Exhortation To Humility

Exhortation To Humility

Text: Phil 2:1-4. 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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

A. WHAT IS HUMILITY?

1. A freedom from arrogance that grows out of the recognition that all we have and are comes from God.

2. Jesus is the supreme example of humility and He is completely adequate and of infinite dignity and worth.

3. Biblical humility is not a belittling of oneself but an exalting or praising of others, especially God and Christ.

4. A humble person, then, focuses more on God and others than on himself.

5. Biblical humility is also recognition that by ourselves we are inadequate, without dignity and worthless.

6. Yet, because we are created in God’s image and because believers are in Christ, we have infinite worth and dignity.

7. True humility does not produce pride but gratitude.

B. THE STUDY

1. Verse 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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

- Like-minded, sound mind. True spirituality comes from within.

• Rom 12:16. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

• Rom 15:5-6. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• 1 Pet 3:8. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

2. Verse 3. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

- For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

• Prov 13:10. Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

• Luke 18:14. "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. Rom 12:10. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

• Eph 4:2. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

• Eph 5:21. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

3. Verse 4. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

• Rom 14:19. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

• 1 Cor 13:4-5. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.

• James 2:8. If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

C. CONCLUSION

1. We must be concerned not only for our own credit, and ease, and safety, but for those of others also

2. We should rejoice in the prosperity of others as truly as in our own.

3. We must love our neighbor as ourselves, and make his case our own.

• Col 3:12-13. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.