First Baptist Church

Fairbanks, Alaska

805 Sixth Avenue

(907) 456-4923

http://www.firstbaptistfairbanks.com

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Philippians 2:1-18

Mark Howdeshell (23 September 2007)

Phil 2:3    Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Introduction

“Proud Humility”--- Aren’t they opposites?  How can you have pride and humility at the same time?  Are there things that we are supposed to be proud about?  What is humility anyway?  What should I boast about?

Review of Last Message 

Remember, Repent, Redeem, Reborn, Rejoice, Remember 

Heart of the Matter

One of the most popular phrases in the ‘90s was “What would Jesus do?”  Though it is a very relevant question, marketers captured the idea and launched it into the mainstream culture. 

 WWJD actually comes from an 1896 novel, In His Steps, by Charles Sheldon.  In his book, Rev. Henry Maxwell encounters a homeless man who challenges him to take seriously the imitation of Christ. The homeless man has difficulty understanding why, in his view, so many Christians ignore the poor: 

"I heard some people singing at a church prayer meeting the other night,

'All for Jesus, all for Jesus,

All my being's ransomed powers,

All my thoughts, and all my doings,

All my days, and all my hours.'

"and I kept wondering as I sat on the steps outside just what they meant by it. It seems to me there's an awful lot of trouble in the world that somehow wouldn't exist if all the people who sing such songs went and lived them out. I suppose I don't understand. But what would Jesus do? Is that what you mean by following His steps? It seems to me sometimes as if the people in the big churches had good clothes and nice houses to live in, and money to spend for luxuries, and could go away on summer vacations and all that, while the people outside the churches, thousands of them, I mean, die in tenements, and walk the streets for jobs, and never have a piano or a picture in the house, and grow up in misery and drunkenness and sin."

It has often been said that imitation is the best form of flattery.  As Christians, we should imitate Jesus in all we do. 

3 John 11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

Matt 19:17  "Why do you ask me about what is good ?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good . If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

 Do you live your life the way that Jesus lived his?  Are you all about you…or all about others?  Are you the most important person in your life…or is someone else?  What Would Jesus Do? 

The Word of God

Phil 2:1-18

2:1 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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

7 but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death —

even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

14 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 — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.  

Jesus showed us the most sacrificial example of humility. How are you living? 

The Meat of the Message

1. If/ Then.  This is one of the key elements in computer programming, spreadsheet manipulation, and or database management.  It sets up a variable approach that sets up relational interaction.  If x happens, then do y.  If you get a $10 million dollars, then tithe $1 million.  If you have faith in Christ, then you can be saved.
   1. Our passage says that if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, any comfort from His love, any fellowship with the Spirit, any tenderness and compassion…
   2. We all should have ALL of these if we are living in the Spirit and truth.
   3. THEN be like-minded, have the same love, and be one in spirit and purpose.

                                                               i.      Like-minded—imitate Christ so that others may see Him in you

                                                             ii.      Love unconditionally—to the point of death if need be

1.       Much like soldiers on the battlefield

2.       One may lay his/her life down for a whole bunch of people…or maybe just one other

                                                            iii.      One in spirit and purpose—spirit of love, trust, compassion, encouragement, comfort, tenderness, and fellowship

2. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 
   1. If you’re doing something to make you look better or than someone else…AT THE EXPENSE of someone else, then you’re doing something wrong. 
   2. If you think you deserve it more than someone else or that you’re better than someone else, you’re wrong.

3. Doesn’t mean not to do things to improve yourself, or to improve others perception of you, or to even get promoted.
   1. Look not only to your own interests…

                                                               i.      If it’s always about you…

                                                             ii.      Me, me, me

2. But also to the interests of others.

                                                               i.      Jesus demonstrated this quite clearly with His life and His death.

4. A spirit of humility is shown by a you having a healthy attitude that is the same as Christ Jesus!
   1. Don’t try to be God in your own life.
   2. Become a servant.
   3. Humble yourself.
   4. Be obedient—even to the point of death.
   5. THEREFORE…

                i.      God exalted Him to the highest place

                ii.     Gave Him the name above every other name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.

5. What should or shouldn’t you boast about?
   1. Jer 9:23-24  This is what the LORD says:

Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom

or the strong man boast of his strength

or the rich man boast of his riches,

but let him who boasts boast about this:

that he understands and knows me,

that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth,

for in these I delight,"

 declares the LORD.

2. Boast that you have lived for Him, on the day of Christ.
3. Boast about your weaknesses so that Christ may be glorified through them. (2 Cor 12)
4. Boast about a brother or sister that shows Christ Jesus in every thing that they do or say.
5. Boast about a mighty God and His glorious mercy.
6. Take pride that you serve a Risen Savior that loves you.
7. Leave the trash talking, “I’m better than you”, “why can’t you be like me”, “I’m good” mentality behind and follow the example set by Jesus.

6. If Billy Graham were to tell us that He was coming to our church today, what would be our reaction?
   1. Would we have a special clean-up party?
   2. Would we plan a special meal afterwards?
   3. Would we try to get someone very special to try to sing or preach?
   4. How much fuss would we make?

7. What do you think we would do if Jesus were coming to church today?
   1. Would we fast and pray and try to “get right” spiritually?
   2. Would Jesus want a huge choir to welcome Him into the church?
   3. Would He want a purple velvet throne instead of a pew?
   4. Would we hand Him a golden bulletin instead of our paper copy?
   5. He would deserve all of this and more…of that there is no doubt.
   6. I think that the only things that Jesus would want is:

                 i.      Open hearts and minds

                 ii.      The Word of God taught and preached from honest and true hearts

                 iii.     A willingness to serve others before we serve ourselves

                 iv.     A basin with water……so that He could bow down and wash our feet

 The Bottom Line  As Jesus gave His all for you, He did so with complete humility before man and before God.  Do you show Christ’s humility in all that you do and say each and every day?  Think about what Jesus would do as you go about your daily routines, when you interact with others, and when you bow your head in prayer.   

Remember this:  No one can knock you off of a pedestal if you never climb on top of one.  

INVITATION:

I want to give a little bit of a different invitation this morning.  I know without a doubt that there are many prayer needs represented in our congregation.  We have family members that are very sick, we have those that are leaving us and driving back down to the Lower 48, we have one that is grieving the loss of his wife.  I believe that the number one reason that people do not come to the altar and pray is because they’re afraid of what others would think.  Ladies and Gentlemen…this is pride in action.  It is the devil’s successful attempt to minimize your worship experience.  I want to defeat the devil this morning and give all the glory to God.

 To do this, this is what I would like to happen…….

1. I am going to say a prayer consecrating the altar this morning. 
2. I ask that everyone that is physically able to get up and walk to the altar to do so.  If you cannot bow to your knees at the altar, then you can stand or sit on the front pew.
3. I ask that Sylvia and Renee not play the organ or sing and join us instead during this time of prayer and invitation.
4. I ask that if you are not able to walk to the altar that you raise your hand in the air in a moment so that I can come pray with you.
5. If you would like me to pray with you, raise your hand.  I will come as soon as I can.
6. Pray out loud to God.  Doesn’t have to be loud enough for anyone else to hear.
7. I ask that as you finish praying, that you stay at the altar.
8. I will close us in prayer in a few moments, but the altar will remain open for you to pray for as long as you feel led.

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Last modified: 11/30/08