Christ, Our Pattern and Example

The point: Know the graces of humility and self-forgetfulness if we are to grow in true Christian unity.

Paul is asked to provide a 'pattern to lay on top of that cloth' (our lives) so believers know precisely where to cut to achieve humility and self-forgetfulness, illustrating the need for a concrete example.

Can you give us that picture which is worth more than, say, a thousand words? Paul, if we would cut the cloth of our lives in such a manner as to fit the description you have given of humility and self-forgetfulness, can you give us a pattern to lay on top of that cloth so we'll know precisely where to cut? And it's as though Paul responds by saying, yes, my fellow believers, I can give you such a pattern. I will give you.

6:24 - 6:59 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He that saith he abideth in him ought himself to walk even as he walked. Not merely to walk as he taught we should walk, but to walk as he walked. His pattern and example become the rule of our life.

The concrete reality of Christ washing feet with a towel and basin illustrates humility and self-forgetfulness at work, not as abstract concepts but in tangible service.

Not in a wooden, artificial foot-washing service, such as some churches have set forth as a third ordinance, but in the many ways in which we can take the place of servitude to our brethren. Here is humility and self-forgetfulness at work. Not in abstract, abstract concepts or precepts, but in the concrete reality of a towel around the loins of God incarnate. Concrete in a basin of water that He holds as He stoops and washes the dusty feet of His disciples.

12:09 - 12:49 Read in full sermon

The point: As intelligent Christians, read the Bible with one eye toward the uniqueness of Christ's person and work, and another eye toward the pattern of His life, discerning how to walk in union with Him.

The difference between a father saying 'Don't run into the street' (an imperative) and 'Would you like to go to the park?' (not an imperative) clarifies the meaning of a command for children.

When daddy says son don't run into the street you are hearing an imperative. Now if he says son would you like to go to the park and play soccer? That is not an imperative you see that is not a command. He is asking you whether you would like to play soccer or not.

27:46 - 28:02 Read in full sermon

The point: Engage in careful and prayerful meditation on Philippians 2:6-11 over the next week.

An artist constantly looking from the landscape to his canvas to reproduce what he sees illustrates how Christians must continually look to Christ to paint humility and self-forgetfulness onto their lives.

together and I trust as the people of God we will feel the weight of it in conclusion let me press upon you a careful and prayerful meditation in verses six through eleven over the next week as you have opportunity you see the artist who would reproduce a landscape must not only have in his hand his palette with all of the color range and his brush and have some ability to reproduce on canvas what he sees but some of you especially in the spring time you'll see this will drive by a country road and you'll see perhaps an amateur artist maybe a professional has his easel all set up

48:51 - 49:35 Read in full sermon

The point: Engage in careful and prayerful meditation on Philippians 2:6-11 over the next week.

A wife laying a dress pattern on material and cutting it illustrates how Christ's example is the pattern we must follow in each 'cut of the scissors' of our lives to achieve the desired graces.

and he has his palette in his hand and what is he doing he's constantly looking from the landscape to his canvas from the one to the other seeking to reproduce here what he sees there to change the analogy my wife goes to make a dress for herself for one of the girls she first of all gets out her pattern and on the living room rug spreads out all the material and then she lays the pattern on top of that material and then she begins to cut now humility and self forgetfulness are the graces without which we cannot progress in true congregational christian unity

49:35 - 50:18 Read in full sermon