Episode 192: August 4, 2024 - Humility In Christ

Eternity Church PodCast

A Sunday morning sermon by Pastor Brett Deal. The other morning driving up 95, my thoughts were running about as fast as my minivan (which between you and me was probably a little too fast for useful thinking or the congested traffic). Wisely, I eased up on the pedal and put on a gospel playlist. Over the soft hum of the organ, the voice of the singer spoke the words of found in Nehemiah 8.6: “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.” With each invitation, I found my heart singing “Amen!” This beautiful song, composed by Andrae Crouch and sung by Marvin Winans, is an invitation for all of us to step back from the hectic sprint of our minds and the hustle and bustle of our days. Every stanza and chorus is an invitation to stand with Ezra and Nehemiah and the Israelites gathered home in Jerusalem. Every line, a new chance to agree with their words of worship. Ezra blessed the Lord and the people said, “Amen!” This isn’t just a long ago celebration of who God has been, but a present place of agreement for who God is right here and right now. It is also a prayer packed with hope and faith, rejoicing in who God forever will be! Here and now let us agree and say, "Amen!” Truly, if there is—and I know 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, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2.1-4). Beloved, with the Apostle Paul, and the great cloud of witnesses, let the Church say, “Amen!”