When we think of the word condescending we usually think of it in very negative terms. We think of people who consider themselves better than us and are therefore very patronizing toward us, like the way adults talk childishly to infants.
It shows how full of pride we are that a word that signifies a gift of loving service has become a term of resentment.
Philippians 2:5-7
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!
Jesus is the true example of condescension. He gave up his rightful position in order to serve those below Him – far below Him – in status. He even gave His life for us!
This is the life to which He calls us, a life of loving condescension. Whether people are below us or above us on whatever standard you want to rank them by is not the point. We are to become nothing in order to serve everyone. Becoming nothing has no bearing on our worth or our nature, but rather our form and function. Jesus was incredibly special – the very Son of God! Yet to all appearances He was an absolute commoner. He had the right to exert power and authority, yet He functioned as a servant. This is what we are called to. With Christ living in us through His Spirit we are incredibly honoured, yet we are to live humbly, seeking to give ourselves for the sake of others. We are to be condescending!
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Sermon - The Pathway to Fulfilment
Fulfilment, satisfaction, meaning, contentment... we all want this stuff, and God has promised it to us, but how do we actually receive it? The life of Jesus contains the answers, and they are surprising! As we take a broad look at the life of Jesus we discover the less-travelled pathway to fulfilment
Scripture passages:
- John 1:1-2
- Colossians 1:16-7
- Luke 2:1-7
- Matthew 27:32-44
- Revelation 5:1-14
- Philippians 2:1-13
- Matthew 4:1-11
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