Down Low, Up High

A few different ideas for open, no great ones yet. Do some “up high, down low” fives, a limbo contest, or some kind of game where you have to keep a ball low. Or crowd volley ball and just let it be the opposite of what we’re trying to do.

We are looking at some important instruction from Philippians tonight. One of the most important ways for us to be like Jesus. And honestly, I’ve found in my own life that the more I’m able to live this out, the smoother life goes!

Christians must follow the example of humility shown by our high and lifted up Savior Jesus.

Directions for Humility

Chapter one closes by saying we are involved in a conflict; striving to advance the Gospel in a hostile world. For the church to succeed, each of us must think of ourselves second.

read verses 1-5

Food makes me think of this verse if I’m honest. I love food. It’s an experience for me. When there is a limited amount of food or of a certain food, and I know there isn’t enough of everything, my first thought is to get there before it’s gone. But then I remember this verse. Then I have this inner battle… Hopefully I choose to let others go, because that’s what this verse says. And while you should think of others first in the small things, Paul has bigger things in mind as he writes this!

Putting others first isn’t easy though.

Have them break into small groups and everyone give a reason why it’s difficult to put others first.

First he asks some rhetorical questions in verse 1.

We have these things from Christ, we should pass them on. Letting us stay focussed on advancing the Gospel.

Think of the needs and desires of others as more important than your own.

Jesus did this. He washed his disciples’ feet… After He did it, He told them this…

John 13:12–15 ESV

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

John 13:12-15

Verse 5 tells us we can only do this through Jesus.

Humility means loving others as much as you love yourself. Thinking of others before you think of yourself. Giving up your privilege for another.

At lunch, when they’re about to run out of cookies, let someone else have the last. If your friend says your Zebra Cakes look good, give them the second one.

When your parents or grandparents have something important going on but you want to be somewhere else, skip it. Stay to help and support.

Consider others more important than yourself. Follow Jesus’ example.

Example for Humility

Jesus humbled himself more than we could ever imagine to accomplish the Gospel, to make a way for us, and we are called to follow his example.

read verses 5-11

Who has seen Ant Man, or Ant Man and the Wasp? They become like insects and get some cool imaginary powers. Out of it. Lets see some of their powers…

play And and Wasp from dym

So maybe Ant Man can lift 50 times his own body weight, but I’ve never had an ant catch my foot and throw it away as I was stepping on it! Now think of the most important, powerful, biggest deal person on the planet, whoever you think that is. Now imagine they became an ant so they could die and save all the other ants… This gives you an idea of what Jesus did for us.

This section of Scripture gets into some of the technical, theological side of what Jesus did for us, and this is important!

We can’t honor, appreciate, and worship God for what He has done for us unless we understand what it cost to achieve our salvation. -Al Mohler

5-8; Jesus humbled himself in so many incredible ways so He could save us.

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

9-11; He was humbled so He could ultimately be lifted up, so people could call on Him as Lord, to the glory of God!

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all unified in this goal, and the church must be unified in this goal as well.

God loves us because we are his creation. Jesus humbled himself for us because of that amazing love. He died for us.

Gospel presentation.

If you already know Him, are you living the way He did? Humbly. Thinking of others before yourself…

Thinking of the mission of the Gospel before everything? Striving alongside brothers and sisters in the Lord for this mission?