Bethany Lutheran Church,
Springdale, Arkansas
Midweek Lenten Service
7 PM Central Time
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Form of God
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
That is the entire mission of Jesus Christ, is to be completely human but also completely divine. All the false gods are robbers, ultimately the demonic power to pretend they are gods, which is this robbery to be equal with God. That equality with God - taught by the Holy Spirit - is the revelation of God the Son being equal to God the Father. That is the highest possible status on earth...in the galaxy. Looking at the miracles of Jesus, we see the types of miracles God accomplishes, only more dramatic because they were seen by thousands of people. But what often happened? Scorn, accusations, lies, and demands to have more entertainment.
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
This is called the kenosis or emptying of the Son of God, not that He lost or gave His divinity but that He kept it hidden most of the time. We only have a few samples from a 3 year public ministry. His humanity perplexed and angered the opponents and caused them to deny His divinity, but Jesus spoke plainly and displayed His power when it was beneficial.
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He entered our world as an ordinary man and seldom let His power be known in its fullest. That really revealed His compassion and humility, that He could keep that power in the background to support His teaching and healings, miracles and wisdom. He offered Himself up for the great humiliation of all, allowing Himself to be arrested, insulted, slugged, whipped, and lashed with horrible whips made worse with metal or other sharp bits, then forced to carry His own cross. He carried the cross that was not His due, just as the martyrs did and do today in being crushed by anti-Christian revolts and riots.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
God the Father exalted Jesus for teaching the whole world humility, suffering, and giving to others. That is why Jesus' Name and Titles are above all others. I thought it was a good idea to collect in a book with illustrations, and that - like all of God's Word - has inspired people to think about what Jesus suffered to earn such titles as Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Good Shepherd, the Savior.
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
At the end, everyone will know and understand what that word means - Jesus. No one is missed in the exaltation and the final results of all time, the Consummation.
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
All believers will share in that great victory, which is why we spend so much time teaching the Word and sharing His love.
The Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayers and Announcements
- Medical treatment - Randy Anderson, Kermit Way, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Sarah Buck, Lori Howell.
- Pray for our country as major trials continue.
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