December 7, 2023
Topic: THE BIRTH OF JESUS: LESSON IN HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE -Empowered by Humility and Obedience
Text: Phil 2: 6-11
Memory Verse: Who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his advantage rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness (Phil 2:6-7 NIV)
Power is the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of an event. Used to manage affairs by those in positions of authority in organizations or government. In the realm of the spirit, the bible teaches us in 2 Corinthians 10:4 that the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. Furthermore, we understand the nature of our fights, the Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
As Christians, our goal is to make heaven at the end of our sojourn on earth. However, what powers or abilities do we have to save, justify, redeem and transport ourselves into God’s kingdom? What powers do we have to receive answers to prayers? Our quests, our labours, our struggles in this lifetime are at best a sigh.
In our text for today, we are admonished to be guided by the examples set by our Lord and Saviour who humbled himself and was born into the world as a mere man and was obedient to suffer the shame of death on the cross. In verses 9-11, we see how God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Only through our submission to God, yielding our wills, our lives in the service of God are we in humility able to have access to his Grace and power.
In John 15:5, “Jesus said remain in me. Apart from me ye can do nothing”. In Isaiah 30:15, God said “In repentance and rest is our salvation, in quietness and trust is our strength. “God opposes the proud and shows favour to the humble. James 4:6
Consider this:
Am I putting on the whole armor of God, so that I can take my stand against the devil? Eph 6:11
Prayer: Precious Lord, please help me to daily wear my full amour provided by you so that I may be effective in my fights against evil in the course of my lifetime.