God Alone is Worthy of Your Worship

Well, what an incredible privilege it is to worship together, to be able to do that freely,

! to be able to do that consistently week after week. And it is a special delight to have Pastor

! Kenoyer back. I know he would not want me to draw attention to him. His head is still down.

But he has been serving faithfully the Lord in a sister church of ours in Marion, Ohio. So Pastor,

it's good to have you back and grateful for your example of service to the Lord.

We have the joy of worshiping today. And one would think that to such an honor and such a privilege

as this, it would be something that we would long and yearn to do on a consistent basis. And for some

of you, that may and hopefully is the case. But as statistics will show or suggest, we live in an

age where we are in a decline as far as worship is concerned. A poll that was put together by Gallup

in March 29th of 2021 says the following. It says, American membership in houses of worship continued

to decline last year, speaking of 2020, dropping below 50% for the first time in the Gallup's eight

decade history. In 2020, 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, a synagogue, or a mosque,

which is down from 50% in 2018 and 70% that was registered in 1999. The decline in church membership is

primarily, they say, a function of increasing numbers of Americans who express no religious affiliation.

Over the past two decades, the percentage of Americans who do not identify with any religion has grown

from 8% from 8% in 1998 to 13% in 2008. And now almost a quarter of Americans would say they have no

religious affiliation. Church membership, they say, is also strongly correlated with age, with 66% of those who

are traditionalists, meaning those born before 1946 would go to church. Baby boomers comprised 58%.

50% of those in Gen X will go to church consistently. 36% of millennials. Currently, 31% of millennials have no

religious affiliation. Now those statistics give a sense of the worshiping moral erosion within our

culture. But I want to remind you that worship is just as strong today as it ever was. It's just that

instead of worship being oriented towards God, now worship is being confined into the person has become

self-awareness, self-worship. That's what we're going to find in our passage today. The truth is that worship

remains constant. It has never been more or less a reality than it is today because God has created us

as people with a worshiping capacity and with a desire to worship. Worship is inherent in our design as

creatures. The question, of course, then, is who or what do you worship? Worship is simply defined as

as the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. One might say that worship is to value.

Worship is to prioritize. Worship is to assign worth to someone or something. Perhaps to a job, to a family,

to a friend, to an identity, to money, to comfort, to leisure, to your stuff.

Worship is to allow us to worship. The question that we should ask ourselves this morning as we evaluate

our own lives in relation to worship is, what is the person or thing that you could not do without?

Or perhaps, what is the person or thing that occupies the bulk of your time, your energy, your attention,

your thinking, and your affection? What do you enjoy the most? What do you talk about the most? Now we're

beginning to come and arrive a little closer, perhaps, to that object of worship and adoration,

that thing that you value, the thing that is worth everything to you. It might be fair to say that this

has become an object of worship in your heart and life. Paul will say in Romans chapter 1, in addressing

Romans 1 · chapter mention

this issue of worship, that all of us are worshipers inherently. He says,

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible

attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the

creation of the world in the things that have been made, so they are without excuse. Now just pause

there for a moment. What Paul is saying is that everyone has access to the revelation of God in

creation. Everyone is able to see that there is a God who is overall, and there are certain qualities

about God that they can perceive because of what they recognize in creation.

But to every individual, the result is now spelled out. For although they knew God, they did not glorify

Him as God or give thanks to Him, but became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling

mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Meaning, while they knew that there was a God,

rather than worshiping Him as He deserved, instead they turned inward and began to make images and gods

of their own creation. Essentially, they turned their focus from outward to inward, and they began to worship

the creature rather than the creator. Since the beginning of creation, mankind has worshiped and will

continue to worship, the question is, what is the object of your affection? Rather than glorifying the God of

creation, man tends to create gods of their own making. And it's not until God opens up the eyes of the blind,

not until God unlocks the door of the heart, not until God reveals the light of His gospel into the

lives of those who will believe in Him, will they become those who see and are awakened spiritually.

2 Corinthians says, God has shown the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is in the image of

God. It is God's work to shine that light into a heart. And until then, we're going to be those who

worship the things that we create rather than worshiping the creator. But we understand that worship

throughout the Scripture is not just an external thing, it involves an internal component. That's why

Jesus says, love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. It's meant to

involve the entire and total part of an individual. Jesus, when addressing worship with His audience,

in Matthew chapter 15, verse 8 and 9, says this,

Matthew 15:8

This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. In vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. They perform their religious duties,

they show up to church on a regular basis, they bring their tithes, they do the things that they're

asked to do, but it's only a checklist. It's not because of true affection for God.

And as Piper is responding to this passage, he says this, quote,

For Jesus, this worship amounts to zero. That is what vain means. In vain do they worship me.

Zero. It is not worship. This is a zero worship. It is a zero if there's no heart dimension to it.

So you can do as many deeds as you want, and go to as many church services as you want,

and never be worshiping if it is all external, and nothing is happening in your heart towards God.

End quote.

This morning, are you worshiping God as one who is worshiping with your heart?

Is the affection of your life that showing up from day to day as one who desires and craves after God?

Is there true worship in your life? Because if not, it is a zero worship. It is a nothing worship.

It is vain worship. In Matthew chapter 6 verse 24, we understand that worship cannot be mixed.

Matthew 6:24

It cannot be blended. It cannot be divided. And so Jesus will say, no one can serve two masters.

Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

You cannot serve God and money. There are no two ways about it.

There must be single-minded devotion to God and to God alone if there is true worship taking place.

That's why the psalmist, in so many places throughout the Psalms, talks about the single-mindedness of his worship.

In Psalm 27 verse 4, he says,

Psalms 27:4

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

And then in Psalm 86 11, the psalmist says,

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

Unite my heart to fear your name.

The NIV translates it this way. I think it's helpful.

Give me an undivided heart that I might fear your name.

We recognize the significance and the seriousness of worship,

and we recognize that God is the only one who can help us worship rightly and truly.

We need his help to unite our heart so it's not divided, so it's single-minded in devotion to him.

Thus, any other worship is an abomination to God.

And thus, anything that competes for your attention or your affection is idolatry.

It is not true worship.

Not the kind of worship that brings you close to God.

Even good things.

This is what our passage, in a nutshell, is trying to communicate.

That God alone is worthy of your worship.

God alone is worthy of your worship.

And we're going to see that as we make our way through Daniel chapter 3, verses 1 to 18.

Daniel 3:1–18

Just the first part of this story.

And we're going to see the spotlight on worship, true worship of the one sure God.

So if you would, turn with me, if you would, to Daniel chapter 3.

Daniel 3 · chapter mention

If you're using the Pew Bible, it's on page 739.

Daniel chapter 3, verses 1 to 15.

Daniel 3:1–15

To start.

I'm going to read just a few verses here in the first part of this passage to lay the groundwork,

to set the context for our study as we jump in.

It begins in verse 1.

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold whose height was 60 cubits and breadth 6 cubits.

He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent together the satraps, the prefects, and the governors,

the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the province

to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Now verse 4.

And the herald proclaimed aloud,

You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,

that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,

and every kind of music,

you are to fall down and worship the golden image that the King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

We begin this part of our service, this part of the message,

in drawing attention to Nebuchadnezzar's self-centered demand.

Nebuchadnezzar's self-centered demand.

And as we make our way through this passage,

I want all of us to understand that Nebuchadnezzar is just a magnified,

amplified version of every single one of us in this room.

That whatever Nebuchadnezzar does because of the power and the liberty of his position,

every single one of us would also do given the same power,

the same authority, and the same liberty.

Because it's in our heart.

Nebuchadnezzar's self-centered demand is no different than the demands that we have made,

will continue to make perhaps,

and God rescues us, hopefully in the process of sanctification,

from making these kinds of demands on a regular basis.

Nebuchadnezzar's self-centered demand.

It begins with him establishing an image of gold.

His image of gold is what we look at first.

This should sound strangely familiar.

This towering structure,

this impressive image that has been erected in front of everyone.

Mighty and glistening and awe-inspiring.

Reminiscent of Nebuchadnezzar's dream.

In Daniel chapter 2 verse 31,

Daniel 2:31

just to back up for a moment,

Daniel, in explaining the dream that Nebuchadnezzar has in chapter 2,

says,

You saw, O king, and behold the great image.

This image, mighty and exceeding brightness, stood before you.

And its appearance was frightening.

And then the interpretation in verse 37,

You, O king, the king of kings,

to whom the God of heaven has given,

the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory,

you are the head of gold.

And now this head of gold that was once a part of the image in his dream,

with different other kinds of metals in descending order

as you work your way from head to toe,

now Nebuchadnezzar has decided to make the entire statue

an image of gold

to demonstrate the superiority of his kingdom

and perhaps suggesting that his kingdom,

in fact, would be the eternal kingdom.

It would be the kingdom that would continue.

One can't help but see the correlation with this image.

One can't help but wonder if in making this image,

Nebuchadnezzar is also suggesting

that he will have a kingdom that will stand the test of time.

This image, which is 60 cubits tall and 6 cubits wide,

essentially, to put in our own vernacular,

would have been 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide.

This grotesque, really, image that is standing in this plane,

this backdrop of this flat plane,

this image standing tall on that plane

to draw attention to its towering, mighty figure.

A figure in this plane that was comprised of gold,

which would have been glistening in the Middle Eastern sun.

And the word for image that is used here in chapter 3

is the same word for image that is used also in chapter 2,

also suggesting that whatever image Nebuchadnezzar has created

has taken human form.

What is Nebuchadnezzar doing?

Well, in this image, we see this massive ego

of King Nebuchadnezzar.

It does not say specifically,

but I think we can assume that this is a representation

of Nebuchadnezzar himself.

Likely an image very similar to what we find in Daniel chapter 2.

Daniel 2 · chapter mention

And here, Nebuchadnezzar is inviting all the officials

of all the peoples and all the languages

who are part of his empire to come and comprise themselves,

present themselves, and bow in allegiance to the king.

This image is also distinct from Nebuchadnezzar's gods.

Three times we will read in the next several verses,

in verse 12 and verse 14 and also in verse 18,

the accusation is they do not serve your gods

or worship your golden image,

which would indicate the distinction between the gods of Babylon

and this image that Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

So why does he set up this image?

Well, this is a test of loyalty.

Elevating himself to a place of supremacy,

probably trying to root out all of the opposition

within his kingdom,

exposing the resistance

and making sure that everyone is falling in line.

Now Daniel will describe what's happening next

in verses 2 to 7.

This image is set up, but it's set up for a purpose.

We see Nebuchadnezzar's desire for worship,

his desire for worship.

I want to just draw your attention

as we make our way through here.

I want you to take notice of the number of times

Nebuchadnezzar's name is used.

In verse 2 it says,

Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps.

Back up to verse 1.

Sorry, I missed that.

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold.

Towards the end it says,

He set it up in the plain of Dura.

At the end of verse 2 it says,

The image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Then in verse 3, towards the end,

this dedication of the image

that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

And they stood before the image

that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Then in verse 4,

O peoples, nations, and languages,

when you hear the sound of the horn,

pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,

and every kind of music,

you are a fall down and worship

the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar

has set up.

And then verse 6,

Whoever does not fall down in worship

shall immediately be cast

into the burning fiery furnace.

Then at the end of verse 7,

The people heard this music.

All the peoples, nations, and languages

fell down and worshiped the golden image

that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Daniel is going through great lengths

in these first seven verses

to draw attention to who is on display,

who is really the focal point of this ceremony.

And of course,

Nebuchadnezzar is at the center

of the ceremony,

the events that are taking place.

Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned seven times.

We also notice that Daniel mentions

this image that is set up

six times throughout the course

of these seven verses.

This word to set up is to stand.

It's to rise up.

This is all, of course,

in contrast to the instructions

that were given to the crowd.

This image would stand up

and the people were to fall down.

Fall down in reverence.

Fall down in worship.

Fall down in allegiance to the king

in his image.

This image would stand.

The people would fall.

In the plain of Dura,

as flat as it was,

would be the perfect backdrop

to this entire event.

Notice also the composition of the group.

We see seven different classes

of officials that are represented

in verse two.

Satraps, prefects, governors,

counselors, treasurers,

justices, magistrates, officials.

Described here from top to bottom.

From the most important

to the least important.

To those who have the most authority

to the least authority

in the kingdom.

This descending order, as it were,

from head to toe.

And that should also sound familiar.

This group is also comprised of peoples

from every part of the known world.

Notice in verse four,

the herald proclaims aloud,

you are commanded,

O peoples, nations, and languages.

And then in verse seven,

therefore,

as soon as all the people

heard the sound of the horn, pipe,

lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,

and every kind of music,

all the peoples,

nations, and languages,

fell down and worshipped

the golden image

that King Nebuchadnezzar

had set up.

Everybody that was somebody

came to this event

and everybody that was somebody

bowed to this image.

The leading representatives

from the world

assembled to pay homage

to King Nebuchadnezzar.

Their attendance

was not optional.

This test of loyalty

to the kingdom

was placed on every

major government official

that existed.

But Shadrach, Meshach,

and Abednego,

they knew, of course,

that worship to this image

was worship

that would be idolatry

against the worship

of their God.

Allegiance, of course,

to them,

to the God of heaven

was at stake.

And we move to verses six,

excuse me,

verses eight to 12.

We find to reinforce

this command

that Nebuchadnezzar gives,

we find his forceful intimidation.

Nebuchadnezzar is serious

about compliance.

And so he sets in motion

the consequences

that will help to communicate

the greatest severity.

In Daniel chapter three,

verse six,

we see this.

Whoever does not fall down

and worship

shall immediately be cast

into a burning,

fiery furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar probably chose

the fiery furnace

as a means of convenience

because it would be a kiln

like this burning,

fiery furnace

that would be necessary

in order to melt the gold,

to plate this statue,

and also to kiln the bricks

that would have been used

in fashioning the pedestal

and the guts of the image itself.

temperatures in kilns

such as these

could reach anywhere

between 1200 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.

Although it's not recorded,

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

did not bow down to the image.

They were present at the ceremony.

They obeyed as far as they could.

This has been the standout feature

of their time in Babylon.

We see this blend of integrity

and conviction

that is mixed and blended

with compliance.

We see their courage

that's mixed with submission.

We see their faith

that's mixed with adherence.

But here they are again.

They've been summoned

to the plain of Dura.

They come,

although I'm sure

they recognized it was risky.

No doubt they're aware

of the king's ego

and his intent

to single out the dissenters

and call attention

to worship to him.

But they come

to the command

in obedience

and submission

to their authority.

But here now

they're faced with a decision.

Here now they're at a crossroads.

A crossroads

of compliance

and submission to God

versus submission

to the king.

And we find themselves

unable to bow

before the image,

understanding

its implications.

Verse 8 says,

Therefore,

at that time

certain Chaldeans

came forward

and maliciously

accused the Jews.

They declared

to the king,

Nebuchadnezzar,

O king,

live forever.

You, O king,

have made a decree

that every man

who hears the sound

of the horn,

pipe,

lyre,

trigon,

harp,

bagpipe,

and every kind of music

shall fall down

and worship

the golden image.

And whoever

does not fall down

and worship

shall be cast

into a burning,

fiery furnace.

There are certain Jews

whom you have appointed

over the affairs

of the province

of Babylon,

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego.

These men,

O king,

pay no attention

to you.

They do not serve

your gods

or worship

the golden image

that you have set up.

As a side note,

I think it's important

for us to understand

that Daniel

is not present

in this ceremony.

And all along

as we've been reading

through the book

of Daniel,

we've come to see

and appreciate

that Daniel stood

as a figure

that was full

of conviction

and I think

helped to carry

these young men

in doing what was right.

But here,

now these men

stand alone.

The conviction

and worship

and devotion

for their God

is coming through

in their heart

of affection for God

and loyalty to Him.

But the Chaldeans

take notice.

It would have been obvious,

of course,

an act of disobedience.

But you also get

the sense

that these Chaldeans

were on the lookout

because if any of you

have looked at any pictures

of anyone

in Middle Eastern culture

who is bowing down,

you recognize

that their face

is often right

to the ground.

And so there is

zero or very little,

if any,

view of their surroundings

and often eyes closed.

But somehow,

these Chaldeans

are taking notice.

They have a lookout.

It's a convenient observation.

And of course,

they approach the king

to maliciously accuse

these Jews.

This word literally,

or this phrase literally,

means

to eat the pieces of.

They want to devour them

piece by piece.

They want to tear them

to pieces.

Of course,

that is familiar as well

as we understand

that Satan

is not only called

the accuser

and these men

are maliciously

accusing these Jews.

We also understand

that Satan

is the roaring lion

who is seeking

whom he may devour.

These Chaldeans

acting as agents

of the enemy.

They begin

with a formal greeting,

O king,

live forever.

And then they continue

by recounting

the command

that the king has given

as if he didn't know.

But then comes the hook.

There are certain Jews

whom you have appointed

over the affairs

of the province of Babylon.

They pay no attention

to you.

They do not serve

your gods

or worship

the image

that you have set up.

This, of course,

is an attempt

to emphasize

every single point

of suspicion

that they could identify.

They're Jews,

meaning

they're not from here,

Nebuchadnezzar.

They have no allegiance

to Babylon,

Nebuchadnezzar.

They're not on the home team,

as it were.

Watch out.

They pay no attention

to you.

Also,

an attempt

to discredit

their service

that has been

consistent

and faithful

up to this point.

They do not serve

your gods.

And this will be important

as we continue

to work our way

through the text

that service

and worship

are interchangeable

in the scriptures.

That when worship

is happening,

service is also

taking place.

And we see that here

in our text.

They do not serve

your gods

or worship

the image.

Exclusive worship

of God

was allowed

during Nebuchadnezzar's reign,

permitted by him,

but here,

now it's twisted

against these young men.

They do not worship

your image.

Now,

this gets extremely personal.

This is your image,

Nebuchadnezzar.

They don't recognize you

as supreme.

They don't acknowledge

your authority.

They don't pay

any allegiance

to your kingdom,

Nebuchadnezzar.

Watch out for these guys.

It is important to notice

that worship and service,

as I have said,

are interchangeable.

We see that

in the next several verses.

We saw that in verse 12.

We'll see it again

in verse 14

where Nebuchadnezzar

challenges the young men,

is it true

that you do not serve

my gods

or worship

the golden image

I've set up?

And then in verse 17,

the young men say,

our God

whom we serve

is able to deliver.

And then finally,

in verse 18,

we will not serve

your gods

or worship

the golden image

that you have set up.

We will not serve you.

We will not worship you.

We will not pay

our allegiance to you

because God alone

is worthy.

In verses 13 to 15,

we find Nebuchadnezzar

giving them another opportunity,

another chance,

as it were.

He brings Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego

before him.

He recites the command.

He gives them a chance

when the music plays

to fall down

and show their allegiance.

And then Nebuchadnezzar

adds an important element

at the end of verse 15.

Notice,

And who is the God

who will deliver you

out of my hands?

This has always been

a test of power.

Now we're finally getting

to the crux

of what Nebuchadnezzar

is after.

He wants worship

as if he were God.

He wants to establish himself

as the Supreme One.

It's a test of allegiance,

a test of worship.

And Nebuchadnezzar,

by his own mouth,

demonstrates what is central

to this ceremony.

Worship this image.

And no God

can challenge my power.

These three young men

stand their ground.

They serve as an example

to us

of loyalty to Christ

and true worship

that should be true

of every single one of us

who claim

to be followers of Jesus.

We come in verses

16 to 18.

We see Shadrach, Meshach,

and Abednego's devotion.

Nebuchadnezzar

has issued a command.

Now Shadrach, Meshach,

and Abednego

demonstrate their

single-minded devotion

to God.

Notice

in verse 16.

Shadrach, Meshach,

and Abednego

answered and said

to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we have no need

to answer you

in this matter.

If this be so,

our God,

whom we serve,

is able to deliver us

from the burning

fiery furnace.

And he will deliver us

out of your hand,

O king.

But if not,

be it known to you,

O king,

that we will not

serve your gods

or worship

the golden image

that you have set up.

In these few verses,

we find this confident,

bold,

clear,

respectful allegiance

to the one true God.

This is, of course,

intensely personal

for them as well.

Notice in verse 17.

If this be so,

our God,

whom we serve,

is able to deliver us.

He's not just

the God of Abraham,

Isaac, and Jacob.

He's not just

the God of heaven.

He's not just

the God of our forefathers.

He is our God.

He belongs to us.

And we will worship him

as the only

true God.

And this statement,

we have no need

to answer you

in this matter,

is not a statement

of defiance,

but a statement

and a testimony

to their consistent

devotion to God

that has been true

from the very beginning.

You have known us,

Nebuchadnezzar,

from the beginning.

We have never

compromised

the things

that we believed in.

We have remained

true to our God

who has never

abandoned us.

Our lives have remained

a faithful witness

to our true devotion

to him.

Nothing's going to

change that.

Not being stripped away

from our country.

Not becoming slaves

in this new empire.

Not losing our family

and friends.

Not for the sake

of privilege

and position.

Not for fear

of reputation.

and not in the face

of death.

We will remain

true to the one

true God.

He is not distant.

He's not abandoned us.

He's not diminished

in power

or failed to answer us

when we pray.

He is present.

He is active.

And he is able

to save.

Our hope

is in him.

Even if he doesn't save,

we will still

not serve your God

or worship

this image.

We must draw the line.

We must remain true

to our allegiance

to our God.

They do this

because they know

the word of God.

They do this

because they know

the power of God.

They do this

because they are

settled

in the results

that God

will bring.

Next week,

we're going to

finish the story.

And we're going to

see how their commitment

to worship

to God,

the God who could

save them

from the fire,

does save

in his presence.

He sends his presence

to carry them

through the fire.

But each one of us

in this room

are confronted

with the kind

of struggle,

the kind of decision

that we see

happening

in our passage.

We're confronted

with this

nearly every day.

I'm reminded

of Joshua

at the end

of his life

who says

in Joshua

24, 15,

he says,

choose this day

whom you will serve.

That's our word again.

But as for me

and my house,

we will serve

the Lord.

There is a decision

that we need to make.

Who is the object

of your affection?

Who is the center

of your worship?

And you may

fill in the blank

with who

is the one

that you serve?

Like Nebuchadnezzar,

I find my own

heart demanding

worship.

Not the kind

of worship

that I set up

an image

of myself

and ask people

to bow down,

but the kind

of worship

where I want

to be at the

center of attention.

You find the pole,

that same pole

on your own heart?

You want to be

the center of attention?

You want to be

the object of praise?

You want the

commendation,

the recognition?

You want the

attaboy?

You want the pat

on the back?

You want people

to say,

wow,

what a great job

you're doing?

What a great person

you are?

We want the kind

of worship

that Nebuchadnezzar

craved.

We want loyalty

to us.

We want the world

to revolve

around our desires

and our interests.

While we may not

be as bold

as Nebuchadnezzar

to demand

that people

worship us,

remember that worship

and service

go hand in hand

and service

is inherent

in us.

That's why Jesus

in confronting

the disciples,

remember the argument

that they're having

about who is first?

Jesus has to

confront them

in Mark chapter 9

Mark 9:35

verse 35.

He says,

He sat down,

called His twelve

and said to them,

If anyone desires

to be first,

he shall be last

and of all

and servant

of all.

Like Nebuchadnezzar,

we put ourselves

in the center.

Like Nebuchadnezzar,

we want the world

to serve us.

Jesus, of course,

came to change

all of that.

In Mark 10, 45,

He came not

to be served,

but to serve

and to give His life

a ransom for many.

He came to unlock

the door

of true service

and worship

to God

that gets me

out of the way

and puts Him

at the center.

We are all like

Nebuchadnezzar

in our heart.

We do whatever

is in our power

to force the issue,

to get our way,

to demand our rights,

to make ourselves known.

We want to

intimidate.

We want to manipulate.

We want everyone

to bow down

and serve us.

We would never

put it in those terms,

but that's exactly

what's happening.

Of course,

none of this

was the way of Christ

who sets the example

for us.

And I would encourage you

just in our closing moments

to open up

to Philippians chapter 2.

Philippians 2 · chapter mention

I want to read

through this

with a new lens

and I want you

to be able to see

how self-service

is in us.

It must be rooted

out of us

and that will only happen

as we make Jesus

the center

of our affection.

Philippians chapter 2.

Philippians 2 · chapter mention

Let me just read this for us.

It says,

So if there is any

encouragement in Christ,

any comfort from love,

any participation

in the Spirit,

any affection

and sympathy,

complete my joy

by being of the same mind,

have the same love,

being in full accord

and of one mind.

Do nothing

from selfish ambition

or conceit,

conceit,

but in humility

count others

more significant

than yourselves.

Now why does Paul

have to say that?

Because it is in us.

We want what we want

and we want everyone

to want the same things

that we want.

But the instruction

goes on,

let each of you

look out

not only to his own interest

but also to the interest

of others.

Why?

Because of Christ.

In verse 5,

have this mind

found among yourselves,

which is yours

in Christ Jesus,

who though he was

in the form of God,

did not count equality

with God a thing

to be grasped,

but he emptied himself,

taking the form

of a servant,

being born in the likeness

of men,

and being found

in human form,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient

to the point of death,

even death on a cross.

Therefore God

has highly exalted him

and bestowed on him

the name that is

above every name,

said the name of Jesus.

Every knee should bow

in heaven,

on earth,

and under the earth,

and every tongue

will confess

that Jesus Christ

is Lord

to the glory

of God the Father.

Allow your heart

to follow the lead

of your Savior.

Allow your heart

to bend

and flex

and lay down

and abandon

self-interest

for the sake

of love

to Christ.

Stop serving

yourself

and start

serving him.

And trust

that in that process

that God

will

allow you

to see the fruit

of that kind

of life.

The kind of fruit

where God himself

is the one

who is meeting

needs

and strengthening

your life

and leading you

to fruitfulness.

At the end of the day,

at the end of the age,

because of Christ's

example

of humility,

we're going to

enjoy

and remember

what Christ

has accomplished

for us

through his death,

his body,

his blood.

He's made a way

for us

to enjoy

this kind

of life.

self-abandonment

for the sake

of love

and worship

to God.

As I pray,

I want to encourage

the men

to come forward

and we'll remember

the body

and blood

of Christ

through the elements.

Father,

thank you

for the example

that you've set

in your son,

Jesus.

And Lord,

thank you

that every knee

will bow

and every tongue

will confess

that you're Lord,

that you will get

the praise

that you deserve.

but it will come

in the time

that's been ordained

by the Father.

So Lord,

I pray that you'd

help us to follow

in your steps.

And Lord,

as we take

the elements

this morning

that we would

remember

that you are

faithful

and dependable,

that as Christ

submitted his will

to the Father

and got to enjoy

the benefits

of that obedience,

we too

can enjoy

the benefits

of trust

in you

and service

of you.

May you be

pleased

through our time

together.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Amen.