More on Week Three Advent Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 2:5, NIV)

I'm still on the Philippians 2 Advent Reading.  Philippians 2:7 in various translations says that Jesus, "emptied Himself," or, "made Himself nothing."  He did this in order to become the Babe of Bethlehem, the child of Mary and Joseph, live under submission to Jewish leaders, Roman law, and die, "even the death of the cross."  He surrendered Himself, "who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant...." (NASB) 

Now the real "kicker" here is that the context exhorts us, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."  I discovered today that the word translated, "mind," or, "mindset," in verse 5 is the same word used twice in verse 2, "like-minded," and, "of one mind."  It is more than just thinking.  It is an attitude manifested in life style.  Could this be key in understanding, "the mind of Christ"?!?  Jesus is One in the Father and Holy Spirit.  His Mind is Father's Mind, "like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." 

Now during this Advent Season, consider the difference in Church life if we had, "this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus," if we really considered all of the Advent Reading, Philippians 2:1-11, if we emptied ourselves, if we did not think our rights were, "a thing to be grasped," if we were
   1.  "of the same mind"
   2. "having the same love"
   3. "united in spirit and of one mind"
   4. "intent on one purpose"
   5. "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit"
   6. "value others above yourselves"
   7. "not looking to your own interests but each of you
       to the interests of the others." (NIV)
     
This could really mess up "'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la la la"----- but only to the one who has not emptied himself.  I call the Church to make Philippians 2 the corporate "New Year's Resolution?"

Father, in Jesus' Name, I confess that filling myself has been more important than emptying myself.  Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

Another Third Week of Advent Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name...." (Philippians 2:9, NIV)

Two phrases in our text I made particular note of today-- "highest place," and, "above every name."  First, there is just no higher place than, "the highest place."  Strong's says that the Greek word translated here, "highest place," means "to exalt to the highest rank and power, to raise to supreme majesty."  This is the, "place," God Our Father has given God Our Son, Jesus Christ.  It really does not matter what any theologian or philosopher or talk show junkie  might think and say.  This is Jesus,' "Place," reserved for Jesus together with Father and the Holy Spirit.  Any hint of, "highest place," for anyone or anything other than Jesus comes under judgment and condemnation.  O, Earth, beware!  Second, the phrase, "above every name," means more than just elevation.  It means "in behalf of, for the sake of."  This is Jesus' Name, "in behalf of, for the sake of" Father and Holy Spirit------ and us.  If any wonder why I refer to the Name of Jesus so much it is in keeping with Father's wish, Who, "gave him the name that is above every name."

The Advent text today says that all this was given to Jesus after, "he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-- even death on a cross!"  As Micah says, Jesus is, "from the days of eternity," but He, "appeared," on that first Christmas night in our time/space world to, "seek and to save that which was lost"----- the world, you and me.  And just hours before His death on the Cross, the battle in Gethsemane raged horrendous, beyond understanding.  As a result of the victory which Jesus won there and later at the cross, he was, "exalted...to the highest place," and the affirmation of, "the name that is above every name."

"Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ the LORD."  Why not?  Everyone in Heaven is adoring Jesus, and, "the heavens declare the glory of Jesus.... Their expanse [is declaring] the work of His hands.  Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge." This is in agreement with today's Advent text, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Father, in Jesus' Name----------- and I do!  Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

"This is the One Who Baptizes in the Holy Spirit"

"And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'" (John 1:33, NASB)

 

This is one of the readings for the third week of Advent, and it reveals that Water Baptism and Holy Spirit Baptism are not options.  They're commands.  John came to, "prepare the way of the Lord," and that preparation was marked by Water Baptism.  All four Gospels record that Jesus came as, "the One Who baptizes in the Holy Spirit." 

 

There are those in Christendom through the centuries who have chosen to include in their lives what they want from the Gospel and eliminate from their lives what they don't understand, what seems to make no sense, or they just are too dignified for.  Such is Water Baptism and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (I had a woman once who received Jesus, but did not want to be water baptized because she didn't want to mess up her hair).  In the Book of Acts, both graces are fundamental to the question, "What must we do to be saved."  What really upsets most people with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is that it was accompanied by speaking in tongues, not languages, as many would like us to believe.  A careful reading of Acts 2 reveals that on the day of Pentecost the Believers were not speaking in "known" languages, but were speaking in unknown tongues, unknown to any man, or any ethnic group.  The miracle of Pentecost is that while the disciples were speaking in, "other (unknown) tongues," the Holy Spirit caused the hearers to, "hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."  This is "miracle."  I wonder if the reason we don't see more miracles is that we have a built in "program" which says to the Lord Jesus, "We want miracles, but only the ones we can believe, and show the world just how powerful we are," you know, the kind of miracles which make at least a little sense.

 

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is never offered as an option in the Bible.  Neither is Water Baptism.  The Advent liturgists were right to include our text as a part of the Advent Liturgy.  It reveals a central, fundamental purpose of, "the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."  Make our text central/fundamental to your life.  If you have never been water baptized, find water now (during the communist era in Russia, Believers were baptized in the Volga River---- at night---- even in winter!) and find someone who will baptize you.   If you have never been baptized in the Holy Spirit, "find" Him now-- "open your mouth wide and I will fill it" (Psalm 81:10). 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so much that You, "appeared," to baptize in the Holy Spirit.  This "grace" has saved my life.  Amen.

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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Sled Riding on the Golan, Swimming in the Galilee

"And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth." (Luke 1:14)

 

Our text is speaking of the birth of John the Baptist, but it could just as easily apply to, "the appearing," of Jesus.   Indeed, "joy and gladness," is the mark of a Follower of Jesus Christ.

 

It's 12 F, -11 C here in Johnstown, PA.  I was out dealing with some weather related stuff; hence, a little later today.  And to think, when I was a kid I would take my bicycle out in this, then after spills and just pre teen hilarity, would get out the old sled and go down hills so fast, down hills so steep my eyes would water so much I couldn't see; and much of this was before we had a television-------Ah, kid-dom.  Ralphie had nothing on me.  That was more years ago than one may want to imagine, but mine was a great childhood.  I never came home from school and Mom wasn't there, never sat down to a meal but that the whole family was present.  I'm not elevating this above what you may have experienced, but at least I can be thankful for this, right?!?

 

During this time of year, the global celebration of the "appearing" of Jesus, I often wonder what His Childhood must have been like.  We tend to not speak of this much because most see no theological significance to it.  Yet the so-called "silent years" of our Lord Jesus Christ were a part of the Incarnation "experience."  He lived among humanity, not just as an adult, teaching, healing, His Passion, and resurrection, but as a snow loving, racing down hills, swimming in the Galilee pre teen, teenage, young adult Middle Eastern Jew.  I have seen such people while in Israel.  Jesus probably looked much as they do.

 

Lighten up this Christmas if you are prone to be anti lights, presents, just some super spiritual, "Well, Christmas is a pagan holiday."  It may be to some but not to those of us who know Jesus Christ.  Let the music play, yes, "Sleigh Ride," or, "Jingle Bells," or, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas," along with, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," or, "Silent Night," or the great theological Carol, "Hark the Herald Angels Sings." It is our time to

 PAAA-RRRR-TEEE.

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, release Your Joy into us Your People in a new way this Season.  Amen.

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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2