Wednesday, January 19, 2011

"Christmas- An Epitome of Humility"

Pastor Andrew Lim

Philippians 2:1-11: Your life in Christ makes you strong, an his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another. I urge you, then, to make me completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being one in soul and mind. Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own. The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:
He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to become equal with God.
Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant.
He became like a man and appeared in human likeness.
He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death-his death on the cross.
For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
And so, in honour of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below
will fall on their knees,
and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

*We can easily get influenced in worldly affairs about christmas
*WORD OF GOD
*Jesus was not born on the 25th of December 2010 because the shepherds would not tend their flock in the cold winter of December
*It is not just about Christmas parties but to remember that Jesus Christ was born
*His perfect incarnation is the most significant symbol of humility
*Phillipians 2:5: The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had.

*Thus we are called to immitate the attitude of humility
*To walk the higher road, we need humility
*Humility is about our nature, the thoughts we think
*Phillipians 2:6: He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to become equal with God.

*Phillipians 2:3: Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves.

(Consider others better than yourselves)-hardest to obey
*It is difficult to just believe, or having a child like faith
*To be humble, we should not put ourselves higher than we ought to be but to esteem others

2nd mark of humility
*Jesus thought of others instead of himself
*Phillipians 2:4: And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own.

*In everything we do, we have to consider serving the interest of others
*Only by serving others can we learn to esteem others better than ourselves

3rd mark of humility
Jesus humbled himself to the point of death
*Phillipians 2:8: He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death- his death on the cross.
*Humility and submission goes hand in hand
*Jesus endured to the very end
*We need to put aside jealousy and envy
*Romans 12:9-16: Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as Christian brothers, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Share your belongings with your needy fellow-Christians, and open your homes to strangers.
Ask God to bless those who persecute you- yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.

*To subject ourselves to one another
*Christmas is also about Christ humility 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

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