A Church of Humility

Introduction

Context, Context, Context

Author? Recipient? Purpose? Setting?

Illustration

Last week we talked about church unity. A biblical church is a united church.

A united church is one in mind, love, and soul.

But how are they to achieve this unity?

We often say we want to have unity with others, but do we truly know what unity requires of us?

Internal Dissension

Main Idea: A United church is a Humble church.

Text

Philippians 2:3–5 ESV

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,

Two Aspects of Humility (Internal and External) to address two Problems

Phil. 2:3: Humility in Mind

Text

Philippians 2:3 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Selfish Ambition/Conceit vs. Humility

Selfish Ambition- Selfishly advancing oneself at the expense of others

Conceit- Making oneself look amazing based off their own achievements and status. (Puffing up yourself)

Humility- Lowering oneself/ Viewing oneself rightly before God and others

Humility is the cure for selfish ambition and conceit.

Two Types of Humility (Internal and External)

Counting

Counting- to consider, think, or believe

This has to do with our perception of others internally.

We are to think of others as more important, better than ourselves

We are to value them more.

This is Internal Humility Or Humility in Mind

Phil 2:4: Humility in Action

Text

Philippians 2:4 ESV

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Looking

Looking- to consider, to see, to behold, to watch over

This has to do with our treatment of others externally.

We are to treat others’ needs as we would ourselves.

We are to prioritize the helping of others above the helping of ourselves.

This is not universal in relation to all circumstances (namely abuse or disobedience to Scripture)

We are to treat them as we would ourselves before ourselves.

This is External Humility or Humility in Action

Phil. 2:5: Humility in Christ

Text

Philippians 2:5 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Model of Christ

Both our internal and external humility are linked. We will never treat others as more valuable than ourselves until we think of them in that way.

Why are we called to possess humility?

We live humbly with one another to model our Savior.

Christ Jesus was the most humble one. If anyone had a right to exalt himself, it was Jesus, but he didn’t.

We know that as we pursue the Humility in Christ our Example, we will begin to see a reflection of the unity in Christ.

Humility precedes Unity. There must be humility before there is unity.

As we perceive and treat others in our church in humility, we will begin to see one mind, love, and soul.

We will be the one people under the Lordship of Jesus.

Challenge

To be a biblical church, we must be united. To be united, we must be humble. How do we become a humble and united church here at Dalraida?

It starts with every one of you taking personal responsibility for your own faith by living humbly as a church member.

Do you think of others in this church as of greater value than you? Do you perceive them that way? Or do you judge them based on their past and performance?

Do you treat others in this church as of first priority above your own? Do you you serve, forgive, and love them in that way? Or do you think the church is supposed to treat you as of first priority?

Do you follow after the example of Christ’s humility?

Do you seek to be in unity with your church family?

Main Idea: A United church is a Humble church.