Embracing Humility: Jesus' Call to Serve Others

 

Summary

On this beautiful Palm Sunday, we reflect on the profound humility and selflessness of Jesus Christ as described in Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus, though equal with God, chose to relinquish His divine privileges and take on the form of a servant, ultimately sacrificing His life through crucifixion. This act of obedience and humility led to His exaltation by God, ensuring that every being will acknowledge His lordship. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time when we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, not as a conquering king but as a humble servant riding on a donkey. This entry symbolizes a different kind of power—one that transforms the world through love and humility rather than domination and might.

Our Lenten journey has been guided by the theme song "Stand Up" from the movie Harriet, which echoes Jesus' promise to prepare a place for us. This promise is not just about a future heavenly realm but about building a "kin-dom" here on earth—a community where love, care, and justice prevail. This kin-dom is a place where the marginalized are uplifted, and the oppressed find freedom. It is a call to action for us to follow Jesus' example by preparing a place for others, especially those who are unhoused or in need.

Today, as we gather in worship, we may not wave palms in the traditional sense, but we embody the spirit of Palm Sunday by serving breakfast to the unhoused in Wilmington. This act of service is a tangible expression of preparing a place for others, following the path of Jesus who emptied Himself for love. We are called to walk with Jesus toward peace and salvation, using our hands and feet to make a difference in the lives of others. In doing so, we honor the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

1. Humility and Selflessness of Jesus: Jesus' choice to relinquish His divine privileges and embrace humility is a powerful example for us. His life and death demonstrate that true power lies in selflessness and obedience to God. This challenges us to consider how we can embody humility in our own lives. [00:41]

2. The True Meaning of Palm Sunday: Palm Sunday is not about celebrating a conquering king but recognizing Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem. It reminds us that God's kingdom is built on love and service, not on power and domination. This calls us to reflect on how we can contribute to this kingdom in our daily lives. [02:15]

3. Building a "Kin-dom": The concept of a "kin-dom" emphasizes our interconnectedness and the importance of building a community based on love and justice. It challenges us to see beyond individualism and work towards a society where everyone is valued and cared for. [03:59]

4. Preparing a Place for Others: Following Jesus' example, we are called to prepare a place for others, especially those who are marginalized or in need. This involves tangible acts of service and love, reflecting the heart of Jesus' mission on earth. [04:44]

5. Walking Toward Peace and Salvation: Our journey with Jesus is not toward worldly power but toward peace and salvation for all. This path requires us to use our resources and abilities to make a positive impact, embodying the love and sacrifice of Christ in our actions. [05:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:41] - The Humility of Christ
- [01:26] - Palm Sunday Reflections
- [02:15] - Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem
- [03:12] - Lenten Journey and "Stand Up"
- [03:59] - Building a "Kin-dom"
- [04:44] - Serving the Unhoused
- [05:35] - Following Jesus' Path
- [06:23] - Worship Invitation
- [07:10] - Community Activities and Closing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Palm Sunday Reflections

Bible Reading:
- Philippians 2:5-11

Observation Questions:
1. What does Philippians 2:5-11 tell us about Jesus' attitude towards His divine status and privileges? How did He choose to live instead? [00:41]
2. How does the sermon describe Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and what does this signify about His mission? [02:15]
3. What is the significance of the term "kin-dom" as used in the sermon, and how does it differ from "kingdom"? [03:59]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' humility and selflessness, as described in Philippians 2:5-11, challenge our understanding of power and leadership? [00:41]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Palm Sunday is a call to action for believers today? [04:44]
3. How does the concept of building a "kin-dom" reflect the teachings of Jesus, and what implications does it have for our communities? [03:59]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between asserting your rights and serving others. How can Jesus' example of humility guide your decision-making in similar situations? [00:41]
2. The sermon emphasizes serving the unhoused as a way to embody the spirit of Palm Sunday. What specific actions can you take this week to serve those in need in your community? [04:44]
3. How can you contribute to building a "kin-dom" in your daily life? Identify one relationship or community where you can promote love and justice. [03:59]
4. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was marked by humility rather than triumph. How can you practice humility in your interactions with others this week? [02:15]
5. The sermon calls us to walk with Jesus toward peace and salvation. What steps can you take to align your life more closely with this path? [05:35]
6. Consider the idea of preparing a place for others. Who in your life might need a place of welcome and support, and how can you offer that to them? [04:44]
7. Reflect on the Lenten journey and the theme song "Stand Up." How can you stand up for justice and love in your community, following Jesus' example? [03:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Divine Humility
Jesus' choice to relinquish His divine privileges and embrace humility is a profound example of true power. In Philippians 2:5-11, we see Jesus, though equal with God, choosing to take on the form of a servant. This act of selflessness and obedience led to His crucifixion, demonstrating that true power lies in humility and obedience to God. As we reflect on this, we are challenged to consider how we can embody humility in our own lives, following Jesus' example of selflessness and service. [00:41]

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

Reflection: In what specific ways can you choose humility over pride in your interactions with others today?


Day 2: The Power of a Humble King
Palm Sunday is a reminder of Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem, not as a conquering king but as a servant riding on a donkey. This entry symbolizes a different kind of power—one that transforms the world through love and humility rather than domination and might. It challenges us to reflect on how we can contribute to God's kingdom, which is built on love and service, not on power and domination. As we celebrate Palm Sunday, let us remember the true meaning of this day and strive to embody the humility and love of Jesus in our daily lives. [02:15]

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate the power of humility and love in a situation where you are tempted to assert control or dominance?


Day 3: Building a Community of Love and Justice
The concept of a "kin-dom" emphasizes our interconnectedness and the importance of building a community based on love and justice. This idea challenges us to see beyond individualism and work towards a society where everyone is valued and cared for. As followers of Jesus, we are called to create a "kin-dom" here on earth—a place where the marginalized are uplifted, and the oppressed find freedom. This requires us to actively participate in building a community that reflects the love and justice of God. [03:59]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to contribute to building a community of love and justice in your neighborhood or church?


Day 4: Preparing a Place for Others
Following Jesus' example, we are called to prepare a place for others, especially those who are marginalized or in need. This involves tangible acts of service and love, reflecting the heart of Jesus' mission on earth. As we serve breakfast to the unhoused in Wilmington, we embody the spirit of Palm Sunday by preparing a place for others. This act of service is a tangible expression of following the path of Jesus, who emptied Himself for love. Let us be intentional in creating spaces of welcome and care for those in need. [04:44]

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of a place of welcome and care, and how can you extend hospitality to them today?


Day 5: Walking the Path of Peace and Salvation
Our journey with Jesus is not toward worldly power but toward peace and salvation for all. This path requires us to use our resources and abilities to make a positive impact, embodying the love and sacrifice of Christ in our actions. As we walk with Jesus toward peace and salvation, we are called to make a difference in the lives of others, using our hands and feet to serve and love. In doing so, we honor the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and participate in the transformative work of God's kingdom. [05:35]

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can actively pursue peace and reconciliation, and how can you take a step toward that today?

Quotes


This think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privilege of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human. Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privilege. Instead, he lived a selfless and obedient life and then died a selfless and obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. [00:00:18]

Because of that obedience, God lifted him up high and honored him beyond anyone or anything ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long dead and buried—will bow in worship before Jesus Christ and call out in praise that he is the master of all to the glorious honor of God the Father. [00:01:03]

Today is Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is traditionally a day when we wave palms and we shout hosanna when we celebrate Jesus and what we think of as a triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It's the beginning of Holy Week, which is the holiest time for the Christian church. It's when we celebrate. You see, but let's not be fooled by what was going on. This isn't a parade for a king of conquest. Jesus enters not on a warhorse but on a donkey. [00:01:30]

There's no military parade, a celebration of might. What there is, is a simple man coming not to dominate but to lay down his life. Paul tells us in the scripture, let us have the same mind in us that was in Jesus, who emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant, humbling himself to the point of death—and death on a cross. It's not the kind of power we think of or that we're used to celebrating, but it's the kind of power that changes the world, that changes us. [00:02:15]

You see, that place isn't just heaven, not just a heaven that comes someday. It's a kingdom, a kingdom that starts here and now. And yes, I said "kingdom" and not "kingdom" because a kingdom means that we are all related to each other. We're kin to all humanity, and we are building a kingdom where we all love and we all care for each other. It's a place where the marginalized are lifted up, where the oppressed are set free, where it is all about love and not fear. [00:03:39]

And that, my friends, is Jesus not going to the cross, not just going to the cross, but going ahead of us, leading us into freedom, preparing a place for us, leading us forward. So today, we may not be waving palms as we worship on the barge with the anchor church in downtown Wilmington. We may not be doing the traditional worship that we think of for Palm Sunday, but we are providing breakfast for the unhoused in Wilmington. [00:04:25]

People who worship together each Sunday, and we are going and preparing a place for those who don't have the luxury of a house, who may not have enough to eat. We will celebrate this day shoulder to shoulder as we prepare a place for others. We go to prepare a place for you. You see, we are following the one who emptied himself for love. We walk with Jesus not toward power but toward peace, not toward safety but toward salvation—a salvation that is for all of us. [00:05:09]

And today, we will take our hands and we will take our feet, and we will go and try to be a little bit more like Jesus by preparing the way for others. [00:05:56]

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Transcript
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