Phi. # 10- Rabid dogs, and iminent victories

Today's Text: Phill. 3:1-11
Translation: NKJV

Ok, so your walking down the street and that mad rabid dog that the neighbors keep starts barking up a storm and jumping up and down trying to get at you. Most of us would freak and run or move to the other side of the street. Well, what if that mad, rabid dog IS your neighbor? Then What? Most of us would think our neighbor needed to go to Broughton or some other mental institution, right? Well, life isn't always that easy. We are surrounded by non- Christians, some who are very much against Christianity and will do anything in there power to bring us down, those that don't really care just as long as we leave them alone, and those who smile to our face then backstab us every chance that comes along (obviously, these aren't all the different types of non-Christians, but for now they will have to do). Paul is telling us to beware of people who are not Christians in case they really are trying to bring us down.
However, there is reason to rejoice! We are in Christ, circumcised, and have no confidence in the flesh (our own power).Paul then goes on the talk about how he was a devout Jew, obeyed all the laws, and had every right to have confidence in his flesh. However, as stated elsewhere in the Pauline letters, the law merely shows us God's commands and our fallen sinful state. Paul himself has confidence in Christ, who gives righteousness through faith and the Holy Spirit, which is where we as Christians should have our confidence as well. We are all in Christ(those who are saved) and in response, Christ has given us the gift of faith and eternal life and resurrection of the Body along with sending us the Holy Spirit to guide us. These are the reasons that we should have confidence in Jesus Christ.
To God be the glory, great things He has done.



Note: The video is just a tongue in cheek deal that I did when I was bored. PLEASE don't take it too seriously!

The Humility Kicks IN!

Today's Text: 2:5-11

Translation: NKJV

I have heard this passage labled the epitemy of humility, and the why of this is pretty obvious. Vs's. 5-8 talk that Christ didn't consider being equal with God something to be grasped, but humbled himself by taking human form, and humbled himself in obedience even to the point of death. Let's get one thing strait- Christ didn't have to consider himself on par with God because he already was, is and always will be equal with God the Father because he IS God. Christ is the 2nd part of the triune God, 3-in-one. Now, this makes salvation even more mystical. Christ humbled himself to OUR status as a created being in order that we might be saved. How cool is that? He didn't have to do that and who could justifiably blame him if he didn't? Man is a fallen, rebellious creation, dexerving of eternal damnation and what does Christ do? He humbles himself, takes on the flesh of man, and all its foibles, dies on the cross and is raised from the dead on the 3rd day.

In Vs's. 9-11, Paul says that God has exalted Him and Given a name that when the world hears it, every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. We must remember that it is the NAME of JESUS CHRIST that will cause the nations to bow. Christ is the Son's title, Jesus is his name, and that name is above all names.

As we go into the last couple of weeks of Lent, let us remember exactly what Christ did for us. He humbled himself to our level, a fallen and rebellious creation, died unconditionally for the sins of us, his elect, and put His favor on us such that we cannot resist it or truly fall away from our salvation. To God be the glory.