Self protection, self promotion

Let's turn in our Bibles, please, to the Gospel of John. The Gospel of John, please. Just a few moments remaining.

John chapter 10, a few thoughts about the Lord Jesus that might encourage us. John chapter 10, and we can read at verse number 33. The Jews answered him saying, for a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy, and because thou being a man make us thyself God.

It's just that last expression, thou being a man make us thyself God. Let's go to chapter 19, please. John 19.

I'm not going to say too much on these statements. You can go home and meditate upon them further. John chapter 19 and verse 7. I want you to notice these claims that they bring against the Lord.

The Jews answered him, we have a law, and by our law he ought to die. Here it is. Because he made himself the Son of God.

Because he made himself the Son of God. Let's just drop your eye down to verse 19. Another claim that they brought against the Lord Jesus, and Pilate wrote a title and put it on his cross, and the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.

That is not the one I was looking for. Where is the expression where it says, he that maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar? There it is. Verse number 12.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, if thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend. Here it is. Whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

Isn't it interesting that the audience, the crowds, as they looked at the Lord Jesus. And here is what they brought up in false accusation. He made himself God.

He made himself the Son of God. He made himself a king. We know from the teaching of the Word of God that he is eternally all of those.

Now let's turn to Philippians chapter 2. I know you probably know the verse I'm going to, and here's what the Bible tells us he made himself. Philippians chapter 2. Philippians chapter 2 and verse number 7. Philippians chapter 2 verse number 7, and as we gather here this morning with that table spread before us, I want you to think of two expressions. Self-protection and self-promotion.

That's what I have in my heart. I love to protect self, and I love to promote self. Now in the presence of the Lord Jesus, look at Philippians 2 verse 7. Verse 5, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation.

You know the thing I was thinking, and you think too, have you ever been in the presence of someone who had no thought of self, no desire to protect self, or promote self? Can you think of anybody? I think that's humbling. There's only one man that I can think of, and that's Christ. Now it's one thing to know facts about Christ.

That's easy. I mean, we can rattle that stuff off just like it was water off a duck's back, but do we not long to be like him? Wouldn't that be tremendous? If every time we came together, if every time we met one another individually or collectively, do you think it would transform our worship? Do you think it would bring glory to God if we became conscious of this, no promotion of self, no protection of self? It's interesting that we often center our thoughts on the life of the Lord Jesus on earth, and it is true. He is our example.

Now I want you to turn finally to 1 Corinthians 15 for one final comment, and this takes us off into eternity, and it's very interesting. The words that are used, the dignity of it is really beyond me. 1 Corinthians 15 and verse number 28, thinking of this idea of he made himself of no reputation, we'll start at verse 27, for he hath put all things under his feet.

1 Corinthians 15, verse 27, but when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is accepted, which did put all things under him. God has put all things under him. Verse 28, and when all things, now we're looking at the end result of the millennial reign, shall be subdued unto him, listen, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Not only is the Lord Jesus our example as we read about him in his 34 or 35 years on this earth, but dear child of God, when you and I are in heaven with our glorified bodies for all of eternity, the Son will demonstrate subjection willingly to God. He'll be our example in eternity. God help me in time to start, be like him, just to show that attitude, that atmosphere.

I'm not afraid if so-and-so gets ahead of me. I'm not afraid if so-and-so's gifted more than me. I'm not afraid to come along and compliment so-and-so.

Christ wasn't. I think it thrilled his heart when he witnessed someone doing something for his God. May we be like him.