On Remembrance Sunday is it good to thank God for those who have given their lives
Example
There is something greater to think about
War is a terrible evil/wickedness
It comes from evil passions from within – James 4:1
War is evil
Our greatest enemy is sin, death and hell
How wonderful that Jesus came to defeat sin, death and hell at the Cross of Calvary
We can be reconciled
We can be friends with God
We can have peace through the blood of Jesus Christ
Thinking about Living worthy of the Gospel
Last week – living in harmony/unity
We have every reason to do so
Yet two people in the Church had fallen out
Paul exhorts the people to be united: to be like minded, to have the same love, to be of one accord
Live in unity with Christian Churches
This week – living in humility
Looking at v3-4 – "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."
No selfish ambition
Do not consider yourself better than others
Look out for others
Overview:
The gospel and Humility
The gospel and Service
Verses 3-4 can only be understood in the light of v5-11
Christ is the example
The Gospel and Humility (v3)
What is the greatest virtue of a Christian?
Examples – gentleness, kindness, humility
Jesus highly valued humility – example of John the Baptist
Humility was totally counter-cultural to the Roman Empire – examples
To the Greeks the gospel was foolishness
Paul was exhorting the Christians to be counter-cultural
What about our society?
It often says ‘put yourself first’ – examples
There is little room for humility
Yet if there is no humility, it causes problems – examples of marriage, politics, church
We need to crucify our pride
Sin blinds/deceives us – examples
Paul is concerned for those who have selfish ambition – Phil 1:16
We need to be servant hearted – examples
Paul is concerned about the two ladies who have fallen out – Phil 4:2
Euodia and Syntyche lack humility to reconcile
You may be gifted, but consider the gifts of others
Do gifts make you better than another?
Consider others better than yourselves
Rom 12:3 – "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"
Prov 3:7 – "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil"
Gal 6:3 – "For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself"
Peter exhorts the Church to be "clothed with humility" (1 Peter 5:5)
What are your ambitions?
Are they selfish?
Are they for the glory of God?
Prov 11:2 – "When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the humble is wisdom"
Consider the example of Diotrephes versus Jesus
The Gospel and Service (v4)
We are to look out for others / we are to serve
Consider the ‘golden rule’ of Jesus Christ – ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’
Example of Jesus Christ
Jesus offered Himself on the cross to pay for our sins
Jesus prayed for us whilst He was on the cross
Jesus made Himself of no reputation (v5-7)
Examples
He beared the shame of the cross – for us
Jesus died on the cross – for us
Therefore we should follow Jesus’ example and look out for others
Examples
Timothy in v19-22
"But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your [g]state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel."
Do you know others like this?
Epaphroditus in v25-28a
"Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly…"
Paul himself
We are not to put ourselves ‘down’ – we look after ourselves appropriately
We are to look to the interests of others
JOY – Jesus, Others, Yourself
Rom 15:2-3 – "For even Christ did not please Himself"
We are not to centre on ourselves
What can we do for others?
Closing Remarks
Many gave their lives in the war to bring us peace and we thank God for this
Jesus gave His life that we might reconciled to God and have peace with God
Live in harmony
Live in humility
Quote from Spurgeon
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (v3-4)
