(Part 3/3 – A summary of the Sunday morning teaching on 01-Nov-15, in AFT Church, English service. From the series The Foundation For Victorious Living)
3) DEPTH
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
Despite being equal with God, Jesus came down to the earth as a tiny and helpless baby. He lived as an ordinary person, was arrested by human authorities, condemned to death, stripped, beaten and nailed on the Cross like a common criminal. That’s the depth that Jesus went to, to demonstrate His love for us.
And who were we that He went to such extents?
As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
“Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Destruction and misery are in their ways;
And the way of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Romans 3:10-18
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8
We were the scum of the earth. Totally, unlovable, sinful people who didn’t deserve His love. It is for people like us that Jesus went to such depths of pain and suffering!
4) HEIGHT
Jesus’ death and resurrection did not just guarantee forgiveness of our sins. But it lifted us to Heavenly heights. Today we are meant to be above and not beneath. We are now co-heirs with Jesus having the Holy Spirit in us. We are made one with Jesus, are seated with Him in Heavenly places and are members of His body.
CONCLUSION
that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish
Ephesians 5:26, 27
This loving God is constantly working on us even after our Salvation. He is preparing us to be a spotless and blemishless Church for God’s glory. As we continue to lead our lives in obedience to this awesome God, let us join with the songwriter and sing a beautiful melody of our God’s love for us.
Wide, wide as the ocean, high as the heaven above;
Deep, deep as the deepest sea is my Savior’s love.
I, though so unworthy, still am a child of His care;
For His Word teaches me that His love reaches me everywhere.
