UNITY IN HUMILITY Philippians 2 1 4 2

UNITY IN HUMILITY

Philippians 2: 1 -4 2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

What do these versus teach us? Having the same love Esteeming others better than oneself Doing nothing out of selfish ambition Likeminded Being of one-accord Being of one mind

What do these versus teach us? Having the same love Esteeming others better than oneself Like. Humility minded Doing nothing out of selfish ambition Being of one-accord Being of one mind

Humility ■ The quality of not being proud (the belief that you are better or more important than other people).

Questions: ■ How do we achieve such a quality? ■ Is it possible to have humbleness? ■ What does the Bible teach about humbleness? ■ Are there examples in the Bible of humbleness? ■ Is humbleness still important in the Church today?

The Greatest Example of Humbleness: Philippians 2: 5 -11 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1) Jesus the ultimate example: He Lowered being in the form of God, did not consider Himself it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of 6 who, 7 no reputation, […. . ] coming in the likeness of men. Hebrews 2: 9 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

What can we learn? a) The Bible warns against pride and about thinking to highly of ourselves 1 Corinthians 3: 18 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. Romans 12: 16 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Romans 12: 3 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Galatians 6: 3 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

b) We are told that if we are humble God will listen to us and will save us. 2 Chronicles 7: 14 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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. James 4: 10 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4: 6 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. ”

2) Jesus the ultimate example: He Came To taking the form of a bondservant, and [……]. Serve 7 […. . ], Matthew 20: 28 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. ” John 13: 3 -6

What can we learn? a) First of all, we are to humble ourselves before God and serve Him John 12: 26 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. 1 Corinthians 15: 58 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

b) We are to humble ourselves to one another and serve each other Galatians 5: 13 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Romans 12: 10 -13 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 1 Peter 4: 10 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

c) We are to also serve the world Mark 16: 15 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; James 1: 27 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

3) Jesus the ultimate example: He Sacrificed being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the 8 And death of the cross. John 19: 28 -30 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

What can we learn? ■ We must sacrifice ourselves to the Lord Romans 12: 1 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Matthew 5: 29, 30 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

■ We must sacrifice ourselves to our brethren 1 John 3: 16 -17 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? Acts 4: 32 -35 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

4) Jesus the ultimate example: He Is Exalted 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Ephesians 1: 20, 21 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

What about us? ■ We will also be exalted James 4: 10 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. 1 Peter 5: 6 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, Luke 14: 11 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. ”

So let us be united in humility! Having the same love Esteeming others better than oneself Doing nothing out of selfish ambition Likeminded Being of one-accord Being of one mind