Christ Inspires Love & Unity

Philippians 2:1-11

In several weeks we will celebrate the great victory Christ won over sin and death. The celebration of Easter, of Christ's death and resurrection is central to uniting us all over the world with Christians like ourselves. Christ had been born into the world after having descended from His Heavenly throne to walk in our shoes for 30 years -- demonstrating that He was the Son of God and that He loved us.

Philippians 2 gives one of the best pictures of what it was for Christ to take on human flesh and to endure death for us. Not only do we receive salvation as a result, we also receive encouragement and consolation. We find here an example that will unite us more than just to celebrate Easter, but to motivate us to love one another.

The Philippians were not united and were not loving towards each other. All of us have at some point sinned similarly and need to hear this message.

We need to encourage each other, build each other up. We need to love each other in spite of our faults.

We need to follow Jesus' example and be willing to humble ourselves, give ourselves in order to obey God, to show God lives in us and to find joy in living for Jesus Christ.

A Proper Home for the Lord

I Chronicles 29:10-20

The last chapters in I Chronicles describe to us the conclusion of King David's reign and the handing over of power to His son -- Solomon. We learn that David desired to build a house for the Lord because he had built for himself a great palace, and realized that the Lord lived in a mere tent. But God decreed that Solomon would build the temple of God becauase David was "a man of war." He had shed much blood. So David designed the temple under God's inspriation and motivated the people to contriubute to a great offering which Solomon would use to accomplish the construction.

Today, I would like us to read David's prayer for this offering and for the hearts of his son and all of Israel. Let us echo David's prayer in His words and attitude.

READ I Chronicles 29:10-20

The praises with which David opens his prayer should sound familiar to us. For we see these words later -- spoken by Jesus when teaching the disciples to pray. Also we find the angels speaking these praises around the throne of God in the book of Revelation.

It is a powerful testimony to see a powerful king acknowledging God's greatness and sovereignty over all. God is the true king and source of power!

We then encounter David giving thanks to God. For ALL that has originated from God.

We too must realize that all good things come from God. We can only offer back to God what He has given us.

The following words reveal to us David's humility and honesty. After lifting up the greatness of God, naturally we gain perspective of who we are. In the spirit of humility David finds the ability to request from God the preservation of the integrity and purity of the people.

David and the people bow low before God in worship. We must also make our requests humbly, in faith and in reverance.

In summary, I see several commendable attitudes exhibited: praise, thanks, humility, reverance, honesty, willingness, generosity, and worship.

May the words of our prayers mirror the posture of our heart. And may our hearts demonstrate all these characteristics.

David knew how quickly the blessings of God could take the place of God. So he prayed that God preserve the right intentions in their hearts, for the building of the temple, and that their hearts always be directed to God. This depicts what Christ was to accomplish for us.

After Christ died, and resurrected, He allowed our bodies to become temples for His Holy Spirit. In order for God to delight in us, His dwelling place, we must be pure in heart and our love for Him must never change.

Let us pray that we will stay pure and upright through the confession of sin, through staying focused on God. David collected an offering to build a proper home from the Lord, joyously in Christ's righteousness. Let us offer ourselves for the Lord to dwell in us.