Good morning, Church! I'm so glad to see all of you here today, and I believe that God has a powerful message for each one of us. Today, we're going to be talking about the power of humility, the example of Jesus, and the freedom of serving others.
Before we dive into the Scripture, I want to share a quote with you that I believe sets the stage for what we'll be discussing. Brennan Manning said it well: "In a futile attempt to erase our past, we deprive the community of our healing gift. If we conceal our wounds out of fear and shame, our inner darkness can neither be illuminated nor become a light for others."
Manning speaks to the heart of humility, and the freedom we find when we are willing to serve others with the truth of who we are, and who Jesus is in our lives.
Humility as “powerful” may seem counterintuitive to many in our modern society, where success and achievement are often measured by one's ability to assert themselves and rise above others.
However, as Christians, we are called to a different standard, one that is exemplified by Jesus Christ Himself. In the passage from Philippians that we read earlier, we see the Apostle Paul urging believers to adopt a mindset of humility, valuing others above themselves and looking out for the interests of others. This is a radical departure from the self-centered, self-promoting mindset that is so prevalent in our world today.
Foster unity within the body of Christ: When we approach our relationships with fellow believers with a humble heart, we are more likely to be like-minded, having the same love and being one in spirit and of one mind, as Paul describes in Philippians 2:2. This unity is essential for the church to function effectively and to be a powerful witness to the world. When we are humble, we are more willing to listen to others, to learn from their experiences and perspectives, and to work together for the common good. In this way, humility serves as a unifying force within the church, drawing us closer to one another and to Christ.
Freedom from self-centeredness: Pride is often at the root of many of our sins and struggles, as it causes us to focus on ourselves and our own desires, rather than on God and His will for our lives. When we choose to walk in humility, we are choosing to lay down our pride and to submit ourselves to the authority of God. This can be a difficult and painful process, as it requires us to confront our own weaknesses and shortcomings, but it ultimately leads to freedom and spiritual growth. As we learn to let go of our pride and to embrace humility, we become more open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, allowing Him to transform us into the image of Christ.
Humility also has the power to bring healing and restoration to our relationships with others. In a world where conflict and division are all too common, the humble approach of valuing others above ourselves and seeking their best interests can be a powerful force for reconciliation and peace.
When we are willing to admit our own faults and to seek forgiveness from those we have wronged, we open the door for healing and restoration to take place. This is not always easy, as it requires us to swallow our pride and to be vulnerable with others, but the result is worth the effort. As we walk in humility, we become agents of God's grace and love, bringing healing and wholeness to a broken world.
It allows us to be used by God for His purposes: When we are humble, we recognize that we are not the center of the universe, and that our lives are meant to serve a greater purpose than our own self-interest. This recognition allows us to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, who can guide us into the good works that God has prepared for us to do. As we submit ourselves to God in humility, we become vessels that He can use to accomplish His will on earth, bringing glory to His name and blessing to those around us.
Jesus, who is the Son of God and fully divine, chose to become fully human, taking on the limitations and frailties of our human nature ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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