“HUMILITY – THE KEY TO BECOMING A JOY-FULL PERSON”

Philippians 2:1-2 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.

What does it mean to be HUMBLE? DEFINITION - HUMILITY – literal reading is a lowliness of mind…placing yourself under others… 1. Consider others better than yourself. (v. 3-4) Philippians 2:3-4 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. Our natural way of thinking is that the more we can get for ourselves the happier we’ll be.

What would it look like for me, for all of us, to consider others better than ourselves? Simple things like letting others go first. Giving up the last sweet More important things like keeping your promises. Showing up on time to appointments with others. Giving money away to others before you have everything you want.

2. Be unconcerned about your Personal position v 5-6 Philippians 2:5-6 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped…

Mark 10:42-45 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

3. Make yourself a servant. (v. 7) Philippians 2:7 But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

John 13:12-17 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ’Teacher’ and ’Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

4. Obey even when it is inconvenient. (v. 8) Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!

How far does my obedience go? Am I willing to obey the word of God if it means I lose? Am I willing to obey the word of God if it means someone else might not understand? Am I willing to obey the word of God even if I don’t really like what it has to say?

How can you develop humility? Work hard and let God change your will. (v ) Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

JUSTIFICATION is the one time act of God by which we are pronounced NOT GUILTY of our sin. SANCTIFICATION is the life long process of being made more and more into the image of Christ during our lives on earth.

What will be the result of a life lived with humility? Philippians 2:14-16 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so 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 16 as you hold out the word of life.

CONCLUSION How will your life be different this week? Who is it that God is whispering in your ear that you might serve this week? What action can you take to literally empty yourself of your rights and become like a servant? What task do you routinely do that causes you to complain? Fasting… as an outworking of this dependence on Christ…

Becoming a Joy-FULL person will stem from your willingness to serve others from a heart of humility. Will you risk it?