It is this
mindset Jesus demonstrated – this attitude of humble, self-emptying love – that
Paul says the church is to share among ourselves (2:5). So the church is to be
likeminded, and the mind we are to share is specifically shown to us in the
gospel of Jesus Christ. He poured himself out in humble love for the church;
therefore we respond to the gospel by pouring ourselves out in humble love for
the church. This is worship.
All of these
elements are crucial. If we try to pour ourselves out for the church without
first ‘seeing’ the gospel – being affected in mind and heart by Christ’s death
and resurrection – then our self-giving is in vain. Any motivation other than
joyful gratitude and love for Jesus will rob our hard labor of value, and leave
us in a joy-less, burned-out condition. But when we gaze at the glory of Jesus
in his selfless humiliation at the cross; when we are affected by the power of
the gospel and see Christ bleeding for us on the cross, we can now respond in
God-glorifying worshipful obedience. This obedience will manifest itself by
having the same mind of Christ that drove him to the cross, and we will begin
to see ourselves serving the church in love.
What about
the hypocrites in the church? What about those who hurt us? It doesn’t matter; I’m
looking at the cross! I’m serving Jesus by serving his body. I’m loving the
Lord by loving his bride.
This mindset
is demonstrated throughout Scripture:
Ø
God the Father loved us and gave his Son (John
3:16).
Ø
Jesus loved us and gave himself (Gal 2:20b).
Ephesians 5:25-27 specifically shows us that Jesus gave himself up ‘for the
church’ for the purpose of cleansing and purifying – building us up.
Ø
Paul and the Apostles loved the church and
poured out their lives for her upbuilding. Paul is willing to be gladly poured
out as a drink offering for the church (Phil 2:17). He is willing to suffer all
things for the sake of the elect (2 Tim 2:10). He risks his life traveling
around the countryside and the city’s strengthening the churches (Acts
15:40-41; 18:23).
Ø
The apostolic assistants loved the church and
gave themselves for her edification. Timothy went wherever Paul sent him,
loving the church and serving (Phil 2:19-24). Epaphroditus risked his life in
the work (Phil 2:25-30). Titus also traveled at the direction of Paul, but
served from his heart, loving the church and pouring himself out (2 Cor 816-17;
Titus).
Ø
The elders of the local churches were called to
care for the church and empty themselves in the feeding and leading of God’s
flock (Acts 20:28).
Ø
All believers are called to love and build up
the church in response to the gospel (Phil 2:5).
Because God
has not destined us to wrath, but to salvation, and because Jesus died that we
may be with him, therefore we are to love one another and build each other up
(1 Thess 5:9-11).
Because God
forgave us in Christ, we are to forgive one another in the church (Eph 4:32;
Col 3:13).
In response
to the gospel, we can encourage one another and stir each other up in
our regular assembling together (Heb 10:24-25); We can cover over each other’s
shortcomings with love, showing hospitality and using our gifts to build each
other up (1 Pet 4:8-10). With our spiritual gifts we can strive to build up
the church (1 Cor 14:12). And in love, we can serve one another (Gal 5:13).
See the
gospel!
Respond with
love of Christ!This love of Christ will result in the loving of the church!
Let us
respond to the gospel by pouring out our lives for Christ’s church!
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