You! Release the burdens of the flesh...

^{Philippians 2:6}  

Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
    did not regard equality with God
    as something to be exploited,

I love Vacation Bible School. I am forty years old and I think I have been to 39 Vacation Bible School programs. I recall at the close of one of our VBS weeks, I remember getting a card that I decorated and attached the card to the string that was attached to a helium filled balloon. After all of us had attached our balloons, we stepped outside and released the balloon that carried our card with it. We were giving our message away to someone that might receive it as the helium deflated.

I was thinking about that this week and it occurred to me that when YOU! and I release that which ties us down, our message is carried even further. What would have happened if I had never let released the string? The balloon would not have lifted up. The attitude of Jesus was: as a man he was tied to the flesh. So, he released it. He let the burden of trying to achieve righteousness by himself go and released it.

The NIV states that Jesus knew that being equal with God was not something that could be grasped…so he released it. Letting the burden of striving and driving for personal gain…personal success … self-gratification. The "me first" mind set is rampant in society and has led our society to the edge of collapse. We have perversion, AIDS, unwanted pregnancies, violence, abortion, political scandal, and family breakups. The list could go on but the fact is, it is rooted in "me first" or what I call the "I" syndrome.

The successful means to fight against the “I” syndrome is to release it. The world does not revolve around you. Life is not only about YOU!

When we release our false impression of entitlement, we are free from the pecking order. The statements, “I want it now!” “I don’t want to hear your excuses!” “I deserve it!” “I am right!” “I want it done my way!” “I will quit if you do that!” no longer apply. Our response becomes…”Help me understand why you feel that way?”.

Luke 14:25-27 records Jesus saying… "Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple'." Jesus is saying that the old pecking order is not of God…but that YOU! are to have an attitude of release.

 Letting it all go... you know I love ya, Don

YOU! No more pecking order!

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We are examining “YOU” as a member of the body of Christ. Bill Hybels notes: "Take ten chickens, any ten. Put them in a pen together, and spread a little chicken feed. In short order, you will witness an amazing phenomenon. In a matter of minutes, the chickens, previously strangers, will form a hierarchy based on dominance or, in everyday language, they will establish a Pecking Order. Instinctively, they will determine, through a series of skirmishes, who the Number One chicken will be; then the Number Two; the Number Three; all the way down to the unlucky Number Ten chicken. Much is at stake in this dance of domination. Chicken Number One pecks at and intimidates Chicken Number Two, without experiencing any kind of retribution from Chicken Number Two. Chicken Number Two will take it from Chicken Number One but will turn around and peck away at Chicken Number Three, who will in turn, take out its frustration on Chicken Number Four. The Pecking Order continues all the way down to Chicken Number Ten, who, needless to say, has a pretty miserable life - pecked but no one to peck." This phenomenon of the Pecking Order does not belong exclusively to chickens. We see it today very clearly in the business world. But the truth is, it’s not just in the business world but everywhere. It happens at family picnics, parties, class reunions, sporting events, conventions, and the Church. I recall at a recent lunch at a convention for pastors, this very phenomenon. Most of the discussion revolved around a few questions. So where do you pastor? What is your position? How many people attend your church? How big is your staff? Some even ask, "How big is your budget?" I saw preachers, missionaries, and church workers, lining up in the order. The truth is no one is immune to this phenomenon. We all have the tendency to look at others in terms of their profession, educations, wardrobes, cars, homes, and with the subconscious mindset of fitting them into the Pecking Order. So, what’s the problem. It’s natural. Here is the problem. Jesus Changed the Pecking Order!

Our Text today is Philippians 2:5-11 NRSV:

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

⁶ who, though he was in the form of God,
    did not regard equality with God
    as something to be exploited,
⁷ but emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
⁸     he humbled himself
    and became obedient to the point of death—
    even death on a cross.

⁹ Therefore God also highly exalted him
    and gave him the name
    that is above every name,
¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus
    every knee should bend,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue should confess
    that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

In order to be great in God’s kingdom, you and I have to willing to embrace the attitude that Jesus demonstrated. We learn from the text that Jesus was against the Pecking Order. Jesus understood that equality with God was not something that we can grasp…in our flesh we seek to serve our selfish desires and ourselves. In contrast, God’s order is love, compassion, and right living. A CHRIST-FOLLOWER is one that is willing to follow Jesus’ example by embracing attitudes of release, reverence, and resolve. God responds to his people that living with this attitude by lifting them up and granting his reward.

I refuse to line up in the packing order... You know I love ya, Don 

It's all about YOU! ... your willingness to value others.

A humble heart is discovered in valuing others. Any person of any age can increase their relationships with others if the person decides to find value in the others person. Paul says in 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Humble individuals seek to value those around them

Alicia thought she had the perfect fiancé. As she was getting to know Michael and his family, she was very impressed by how much his parents loved each other.
"They’re so thoughtful," Alicia said. "Why, your dad even brings your mom a cup of hot coffee in bed every morning."
After a time, Alicia and Michael were engaged, and then married.
On the way from the wedding to the reception, Alicia again remarked on Michael’s loving parents and his mom’s morning coffee in bed.
"Tell me," she said, "does it run in the family?"
"It sure does," replied Michael. "But you should know -- I take after my mom."

A Person that is united with Jesus, values others in their relationships. A humble person recognizes that there is value in the other person, even if they don’t see eye to eye.

Do YOU value others? I Value you and you know I love ya, Don