January 24

The Road to Glory and Greatness is Paved with .... SACRIFICE

Part #2 Sunday January 24 2010
Intro:
1. synopsis of O. Henry's famous short story The Gift of the Magi
2. Everyone has heard stories of great sacrifice: depression era, war time, 9-11, Haiti, history of Christianity...

on this Communion Sunday ... let's go to Paul then Jesus, then the Table

Paul was willing to lay aside, sacrifice, some pretty impressive stuff!

Galatians 1:14 “I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers” but in Phillippians vs. 7 he says that it WAS profit

Paul's Resume:
Philippians 3:5 first 4 are advantages because of birth; last 3 are accomplishment akalaides

1. 8th day circumcision ... proselytes to Judaism at any age + all Jewish boys (in obedience to Abraham Genesis 17:12 and Law Leviticus 12:3)
2. born Hebrew .... of 'good stock' = NOT a convert; the blood of Jacob flows through him
3. Tribe of Benjamin ... (also mentioned in Acts 13:21, Romans 11:1) ... considered the most faithful of all tribes, had additional honors, and gave the nation its first King! (Paul shared the same name)
4. Hebrew of Hebrews ... no mixed parentage OR raised in Hebrew language, not Aramaic
5. Pharisee ...the most orthodox Jew you can be
6. Zealous ... to the point of persecuting Christians
7. Faultless ... so meticulous in obedience to all the Law means

the transforming point: results in a new perspective Phillipians 3:7,8 ... uses the phrase “consider loss” 3 times! + “consider them rubbish” (other translations = refuse, garbage, dung, worthless, trash)

Why he sacrificed: (from Phillippians 3:7-12)
• “for the sake of Christ”
• “for the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”
• “to be found in Christ and His righteousness”


Lessons:

1. THOSE WHO CLING TO THEIR TREASURES AND TROPHIES ARE LIVING ON SHAKY FOUNDATIONS Philippians 3:1,2 = repeated warnings + as a safeguard for you + watch out for those dogs

2. THE ONE WHO IS WILLING TO SACRIFICE TREASURE AND TROPHIES ARE SO COMMITTED TO THE CAUSE OR PERSON FOR WHOM THEY MAKE THE SACRIFICE


3. THE ONE WHO IS WILLING TO SACRIFICE TREASURE AND TROPHIES ARE CONVINCED OF THE INCREDIBLE VALUE OF THE NEW TREASURE Luke 15 = lost sheep + lost coin + lost son


Conclusion:

read Philippians 2:3-11

• What if Paul had held on tight? What if he had said 'I can't' or 'I won't' or 'it costs too much' or 'I'm not ready for this' or 'I have other interests'
• What if Jesus had held his grasp firm?