Embracing Humility: The Transformative Power of the Cross
Summary
In today's message, we explored a profound truth that connects us all, not only with each other but also with God: the resistance to pride and the embrace of humility. Pride creates distance and disconnection, while humility fosters closeness and understanding. This is a universal truth that resonates deeply within us, as we naturally gravitate towards humility and resist arrogance. The Apostle Peter reminds us that God resists the proud but shows favor to the humble, a principle that aligns with our own experiences and inclinations.
Humility is not just a virtue to admire but a posture to adopt. It is a powerful force that can transform conflicts and relationships. When humility meets humility, almost anything can be resolved. Yet, humility is not something we are often tempted by; it is a choice we must consciously make. The cross, the icon of Christianity, is not merely a symbol of belief but an invitation to a radical way of living—a lifestyle that is counterintuitive and often seems foolish by worldly standards.
Jesus exemplified this way of the cross through His life and actions. After performing the miracle of feeding the 5,000, He was offered a crown and a kingdom, yet He chose to withdraw and serve. His ultimate act of humility was washing the feet of His disciples, including those who would betray and deny Him. This act was not just an illustration but a response to His understanding of His identity and power. Jesus, knowing He had all authority, chose to serve rather than be served.
This is the way of the cross—an invitation to choose, chance, and chase humility. It is a call to proactively seek opportunities to serve others, to give away power and influence for the sake of others, and to live in a way that reflects the selfless love of Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to embrace this empowering way of the cross, to wash the feet of those who may not deserve it, and to live lives marked by humility and service.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Humility: Humility is a powerful force that can transform relationships and resolve conflicts. It is not a natural temptation but a conscious choice that aligns us with God's favor. When we encounter humility, it disarms us and opens the door to reconciliation. [03:52]
- The Way of the Cross: The cross is not just a symbol of faith but an invitation to a radical way of living. It calls us to embrace humility and selflessness, even when it seems counterintuitive or foolish by worldly standards. [05:51]
- Jesus' Example of Service: Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of humility by washing the feet of His disciples, including those who would betray Him. This act was a response to His understanding of His identity and power, choosing to serve rather than be served. [19:00]
- Choosing Humility: We are invited to choose, chance, and chase humility in our daily lives. This involves proactively seeking opportunities to serve others and giving away power and influence for the sake of others. [25:08]
- Living the Empowering Way of the Cross: Embracing the way of the cross means living lives marked by humility and service. It is an invitation to wash the feet of those who may not deserve it and to reflect the selfless love of Christ in all we do. [34:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Commonality with God
- [00:36] - God Resists the Proud
- [01:19] - The Distance of Arrogance
- [02:12] - Favor to the Humble
- [03:07] - The Power of Humility
- [04:20] - Tempted by Humility?
- [05:13] - The Icon of Christianity
- [06:29] - Empowering Invitation
- [07:41] - Choosing to Lose
- [08:47] - Feeding of the 5,000
- [10:39] - Passover Tensions
- [13:31] - You Give Them Something to Eat
- [15:06] - Offered a Kingdom
- [19:00] - Washing the Disciples' Feet
- [25:08] - Choose, Chance, Chase Humility
- [34:50] - Embracing the Way of the Cross
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Peter 5:5-6 - "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
2. John 13:1-17 - Jesus washes the disciples' feet.
3. Philippians 2:5-8 - "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus..."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 Peter 5:5-6 say about God's attitude towards the proud and the humble? How does this align with our natural inclinations? [02:12]
2. In John 13, what significant act of service does Jesus perform for His disciples, and what is the context of this event? [19:00]
3. According to Philippians 2:5-8, how did Jesus demonstrate humility, and what was the ultimate outcome of His actions?
4. How does the sermon describe the power of humility in transforming relationships and resolving conflicts? [03:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God resisting the proud but giving grace to the humble challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character? [02:12]
2. What does Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet reveal about His understanding of power and authority? How does this contrast with worldly views of leadership? [19:00]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that humility is a choice rather than a natural inclination? How does this relate to the idea of the cross as an invitation to a radical way of living? [05:51]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that humility can disarm and open the door to reconciliation? Can you think of a personal example where humility transformed a situation? [03:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent conflict or disagreement. How might approaching the situation with humility have changed the outcome? What steps can you take to choose humility in future conflicts? [03:52]
2. Jesus washed the feet of those who would betray and deny Him. Is there someone in your life who you find difficult to serve? What practical steps can you take to serve them this week? [19:00]
3. The sermon invites us to "choose, chance, and chase humility." What specific area of your life could benefit from this approach, and how will you implement it? [25:08]
4. Consider the idea of the cross as an invitation to a radical way of living. What is one area in your life where you feel called to live counterintuitively, in line with the way of the cross? [05:51]
5. How can you proactively seek opportunities to serve others in your community or workplace? Identify one specific action you can take this week to give away power or influence for the sake of others. [25:08]
6. Reflect on the concept of living a life marked by humility and service. What is one tangible way you can embody this in your daily interactions? [34:50]
7. The sermon suggests that embracing the way of the cross can change lives. How has your understanding of humility and service been challenged or deepened by this message? What changes do you feel called to make? [36:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Humility Transforms Relationships
Humility is a powerful force that can transform relationships and resolve conflicts. It is not a natural temptation but a conscious choice that aligns us with God's favor. When we encounter humility, it disarms us and opens the door to reconciliation. The Apostle Peter reminds us that God resists the proud but shows favor to the humble. This principle resonates with our experiences, as pride often creates distance and disconnection, while humility fosters closeness and understanding. By choosing humility, we align ourselves with God's grace and open the way for healing and restoration in our relationships. [03:52]
"Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (1 Peter 5:5, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that is strained. How can you choose humility today to begin the process of reconciliation?
Day 2: The Cross as a Lifestyle
The cross is not just a symbol of faith but an invitation to a radical way of living. It calls us to embrace humility and selflessness, even when it seems counterintuitive or foolish by worldly standards. This way of the cross challenges us to live differently, to prioritize others above ourselves, and to seek opportunities to serve. It is a lifestyle that goes against the grain of societal norms, yet it is the path to true fulfillment and joy. By embracing the way of the cross, we reflect the selfless love of Christ and become agents of change in the world. [05:51]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can deny yourself today to serve someone else, even if it seems foolish or counterintuitive?
Day 3: Jesus' Example of Humble Service
Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of humility by washing the feet of His disciples, including those who would betray Him. This act was a response to His understanding of His identity and power, choosing to serve rather than be served. Jesus' example teaches us that true greatness is found in serving others, regardless of their actions or intentions towards us. By following His example, we learn to give away power and influence for the sake of others, embodying the selfless love that Jesus showed. This act of service is not just an illustration but a call to live out our faith in tangible ways. [19:00]
"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." (John 13:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might you consider undeserving of your service? How can you follow Jesus' example and serve them this week?
Day 4: Choosing Humility Daily
We are invited to choose, chance, and chase humility in our daily lives. This involves proactively seeking opportunities to serve others and giving away power and influence for the sake of others. Humility is not something we are often tempted by; it is a choice we must consciously make. By choosing humility, we align ourselves with God's favor and open the door to transformation in our lives and the lives of those around us. This daily choice to pursue humility is a reflection of our commitment to live out the teachings of Jesus and to embody His love in all we do. [25:08]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with pride? How can you intentionally choose humility in that area today?
Day 5: Living the Empowering Way of the Cross
Embracing the way of the cross means living lives marked by humility and service. It is an invitation to wash the feet of those who may not deserve it and to reflect the selfless love of Christ in all we do. This empowering way of the cross calls us to live counter-culturally, to prioritize others above ourselves, and to seek opportunities to serve. By living this way, we become a reflection of Christ's love and grace to the world, inviting others to experience the transformative power of humility and service. [34:50]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make serving others a regular part of your daily routine, even when it is inconvenient or challenging?
Quotes
"God resists the proud, and we all do too. There's just something in me, and there's something in you that when you bump up against an arrogant person, you just kind of internally resist them. You may have to work with them. You may have to sell to them. You may even have to live with them. But even though there's a width, there's an internal resistance because it's so offensive." [00:57:53]
"Humility. I mean, we all know this. We've experienced it is so powerful. In fact, if you are having a conflict with someone, whether it's family or work, or neighborhood, or whatever it might be, when you're having a conflict with someone, and you're coming in hot, like you got your thing all lined up, and you've had this imaginary conversation 20 times, you know what you're gonna say." [03:10:57]
"And the thing is about humility, humility doesn't push back. Humility absorbs. And sometimes you don't even know what to do with it. It's so powerful. And when two people, when humility meets humility, just about anything can be resolved. And this isn't new information. You don't need to write this down. We know this." [03:48:28]
"The cross is an invitation and not an invitation merely to a way of believing. It's an alternative way of living. It's a lifestyle. It's alternative, but it is not intuitive. In fact, on the surface, when first approached with this, and if you've been listening to any of this series, or if you follow Jesus through the gospels, when you're first confronted with the way of the cross or the way of Jesus on the surface, it kind of seems a little bit crazy." [05:40:10]
"Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make Him king by force. He knows what's in their heart. It's another test. Maybe it was a temptation. Jesus, take it. Take it. They will follow you to the gates of Jerusalem. It will be epic. It will be glorious. It will be an answer to prayer. It will be what the prophets prophesied. You are in the lineage of David, King David." [15:09:04]
"And the text tells us that Jesus, your King, with all that handed to him, all that available, I love this, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself. Not because He didn't deserve a crown and not because He wasn't a king. He didn't want that crown. He didn't want to be that king. He didn't want that kingdom. It wasn't His way, and that wasn't the way He was gonna do it." [16:48:07]
"And Jesus works out this whole environment where there's not anybody to wash feet on purpose. So when Jesus stands up and removes His rabbinical robe and lays it on a stool and then puts a towel around His waist, they're all thinking, Uh-uh, no, no, no, no, no. We have seen what those hands can do and you are not about to wash our dirty feet." [19:19:58]
"Your Savior is on His knees at the feet of men who would abandon him that very night. One of them, Peter, would deny that he even knew who Jesus was that very night or early that next morning. One of them had already betrayed him. Judas Iscariot was responsible for making sure Jesus was arrested that very night, and Jesus washed Judas' feet." [20:32:93]
"This is what it means to follow Jesus. This is what it means to get in sync with the way of the cross. He says, I want you guys for the rest of your life, and they did it. I want you guys for the rest of your life, and even if He was here and He was looking at those of us who claim to be Christians, He would say, 'And this is for you too. Do you know what I've done for you?'" [24:30:10]
"I want you to choose. I want you to chance. I want you to chase humility. I want you to give into the temptation to go second or last, or maybe you just don't even go at all. I want you to proactively every day and in every environment, do for others. And this is for those of you who are a big deal. In my world, I'm a big deal. I'm the boss." [25:06:30]
"Jesus, when he washed their feet, look up here, He wasn't just illustrating something, 'I've set for you an example,' and He said, 'I've set for you an example,' okay? You illustrating. Jesus wasn't simply illustrating something when he washed their feet. He was responding to something. Remember last time we talked about the fruit of the spirit?" [26:45:39]
"He was competing against pride. He was competing against arrogance. He was competing against self-sufficiency. He was competing against self-absorption, against do it my way, against, I don't need self-control because self is the middle. I'm number one, all for one, one for all. I'm number one. He was competing against all of that." [30:38:57]
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