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God is Glorified When Unity Encourages Love and Humility vv.1-4
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Love + Humility= Others First

Rivalry & Conceit- Advancing one’s own agenda

Paul wanted to reinforce to the church at Philippi the need for humility and love. The way we combat egotism, pride, selfish ambition, and the sin of disunity is to do as verse 3 says, “but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

This was Jesus’ prayer for the Church before the cross! Unity– What’s best for the Kingdom!

John 17:20-23 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
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God is Glorified When The Humility of Christ is Exemplified vv.5-11
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Pride is the number one reason we do not share the gospel! In fact pride is the number one reason many are not obedient to God’s will. When Desperation + Urgency = Christ-Centered Humility  

When we are so moved by the cross, seeing our desperation for His salvation, we are urgently moved to Christ-Centered Humility! It’s not for the faint at heart! It’s a daily struggle and the power can only come from the ignition of the Holy Spirit!

Let me be sensitive, yet clear! When we are desperately urgent to put others first, exemplifying the sacrifices of Christ, all of a sudden, the color of the carpet in the church becomes less important! Why: we’re outwardly focused on rescuing  many from Hell. Is the color of carpet important? Sure, but it just pales in comparison to seeing souls saved!

How do we show Christ’s Example of Humility?

1) Mind Renewal – v.5 and Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

2) Sacrifice– vv. 7-8 and Luke 9:23 “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

3) Worship– vv. 9-11 and John 4:23 “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”
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God is Glorified When Your Humility Shines His Excellence vv.12-18
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S– Serve Others– Matthew 20:28 “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

H– Honor God– Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

I– Improve Constantly– Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

N– Never Compromise– Matthew 7:24-25 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

E– Excel in Relationships– John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”