Embracing Humility: The Key to Unity in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Christ's Way Church! Today, we delved into the profound and transformative power of humility, as illustrated in Ephesians 2. I shared my recent experiences with our high school students in Knoxville and our Bulgaria mission team, emphasizing how God uses us as His hands and feet. We then explored Paul's letter to the Philippians, where he addresses the importance of humility within the church. Paul, writing from prison, sees an "uh-oh" moment in the Philippian church—two influential women, Iota and Sintica, are in conflict, threatening the unity of the church. Paul urges the church to be of the same mind, to love as Christ loved, and to act in humility.
Humility, as Paul describes, is not just a virtue but a necessity for unity and effective ministry. He warns against selfish ambition and conceit, which can destroy the church from within, much like a small flaw can destroy a massive Death Star. Instead, Paul calls us to consider others more significant than ourselves, to look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others. This is the essence of humility, and it is what Christ exemplified throughout His life and ministry.
Jesus, though He was God, did not cling to His divine status but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This ultimate act of humility is our model. We are called to follow Jesus' example, to humble ourselves, and to serve others selflessly. This humility is not just about avoiding selfishness but actively seeking to elevate others above ourselves.
In practical terms, this means being willing to serve in ways that may seem beneath us, to let others take the credit, and to prioritize the needs of others. It means teaching our children the value of humility over the pursuit of being the best. It means living out our faith in a way that reflects the humility of Christ, even when it is difficult or counter-cultural.
### Key Takeaways
1. Humility as a Transformative Power: Humility is not just a virtue but a transformative power that can save marriages, mend relationships, and unify the church. It requires us to evaluate our own lives and ask if we need more humility, recognizing that it is a calling from Christ Himself. [24:18]
2. The Dangers of Selfish Ambition and Conceit: Selfish ambition and conceit are like the small flaws that can destroy a massive structure. They are the tools Satan uses to plant discord within the church. True humility, on the other hand, can make the church thrive and fulfill its mission. [32:13]
3. Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Humility: Jesus, though He was God, did not cling to His divine status but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This ultimate act of humility is our model for how we should live and serve others. [49:17]
4. Practical Humility in Daily Life: Practicing humility means considering others more significant than ourselves, being willing to serve in ways that may seem beneath us, and letting others take the credit. It involves actively seeking to elevate others above ourselves and prioritizing their needs. [37:21]
5. Teaching Humility to the Next Generation: We must teach our children the value of humility over the pursuit of being the best. This involves showing them that their worth is not in their achievements but in who they are in Christ. By modeling humility, we can help them grow into joyful, fulfilled, and Christ-like individuals. [38:49]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[21:59] - Bulgaria Mission Update
[22:47] - Introduction to Ephesians 2
[23:30] - The Need for Humility
[24:18] - Evaluating Our Own Humility
[25:13] - Paul's Concern for the Philippian Church
[25:47] - Encouragement and Unity
[27:27] - The Importance of Same Mind and Love
[28:14] - The Threat of Disunity
[28:58] - Conflict in the Philippian Church
[30:22] - The Dangers of Selfish Ambition
[32:13] - Selfishness vs. Humility
[33:24] - The Theology of Satanism
[35:06] - The Power of Humility in the Church
[37:21] - Practical Humility in Daily Life
[38:49] - Teaching Humility to the Next Generation
[49:17] - Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Humility
[51:56] - The Symbol of the Cross
[57:57] - Final Call to Humility
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:1-10 - This passage highlights the transformative power of humility and God's grace.
2. Philippians 2:1-11 - This passage emphasizes the importance of humility and unity within the church, using Jesus as the ultimate example.
3. James 4:6-10 - This passage discusses the importance of humility and how God gives grace to the humble.
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul identify as the "uh-oh" moment in the Philippian church, and why is it significant? ([25:13])
2. How does Paul describe the relationship between selfish ambition, conceit, and the unity of the church? ([32:13])
3. What example does Jesus set for us in terms of humility, according to Philippians 2:5-8? ([49:17])
4. How does James describe the relationship between pride and humility in James 4:6-10?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for the Philippian church to be of the same mind and love? How does this relate to the concept of humility? ([27:27])
2. How can selfish ambition and conceit act as "small flaws" that can destroy a church, similar to the Death Star analogy? ([31:35])
3. What does it mean to "count others more significant than yourself," and how does this challenge modern cultural values? ([37:21])
4. How does Jesus' ultimate act of humility on the cross serve as a model for our daily lives and interactions with others? ([49:17])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you struggle with selfish ambition or conceit? How can you begin to address these issues? ([32:13])
2. Think about a recent conflict you had. How could practicing humility have changed the outcome of that situation? ([25:13])
3. In what ways can you actively seek to elevate others above yourself in your daily interactions? Provide a specific example. ([37:21])
4. How can you teach the value of humility to the next generation, especially in a culture that often prioritizes being the best? ([38:49])
5. Identify a specific way you can serve in your church or community that may seem "beneath" you. How can this act of service help you grow in humility? ([46:51])
6. How can you model the humility of Christ in your workplace or school? Think of a specific situation where you can apply this. ([49:17])
7. Reflect on a time when you let someone else take the credit for something you did. How did that make you feel, and how did it impact your relationship with that person? ([37:21])
Devotional
Day 1: Humility as a Transformative Power
Humility is not just a virtue but a transformative power that can save marriages, mend relationships, and unify the church. It requires us to evaluate our own lives and ask if we need more humility, recognizing that it is a calling from Christ Himself. Humility allows us to see beyond our own needs and desires, fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation within our communities. When we embrace humility, we open ourselves to God's transformative work in our lives and relationships.
In Ephesians 2, Paul emphasizes the importance of humility in the Christian life. He reminds us that we were once dead in our transgressions but have been made alive in Christ. This new life calls us to walk in humility, recognizing that our salvation is a gift from God, not something we earned. By embracing humility, we can experience the transformative power of God's grace in our lives and relationships. [24:18]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that could benefit from more humility. How can you take a step today to show humility and foster healing in that relationship?
Day 2: The Dangers of Selfish Ambition and Conceit
Selfish ambition and conceit are like the small flaws that can destroy a massive structure. They are the tools Satan uses to plant discord within the church. True humility, on the other hand, can make the church thrive and fulfill its mission. When we prioritize our own desires and ambitions over the well-being of others, we create division and strife. Paul warns against these attitudes, urging us to consider others more significant than ourselves and to look to their interests.
In Philippians 2, Paul addresses the conflict between Iota and Sintica, two influential women in the Philippian church. Their disagreement threatened the unity of the church, and Paul urged them to be of the same mind and to act in humility. By putting aside selfish ambition and conceit, we can work together to build a strong, unified church that reflects the love of Christ. [32:13]
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: Reflect on a recent situation where you acted out of selfish ambition or conceit. How can you approach similar situations with humility in the future?
Day 3: Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Humility
Jesus, though He was God, did not cling to His divine status but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This ultimate act of humility is our model for how we should live and serve others. Jesus' life and ministry exemplify the kind of selfless love and humility that we are called to emulate. By following His example, we can live lives that reflect His love and grace to those around us.
In Philippians 2, Paul describes how Jesus, though equal with God, chose to humble Himself and become obedient to the point of death. This act of humility is the foundation of our faith and serves as a powerful example for us to follow. By embracing humility and serving others selflessly, we can honor Christ and fulfill His mission in the world. [49:17]
Philippians 2:6-8 (ESV): "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. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Reflection: How can you follow Jesus' example of humility in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to serve others selflessly this week?
Day 4: Practical Humility in Daily Life
Practicing humility means considering others more significant than ourselves, being willing to serve in ways that may seem beneath us, and letting others take the credit. It involves actively seeking to elevate others above ourselves and prioritizing their needs. This kind of humility requires a conscious effort to put aside our own desires and ambitions and to focus on the well-being of others. By doing so, we can create a more loving and supportive community.
In Philippians 2, Paul encourages the church to be of the same mind and to act in humility. He reminds them that true humility involves looking to the interests of others and considering them more significant than ourselves. By practicing humility in our daily lives, we can build stronger relationships and create a more unified and loving community. [37:21]
Romans 12:10 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can you prioritize their needs and show them honor through your actions?
Day 5: Teaching Humility to the Next Generation
We must teach our children the value of humility over the pursuit of being the best. This involves showing them that their worth is not in their achievements but in who they are in Christ. By modeling humility, we can help them grow into joyful, fulfilled, and Christ-like individuals. Teaching humility to the next generation is essential for building a strong and loving community that reflects the values of Christ.
In Deuteronomy 6, Moses instructs the Israelites to teach their children the commandments and to talk about them in their daily lives. This includes teaching them the value of humility and showing them how to live out their faith in practical ways. By modeling humility and teaching our children its importance, we can help them develop a strong foundation in their faith and grow into Christ-like individuals. [38:49]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you model humility for the younger generation in your life? What specific actions can you take to teach them the value of humility this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Humility is actually what Christ. Christ has called us to write. He's called us to. But even in church, I'm not talking about just the world, but in church. Right. There's little of it. There really is. And this morning, as we discuss and look at what Paul is sharing with this church on humility. I want to ask you this a few times because it's not just enough that you hear the word. But I want you to walk out of here changed because of God's word." [24:18] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Selfishness has robbed you too long. Selfishness has taken away your, your, your existence. It's taken away your joy because we're so self-absorbed that we can't see all the blessings God has got around us." [47:35] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You see, Jesus lived the life. He is God. He was impure. And the rewards he had so many that he could just grasp. And he did. And he gave them to you. And he gave them to you. Because we had no other way. That's what happened. See, Jesus. Jesus had that humility. And he lived it out for us to see. And he's asking us to follow him." [56:45] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Humility. Is this what you need more of? And the great thing of it is, if you look and evaluate yourself and you say, yes, it is. I'm thankful that God showed us how we can get it." [57:57] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. It's like, whoa, this is the deal. So if anybody asks you, are you a selfish person? Nobody's going to say yes to that one, right? Because that really kind of shows your character, right? You're like, no, I'm not selfish, right? But this is what he's saying. From selfish ambition and conceit. This is something that is really the star destroyer to the church. It's selfishness." [32:13] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "But in humility, count others more significant than yourself. Count others. Do we do that? Do we live a life where we're just saying, I'm counting others more significant than myself. I'm not the main person, right? Can you, are you willing to say, you know, I'm going to let them go first, right? I'm going to let that person get all the attention. I'm going to let this person get the credit that I deserve." [37:21] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You see, humility is something we should seek. It's something we should grow. We should teach. We should put it in our families. Teaching humility is just so foreign, but it's the very core of the gospel. And so I ask you again, is this what you need more of? I know I do. As I'm doing this study, I'm going looking at my life, and I'm going, God, there's so many areas where you're calling me to be humble, to worship you, to put you first." [43:09] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You see, here's the thing is, you think about what Jesus did. Okay. This thing on the cross. Let me tell you something. You know, I know that you've seen, you know, dramas and all that where Jesus on the cross. Listen, I want you to know the reality of it is. He didn't have a loincloth on. He was naked. He hung naked. And they would actually have them at the city gates. And so, thousands and thousands of people. He's hanging naked in front of his mother. In front of his friends. In front of the people of the church. Of the whole city. He's hanging naked in front of them. Dying." [53:12] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You see, selfishness and conceit just destroys everything. But we can't do anything out of selfishness. But so often we do. You know, here's the thing is, as hard as selfishness can destroy a church, a little bit of humility can make it thrive." [35:06] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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