Jesus - Humble

What about the New Testament biblical figure Peter? Imagine speaking with him as he tells you what it’s like to be in the inner circle of Jesus; to be there in the garden when Jesus is arrested...

But this morning we do get the benefit of hearing from one of the most prolific voices in the New Testament outside of Jesus. He’s said to have been one of the most brilliant minds ever to live. He is credited with 13 or 14 books in the NT. Not sure how many churches he planted on his missionary journeys.

Even though Paul didn’t specifically write this letter to New Hope, It does have much to say to us about Jesus, his character & nature, and what we need to apply to our lives regarding being a disciple.

So imagine with me this morning that Paul is speaking directly to us… to this body of Christ... Imagine that Paul has written us a letter to follow.

This isn’t just any ole’ letter. It’s encouragement. It’s help. It’s to teach us something that is so very vital to becoming more like Jesus.

What Paul shares with us in these next few sentences is a characteristic of Jesus that is so desperately needed inside and outside the walls of the church. Because if the church (people of the church) don’t exhibit this quality the church will eventually fail to exist. The alternative to this characteristic is probably the biggest challenges facing the church today. It’s probably the biggest challenge keeping the church from growing. It’s probably the biggest challenge keeping people from visiting.

And I believe the alternative to this character trait is at the root of the biggest problem that you and I personally face today. It’s at the heart of every sin we commit. There’s no place for it in our lives or the church. God despises it and it will destroy our discipleship journey if we allow it to settle in.

And I believe it’s at the root of the biggest problem that you and I face personally face today. It’s probably the biggest challenge

Sometimes it’s blatant, but I believe the wily schemes of the Devil are to use it in subtle ways - blending it and weaving it in with

(The Message)

1If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ,

1Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

2Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Several commentators suggest that the use of the word “if” here isn’t about possibilities or probabilities, but points towards realities and certainties. It’s suggested that the word “since” or “as surely as” might give us a clearer understanding.

Since there is great encouragement from having a growing relationship with Jesus

if his love has made any difference in your life,

If there’s anything in this world that should change us, it’s the love of Jesus.

Since there is great comfort the way Jesus loves you.

if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you,

If having fellowship with the Spirit of God means anything to you

Since the Spirit has come and taken up residence in you

if you have a heart, if you care—

If your heart is kind towards others. Christians should be kind.

Since you follow Jesus and have the Spirit in you, your hearts should be tender and compassionate

2then do me a favor: NLT says, “Make me truly happy” / NIV says, “Make my joy complete” /

1. Agree with each other… Agree wholeheartedly

2. love each other… Love each other well

3. be deep-spirited friends… Be one in spirit / one in mind

Why do you think Paul is reminding, encouraging, sharing this with the church at Philippi? Don’t they seem obvious? Paul’s saying - Can’t we just get along? He certainly understands that when you get a group of people together that not everyone is going to see things the same way. Not everyone is going to like the same things and dislike the same things. He’s not saying we should be cookie-cutter-Christians. We can be different but still learn to appreciate each other’s differences and still love one another.

Paul’s saying - be like minded. Can’t we just get along?

3Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

3Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.

Don’t be selfish. Don’t force your agenda. Don’t insist on your way. Don’t dig your heals in the ground. Don’t rule out compromise. Don’t say “my way or the highway”.

Don’t try to climb your way to the top. Don’t worry about impressing people with your wealth, reputation, or things you can accumulate.

Instead… think less about yourselves and think more about helping others.

4Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

4Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

There once was a rider who came across a few soldiers trying to move a heavy log of wood without success. The corporal was standing by just watching as the men struggled. The rider couldn’t believe it. He finally asked the corporal why he wasn’t helping.

The corporal was standing by just watching as the men struggled.

The rider couldn’t believe it. He finally asked the corporal why he wasn’t helping.

The corporal replied: “I am the corporal. I give orders.“

The rider said nothing in response. Instead he dismounted his horse. He went up and stood by the soldiers and as they tried to lift the wood and he helped them. With his help, the task was finally able to be carried out. Who was this kind rider?

With his help, the task was finally able to be carried out.

Who was this kind rider?

It was George Washington, the Commander-in-chief.

He quietly mounted his horse, rode up to the corporal and said, “The next time your men need help, send for the commander-in-chief.”

Perhaps… This is the most outstanding characteristic of Jesus. It’s what I think of most when I think of Jesus.

It may not be the first thing you think of - loving, forgiving, patient… But the humility of Jesus is the gateway to every other characteristic. Humility opens the door to his forgiveness. Humility opens the door to his love. Humility opens the door to gentleness.

I believe it’s the foundation for which every other trait stands.

And it’s a trait that all of us need more of in our lives.

God can only use the humble

Humility puts us in the right posture

God can use us when we are humble

Humility puts us in a posture for growth

in 1986 off the coast of Russia in the Black Sea there was a collision between a passenger liner and ocean freighter causing the death of almost 400 people. The local newspaper, said the two officers share the blame for the collision. Each of them were too proud to yield to the other, so lives were lost.

I wonder if this is a picture of the church acting out in selfish pride. Two parties / Two groups - neither willing to yield; neither willing to be humble. And then this happens, often times lives are lost.

Let’s clothes ourselves with humility - forgetting ourselves long enough to consider others before ourselves.

Family Dedication - One of the greatest ways to get an opportunity to practice humility is by being part of a family. Even greater is if we enjoy the blessing of being a parent. We never run out of opportunities to practice humility when there are kids around.

Billy & Tara Maddox (Abby, Emma, Isabelle Ann Maddox)

Offertory

But the even-greater tragedy is the loss of lives.

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