Hope Has a Name: Part 3 - 'The Patchwork Prince'
This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
Here are some questions to consider:
Readings:
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he existed in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
assuming human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God exalted him even more highly
and gave him the name
that is above every other name,
10 so that at the name given to Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Prayer and Reflection:
Father God, we thank you that your will for us is good and pleasing and perfect, and that you don’t want any one of us to be lost. Thank you that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, made in Your image and loved by You, immeasurably and eternally.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for your amazing sacrifice. Thank you that You humbled Yourself, even to death on a cross, according to the will of the Father that we might be saved.
Holy Spirit, we thank you that You reside in us, that You are always with us - to guide us, to strengthen us, to counsel and heal us.
Loving God, help us to accept Your mandate of love and restoration, and the mantle of Your servant-hearted Ambassadors. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace and the King of love. Amen.
Questions to Consider
1. Can you think of anyone who might be humble in appearance, but you really admire them?
2. What is it about them that you admire?
3. Conversely, can you think of anyone who is perhaps outwardly beautiful, powerful or “successful” but you’re less sure they are quite so admirable?
4. What are the qualities or attributes that you find most admirable pr appealing in others? What draws you to someone most?
5. Reflecting on yourself, where do you need work, as it were, in terms of becoming more like Jesus, the servant King?
6. What might you do to centre your life, yourself, more on Jesus?
7. What might God be asking of you in the season beyond Easter – is there anything that you will reflect on from our series “Hope has a Name”?