Unwrapping the Gift—Part 1

December 19/20, 2015

FOLLOWING THE MESSAGE Ephesians 3:17-19 Paul tries to explain that there is something we need to know even though we can’t really know it. In order for us to grasp the vastness of Jesus’ love for each of us, God must reveal it to us. Psalm 113:5 Because God is infinitely above all created things, all contact is of the greater with the lesser. Follow Jesus’ descent to earth in Philippians 2: 1) JESUS EXISTED AS GOD (2:6) The essence of His nature is eternally fixed (Micah 5:2; John 1:1). 2) JESUS HAD EQUALITY WITH GOD (2:6) Although He was fully God, He refused to hold onto His rights. 3) JESUS EMPTIED HIMSELF (2:7) He emptied Himself only of the privileges of deity, not deity itself:  Heavenly glory (John 17:5)  Independent authority (John 5:30)  Eternal riches (2 Corinthians 8:9)  Face-to-face relationship with God the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21) 4) JESUS TOOK THE FORM OF HUMANITY (2:7) He existed exactly as human beings, with all the attributes, frailties, limitations, and problems of the Fall. 5) JESUS HUMBLED HIMSELF (2:8) This attitude is seen most clearly during Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. He was mocked, accused, spat on, beaten with fists, and scourged, yet was never defensive, never bitter, never demanding, never accusing. 6) JESUS SURRENDERED HIS LIFE (2:8) Jesus had to die in order to save us (Romans 5:19).

God is so interested in having a relationship with you that He did not just send information…He sent Himself! GREEK WORDS Plēthos (play'-thos)—a fulness, a large number, throng :bundle, company, multitude Huparchō—existed; the continuance of a previous state Morphē—form; outward manifestation of an inner reality Isos (ee'-sos)—equality; exact equivalence Kenoō—to make empty, to abase, neutralize :- make of no reputation, void Schema—appearance; outward shape or form

TODAY’S SONGS “Peace on Earth” words and music by Michael Weaver and Tony Wood © 2009 Word Music, LLC | Songs From Exit 71 | Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing | Weave Country “Go Tell It On the Mountain” words and music by Bart Millard, Barry Graul, Mike Schuechzer, Nathan Cochran, Robby Shaffer, Ben Shive, and Brown Bannister © Banistuci Music | Junkbox Music | Mercy Me Music, No Sappy Music, Tunes of Mercy Me “O Come All Ye Faithful” words and music by John Francis Wade, Frederick Oakley, Mark Hall, Adam Lester, and John Wasson © Words: Public Domain; Music: 2008 My Refuge Music | Red Rubber Ball Music | Sony/ATV Tree Publishing “What Child Is This” words by William Chatterton Dix and Chris Tomlin; music by traditional English Melody "Greensleeves" and Chris Tomlin © Words: Public Domain | Music: 2015 S. D. G. Publishing | Sixsteps Songs | Worship Together Music CCLI #431630