Humility

Introduction

Identity - VMV Series

YFC Value: Humility - we recognize our complete dependence on Jesus Christ to provide purpose, hope, and the truth.

Moving the Radcliffe’s. How an exciting venture can bring disunity.

Moving

This is how it should be done

I don't like that ______ (change, etc)

This church does it that way

You've moved my cheese

Other

The spiritual issue behind division of any kind is a lack of humility.

Seeing/acknowledging our disunity and lack of humility. We're conditioned to live in varying degrees of disunity and are unable to recognize lack of humility until it is full blown. We accept pride, arrogance and often applaud it because it's associated with power, success, ability, ambition which is an American ethic.

Stirring the pot out of our own discontentment. Like a drug.

How do we foster unity and humility as we revitalize?

When Opposition Strikes a Movement of God

[SLIDE] Disunity is Waiting in the Wings

A work like ours (revitalization) can open the door to ATTITUDES OF disunity.

I don’t like _____ (change, etc).

This is how it should be done.

I don't like that ______ (change, etc)

This church does it that way.

Fear of losing something I like or want.

You've moved my cheese

Other

Seeing/acknowledging our disunity and lack of humility. We're conditioned to live in varying degrees of disunity and are unable to recognize lack of humility until it is full blown. We accept pride, arrogance and often applaud it because it's associated with power, success, ability, ambition which is an American ethic.

Stirring the pot out of our own discontentment. Like a drug.

How do we foster unity and humility as we revitalize?

[SLIDE] It Shows Up As

Rumors/Gossip

Why are they doing that

What will I lose?

What will I lose?

[SLIDE] And Turns Into...

Factions/Groups

Leveraging to gain an advantage

Ambition

Rivalry

Stirring the pot out of our own discontentment. Like a drug.

[SLIDE] Check Your Heart: The Truth About Disunity

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

So if 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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

- the church's unity is to reflect the unity of the trinity.

The Philippians had been operating in a spirit of ambition, thinking themselves better than others, believing they were above serving their neighbors, studying how they might promote themselves and get ahead without caring about the well being of their neighbor. The Christ of the Christ hymn challenges every one of these false values.

The spiritual issue behind division of any kind is a lack of humility.

We're conditioned to live in varying degrees of disunity and are unable to recognize lack of humility until it is full blown.

We accept pride, arrogance and often applaud it because it's associated with power, success, ability, ambition which is an American ethic.

Stirring the pot out of our own discontentment. Like a drug.

The church is one in essence, because it is founded on one gospel, united to one Lord, filled with one Spirit. It 's unity is under constant threat because of the tendency to division that is inherent in fallen humanity and needs to be continually maintained and actively expressed in fellowship.

Cultivating Unity

Same Mind, Love, One Thinking

Command - If you have any affection, tender mercy, compassion, heart - be of the same mind, love, thinking

Church is to share one soul, possess a common affection, desire, passion, sentiment for living in harmony of feeling.

Paul strung together, building, strengthening…unity is of the highest importance.

Unity of the church:

Ephesians 4:4–6 ESV

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

splaygchna - bowels, inward affection, tender mercy - seat of passions (anger, love). Hebrews: includes kindness, benevolence, compassion, heart.

The church's unity is to reflect the unity of the trinity.

be of the same mind - mind, emotions, will Hawthorne, pp. 67-8.

Unity is impossible if we are out for ourselves, promoting our own causes, seeking our own advantages.

- Of the same mind: thinking, emotions equally. Not uniformity of thought, everyone having the same opinion but total inward attitude of mind or will that strives after that one thing which is greater than any human truth - a unity of spirit and sentiment in which powerful tensions are held together by an overmastering loyalty to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. This kind of unity only happens when believers are humble and bold enough to lay hold of the unity already given in Christ and to take it more seriously than our own self - importance...and to make differences of opinion, bible interpretation, faith practice (all of which come from our imperfect understanding of the Scripture) as an incentive for passionately seeking together to hear and obey the voice of Jesus rather than an excuse for staying apart.

3 - Unity is impossible if we are out for ourselves, promoting our own causes, seeking our own advantages.

Purpose of our unity: Lead others to faith and mature believers.

John 17:23 ESV

I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Ephesians 4:13 ESV

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Makes us different. Bears the image of God to the world.

Makes us different. Bears the image of God to the world.

Why It’s So Hard

Unity is impossible if we are out for ourselves, promoting our own causes, seeking our own advantages.

James 4 ESV

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

James 4:1–3 ESV

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Heart of passion is wanting something we don’t have. Can’t get it so we fight. Can be something noble or have the appearance of being noble.  

James 4

Passions at war within leads to fights and arguments. Passion, desire, covent. Heart of passion is wanting something we don’t have. Can’t get it so we fight. Can be something noble or have the appearance of being noble.  

Don’t have it because we ask for it simply to fulfill our passions or because we just don’t ask (or ask with selfish motives). Leads to pride, not humility.

Pursuit of fulfilling it is selfish despite it’s nobility. Our desire for it makes it so. It’s not the thing we’re passionate about that’s the problem. It’s our wanting of it that becomes priority 1. Justify hurting people in pursuit of the passion because we’re told it’s a godly thing. It’s ok. 

Wonder what would happen if everyone claiming to be a Christ follower would want desperately something they would never receive any benefit from but rather, would benefit someone else or even God’s kingdom. 

[SLIDE] Attitudes to Stop

[SLIDE] Rivalry

Guaranteed to destroy unity.

Rivalry is guaranteed to destroy unity. Gk root means "empty opinion." A person motivated by it claims to have the right opinion but is in error. Is assertively arrogant, deluded, conceited, ambitions for his own reputation, challenging others to rivalry, jealous of others. This person will fight to prove his idea right.

Gk root means "empty opinion."

A person motivated by it claims to have the right opinion but is in error. (kenodoxian - vainglory - arrogant claim to having the correct opinion).

Two kinds of people in particular: those with training and experience or education and experience and first borns. Think about what you get when one of those is a first born.

Is assertively arrogant, deluded, conceited, ambitions for his own reputation, challenging others to rivalry, jealous of others.

This person will fight to prove his idea right.

This could and likely was what was behind the Philippian church's inability to be united.

Paul: check your heart. I know it exists in you...Is our could this be you?

[SLIDE] Selfish Ambition

Selfishly looking out for one's own interests or those of one's faction or special group to the exclusion of the interests of others.

People and groups were selfishly interested only in themselves or their parties.

Unity cannot co-exist with individualism or partisanship. No attention or concern about the things that interest and deeply concern the other.

Keep eyes fixed on the good points of others rather than concentrate your own spiritual endowments.

[SLIDE] Factions

Groups were selfishly interested only in themselves or their parties.

Why

They disfigure the inner life of the church.

Selfish ambition and factions are words that describe the intentions of Paul's enemies. He uses them to also describe the arguments and petty conceits of the Philippians.

Common in many churches especially those that pursue celebrity. They cause trouble. Be famous with God. The rest will come later.

People and

Paul: check your heart. I know it exists in you...Is our could this be you?

[SLIDE] Attitude to Adopt: Humility (The Pathway to Unity)

Unity in the body of Christ is critical to face the challenges of Kingdom living.

Unity flows from humility and self-sacrifice and a willingness to restrain one's own desires in order to satisfy the desires of others.

4 Surveys for Spiritual Growth

Christian characterObstacles to growthWorldviewLove for God

Love for God Survey measures

Rx with God

Fearless Faith

Humility

My Humility score 6.7.

If “humility” is in this range, you are probably resisting complete surrender to God, giving up some parts of your life to Him, but not others.

Micah 6:8 ESV

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Humility - the linchpin that brings successful unity to the Christian community.

Humility - the linchpin that brings successful unity to the Christian community.

Unity is only possible when there is humility.

Not a popular notion.

Begins in recognizing our dependence on God

Being aware of our flaws

To have this attitude to God and to one’s fellows is also to be aware of one’s own foibles and failings;

Leads to humility toward others

Humility is an attitude of mutual love, considering others better than ourselves, choosing to serve rather than hold onto a position.

Because of what we share in together - the Spirit…one spirit baptized into one body.

Self-sacrificing service to one another done out of love is non-negotiable for disciples

Self-sacrificing service to one another done out of love is non-negotiable for disciples - those who have joined the Christian community are to live this kind of life.

Because of what we share in together - the Spirit…one spirit baptized into one body.

Those who have joined with and belong to the Christian community created by the Holy Spirit and enjoy it, this is the life we are to live.

Easy to say BE HUMBLE. We can’t make ourselves courageous and we can’t make ourselves humble

Easy to say BE HUMBLE. We can’t make ourselves courageous and we can’t make ourselves humble

Humility - attitude of lowliness and obedience grounded in recognizing our place before God.

My Humility Score (a number of years ago)

Michael Zigarelli

4 Surveys for Spiritual Growth

Christian character Obstacles to growth Worldview Love for God

Love for God Survey measures

Rx with God

Fearless Faith

Humility

On a scale of 1-10.

My Humility score 6.7. A solid D+!

If “humility” is in this range, you are probably resisting complete surrender to God, giving up some parts of your life to Him, but not others.

- suffering servant

[SLIDE] Like Jesus

Attitudes have to go and new ones have to be adopted.

If you know anything about mercy and compassion shown to you through Christ, say yes.

Like Jesus

The Philippians had been operating in a spirit of ambition, thinking themselves better than others, believing they were above serving their neighbors, studying how they might promote themselves and get ahead without caring about the well being of their neighbor. The Christ of the Christ hymn challenges every one of these false values.

In our relationships with one another, The one mind/attitude/thinking is to be the same mind as Christ.

Humility of Jesus: The obedient submission to his Father seen in his willingness to become a human for humanity's sake, his freedom from self-interest and his willingness to serve others.

God likeness - giving and spending oneself out.

Incarnation - God being in the flesh. Revealed himself in a personal way to humankind. God was united with us in order to bear our sins, die and make atonement for them - something we could not do ourselves.

He truly became man in every respect: appearance, thought, feeling, sharing humanity's plight.

He added to himself that which he did not have before - the form of a servant, the likeness of humans.

He added to himself that which he did not have before - the form of a servant, the likeness of humans.

In self-humbling act of the incarnation, God becoming human set himself to seek the advantage and promote the welfare of others.

In self-humbling act of the incarnation, God becoming human set himself to seek the advantage and promote the welfare of others.

Paul connects the concept of humility to Jesus and the self-humiliating love of God.

Mind - attitude, thinking (LEB, CSB, NASB)

It is not self-disparaging but an attitude that reflects Jesus and is specifically Christian - an attitude of mutual love. The opposite of pride, selfishness, conceit.

Paul connects the concept of humility to Jesus and the self-humiliating love of God. It is not self-disparaging but an attitude that reflects Jesus and is specifically Christian - an attitude of mutual love. The opposite of pride, selfishness, conceit.

5 - 11 The Christ/Kenonic Hymn. 2 parts: Jesus' self-humiliation and Jesus exaltation by the act of God.

God likeness - giving and spending oneself out.

Parallels .

God likeness - giving and spending oneself out.

Union with God in Jesus - he has written the story (author) of a new humanity where those who trust him are united with him, share in his sonship, become co-heirs with him and participate in the divine nature.

3 -

3 - kenodoxian - vainglory - arrogant claim to having the correct opinion.

Jesus sets aside his garments

Emptied himself/poured himself out

Voluntary laid aside (not renounce) his divine nature and rights as God

will be left without; stripped; cause to lose power; to be desolate; to nullify/come to nothing.

Left without; stripped; cause to lose power; to be desolate; to nullify/come to nothing.

Poured himself out, put himself totally at the disposal of others. Set aside his rights; didn't insist on his own way to the point of adding what he didn't have before - the form of a servant and the likeness of humanity with no rights and no privileges. In thought and feeling, he became us.

Poured himself out, emptied himself of his rights as God

In serving people, he was serving God. In taking the role of a servant toward others, he was being obedient to the will of God. The incarnation is both humiliation and mission.

In serving people, he was serving God. In taking the role of a servant toward others, he was being obedient to the will of God. The incarnation is both humiliation and mission.

Put himself totally at the disposal of others to enrich them.

God's true nature is characterized not by selfish grabbing but by an open-handed giving.

Poured himself out, put himself totally at the disposal of others. Set aside his rights; didn't insist on his own way to the point of adding what he didn't have before - the form of a servant and the likeness of humanity with no rights and no privileges. In thought and feeling, he became us.

Emptied himself of his rights as God.

Washes disciples feet

Takes the form of a servant; born in human likeness and found in human form humbled himself

Emptied himself of his rights as God.

Jesus didn't consider his high position as a prize to be held onto but surrendered so he could serve - humility.

Didn't insist on his own way to the point of adding what he didn't have before - the form of a servant and the likeness of humanity with no rights and no privileges.

Put himself totally at the disposal of others to enrich them.

3.

4.

Humble, self-sacrificing service to one another done out of love is a must for a Christian disciple.

Becoming human is an act of humility

The incarnation is both humiliation and mission.

In serving people, he was obediently serving God. It was his delight

He did not quit when faced with the most cruel of all deaths

Christ never intended to fight for his own honor, rights, way but through ultimate obedient surrender to the purpose of God fought for the honor and rights of others to the point of death in place of those

Obedient to the purpose of God to the point of death takes humility deeper. Death on the cross took him past humility to humiliation.

Takes humility deeper.

Ultimate obedient surrender to the purpose of God for the honor and rights of others to the point of death in place of others takes humility deeper.

Death on the cross took him past humility to humiliation.

Christ never intended to fight for his own honor or rights but through self-surrender, self-renunciation and self-sacrifice strive for the honor and rights of others.

7 -

; an act that worked for the good of others.

8 - Christ's acceptance of death was his ultimate yes to God and man, his ultimate act of obedience to God in his self-giving service to people.

Death in place of others...

Exalted

He added to himself that which he did not have before - the form of a servant, the likeness of humans.

Emptying yourselves, promoting unity, consistent love, humility fills Paul with joy

Gladness at their well-being, success.

To obey as a servant obeys was his delight. He did not quit when faced with the most cruel of all deaths; an act that worked for the good of others.

Joy as Feeling. Joy is a feeling of gladness called forth by well-being, success, or good fortune. A person automatically experiences it because of certain favorable circumstances. It cannot be commanded.

Joy as Action. There is a joy that Scripture commands. That joy is action that can be engaged in regardless of how the person feels.

Paul tells the Roman believers that the kingdom of God is marked by righteousness, peace, and joy (chara) in or by the Holy Spirit (). He also tells the believers in Corinth, “I am being supplied lavishly with joy (chara) in all our affliction” ().

Joy (chara) is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit that should be evident in the Christian community ()

3. Put his outer garment back on, sits again at het able from where he got up - God exalted him

4. You addressed me as teacher and Lord; that's who I am - every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord

Jesus didn't consider his high position as a prize to be held onto but surrendered so he could serve - humility.

Humble, self-sacrificing service to one another done out of love is a must for a Christian disciple.

Because he was int he form of God he reckoned equality with God not as a matter of giving but of giving.

God'strue nature is characterized not by selfish grabbing but by an open-handed giving.

7 - The act of emptying was voluntary. Form of a servant does NOT mean renouncing his deity or limiting himself. It means he poured out himself to enrich others. He didn't discard divine attributes or being. He put himself totally at the disposal of people.

He truly became man in every respect: appearance, thought, feeling, sharing humanity's plight.

He added to himself that which he did not have before - the form of a servant, the likeness of humans.

Death in place of others...

1.

2. Christ's criminal death was the consummation of God's redeeming work for us.

3. It was the ultimate in human humiliation.

To obey as a servant obeys was his delight. He did not quit when faced with the most cruel of all deaths; an act that worked for the good of others.

In one dramatic act, God lifts Christ from the depths to the highest place in an astonishing change of events. The word huperuphoun means to super-exalt; to raise to the highest of heights.

Christ who made himself lowly, was made by God so high that he is placed over everything.

Exalted

Put his outer garment back on, sits again at het able from where he got up - God exalted him

And God exalted him.

In the Kingdom, self-humbling leads to exaltation - becoming the greatest. ()

In one dramatic act, God lifts Christ from the depths to the highest place in an astonishing change of events.

The word huperuphoun means to super-exalt; to raise to the highest of heights.

Not a resuscitation, not restoration to life, not an evasion of death but death accepted and defeated.

Christ who made himself lowly, was made by God so high that he is placed over everything.

Exalted and Named

Distinguished (as in one from another) him and revealed his inner being.

You addressed me as teacher and Lord; that's who I am - every tongue confess/name above all

Jesus was given the Character of Lord along with the title and rank

God not only distinguished from from all other beings with a title of highest rank, but also a nature that went with the title. Substance was given to meaning. Christ was given the character of Lord along with the title. It's not a title he owns or possesses but it is his nature; sovereign over the universe.

God conferred on Jesus the title "Lord." God the Father has ultimate authority and sovereignty. True glory of God to be Father; the Father of Christ in the first place, but also through him of the entire creation.

10 - Purpose of exalting Christ

At the name of Jesus, every knee might bow.

The one who was completely obedient must now be completely obeyed.

All must bring their homage to Jesus, all rational beings - angels, humans, demons will join together in worship and honor of him.

Points to the end of the age

Does not mean that everyone will bow at the name Jesus but at the name of Jesus.

Every tongue openly acknowledge that Jesus is Lord.

A confession not confined to the church.

Unity Represents

10 - One who was completely obedient must now be completely obeyed by angels, humans, demons. All join to worship.

11 - Every tongue - rational beings/humans

The hope of God is that every intelligent being in the universe might proclaim openly and gladly that Jesus Christ alone has the right to reign.

2.

2. Every tongue openly acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. A confession not confined to the church.

What does this mean? The hope of God is that every intelligent being in the universe might proclaim openly and gladly that Jesus Christ alone has the right to reign. Everything is lined up so that every created being in heaven, on earth, under the earth might ultimately be reconciled to him by voluntarily pledging allegiance to the one who chose the path of humility and humble service to others.

The purposes of God behind what he does are good and for the good of all humanity. Some may not choose to submit to him. God will never force us to.

Jesus as Lord.

Not displacing God. God gave Jesus his authority, his title, his character. God's desire is that created beings worship and obey him. God the Father has ultimate authority and sovereignty.

When we confess Jesus is Lord, God is glorified because he planned it to be this way.

[SLIDE] Our Call

Our Call

Modeling Jesus

Emptying yourselves, promoting unity, consistent love, humility fills Paul with joy

Gladness at their well-being, success.

Our call as followers of Christ: Align with what God is doing in and through us - vision, mission, values.

Union with God in Jesus - he has written the story (author) of a new humanity where those who trust him are united with him, share in his sonship, become co-heirs with him and participate in the divine nature and activity.

Writing our story

Decisions we make reflect what we think about this truth. 

Attitude/behavior reflects what we think about God

Not looking for uniformity but rather to possess a common soul, share a common affection for each other, have a common desire to live together in harmony by renouncing self-interest and adopting humility.

Total attitude of humility - lose the self-importance, do not belittle, but seek fellowship together to hear and obey the voice of Christ.

Total attitude of humilitt

[SLIDE] Count Others Higher Than Yourself

Make judgments of ourselves and one another based on

God’s holiness

The kingdom and Christs’ example.

This is Counting/making the judgment - when I look at you, based on God’s holiness, the Kingdom of God and Christ’s example you are higher than me; you are more important than me.

lose the self-importance, do not belittle, but seek fellowship together to hear and obey the voice of Christ.

Not seeking after uniformity of thought or opinion. Asks that they This is how unity thrives and faith is strengthened.

[SLIDE] Giving/Emptying

Put ourselves at the disposal of one another

Put aside our rights, wants, desires,

Don’t insisting on our own way, rights, privileges.

Our lives are not our own.

Jon Pedley lived the life of a swinging millionaire until an alcohol-fueled car accident in 2002 left him comatose and on the verge of death. Miraculously, he survived, and soon experienced a profound change of heart. The UK millionaire—who indulged in alcohol, womanizing, and other vices—later found God and was inspired by the charity work of his friend in Uganda.

He decided to emulate his friend, and literally gave it all away in 2010 as he sold his $1.5 million farmhouse and businesses. Pedley then used the proceeds to move to a mud hut in Uganda and start a charity for local orphans. The charity wasn’t only for the local children, either—British children with a troubled past were also sent there to help the locals and ultimately help themselves. For Pedley, it was a cathartic release from his once-decadent lifestyle—he remarked that “I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life” when asked if he really wanted to go through with it.

He decided to emulate his friend, and literally gave it all away in 2010 as he sold his $1.5 million farmhouse and businesses. Pedley then used the proceeds to move to a mud hut in Uganda and start a charity for local orphans. The charity wasn’t only for the local children, either—British children with a troubled past were also sent there to help the locals and ultimately help themselves. For Pedley, it was a cathartic release from his once-decadent lifestyle—he remarked that “I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life” when asked if he really wanted to go through with it.

Positions of Power/Authority Aren’t always what we think

Heard the Lord tell him he needed to lay the life he was currently living down.

Bagel Jesus

A guy takes old bagels from work and gives them to hungry people on the street (NY?)

A guy takes old bagels from work and gives them to hungry people on the street (NY?)

In 2002, an award winning chef Narahyanan Krishnan was hired to work in a hotel in Switzerland that caters to the ultra rich. Before starting, he visited his home in India.

In 2002, an award winning chef Narahyanan Krishnan was hired to work in a hotel in Switzerland that caters to the ultra rich. Before starting, he visited his home in India.

The sight of a man eating his own waste made him rethink his life plan. He began feeding the man and all where were like him. His parents and relatives were shocked that he would do this and walk away from a promising life.

The sight of a man eating his own waste made him rethink his life plan. He began feeding the man and all where were like him. His parents and relatives were shocked that he would do this and walk away from a promising life.

He cooked food and looked for destitute people to feed. He began giving them haircuts.

He cooked food and looked for destitute people to feed. He began giving them haircuts.

He’s been doing this ever since.

He’s been doing this ever since.

Unity is impossible if each person is out for him/herself, promoting own cause, seeking own advantage, claiming to be right. 

Union with God in Jesus - he has written the story (author) of a new humanity where those who trust him are united with him, share in his sonship, become co-heirs with him and participate in the divine nature.

Decisions we make reflect what we think about this truth. 

Attitude/behavior reflects what we think about God

Total attitude of humility - lose the self-importance, do not belittle, but seek fellowship together to hear and obey the voice of Christ.

Unity is impossible if each person is out for him/herself, promoting own cause, seeking own advantage, claiming to be right. 

"If my words of encouragement have helped you stay true to the faith in the past, 

Not to follow in Jesus' steps but as those who have joined the community of salvation and obedience, live this kind of life.

"If my words of encouragement have helped you stay true to the faith in the past, 

If you belong to that community brought into existence by the HS, and enjoy any fellowship with one another as a result, live like you belong together.

"If you know anything of the mercy and compassion shown to you by God in Christ, as you most certainly do, Say yes. 

Say yes. 

count - make a judgment based on evidence. Evaluation of others and one's self in light of God's holiness, the Kingdom, Gospel, Christ's example without restriction.

If you know anything about mercy and compassion shown to you through Christ, say yes.

The surest way up is by stepping down; to gain for oneself is by giving up oneself, to life is death, to win God's praise is by serving others.