September 8, 2024 * Dr. Jeff Raines

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭

In our 40 steps closer sermon series, today's step is:

Think about what is good

Our actions flow out of our thoughts. The word "whatever" comes up a lot in Philippians 4:8. There is so much good for us to fix our thoughts on!

In today's world, our screen time is built to sell to us. In doing so, they grab our attention by trying showing us what is shocking, fearful, violent, pornographic, or polarizing. Companies and media groups want us to feel angry and afraid. How can we change this?

- spend time together

- spend time outside

- practice thanksgiving

- study scripture

We are imitative beings. We are formed spiritually by what we take in. Sometimes we need to change the channel, put the phone down, delete the app or put a time limit on it.

There is no lack of true, noble, praiseworthy, and good things in God's world. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. Let's think on these things.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

The Guinness Book of World Records was first published on August 27, 1955. Since its first publication, it has been published in over twenty languages and over one hundred countries. To date, there are currently 53,000 records in the database. These records showcase everything from modern marvels and new technologies to human skills and anatomy. The Guinness Book of World Records records unique human achievements and incredible phenomena in the natural world, from the world's tallest man to the most prolonged duration of balancing on one foot. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, all records must adhere to their record-breaking criteria: breakable, measurable, standardizable, verifiable, and measured by a single superlative. While some individuals have just one record, others have multiple records that demonstrate uniqueness in the World Records and uniqueness in our world. Ashrita Furman currently holds the most number of Guinness World Records in history. He has set 600 Guinness World Records and currently holds 200 of them. From his first record doing 27,000 jumping jacks in 1979 to becoming the first person to hold 100 Guinness world records at once in April 2009, Furman has demonstrated incredible feats and uniqueness in both the number and type of records he has held and currently holds. We each have things about us that make us unique. From our hobbies and careers to families and personalities, the culmination of these things makes us unique. In the same way, the culmination of Jesus’ person and work makes him unique as both the Son of God and our only way to be reconciled back to God the Father. His uniqueness surpasses us, Furman, and anyone else who has ever lived.

Understanding Jesus’ uniqueness is important to understanding his person and work. The uniqueness of his person supports the uniqueness of his work and the uniqueness of his work supports the uniqueness of his person. In other words, Jesus can do what he does because of who he is, and because of who he is supports what he does. Let’s think for a moment about His uniqueness. Jesus existed in eternity past, before the creation of the world, and will exist into eternity future. He is God’s only begotten son and is both fully God and fully man. In his humanity, he lived a perfect life of obedience and without sin. He is a better prophet than Moses, a higher priest than Melchizedek, and a greater king than David. Jesus' life and ministry were also unique. He forgave those who persecuted him and performed miracles showing his power over creation, sin, and death. Jesus was fully obedient, even to death on the cross, so that we could be reconciled to God. His resurrection was unique, showing that he defeated death and the curse of sin. His ascension was unique as it shows Jesus as the triumphal messianic king, where he is seated in the heavenly places at the right hand of God. Lastly, Jesus is unique because He is the only way to God the Father. As the Son of God and Savior of the world, Christ has reconciled us back to God. All we have to do is believe. He has given himself as a ransom for all people and is the mediator between God and mankind (1 Tim. 2:5). Acts 4:12 teaches us, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Salvation comes from Christ alone; we can understand His work because of His person. Unlike the Guinness Book of World Records, Jesus' work is unbreakable and immeasurable. He has lived a life we cannot live, died a death we deserved, and provided the ultimate sacrifice—a way for us to be back in the presence of God. He took on our sins, yet we receive His righteousness.

Understanding Jesus’ uniqueness will help us better understand who he is and what he has done for us.

September 1, 2024 - Dr. Jeff Raines

Today’s Step:

Submit to one another

In Ephesians 5, we find this admonition:

“…Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Many have a negative reaction to this word because of how it’s been misused in our lives. Any time we go searching in the Bible to find a verse to support our selfish impulses, or the worst elements of our culture, we are not on the right track. We need to look to the example of Jesus. Did Jesus ever demean or abuse or celebrate his power over others? He never did. We strive to be Christlike to one another. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Husbands should think about how to love and serve their wives. Wives should think about how to love and serve their husbands.

Why practice mutual submission? Jesus did it and he calls us to do it as well. (See John 13:14-15)

Jesus raced to the bottom to lift others up and to serve. (see Philippians 2:7)

How can we rise by kneeling? Look to Jesus and follow his example.

Our character is formed when we practice submission.

We need each other- we are so much better together- none of us knows it all or does all things well.

The world needs something different.

We practice it together to better submit to God.

Is Jesus going to be Lord or are you?

We can bow our head and bend our knee because it brings grace, eternal life and freedom.

Our world gets better when we submit to Jesus’ will in our lives.