Past Messages

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

When Obedience Hurts In Christ - Part 7 7/13/25 Modern Struggle: Avoiding discomfort and self-denial Jesus’ Example: Submission in Gethsemane. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. John 15:9-10 ESV Abide – Greek: ménō (μένω) – to remain connected, to persist in love and compassion Love – Greek: agape (ἀγάπη) – sacrificial, unmerited love "And he withdrew... and knelt down and prayed, saying, 'Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.'" Luke 22:41–44 ESV “When selfishness begins, sorrow begins also.” – David Jaussi Where there is selfishness, there is an entry way for sin. What entryways exist in your life? 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition 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. 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 emptied himself, by 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. Philippians 2:3-8 ESV Emptied – Greek: ekenosen (ἐκένωσεν) - emptied until nothing is left (from the verb kenoo, meaning to empty or make empty) Jesus emptied himself to become humble and obedient. What must we empty from ourselves to be obedient? What should we put in the empty place to become obedient? 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 ESV Conformed – Greek: suschématizó ( συσχηματίζω) - To conform, to fashion oneself according to or after Transformed - Greek :metamorphoō (μεταμορφόω). This word is the root of the English word "metamorphosis" and signifies a change of form or nature, often from inside force or external creator or artisan Conforming is comfortable and by nature self-indulgent. Transformation, as noted in verse 2, requires renewal and effort. If we are abiding in Jesus, should we be conforming? Or transforming?