August 14, 2012
BLESSED SELF-FORGETFULNESS
Philippians 2
Cindy Campion
Central Truth
We can't be humble before others if we aren't humble before God. Humility results from believing in God and living out the gospel.
Key Verse | Philippians 2:3–5
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:3-5)
Philippians 2
Christ's Example of Humility
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 1 2:5 Or which was also in Christ Jesus 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 2 2:6 Or a thing to be held on to for advantage 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, 3 2:7 Or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so 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.
Lights in the World
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's 4 2:22 Greek his proven worth, how as a son 5 2:22 Greek child with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died 6 2:30 Or he drew near to the point of death; compare verse 8 for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Dive Deeper | Philippians 2
C.S. Lewis once defined humility as "not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less."
Tim Keller has called it "blessed self-forgetfulness." I rarely forget about myself daily. How am I doing? How am I feeling? How is someone treating me?
For a long time, I thought I was humble because I didn't vocally boast about myself. God, however, revealed that I was really just insecure about guilt and shame from my past that I hadn't dealt with. In turn, I manipulated situations for my benefit.
I mastered the ability of being passive aggressive in order to get attention. I used my emotions to throw a pity party, often to manipulate someone's perspective of me. It was all out of selfish ambition and vain conceit. I made my life all about me.
In Philippians 2:6-11, we see that there is no greater example of humility than what Christ did for us by becoming flesh and dying on the cross. He was not thinking about Himself; He was thinking about you and me. Until we receive the gift of salvation and allow His grace to transform us, we cannot come close to demonstrating humility in our lives.
Tim Keller writes, "Humility is so shy. If you begin talking about it, it leaves. To even ask the question, 'Am I humble?' is to not be so" (Christianity Today, "The Advent of Humility"). Humility isn't attained by checking a box or adding it to the to-do list every day. It is a result of believing in Him, meditating on His Word and imitating who He is.
Verse 3 begins, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit" (Philippians 2:3, NIV). And verse five, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5, NIV 1984). Paul then goes on to say, "Do everything without complaining or arguing" (Philippians 2:14, NIV 1984).
I love how Paul's words leave no room for interpretation when he says, "Do nothing," "the same," and "Do everything." It all starts with humility and blessed self-forgetfulness.
Discussion Questions
1. In what ways are your thoughts, words, and actions motivated to win an argument, make sure your opinion is heard, or to seek the approval of man over God?
2. Go all day without complaining about your life -- your job, your kids, your spouse, your friends, your teachers, or your responsibilities. How did you do?
3. How is your attitude today? Is it the same as Christ Jesus'?
4. Look up more verses in Scripture on humility. Here are some to get you started: Proverbs 3:34, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 18:12, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:12, James 3:13, James 4:10, 1 Peter 3:8.
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
August 13-17 (Philippians 1 - Colossians 1)
Read Philippians 2: 1-11.
• What does it mean to be selfish or to try to impress others?
• Why would those things go against what God would have you do?
• What, instead, does Paul say we should do? (verse 3 & 4)
• What would it look like in your own life to do those things?
• What did Christ do for you?
• How did He show humility?
•
Is it easy for you to be humble, not seek everyone's approval, and to serve others above yourself?
Activity: At a family meeting, ask each person to identify someone to serve. For the person you identify, think about doing something that puts that person before yourself. Try to think of someone who cannot do anything for you in return!