Press into the Pushback with Humility
LISTEN:
Press into the Pushback: Humility
Philippians 2:1-18
July 21st, 2024
Why didn’t Gina and stop the set-up process earlier?
We were all in this together.
Relationships/partnerships are forged in the trenches.
There are no “little” jobs in the Kingdom of God.
“We all take out the trash” conveys more than a serving church culture – it’s deeper than that – it promotes a humility-based church culture.
Philippians 2:1-11 (NIV)
Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:1-4 (MESSAGE)
1-4 If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
Like minded means to “mind the same things – to have the same focus and motivation.
Love one another like Jesus loves.
Be unified in substance and thought.
Widen your concern beyond self.
Value others above yourself.
Paul is identifying humility as the central indicator of having received the transformative love of Christ. Our confidence in Christ and courage in Christ is to be outwardly manifested as humility in Christ within the Body Christ.
When we in the church live out the love of Christ, the unity of Christ and the concern of Christ with the humility of Christ we become a beacon of the Hope of Christ.
The humility that Paul is working towards isn’t a “you are more valued and valuable than I am” posture. It is a posture that is confidant and secure enough in Christ to use what is at my disposal to elevate those around me, to unselfishly leverage my position or power for the sake of others.
Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:6-11 (NIV)
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The crucifixion wasn’t a case of mistaken identity or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This was God’s ultimate love expression and it was a painful one.
Expunged = our sin record has been erased and removed completely.
What does God do with our sin?
Psalm 103:12 (NIV) as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Micah 7:18,19 (NIV) Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Hebrews 8:12 (NIV) For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
1 John 1:9 (NIV) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Humility development is a big part of “working out our salvation.”
Philippians 2:14-18 (NIV)
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
We shine no brighter than when the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit’s is worked out in us in the form of humility. This shining glorifies Christ enabling others will find light and life in Him! Christ Humility will transform a church, becoming a magnet for others looking for an authentic, life giving community.
Christ based humility isn’t mildness or weakness it’s love, service and strength based on the person, pattern and path of Jesus.
Philippians 2:1-4 (MESSAGE)
1-4 If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.