More Like Jesus

Be More like Jesus

Philippians 2:5-8 "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!"

I never think anything in the Bible is random – every word is where it is and what it is by design. So it is here as we are presented with three phrases which epitomised his ministry. First and foremost Jesus came as a servant. It says that he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant. I am reminded that He also said that he who would be first must be last and that, above all things, he must be the servant of all.

Next, we are told that He humbled himself. Made Himself of no account. Took no credit and no glory. Never boasted and never exalted anything He did above His Father. Indeed, He tells us that He only said what He heard His Father say, and He only did what He saw His Father doing. He did nothing on His own account.

Finally, He became obedient to death— even death on a cross. What an example He gave for us to follow. Servanthood, humility, and obedience. Such obedience as we can only imagine. Yes, we can serve Him – serve Him to our death if necessary. One thing He could have done that we could never do. He could have called a legion of angels to rescue Him at any time – but He didn’t. He would rather have been obedient to His Father’s wishes. And He was obedient even unto the most cruel and painful death imaginable.

We need to be more like Jesus We need to be servants first of all. Then we need to be humble. Servanthood in itself is humbling yet there are boastful and proud servants all over the world. Jesus was never like any of them. He was unique. We need to -

Show His love

Show His Courage

Show His compassion

Show His Integrity

Show His wisdom

We have Holy Spirit to help us. Jesus last gift to us was Holy Spirit. We can use Holy Spirit because Holy Spirit Himself will teach us how and when to do so. Read Mark 16:15-19 again and see what we can do.

Because of this Holy Spirit, we can Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Because of this Holy Spirit, we can drive out demons;

Because of this Holy Spirit, we can speak in new tongues; 

Because of this Holy Spirit, we can pick up snakes with our hands; and we can drink deadly poison, and it will not hurt us at all;

Because of this Holy Spirit, we can place our hands on sick people, and they will get well.

These are all attributes the blessed Holy Spirit brings to us, for us to use at any time He tells us to use them. There is the key, surely. Just as Jesus only said what he heard His Father say, and only did what He saw His Father do – so it is with us and Holy Spirit. We only say what we hear Him say and we only do what we see Him doing.

One final word of caution. If the church continues to resist the Holy Spirit, then He will go to those who are ‘outsiders’ - who don’t fit into our tidy little boxes. We need to be servants, humble, and obedient AND we need to heed Holy Spirit as He works with us as well as through us.

And to God be ALL the Glory \o/ - AMEN?