Resurrection Teaches Selflessness

Introduction

We live in a world of narcissism run wild. The value of an individual’s opinion of themselves runs supreme. Except when it runs against the grain of what a whole lot of individuals think about the world.

Social media encourages selfishness.

Better and better phone cameras and software make us look better than a girl at the bar after a few glasses of beer.

Services for self improvement and growth are everywhere.

Yet our world celebrates and admires people who publicly serve others well.

During the Coronavirus we have worked hard as a culture to recognize and honor those standing on the front lines fighting the virus for us.

Today we are going to look at the Resurrection again and see how it teaches the beauty and power of a life of selflessness.

But before we get into that let’s step back and take a look at where we’ve been

5 Things the Resurrection Gives You

MEANING

Because of the power of the Resurrection we are invited to live an absolutely meaning packed life!

RELATIONSHIPS

The Resurrections catalyzes and creates meaningful and life giving relationships for the believer. It’s result created the church, the best place to learn to do relationships well.

A BEAUTIFULLY SELFLESS LIFE

The Resurrection shows the beauty and power of living a selfless life in a narcissistic world.

HOPE

The Resurrection gives hope that you can bet your life on.

A MISSION

The Resurrection calls us to a life transforming mission.

Selflessness—Humility

As much as we think it may be a good idea to be selfless and look out for the interests of others first we are still resistant.

Who will look after us?

Some of the truly humble people we visualize are either truly uncomfortable or otherwise are people we don’t want to imitate necessarily. How does Jesus show us the beauty and power of a humble life?

Last year a teacher/Paster by the name of Paul Miller wrote on Jesus’ life and described a way to think about the Christian life. He called it “The J-Curve.” Basically you think about a capital “J.” To draw it you can first draw a curve down and then back up to finish. Jesus’ life took this trajectory. He went down into death and sacrificed Himself for us. Then he rose in the Resurrection to take His place at the right hand of God. A curve down and then up. As you listen, write a J on your page or device. Look at it and consider the life of Jesus and your life.

The J-Curve of the Christian Life.

Jesus’ dying and rising from the dead are at the heart of Christianity.

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 ESV

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

The J-Curve is the map of the Christian life.

Philippians 3:10 ESV

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

The J-Curve shows us the shape of love.

Philippians 2:5–9 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

We learn to pray in the J-Curve

2 Corinthians 12:8–9 ESV

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The J-Curve is both Dying AND Rising

God shapes both the Dying and the Rising of the J-Curve.

2 Corinthians 1:8–11 ESV

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Philippians 1:18–19 ESV

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, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,

The J-Curve cures Bitterness

The J-Curve cures Cynicism

Ephesians 3:14–21 ESV

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The J-Curve stabilizes our Emotions

1 Thessalonians 3:1–10 ESV

1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

3 Kinds of J-Curves

Pursuing the problem—Love

Philippians 2:5–6 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

Unasked suffering

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Repentance

Romans 8:1–8 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Conclusion

The Christian life is a beautiful story shaped by the power of the Resurrection. Through Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection we see the beauty of humility. We understand the power of a J-Curve shaped life.