Grace that Marks the People of God

In this part of the sermon: The first grace, like-mindedness, is explored through Paul's consistent emphasis on it. Martin argues that this unity of mind is rooted in the common salvation and gospel…

A documentary about a B-24 bomber crew from diverse backgrounds illustrates how a common, greater cause (WWII) transcended their differences, leading to a profound 'one-mindedness' without specific lectures on unity. This shows how shared gospel realities should foster like-mindedness among believers.

according to Christ Jesus. And as I was thinking of a way to illustrate this I could not help but think of a documentary that I saw a few weeks ago. It caught my eye in the TV guide that I think the title of it was B-24 Bomber Crew something or other caught my eye it was taking me back to the Second World War. And it was a fascinating documentary.

18:39 - 19:08 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Sympathy means sharing the feelings of others, both joy and grief, as seen in Romans 12:15. This grace requires growing personal intimacy and openness among believers, reflecting…

Life is mostly lived on an 'ordinary plateau,' but there are 'mountain peaks' of joy and 'valleys' of grief. Sympathy means sharing in both these extraordinary experiences with fellow believers, so no one is alone in their joy or sorrow.

What's it mean to be characterized as a sympathetic people? It means simply this. Most of us live our lives on the plateau of the ordinary. Is that where you live most of your life?

26:00 - 26:15 Read in full sermon

Driving home: You see the assumption is that bound up in this compassionate tenderness is not only the inward ability to be moved in the presence of perceived need in another. But to be moved to the point that I am prepared to do some…

The Greek word for tender-heartedness, related to 'viscera' or internal organs, is likened to the modern English phrase 'I feel it at the gut level.' This conveys the deep, inward, visceral nature of true compassion.

Luke 15.20 says he was moved with compassion. His bowels, his viscera. We say in our day I feel it at the gut level.

41:23 - 41:33 Read in full sermon

Driving home: what his sin demanded of God is horrific God immolated God forsaken by God where in the world is there room for a community of God's people in Asia Minor who say this is the stuff of their life their faith is it wrong th…

Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet the night before His betrayal is called the 'Christ of the towel and the basin.' This illustrates His profound humility and serves as the ultimate model for humble-mindedness in believers.

Well who made you God? No humble mindedness is that which is to mark the community of God's people. It is one of the adjectives that constitutes pearl number five in that string of pearls that is to grace the life of God's people. And surely as those who claim to be saved by the Christ of the towel and the basin it ought to mark us.

47:32 - 48:03 Read in full sermon

Driving home: what his sin demanded of God is horrific God immolated God forsaken by God where in the world is there room for a community of God's people in Asia Minor who say this is the stuff of their life their faith is it wrong th…

The image of Christ being shamed, spat upon, mocked, and crucified at Gabbatha and Golgotha is used to underscore the depth of His humiliation. This further emphasizes that there is no room for pride in those redeemed by such a Savior.

You know what I mean by the towel and the basin? The very night before he is betrayed Jesus takes the place of the servant girds himself with a towel takes a basin and scoops to wash the feet of the very disciples for whom he would die. The next day the Christ of Gabbatha shamefully spat upon and falsely accused and struck with blows and dressed in mock royal honor the Christ of Golgotha immolated naked shamed beaten bruised mocked taunted plunged into the abyss of how in the world can anybody strut who said Jesus washes who knows something of Jesus wrestling unto great drops of blood in Geths...

48:03 - 49:30 Read in full sermon

Driving home: what his sin demanded of God is horrific God immolated God forsaken by God where in the world is there room for a community of God's people in Asia Minor who say this is the stuff of their life their faith is it wrong th…

An unnamed commentator's extended quote explains that Christians, understanding their insignificance as creatures and demerit as sinners, should habitually be humble and lowly in spirit, avoiding all pride as absurd and criminal. This reinforces the theological basis for humble-mindedness.

and too important to make the world a better place for us I'm too important to make my brother's joys my joy I'm too important to make his grief my grief you see how humble mindedness in a very real sense feeds same mindedness and feeds true sympathy and flanked on the other side it will also feed and nourish and help to develop true brotherly affection because I do regard my brother as better than him and myself Philippians chapter 2 each regarding not the things of his own but the things of another only a humble minded man will do that and such a one will be tender in heart knowing that that...

50:59 - 52:27 Read in full sermon