Philippians Part 3 – “Humility leads to honor!”
Thesis: Humility is to be followed because it always follows the path of Jesus and this attitude will lead to a God honoring life which will be praised in Heaven.
On the lighter side of life:
Proverbs According To Kids
A first grade teacher collected old, well known proverbs. She gave each kid in her class the first half of a proverb, and had them come up with the rest.
These are great:
As You Shall Make Your Bed So Shall You... Mess It Up.
Better Be Safe Than... Punch A 5th Grader.
Strike While The... Bug Is Close.
It’s Always Darkest Before... Daylight Savings Time.
Never Under Estimate The Power Of... Termites.
You Can Lead A Horse To Water But.. How?
Don’t Bite The Hand That... Looks Dirty.
No News Is... Impossible.
A Miss Is As Good As A... Mr.
You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New... Math.
If You Lie Down With The Dogs, You’ll... Stink In The Morning.
Love All, Trust.. Me
The Pen Is Mightier Than The... Pigs.
An Idle Mind Is... The Best Way To Relax.
Where There’s Smoke, There’s... Pollution.
Happy The Bride Who... Gets All The Presents!
A Penny Saved Is... Not Much.
Two’s Company, Three’s... The Musketeers.
Don’t Put Off Tomorrow What... You Put On To Go To Bed.
Laugh And The Whole World Laughs With You, Cry And... You Have To Blow Your Nose.
None Are So Blind As... Helen Keller.
Children Should Be Seen And Not... Spanked Or Grounded.
If At First You Don’t Succeed... Get New Batteries.
You Get Out Of Something What You... See Pictured On The Box.
When The Blind Leadeth The Blind... Get Out Of The Way.
There Is No Fool Like... Uncle Eddie.
http://themerryheart.tripod.com/html/n-q/prov.htm
Saving a Bear
A priest, a Pentecostal preacher and a rabbi all served as chaplains to the students of Northern Michigan University in Marquette. They would get together two or three times a week for coffee and to talk shop.
One day, someone made the comment that preaching to people isn’t really that hard. A real challenge would be to preach to a bear. One thing led to another, and they decided to do a seven-day experiment. They would all go out into the woods, find a bear and preach to it.
Seven days later, they’re all together to discuss the experience. Father O’Flannery, who has his arm in a sling, is on crutches, and has various bandages, goes first.
"Wellll," he says, in a fine Irish brouge, "Ey wint oot into th’ wooods to fynd me a bearr. Oond when Ey fund him Ey began to rread to him from the Baltimorre Catechism. Welll, thet bearr wanted naught to do wi’ me und begun to slap me aboot. So I quick grrabbed me holy water and, THE SAINTS BE PRAISED, he became as gentle as a lamb. The bishop is cooming oot next wik to give him fierst communion und confierrmation."
Reverend Billy Bob spoke next. He was in a wheelchair, with an arm and both legs in casts, and an IV drip. In his best fire and brimstone oratory he proclaimed, "WELL, brothers, you KNOW that we don’t sprinkle...WE DUNK! I went out and I FOUND me a bear. And then I began to read to him from God’s HOOOOLY WORD! But that bear wanted nothing to do with me. I SAY NO! He wanted NOTHING to do with me. So I took HOOOLD of him and we began to rassle. We rassled down one hill, UP another and DOWN another until we come to a crick. So I quick DUNK him and BAPTIZE his hairy soul. An’ jus like you sez, he wuz gentle as a lamb. We spent the rest of the week in fellowship, feasting on God’s HOOOOLY word."
They both look down at the rabbi, who was lying in a hospital bed. He was in a body cast and traction with IV’s and monitors running in and out of him.
The rabbi looks up and says, "Oy! You don’t know what tough is until you try to circumcise one of those creatures."
http://www.beliefnet.com/dailyjoke/DailyJoke.aspx?QID=4791
Scripture Text:
Philippians 2:1-30
1If 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, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
12Therefore, 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, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so 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 16as 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. 17But 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. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
Introduction:
Review highlights from chapter 1 sermon’s:
Sermon 1 covered the first part of chapter one and we learned from Paul the following -- I greatly rejoice in our friendship and I thank you for your faithful support for me in this my time of need. But I am rejoicing because I know I am following the will of God for my life.
Sermon 2 is taken from the second part of chapter one and we discovered this truth -- When we learn to follow God’s will for our lives and do it with joy then we will conduct ourselves in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul in chapter one leaves us with great insight and direction on the importance of friendships, the importance of having a joyful attitude in our Christian walk and the importance of making sure that we live a life that is worthy of the title “Christian.”
In chapter 2 Paul continues to press forward on what it means to be “Christ like” in our attitudes and in our daily lives. He drives home the importance of humility’s role in the Christian life. He shows us how Jesus role modeled this virtue through His birth – His life and His death. Paul emphasizes the importance of making sure that we battle against pride in our lives. It needs to be done daily and it needs to be intentional. We discover that we must learn to allow the spirit of humility to dominate our daily actions, and our daily words. Paul tells us that we must live our life with a holy fear and a holy reverence for the things of God if we sincerely desire to honor God with our lives.
T.S. – We have just got a brief overview of the necessity of humility in our minds and in our hearts. Let’s dig deeper into the truth about humility.
I. Have and attitude of humility instead of an attitude of prideful arrogance.
a. We need to be more like Christ and follow His example.
i. He made himself nothing on our behalf.
1. He chose to sacrifice his life for our sins.
2. Bible Knowledge Commentary stated: This passage is a continuation of the exhortation begun in 1:27-30. The entire section (1:27-2:18) states what Paul called the saints at Philippi to do. It includes the famous or self-emptying passage (2:5-11), in which the Son of
God Himself is set forth as the One whose attitude the believer should share.
a. Humility: Is the state of being humble – which is the conscious willingness to lower ones rank or self- assertiveness for the sake of another – Humility is the absence of pride or self-assertion (Webster page 684).
b. Pride: An over high opinion of oneself; exaggerated self-esteem- conceit! (Webster 1128).
3. The question we must answer for ourselves today is: If Jesus is “The Great I Am” “God Almighty” and He choose the path of humility then why don’t I want to follow the same path?”
a. Am I not to conduct my life in a way that honors the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
i. Philippians 1:27 “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ…”
ii. Jesus chose the pathway of servant-hood to get to the top of the pyramid with God.
1. He showed us that to ascend with God we must do the opposite of the world’s system and descend into serving which in turn lifts our position with God.
a. A servant is always willing to die to himself for the benefit of others.
b. A humble and wise servant understands that serving is the path to greatness in the kingdom of God.
c. This teaching and truth is very hard for people in our worldly system to accept. It’s a foreign thought and in our current mindsets it does not seem logical or practical.
2. But Jesus role-modeled the way of the Kingdom of God and it begins with humility.
a. Humility opens the door to Heaven.
b. Humility opens the door to prominence in the Kingdom of God.
c. Humility opens the door to advancement in the Kingdom of God.
d. Humility is a character trait of the true Christian because it follows the lead of Jesus.
e. Humility looks at Jesus and says “I want to be just like Him!”
3. Quotes on the importance and the power of humility:
a. St. Augustine – “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men angels.” (12,000 Religious Quotes, page 237).
b. St. Augustine – “Should you ask me: What is the first thing in religion? I should reply: The first, second and third thing therein is humility” (page 237).
c. Jonathan Edwards stated, “Nothing sets a person so much out of the Devil’s reach as humility” (page 237).
4. Paul pushes us closer to humility and Christ-likeness by emphasizing that Servanthood with the attitude of humility always seeks to maintain unity in the Body of Christ.
a. Why? Because saints who are humble understand that it is not about them but it is about honoring Him!
i. This means that they desire to answer the Lords prayer for His church to be one!
ii. To be one with Him and others.
iii. To forgive and forget so as to maintain unity.
b. Bible Knowledge Commentary states:
i. One of the Spirit’s ministries is to produce within each believer a concern and love for other members of God’s family. This may be received or rejected by a believer, but the Spirit’s work is a reality and is a basis for spiritual unity.
1. This ability of the Spirit to live the Christ like way can and will be rejected by those of us who allow pride and offenses to dwell in our hearts.
a. This attitude will always cause disunity!
2. Humility knows the value of others and always seeks to unify the Body of Christ around the central example of Jesus Christ.
a. Humility understands that it is not about me!
b. Humility always points the finger toward Jesus and not at themselves or others.
5. Jesus showed to us what we need to be “humble” and we have to choose to morphe into this image of Jesus. This morphe process happens on a daily basis and needs to be a conscience choice on our part each and every morning.
a. We must choose the path of humility if we desire to please and serve within the Kingdom of God.
b. Is it easy – off course not – but it is “Christ-likeness!”
b. The Lord Jesus role modeled for us that the path to the Kingdom and the position of authority in the Kingdom comes from humbly serving others.
i. Christ Jesus was exalted and lifted high before the throne of Heaven because He chose the path of humility and the attitude servanthood.
1. The same praise and blessings will come our way if we chose to follow the lead of Jesus Christ.
a. Proverbs 15:33; “The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”
b. Proverbs 22:4; “Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.”
ii. Bible Knowledge Commentary: No better example of humiliation and a selfless attitude for believers to follow could possibly be given than that of Christ. With this example before them, the saints at Philippi should be “like-minded” (v. 2) and live humbly before their God and each other.
1. What does it mean to become like-minded with Jesus? It means we become “Christ-like!”
a. When did it become okay to treat God like one of the guys?
i. Did you Jesus do this?
b. When did it become okay to be disrespectful toward God and think it’s okay – He will not mind?
i. Did you observe Jesus do this in Scripture?
c. When did it become okay to treat God with disrespect and think its okay?
i. Did Jesus ever do this?
d. When did the church think it was not an offense to God to do things there way and disregard God and then say “He will not mind?”
i. Did Jesus ever disregard the directives of God’s Word?
e. When did we ourselves think it’s okay to disregard the 10 commandments and think God will not mind?
i. In the Word does it says that Jesus broke the 10 Commandments?
f. When did it become okay to do things our way and think God will still be okay with our self-centered lifestyles and attitudes?
i. Was Jesus self-centered?
g. When did we think it was okay to go against the teachings of Jesus and do things our way and God’s okay with that.
i. Did Jesus ever go against what He taught?
2. These attitudes and actions are not attitudes and actions centered in humility but instead they are self-centered prideful behaviors and minsets which justify superseding the teachings and directives of the Word of God.
a. 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 12-17: 1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them…12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
c. Application:
i. Humility leads to promotion with in the Kingdom of God no other path works.
1. If you think leadership means tell everyone else what to do and yet you are not willing to do it yourself. You are deceived and you need to get out of leadership because pride has taken root in your heart.
a. Leaders are the role models for the kingdom. They do it and others observe how they live it and model it.
i. The leadership model is servant leadership wrapped in the blanket of humility.
ii. Pride has no place in the Body of Christ!
b. Why did Jesus come? Jesus chose to leave the glory of Heaven and come to earth in human form to show us the right way into Heaven.
i. He modeled for you and me what it means to conduct your life in a Christ like humble way which is free of selfish pride.
ii. Jesus became our living role-model of what it means to conduct ones self in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
2. If you think everything is about you and what you want in your life then get out of the Body of Christ. This is not the Christ-like way!
a. Self centered focus has no place in the Body of Christ.
i. "People want the front of the bus;
back of the church and center of attention." http://themerryheart.tripod.com/
ii. Our focus needs to be “Christ-like” this focus number one looks to the Lord for direction then looks at others to fulfill what He instructed us to do.
b. Why is selfish motives not “Christ-like?” Its root is pride and this is a character trait of the enemy not of Jesus!
i. Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
1. Pride was not in the nature and the mindset of Jesus.
ii. Proverbs 15:25 “The LORD tears down the proud man’s house but he keeps the widow’s boundaries intact.”
1. The truth is God hates the attitude and the self-centered actions of pride.
iii. Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
iv. Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.”
1. You will never be honored in Heaven by your acts of pride only the actions of humility will honored in Heaven!
v. Chapin stated, “Pride is the master sin of the Devil!”
1. Why does the Lord hate pride- because it is the sin and the way of the Devil!
3. If you think because you’re are Christian leader that you can order others to do what you yourself are unwilling to do then get out of leadership in the Body of Christ.
a. Pride takes roots in us Christian leaders when we think we are above certain tasks in the serving of others in the kingdom.
b. We as members and subjects of the Kingdom of God must ruthlessly root our pride in our lives.
ii. Jesus showed us that Servant-hood leads to ascension in the Kingdom of God.
1. If you will not serve others in the Body of Christ then you are deceived just like Satan is.
a. If you refuse to serve within the Body of Christ then you are mimicking the Devil who is out to kill steal and destroy!
2. Why does the world choose the opposite approach to Christ? Because they follow the role model of their father Satan.
a. He wanted to lift himself above the Lord God Almighty. He thought he was better than others and he deserved to be honored and glorified.
b. Ezekiel 28: 1The word of the LORD came to me: 2“Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:
“‘In the pride of your heart
you say, “I am a god;
I sit on the throne of a god
in the heart of the seas.”
But you are a man and not a god,
though you think you are as wise as a god.
3 Are you wiser than Daniel?
Is no secret hidden from you?
4 By your wisdom and understanding
you have gained wealth for yourself
and amassed gold and silver
in your treasuries.
5 By your great skill in trading
you have increased your wealth,
and because of your wealth
your heart has grown proud.
6“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
“‘Because you think you are wise,
as wise as a god,
7 I am going to bring foreigners against you,
the most ruthless of nations;
they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom
and pierce your shining splendor.
8 They will bring you down to the pit,
and you will die a violent death
in the heart of the seas.
9 Will you then say, “I am a god,”
in the presence of those who kill you?
You will be but a man, not a god,
in the hands of those who slay you.
10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised
at the hands of foreigners.
I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.’”
11The word of the LORD came to me: 12“Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:
“‘You were the model of perfection,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You were in Eden,
the garden of God;
every precious stone adorned you:
ruby, topaz and emerald,
chrysolite, onyx and jasper,
sapphire, turquoise and beryl.
Your settings and mountings were made of gold;
on the day you were created they were prepared.
14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub,
for so I ordained you.
You were on the holy mount of God;
you walked among the fiery stones.
15 You were blameless in your ways
from the day you were created
till wickedness was found in you.
16 Through your widespread trade
you were filled with violence,
and you sinned.
So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,
and I expelled you, O guardian cherub,
from among the fiery stones.
17 Your heart became proud
on account of your beauty,
and you corrupted your wisdom
because of your splendor.
So I threw you to the earth;
I made a spectacle of you before kings.
18 By your many sins and dishonest trade
you have desecrated your sanctuaries.
So I made a fire come out from you,
and it consumed you,
and I reduced you to ashes on the ground
in the sight of all who were watching.
19 All the nations who knew you
are appalled at you;
you have come to a horrible end
and will be no more.’”
**This whole story is about the Lucifer’s fall from Heaven and his sin of pride.
**This king was filled with the spirit of his father – Lucifer and this prophecy is addressed to the man and to the spirit that possessed him.
c. The result of Satan’s pride was that he was dethroned and he lost the once prominent position he had in the Kingdom of God.
i. Now he has no position in the Kingdom and will one day be completely destroyed.
ii. Many today follow this leadership style in life and not the way of Jesus Christ.
iii. They allow the spirit of Satan to enter their lives and they follow its destructive path.
d. The Same result will happen to those who lead with arrogance and with pride.
i. Leadership serves others – it does it by the example of serving others which in turn influences them.
1. This is the Jesus style leadership!
2. Jesus modeled servant leadership and we should imitate Him not Satan
ii. A servant leader does not assign the task of serving to those you lead and then not serve themselves. If you do then you just let pride in the door!
iii. It’s not about you! It’s serving Him and those God has put in your care.
3. His sin was the sin of pride. Bevere states this about pride in his book Bait of Satan page 8:
a. Pride keeps you from dealing with truth. It distorts your vision. You never change when you think everything is fine. Pride hardens your heart and dims the eyes of your understanding. It keeps you from the change of heart-repentance-that will set you free (See 2 Timothy 2:24-26).
b. Pride causes you to view yourself as a victim. Your attitude becomes, “I was mistreated and misjudged; therefore, I am justified in my behavior.” Because you believe you are innocent and falsely accused, you hold back forgiveness. Though your true heart condition is hidden from you, it is not hidden from God, Just because you were mistreated, you do not have permission to hold on to an offense. Two wrongs do not make a right!
c. Bevere adds “When we blame others and defend our own position, we are blind…Don’t let pride keep you from seeing and repenting” (10, 11).
T.S. – We need to make sure that we ruthlessly root out pride and replace it with the spirit of humility. To accomplish this we must also work hard at being the type of Christian that God desires of us. This means that we have a holy reverence and fear of the Lord God Almighty.
II. We need to workout out our Christian lives with a holy reverence and fear of God.
a. Proverbs also asserts this same thought in Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
i. When we become Christians we choose a different path than those who chose the non-Christian way to living.
ii. Paul reminds us that each day we need to work out our saved lives by having a respect for the ways of God and also a holy fear of going against the ways of God.
b. God desires to work out his divine purposes through our surrendered lives.
i. God will accomplish His will through lives when we are surrendered to His cause and His word.
1. This means we honor Him by revering His name and having a healthy fear of the punishment of sin.
a. One of the major deceptions in the Christian realm today is that God does not care or mind if I live in sin. He will just forgive me any way!
b. Sin what’s the big deal everyone is doing it!
c. This whole attitude is rooted in pride and arrogance toward the things of God because this attitude says “I am special God will not judge me!”
2. The truth is we must have a healthy fear of God because we know He is holy and just and He must judge sin to stay true to His words.
a. There are no exceptions outside the realm of Grace.
ii. Today in the Christian circles we have many living in a cloud of deception.
1. They are arrogant toward God and His word.
2. They believe God is here to serve them and give them what ever their ego wants.
a. EGO – is Edging God Out of your lives!
3. They actually believe God is here on this earth to serve them!
a. The attitude of the world is to get what they want when they want it without any regard to what God wants.
i. They believe that life revolves around their self-centered ego.
ii. They believe they are the center of the universe not God!
iii. Hubble discovery of the shape of a cross in a Black Hole.
c. The truth promoted by Paul is that God wants to use our lives to create masterpieces of Christ-like art.
i. These lives will be filled with good deeds done in humility.
ii. These lives will produce fruit by serving God and each other.
iii. These lives will have a specific divine purpose.
iv. These lives will be glorified and celebrated in Heaven before the throne of God himself.
v. These lives will only occur when we choose to live with humility and choose to respect and serve God daily.
d. Paul also taught us in Chapter two that another one of the conditions for being an honored individual of the kingdom of God is one who does not complain and argue with others.
i. The problem is many in our churches today fail to be humble and instead assert their prideful ways.
1. The spirit of offense dominates a lot in the church today not the spirit of humility and servanthood.
2. Bevere states:
a. Selfishness reigns in our society. Men and women today look out for themselves to the neglect and hurt of those around them. This should not surprise us. The Bible is very clear that in the last days men will be ‘lovers of themselves’ (2 Timothy 3:2). We expect this in unbelievers, but Paul was not referring to those outside the church. He was talking about those within it. Many are wounded, hurt, and bitter. They are offended! But they do not realize that they have fallen into Satan’s trap. Is it our fault? Jesus made it very clear that it is impossible to live in this world and not have the opportunity to become offended. Yet most believers are shocked, bewildered and amazed when it happens. We believe we are the only ones who have been wronged. This response leaves us vulnerable to a root of bitterness. Therefore we must be prepared and armed for offenses, because our response determines our future” (6, 7).
i. Luke 17:1 “It is impossible that no offenses should come.”
1. The truth is offense will happen to each and every one of us the key is --How will we respond?
2. If we respond the wrong way then we fall prey to the Bait of Satan and it leads us into bondage and not freedom in Christ.
3. He will lead us into the deception of sin not into the will of God.
b. Bevere adds these thoughts about offense:
i. In the New Testament it often describes an entrapment used by the enemy. Offense is a tool of the devil to bring people into captivity. Paul instructed young Timothy:
1. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 - 24And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
2. Those who are in quarrels or opposition fall into a trap and are held prisoner to do the devil’s will. Even more alarming, they are unaware of their captivity (7)!
ii. If we learn to serve without arguing and complaining then we will be blameless in a crooked and perverse generation.
1. The kingdom of God has these signs at the entrance to the throne:
a. No complaining allowed!
i. It’s not about getting things your way! It’s God’s way!
ii. Definition of complaining: express unhappiness: to express discontent or unhappiness about a situation
1. Do we really have the right to get offended at the Lord?
iii. Illustration: Reason for Going to Church!
1. Coming out of church, Mrs. Smith asked her husband,
"Do you think that Johnson girl is tinting her hair?" "I didn’t even see her," admitted Mr. Smith. "And that dress Mrs. Davis was wearing," continued Mrs.
Smith, "Really, don’t tell me you think that’s the
proper outfit for a mother of two." "I’m afraid I didn’t notice that either," said Mr. Smith. "Oh, for heaven’s sake," snapped Mrs. Smith. "A lot of
good it does you to go to church." http://themerryheart.tripod.com/html/r-t/reason.htm
b. No arguing allowed!
i. If you want to argue to get your way with God then it will only lead you astray. It’s not about you it’s about Him.
ii. Definition of arguing: express disagreement: to express disagreement with somebody, especially continuously or angrily
c. Notice both of these self-centered actions are focused on self- not others- they desire to get their way expressed and even enforced.
i. When we allow an offense to fester and grow it leads to hatred and it leads to self –preservation.
ii. The deception is when self becomes the focus we seek to protect it at the expense of someone else.
d. This is not a characteristic of the residents in the Kingdom of God.
i. Proverbs 6:16-19 says that sowing discord or separation among the body of Christ is an abomination to the Lord: Listen carefully:
1. There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
2. These actions are an insult to God and He is never involved in them but instead is in opposition to them.
e. Paul reminds us that we are the stars in the midst of darkness in this world and Jesus wants our lights to burn bright!
i. We need to glow like Timothy glows.
1. Paul uses the example of Timothy to show what a bright and glorious star looks like:
a. Timothy does not look out for his own interests but for the interests of God.
b. He also looks out for others interests and seeks way to serve and help others.
c. He has proved that he is a bright star for Jesus because of his exemplary life of servanthood to others.
ii. We also need to glow like Epaphroditus.
1. He was willing to die for the Gospel and he almost did to complete a mission for God.
a. That was to travel from Philippi to Rome to encourage Paul with words from there and to bring him an offering.
b. He is glowing because he was willing to risk his life for the cause of Christ.
c. He will be honored for his willingness to sacrifice and serve God and others in his kingdom.
i. Not just from others in the Kingdom but in front of the Heaven’s he will be honored!
iii. Examples today of some of the so called stars of the this world:
1. Brad Pitt leaves wife for another women.
2. Jennifer Aniston heart broke but then finds another man and moves in with him.
3. Hollywood stars love to push that abortion is good not evil.
a. Which is in opposition to the Word of God about protecting life not taking it.
b. This is not a “Christ like mindset!”
4. Hollywood stars love to trumpet the “Be Proud” motto for the gay lifestyle.
a. Which is in opposition to Romans chapter 1
b. This is not a “Christ like minset!”
5. Many Hollywood stars promote sex before marriage.
a. Which is in opposition to God’s Word about the sanctity of marriage and sex.
b. It’s no big deal to live together in Hollywood and in most of America today.
i. Why? Because the Hollywood stars have pushed this mindset into our society by example and said “There’s nothing wrong with it!”
ii. This is not a “Christ like mindset!”
6. I could go on but what I want you to notice this “How many of this world’s stars promote Godly lifestyles?”
a. The next time you are standing in line at store just read the headlines and ask yourself “Are these people imitating Christ?” If not then do not listen to their deceptive messages!
b. The majority Hollywood promote:
i. Anti-God agenda’s
ii. Anti-biblical values.
c. Don’t imitate the ways of the Devil but imitate the ways and actions of Jesus Christ!
f. Application:
i. Live your new life by the standards of Heaven not the standards of this world.
1. Do the opposite of the world and you will do the will of God.
ii. Never allow your ego to Edge God Out!
iii. Complaining and arguing are the not the path to God’s favor instead it drives you further away from the Lord and into sin.
iv. We are to shine like the stars of Heaven in the midst of darkness.
1. A star is one who lives first for the interests of God and then for the interests of others.
2. They who are “Christ like” do not allow their selfish ambitions to guide their lives.
Conclusion:
Have and attitude of humility instead of an attitude of prideful arrogance.
• Humility leads to promotion with in the Kingdom of God no other path works.
• We need to be more like Christ and follow His example.
• He made himself nothing on our behalf. We need to do the same if we desire to be honored in Heaven.
We need to workout out our genuine Christian lives with a holy reverence and a holy fear of God.
• Live your new life by the standards of Heaven not the standards of this world.
Do the opposite of the world and you will do the will of God.
• Never allow your ego to Edge God Out!
• Complaining and arguing are the not the path to God’s favor instead it drives you further away from the Lord and deeper into sin.
• We are to shine like the stars of Heaven in the midst of darkness.
A star is one who lives first for the interests of God and then for the interests of others.
They who are “Christ like” do not allow their selfish ambitions to guide their lives.
Summary: In chapter 2 Paul continued to press forward on what it means to be “Christ like” in our attitudes and in our daily lives. He drove home the importance of humility’s role in the Christian life. He showed us how Jesus role modeled this virtue through His birth – His life and His death. Paul emphasized the importance of making sure that we battle against pride in our lives. This battle needs to be done daily and it needs to be intentional on our part. We discovered that we must learn to allow the spirit of humility to dominate our daily actions, and our daily words. Paul told us that we must live our life with a holy fear and a holy reverence for the things of God if we sincerely desire to honor God with our lives. He reminded us that our reward would come when we reach Heaven and we are honored in the court of the Lord for our God honoring lives.
