The Great Reversal

  

We know that we are the children of God and that the whole world lies under the influence of the evil one.

-1 John 5:19

Entitlement breeds hostility.

Humility breeds servanthood.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

-Philippians 2:5-10

  

First: Jesus reverses the positions of insiders and outsiders.

Those who are in positions of authority and privilege reject Jesus and the message; even Jesus’ own disciples are continually shown to be slow to understand His teaching. Other however, people of low or despised position in the social world of first century Jewish culture—receive the Gospel gladly, for their need is great. The lepers, the demon-possessed, the woman with the hemorrhage, the Syrophoenician woman, the little children, blind Bartimaeus, the nameless woman who anoints Jesus at Bethany for burial, the Gentile Centurion at the cross—these are the examples put forth by Mark of faithful response to Jesus. Many who are the first will be last and the last will be first. Those of us who are familiar with the story should not underestimate the shock of this inversion.

-Richard B. Hays, New Testament Scholar, Duke University

  

Second: Jesus redefines the nature of power and the value of suffering.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

-Philippians 2:5

  

Third: Jesus’ presents a vision of life that is ironic and counterintuitive.

Irony: Statements or events that are eventually turned into the opposite way that they originally appear to be headed.

Jesus’ death and resurrection not only brings in salvation but also constitutes the ultimate refutation of everything you have been taught to believe by this world.

Happiness: Greek word “UTOMONIA,” for all but the last century—was defined as:

“A life of character, wisdom, and virtue that gives itself away for a purpose greater than itself.”

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?

-Matthew 16:24-26a

  

1 - When everything seems to be falling apart around you, the truth is that God is often putting things together.

2 - When God seems to be stripping things from you, He is actually adding what is most important.

  

3 - When you feel like you are dying, God is trying to breathe life into you.

Just as Moses lifted up a snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life.

-John 3:14-15

He made Him who was without sin, to be sin.

-2 Corinthians 5:21

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.' He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

-Galatians 3:13

On the cross God turned the curse of death on sin into a blessing for us.

  

  

  

  

What are your main takeaways from this message?