Faith Community Church - Sunday Sermons

The key to humble service to one another is to have the mind of Christ. But what is the mind of Christ? In this study of Philippians 2 and Christology, we consider His humility in light of these four truths: His preexistence before all creation, His equality with the Father, His self-emptying, and His willingness to take the form of a slave. Together, these truths reveal the astonishing humility of the One who is truly God yet became truly man to redeem us from our plight of sin. May the Holy Spirit teach us to have the mind of Christ and make us more like Him in humility and service.

The eternal Son of God became truly human, but what does this mean? Hebrews 2:5-18 reveals that in the incarnation, Christ became like us in all things (both body and soul), endured temptation, and tasted death for His people. The incarnation was heaven’s answer to our call for divine intervention. God in flesh did come down from heaven to provide not mere temporary relief, but true eternal salvation.This passage reveals six features of Christ’s humanity: His debasement, death, body, brotherhood, fullness, and exaltation. In His humanity, Christ became one of us, even calling us brethren. He became human to become all that we were supposed to be, to save us from our plight, to empower us in our fight against sin, and to bring many sons to glory.

In this opening message of our Christology series, we turn to the person and nature of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1 presents a breathtaking vision of the deity of Christ: He is the heir of all things, the agent of creation, the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of God’s nature, the sustainer of the universe, the co-regent with God, and the one far superior to angels. These seven truths call us to behold Christ as truly God. As we consider His divine nature, we also reflect on what it means to know Him, worship Him, and listen to Him.

Paul anchors the church’s practice of male leadership in three doctrines: creation (Adam first, then Eve), the fall (Eve deceived, not Adam), and salvation (“the childbirth” that points to Christ). See why the church upholds male leadership, how Jesus the second Adam fulfills the role Adam failed to play, and why “a woman will be saved through the childbirth” is good news for all who abide in faith, love, holiness with a sound mind.

God has designed and ordained the church to be the place where disciples are made. This purpose of God includes, not excludes, women. Even as Jesus taught women, so the church of God is to let women learn and mature as disciples of Christ. This matter of women’s role in discipleship is what Paul addresses in this passage. Four facets of his instructions are expounded in this sermon: learning (discipleship), teachers, quietness, and submissiveness. Complementarianism raises many questions of biblical interpretation and application. Several of these FAQs are addressed at the end of this sermon.

As God’s redeemed community, the church is to engage in profound spiritual worship, giving God all our attention and praise. Given this aim of our corporate gathering, even our attire should be ordered toward this singular objective. This means practicing self-restraint and sound judgment, even in the very practical matter of clothing, but doing so without pharisaism or overzealousness. This is neither a weightier provision of the law nor the supreme command of God. Even as Scripture leaves room for individual expression and application in this matter, we should show latitude and generosity toward one another. Let each person prayerfully and thoughtfully seek to worship and honor God.Beyond sensible attire, what God truly desires in worship is spiritual adornment, especially that women adorn themselves with good works (as the fruit of salvation, not its root). As with personal holiness, we look to Jesus as the supreme example of good works. May we fix our eyes on Him and grow as true worshipers whom the Father seeks.