Jesus & The Art Of Humility

Introduction

In June of 2020, Lybi Ma in the Psychology Today article “The Art of Humility” wrote I quote:

“We can practice humility by taking a step back from our own desires and fears, and by looking outward at the larger world of which we are a part. Humility has to do with changing our perspective of ourselves as members of a community, a particular historical moment, or even a profoundly flawed species.”

Lybi Ma goes even further to write:

“A humble mindset has significant positive effects on our cognitive, interpersonal, & decision- making skills. Humble people are better learners and problem solvers.”

Some studies have found that humility is more important as a predictive performance indicator than IQ.

The ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius, believed our individual needs and desires are always secondary to what is deemed best for society at large.

Dick Johnson, retired President and CEO of Footlocker has said:

“A leader’s humility allows other people to see they are important, that they matter”

In his sermon on the mount, Jesus preached:

Matthew 5:5 ESV

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. πραΰς

to not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, gentle, humble, considerate,

Jesus went on further to say in

Luke 22:27 ESV

27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Transition To Body- People in Philippians exalting themselves & not showing unity

Paul drafts the letter of Philippians to a church struggling to experience joy, love, & unity due to the absence of humility among some of it’s members

Overseers, Deacons, & church ought be on one accord

Philippians 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proclaiming Christ Insincerely

Philippians 1:15–18 ESV

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Example of Paul’s Service to the Church

Philippians 1:25–26 ESV

25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Humility is important to keeping and maintaining unity within the local and broader church community

Introduce sermon title

So I would like to use as a title for today’s Resurrection Sunday message:

“Jesus & The Art Of Humility”

Let us Pray

Body

The Church’s Inspiration & Demonstration of Humble Unity (Phil 2:1-4)

Philippians 2:1 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

The results of any:

Encouragement in Christ

Comfort from love

Participation in the Spirit

Affection & sympathy

Complete my Joy (Where unity is needed)

Philippians 2:2 ESV

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Mind towards one another

Love towards one another

Being in full accord with one another

One mind - (emphasized again)

Unselfishness

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Illustration: a chain is only as strong as its weakest link

Linked Together As One

Philippians 4:2–3 ESV

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Now this could seem humiliating to some, especially in this age which we live of selfies

Illustration: In case you did not know a selfie is a self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a digital camera or smartphone, which may be held in the hand or supported by a selfie stick. Selfies are often shared on social media, via social networking services such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram.

We used to allow others to take pictures of us

So people need an example of this type of unity, so Paul presents

Jesus Christ’s Example of Unselfish Humility (Phil 2:5-8)

Starts with The mind of Jesus Christ

Availability of Jesus Christ’s Mind

Philippians 2:5 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. φρονέω

φρονέω

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. φρονέω

to develop an attitude based on careful thought, be minded/disposed

Paul’s Mature Mindset

Philippians 1:7 ESV

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

Mature Mindset

Philippians 3:15 ESV

15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV

11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

Galatians 5:10 ESV

10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.

Mature Mindset is Humble

Romans 12:3–5 ESV

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

How do you feel about your brothers and sisters in Christ? What is your mindset? Are you spiritually mature regarding your view of the saints

Jesus Christ’s Example of Unselfish Humility- Humble Resignation (Phil 2:6)

Philippians 2:6 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

Resignation- the action or condition of enduring hardship or discomfort without resisting or attempting to improve it

Jesus Christ’s Example of Unselfish Humility- Humble Incarnation (Phil 2:7)

Philippians 2:7 ESV

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Jesus Christ’s Example of Unselfish Humility- Humble Crucifixion (Phil 2:8)

Philippians 2:8 ESV

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Servant

Obedient

Romans 5:6–8 ESV

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Then comes

Jesus Christ’s Exaltation and Glorification (Phil 2:9-11)

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Exalted name

Exalted as LORD

Glorifies God, the Father- hence obedience though Jesus was God

Transition To Close- First Shall Come Last

In the movie, the Princess Diaries young Princess Mia Thermopolis makes a speech about her decision whether or not to accept the role as Princess of Genovia:

“ I wonder how I’d feel after abdicating my role as princess of Genovia. Would I feel relieved, or would I feel sad? And then I realized how many stupid times a day I use the word I. In fact, probably all I ever do is think about myself. And how lame is that when there are seven billion people out there on this planet? But then I thought, if I cared about the other seven billion people out there instead of just me, that’s probably a much better use of my time. You see, if I were princess of Genovia, then my thoughts and the thoughts of the people smarter than me would be much better heard- and just maybe those thoughts could be turned into action.”

Close: To God Be The Glory For the Things He’s Done!

Matthew 20:26–28 ESV

26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 12:32–33 ESV

32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Stanza 1 To God be the glory, great things He hath done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.

Stanza 2 O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, To every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

(Refrain)

Stanza 3 Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; But purer, and higher, and greater will be Our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see.

(Refrain)