Now Generation

Now Generation - Present Day Church

Last week Pastor Andrew made a great point. We-all of us- are the present day church. The generations show up in all kinds of roles. The older generation may represent a certain sage wisdom and experience that helps to avoid previous mistakes. While the younger generation represents an enthusiasm that helps to rouse and provoke from complacency. We all play a role. We all have a place. We all have a purpose. We are all invited by God to this moment in time.

But there are a few lessons we need to remember about this invitation.

Luke 14:7–11 ESV

Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Just a few verse before this we are told that he was dining with a pharisee ruler. He watched the dignitaries seat themselves in the places of honor.

There are two things I believe we can learn from these passages.

First, While we all have a place, we need to approach that place with humility.

There are really three things that will never characterize humility.

We need not be pugnacious

Combative or argumentative

Always looking for a fight. Something to be upset about

Titus 3:9–11 ESV

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

James 3:13–17 ESV

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Humility is never pugnacious

We need not be puerile

Silly or childish

1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

We need not be arrogant

Full of ourselves.

Philippians 2:3 ESV

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

We need to approach that place with Grace

For this lesson, I want us to use this definition of Grace

Grace - unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Don’t just have a meal for those who can repay you. Help those who can never repay you.

Ask yourself this question,

Who do I extend courtesy to?

if it is only to those of like station, it isn’t grace, it is just courtesy.

Kidney stones

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 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, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Imagine what it would be like if we modeled Christ in this way.

What if we did not take the honored seat?

What if we did act in greater humility?

What if we extended more Grace?

We are the church of today.

What picture of Christ are we showing?

We are His ambassadors, his witnesses.

Let’s show this community and each other, the Christ we need.

Behind the gates

Matthew 16:18 ESV

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

We have always been meant to be an advancing army for God. Maybe, we are too concerned about our seat because we have spent too much time in it.