A Call To Humility

Philippians 2: 1~18

Paul described what a healthy Christian should look like.

Philippians 2: 1 ~ 2 ~ "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, v.2 ~ Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."

• Encouragement, comfort, the Holy Spirit and affection.
• Same mind, same love and agreement with one another.

Paul challenged Christians to overcome their rivalry or conceit.

Philippians 2: 3 ~ 4 ~ "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. v.4 ~ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Things to think about:

• For our family to be kind, we must overcome our selfishness.
• For our economy to thrive, we must learn what it is to serve again.
• For America to progress, we must humble ourselves before God again.

For a home to be a happy one where harmony dwells within, families need to overcome selfishness. Jesus Himself humbled Himself to become a man. We should live a life of humility as well. Just as Jesus Himself lived in humility. Having passion in your heart, and a passion for life's experiences is a good thing to possess. We each need attention, affection and encouragement. We also need to look to the interest of others as well as to look out for our own interests as well. Allow the passion in your own heart to flow out to others around you. It's a great thing to watch Christians put the interests of others to heart. To allow ourselves to be servants to others. To help them out in this economy we are facing in these trying times.

Philippians 2: 5 ~ "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

Paul described the pain that Jesus experienced when He died on the cross. Jesus suffered so that others could be forgiven.

1). Jesus surrendered His rights as God.

Philippians 2: 6 ~ "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped."

2). Jesus took on the form of a servant.

Philippians 2: 7 ~ "But made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."

3). Jesus humbled Himself.

Philippians 2: 8 ~ "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death ~ even death on a cross!"

Paul described the gain Jesus received when He died on the cross.

1). God has exalted Jesus to be the ruler of the universe.

Philippians 2: 9 ~ "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name."

2). Someday everyone in heaven and earth will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord.

Philippians 2: 10 ~ 11 ~ "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, v.11 ~ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Things to think about:

• America was started as a Christian nation.
• Please pray for our nation to return to God through faith in Jesus Christ.
• For this to happen, our churches need to become prevailing churches once again. Churches need to be a place of transformation. The hope of America will come through victorious churches.

Paul taught that humility comes from God.

Philippians 2: 12 ~ 13 ~ "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, v.13 ~ for it is God who works in your heart to will and to act according to His good purpose."

Paul told them to quit complaining.

Philippians 2: 14 ~ "Do everything without complaining or arguing."

Paul encouraged them to let their light shine.

Philippians 2: 15 ~ "So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."

Paul told them to believe God's Word and obey it.

Philippians 2: 16 ~ "As you hold out the word of life in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."

Paul asked the Philippians to pour out their lives for others.

Philippians 2: 17 ~ 18 ~ "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. v.18 ~ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

Things to think about:

• God doesn't expect us to live the Christian life on our own.
• The less we complain, the more we grow.
• The Bible is our spiritual food that keeps us moving forward.
• A life sacrificed for others is a life worth living.

Jesus suffered so that others could be forgiven. For God to become a man was a 'step down'. He humbled Himself for all of us. And God lifted Him up to be the Savior of all of the world. He was given the name that is above all other names. Someday all of heaven and earth will be subject to Jesus. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The question isn't "if" it will happen, but "when". There are some churches who worship God with a small "g" and they are only worshiping idols. Would you prefer to have a God like ourselves, or a God that is above us?

We need God to work through us to do His will and purpose in our lives. A sign of humility ~ no complaining or arguing. A sign of non-humility ~ complaining and arguing. What would happen in our homes if there was no complaining or arguing? What would happen in the Capitol building of the state you live in if there was no complaining or arguing going on among the politicians? What would happen in the Supreme Court if there was no complaining or arguing going on there as well? It's amazing what complaining and arguing can produce in our lives, if we let it. It's equally amazing what being complaining and arguing free can produce in our lives, if we let it. You will shine like stars if you do not complain or grumble. A life sacrificed for others is a life worth living.

The more I complain, the less I grow. The less I complain, the more I grow.

Things to think about:

• To receive Jesus Christ into your life, you need to turn from selfish ways and surrender your life to Christ. He will forgive your sins and give you eternal life.
• If your life is out of balance and you find that you are trying to live the Christian life by your strength instead of God's strength, I invite you to pray and ask God for help in the areas you need it.

2 Chronicles 7:14 ~ "If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."