Embracing Humility and Unity in the Church
Summary
The sermon begins with the speaker emphasizing the importance of humility and unity within the church community. The speaker encourages the congregation to value others above themselves, highlighting the verse that instructs believers to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. The speaker also discusses the concept of honor and shame culture in Roman society, emphasizing the importance of understanding the cultural context.
The speaker then addresses the danger of churches catering to the preferences and likes of their congregation, arguing that this consumer-like culture empties the meaning of church and causes people to miss out on the abundant life that Jesus promises. The speaker also acknowledges that leaders may upset and make people mad by going against their preferences or ideas. However, the primary job of leaders is not to give people what they prefer or make them happy, but to pursue Jesus and teach the truth of scripture.
The speaker also discusses the worldly pursuit of honor and notoriety, contrasting it with the values of Jesus' kingdom. The speaker explains that the Greek words for "vain conceit" refer to an exaggerated view of oneself, considering oneself more important than others. This empty glory and honor is seen in selfish ambition, where one's status and position lead to a sense of entitlement.
The speaker then addresses the issue of pride and entitlement within the church community, emphasizing that just because someone has been a part of the church for a long time or gives generously, it does not give them the right to have a bigger voice or dictate the preferences of others. The speaker encourages unity and joy in Jesus, stating that the church should be united regardless of external attacks or differences.
Finally, the speaker emphasizes the importance of treating one another with love and respect, both within the church community and in the world. The speaker urges the congregation to love and accept each other despite their differences, and to extend that love to those outside the church as well. The sermon concludes with the speaker emphasizing the importance of being committed to the mission of making disciples and reaching the community, rather than being attached to specific methods.
Key Takeaways:
- The speaker emphasizes the importance of humility and unity within the church community, urging believers to value others above themselves and to act out of love rather than selfish ambition or vain conceit. This is a crucial aspect of Christian living and a key to maintaining unity within the church. [34:46]
- The speaker warns against the danger of churches catering to the preferences and likes of their congregation, arguing that this consumer-like culture can lead to a transactional relationship with God and cause people to miss out on the abundant life that Jesus promises. This is a reminder to focus on the true purpose of the church, which is to pursue Jesus and teach the truth of scripture. [22:41]
- The speaker discusses the worldly pursuit of honor and notoriety, contrasting it with the values of Jesus' kingdom. This serves as a reminder to believers to avoid selfish ambition and to seek to honor God rather than seeking personal glory. [38:11]
- The speaker addresses the issue of pride and entitlement within the church community, emphasizing that long-term membership or generous giving does not give anyone the right to dictate the preferences of others. This is a call for humility and unity within the church, reminding believers that the ultimate goal is to see people saved and experience the abundant life in Christ. [40:34]
- The speaker emphasizes the importance of treating one another with love and respect, both within the church community and in the world. This is a call to action for believers to love and accept each other despite their differences, and to extend that love to those outside the church as well. This is a key aspect of Christian living and a crucial part of the mission of the church. [32:14]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Philippians 2:1-4 (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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by being "like-minded" and having "the same love" in Philippians 2:2?
2. According to Philippians 2:3, what are believers instructed to avoid, and what should they practice instead?
3. How does the speaker describe the concept of "vain conceit" and its impact on the church community? [03:20]
4. What does the speaker say about the role of church leaders in relation to the preferences of the congregation? [26:05]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the cultural context of honor and shame in Roman society help us understand Paul's instructions in Philippians 2:3-4? [36:06]
2. What are the potential dangers of a church catering to the preferences and likes of its congregation, according to the speaker? [22:41]
3. How does the speaker's discussion of pride and entitlement within the church community relate to Paul's call for humility in Philippians 2:3? [39:59]
4. In what ways does the speaker suggest that treating one another with love and respect can impact both the church community and the world? [31:04]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you acted out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. How can you practice humility and value others above yourself in similar situations in the future? [34:05]
2. The speaker mentions that the Bible will make us uncomfortable if we are truly pursuing Jesus. Can you identify a specific scripture that has challenged you recently? How did you respond to it? [24:03]
3. How can you contribute to unity within your church community, especially when facing external attacks or internal differences? [05:31]
4. Think about a time when you felt entitled to a bigger voice in the church due to your long-term membership or generous giving. How can you shift your focus to serving others and promoting unity? [39:59]
5. The speaker emphasizes the importance of loving and accepting each other despite differences. Identify one person in your church or community who you find difficult to love. What specific steps can you take to show them love and respect this week? [31:04]
6. How can you ensure that your involvement in church activities is driven by a desire to pursue Jesus and teach the truth of scripture, rather than personal preferences? [22:41]
7. The speaker talks about being committed to the mission of making disciples and reaching the community. What is one practical way you can participate in this mission in the coming week? [32:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Humility and Unity
In the body of Christ, humility and unity are paramount. Believers are called to value others above themselves, acting out of love rather than selfish ambition or vain conceit. This is a crucial aspect of Christian living and a key to maintaining unity within the church. [34:46]
1 Peter 5:5 - "In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your interactions within your church community. Are there instances where you have placed your own interests above others? How can you practice humility in these situations moving forward?
Day 2: Rejecting Consumer Culture in Church
The church is not a marketplace for preferences and likes. A consumer-like culture can lead to a transactional relationship with God and cause people to miss out on the abundant life that Jesus promises. The true purpose of the church is to pursue Jesus and teach the truth of scripture. [22:41]
Jeremiah 6:16 - "This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'"
Reflection: Consider your approach to church. Are there aspects of consumer culture that have seeped into your church experience? How can you refocus your perspective to prioritize pursuing Jesus and learning scripture?
Day 3: Pursuing Godly Honor
The pursuit of worldly honor and notoriety is in stark contrast to the values of Jesus' kingdom. Believers are called to avoid selfish ambition and to seek to honor God rather than seeking personal glory. [38:11]
Proverbs 25:27 - "It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep."
Reflection: Reflect on your motivations. Are there areas in your life where you are seeking personal glory rather than honoring God? How can you realign your pursuits with the values of Jesus' kingdom?
Day 4: Overcoming Pride and Entitlement
Pride and entitlement have no place within the church community. Long-term membership or generous giving does not give anyone the right to dictate the preferences of others. The ultimate goal is to see people saved and experience the abundant life in Christ. [40:34]
James 4:6 - "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
Reflection: Examine your attitude within your church community. Are there instances where pride or entitlement have influenced your actions? How can you cultivate a spirit of humility and unity?
Day 5: Extending Love and Respect
Believers are called to treat one another with love and respect, both within the church community and in the world. Despite differences, we are to love and accept each other, extending that love to those outside the church as well. This is a key aspect of Christian living and a crucial part of the mission of the church. [32:14]
1 Peter 4:8 - "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
Reflection: Reflect on your relationships both within and outside the church. Are there people you struggle to love and accept? How can you extend God's love to them today?
Quotes
"My life is about achieving and gaining notoriety and honor. Jesus comes along and he flips those things upside down and he says my kingdom is different, my values are opposite of this world and he invites us into that. This idea of vain conceit in the Greek are two words it's kenos and DACA, empty Glory, empty." [36:52]
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, only looking to your own interests. Do this in humility, value one another above yourselves." [34:46]
"Our job is to keep focusing on Jesus, pointing you to focus and grow in Jesus, to be disciples That Make Disciples that make disciples." [27:53]
"Church, we need to do a greater job. We don't bring people in that like what we like, we bring people in because they want to pursue Jesus. That diversity in the church is a beautiful thing that we can be challenged in the things that we pursue because God has created people with different preferences and ideas, and we can grow from that." [19:44]
"I've been at this church since the very beginning... I have the biggest voice... my preference means more." [39:59]
"We choose joy... we are going to be United in Jesus on Mission because we want to see people saved and go from Death to life." [41:14]
"If we can't treat each other like that in the midst of our differences, if we're judging one another, being angry at one another, if we can't love one another in here, how are we going to show a world and how can we love those out there?" [30:22]
"We're going to love them because we love each other because we love Jesus because he first loved us. Jesus goes so far to say that we need to love our enemies, he means that, but if we're to love our enemies, how much more to love people that just think differently?" [31:41]
"We need to be married to the mission and date the methods. We need to be married to the mission and not the methods. We might like some of the methods we're doing right now, but the methods are going to change because we want to be married to the mission of making." [32:50]
"Our job here is to not give you what you prefer and it's not to make you happy or even comfortable our job is to pursue Jesus my job is to teach the truth of scripture." [26:05]
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