:42] that we've studied this fall.
[00:29:44] You know, Paul writes the letter to the Corinthians
[00:29:46] to a church that's in just dysfunction,
[00:29:49] caught up in sin and in error and all of these things.
[00:29:53] And that's not the case at Philippi.
[00:29:56] But just because the Philippian church was in better shape
[00:30:00] than the Corinthian church,
[00:30:02] it doesn't mean that we should then assume
[00:30:04] that there were no problems there,
[00:30:06] or that they were somehow perfect or immune to trouble.
[00:30:10] No, Paul knew very well that,
[00:30:12] that the threat of disunity was always crouching at the door.
[00:30:17] And so, in addition to his words of thanksgiving,
[00:30:20] in addition to his words of rejoicing,
[00:30:23] he also urges them throughout this letter
[00:30:26] to be on guard against those things
[00:30:30] that would threaten to undo their unity
[00:30:33] or threaten the peace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
[00:30:37] Some of those threats, as he talks about at the end of chapter 1,
[00:30:41] were from outside of the church,
[00:30:43] from the enemies of Christ,
[00:30:45] the enemies of the cross,
[00:30:47] who just wanted to see the church completely fail in its mission.
[00:30:52] But they also needed to be on guard against threats
[00:30:55] from within the church,
[00:30:57] from within their fellowship.
[00:30:59] Now think about that for a moment.
[00:31:01] What sorts of issues do you think
[00:31:03] could arise within a church
[00:31:05] that would threaten its unity,
[00:31:07] that would threaten the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
[00:31:10] Well, maybe the easier question is
[00:31:13] what sorts of things don't pose a threat
[00:31:16] to the unity of believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ?
[00:31:20] Think of all the different things that can derail a church,
[00:31:23] things that you and I have witnessed in other churches, perhaps,
[00:31:26] that have caused division and disunity,
[00:31:29] about worship style or music style, for instance.
[00:31:33] Or maybe people grumbling about the length of a sermon.
[00:31:37] Maybe people get a bill...
[00:31:39] get out sideways about budgetary matters
[00:31:43] or building projects or,
[00:31:45] as I've mentioned to you in the past in other churches,
[00:31:48] even the color of paint on the walls of the church.
[00:31:54] If you think about it,
[00:31:56] these sorts of issues,
[00:31:58] the color of paint on a church wall,
[00:32:01] that isn't really the problem, is it?
[00:32:03] Paint in and of itself is neutral.
[00:32:05] What's the problem? Where does the problem lie?
[00:32:08] It's within each of us.
[00:32:10] It's within people demanding their own way,
[00:32:14] demanding that their personal preference be met.
[00:32:19] Or as Paul identifies it in this passage,
[00:32:21] the words he chooses,
[00:32:23] pride, selfish ambition,
[00:32:26] rivalry and conceit.
[00:32:29] That is the root problem
[00:32:31] that threatens to break the unity of any and every church
[00:32:35] that has ever existed.
[00:32:38] That's certainly what we've seen
[00:32:39] tearing at the fabric of the Corinthian church
[00:32:41] in our study of that letter.
[00:32:43] How they were fighting amongst themselves,
[00:32:45] trying to put themselves ahead of one another.
[00:32:49] And while it doesn't appear in this letter
[00:32:51] that the Philippians have become so self-involved
[00:32:54] that they're walking contrary to the gospel
[00:32:56] or that division has started within themselves,
[00:32:59] Paul wants to make sure
[00:33:02] that any seeds of selfishness
[00:33:04] that might have been sown somewhere
[00:33:06] in the life of that church,
[00:33:07] are killed before they can put down roots
[00:33:12] and begin to grow.
[00:33:14] So Paul is not writing this letter
[00:33:16] to put out a fire.
[00:33:18] He's writing this letter in part
[00:33:20] to prevent a fire.
[00:33:22] He's sort of the Smokey the Bear of Philippians.
[00:33:27] He wants to prevent any sort of fire
[00:33:30] that might spring up.
[00:33:31] And how does he do it?
[00:33:33] He does it by reminding them of their theology.
[00:33:37] He does it by pointing them
[00:33:40] to their Christology,
[00:33:42] their understanding of the person
[00:33:44] and work and nature of Jesus Christ.
[00:33:47] He points them to the wonder
[00:33:49] of the incarnation
[00:33:51] and the humility of Christ.
[00:33:54] And then he shows them the practical applications
[00:33:57] for their lives from that.
[00:34:00] And so he begins in this passage
[00:34:02] by first of all reminding them
[00:34:04] of their union with Christ.
[00:34:06] One of Paul's favorite phrases,
[00:34:08] you'll find it over and over again
[00:34:10] in all of his letters,
[00:34:11] is in Christ,
[00:34:13] or in him,
[00:34:15] or in Jesus.
[00:34:17] It's Paul's way of speaking
[00:34:19] of our being united to Christ by faith,
[00:34:22] of being joined to him
[00:34:24] and the corresponding expectations
[00:34:26] that come with it.
[00:34:28] You are now in Christ,
[00:34:30] you are joined to him,
[00:34:31] and this is how you ought to live your lives.
[00:34:35] We find that phrase twice in our passage today,
[00:34:38] in verse 1 and then again in verse 5.
[00:34:41] And in particular in verse 5,
[00:34:43] Paul uses it when he calls on us
[00:34:46] to develop a mindset
[00:34:48] that is already ours in Christ.
[00:34:52] And what is that mindset?
[00:34:54] It's humility.
[00:34:56] That is the mindset of Christ
[00:34:58] that we are supposed to embody.
[00:35:01] And that is the very opposite mindset,
[00:35:03] the very opposite virtue,
[00:35:05] of selfish ambition
[00:35:07] and rivalry and conceit.
[00:35:10] And he makes his argument
[00:35:13] based on the theology of the incarnation.
[00:35:17] Here's what I mean.
[00:35:18] Look at verse 6.
[00:35:20] Paul says at the end of verse 5,
[00:35:22] this is yours in Christ Jesus,
[00:35:24] who, though he was in the form of God,
[00:35:27] did not count equality with God
[00:35:30] a thing to be grasped.
[00:35:31] So Paul starts at the beginning.
[00:35:33] He looks at the basics.
[00:35:34] Who is Christ?
[00:35:36] Well, he reminds us
[00:35:37] that he was in the form of God.
[00:35:40] That word form in the Greek
[00:35:41] is the word morphe.
[00:35:43] And that word speaks to something's true nature.
[00:35:47] And so Paul is setting forth
[00:35:48] right out of the gate
[00:35:49] that Christ's nature is divine.
[00:35:53] He is God.
[00:35:55] Now, hopefully that doesn't seem like
[00:35:57] breaking news to any of you,
[00:35:59] especially as we come out of
[00:36:00] the season of Advent
[00:36:02] when we've been talking about
[00:36:03] the wonder of God putting on flesh
[00:36:06] and dwelling among us.
[00:36:08] But it is essential for us to understand
[00:36:11] that Jesus Christ is the preexistent
[00:36:14] second member of the Trinity,
[00:36:16] fully God.
[00:36:19] Paul adds emphasis to this in verse 6
[00:36:21] when he talks about
[00:36:22] that Christ had equality with God.
[00:36:25] So Christ is and always has been
[00:36:28] and always will be God.
[00:36:31] He is divine.
[00:36:33] But how does this inform
[00:36:35] the Philippian issue with pride?
[00:36:38] Well, listen to what follows.
[00:36:41] Christ did not consider equality with God
[00:36:45] a thing to be grasped.
[00:36:48] That is to say,
[00:36:50] he did not count equality with God
[00:36:52] a thing to be held onto,
[00:36:54] a thing to be jealously guarded
[00:36:56] at the expense of anything else.
[00:36:58] In fact, Christ does just the opposite.
[00:37:00] He does not claim his rights,
[00:37:02] but rather, we're told in verse 7,
[00:37:05] he emptied himself
[00:37:07] by taking the form of a servant
[00:37:09] and being born in the likeness of men
[00:37:12] and being found in human form.
[00:37:16] He emptied himself.
[00:37:19] Or some of you in your Bibles
[00:37:20] might find a translation that says
[00:37:22] he made himself nothing.
[00:37:25] Now what could that mean?
[00:37:27] That Jesus emptied himself
[00:37:29] and made himself nothing.
[00:37:30] What is Paul saying here?
[00:37:32] Is he saying that Jesus
[00:37:34] surrendered his divinity?
[00:37:36] That when Jesus was incarnate,
[00:37:39] when he took on flesh,
[00:37:40] he no longer was God at all?
[00:37:42] Is he saying that he just completely
[00:37:44] laid aside any of his divine attributes?
[00:37:47] That might be what the word
[00:37:49] emptying sounds like to us,
[00:37:50] but that's not the case.
[00:37:52] And the next part of verse 7
[00:37:54] gives us the answer when it says
[00:37:56] that he took the form of a servant
[00:37:58] and was found in human form.
[00:38:01] Again, form, morphe,
[00:38:03] the true nature of something.
[00:38:07] Rather than Jesus emptying himself
[00:38:09] by subtracting his divine nature,
[00:38:13] we see that he did this by adding
[00:38:16] the human nature.
[00:38:19] And so Paul is affirming here
[00:38:21] what we affirm as well,
[00:38:23] that Jesus Christ is fully God
[00:38:26] and he is fully man.
[00:38:29] One person,
[00:38:30] two natures.
[00:38:32] And that's what Paul means
[00:38:34] when he said that Christ
[00:38:35] made himself nothing,
[00:38:37] that he emptied himself.
[00:38:39] He always will be,
[00:38:40] always has been,
[00:38:41] the eternally begotten Son of God,
[00:38:43] the preexistent second member
[00:38:45] of the Trinity,
[00:38:46] with all the rights and privileges
[00:38:48] that came with it,
[00:38:49] and yet he set those rights aside
[00:38:51] for our sake
[00:38:52] by becoming a man.
[00:38:54] He didn't lose any part
[00:38:55] of his divine nature,
[00:38:56] but he humbled himself
[00:38:58] by taking on
[00:38:59] our nature,
[00:39:01] the human nature.
[00:39:03] And so when we speak of Jesus,
[00:39:05] then we have to be very precise
[00:39:07] and very careful
[00:39:08] not to rob him
[00:39:09] of either nature.
[00:39:11] And our catechism does this very well.
[00:39:13] A question we did not read earlier,
[00:39:15] question 21,
[00:39:16] tells us that the only Redeemer
[00:39:19] of God's elect
[00:39:20] is the Lord Jesus Christ,
[00:39:21] who,
[00:39:22] being the eternal Son of God,
[00:39:25] that's the divine nature,
[00:39:27] became man.
[00:39:29] That's the human nature.
[00:39:31] And so was and continues to be
[00:39:33] God and man
[00:39:35] in two distinct natures
[00:39:37] and yet one person
[00:39:39] forever.
[00:39:41] Two natures,
[00:39:42] one person.
[00:39:44] And if your mind is starting to hurt
[00:39:45] a little bit,
[00:39:46] it's okay.
[00:39:47] Because this is a wonderful
[00:39:49] mystery to us.
[00:39:51] It's something that we can understand
[00:39:53] in part because Scripture teaches it,
[00:39:55] but it's also something that our finite minds
[00:39:57] cannot grasp in full,
[00:39:58] and that's a good thing.
[00:39:59] Because God,
[00:40:00] if God was such
[00:40:01] that we could understand Him perfectly,
[00:40:03] that we could fit Him in our pocket
[00:40:05] and say,
[00:40:06] I've got Him figured out,
[00:40:07] He wouldn't be much of a God,
[00:40:08] would He?
[00:40:09] No greater,
[00:40:10] no better than any of us.
[00:40:11] It's sort of like the doctrine
[00:40:13] of the Trinity.
[00:40:15] That we have one God
[00:40:16] who exists eternally
[00:40:17] in three persons,
[00:40:18] Father, Son,
[00:40:19] and Holy Spirit.
[00:40:20] Scripture is abundantly clear
[00:40:21] that that is true,
[00:40:22] even though none of us
[00:40:23] can fully say
[00:40:24] that we understand it.
[00:40:25] It's a glorious mystery.
[00:40:27] That leaves us simply in awe
[00:40:30] of who God is.
[00:40:31] And so it is with the person
[00:40:33] and natures of Christ
[00:40:35] that God took on flesh
[00:40:38] and dwelt among us
[00:40:41] for our sake.
[00:40:43] And so the significant thing then
[00:40:45] for us is to recognize
[00:40:46] that in taking on humanity,
[00:40:49] Christ humbled Himself.
[00:40:52] That's where humility comes from.
[00:40:54] That's where the word
[00:40:55] humiliation comes from.
[00:40:56] He humbled Himself
[00:40:59] so that He could become
[00:41:00] the Redeemer and Savior
[00:41:01] of mankind.
[00:41:02] And we needed Him
[00:41:03] to be both God and man.
[00:41:05] We needed someone
[00:41:06] in our own human nature
[00:41:08] to do what we are unable to do,
[00:41:10] which is to perfectly obey
[00:41:11] the law of God.
[00:41:12] You and I fall short of it
[00:41:13] every day of our lives
[00:41:14] and always will,
[00:41:15] but Jesus Christ never did.
[00:41:17] He perfectly fulfilled
[00:41:18] the righteous law of God.
[00:41:20] But we also needed someone
[00:41:22] of divine nature
[00:41:23] who could endure
[00:41:24] what you and I
[00:41:25] could never endure,
[00:41:26] which is the wrath of God
[00:41:27] for our sin.
[00:41:29] Only a divine Savior
[00:41:31] could endure
[00:41:32] the eternal wrath of God
[00:41:34] and make atonement for it.
[00:41:37] And so that's a good way
[00:41:39] for us to understand
[00:41:40] the necessity
[00:41:41] of the incarnation.
[00:41:43] And it demonstrates
[00:41:44] the great love
[00:41:45] that Christ has for us
[00:41:46] that He would willingly
[00:41:47] humble Himself
[00:41:48] in order to lift us up.
[00:41:50] And that's what Paul
[00:41:51] is getting at in these verses.
[00:41:53] That's why he drives it home
[00:41:54] in verse 8
[00:41:55] when he says
[00:41:56] that He humbled Himself
[00:41:58] by becoming obedient
[00:41:59] to the point of death,
[00:42:00] even death on a cross.
[00:42:02] And this is where we see
[00:42:03] the full extent
[00:42:04] of Christ's humiliation.
[00:42:06] That He went to the cross,
[00:42:09] became sin for us.
[00:42:11] He who knew no sin,
[00:42:13] who had no guilt,
[00:42:15] took on sin in our guilt
[00:42:17] for our sake.
[00:42:19] Jesus Christ,
[00:42:20] the perfect sinless man
[00:42:22] who is also
[00:42:23] the eternal Son of God,
[00:42:25] became sin for us.
[00:42:26] And why?
[00:42:27] Well, as the writer
[00:42:28] of Hebrews teaches us,
[00:42:30] in order to bring
[00:42:31] many sons to glory.
[00:42:34] In fact, he goes on to say
[00:42:36] in the book of Hebrews
[00:42:37] that Jesus had to be made
[00:42:39] like His brothers
[00:42:41] so that He could make
[00:42:42] propitiation for the sins
[00:42:44] of His people.
[00:42:47] The only way
[00:42:48] that your sin and mine
[00:42:49] could be atoned for
[00:42:51] was for Jesus Christ
[00:42:53] to humble Himself,
[00:42:55] take on flesh,
[00:42:56] and become sin for us.
[00:42:58] But here's what I want
[00:42:59] you to understand.
[00:43:00] He didn't have to do that.
[00:43:02] He had every reason
[00:43:04] and every right
[00:43:05] to hold on to,
[00:43:06] to grasp equality with God,
[00:43:08] to stay in heaven
[00:43:09] and say,
[00:43:10] those humans are miserable wretches,
[00:43:12] let them get what they deserve.
[00:43:14] But He didn't do that.
[00:43:15] He humbled Himself
[00:43:17] for our sake.
[00:43:19] And Paul is saying
[00:43:21] that this deep,
[00:43:22] and wonderful theology
[00:43:24] is now your and my standard
[00:43:26] for how we live in community.
[00:43:29] We should have
[00:43:30] the exact same mindset
[00:43:32] in our dealings
[00:43:33] with one another.
[00:43:34] Rather than allowing
[00:43:35] our pride and selfish ambition
[00:43:37] to dictate our relationships
[00:43:39] and to break unity,
[00:43:41] we should be willing
[00:43:43] to die to self
[00:43:45] for the sake
[00:43:46] of our brothers and sisters.
[00:43:49] In humility, Paul says,
[00:43:51] we are to count others
[00:43:53] as more significant
[00:43:54] than ourselves.
[00:43:55] And friends,
[00:43:56] that means letting go
[00:43:58] of personal preference.
[00:44:00] That means letting go
[00:44:02] of our impulse
[00:44:03] to demand our own way.
[00:44:06] I'm certainly not saying
[00:44:07] that this means
[00:44:08] that we let go
[00:44:09] of biblical conviction
[00:44:11] and matters of conscience.
[00:44:12] But when it comes
[00:44:13] to matters of personal preference
[00:44:15] or selfish ambition
[00:44:17] or rivalry or conceit,
[00:44:18] they have no place
[00:44:20] in the body of Christ.
[00:44:23] Because all they do
[00:44:24] is sow discord
[00:44:25] and break fellowship.
[00:44:28] So the love of Christ
[00:44:29] should then compel us
[00:44:31] to give of ourselves
[00:44:32] even as He gave for us.
[00:44:34] In fact, that's the very nature
[00:44:35] of love.
[00:44:37] It's putting others
[00:44:38] ahead of ourselves.
[00:44:39] Think about what Paul says
[00:44:40] in 1 Corinthians 13
[00:44:41] as that great chapter on love
[00:44:43] as he tells us
[00:44:44] what love is like.
[00:44:46] He says that love
[00:44:47] is patient and kind.
[00:44:48] Love does not envy or boast,
[00:44:50] it is not arrogant or rude,
[00:44:52] it does not insist
[00:44:55] on its own way.
[00:44:59] How often do we insist
[00:45:01] on our own way,
[00:45:03] on matters that aren't gospel matters,
[00:45:06] on matters of personal preference
[00:45:08] or indifference?
[00:45:09] How often do we dig in our heels
[00:45:11] and say it has to be my way
[00:45:13] or the highway?
[00:45:14] Friends, that is not love.
[00:45:16] And that is not the model
[00:45:18] set for us by Jesus Christ.
[00:45:20] No, we are to love
[00:45:23] as Christ loved us.
[00:45:26] And as we do,
[00:45:27] not only will our fellowship
[00:45:28] with one another
[00:45:29] continue in sweet accord,
[00:45:31] but the likeness of Christ in us
[00:45:33] will adorn our proclamation
[00:45:36] of the gospel.
[00:45:39] And speaking of adornment,
[00:45:41] at the end of this passage,
[00:45:43] Paul moves from Christ's humiliation
[00:45:46] to His exaltation.
[00:45:47] And I want to touch on this
[00:45:48] very briefly as we close.
[00:45:49] Listen again.
[00:45:51] Listen again to these glorious words
[00:45:52] in verse 9.
[00:45:54] Verse 8 reminds us
[00:45:55] that Jesus died on the cross.
[00:45:57] That was the depth of His humiliation.
[00:45:59] And then verse 9,
[00:46:00] we are told that,
[00:46:01] Therefore God has highly exalted Him
[00:46:04] and bestowed on Him
[00:46:05] the name that is above every name,
[00:46:07] so that at the name of Jesus
[00:46:09] every knee should bow in heaven
[00:46:11] and on earth and under the earth,
[00:46:12] and every tongue confess
[00:46:14] that Jesus Christ is Lord
[00:46:16] to the glory of God the Father.
[00:46:19] Having humbled Himself,
[00:46:23] God the Father was pleased
[00:46:25] to exalt Jesus to the highest place
[00:46:27] and to give Him the name
[00:46:28] that is above every other name,
[00:46:30] the name at which we are told
[00:46:32] every knee will bow
[00:46:33] and every tongue will confess.
[00:46:37] Now friends, that day hasn't come yet.
[00:46:40] Because there are still
[00:46:41] a lot of knees that haven't bowed,
[00:46:42] a lot of tongues that haven't confessed,
[00:46:44] and we are still here.
[00:46:46] That day has not yet come,
[00:46:48] but it is coming.
[00:46:50] And we have a glorious description
[00:46:52] of what that day will be like
[00:46:54] in the book of Revelation,
[00:46:56] in chapter 19 when we are told
[00:46:58] that this day will be the great
[00:47:00] wedding feast of the Lamb.
[00:47:03] When Christ and His church,
[00:47:06] the groom and His bride
[00:47:08] will be united for all of eternity
[00:47:11] face to face and in person
[00:47:13] with one another.
[00:47:16] And this morning,
[00:47:17] at this table,
[00:47:19] and in this meal that is set before us,
[00:47:22] we find a foretaste of that feast.
[00:47:27] And we find a vivid reminder
[00:47:29] of Christ's willingness
[00:47:30] to lay aside His rights,
[00:47:32] to suffer and die,
[00:47:33] so that we might live with Him.
[00:47:36] We call this sacrament communion.
[00:47:39] Because when we partake of it,
[00:47:41] we commune with Christ
[00:47:43] in a spiritual manner.
[00:47:45] But we also commune with one another.
[00:47:50] This sacrament, as we partake
[00:47:53] as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,
[00:47:55] it signifies and displays
[00:47:57] our unity together
[00:47:59] through a shared faith
[00:48:01] in Jesus Christ.
[00:48:03] So I encourage you then this morning,
[00:48:05] if you are in Christ,
[00:48:06] to come to this table eagerly.
[00:48:09] Because our great Savior,
[00:48:11] our Bridegroom humbled Himself,
[00:48:14] so that we might be welcome
[00:48:16] in His house forevermore.
[00:48:19] Let's pray together.
[00:48:23] Lord our God,
[00:48:25] what wondrous love is this,
[00:48:28] that Jesus Christ
[00:48:31] willingly
[00:48:34] put on flesh,
[00:48:36] took upon Himself human nature,
[00:48:39] lived a perfect and righteous life,
[00:48:43] and then became sin for us.
[00:48:47] That we might become
[00:48:49] the righteousness of God.
[00:48:52] Father, this is the very foundation
[00:48:55] of our salvation,
[00:48:56] the very foundation of our faith,
[00:48:59] the death and the resurrection
[00:49:01] of Jesus Christ.
[00:49:02] But we also thank You
[00:49:03] for His ascension to Your right hand.
[00:49:05] And we thank You that there is a day set
[00:49:07] when He will return to judge the earth
[00:49:10] and to welcome His people
[00:49:12] to His banqueting table.
[00:49:14] When He will once again
[00:49:16] eat and drink with us.
[00:49:19] Father, we know that this glorious,
[00:49:22] deep theological truth
[00:49:24] has necessary implications
[00:49:26] for how we live in community today.
[00:49:29] So help us, Father,
[00:49:30] to love as Jesus has loved us.
[00:49:32] Help us to be able to die to self
[00:49:35] for the sake of others
[00:49:36] and for the sake of Your gospel.
[00:49:39] Lord, help us to bring glory to Your name
[00:49:41] and how we do life together
[00:49:43] as Your people.
[00:49:45] And may You receive all the glory
[00:49:47] and all the honor as a result.
[00:49:49] We pray in Jesus' name.
[00:49:51] Amen.
[00:49:54] Our hymn of preparation
[00:49:56] as we come to the table this morning
[00:49:58] is number 644,
[00:50:00] May the Mind of Christ My Savior.
[00:50:02] And as you stand to sing,
[00:50:03] if there are any people sitting next door
[00:50:05] in the fellowship hall,
[00:50:06] we would invite you during this hymn
[00:50:07] to come over to the sanctuary
[00:50:09] to partake of the sacrament.
[00:50:10] With us.
[00:50:11] Let's stand together
[00:50:12] and sing hymn 644.

[00:50:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
May the mind of Christ my Savior
[00:50:30] live in me from day to day.
[00:50:34] By His love and power now truly
[00:50:39] all I do and say.
[00:50:45] May the word of God dwell with me
[00:50:50] in my heart from hour to hour.
[00:50:55] So let all may see a triumph
[00:51:00] only through His power.
[00:51:05] May the peace of God
[00:51:08] my Father
[00:51:10] rule my life in everything
[00:51:15] that I may be called to comfort
[00:51:20] sick and sorrowing.
[00:51:25] May the love of Jesus
[00:51:29] fill me
[00:51:30] as the waters fill the sea.
[00:51:35] Give exultation
[00:51:37] all things ever they see.
[00:51:40] This is victory.
[00:51:46] May His beauty rest upon me
[00:51:51] as I seek the lost to win.
[00:51:55] And may they forget the shadow
[00:52:00] seeing all begin.

[00:52:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
You may be seated.
[00:52:22] As Paul said to the Philippian church
[00:52:25] if there is any encouragement in Christ
[00:52:28] any comfort from love
[00:52:30] any participation in the Spirit
[00:52:32] make my joy complete
[00:52:35] by being of the same mind.
[00:52:36] Having the same love
[00:52:38] and being in full accord
[00:52:39] and of one mind.
[00:52:42] Friends as we come to this table
[00:52:44] we find the reason
[00:52:46] the grounds for our encouragement
[00:52:49] and for our comfort
[00:52:51] and for our participation in the Spirit
[00:52:53] because this table is the full expression
[00:52:56] of the love and humility of Jesus Christ.
[00:52:59] That He did not count equality with God
[00:53:02] a thing to be held on to
[00:53:03] but emptied Himself
[00:53:05] for your sake and mine.
[00:53:08] As we come to this table
[00:53:09] we are reminded of the great price
[00:53:11] that Jesus Christ was willing to pay
[00:53:13] as the bread and the wine
[00:53:15] show forth His body and blood
[00:53:17] broken and spilled for us
[00:53:19] as He became sin
[00:53:20] and endured God's wrath
[00:53:22] thus making propitiation for our sins.
[00:53:25] And so we come this morning
[00:53:27] remembering the price that our sin
[00:53:30] cost our Savior
[00:53:31] that He was willing to pay
[00:53:33] for you and for me.
[00:53:35] But we also come to this table
[00:53:38] with rejoicing.
[00:53:39] We come to this table with great hope
[00:53:42] because there is a day coming
[00:53:44] when Jesus Christ will return
[00:53:46] and these small elements
[00:53:48] that serve really as an appetizer
[00:53:51] will give way to the full wedding feast
[00:53:53] of the Lamb
[00:53:54] when we will sit and sup with Him
[00:53:56] at that great banqueting table.
[00:53:58] And so as we come to this table
[00:54:00] we come rightly acknowledging
[00:54:02] the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior
[00:54:04] Jesus Christ
[00:54:05] while also rejoicing in the glorious hope
[00:54:07] that He has given to us
[00:54:09] that we have by faith in Him.
[00:54:12] It's the Apostle Paul
[00:54:14] who gives us the words of institution
[00:54:16] for this meal
[00:54:17] as he lays out to the Corinthians
[00:54:19] in chapter 11.
[00:54:20] He says,
[00:54:21] For I received from the Lord
[00:54:22] that which I also delivered to you
[00:54:24] that the Lord Jesus on the night
[00:54:26] in which He was betrayed took bread
[00:54:28] and when He had given thanks
[00:54:29] He broke it and said
[00:54:30] this is my body which is for you
[00:54:32] do this
[00:54:33] do this
[00:54:34] in remembrance of me.
[00:54:36] In the same way also after supper
[00:54:38] He took the cup
[00:54:39] saying this cup
[00:54:40] is the new covenant in my blood
[00:54:42] do this
[00:54:43] as often as you drink it
[00:54:45] in remembrance of me.
[00:54:47] For as often as you eat this bread
[00:54:49] and drink this cup
[00:54:50] you proclaim the Lord's death
[00:54:52] until He comes again.
[00:54:54] Whoever therefore eats the bread
[00:54:56] or drinks the cup of the Lord
[00:54:57] in an unworthy manner
[00:54:59] will be guilty
[00:55:00] concerning the body and blood of the Lord.
[00:55:02] Let a person examine himself then
[00:55:05] and so eat of the bread
[00:55:06] and drink of the cup
[00:55:07] for anyone who eats and drinks
[00:55:09] without discerning the body
[00:55:10] eats and drinks judgment on himself.
[00:55:14] Paul offers a word of caution
[00:55:16] as we come to this meal
[00:55:18] that those who partake
[00:55:19] do so in a worthy manner
[00:55:21] and that manner that is worthy
[00:55:23] is that we are able to discern
[00:55:24] in these elements
[00:55:25] the body and blood
[00:55:26] of our Savior Jesus Christ
[00:55:28] and that means that you have received
[00:55:31] the Lord Jesus Christ
[00:55:33] as your Savior
[00:55:34] in repentance of your sin
[00:55:35] and in faith in His name.
[00:55:38] If you're here this morning
[00:55:39] and that is not yet true of you
[00:55:42] then we would encourage you
[00:55:43] to let these elements pass you by
[00:55:45] and as they do
[00:55:46] spend this time
[00:55:47] in prayerful contemplation
[00:55:48] of what you've heard
[00:55:49] of the humiliation
[00:55:50] of our Savior Jesus Christ
[00:55:52] that He came to earth for your sake
[00:55:54] to save you from your sin.
[00:55:57] Friend, if you're here this morning
[00:55:58] and you have been united to Christ
[00:56:00] then come in the righteousness of Christ.
[00:56:02] Come in a manner worthy
[00:56:03] and receive these elements
[00:56:05] with joy and with thanksgiving
[00:56:07] because this is the Lord's table
[00:56:09] for His people.
[00:56:11] This is His table for you.
[00:56:15] As we receive the elements
[00:56:16] we will hold them
[00:56:17] until all have been served
[00:56:18] and partake together
[00:56:19] thus signifying our essential unity
[00:56:21] together in Jesus Christ.
[00:56:24] All has been said
[00:56:25] let us pray together.
[00:56:27] Oh Lord our God
[00:56:30] we thank you for this meal
[00:56:32] that is set before us.
[00:56:34] Father we recognize
[00:56:35] that in this sacrament
[00:56:36] the very body and blood
[00:56:37] of Jesus Christ
[00:56:38] is signified to us
[00:56:40] through these elements
[00:56:41] and they remind us
[00:56:42] of His great sacrifice
[00:56:44] but also of His great love.
[00:56:47] And so Father we pray
[00:56:48] that as we partake this morning
[00:56:50] we would do so in a manner
[00:56:51] that is worthy
[00:56:53] and that we would be reminded
[00:56:54] as we taste and we see
[00:56:56] that you the Lord are good.
[00:56:59] And so we thank you
[00:57:00] for this meal
[00:57:01] in Jesus name.
[00:57:02] Amen.
[00:57:04] Again the Lord Jesus
[00:57:05] on that night
[00:57:06] in which He was betrayed
[00:57:07] took the bread
[00:57:08] and having given thanks
[00:57:09] He broke it and said
[00:57:10] take eat
[00:57:11] this is my body for you.
[00:57:26] We thank you Lord
[00:57:27] and thanks God
[00:57:28] for He gave His body
[00:57:29] to eat into thatucan.
[00:57:31] And so we pray
[00:57:32] Father we thank you
[00:57:33] in Jesus' name
[00:57:34] that you would not
[00:57:35] have walked
[00:57:35] on our feet
[00:57:45] and we would not
[00:57:47] have been determined
[00:57:48] to do the things
[00:57:49] that have been asked
[00:57:50] us to do.
[00:57:51] Amen.
[00:57:56] Thank you.
[00:58:26] Thank you.
[00:58:56] Thank you.
[00:59:26] Thank you.
[00:59:56] Thank you.
[01:00:26] Christ's body, broken for you.

[01:00:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
In the same way, also, Jesus took the cup after supper, saying,
[01:01:03] This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
[01:01:06] Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.

[01:01:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.
[01:01:56] Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.
[01:02:26] Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.
[01:02:56] Thank you.
[01:03:26] Thank you.
[01:03:56] Thank you.
[01:04:26] Thank you.
[01:04:56] Thank you.

[01:05:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Christian, this is the blood of Christ shed for you.
[01:05:41] Take and drink.
[01:05:47] Let's pray together.

[01:05:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Merciful God, we come before you thankful
[01:05:53] that indeed your Son, our Savior,
[01:05:56] Jesus Christ, came and put on flesh
[01:05:59] so that he could reconcile us to you.
[01:06:04] We give you thanks for these common elements
[01:06:06] and for the spiritual nourishment that you give us through them
[01:06:09] in communing with us.
[01:06:11] And we give you thanks for our eternal hope
[01:06:13] in that wedding feast of the Lamb.

[01:06:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
We thank you for a glimpse of that this morning.
[01:06:18] We thank you for your love and your mercy unto us.
[01:06:20] In Jesus' name, amen.

[01:06:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
I invite you to turn to your hymnals, number 431,
[01:06:26] standing with me as we sing our closing hymn this morning.
[01:06:29] Thank you.

[01:06:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
How hearty him we sing
[01:06:51] Around your table, Lord
[01:06:55] Amen.
[01:06:56] In ungrateful tribute
[01:06:59] With our solemn vows we pour
[01:07:04] Here have we seen your face
[01:07:09] And felt your presence here
[01:07:13] So may us sing your love, your grace
[01:07:18] In word and life appear
[01:07:22] In virtues by your blood
[01:07:26] I sing no longer then
[01:07:31] But that our dear Redeemer
[01:07:35] From Mary rejoicing tread
[01:07:39] In self-forgiving love
[01:07:44] The ark of union shown
[01:07:48] Until we joined the church of old
[01:07:53] And know that we are one

[01:07:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
We are one
[01:07:59] See now God's blessing.
[01:08:01] May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
[01:08:04] the love of God the Father Almighty,
[01:08:05] and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
[01:08:07] be with you all both now and forevermore.
[01:08:10] Amen.
[01:08:17] Amen.
[01:08:20] Amen.
[01:08:23] Amen.
[01:08:24] Amen.
[01:08:26] Amen.
[01:08:27] Amen.
[01:08:28] Amen.
[01:08:29] Amen.
[01:08:30] Amen.
[01:08:31] Amen.