Refocusing Our View of the Cross

Philippians 2:1-18

Philippians 2:1–18 NASB95

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

philippians 2

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prayer

Philippians 2:5–11 NASB95

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

The man from Nazareth

Would grow up in home of a carpenter and would apprentice to become a carpenter.

To be a carpenter

Feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, heal the sick, the lame, the blind

Give water to the thirsty

Heal the sick

The lame

The blind

Teaching about the coming of the kingdom of God, preaching of the love, grace and mercy of the Father.

But would be despise and rejected, put on trail as an innocent man, be beaten, have his beard pulled out, spat on, whipped to the point his skin stripped from His back, mocked, a crown of thorns press on His head, and

Put on trail as an innocent man

Be beaten

Have his beard pulled out

Spat on

Whipped

Mocked

A crown of thorns press on His head

His skin stripped from His back

Sentenced to death to die on a cross. He would carry that cross on his raw back to the hill of Calvary.

His arms pull out potentially right out of their socket and then nails driven into his hands and feet. The cross would be raised into place and dropped into a deep hole, tearing more at his flesh.

While on that cross he would look out on the people there that day and in the future. He could have been angry since all that had happened he did not deserve. But he went willingly. Why? To take upon himself my sin and all sin of each one of us here.

And with His last breath he cried out “It is Finished!”

What a day, What a moment. He consider nothing about Himself.

It is Finished!

2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB95

21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

While on that cross he looked out and saw a boy with 4 sisters.

Who had parents that worked hard in the vineyard. They gave everything for the work they were called to. I had an awesome example. So I knew what being a christian looked like.

Gave everything for the work they were called to.

My story, Outside looked good but needed to change inside.

Outside looked good but needed to change inside.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB95

21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthian 5

What needed to happen was what was on the outside needed to penetrate the deep part of his heart.

To look good was not enough

To be good was not enough

To volunteer was not enough

To preach was not enough.

To go to church was not enough.

To wear the right clothes was not enough. (The cross needed to really mean something)

The Cross needed to really mean something.

What happened on the cross for me needed to change me to the very core.

What happened in the grave needed to give me a Biblical hope.

A hope of a new life.

You see I had to learn that it is not all about me, it is all about Him.

We can attend church services at Christmas, Easter and even ever Sunday. And what happened on the cross may never have a deep life changing effect. Because we are only looking for service that make us feel good and entertain, messages that never challenge us.

You see we need to learn that it is not all about me, it is all about Him.