August 2, 2013 Center on Jesus

Philippians 2:1-4 Center on Jesus So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. “COMPLETE my joy,” Paul says. When you consider the circumstances in which Paul wrote these words, this is a very Jesus-centered sentence. Joy could easily have been the last thing on Paul’s mind. He was imprisoned in a house in Rome, chained to a Roman guard 24/7. It had been 5 years since he had been free! How could Paul say, “Complete my joy” from prison? Paul could express his joy and desire more joy because he has said, “Yes.” to Jesus’ joy invitation recorded in John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” Lovingly and joyfully Paul encourages the Philippians to Jesus-centered, Spirit-powered lives as they “in humility count others more significant than (themselves).” You know about humility, don’t you? Humility shows up when you don’t have to always be right. You’ll find humility when you put others before you. Humility really comes into the open when you put Jesus before you. Humility brings people together, and humility is a means to love one another in Jesus’ love. Be humble to center your life on Jesus. Doing so will make your more complete. A Moment’s Thought: centering on Jesus takes you off center stage.