The Stepping Stones Project August 23, 2009 And the Last Shall Be First Philippians 2:1-11

Prayer Requests Please use the chat board at the bottom to type in any things you would like for us to raise up to God today – either concerns or praises. We will lift them up in moment.

Our goal is for Stepping Stones to donate $100 to the Lottie Moon Mission Fund by the end of August. You can send donations in two ways: Paypal to Carls Gmail account or a paper check to us here in Dallas. $100 $150

Happy Birthday!!

At 6:01 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, August 23, 2008 the first ever service of The Stepping Stones Project was held online. I cannot believe it has already been a year!

Opening Prayer

Bible Reading

1 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 rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:1-3 (ESV)

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 made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:4-7 (ESV)

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. Philippians 2:8-11 (ESV)

Sermon and Discussion

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, Q: So, is there any encouragement, any comfort … ? Philippians 2:1 (ESV)

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, Q: So, is there any encouragement, any comfort … ? A: Of course there is. This type of question (called a first class condition in Greek) always has an affirmative answer. Philippians 2:1 (ESV)

1 Since there is [ ] encouragement in Christ, [ ] comfort from love, [ ] participation in the Spirit, [ ] affection and sympathy, A: Of course there is. This type of question (called a first class condition in Greek) always has an affirmative answer. It would be fair to replace the So if with Since Philippians 2:1 (paraphrase)

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Q: Paul talks here of his joy being made complete. When did his joy with the Philippians begin? Philippians 2:2 (ESV)

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Q: Paul talks here of his joy being made complete. When did his joy with the Philippians begin? A: Probably when they became Christians. As they mature in their walk, his joy is being brought to completion. Philippians 2:2 (ESV)

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. In the same way, as many of you have honored me by sharing stories with me of your struggles and small victories, I have felt tremendous pride in each of your steps forward. Philippians 2:2 (ESV)

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Yes, I cry with you for the times that you stagger back a step or two, but I rejoice when I know you are ready to try again. Philippians 2:2 (ESV)

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Yes, I cry with you for the times that you stagger back a step or two, but I rejoice when I know you are ready to try again. Remember Philippians 1:6 – He isnt done with you yet! Philippians 2:2 (ESV)

3 Do nothing from rivalry 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. This attitude of humility, of putting others before ourselves is very hard. We want to get ahead, be noticed, be recognized. Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)

7 And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table; saying to them, 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both shall come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. Luke 14:7-9 (ESV)

10 "But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. 11 "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted." Luke 14:10-11 (ESV)

10 "But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. 11 "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted. This is hard at all times for us. I know one that is harder than others … Luke 14:10-11 (ESV)

Philippians 2:3-4 I think we can learn a lot about each other by our driving.

Philippians 2:3-4 I think we can learn a lot about each other by our driving. One of the times that I find most informative about someone is when this sign appears …

Philippians 2:3-4 I think we can learn a lot about each other by our driving. One of the times that I find most informative about someone is when this sign appears …

Philippians 2:3-4 If you are in the right lane, you get to see how well you are learning patience, trusting God, and courtesy.

Philippians 2:3-4 If you are in the right lane, you get to see how well you are learning patience, trusting God, and courtesy. And, if you are in the left lane, you get an object lesson in Philippians 2:3-4.

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) 3 Do nothing from rivalry 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.

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) 3 Do nothing from rivalry 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. Perhaps this sign has something to teach us?

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) 3 Do nothing from rivalry 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. I actually like the British version better.

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, This begins an extremely important and complex part of this letter. It deals with what God the Son did when he became man. Philippians 2:5-6 (ESV)

7 but made himself nothing, 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. Verse seven is critical to understanding this. It literally reads He emptied Himself. This idea of Jesus intentionally limiting Himself is difficult to grasp. Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV)

7 but made himself nothing, 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. On the one hand, he broke through time and space and entered His creation as a part of it. He allowed Himself to be cold and hungry. He allowed himself to truly feel our temptations. Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV)

7 but made himself nothing, 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. Jesus was fully God and fully man. He had to be fully man for only a man could be a true substitute for the sins of man. He had to be fully God to forgive those sins as the Judge of the Universe. Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV)

Philippians 2:7-8

Jesus must be fully man and fully God to be a bridge across this gap.

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. Because Jesus put us before Himself and made Himself last, the Father glorified Him and put Him first. Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)

QUOTW: Are you trying to be first? Is it possible that you need to let someone in ahead of you? Who would that be? Discussion Topic: Philippians 2:10 says that EVERY knee will bow at the name of Jesus. When? How about people who dont believe in Him? How about Satan?

Prayer

Thanks for Coming!! Stay and fellowship for a few minutes if you can.