Sermon Title: Putting Self On The Shelf Sermon Text: Philippians 2:1-4

“The Master’s Vessel”

The master was searching for a vessel to use;

On the shelf there were many, which one would he choose.

Take me, cried the gold one, I’m shiny and bright,

I’m of great value and I do everything right.

My beauty and luster will outshine the rest,

And for someone like you, master, gold would be the best.

The master passed on, with no words at all,

He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall.

I’ll serve you, dear master, I’ll pour out your wine,

And be at your table whenever you dine.

My lines are so graceful, my cravings so true,

My silver will evermore complement you.

Unheeding, the master passed on to the brass.

It was wide-mouthed and shallow and polished like glass.

Here, here cried the vessel, I know I will do,

Place me on your table for all men to view.

Look at me, cried the goblet of crystal so clear,

My transparency shows off, my contents so dear.

But I’m fragile, don’t break me, and I’ll serve you with pride,

I’m sure you’ll be happy with me by your side.

The master passed on to a vessel of wood,

Polished and carved it so solidly stood.

You may use me, dear master, the wooden bowl said,

But I’d rather you use me for fruit, not for bread.

Then the master looked down and saw a vessel of clay,

Helpless and broken at his feet it lay.

No ope had that vessel that the master might choose,

To cleanse it, and mend it, to fill it and to use.

Ah, this is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,

I will mend it and use it and make it mine.

I need not the vessel with pride in itself,

Not the one so narrow to sit on the shelf.

Not the one that is big-mouthed and shallow and loud,

Nor the one who displays his contents so proud.

Not the one who trust it can do thing just right,

But this plain earthen vessel filled with my power and might.

Then gently, he lifted the vessel of clay,

Mended it and cleansed it and filled it that day.

He spoke to it kindly, theres work you must do,

You just pour out to other, and I’ll pour into you.

Background

There’s nothing the master wants more than a humble servant and when

you study and search the scripture, you discover the lord did his best work

when one was completely surrendered to him.

Ivan the great was the czar of all of russia during the 15th century. He

brought together the warring tribes into one vast empire, the soviet union.

As a fighting man, he was courageous. As a general, he was brilliant.

He drove out the enemy and established peace across the nation but he was

so busy waging his campaigns, he did not have an family. His advisers

were quite concerned and reminded him, that unless he married and had

children, there would not be a heir to the throne, which would cause

national chaos.

Therefore they were given permission to search the entire capital for an

suitable wife, and after a careful search, it was agreed that he would marry

the daughter of the king of greece.

The king was delighted. He knew this would align him with the emerging

giant of the north, but he would only agree with the wedding under one

condition: Ivan the great must become an member of the greek orthodox

church.

He agreed and an priest was sent to instruct him in doctrine. Once he was

done, he and five hundred soldiers made their way to athens. He was

baptized into the orthodox church by immersion, which was the custom of

the eastern church.

His soldiers asked to be baptized also. The church assigned 500 priest to

give them an one on one crash course in the orthodox faith. When they

were done, the soliders, all 500 of them, were immersed in one mass

baptism.

What a sight that must have been, 500 priest and 500 soliders, walking

into the blue mediterranean. The priest were dressed in black robes and

tall black hats. The soldiers wore their battle uniform, with their ribbons

of valor, and medals of courage, and weapons of warfare.

Suddenly there was a problem. The church prohibited professional solider

from being members, which meant they would have to give up their

commitment to bloodshed.

They could not be killers and church members at the same time. This was

not acceptable to Ivan and his soliders. Therefore an compromise would

have to be reached.

They agreed, when the priest started to baptize each solider, the solider

would take his word, and lift it high above his head, so that when he was

being immersed everything was baptized except for the arm that held his

sword.

What a powerful picture of christianity today. How many christians have

surrendered everything, but one thing? We sing that song, I surrender all,

and yet for many, we don’t even know what that means. It doesn’t mean

we surrender alot. It doesn’t mean we surrender alittle. It means we

surrender all

But in order for that to take place, we must put self on the shelf, which is

the theme of our text this morning. Throughout this chapter, paul will

show us the power of unity, and the power of humility, both which are

needed in the church, today.

During this time, there was an lack of harmony and humility within the

church. There were two members who were at odds with each other, causing

division and discord among the body of christ.

In chapter four and verse two we read where they did not have the same

mind, meaning they did not have the same soul or spirit, and paul urged

them to settle the score, and make things right, before they caused even

more damage to the body of christ.

Little is known about these two, other than their names, euodia and

syntyche, but several facts are made about their situation. They were

church members not troublemakers from outside the congregation.

Next, their dispute and debate was not over an doctrinal issue. If it had

been, Paul would have resolved it, by siding with the one who was correct

and rebuking the one who was incorrect.

Last, they were prominent women, well respected by the church, however

their dispute was causing tension in the church, and last time we were here

we learned we were to have the same soul and spirit, so that we can walk

consistently, and work cooperatively, and war courageously.

They could not be the church without the church and when are we going

to realize that we need each other, whether or not we agree with each other.

By the way, there will come an day when you do not agree with me

But there will also come an day when I do not agree with you, but that

does not mean we can’t agree to disagree, and come together and change

our world one soul at an time, which is becoming of the gospel.

Paul pleaded with both women, to live in harmony, because he knew how

much hostility grieved the heart of god. When we are hostile we tear apart

what the lord has built

And when we tear apart what the lord has built, were doing the work of

the devil, since tearing apart what the lord has built has been his cheif

priority since the beginning. Since the beginning he has tried to bring

discord, and division among the brethren. There have been many churches

who were once strong, but they gave the devil an inch and he took an mile,

and that could very well take place here.

Having said that, we should guard the door and make sure we do not allow

the enemy to come in, knowing once he comes in, he can bring destruction

through discord and division.

In other words, he can tear apart what you have spenttime building. One

inch, and all the blood, and sweat, and tears goes down the drain. This

church does not have to be another statistic.

This church does not have to be another, what use to be, or what was. This

church can stand together, serve together, share together, and strive

together and notice we must do it together which requires harmony and

humility, and that’s what I want to talk to you about this morning, how

you can put self on the shelf, because you can’t have unity without

humility.

(V.1-2a) If there be therefore any consolation in christ, if any comfort of

love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my

joy

Greek Translation

(V.1-2a) therefore since there is encouragement in christ, since there is

consolation of love, since there is fellowship of the spirit, since there is

affection and compassion, fulfill ye my joy.

The word “therefore” turns our attention back to verses 27-30, where the

church was urged to live out loud, which means they were to live in such

an way that others could tell they were the citizens of heaven. In other

words, they were to represent their king, who was the king of kings, but

sadly, there were some who were causing division and discord in the

church.

As an result, there were many who were walking away, because they saw

an church that did not have harmony and humility, I mean who want’s

to be apart of an church that’s coming apart? No one!!!

Therefore, the apostle paul writes them and warns them that their

character did not match their citizenship. In other words, they were not

wearing his coat well.

(V.1-4) Since they experiences the consolation of christ, the comfort of

love, the fellowship of the spirit, and the mercy and compassion of the lord,

they were to make his joy complete, by being likeminded, having the same

love, being of one accord and of one mind. Let nothing be done through

strife, or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem each other

better than themselves and look not every man on his own things, but every

man also on the things of others!!! Paul said you want to make my sure

my joy is full, you want to fill up my joy cup?

Show Some Harmony

Show Some Humility

Show Some Hospitality!

“These Are The Characteristics Of Our Citizenship”

I. As Citizens Of Heaven, We Must Show Harmony: 2

(V.2) By being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord and

of one mind.

By the way, have you notice, since we have been in this series, that the key

to our success hinges upon our unity as believers? Being likeminded, means

having the same mind.

And last week, when we were here, we learned that in order for the church

to advance the kingdom, they must be one soul and one spirit. In other

words, they are to think the same thing.

Does not mean we will agree all the time, but it does mean we will agree

to do whatever’s necessary. At the end of the day, even though we have

many ideas we have the same desire, making christ known unto the end of

the earth.

However, that will never happen unless were on the same page about the

same person. There once was an well known music teacher who said: It’s

virtually impossible to tune one piano to another piano, but, if you’ll take

one piano and tune it to a tuning fork, and another piano and tune it to

the same tuning fork, rather than having cacophony, you will have

harmony, because both pianos are tuned to the same tuning fork.

As a matter of fact, you can take one of these pianos, and take it downtown,

and tune it to the same tuning fork. Even though it was in a different

place it would still be in harmony with the piano here, and that’s the same

way it is with us.

Because when were in tune with the lord, it does not matter the differences

of opinion we may have about certain subject, we will all agree on one

thing: JESUS IS LORD!!!!

There once was a married couple who was traveling, when they saw

flashing red and blue light in the rear-view mirror. When the officer

approached the car, the husband asked him “what’s the problem, officer?

The officer said, sir you were going 75 mph in an 55 mph zone. I’m afraid

I’m going to give you a ticket.” The man said, no sir, I was only going

alittle over 60, but his wife said, oh harry, you were going at least 80.

The officer says, I’m also going to give you an ticket for your broken

taillight. The man said, broken taillight? I didn’t know anything about

an broken taillight.

His wife chimed in again, oh harry you have known about that taillight

for week. The officer then says, I’m also going to give you a ticket for not

wearing your seatbelt. The man said I just took it off while you were

walking up. His wife says, oh harry, you never wear your seatbelt!!! The

man turns to his wife and says, can you just be quiet. The officer turns

and asks the wife, Ma’am, does your husband talk to you this way all the

time? She responds and says, only when he is drunk.

Would you agree–a clear case of disunity. One of the greatest drains on

our lives is the drain of division. Yet, in Psalms 133: 1-2: God says through

david behold how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell

together in unity!

Its like precious oil upon the head that ran down upon the beard, even

aaron’s beard that went down to the skirts of his garments. The unity of

the believer is compared to the anointing of the high priest. David said

unity is:

Precious

Pleasant

Priceless

Powerful

As the citizens of heaven, we must show harmony towards one another…

II. As Citizens Of Heaven, We Must Show Humility: 3

(V.3) Let nothing be done in vainglory but in lowliness of mind let each

esteem other better than themselves…You cannot have harmony without

humility.

V.1-2: Paul Speaks About Our Relationships

V.3-4: Paul Speaks About Our Responsibilities

He gives us two negative attitudes we must eliminate and one positive

attitude we must cultivate. First, we must do nothing out of selfish

ambition or vain conceit.

Second, we must esteem each other better than ourselves. In other words,

our attitudes will determine our altitudes. As the citizens of heaven, we

must have the right attitude. During his sermon on the mount, the lord

had much to say about the attitude of the believer.

Matthew 5:1-12: he opened his mouth and taught them saying: blessed are

the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, blessed are they that

mourn for they shall be comforted, blessed are the meek, for they shall

inherit the earth, blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after

righteousness, for they shall be filled, blessed are the merciful, for they shall

obtain mercy, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see god, blessed

are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of god, blessed are

they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom

of heaven, blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake, rejoice

and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven.

These are the characteristics of an true citizen of heaven. These are the

attitudes were to display toward one another, and yet there are many, who

claim they have been born again, who do not show, through their actions

and attitudes that they are the citizens of heaven.

There have been many who I have pastored who have turned people away

because they did not live in such an way that was becoming of the gospel.

There once was an couple who came to our church, and during the evening

service, they both walked down the aisle, and asked the lord to be their

personal lord and savior. After the service, I noticed that everyone was

very kind toward the young man, but not the lady. I did not think much

about it until the next week.

The next week, the young lady came back, and brought her son with her

and he also walked the aisle and asked the lord too be his personal lord and

savior.

After the service, I noticed once again that everyone was very kind toward

the young man, but not the lady. For the next several weeks, this family

would come to church and every single time they would acknoweldge the

young man and his son, but not the lady.

Finally, one day, the young lady messaged me on facebook and told me

that she would not be back and when I asked her why she told me that she

did not feel welcomed and since she had been no one had said one word to

her. So, I asked someone who she was and where she was from and I found

out that she had an very dark past, which involved some people who went

to our church, the very same people who were being unkind towards her.

She never darkened the door of the church, again.

During my first pastorate, there was an young lady who came to chruch

along with her daughter. She seemed shy and skidish and sat in the back

during the morning service, but when the service was over, she walked down

the aisle, and asked the lord to be her personal lord and savior.

When the service was over, I stood next to her and asked the church to

come and shake her hand and welcome her into the family, but I noticed

that even though people were shaking her hand they did not seem very

happy about it.

So, the next week, I found out where she lived, and went and visited her

and her daughter. I found out that they did not have an way to church

and had walked to church the previous sunday.

The next sunday, I went and picked them up and brought them to church,

and when I entered into the service a man came up to me and said he

needed to talk to me after service.

So, when the service was over, we met and he told me that we did not need

her kind at our church. She had a very dark past, which involved drugs,

therefore he did not believe she belonged at our church.

I was shocked, and even though I was not allowed to pick her up again, I

tried my best to make sure she had an ride to church, but when she heard

what had been said about her and when she saw how people were treating

her, she never darkened the door again. For years, I’ve seen this attitude

displayed within the church, but hear me when I tell you this morning,

that many will die and spend eternity in hell because we did not practice

what we preached.

Having said that, how much blood will be upon your hands because you

did not live in such an way that other could tell you were the citizen of

heaven.

The Blood Of Your Neighbors?

The Blood Of Your Co-Workers?

The Blood Of Your Friends?

The Blood Of Your Family?

How much blood will be upon your hands?

As the citizens of heaven, we must make sure we have the right attitude,

knowing our actions cause reactions. For that reason, the apostle paul said,

“Let nothing be done through strife and vainglory, but in lowliness of

mind, let each esteem each other better than themselves.”

In other words, they were to humble themselves and put the concern of

others before their own. The word strife can also mean selfishness which is

the root of every sin.

It was by placing his will above god’s that satan fell. It was by placing

their own wills above god’s that adam and eve brought sin into the world.

The word “strife” can also describe someone seeking political office, whose

willing to do whatever it takes to win that office.

They are trying to climb the corporate ladder, and they could careless how

many people they step on and how many people they push aside. They are

only interested in their personal self-advancement and agenda.

They will tear others down, in order to build themselves up!!!

You don’t believe me? Wait till November!!!

They will tear each other down in order to build themselves up. Hear me

when I tell you the same attitude can be developed in the church. There

are some who believe their opinion matters more due to how much they put

in the offering plate.

Look up here, I do not care how much or how little you put in the plate,

you will be treated the same way at this church and as long as I’m the

pastor this will not be a political church this will be a biblical church,

which means were going to do things the right way, building our church

by the principals of the word of god. Let nothing be done through strife

and vainglory!!!

The word vainglory can also mean empty conceit. It literally means empty

glory. Whereas selfish ambition pursues personal goals, empty conceit seeks

personal glory and acclaim.

The former pertains to personal accomplishments; the latter to an

overinflated self-image. A person with such conceit considers himself

always to be right and expects others to agree with him.

The only unity he seeks or values is centered on himself. Have you ever

met anyone like that before? If not, you will. You will meet people who

think their values and visions are better than anyone else’s. Can I stop

here and ask this question? Why do you do what you do?

Why do you serve on the deacon board?

Why do you teach sunday school?

Why do you lead the youth?

Why do you sing in the choir?

Why do you play the piano?

Why do you play the organ?

Why? Why do you do what you do? I believe that’s a question each and

everyone here needs to answer! Because you are either doing what you do

for your glory or his glory, but it cannot be both, but may I remind you

the lord will not share his glory with you.

King herod, one day was arrayed with royal apparel, and say down upon

his throne, and when he was one speaking unto the people, the people

shouted, the voice of god and not of man and when they were done the

angel of the lord smote him and kill him, because he did not give glory

unto god.

I do not know why you do what you do, but I do know the lord will not

share his glory with anyone or anything else. The bible says, I am the

lord, that is my name, I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise

to graven images.

As the church, we must do nothing through strife and vainglory, but in

lowliness of mind, we must esteem each other better than ourselves. What

does that mean?

The word lowliness means the humility of the mind. It is the very opposite

of selfish ambition and empty conceit, the humble person thinks more

about others than they do about themselves and yet there are many who

do the complete opposite.

The bible says two men who went into the temple to pray, one a pharisee,

and the other a publican and the pharisee stood up and prayed, god, I

thank thee, I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or

even as this publican.

I fast twice a week and give tithes of all that I possess and the publican

standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven but

smote upon his breast saying god be merciful unto me a sinner.

The Prayer Of The Haughty Man Was Rejected

The Prayer Of The Humble Man Was Accepted

God Went Home With The Humble Man!!!

I Peter 5:5-6: yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with

humility, for god resisteth the proud and giveth grace unto the humble.

Humble yourself therefore, under the mighty hand of god that he may

exalt you in due time.

Matthew 23:12: for those who exalt themselves shall be humble, and those

who humble themselves shall be exalted, which leads us to ask the question

how do we show humility towards each other?

By esteeming each other better than ourselves. In other words, the church

will treat others better than they treat themselves. It does not mean we

pretend they are more important, but we believe they are more important.

Let me ask you, when was the last time you cared about others more than

you cared about yourself, which lead me to my next point…

III. As Citzens Of Heaven, We Must Show Hospitality: 4

(V.4) look not every man on his own things but every man also on the

things of others, which means the church does not revolve around you, the

church revolves around others. As the citizens of heaven you should be

concerned about others, especially your brother and sister in christ. An

well-known motto among the early rabbis was, let your friend’s honor be

as dear to you as your own.

Your Concern Should Be My Concern!!!

My Concern Should Be Your Concern!!!

We Should Be Concerned About Each Other!!!

I Jn 3:17: but whoso hath this world’s good and sees his brother have need

and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwell the love of

god in him?

Proverbs 21:13: whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall

cry himself, but shall not be heard.

Matthew 25:33-41: he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats

on the left.Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand Come,

ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the

foundation of the world:For I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was

thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was an stranger, and ye took me in. I was

naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison

and you came unto me but then the righteous will answer him saying,

lord, when saw we thee hungry, and feed thee or thirsty and gave thee

drink? When saw we thee an stranger, and took thee in or naked and

clothed thee. When saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee and

the King shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, inasmuch

as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done

it unto me, but then he will say unto them on his left, depart from me you

cursed into eternal fire prepare for the devil and his angels. I was hungry

and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me nothing

to drink. I was an stranger and you did not take me in. I was naked and

you did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me,

but they also will answer saying, lord when did we see you hungry or

thirsty or a stranger or naked, or sick or in prison and did not minister

to you and the lord will answer and say unto them, truly I say to you, as

you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me and

these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal

life.

On the day of judgment, there will be those who are rewarded for their

labor, and there will be those who are rebuked. There will be some who

hear, well done thy good and faithful servant, and then there will be other

who will hear, depart from me for I never knew you, simply because they

did not care about other.

The Key To Joy???

Jesus!!!

Others!!!

Yourself!!!

Conclusion

It was Christmas Eve, 1910. General William Booth, the founder of The

Salvation Army was an invalid and near the end of his life—it was

impossible for him to attend the Army’s annual convention.

Someone near the General suggested that Booth send a telegram to be read

at the opening of the convention to the many Salvation Army soldiers in

attendance as an encouragement for their many hours of labor serving

others throughout the holidays and the cold winter months.

Booth agreed. Funds were limited and telegrams charged by the word, so

to ensure as much money as possible would still go to help the needy,

General Booth decided to send a one word message.

He searched his mind and reviewed his years of ministry, seeking the one

word that would summarize his life, the mission of the Army and

encourage the soldiers to continue on.

When the thousands of delegates met, the moderator announced that

Booth could not be present due to his failing health. Gloom and pessimism

swept across the convention floor until the moderator announced that

Booth had sent a telegram to be read at the start of the first session. He

opened the message and read just one word: “Others!”

Signed, General Booth.