Embracing Truth, Humility, and Weakness in Faith

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we explored the profound teachings of the Apostle Paul, focusing on the dual importance of truth and the character of the messenger. Paul emphasizes that while understanding and disseminating the gospel is crucial, the life and character of the messenger are equally significant. The church often faces the temptation of legalism, where we believe our works make us right with God, or antinomianism, where we think our actions don't matter. However, Paul calls us to a balanced life, holding fast to the gospel and living as lights in a dark world.

Paul's call to holiness is not about specific actions but about embodying a mindset of unity, humility, and love. He challenges us to live lives worthy of the gospel, which is a daunting task. This involves having one mind, being united in spirit, and valuing others above ourselves. Paul presents Jesus as the ultimate model of humility and love. Jesus, though divine, emptied Himself to become a servant, even to the point of death on a cross, demonstrating the ultimate act of love and humility.

Paul also highlights the importance of embracing weakness. In our weakness, God's power is made perfect. This is a lesson the church must learn, especially as we face a future where Christianity may not hold the same influence it once did. Embracing weakness allows us to rely on God's grace and see His power at work. Historical figures like Mary Slessor and Guido de Bres exemplify this, showing how embracing weakness and humility can lead to powerful manifestations of God's grace.

Our hope lies in the exaltation of Christ, who will one day return to exalt those who have embraced weakness. This hope encourages us to live with humility and love, trusting in God's purpose and grace.

Key Takeaways:

- The balance between truth and character is essential. While the gospel's truth is paramount, the messenger's life and character are equally important. We must avoid the extremes of legalism and antinomianism, striving instead for a life that reflects the gospel's transformative power. [00:55]

- Unity and humility are central to living a life worthy of the gospel. Paul calls us to have one mind, united in spirit and purpose, valuing others above ourselves. This unity is challenging but essential for reflecting Christ's love. [06:40]

- Jesus is the ultimate model of humility and love. Despite being divine, He emptied Himself to become a servant, demonstrating the depth of His love. We are called to have the same mindset, embracing humility and selflessness. [14:44]

- Embracing weakness allows God's power to be perfected in us. In our weakness, we learn to rely on God's grace, seeing His power at work. This is a crucial lesson for the church as we face a future where Christianity may not hold the same influence. [24:46]

- Historical examples like Mary Slessor and Guido de Bres show the power of embracing weakness and humility. Their lives demonstrate how God can use our weaknesses to manifest His grace and accomplish His purposes. [35:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:21] - The Priority of Truth
- [00:55] - The Character of the Messenger
- [02:00] - Balancing Grace and Holiness
- [03:36] - Lights in a Dark World
- [05:39] - A Life Worthy of the Gospel
- [06:40] - Unity and One Mind
- [08:22] - The Challenge of Holiness
- [09:37] - Love Leading to Humility
- [13:21] - Jesus as the Model of Humility
- [18:43] - The Depth of Christ's Humiliation
- [24:46] - Embracing Weakness
- [29:36] - Mary Slessor's Legacy
- [35:06] - Guido de Bres and the Belgic Confession
- [40:03] - The Hope of Exaltation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 2:14-16
2. Philippians 2:5-11
3. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Philippians 2:14-16, what qualities does Paul say should characterize the lives of believers? How does he describe the world in which they live? [03:05]

2. In Philippians 2:5-11, how does Paul describe the mindset of Jesus, and what actions did Jesus take that exemplify this mindset? [13:21]

3. What does Paul mean when he says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"? How does this relate to the theme of embracing weakness? [24:10]

4. How does Paul describe the balance between truth and character in the life of a believer? What are the two extremes he warns against? [00:55]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to live a life "worthy of the gospel" as described in Philippians 1:27? How does this challenge believers in their daily lives? [06:08]

2. How does the example of Jesus' humility and self-emptying in Philippians 2:5-11 serve as a model for Christian behavior? What practical steps can believers take to emulate this mindset? [14:44]

3. In what ways does embracing weakness, as discussed in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, allow believers to experience God's power? How might this perspective change one's approach to personal challenges? [24:46]

4. How do historical examples like Mary Slessor and Guido de Bres illustrate the power of embracing weakness and humility? What lessons can be drawn from their lives? [35:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you were tempted towards either legalism or antinomianism. How did you find balance, and what steps can you take to maintain that balance in the future? [00:55]

2. Consider the call to unity and having "one mind" in Philippians 2:2. What are some practical ways you can work towards unity within your church or community, especially when disagreements arise? [06:40]

3. Jesus is presented as the ultimate model of humility and love. Identify one area in your life where you can practice humility this week. What specific action will you take to put others above yourself? [14:44]

4. Embracing weakness can be challenging. Identify a personal weakness you struggle with. How can you rely on God's grace to see His power at work in that area? [24:46]

5. Think about a historical or contemporary figure who exemplifies humility and reliance on God's grace. What specific qualities do they possess that you admire, and how can you incorporate those qualities into your own life? [35:06]

6. The sermon mentioned the hope of exaltation for those who embrace weakness. How does this hope influence your perspective on current struggles or challenges you face? [40:03]

7. Reflect on the statement, "I'll go anywhere for Jesus, as long as it's forward." What does moving forward in faith look like for you right now, and what steps can you take to pursue it? [31:42]

Devotional

Day 1: The Harmony of Truth and Character
The balance between truth and character is essential in the life of a believer. While the gospel's truth is paramount, the life and character of the messenger are equally important. Paul warns against the extremes of legalism, where one believes that works make them right with God, and antinomianism, where actions are deemed irrelevant. Instead, believers are called to live a life that reflects the transformative power of the gospel. This involves embodying the truth of the gospel in one's actions and character, ensuring that the message and the messenger are in harmony. [00:55]

"For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man." (2 Corinthians 8:21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your actions align with the truth of the gospel today?


Day 2: Unity and Humility as a Gospel Lifestyle
Unity and humility are central to living a life worthy of the gospel. Paul calls believers to have one mind, united in spirit and purpose, valuing others above themselves. This unity is challenging but essential for reflecting Christ's love. By prioritizing unity and humility, believers can demonstrate the love of Christ in a world that often values division and pride. This call to unity is not just about agreement but about a shared purpose and love that transcends individual differences. [06:40]

"Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." (Philippians 2:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively promote unity and humility in your relationships this week?


Day 3: Jesus as the Model of Humility and Love
Jesus is the ultimate model of humility and love. Despite being divine, He emptied Himself to become a servant, demonstrating the depth of His love. Believers are called to have the same mindset, embracing humility and selflessness. This involves putting others before oneself and serving without seeking recognition. By following Jesus' example, believers can embody the love and humility that He demonstrated, impacting those around them with the gospel's transformative power. [14:44]

"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." (Philippians 2:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve someone selflessly today, following Jesus' example?


Day 4: Embracing Weakness to Experience God's Power
Embracing weakness allows God's power to be perfected in us. In our weakness, we learn to rely on God's grace, seeing His power at work. This is a crucial lesson for the church as it faces a future where Christianity may not hold the same influence. By acknowledging our limitations, we open ourselves to God's strength and grace, allowing Him to work through us in ways we could not achieve on our own. [24:46]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life where you can invite God's strength today?


Day 5: Historical Examples of Humility and Grace
Historical examples like Mary Slessor and Guido de Bres show the power of embracing weakness and humility. Their lives demonstrate how God can use our weaknesses to manifest His grace and accomplish His purposes. By looking at these examples, believers can be encouraged to trust in God's ability to work through their limitations. These stories remind us that God often chooses the humble and weak to achieve His greatest works, highlighting His power and grace. [35:06]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a historical or personal example of someone who embraced humility and weakness. How can their story inspire you to trust in God's grace today?

Quotes

We are always laboring to maintain that balance where we, on the one hand, avoid a kind of approach to grace that leads to lawlessness, and we avoid…try to avoid an approach to holiness that leads to legalism. And Paul has made clear we have to get the gospel clear to make progress in holiness, but now he talks about holiness. He talks about what God's people ought to look like. [00:02:13]

But holding fast to the word of life, holding fast to the gospel should lead to us being people who are lights in a dark world. Jesus is the light of the world, but He also calls us to be lights in the world. And our lives should have a quality of difference. A quality of, he says here, "innocence and blamelessness." [00:03:30]

Paul has said in Philippians 1:27, "The life that you should live is a life worthy of the gospel." That's really alarming to me. What a demand that is! Of all the imperatives in the Scripture, of all the calls to holiness, of all the particularities that we find in Scripture, to be told you have to live a life worthy of the gospel, worthy of being called a Christian, worthy of having that kind of identification. [00:05:44]

And one of the first things that Paul says here in Philippians is we should all have one mind. We should all have one mind. And that's a serious call, isn't it? It's a serious challenge. That means we should be united. We should be agreed. We should be working side by side. We should have a common conviction, a common spirit. [00:06:40]

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Here's Paul's articulation of the great Christian virtue, or one of the great Christian virtues. Preachers, you know, end up with a whole series of greatest virtues. You can have only one greatest virtue. But great virtues, love leading to humility, love leading to humility. [00:09:14]

And here in Philippians 2, of course, he offers to us the great model. Philippians 2 verse 5, "Have this mind among yourselves," that one mind, that same mind, that loving mind, that humble mind, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who," see, here's the model, Jesus is the model, "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." [00:13:21]

And what Paul is really doing here, then, is saying to us if Jesus was so filled with love, if Jesus was so humbled, if Jesus was so self-giving, giving His divinity, in a sense, giving His humanity, giving His life. If you are His, how can you not have that mind in you? You see, Paul didn't set out primarily to teach us about the incarnation. He set out primarily to teach us to love. [00:19:40]

Paul says, "Look at those who really are living the Christian life, following the example of Christ, and let them be examples to you." And we see that in Paul, don't we? He had to live humbly. He had to live facing his own weakness. Weakness is not something characteristically we want to think about or pursue, but Paul wrote about that, didn't he, very powerfully in a number of places. [00:23:04]

But he said, "To keep me from being conceited, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." [00:24:46]

And Mary Slessor noted that there was lots of discussion and very little action. And Mary Slessor said, "Well, I think the thing to do is to go in there and talk to them." And the men all said, "No, that's too dangerous." So Mary Slessor said, "It is dangerous. I'll go." And she went alone. And maybe, in the kind providence of God, precisely because she was nonthreatening as a short, little Scottish woman, she made a huge impact. [00:29:36]

He said, "We who hold to this confession offer our backs to the stripes, our tongues to the knives, our mouths to the gags, and our whole bodies to the fire, well knowing that those who follow Christ must take their cross and deny themselves." And those words were not just theoretical for him. They were his life, and that's how he died. He was about forty-five when he died. [00:36:43]

And that highly exalted Christ will one day return to embrace those who have embraced weakness and highly exalt them. That's our hope. That's our confidence. That's our trust. That's how we look to the future. The immediate future may be bleak, but in the bleakness of the immediate future, God will be accomplishing His purpose, and His grace will be sufficient for us, and His power will accomplish its purpose. [00:40:03]

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Transcript
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