Embracing Humility and Hunger for God

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Paradox of Humility and Exaltation

In a world that often celebrates power and success, the life of Jesus presents a profound paradox. He is both a humble servant and an exalted king, challenging us to redefine greatness. This paradox invites us to value others above ourselves, seeking unity and love within our community. By embodying humility, we align ourselves with the true nature of Christ, who emptied Himself for the sake of others. This self-emptying, or kenosis, is a radical departure from the pursuit of self-advancement and power. It calls us to a life of service and humility, where true greatness is found in lifting others up. [04:57]

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you can choose to serve someone else today. How can you embody the humility of Christ in this situation?

Day 2: The Subversive Way of Jesus

The Christian message offers a revolutionary moral logic that turns worldly values upside down. In this subversive way, the meek are exalted, and the way down is the way up. This invites us to find joy in God's presence, transcending the self and the pursuit of worldly success. By embracing this inverse logic, we are called to live a life that prioritizes humility, service, and love. This path leads to a deeper fulfillment and joy that can only be found in the presence of God. [10:53]

Matthew 23:11-12 (ESV): "The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you are striving for worldly success. How can you shift your focus to seek joy in God's presence instead?

Day 3: Identifying with the Marginalized

Jesus' life and ministry demonstrate a total identification with the marginalized, offering hope and dignity to those considered outcasts. This challenges us to serve and identify with the marginalized in our own communities. By following Jesus' example, we are called to extend love and compassion to those who are often overlooked or forgotten. This act of service not only uplifts others but also transforms our own hearts, aligning us with the heart of Christ. [16:45]

Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"

Reflection: Who in your community is marginalized or overlooked? What is one practical step you can take this week to serve and uplift them?

Day 4: Resisting Worldly Values

As a church, we are called to resist conforming to the city's standards of success and influence. Instead, we find our spiritual power in following a Savior who embodies humility and sacrificial love. This resistance to worldly values requires intentionality and a commitment to living out the values of the Kingdom of God. By focusing on humility and service, we can remain true to our calling and find strength in the example of Christ. [24:28]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one area where you feel pressure to conform to worldly values? How can you intentionally choose to follow the way of Jesus instead?

Day 5: Cultivating Humility and Hunger for God

Our vision is to be a community grounded in humility and passionately pursuing Jesus. Through practices like fasting and prayer, we seek to cultivate a deeper hunger for God, finding our identity and joy in Him. This pursuit requires a commitment to spiritual disciplines that draw us closer to God and align our hearts with His. By prioritizing our relationship with Christ, we can experience the fullness of joy and fulfillment that comes from knowing Him. [31:57]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can commit to this week to cultivate a deeper hunger for God? How will this practice help you find your identity and joy in Him?

Sermon Summary

In reflecting on our vision for 2025, we are called to embody the values of humility and hunger for God, as exemplified by Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, writing from prison to the church in Philippi, presents a profound image of Christ as both a humble servant and an exalted king. This paradox challenges the worldly values of power, success, and attractiveness, which are often celebrated in places like New York City. Instead, we are invited to embrace a different kind of greatness, one that is rooted in humility and service.

The early Christians were captivated by a God who chose to empty Himself, taking the form of a servant and dying on a cross. This kenosis, or self-emptying, is a radical departure from the pursuit of self-advancement and power. It is a call to value others above ourselves and to seek unity and love within our community. This subversive way of Jesus is beautifully captured in the Christ hymn, which speaks of a God who is both high and holy, yet meek and lowly.

David Brooks, in his journey of faith, highlights the inverse logic of the Christian message: the way down is the way up, and the meek shall be exalted. This revolutionary moral logic offers a vision of joy that transcends the self, inviting us to find our deepest fulfillment in the presence of God. As a church community, we are called to embody this humility and hunger, seeking God above all else.

Our journey as a church has taken us from serving the marginalized in Queens to establishing a presence in Manhattan. This transition has challenged us to remain true to our values, resisting the temptation to conform to the city's standards of success and influence. Instead, we are reminded that our greatest source of spiritual power comes from following a Savior who hangs on a cross, a symbol of humility and sacrificial love.

As we begin this new year, we are invited to participate in 21 days of fasting and prayer, seeking to cultivate a deeper hunger for God. Our vision is to be a community that is grounded in humility and passionately pursuing Jesus together. May we find our identity and joy not in worldly achievements, but in our relationship with Christ, as we strive to be a humble, hungry people.

Key Takeaways

1. The Paradox of Christ's Humility and Exaltation: Jesus exemplifies a profound paradox as both a humble servant and an exalted king. This challenges us to embrace humility, valuing others above ourselves, and seeking unity and love within our community. [04:57]
2. The Subversive Way of Jesus: The Christian message offers a revolutionary moral logic where the meek are exalted, and the way down is the way up. This invites us to find joy in God's presence, transcending the self and worldly values. [10:53]
3. Identifying with the Marginalized: Jesus' life and ministry demonstrate a total identification with the marginalized, offering hope and dignity to those considered outcasts. This challenges us to serve and identify with the marginalized in our own communities. [16:45]
4. Resisting Worldly Values: As a church, we are called to resist conforming to the city's standards of success and influence. Instead, we find our spiritual power in following a Savior who embodies humility and sacrificial love. [24:28]
5. Cultivating Humility and Hunger for God: Our vision is to be a community grounded in humility and passionately pursuing Jesus. Through practices like fasting and prayer, we seek to cultivate a deeper hunger for God, finding our identity and joy in Him. [31:57]
** [31:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:57] - The Paradox of Christ's Humility
[07:54] - New York's Values vs. Jesus' Way
[09:04] - David Brooks' Journey of Faith
[10:53] - The Inverse Logic of the Gospel
[11:50] - The Subversive Way of Jesus
[13:28] - Jesus and the Marginalized
[15:01] - Dalit Christians and Jesus
[16:45] - Personal Reflections on Marginalization
[19:14] - Starting Churches in Queens
[21:02] - Transition to Manhattan
[22:23] - Wrestling with Identity and Values
[24:28] - Spiritual Power in Humility
[25:22] - The Image of a Humble Savior
[27:55] - Embracing Humility and Hunger

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does the Apostle Paul encourage the Philippians to do in their relationships with one another? [04:57]
How does the Christ hymn describe Jesus' approach to power and status? [04:57]
What is the significance of the term "kenosis" as used in the sermon? [04:57]
How does the sermon describe the values of New York City in contrast to the values exemplified by Jesus? [07:54]

Interpretation Questions

How does the paradox of Christ being both a humble servant and an exalted king challenge our understanding of greatness? [04:57]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Christian message offers a revolutionary moral logic? [10:53]
How does the identification of Jesus with the marginalized, as discussed in the sermon, impact our view of serving others? [16:45]
What does the sermon imply about the source of spiritual power and how it contrasts with worldly values? [24:28]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you prioritized your own interests over others. How can you apply the mindset of Christ in similar situations in the future? [04:57]
The sermon mentions the inverse logic of the Gospel, where the meek are exalted. How can you practice this logic in your daily life, especially in a competitive environment like New York City? [10:53]
Consider how you can identify with and serve the marginalized in your community. What practical steps can you take this week to reach out to someone who feels like an outsider? [16:45]
The sermon challenges us to resist conforming to worldly standards of success. What are some specific ways you can focus on spiritual growth rather than societal achievements? [24:28]
As the church embarks on 21 days of fasting and prayer, how can you cultivate a deeper hunger for God in your personal life? What specific practices will you commit to during this period? [31:57]
How can you embody humility in your workplace or community, and what impact do you think this could have on those around you? [27:55]
Reflect on the values that currently shape your life. Are there any that you feel need to be realigned with the values of humility and service as exemplified by Jesus? [27:55]

Sermon Clips

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, can I hear you say humility? That's right. Value others above yourselves, not looking for your own interests, but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." [00:03:19] (22 seconds)

"Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." [00:06:02] (17 seconds)

"Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is a rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul." [00:10:03] (23 seconds)

"Where there is humility, there is majesty. Where there is weakness, there is might. This logic struck me as both startling, revolutionary, and astonishingly beautiful. I had the feeling I had glimpsed a goodness more radical than anything I had ever imagined." [00:11:04] (16 seconds)

"Now, what would it look like? Here's what Jesus comes into the world as. People experience Jesus not as this strong and mighty, muscle-bound, thunder-throwing, lightning-throwing kind of God. With all the richness and power of the world, world and all the attractiveness of Hollywood and celebrity. But instead, Jesus comes as this human, humble Savior hanging on a cross." [00:12:54] (29 seconds)

"Now, what is he observing here? He's observing there's something so profound about how Dalit Christians, they identify so deeply with Jesus that though the world might see them as untouchable, the dregs of society, they find in Jesus someone who identifies with them. Jesus, a Dalit himself." [00:16:22] (21 seconds)

"And honestly, there's a part of me that would love to say our spiritual comes from how dynamic we are, how influential, how rich, how powerful we are. And you know what the earliest Christians always knew? Is that the greatest source of spiritual power? Is that the greatest source of spiritual strength?" [00:24:55] (20 seconds)

"Each year, we actually begin the year with 21 days of fasting and prayer. It's an invitation for our church community to individually and corporately to say, Jesus, I want a hunger for you. That however the ups, and downs of my life might be, that however my career is going or my love life or the life of my kids or my parents or whatever else, that I would be someone so desperately hungry for you." [00:31:09] (29 seconds)

"And so here's our vision, not only individually, but corporately as a community. What does it look like for us to be a community so centered around Jesus that we humbly and with great hunger, we pursue Jesus as a community together." [00:31:59] (16 seconds)

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