The Nails of Humility Sustain Me on Christ's Cross
Time To Move • Sermon • Submitted
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· 6 viewsHumility is the way in which Christians express the very heart of the gospel. Through Paul's letter to the church of Phillip, we can be humble and count others more significant than ourselves.
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The Bible tells us that we are to live lives that are worthy of the gospel. Specifically, in Philippians 1 Paul tells the church, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” I recently found myself reflecting on that word worthy. How can we actually live in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ? Is that even a possibility?
Usually when we say something is worthy we are talking about merit. When we say an athlete is worthy of the all star team, it means we can look at his statistics, compare him to the other players, and say, “He deserves the spot. He has earned it.” When we say an employee is worthy of a promotion, we mean she has shown the expertise and performed the requirements, and now she deserves to be rewarded with a promotion. She has done what is necessary to be worthy of it. But that’s not the kind of worth Paul has in mind here.
When we speak of worthy we might also refer to paying something back. If this is the case, then to be worthy of the gospel we need to pay God back for his great gift—we should live in a deliberate, sacrificial way so we can make some repayment to him for all his mercy. But that cannot be it either. We know we can’t ever pay him back for all he’s done for us and that our best efforts wouldn’t even get close.
Paul means something else and I think it’s helpful to illustrate it. A few years ago, my long friend Timmy Franzel was deployed to Poland for a month tour. During his stay, he would occasionally going to the local towns for entertainment and dinning. But whenever Tim left the base, he always was in uniform, carrying the patch of the American flag. That flag is a sign of his citizenship in the United States. He needed to act in a way that honors rather than dishonors it. He knew it his actions would be connected to what people believed about America. So while in Poland, he lived in way worthy of his citizenship in United States. And this is essentially what Paul is telling the church. “You are citizens of heaven even as you live here on earth. So be sure to live in such a way that you honor rather than dishonor your citizenship.”
God expects us to live in ways appropriate for citizens of this heavenly nation. We need to live in such a way that we enhance the reputation of the gospel and the Christ of the gospel. We must not do anything that damages its reputation. This means there’s a call on every Christian to acknowledge our heavenly citizenship and then to live in a way that is consistent with it. As we sojourn in this world as citizens of heaven, people around us are paying attention. We’ve got that heaven flag pinned to our shirt. In our actions we are either bringing glory to this heavenly nation and its ruler or we are bringing reproach. So the question you and I need to ask day by day is this: Are we living lives worthy of the gospel?
And the way of knowing if we are in fact living life worthy of the gospel of Christ is by evaluating ourselves according to the gospel. Which Paul lays out in Philippians chapter two. If you have your bibles I encourage you to open them.
Paul begins the second chapter speaking on how are to maintain the reputation of a gospel.
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 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.
The reputation of a gospel-centered life is one of the same in mind and love. The church is not a just a group of people, but are a unified in ever way. Since we are so intrinsically connected together, everything we do is for the other brother and sister. This is why Paul can say, “in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
"Humility is not a thought to be had, it’s an action to be done."
Then Paul moves his thought on how we live worthy according to the gospel of Christ. He begins explaining how we humbly count others more significant than ourselves.
Humility in Christ
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, 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.
Humility in Paul
17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Humility in Timothy
20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
Humility in Epaphroditus
29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Each account gives us clear picture of what humility looks like on display, to put other before yourself. Jesus demonstrates humility by dying on a cross. Paul poured out as drink offering. Paul is concerned for the church of Philippi and Epaphroditus nearly died for them serving Paul.
"Humility is not a thought to be had, it’s an action to be done."
Why it matters? Humility is the makeup of manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. If we don't live our humility the gospel of Christ is tarnish by our reputation. Without humility there is no good news for sinners. Christ died for our sins, yet God resurrected him and has given the name above every name.
Those who are humbled will be exalted. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
Maybe this is the key ingredient that is missing from our churches. The world doesn’t see a church that helps people, because we have become to inwardly focused. We need to find a path back to humility. Hence, the way of Christianity was always meant to be lived out.
Paul says the humble life worthy of the gospel of Christ look like this, (Phil 2:3-4, 14-16)
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.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
To not overlook your neighbors needs, and to live as the light of earth. Shine where men can see your good works and glorify your heavenly Father. In essence, count yourself less so your serve more. Doing this makes you a child of the light.
What should be done in light of being worthy of the gospel? Start with humility from the heart and let flow out.
View your family not as burden, but a blessing. Love your spouse and children by filling up what they are lacking. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Fill up their love bank. i.e gifts, affection, adventure time together.
Be intentional in your relationships, and know their needs so you can supply it. i.e. shoveling snow, cook meal, and visit and call.
Giving up your time and energy so others can pursue their dreams, even if it doesn’t benefit you. Going to a sporting game, driving people, volunteering.
"Humility is not a thought to be had, its an action to be done."
When we reflect a living life worthy gospel. We look to the example of God incarnate. His death was not only for us to be saved, but was to teach us that we must die to ourselves in order to obtain life.
Humility is the means in which we live worthy for the gospel of Christ. It's the nails that sustain us to Christ's cross. Discipleship, kingdom living, faithfulness all intersect and when we live according to the gospel of Christ, we draw near to God and he draws near to us.