{"id":2877,"date":"2019-04-15T09:28:05","date_gmt":"2019-04-14T23:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=2877"},"modified":"2019-04-15T09:29:32","modified_gmt":"2019-04-14T23:29:32","slug":"the-surest-way-up-is-by-stepping-down-14-04-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=2877","title":{"rendered":"The surest way up is by stepping down 14-04-2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The surest way up is by stepping down<\/i>.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Isaiah 50:\u00a0 <\/span>4 \u2013 9a;\u00a0 <\/span>Philippians 1: 27 – 2: 11<\/strong><\/p>\n

The surest way up is by stepping down seems contradictory.\u00a0 <\/span>In this day and age when \u2018my rights\u2019 and \u2018me first\u2019 dominates the social and business landscape it collides with our culture. Jesus of Nazareth taught us the value and usefulness of humility.\u00a0 <\/span>Humility is not highly prized in our society today and we in the church struggle with it. It\u2019s hard to believe humility opens doors and empowers!\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This Palm or Passion Sunday we will focus on the Philippian\u2019s reading. The NT scholar Ralph P Martin says that Philippians 2: 6 \u2013 11 \u201cis the most important section in the letter and surely the most difficult to interpret. \u2026 Nevertheless, there is at least one thing that calls forth almost universal agreement. It \u2026 constitutes a signal example of a very early \u2018hymn \u2018of the Christian Church.\u201d [Phil p. 99f] That\u2019s right it is a hymn – a song of praise – from the very early days of Christian worship.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This \u2018hymn\u2019 is significant in what it says about Jesus. It is one of the earliest pieces of writing going back to possibly 10-15 years after the death of Jesus.\u00a0 <\/span>This hymn precedes the writing of the four Gospel accounts. Yes, it is earlier than those precious documents.\u00a0 <\/span>It is a piece of writing that contains some of the earliest theological statements about Jesus.\u00a0 <\/span>It is written in the form of a \u2018hymn\u2019 and therefore it is an example of early worship material, possibly recited or chanted. Its content tells us that from an early stage Jesus is seen as one with God and one who is above all of creation.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Now this \u2018hymn\u2019-\u00a0 <\/span>Phil 2: 6-11 –\u00a0 <\/span>is important for two reasons.\u00a0 <\/span>Firstly it tells us that from a very early stage in the life of the Church they were worshipping Jesus. There have been some who have argued that the notion of Jesus as one with God \u2013 a divine person \u2013 is\u00a0 <\/span>a much later understanding.\u00a0 <\/span>This piece of Scripture flies in the face of that view. From the earliest times Jesus was seen as unique and one with the Creator God. That understanding is revolutionary as the Jewish people firmly believed in One God only. The first Christians were Jews and saw Jesus as the Messiah \u2013 the Christ. Jesus the Christ was inextricably one with God.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The second significant thing about this text is how Paul uses it to encourage humility.\u00a0 <\/span>Why did Paul value humility? There are many reasons.\u00a0 <\/span>The teaching of Jesus captured in the Sermon on the Mount makes it clear that humility is a top-tier virtue. Jesus taught; \u2018Blessings on the meek! You\u2019re going to inherit the earth<\/i>.\u2019\u00a0 <\/span>Yes, the meek – the humble – shall inherit the world.\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus was seen to be humble. In fact Philippians gives us a beautiful picture of Jesus\u2019 humility.\u00a0 <\/span>[Phil 2:6-8]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

as something to be exploited,\u00a0 <\/span>but emptied himself,<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

And being found in human form, he humbled himself<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

and became obedient to the point of death\u2014 even death on a cross<\/i>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And Isaiah\u2019s prophetic words about the \u2018suffering servant\u2019 echoes in the background.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Lord GOD has opened my ear,\u00a0 <\/span>and I was not rebellious,<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

I did not turn backward.\u00a0 <\/span>I gave my back to those who struck me,<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

I did not hide my face from insult and spitting<\/i>. [Is 50: 5,6]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Neither can we avoid John\u2019s picture of Jesus in the Upper Room sharing a pre-Passover celebration where Jesus takes off his outer robe, takes up a towel and bowel of water, and washes the disciples\u2019 feet [John 13: 4]. That too is a beautiful picture of Jesus\u2019 humility. Jesus never came to lord it over us but to serve us. One can neither escape or overlook the humility of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This \u2018hymn\u2019 that Paul uses to illustrate humility to the Philippians was known, otherwise why would he have quoted it a length.\u00a0 <\/span>He doesn\u2019t quote it to teach about who Jesus is, but it is quoted to encourage the Philippian Christians to practise humility. \u00a0 <\/span>Paul writes to encourage the Christian community, living in a Roman city with many different religions and superstitions, to practise humility. The church in Philippi was small and threatened.\u00a0 <\/span>Paul wanted to build up the community and his main emphasis was on Philippian Christians continuing to build upon their faith in Christ Jesus, their fellowship in the Spirit, their kindness and compassion for one another and for a unity of love and mindfulness of each other. Paul said to them, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.\u00a0 <\/span>Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.\u00a0 <\/span>Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.\u00a0 <\/span>Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus<\/i> [Phil 2: 2-5].\u00a0 <\/span>Paul could see that the fellowship of the Church was stronger and more effective when the church really looked after each other with a selfless love. Unity is not so much about believing the same things as showing love for one another. I know folk who come here for the first time speak well of our acceptance and friendship. The key to a strong fellowship is people who put others first.\u00a0 <\/span>It is that spirit of humility that enables us to love one another selflessly.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is the power of humility? Before we look at humility\u2019s power let us note what it is not.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Humility is not about letting people push you around, nor letting people \u2018walk all over you\u2019. Humility is not constantly sacrificing your own interests, nor avoiding conflict for the sake of being nice.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Humility is more about emotional growth. Humility means that one does not have to put oneself above others. Humility means that everyone is your peer. Humility means you are neither the least important nor the most important person.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If we consider how humility works we may see why it is powerful.\u00a0 <\/span>Humility grants the humble person complete freedom from the desire to impress, to be right, or get ahead.\u00a0 <\/span>A humble life results in contentment, patience, forgiveness and compassion. \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The humble person:\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n