A Fresh Vision “We Over Me”

 A Fresh Vision

“We Over Me”

Introduction:

Good morning church family. Over the last 4 weeks, we have been engaged in what I believe to be of the most serious, one of the most important sermon series in our church’s illustrious history. Over the last 4 weeks we have been talking about vision and value. A church’s vision is what we hope to achieve. A vision is a destination, a place where we want to one day hopefully arrive. For instance, Jesus provides us a vision for all of our lives. All of us have a shared vision of one day standing before King Jesus and hearing Him say these words, “well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness”. Can you imagine that moment? One day all of us will kneel before the King of Kings. I hope that you possess the same vision that I carry in my heart. Hearing Jesus say those words to me will be the greatest thrill of my life. Hearing those words would be the greatest gift that a Christian can receive on the other side of this life. 

So, what is our vision? What is the vision for Eastern Shore Baptist Church? Let’s read it together. It is found in the sermon notes in your “order of worship”.

ESBC is on mission to share Christ with every family in the community of Lake Forest and the greater Eastern Shore.

Our Fresh Vision:

ESBC is on mission to share Christ with every family in the community of Lake Forest and the greater Eastern Shore.

That’s the vision, but what about the values? 

Our values represent our core beliefs. Our values make us who we are, who we want to be. 

Our first value is that we put God first. We’re passionate about God, and we want everyone to know! 

Our second value is that we do our best. As a church body we pursue excellence because God deserves our best. Our desire is to walk worthy of our calling in Christ – both individually and as a collective church. 

Our third value is that we are contributors, not consumers and we possess an eternal perspective. We live in service to our King and to our community. We exist to build the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. 

Our fourth value is we above me. That’s right, we above me. At Eastern Shore Baptist Church, there is a place for you! We are not designed to walk in isolation, but rather in community. No matter your age or stage of life, you will find opportunities to build deep relationships where you are known and loved.

Do me a favor this morning, fill in the blanks under “Today’s Thought”. 

ESBC seeks to share the gospel, shape disciples and serve others. We want to live out the great commission of Jesus Christ while living out the Great Commandment. Jesus tells us in Matthew 28 that we are to go into all the world making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That is where we practically live out sharing the Gospel and shaping disciples. The Great Commandment ties it all together through serving others. Listen to the words of Jesus captured in Matthew 22:37-39, And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Today’s Thought:

ESBC Seeks To Share The Gospel, Shape Disciples, and Serve Others!

We above me is pretty clear. Sharing the Gospel, shaping disciples, and serving others requires us to be selfless. These goals hinge on us putting the needs of others above our own. It means following the example of Christ and laying down our lives so that others can live. This concept brings new meaning to what Jesus says in John 15:12-13, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” One of my favorite Christian writers and theologians is Oswald Chambers. Listen to what he say about being selfless, the we above me attitude. 

“The path to selflessness begins with surrendering our own desires and following God’s will. Selflessness is not a burden to bear, but a freedom to enjoy, as we release the need to control and trust in God’s Providence. Selflessness is the fragrance of true spirituality.”

Today’s Quote:

“The path to selflessness begins with surrendering our own desires and following God’s will. Selflessness is not a burden to bear, but a freedom to enjoy, as we release the need to control and trust in God’s Providence. Selflessness is the fragrance of true spirituality.”

-Oswald Chambers

Background and Context 

This morning, before we read from Philippians 2. I want to share with you briefly the background and context of the passage. 

Obviously Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul, likely during his imprisonment in Rome. The letter is addressed to the church in Philippi, a city in Macedonia (modern-day Greece), which Paul had established during his missionary journeys.

The overarching theme of Philippians is joy in Christ, despite challenging circumstances. Paul writes to encourage the Philippian believers to stand firm in their faith, maintain unity, and live in a manner worthy of the gospel. Paul loved the Philippians and he praised them for how they had partnered with him in ministry. 

In Philippians 2, Paul addresses the importance of unity and selflessness within the church. He didn’t say it in as many words, but Paul wanted them to have the we over me mentality. He urges the believers to have the same mindset as Christ, following His example of humility and considering others' needs above their own. Paul reminds them of Christ's sacrificial love and obedience, highlighting Him as the ultimate example of selflessness. The passage emphasizes the need for unity, mutual care, and a selfless attitude among believers, as they imitate the character of Christ.

Statement of Belief:

So, before we read Paul’s words in Philippians 2:1-11 this morning, 

We believe the Bible to be inspired, God breathed, infallible, and authoritative. We believe the Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training believer’s in righteousness. God’s Word gives life. It provides peace in trouble and protection in tribulation. It is alive, active, and cuts to the core of the human soul. Since there is no other book like it, let us stand to show our reverence and respect.  

Today’s Scripture:

Philippians 2:1-11 ESV

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. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Selfless Living: Embracing Christ’s Call

I. The Appeal To Humility vs. 3-4

Again, I want you to imagine that the neighborhood of Lake Forest had a window into the daily operation of all of our lives. Imagine that they could see more than the events, they could see all the meetings, all the gatherings, they could see how the staff treats one another. Imagine that they could even see our very motivations. The things, situations, and even people that push us to do what we do. What do you think that they would see? Would we be embarrassed if they knew our hearts?

Would they see a selfish church or a selfless church?

Would the doors to this church be open as wide as the doors of our hearts to them?

Would we accept the people with all of their problems, their flaws, their family drama, their addictions, or would we seek to insulate ourselves? Would we seek to keep the place clean, free from all the mud and muck of people’s lives?

My hope is that if the neighborhood had a window into Eastern Shore Baptist Church they would see a church living selfless lives, embracing Christ’s call. 

This morning, fill in the first blank. We have the appeal to humility. 

[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.

The key word being talked about here is “humility”. The Greek word is a tough one to pronounce, I will give it a try. Tie-Pie-Now-Fro-Soonay. It means modesty, lowliness of mind, and it means to have a humble opinion of one’s self. 

Honestly, even after reading the Greek, Im still not exactly sure what it means to in humility count others more significant than yourselves. What does that mean and how do we do it?

Basically to selflessly esteem others better than yourself is genuine Biblical love. By the way, it doesn’t mean that we should put ourselves down, think of ourselves as worthless or valueless, instead, we lift others up. We share the burdens of others. It means that when someone hurts, we hurt with them. It means that when someone celebrates, we celebrate with them. We lay aside jealousy and greed in favor of contentment and joyfulness in the Lord. 

By the way, isn’t interesting that Paul connects selfishness with the desire to impress others. Selfishness and chasing the approval of people are branches that spring off the trunk of pride. Pride is the origination of sin in the garden that led to the downfall of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve stopped worrying about their relationship with the Father. They cared no more about impressing God, obeying His commands, and having a bond with Him. Instead, they wanted to impress each other, and be prideful over their accomplishment. Paul’s warning is quite important for today. Chasing the approval of others will leave you fed up, worn out, and shot down. 

People always want something that you cannot deliver and their needs change constantly. Trying to please others is like trying to pin the tail on the donkey except you don’t have the right tail, you have the wrong pin, and there is no donkey. You might satisfy people some of the time, but you will not be satisfied any of the time. Instead, satisfy God. Enjoy the reward of peace that comes through obeying Christ. Remember, people are fickle and they can be faithless. Remain committed and connected to Jesus.

So, what does it mean to live with humility. Think of it like this, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.”

Remember what Paul says in Romans 12,

Romans 12:10 ESV

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Selfless Living: Embracing Christ’s Call

I. The Appeal To Humility vs. 3-4

II. The Attitude of Jesus vs. 5-8

So, Roman numeral one is the appeal to humility. Our second point is to embrace the attitude of Jesus. This points comes from verses 5-8. Let’s read that together this morning.

[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

Let’s talk about Jesus for a moment. 

He gave it all up. The angels. The throne. Heaven itself. He left it all behind to chase after a species that turned their backs on Him. They thumbed their nose at Him and told Him to get lost. Those that were supposed to know Him, those that were said to have recognized Him, disregarded Him. They loved their laws, their rules, their regulations more than they loved Him. He offered them freedom but they chose the chains. He was a King who came as a pauper. He embraced humility. He experienced human birth and human death and everything in between. Jesus truly knows what it is like to be human because He is human.

Do you what breaks this pastor’s heart? I’ll tell you what breaks my heart, when people who profess to know Christ do not demonstrate His attitude. Do you know what really breaks this pastor’s heart? When Stuart who professes to know Jesus Christ refuses to demonstrate His attitude. 

Think about all the people that Jesus served. Jesus served the drunk. The prostitute. The traitor. He loved the woman at the well. He cared for the woman caught in the act of adultery. He touched those who were unclean, spoke to people that lived outside the norm of society. He fed the destitute, healed the diseased, and uplifted the down and out. 

Jesus never took the attitude that people were on their own or beyond His help. 

Jesus never felt that His time was to valuable that it had to be protected. 

He was consistently generous. He was continually available. He was constantly kind. 

Tonight we have our Fall Festival. Do you know what Fall Festival is to Eastern Shore Baptist Church? Fall Festival is an open window for the community to see what sort of church we have here at 6847 Park Drive in beautiful Daphne, AL. What will the community see?

Will they be introduced to a people that loves them?

Will they come to know a judgmental people or a joyful people?

What does the attitude of Jesus look like? I’ll tell you. I will not share this person’s name because I don’t want to embarrass him. 

Many of you know this, but our staff has been encouraged to park as far away from the building as possible. I try to lead the way in that endeavor. I try to park as far away as I can because our staff wants to serve you, giving you the congregation the very best parking spots. It is something small but it is one way that we put you above us, we over me. I park right next to the American Family Care building and have been doing that for years. By the way, our deacons do the same. They try to park as far away form the building as humanly possible in order that the rest of you can have a better place to park. It is just a small thing that reveals where our hearts exist. 

In fact, several years ago I noticed, right by my parking spot, a used prophylactic on the ground. When I saw it I was immediately disgusted. Gross. I walked into church, didnt think anything else about it. Week after week, I parked, looked down and saw it. I thought to myself, “someone should pick that up, it’s disgusting, gross”. Week after week, nothing would happen. I would pull into the spot and see it over and over again. After a Sunday service, I was just about to walk out the double doors to the parking lot on the west side of the parking lot. I had not opened the doors when I saw one of our deacons. He had, for the first time I might add, parked near me. He saw the discarded product. I watched him pick it up, carry it to a trashcan, walk inside to wash his hands, get back into his vehicle, and leave. 

Where was the applause?

Where was his thanks?

Did he get a gift card?

Did the skis part and the audible voice of God say, “this is the greatest deacon ever, with him I am well pleased”?

For the record, this gentleman doesn’t even know that I saw him do this and he is probably silently embarrassed that I am even brining this event up. 

Sometimes the attitude of Christ is doing the thing that no one else wants to do. Sometimes the attitude of Christ is doing the thing that will never be seen by human eyes, it wont receive any accolades, and it wont receive any awards. 

That is what I hope our church looks like. I hope that we will all look like Jesus. 

Speaking of Jesus, listen to His words in Matthew 20, 

Matthew 20:26-28 ESV

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, [28] even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Selfless Living: Embracing Christ’s Call

I. The Appeal To Humility vs. 3-4

II. The Attitude of Jesus vs. 5-8

III. The Advancement of Service vs. 9-11

Selfless living, embracing Christ’s call sees the appeal to humility, the attitude of Jesus, and lastly..the advancement of service. Listen to verse 10 and 11.

[10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Look at what happened to Jesus. He came to the earth lowly but He was lifted up. He was exalted. He came in all humility, putting others ahead of Himself, and in doing so, He was raised up to the Father to His rightful place. Today He is at the right hand of the throne of the Father. 

By the way, this is backwards of what the world teaches. The world teaches that gaining power, fame, and wealth are the pathways to prosperity. the Bible teaches that giving everything away, being last in line, and putting others ahead of ourselves is the true pathway to reward. 

We have a decision to make folks. What path will we take?

Know this church, when we serve others, when we embrace selflessness in the name of Jesus, it is not us who are raised up, no…it is Jesus. When we serve others, Jesus is highlighted. He has be highlighted. 

The reason is simple. Service to other humans is not natural for us. Service is generated by the work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when we serve others, people see that something unusual is taking place in our lives. Something strange is happening. What would cause someone to give selflessly to a church? What would cause someone to cut some widow’s yard for free? What would cause a young family to cook for a man who is sick in their church that they do not even know? What would cause a group of people to travel across the country, the world, to share Christ with a group of strangers. Jesus of course. Jesus. There really is something about that name. It’s a name that deserves to be exalted. 

But here’s the thing, when we exalt the name of Jesus, we too are lifted up. We receive blessing. We receive peace. We receive the gift of God’s victory, His salvation, His justification, His atonement, His mercy. 

Let’s go back to Scripture for just one more moment.

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…

Scripture does not tell us that some knees will bow and a few tongues confess that Jesus is Lord. No. It claims boldly that all knees and all tongues will confess that Jesus is Lord. For me, this is not a problem. 

I am no King. 

I am not famous. 

I have no special powers. 

No servants. No mansions. 

I have never dominated a people or taken over a country. 

Like most, I am fairly forgettable. One day, I will kneel before King Jesus and tell Him that He is above all others and able to do all things. Yet, there will be kings, lords, and noblemen who for the first time in their existence will have to take a knee to the true King. What a humbling day that will be for us all. A few years ago, the King of Pop Michael Jackson perished due to a drug overdose. I will never forget my first thought after hearing the news. I thought that today the king of pop met the King of Kings. My second thought was wondering if he was ready for the encounter. My third thought was asking myself if I was ready for that encounter. Frankly, I cannot imagine the experience. It will be terrifying and wonderful at the same time.

In closing, I heard a story a while back about a family that lived some 160 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. 

The story takes place in Israel during the Maccabean revolt. The King of Syria had conquered Jerusalem and sought to eradicate the Jewish religion, compelling the Jews to renounce their faith in God. One of the horrific actions he took was commanding the people to offer sacrifices of pigs on their altars dedicated to the worship of God. Naturally, this was deeply offensive and sacrilegious to the Jewish community.

Historical records narrate the story of a courageous Jewish mother who had seven sons. The soldiers approached the eldest son first, instructing him to offer a pig on the altar. He adamantly refused, and as a consequence, they cruelly cut out his tongue. Yet, even in the face of such brutality, he remained steadfast. Undeterred, they proceeded to scalp him, but still, he refused to comply. In a final act of violence, they amputated parts of his body, eventually throwing his body into a pit of fire where it was consumed.

The soldiers continued their gruesome mission, moving on to the second son. They demanded that he also offer a pig on the altar, and when he courageously declined, they subjected him to an agonizing death, burning him alive. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sons all followed suit, defying the soldiers' commands and enduring various forms of horrific torture.

Finally, the soldiers reached the youngest member of the family, a mere boy. Even the soldiers, hardened as they were, hesitated to kill him because he was so young. They approached the mother with a proposition, urging her to convince her son to place the pork near his lips, assuring her that it would be sufficient to spare his life.

History documents that the mother, embracing her youngest son, spoke to him with profound love and conviction. She reminded him of the time she carried him in her womb for nine months, nourished him for three years, and raised him for a moment such as this. She encouraged him to stand unwavering in his faith and follow in the footsteps of his courageous brothers. She assured him that when he died, she would willingly join him in death to be by his side. The boy stood for God, much in the same way that our Savior, Jesus Christ suffered and died for me and you. 

Today that boy is remembered for his bravery, his courage, and his steadfastness. He served the Lord until his dying breath. Brothers and sisters, that is what God requires of us. 

Serve until we can no longer serve. Give until we can no longer give. Go until we can no longer go. Putting others above ourselves. Sacrificing our comfort. Giving up our dreams. All for Him. All for Jesus. Remember the words of Christ in Luke 14…

Luke 14:11 ESV

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Friends, let this be a reminder to you…

Seek To Serve Today!