Embracing Humility: The Cost of Christ's Sacrifice
Summary
In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound humility and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as illustrated in Philippians 2:6-8. Despite being God, Jesus did not cling to His divine rights but chose to humble Himself, becoming human and enduring the cross for our salvation. This act of selflessness stands in stark contrast to the cultural message of demanding and enjoying one's rights. Jesus' journey from divine majesty to human humility teaches us about the true nature of love and sacrifice.
We explored three significant aspects of Jesus' sacrifice: First, though He was the Creator of all, He became nothing, entering the world as a microscopic being in a virgin's womb. Second, though He owned everything, He became poor, so that through His poverty, we might become rich in spirit. Third, though He was pure, He became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God. These acts of humility and sacrifice culminated in God exalting Jesus to the highest place, affirming His lordship over all creation.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of Jesus' body broken for us and His blood shed for the new covenant. This sacred act invites us to exalt Him in our hearts and lives, acknowledging His sacrifice and the salvation it brings. We also began a series reflecting on the first Christmas, recognizing that it was not the serene event often depicted but a time of great challenge and cost for those involved, particularly Mary and Joseph. Their story reminds us that walking in God's plan can be costly, yet it is through these trials that God's miraculous purposes are fulfilled.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Humility of Christ: Jesus' choice to relinquish His divine privileges and embrace human form exemplifies ultimate humility and love. His willingness to become nothing for our sake challenges us to consider how we might lay down our own rights for the sake of others. [20:08]
2. The Cost of God's Plan: Following God's plan often involves personal sacrifice and challenges, as seen in the lives of Mary and Joseph. Their story encourages us to trust in God's purposes, even when the path is difficult and costly. [49:20]
3. God's Miraculous Power: The story of Jesus' birth reminds us that what is impossible for humans is possible with God. His promises defy natural expectations, inviting us to trust in His power to accomplish the miraculous in our lives. [58:09]
4. The Reality of Suffering: The journey of Mary and Joseph, and ultimately Jesus, highlights that suffering is often part of God's redemptive plan. Yet, through suffering, God brings about His greater purposes and glory. [56:58]
5. The Promise of Salvation: Jesus' life, death, and resurrection offer us the promise of salvation and adoption into God's family. This gift calls us to repentance and a life transformed by His love and grace. [01:02:37]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[20:08] - The Humility of Christ
[21:36] - Jesus' Sacrifice
[23:29] - Communion Reflection
[26:39] - Worship and Praise
[39:28] - Personal Christmas Story
[41:41] - The Reality of Christmas
[43:08] - The First Christmas Challenges
[44:05] - The Cost of God's Plan
[45:52] - The Annunciation to Mary
[48:14] - The Cost of Following God
[49:20] - Joseph's Dilemma
[51:01] - Social and Familial Turmoil
[53:54] - Lifelong Cost for Mary
[56:58] - The Suffering of Jesus
[58:09] - God's Miraculous Power
[01:02:37] - The Promise of Salvation
[01:04:40] - God's Promises Fulfilled
[01:10:46] - A Pure Christmas
[01:13:28] - Invitation to Salvation
[01:16:44] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 2:6-8
- 2 Corinthians 8:9
- Luke 1:26-38
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Philippians 2:6-8, how did Jesus demonstrate humility and sacrifice? What specific actions did He take that exemplify these traits? [20:08]
2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that Jesus became poor so that we might become rich in spirit. How does 2 Corinthians 8:9 illustrate this concept? [21:36]
3. Reflecting on Luke 1:26-38, what was Mary's initial reaction to the angel's message, and how did she ultimately respond to God's plan for her life? [45:52]
4. The sermon highlighted the challenges faced by Mary and Joseph during the first Christmas. What were some of the social and familial challenges they encountered? [52:40]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' willingness to relinquish His divine privileges challenge our understanding of humility and selflessness in our own lives? [20:08]
2. The sermon discussed the cost of following God's plan, as seen in the lives of Mary and Joseph. What does this suggest about the nature of obedience and faith in difficult circumstances? [49:20]
3. In what ways does the story of Jesus' birth illustrate the concept that "what is impossible for humans is possible with God"? How does this impact our faith in God's promises? [58:09]
4. The sermon mentioned that suffering is often part of God's redemptive plan. How can this perspective change the way we view our own trials and challenges? [56:58]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to lay down your own rights for the sake of others. How did this experience align with the humility demonstrated by Jesus? [20:08]
2. Consider the personal sacrifices you might need to make to follow God's plan for your life. What steps can you take to trust in His purposes, even when the path is difficult? [49:20]
3. Identify a situation in your life that seems impossible. How can you apply the lesson of God's miraculous power to trust Him to accomplish the impossible? [58:09]
4. Think about a current challenge or trial you are facing. How can you find comfort in the idea that suffering can be part of God's greater purpose and glory? [56:58]
5. The sermon emphasized the promise of salvation through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. How can you live out this promise in your daily life, and what changes might you need to make to reflect His love and grace? [01:02:37]
6. Reflect on the story of Mary and Joseph. How can their example of faith and obedience inspire you to trust God more deeply in your own life? [52:40]
7. As you partake in communion, how can you more fully acknowledge and exalt Jesus' sacrifice in your heart and life? What practical steps can you take to keep this remembrance alive? [23:29]
Devotional
Day 1: The Humility of Christ
Jesus Christ, though fully divine, chose to relinquish His divine privileges and embrace human form, exemplifying ultimate humility and love. This profound act of selflessness challenges the cultural norm of clinging to one's rights and privileges. Instead, Jesus' life invites us to consider how we might lay down our own rights for the sake of others. His journey from divine majesty to human humility is a powerful testament to the true nature of love and sacrifice. As we reflect on this, we are called to emulate His humility in our own lives, seeking ways to serve others selflessly. [20:08]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you can choose to lay down your rights or privileges for the benefit of someone else. How can you take a step towards humility in this situation today?
Day 2: The Cost of God's Plan
Following God's plan often involves personal sacrifice and challenges, as seen in the lives of Mary and Joseph. Their story is a powerful reminder that walking in God's plan can be costly, yet it is through these trials that God's miraculous purposes are fulfilled. Mary and Joseph faced social and familial turmoil, yet they trusted in God's purposes. This encourages us to trust in God's plan, even when the path is difficult and costly. Their faithfulness amidst adversity invites us to reflect on our own willingness to embrace God's plan, regardless of the cost. [49:20]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: Identify a challenge you are currently facing in your walk with God. How can you trust in His greater purpose and remain faithful despite the cost?
Day 3: God's Miraculous Power
The story of Jesus' birth reminds us that what is impossible for humans is possible with God. His promises defy natural expectations, inviting us to trust in His power to accomplish the miraculous in our lives. The miraculous nature of Jesus' birth, from the virgin conception to the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, demonstrates God's ability to work beyond human limitations. This invites us to trust in His power and promises, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to place our faith in God's ability to accomplish the impossible in our own lives. [58:09]
Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV): "Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."
Reflection: Consider a situation in your life that seems impossible. How can you invite God to work His miraculous power in this area today?
Day 4: The Reality of Suffering
The journey of Mary and Joseph, and ultimately Jesus, highlights that suffering is often part of God's redemptive plan. Yet, through suffering, God brings about His greater purposes and glory. The trials faced by Mary and Joseph, from societal judgment to personal sacrifice, were integral to the fulfillment of God's plan. This reminds us that suffering is not without purpose, and through it, God accomplishes His redemptive work. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to view our own suffering through the lens of God's greater purposes and trust in His ability to bring about His glory through it. [56:58]
1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV): "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience of suffering in your life. How can you see God's hand at work in this situation, and how might He be using it for His greater purposes?
Day 5: The Promise of Salvation
Jesus' life, death, and resurrection offer us the promise of salvation and adoption into God's family. This gift calls us to repentance and a life transformed by His love and grace. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, where He became sin for us, is the ultimate expression of God's love and the foundation of our salvation. Through His resurrection, we are offered new life and the promise of eternal fellowship with God. As we reflect on this, we are invited to respond to His love with repentance and a commitment to live a life transformed by His grace. [01:02:37]
Titus 3:4-7 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Reflection: Consider your response to the promise of salvation. What steps can you take today to live a life transformed by God's love and grace?
Quotes
Philippians 2, six to eight tells us, though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. [00:20:08] (19 seconds)
Jesus didn't demand his rights. He didn't hold on to what was fair, but he became three unscathed and unspeakably unfair things for us. First, although even the skies couldn't contain him, he became nothing. [00:20:37] (20 seconds)
Yet he allowed himself to be made microscopic in a virgin's womb, to be made a servant, to be made nothing so that we could become children of God. [00:21:16] (13 seconds)
Paul writes to the church in Corinth, God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him, we might become the righteousness of God. He was made sin in order to become our salvation. [00:22:06] (15 seconds)
And because he humbled himself, therefore God has 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. [00:22:21] (25 seconds)
The first thing that we need to understand is that walking in God's plan can be costly. [00:47:35] (5 seconds)
But here's the other thing we need to know. Yes, God's purposes are costly, but the other thing we see in this story is that God makes the impossible possible. Isn't that true? [00:58:09] (13 seconds)
When God has a plan, his plan isn't impossible. It's impossible for you. It's not impossible for him. Will there be a cost? Absolutely, there'll be a cost. Sometimes it'll be a cost that actually lavishes blessings on you. Other times, you're not going to see those blessings until you're in heaven with God. [00:58:56] (18 seconds)
Because God loves the world so much that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but will have everlasting life. [01:02:23] (11 seconds)
See, around here we have a saying that Jesus loves and accepts you just the way that you are, but he loves you too much to leave you there. There's nothing that you can do that can separate you from the love of God. In fact, Christ came while we were still sinners and died on a cross for you. [01:02:37] (17 seconds)
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