Philippians 2 – BradRiley.Org

When I was a kid one of my favorite TV shows was, “I Dream of Jeanie”. For those of you who don’t remember, it was a situation comedy in the 1960’s about an astronaut who finds a bottle on a beach and when he opens it out comes a Genie (Named Jeanie), who has the power to grant all his wishes. How cool would it be to have a genie like that? Can you even imagine having your every wish granted? My great wish was to be elected to public office, maybe the Congress, Senate, or why not even President of the United States. After all, I believed in God, so why wouldn’t He grant my requests? So, I put my name of the ballot.

Sadly, some people think of God as some kind of genie in a bottle. I know I did. Whenever they want something they take Him out and ask him to grant their wish. Oh, I know it’s not quite that way. But, when we only speak to God when we need something, isn’t that the same thing?

In Psalm 21 we hear Jesus (the King) praising His Father (the Lord) for granting, “his heart’s desire”. Scripture says the Father did not withhold any of Jesus’ requests. You may be thinking, “But, Jesus was God too, so of course the Father answered his requests.” However, St. Paul tells us that’s not how Jesus approached His Father:

⁵Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,^[a] being born in the likeness of men. ⁸And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:5-8)

The prophetic voice of Christ in the Psalms gives us a model for how we too should pray; this is why it is called the “Prayer Book” of the ancient church. When we learn to pray as Jesus did, that is to say, “Not my will, but Thy will”, then we glorify God as Lord, and not some genie who should give us everything we want.

Psalm 21 is Jesus’ prayer of praise to the Father for giving him victory of every enemy, especially the grave (v. 6-12). Verse 4 tells us the real desire of Jesus’ heart was to have life, real life with the Father. What was the Father’s answer? He gave Him life forever, unto ages of ages.

As I look back on my life, I’m glad God didn’t give me what I thought was my “heart’s desire”. Like the time I ran for elective office and wanted to win so badly. I thought I wanted to be a great public servant. But, God knew the fame and power of politics would be too much for me. I wasn’t mature enough to ask for what I really needed.

If He’d granted my wish I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t have moved to Wichita. I’d never have met my wife. I’d wouldn’t have the two children I’m so blessed with. And, worst of all, I may never have found Christ.

If God had been my genie, I’d probably be on a long road to nowhere. But, thanks be to God, He is Lord, and in His mercy, He gives us what we need, not what we want. What are the desires of your heart?

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Dream_of_Jeannie

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

^{Philippians 2:3}

Ever notice how batteries and memory chips in today’s electronics have gotten smaller, yet exponentially more powerful? Real power can be found in small packages. The same is true in life. The real stature of a person has nothing to do with size.

Too often people equate size with power. For instance, in the modern era, taller men have been seen as stronger leaders in military and politics. Even in fairy tales, there’s always a giant in the kingdom who holds all the power. Yet in reality, physical size and looks have nothing to do with one’s ability to think or lead. So why do we tend to think in such terms? Because we look on the outside, rather than the inside.

However, God always looks on the inside. The truth is real leadership is born out of a humble nature, and St. Paul shows us the life of Jesus as our example. In the opening verses of Philippians chapter two, we see Paul calling believers to have the same mind and character as Jesus. People are not usually drawn to follow conceited personalities. Humility always trumps haughtiness.

True leaders always put the interests of those they lead above their own. The ability to do so, to lay down selfish ambition and esteem others as better than ourselves, is not part of our human nature, it reflects real power –resurrection power. Do you sense that power within you?

Are you living dad to day in the power of the resurrection, finding victory even in what looks like defeat? Let’s face it, life can seem to defeat us if we only see the need to raise ourselves up. But, when we stop putting ourselves and our ambitions first, and begin to see our life as a tool for Christ to love others through, then we find the quiet, confident power of the resurrection at work within us. Then, He raises us up to be giants in His kingdom.

Remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Father God, forgive me for my selfish and conceited ways. Help me to live daily in the power of your resurrection that allows others to see you and your spirit, in and through me. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/07/08/how-tall-are-the-2016-presidential-candidates

Tag: Philippians 2

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