Morning Munch 4

Let’s be practical

Who out there needs to be encouraged? It’s Friday morning, you need to make it through one more day of work till the weekend, and you have to face a broken world that drains you. You might be asking yourself, how can I do it? Let’s turn our attention to Paul’s letter to the Philippians chapter 2

Scripture

Phil. 2:1-

Philippians 2:1–4 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Observation

Paul goes on to describe how Christ, our savior & example, embraced humility and did what was not in His own best interest, but ours.

Why did Jesus do this? For two reasons:

We needed to be saved

God desired relationship with us (this is the more important reason)

Jesus did what was uncomfortable for Himself so that He could accomplish the goals of the Father (most importantly), but also so that we could be saved, and Jesus found encouragement in this.

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb

John Chrysostom (347-407) puts it this way:

Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers John Chrysostom (347–407)

Listen carefully to me, I entreat you.… [P]rocure books that will be medicines for the soul.… At least get a copy of the New Testament, the Apostle’s epistles, the Acts, the Gospels, for your constant teachers. If you encounter grief, dive into them as into a chest of medicines; take from them comfort for your trouble, whether it be loss, or death, or bereavement over the loss of relations. Don’t simply dive into them. Swim in them. Keep them constantly in your mind. The cause of all evils is the failure to know the Scriptures well.

Application

You cannot use Christ as your example, if you are not spending time with Him on a regular daily basis. When you start taking in the example of Christ and you then want to put His example of humility to work; Andy Stanley has a great practical way to walk this out. Start asking those that you do life with “What can I do for you?” and when people respond, ask yourself “What resources do I have at my disposal that can further your agenda?” I promise you, this will bring you encouragement, it will also conform you to the image of Christ.

Prayer

Lord, give us Your eyes to see those You have placed around us. God, please use us to advance Your agenda in their lives, and please conform us to Your image. Please help us to embrace humility and find encouragement through loving others in this practical way.