Well, what an incredible privilege it is to worship together, to be able to do that freely,
! to be able to do that consistently week after week. And it is a special delight to have Pastor
! Kenoyer back. I know he would not want me to draw attention to him. His head is still down.
But he has been serving faithfully the Lord in a sister church of ours in Marion, Ohio. So Pastor,
it's good to have you back and grateful for your example of service to the Lord.
We have the joy of worshiping today. And one would think that to such an honor and such a privilege
as this, it would be something that we would long and yearn to do on a consistent basis. And for some
of you, that may and hopefully is the case. But as statistics will show or suggest, we live in an
age where we are in a decline as far as worship is concerned. A poll that was put together by Gallup
in March 29th of 2021 says the following. It says, American membership in houses of worship continued
to decline last year, speaking of 2020, dropping below 50% for the first time in the Gallup's eight
decade history. In 2020, 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, a synagogue, or a mosque,
which is down from 50% in 2018 and 70% that was registered in 1999. The decline in church membership is
primarily, they say, a function of increasing numbers of Americans who express no religious affiliation.
Over the past two decades, the percentage of Americans who do not identify with any religion has grown
from 8% from 8% in 1998 to 13% in 2008. And now almost a quarter of Americans would say they have no
religious affiliation. Church membership, they say, is also strongly correlated with age, with 66% of those who
are traditionalists, meaning those born before 1946 would go to church. Baby boomers comprised 58%.
50% of those in Gen X will go to church consistently. 36% of millennials. Currently, 31% of millennials have no
religious affiliation. Now those statistics give a sense of the worshiping moral erosion within our
culture. But I want to remind you that worship is just as strong today as it ever was. It's just that
instead of worship being oriented towards God, now worship is being confined into the person has become
self-awareness, self-worship. That's what we're going to find in our passage today. The truth is that worship
remains constant. It has never been more or less a reality than it is today because God has created us
as people with a worshiping capacity and with a desire to worship. Worship is inherent in our design as
creatures. The question, of course, then, is who or what do you worship? Worship is simply defined as
as the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. One might say that worship is to value.
Worship is to prioritize. Worship is to assign worth to someone or something. Perhaps to a job, to a family,
to a friend, to an identity, to money, to comfort, to leisure, to your stuff.
Worship is to allow us to worship. The question that we should ask ourselves this morning as we evaluate
our own lives in relation to worship is, what is the person or thing that you could not do without?
Or perhaps, what is the person or thing that occupies the bulk of your time, your energy, your attention,
your thinking, and your affection? What do you enjoy the most? What do you talk about the most? Now we're
beginning to come and arrive a little closer, perhaps, to that object of worship and adoration,
that thing that you value, the thing that is worth everything to you. It might be fair to say that this
has become an object of worship in your heart and life. Paul will say in Romans chapter 1, in addressing
this issue of worship, that all of us are worshipers inherently. He says,
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible
attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the
creation of the world in the things that have been made, so they are without excuse. Now just pause
there for a moment. What Paul is saying is that everyone has access to the revelation of God in
creation. Everyone is able to see that there is a God who is overall, and there are certain qualities
about God that they can perceive because of what they recognize in creation.
But to every individual, the result is now spelled out. For although they knew God, they did not glorify
Him as God or give thanks to Him, but became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling
mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Meaning, while they knew that there was a God,
rather than worshiping Him as He deserved, instead they turned inward and began to make images and gods
of their own creation. Essentially, they turned their focus from outward to inward, and they began to worship
the creature rather than the creator. Since the beginning of creation, mankind has worshiped and will
continue to worship, the question is, what is the object of your affection? Rather than glorifying the God of
creation, man tends to create gods of their own making. And it's not until God opens up the eyes of the blind,
not until God unlocks the door of the heart, not until God reveals the light of His gospel into the
lives of those who will believe in Him, will they become those who see and are awakened spiritually.
2 Corinthians says, God has shown the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is in the image of
God. It is God's work to shine that light into a heart. And until then, we're going to be those who
worship the things that we create rather than worshiping the creator. But we understand that worship
throughout the Scripture is not just an external thing, it involves an internal component. That's why
Jesus says, love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. It's meant to
involve the entire and total part of an individual. Jesus, when addressing worship with His audience,
in Matthew chapter 15, verse 8 and 9, says this,
This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. In vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. They perform their religious duties,
they show up to church on a regular basis, they bring their tithes, they do the things that they're
asked to do, but it's only a checklist. It's not because of true affection for God.
And as Piper is responding to this passage, he says this, quote,
For Jesus, this worship amounts to zero. That is what vain means. In vain do they worship me.
Zero. It is not worship. This is a zero worship. It is a zero if there's no heart dimension to it.
So you can do as many deeds as you want, and go to as many church services as you want,
and never be worshiping if it is all external, and nothing is happening in your heart towards God.
End quote.
This morning, are you worshiping God as one who is worshiping with your heart?
Is the affection of your life that showing up from day to day as one who desires and craves after God?
Is there true worship in your life? Because if not, it is a zero worship. It is a nothing worship.
It is vain worship. In Matthew chapter 6 verse 24, we understand that worship cannot be mixed.
It cannot be blended. It cannot be divided. And so Jesus will say, no one can serve two masters.
Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and money. There are no two ways about it.
There must be single-minded devotion to God and to God alone if there is true worship taking place.
That's why the psalmist, in so many places throughout the Psalms, talks about the single-mindedness of his worship.
In Psalm 27 verse 4, he says,
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
And then in Psalm 86 11, the psalmist says,
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
Unite my heart to fear your name.
The NIV translates it this way. I think it's helpful.
Give me an undivided heart that I might fear your name.
We recognize the significance and the seriousness of worship,
and we recognize that God is the only one who can help us worship rightly and truly.
We need his help to unite our heart so it's not divided, so it's single-minded in devotion to him.
Thus, any other worship is an abomination to God.
And thus, anything that competes for your attention or your affection is idolatry.
It is not true worship.
Not the kind of worship that brings you close to God.
Even good things.
This is what our passage, in a nutshell, is trying to communicate.
That God alone is worthy of your worship.
God alone is worthy of your worship.
And we're going to see that as we make our way through Daniel chapter 3, verses 1 to 18.
Just the first part of this story.
And we're going to see the spotlight on worship, true worship of the one sure God.
So if you would, turn with me, if you would, to Daniel chapter 3.
If you're using the Pew Bible, it's on page 739.
Daniel chapter 3, verses 1 to 15.
To start.
I'm going to read just a few verses here in the first part of this passage to lay the groundwork,
to set the context for our study as we jump in.
It begins in verse 1.
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold whose height was 60 cubits and breadth 6 cubits.
He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent together the satraps, the prefects, and the governors,
the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the province
to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Now verse 4.
And the herald proclaimed aloud,
You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,
that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,
and every kind of music,
you are to fall down and worship the golden image that the King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
We begin this part of our service, this part of the message,
in drawing attention to Nebuchadnezzar's self-centered demand.
Nebuchadnezzar's self-centered demand.
And as we make our way through this passage,
I want all of us to understand that Nebuchadnezzar is just a magnified,
amplified version of every single one of us in this room.
That whatever Nebuchadnezzar does because of the power and the liberty of his position,
every single one of us would also do given the same power,
the same authority, and the same liberty.
Because it's in our heart.
Nebuchadnezzar's self-centered demand is no different than the demands that we have made,
will continue to make perhaps,
and God rescues us, hopefully in the process of sanctification,
from making these kinds of demands on a regular basis.
Nebuchadnezzar's self-centered demand.
It begins with him establishing an image of gold.
His image of gold is what we look at first.
This should sound strangely familiar.
This towering structure,
this impressive image that has been erected in front of everyone.
Mighty and glistening and awe-inspiring.
Reminiscent of Nebuchadnezzar's dream.
In Daniel chapter 2 verse 31,
just to back up for a moment,
Daniel, in explaining the dream that Nebuchadnezzar has in chapter 2,
says,
You saw, O king, and behold the great image.
This image, mighty and exceeding brightness, stood before you.
And its appearance was frightening.
And then the interpretation in verse 37,
You, O king, the king of kings,
to whom the God of heaven has given,
the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory,
you are the head of gold.
And now this head of gold that was once a part of the image in his dream,
with different other kinds of metals in descending order
as you work your way from head to toe,
now Nebuchadnezzar has decided to make the entire statue
an image of gold
to demonstrate the superiority of his kingdom
and perhaps suggesting that his kingdom,
in fact, would be the eternal kingdom.
It would be the kingdom that would continue.
One can't help but see the correlation with this image.
One can't help but wonder if in making this image,
Nebuchadnezzar is also suggesting
that he will have a kingdom that will stand the test of time.
This image, which is 60 cubits tall and 6 cubits wide,
essentially, to put in our own vernacular,
would have been 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide.
This grotesque, really, image that is standing in this plane,
this backdrop of this flat plane,
this image standing tall on that plane
to draw attention to its towering, mighty figure.
A figure in this plane that was comprised of gold,
which would have been glistening in the Middle Eastern sun.
And the word for image that is used here in chapter 3
is the same word for image that is used also in chapter 2,
also suggesting that whatever image Nebuchadnezzar has created
has taken human form.
What is Nebuchadnezzar doing?
Well, in this image, we see this massive ego
of King Nebuchadnezzar.
It does not say specifically,
but I think we can assume that this is a representation
of Nebuchadnezzar himself.
Likely an image very similar to what we find in Daniel chapter 2.
And here, Nebuchadnezzar is inviting all the officials
of all the peoples and all the languages
who are part of his empire to come and comprise themselves,
present themselves, and bow in allegiance to the king.
This image is also distinct from Nebuchadnezzar's gods.
Three times we will read in the next several verses,
in verse 12 and verse 14 and also in verse 18,
the accusation is they do not serve your gods
or worship your golden image,
which would indicate the distinction between the gods of Babylon
and this image that Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
So why does he set up this image?
Well, this is a test of loyalty.
Elevating himself to a place of supremacy,
probably trying to root out all of the opposition
within his kingdom,
exposing the resistance
and making sure that everyone is falling in line.
Now Daniel will describe what's happening next
in verses 2 to 7.
This image is set up, but it's set up for a purpose.
We see Nebuchadnezzar's desire for worship,
his desire for worship.
I want to just draw your attention
as we make our way through here.
I want you to take notice of the number of times
Nebuchadnezzar's name is used.
In verse 2 it says,
Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps.
Back up to verse 1.
Sorry, I missed that.
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold.
Towards the end it says,
He set it up in the plain of Dura.
At the end of verse 2 it says,
The image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Then in verse 3, towards the end,
this dedication of the image
that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
And they stood before the image
that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Then in verse 4,
O peoples, nations, and languages,
when you hear the sound of the horn,
pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,
and every kind of music,
you are a fall down and worship
the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar
has set up.
And then verse 6,
Whoever does not fall down in worship
shall immediately be cast
into the burning fiery furnace.
Then at the end of verse 7,
The people heard this music.
All the peoples, nations, and languages
fell down and worshiped the golden image
that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Daniel is going through great lengths
in these first seven verses
to draw attention to who is on display,
who is really the focal point of this ceremony.
And of course,
Nebuchadnezzar is at the center
of the ceremony,
the events that are taking place.
Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned seven times.
We also notice that Daniel mentions
this image that is set up
six times throughout the course
of these seven verses.
This word to set up is to stand.
It's to rise up.
This is all, of course,
in contrast to the instructions
that were given to the crowd.
This image would stand up
and the people were to fall down.
Fall down in reverence.
Fall down in worship.
Fall down in allegiance to the king
in his image.
This image would stand.
The people would fall.
In the plain of Dura,
as flat as it was,
would be the perfect backdrop
to this entire event.
Notice also the composition of the group.
We see seven different classes
of officials that are represented
in verse two.
Satraps, prefects, governors,
counselors, treasurers,
justices, magistrates, officials.
Described here from top to bottom.
From the most important
to the least important.
To those who have the most authority
to the least authority
in the kingdom.
This descending order, as it were,
from head to toe.
And that should also sound familiar.
This group is also comprised of peoples
from every part of the known world.
Notice in verse four,
the herald proclaims aloud,
you are commanded,
O peoples, nations, and languages.
And then in verse seven,
therefore,
as soon as all the people
heard the sound of the horn, pipe,
lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,
and every kind of music,
all the peoples,
nations, and languages,
fell down and worshipped
the golden image
that King Nebuchadnezzar
had set up.
Everybody that was somebody
came to this event
and everybody that was somebody
bowed to this image.
The leading representatives
from the world
assembled to pay homage
to King Nebuchadnezzar.
Their attendance
was not optional.
This test of loyalty
to the kingdom
was placed on every
major government official
that existed.
But Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego,
they knew, of course,
that worship to this image
was worship
that would be idolatry
against the worship
of their God.
Allegiance, of course,
to them,
to the God of heaven
was at stake.
And we move to verses six,
excuse me,
verses eight to 12.
We find to reinforce
this command
that Nebuchadnezzar gives,
we find his forceful intimidation.
Nebuchadnezzar is serious
about compliance.
And so he sets in motion
the consequences
that will help to communicate
the greatest severity.
In Daniel chapter three,
verse six,
we see this.
Whoever does not fall down
and worship
shall immediately be cast
into a burning,
fiery furnace.
Nebuchadnezzar probably chose
the fiery furnace
as a means of convenience
because it would be a kiln
like this burning,
fiery furnace
that would be necessary
in order to melt the gold,
to plate this statue,
and also to kiln the bricks
that would have been used
in fashioning the pedestal
and the guts of the image itself.
temperatures in kilns
such as these
could reach anywhere
between 1200 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Although it's not recorded,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
did not bow down to the image.
They were present at the ceremony.
They obeyed as far as they could.
This has been the standout feature
of their time in Babylon.
We see this blend of integrity
and conviction
that is mixed and blended
with compliance.
We see their courage
that's mixed with submission.
We see their faith
that's mixed with adherence.
But here they are again.
They've been summoned
to the plain of Dura.
They come,
although I'm sure
they recognized it was risky.
No doubt they're aware
of the king's ego
and his intent
to single out the dissenters
and call attention
to worship to him.
But they come
to the command
in obedience
and submission
to their authority.
But here now
they're faced with a decision.
Here now they're at a crossroads.
A crossroads
of compliance
and submission to God
versus submission
to the king.
And we find themselves
unable to bow
before the image,
understanding
its implications.
Verse 8 says,
Therefore,
at that time
certain Chaldeans
came forward
and maliciously
accused the Jews.
They declared
to the king,
Nebuchadnezzar,
O king,
live forever.
You, O king,
have made a decree
that every man
who hears the sound
of the horn,
pipe,
lyre,
trigon,
harp,
bagpipe,
and every kind of music
shall fall down
and worship
the golden image.
And whoever
does not fall down
and worship
shall be cast
into a burning,
fiery furnace.
There are certain Jews
whom you have appointed
over the affairs
of the province
of Babylon,
Shadrach,
Meshach,
and Abednego.
These men,
O king,
pay no attention
to you.
They do not serve
your gods
or worship
the golden image
that you have set up.
As a side note,
I think it's important
for us to understand
that Daniel
is not present
in this ceremony.
And all along
as we've been reading
through the book
of Daniel,
we've come to see
and appreciate
that Daniel stood
as a figure
that was full
of conviction
and I think
helped to carry
these young men
in doing what was right.
But here,
now these men
stand alone.
The conviction
and worship
and devotion
for their God
is coming through
in their heart
of affection for God
and loyalty to Him.
But the Chaldeans
take notice.
It would have been obvious,
of course,
an act of disobedience.
But you also get
the sense
that these Chaldeans
were on the lookout
because if any of you
have looked at any pictures
of anyone
in Middle Eastern culture
who is bowing down,
you recognize
that their face
is often right
to the ground.
And so there is
zero or very little,
if any,
view of their surroundings
and often eyes closed.
But somehow,
these Chaldeans
are taking notice.
They have a lookout.
It's a convenient observation.
And of course,
they approach the king
to maliciously accuse
these Jews.
This word literally,
or this phrase literally,
means
to eat the pieces of.
They want to devour them
piece by piece.
They want to tear them
to pieces.
Of course,
that is familiar as well
as we understand
that Satan
is not only called
the accuser
and these men
are maliciously
accusing these Jews.
We also understand
that Satan
is the roaring lion
who is seeking
whom he may devour.
These Chaldeans
acting as agents
of the enemy.
They begin
with a formal greeting,
O king,
live forever.
And then they continue
by recounting
the command
that the king has given
as if he didn't know.
But then comes the hook.
There are certain Jews
whom you have appointed
over the affairs
of the province of Babylon.
They pay no attention
to you.
They do not serve
your gods
or worship
the image
that you have set up.
This, of course,
is an attempt
to emphasize
every single point
of suspicion
that they could identify.
They're Jews,
meaning
they're not from here,
Nebuchadnezzar.
They have no allegiance
to Babylon,
Nebuchadnezzar.
They're not on the home team,
as it were.
Watch out.
They pay no attention
to you.
Also,
an attempt
to discredit
their service
that has been
consistent
and faithful
up to this point.
They do not serve
your gods.
And this will be important
as we continue
to work our way
through the text
that service
and worship
are interchangeable
in the scriptures.
That when worship
is happening,
service is also
taking place.
And we see that here
in our text.
They do not serve
your gods
or worship
the image.
Exclusive worship
of God
was allowed
during Nebuchadnezzar's reign,
permitted by him,
but here,
now it's twisted
against these young men.
They do not worship
your image.
Now,
this gets extremely personal.
This is your image,
Nebuchadnezzar.
They don't recognize you
as supreme.
They don't acknowledge
your authority.
They don't pay
any allegiance
to your kingdom,
Nebuchadnezzar.
Watch out for these guys.
It is important to notice
that worship and service,
as I have said,
are interchangeable.
We see that
in the next several verses.
We saw that in verse 12.
We'll see it again
in verse 14
where Nebuchadnezzar
challenges the young men,
is it true
that you do not serve
my gods
or worship
the golden image
I've set up?
And then in verse 17,
the young men say,
our God
whom we serve
is able to deliver.
And then finally,
in verse 18,
we will not serve
your gods
or worship
the golden image
that you have set up.
We will not serve you.
We will not worship you.
We will not pay
our allegiance to you
because God alone
is worthy.
In verses 13 to 15,
we find Nebuchadnezzar
giving them another opportunity,
another chance,
as it were.
He brings Shadrach,
Meshach,
and Abednego
before him.
He recites the command.
He gives them a chance
when the music plays
to fall down
and show their allegiance.
And then Nebuchadnezzar
adds an important element
at the end of verse 15.
Notice,
And who is the God
who will deliver you
out of my hands?
This has always been
a test of power.
Now we're finally getting
to the crux
of what Nebuchadnezzar
is after.
He wants worship
as if he were God.
He wants to establish himself
as the Supreme One.
It's a test of allegiance,
a test of worship.
And Nebuchadnezzar,
by his own mouth,
demonstrates what is central
to this ceremony.
Worship this image.
And no God
can challenge my power.
These three young men
stand their ground.
They serve as an example
to us
of loyalty to Christ
and true worship
that should be true
of every single one of us
who claim
to be followers of Jesus.
We come in verses
16 to 18.
We see Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego's devotion.
Nebuchadnezzar
has issued a command.
Now Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego
demonstrate their
single-minded devotion
to God.
Notice
in verse 16.
Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego
answered and said
to the king,
O Nebuchadnezzar,
we have no need
to answer you
in this matter.
If this be so,
our God,
whom we serve,
is able to deliver us
from the burning
fiery furnace.
And he will deliver us
out of your hand,
O king.
But if not,
be it known to you,
O king,
that we will not
serve your gods
or worship
the golden image
that you have set up.
In these few verses,
we find this confident,
bold,
clear,
respectful allegiance
to the one true God.
This is, of course,
intensely personal
for them as well.
Notice in verse 17.
If this be so,
our God,
whom we serve,
is able to deliver us.
He's not just
the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob.
He's not just
the God of heaven.
He's not just
the God of our forefathers.
He is our God.
He belongs to us.
And we will worship him
as the only
true God.
And this statement,
we have no need
to answer you
in this matter,
is not a statement
of defiance,
but a statement
and a testimony
to their consistent
devotion to God
that has been true
from the very beginning.
You have known us,
Nebuchadnezzar,
from the beginning.
We have never
compromised
the things
that we believed in.
We have remained
true to our God
who has never
abandoned us.
Our lives have remained
a faithful witness
to our true devotion
to him.
Nothing's going to
change that.
Not being stripped away
from our country.
Not becoming slaves
in this new empire.
Not losing our family
and friends.
Not for the sake
of privilege
and position.
Not for fear
of reputation.
and not in the face
of death.
We will remain
true to the one
true God.
He is not distant.
He's not abandoned us.
He's not diminished
in power
or failed to answer us
when we pray.
He is present.
He is active.
And he is able
to save.
Our hope
is in him.
Even if he doesn't save,
we will still
not serve your God
or worship
this image.
We must draw the line.
We must remain true
to our allegiance
to our God.
They do this
because they know
the word of God.
They do this
because they know
the power of God.
They do this
because they are
settled
in the results
that God
will bring.
Next week,
we're going to
finish the story.
And we're going to
see how their commitment
to worship
to God,
the God who could
save them
from the fire,
does save
in his presence.
He sends his presence
to carry them
through the fire.
But each one of us
in this room
are confronted
with the kind
of struggle,
the kind of decision
that we see
happening
in our passage.
We're confronted
with this
nearly every day.
I'm reminded
of Joshua
at the end
of his life
who says
in Joshua
24, 15,
he says,
choose this day
whom you will serve.
That's our word again.
But as for me
and my house,
we will serve
the Lord.
There is a decision
that we need to make.
Who is the object
of your affection?
Who is the center
of your worship?
And you may
fill in the blank
with who
is the one
that you serve?
Like Nebuchadnezzar,
I find my own
heart demanding
worship.
Not the kind
of worship
that I set up
an image
of myself
and ask people
to bow down,
but the kind
of worship
where I want
to be at the
center of attention.
You find the pole,
that same pole
on your own heart?
You want to be
the center of attention?
You want to be
the object of praise?
You want the
commendation,
the recognition?
You want the
attaboy?
You want the pat
on the back?
You want people
to say,
wow,
what a great job
you're doing?
What a great person
you are?
We want the kind
of worship
that Nebuchadnezzar
craved.
We want loyalty
to us.
We want the world
to revolve
around our desires
and our interests.
While we may not
be as bold
as Nebuchadnezzar
to demand
that people
worship us,
remember that worship
and service
go hand in hand
and service
is inherent
in us.
That's why Jesus
in confronting
the disciples,
remember the argument
that they're having
about who is first?
Jesus has to
confront them
in Mark chapter 9
verse 35.
He says,
He sat down,
called His twelve
and said to them,
If anyone desires
to be first,
he shall be last
and of all
and servant
of all.
Like Nebuchadnezzar,
we put ourselves
in the center.
Like Nebuchadnezzar,
we want the world
to serve us.
Jesus, of course,
came to change
all of that.
In Mark 10, 45,
He came not
to be served,
but to serve
and to give His life
a ransom for many.
He came to unlock
the door
of true service
and worship
to God
that gets me
out of the way
and puts Him
at the center.
We are all like
Nebuchadnezzar
in our heart.
We do whatever
is in our power
to force the issue,
to get our way,
to demand our rights,
to make ourselves known.
We want to
intimidate.
We want to manipulate.
We want everyone
to bow down
and serve us.
We would never
put it in those terms,
but that's exactly
what's happening.
Of course,
none of this
was the way of Christ
who sets the example
for us.
And I would encourage you
just in our closing moments
to open up
to Philippians chapter 2.
I want to read
through this
with a new lens
and I want you
to be able to see
how self-service
is in us.
It must be rooted
out of us
and that will only happen
as we make Jesus
the center
of our affection.
Philippians chapter 2.
Let me just read this for us.
It says,
So if there is any
encouragement in Christ,
any comfort from love,
any participation
in the Spirit,
any affection
and sympathy,
complete my joy
by being of the same mind,
have the same love,
being in full accord
and of one mind.
Do nothing
from selfish ambition
or conceit,
conceit,
but in humility
count others
more significant
than yourselves.
Now why does Paul
have to say that?
Because it is in us.
We want what we want
and we want everyone
to want the same things
that we want.
But the instruction
goes on,
let each of you
look out
not only to his own interest
but also to the interest
of others.
Why?
Because of Christ.
In verse 5,
have this mind
found among yourselves,
which is yours
in Christ Jesus,
who though he was
in the form of God,
did not count equality
with God a thing
to be grasped,
but he emptied himself,
taking the form
of a servant,
being born in the likeness
of men,
and being found
in human form,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient
to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore God
has highly exalted him
and bestowed on him
the name that is
above every name,
said the name of Jesus.
Every knee should bow
in heaven,
on earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue
will confess
that Jesus Christ
is Lord
to the glory
of God the Father.
Allow your heart
to follow the lead
of your Savior.
Allow your heart
to bend
and flex
and lay down
and abandon
self-interest
for the sake
of love
to Christ.
Stop serving
yourself
and start
serving him.
And trust
that in that process
that God
will
allow you
to see the fruit
of that kind
of life.
The kind of fruit
where God himself
is the one
who is meeting
needs
and strengthening
your life
and leading you
to fruitfulness.
At the end of the day,
at the end of the age,
because of Christ's
example
of humility,
we're going to
enjoy
and remember
what Christ
has accomplished
for us
through his death,
his body,
his blood.
He's made a way
for us
to enjoy
this kind
of life.
self-abandonment
for the sake
of love
and worship
to God.
As I pray,
I want to encourage
the men
to come forward
and we'll remember
the body
and blood
of Christ
through the elements.
Father,
thank you
for the example
that you've set
in your son,
Jesus.
And Lord,
thank you
that every knee
will bow
and every tongue
will confess
that you're Lord,
that you will get
the praise
that you deserve.
but it will come
in the time
that's been ordained
by the Father.
So Lord,
I pray that you'd
help us to follow
in your steps.
And Lord,
as we take
the elements
this morning
that we would
remember
that you are
faithful
and dependable,
that as Christ
submitted his will
to the Father
and got to enjoy
the benefits
of that obedience,
we too
can enjoy
the benefits
of trust
in you
and service
of you.
May you be
pleased
through our time
together.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.