Creating Our Culture : Humility COMMUNITY “Encouraging relationships that inspire us to become more like Jesus Christ.” CORNERSTONES Encouragement, Humility, Unity, Authenticity, Spiritual Friendships, Biblical Families

“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. 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. 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, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:1-11 NIV

I. “If you really want to make me happy, be unified.” What does it mean to be ‘unified?’ “being like-minded” lit. “thinking the same thing.” “having the same love” “being one in spirit and purpose” lit. “one souled”

II. The path to unity is humility. Steps Toward Humility : 1. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (but)” 2. “In humility consider others better than yourselves” 3. “Look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others”

III. To practice true humility, follow Christ’s example. “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.”

III. To practice true humility, follow Christ’s example. “but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!”

IV. God responds to those that are faithful to His plan. God raised Jesus from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs. Not a “Coke Machine” understanding of God.

Further Steps Toward Humility : 1. Take the steps listed in verses 3-4. Cultivate an “I Am THIRD” mentality.” 2. Intentionally Imitate Christ. Read the biographies of Jesus (the Gospels) and begin doing what you see Him doing. 3. Look for opportunities to serve. Take a good look at your home/office/sphere of influence. Invest in a ministry here at Crossing beginning tonight!

the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 ESV