“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,”
Philippians 2:1-5
Humility is not accidental; it is an intentional act. When humility becomes the standard for God's people, we are able to join in the Spirit and lift the name of Jesus above all. God commands us to be unified, and to achieve it we must acknowledge the weight of pride and its effect on the body of Christ. On our 11th anniversary, Pastor Ryan Schlachter gives us three ways we can build a legacy of humility in our lives and as a church.
What’s the context?
- Facing immense persecution from a prison cell, Paul writes to the church in Philippi and urges them to be deeply unified.
We build a legacy of humility when we remember and understand that…
Humility Unifies Us
- Pauls says that unification is based on four key principles: encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, participation in the Spirit, and affection and sympathy.
- Since we know Christ and in him have found encouragement, comfort, and love, we should be motivated to unify and share these gifts with others.
- God is not calling us to be a people that will our way into unity, but model our way into unity.
Humility is Costly
- Jesus modeled humility through His obedience, even to the point of death. Though saying "yes" to the Father cost Him His life, He remained obedient.
- Obedience to Christ’s commands, which are always rooted in love, requires the sacrifice of pride.
Humility Exalts Him
- God's promise to exalt the humble is secondary to the ultimate purpose of exalting Himself. Our humility always reflects His glory, not our own.
- We have not been called to a fun and convenient faith; rather, our faith asks us to lay down our lives so that the world would see Jesus through us.
- Jesus has perfectly embodied His name in both character and action. When we lift up His name, we are proclaiming who He is and what He does.
Additional Resources
Questions for Dinner Party
- How can we intentionally pursue humility, both in our interactions with others and in our personal relationship with God?
- Are there any relationships in your life currently where humility is needed to create more unity?
- Have there been moments in your life where embracing humility required you to sacrifice personal desires or ambitions?
