A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ
Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417
(home/office)
Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
Check out the web site:
(I Corinthians 10:31 and I Peter 4:11)
(Philippians 2:4-8) “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 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, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” The words Paul wrote to the Philippians, in our above text, are words directed towards the subject matter of humility. Humility is certainly an area of a Christian’s life wherein few have obtained the true attitude of Christ. So many seek greatness without realizing what Christ defined as being great among men. Notice what our Lord said to the Pharisees and scribes: (Matthew 23:11) “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
You Are Great When You Serve
Greatness is often measured by the terms the world has set forth. Many people today measure greatness based upon money, career success, worldly belongings, political placement, popularity, physical appearance, etc. In reality the aforementioned things only measure the worth of a person who is worldly (Matthew 6:19-21, I Timothy 6:6-10, I John 2:15-17, and Romans 12:1-2). As pointed out above, Jesus measured greatness by one’s willingness to serve. Jesus taught this to His disciples by washing their feet (John 13:3ff.).
Notice the conclusion of that particular lesson taught by our Lord: (John 13:12-17) “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” These passages fit perfectly into describing the attitude of Christ taught by Paul in our opening context. Jesus was able to become a servant because He was humble. This did not lessen the fact that He was deity (Matthew 1:23). This did not remove His power to save (Romans 5:6-9). His humility makes Him great (Matthew 11:26-30)!
Conclusion
(Hebrews 2:9) “But
we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering
of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should
taste death for every man.” Why is it important to see Jesus
as a servant? Because God wanted us to! What does that do for
us? We are to imitate Christ and the Apostles (I Corinthians 11:1
and I Peter 2:21). It takes humility for one to obey God (James 4:6-7).
It takes a servant to continue to follow (Romans 6:16-18). Our self-exams
(II Corinthians 13:5) must lead us to know whether or not we have followed
the pattern of humility Christ has set forth. If we find that we
are lacking in humility we need to change that and become a servant to
the Lord. (I Corinthians 7:22-24) “For he that is called in the
Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is
called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price;
be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he
is called, therein abide with God.”
Quick
NotesThose Serving Today:
Announcements – Brian Yeager
A.M. Song Leader – Terry Nannie
Lord’s Table – George Papp
Assisting – Bill Graham and Jay Wagner
First Prayer – Young Jay Wagner
Closing Prayer – Steve Burgoon
Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Joan Croyle, Marie Glunt (a friend of
the Papp’s who is suffering from cancer), Brenda Graham (having knee problems),
Valarie Johnson, and Julie Rado (a friend of the Graham’s who has been
diagnosed with breast cancer).
Heading out of Town:
The Wagner’s (Jay, Jay, and Carol), the
Imbarlina’s, and the Lockwood’s will be doing some traveling soon.
Please keep them in your prayers.