I have been reading the Psalms with my family over dinner.  Psalms 96 – 100 are strong on themes of God’s holiness and His worthiness of celebration.  For example, in Pslam 96 it reads

For the Lord is great and is highly praised;  He is feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary

– Psalm 96:4-6

And now we approach Philippians chapter 2 and humility as demonstrated by Jesus.

Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men.  And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death —even to death on a cross  – Philippians 2:5-8

How do we reconcile these two very different pictures of God?  God’s holiness and His humility?  Why would God “empty Himself” of such “splendor and majesty” to become a “slave”.   The answer is the gospel.

For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! – Romans 3:23

If we continue reading our in Philippians 2 :9-11, we see that it is because Jesus humbled himself that he will be glorified.  In considering God’s holiness and his humility the picture of the gospel comes into sharp focus and we are reminded at what cost our salvation comes.

For this reason God highly exalted Him sand gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow —of those who are in heaven and on earthand under the earth — and every tongue  should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  – Philippians 2:9-11

This week at Westwind we will encounter and celebrate God,  His holiness and humility, and “we will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”.  You find our set list below.  See you there!

Beautiful Jesus – Kristian Stanfill

Holy, Holy, Holy – Hillsong Live

Unending Song – Leeland

The Saving One – Starfield

How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin

Nova – Hillsong