Humility of Humanity

Key Verse: Philippians 2:1-11This message was spurred out of a question I was asked a few weeks ago.What effect has grace had on your life since you’ve been saved?We can get removed from our own story of where Jesus brought us. We know we’ve all sinned and we know everyone is a sinner, but somehow we think that’s referring to others instead of each other.Today let's look at Philippians 2:1-11The Apostle Paul is experiencing hardship but begins chapter 2 saying if there are any benefits in Christ, it’s when I see your faith lived out and changing lives.If there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,Then make me truly happy… by having the attitude of Christ.Paul gives a guide of how to remember what Jesus has done for you by the way we treat others.Don’t be selfish; Be Humble.We’ve heard it said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Paul states it more emphatically by saying “esteem (think of) others as better than yourselves.”In Greek, the middle voice is a distinct grammatical category (unlike English) where the subject of the verb is both the agent and the recipient of the action, or acts for their own benefit or interest.Esteeming others doesn't diminish you.Paul's strong verbiage is saying think of others’ needs as more important than yours. In doing so, you will be blessed. You can’t esteem others without being esteemed. You are the agent and the recipient. What you do to others will be done to you.James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.Philippians 2:9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names.It’s easy to esteem others as greater than you when you realize your own moral littleness. It’s not too difficult to esteem others when you remember where Jesus brought you from.You may already be picturing someone that’s difficult to esteem. So the Apostle Paul offers some help by saying remember Jesus.Be HumanTo be human is to be humble. Humanity by nature has limitations. Jesus intentionally became human so he would know our limitations. Jesus limited himself in order to connect to us.Main qualification for a priest was they had to be human.Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God. We needed someone like us to help us get close to God. If people are going to know about Jesus, it’s becau