March 24, 2024
LINK TO SERMON ON YOUTUBE
(May expire after about 6 months)
TEXT: Philippians 2:5-11
TOPIC: Obedient Service
SERMON SUMMARY:
Bishop Keith’s sermon focuses on what most impresses us about Jesus, leading us to act and become like him. The bishop takes us through the events of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, inviting us to make time to journey deeper with Jesus during this sacred time.
We hear the prophecy from Zechariah that even our sin can be turned to blessing by God's goodness. Bp. Keith asks what impressed the crowds enough to welcome Jesus as the hoped-for Messianic king by lining the road with palm branches - was it his appearance, riding a donkey, performing miracles like raising Lazarus, or something else?
Jesus was searching for evidence that the people's practices flowed from standing under God's authority, but instead found corruption in the temple courts. This anguished Jesus, leading him to teach about right relationship with God all week.
Bp. Keith highlights how Paul says the marks of Jesus as Messiah were his attributes of servanthood and obedience. He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, humbly obedient to death on a cross. This wasn't something Jesus decided to do, but flowed from his very nature of being one with the Father.
We are asked what impresses us enough to be animated and moved to sacrifice and service like Jesus. Is it his brutal death for sin? His forgiveness? His practice of hearing and obeying God? Whatever impresses us is what God uses to transform us into obedient servants like Jesus.
The sermon invites us to journey with Jesus this Holy Week, being impressed by him so we empty ourselves and are filled anew with his servant nature for the world he deeply loves.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION & DISCUSSION:
What impresses you in general? What impresses you about Jesus? What impresses you enough to motivate you to sacrifice and service?
What do you think impressed Jesus? What motivated him to service and sacrifice?
Are there ways in which you know your relationships with God and others aren’t right? What kind of sacrifice or service would it take for them to be made right?
How do you think Jesus is calling you to serve and sacrifice today? this week? this year?
PRAYER:
Humble God, you arrived in this world and were placed in a bed of hay. You approached even your death in a posture of service and sacrifice, riding a donkey and washing your disciples’ feet. We ask you now to make us what you teach us we should be: empower us with your grace and your Spirit to follow your obedient sacrifice with our own obedience and sacrifice. (Turn your answer to question 2 into a prayer of gratitude for who He is. Then ask Him to help you live out your answers to questions 3 and 4 above.)
