well the word humility is not just a familiar word it's a familiar concept
i think it's a concept that most christians would say was really important
but after that it gets a bit more difficult so the question then becomes what does it actually
look like
a person might say you see the stars in the background behind me there a person might
say looking up at the night sky wow i feel so humbled
or they might greet visitors at um to their home by saying welcome to my humble abode
or they might tug with someone having to eat humble pie
or someone needing a good dose of humility
or it might be a different guy as it comes to you as it might be a really gentle quiet
self-effacing person just sitting alongside you and saying well actually
yeah i i consider myself to be a really humble person
what do we make of those sort of statements
is humility a personality trait trait for instance is it something you're born with
or is humility something that that we can cultivate or something that we must cultivate
because it doesn't come naturally to us
a comedian once said that he was so humble and proud of the fact
is humility a virtue to be proud of
doesn't the person who's who needs to say they're humble
actually think they're pretty awesome
it's not easy to get a handle on this concept of humility
and i think part of our confusion is because our culture has a love-hate relationship
with humility
on the one hand the primary driver of our society is self-promotion
that's self-fulfillment
and this inevitably pushes people into being competitive and consumerist
gives you a mindset of those two things
because what what it means is that others around you are potentially a threat to your sense of self
therefore you're competitive
or others around you provide the resources that you need to utilize and exploit
so that you can feel well about yourself
a consumerist
in job interviews
nowadays we don't just tell them we have the skills
we actually have to convince the person interviewing us that we're actually better than everybody else
and that we we should have that job by rights
a terrible environment to apply for a job these days i think
so that's on one hand but on the other hand
our culture really punishes people who are deemed to be too self-promoting
too self-assured
we call that the toll-pobey syndrome
because it loves to dish out
a big dose of humility
to people who've stepped out of their place
we like to
put them back
in their proper place
why do we do that?
well I think it's so that we can all be comfortable
so here's the confusion
on the one hand we have to be self-promoting
but at the same time we have to show the right amount of humility
now what that does I think
is reduce humility as we understand it in our culture
to a process called virtue signaling
virtue signaling
that is
we ascribe to ourselves a virtue
which becomes a signal to others around us
that I am both a good person
and acting within the acceptable parameters
of culture and society
what that does then
is allow us to pursue aggressively
my own interests
as long as
that's the self-promoting side
I can pursue as aggressively as I want
my own interests
providing
I
virtue signal
that I have awareness
of the need to be humble
that I can convince people
I am actually humble
and that I'm actually working
when the bounds of what society says
is tolerable self-promotion
it's a weird sort of thing
but I think that's how it works
at a nuanced level
now
I think I'm already on a hiding to nothing with this
Uriah Heep
has anybody ever heard of Uriah Heep?
at least three people
right okay
you don't count because you didn't hear about him
until the beginning of this week
so a character
a horrible character
a David Copperfield
actually truth be known
I hadn't heard of him until this week
Alison researched him for me
so Uriah Heep
a horrible character
in David Copperfield
he's a good example
of virtue signaling
he knew
that he had to stay
within his station in life
and so he was very keen
to let everybody know
that he was an humble person
but behind the scenes
he was known as a schemer
he worked to hurt
and destroy people
to exploit them
and there we have the problem
a view of humility
which we've easily come to accept
and value
in our society
it's alright to pursue your own interests
be aggressive as you like
on that
self-promote
providing
you manage to maintain
the balance
of a virtue signal
that says
well actually
I want you to know
I'm actually a humble person
now I think that confusion
has bled into the church
it's a big issue
for church families
like ours
on the one hand
the Bible has repeated references
to God's love
for humility
and hatred
of pride
and arrogance
but again
come back to the question
what is it
to be a humble Christian
how would we see humility
in our church family
and do we value humility
as the Bible
defines it to us
we see the answer
to the question
in how Jesus
models humility
and I'm saying
in brackets there
that because
when we look at this
model of Jesus
we're always going to find
that model
hard to accept
and hard to value
because it exposes
our self-interest
our self-centeredness
if you look at verse 5
I'm going to take this phrase
through
the whole of the sermon
this morning
verse 5
in chapter 2
one that Dave looked at
last week
have this mind
among yourselves
which is yours
and the Greek there
is which is already yours
in Christ Jesus
so if we want to see
the model of humility
what we're actually saying
is not just a theory
so it's not a definition
of humility
it's a model
of the mind
of Jesus
it's a worked example
of the overflow
of Christ's heart
it's attitude
attitude and perspective
David took us through
this in detail
last week
I'm just going to try
and summarize
so attitude and perspective
Jesus is really
and truly God
and he alone
has the right
to be proud
he alone
has the right
to be protective
of his heavenly status
his power
his prestige
his influence
his reputation
his sovereignty
and he has the perfect
right to command
service
from every creature
in this world
but Jesus
didn't see those
as a platform
for self-display
nor a launching pad
for self-advancement
rather
Jesus took all of that
and put it in the context
of an opportunity
for self-denial
an opportunity
to pour himself out
in service
of others
and so instead
of grasping
we see in the mind
of Christ
we see the mind
of Christ
in decisive commitment
on the part of Jesus
to living out
obedience
for the glory
of his father
and that's verses
7 through to 11
essentially
and it goes like this
summary like this
in obedience
to his father's
purpose and salvation
and verse 11
ultimately
to bring glory
to the father
and
at huge
personal cost
Jesus
made a conscious
decision
his conscious
decision
was
to relinquish
his right
of absolute
sovereignty
to become
a low
status
human being
no power
no position
no reputation
no sovereignty
and he
followed that
commitment
all the way
through
to death
on the cross
as a criminal
cursed
and forsaken
a conscious
decision
to live
obedience
for the glory
of his father
and we're
told then
in those
same verses
that the
father was
delighted
in response
to Jesus
action
but we need
to note
here
he wasn't
just
delighted
in the
death
of Christ
to achieve
salvation
I think
that he was
delighted
in the
whole
mind
of Christ
that is
the father
was delighted
in the
sort of
person
that Jesus
showed
himself
to be
the way
he looked
at things
in this
world
the values
he cherished
as he made
that decision
to go to
his death
the principles
he observed
in achieving
salvation
for his
sinful
undeserving
people
and the
delight of
the father
then
immediately
exalts
Jesus
returning
him to
that
which he
has always
been
even in
death
Lord of
the universe
my friends
Christ was
exalted
because he
demonstrated
a proper
sense of
self
living
obediently
under
God's
purpose
wanting
only the
father's
approval
and being
totally
committed
to serving
his sinful
undeserving
people in
their need
and ultimately
saying no
to self
interest
that's what
delighted the
father
about Jesus
so where's
that leave
is
well my
friends
humility
is not a
passive
personality
trait
not as the
bible models
it to us
here in
Jesus
humility
is not a
passive
personality
trait so that
one person
has it and
another person
doesn't
nor is
humility
just a
collection
of personal
characteristics
or attributes
such as being
self-effacing
or generous
or thoughtful
or gentle
most likely
those characteristics
will be evident
in someone
who's seeking
to leave out
the mind
of Christ
but that
of itself
isn't the
heart of
the mind
of Christ
humility
at its
heart
is a
heart
attitude
a heart
attitude
overflowing
practically
in purposeful
commitment
to the
pathway
of obedience
regardless
of personal
cost
ultimately
for the sake
of bringing
honour
to the
Lord
and doing
what is
best
for sinful
and deserving
people
that we
live amongst
that's a
big step
away
from the
way humility
is thought
of and
practised
in our
society
so how
do we
move towards
living
humility
or how
do we
move towards
developing
the mind
of Christ
in every
circumstance
well I
just want
to give
three minor
points in
here
first is
we've got
to understand
the power
of humility
even
Uriah
Heap
recognised
that he
had a
little bit
of power
what is
the power
of humility
well the
power of
humility
is being
who you
are
in Christ
again
verses 1
to 5
that verse
5 where I
started
and that's
a summary
of verses
1 to 5
have this
mind
among you
which is
already
yours
in Christ
my friends
we need to
hear this
next statement
if we
are Christians
if you
this morning
are a
Christian
if you
are already
in Christ
you are
already
connected
practically
and really
and completely
into the
mind of
Christ
you already
enjoy the
practical
outworking
of the
mind of
Christ
as his
spirit
verse 2
renovates you
from the
inside out
that is
the spirit
job
to develop
in you
the mind
of Christ
in verse
earlier
verse 11
I think it
was in
chapter 1
it's
described as
the fruit
of
righteousness
here's the
point here
if we want
to know
the power
of humility
it's
engaging
with what
we already
are
we do
not have
to create
humility
our
challenge
as
Christians
is to
express
the mind
of Christ
that we
already
have
by virtue
of being
in Christ
and as
Paul's big
themes come
out in his
letter
we express
the mind
of Christ
in joy
together
in unity
in partnership
in the
gospel
so all
these things
joy
partnership
in the
gospel
and unity
are
underpinned
by the
mind of
Christ
or humility
Christ's
humility
actually
results
in God's
people
being united
with him
and with
one another
in new
salvation
community
if you look
at the end
of verse
10 and
11
Christ's
humility
is the
thing that
achieves
God's
purpose
and salvation
and God's
purpose
and salvation
is the
reunification
of his
alienated
people
with himself
in a new
salvation
community
humility
produces
the unity
results
in the
unity
inseparable
connection
of course
we want
to talk
about
unity
on a
basis
altogether
different
often
time
sorry
it's
satisfied
merely
to virtue
signal
humility
while
keeping
your
distance
from
Christ
personally
and
keeping
a
guarded
commitment
to
obedience
so my
final
sentence
takes you
to the
chilling
reality
of verse
21
if you
got your
bible
open
look at
it now
there's a
chilling
reality
in this
verse
and I
want to
suggest
to you
this
morning
that
every
one
of us
finds
ourselves
in this
verse
let me
read it
to you
they all
seek their
own
interests
wow
what a
statement
that is
the idea
of humility
seeing the
mind of
Christ
in action
is obviously
a rare
thing
for Paul
they all
seek their
own interests
not those
of Jesus
Christ
so here's
the question
I say
we're all
in that
verse
the only
question is
which clause
of that
verse
there's two
clauses
which clause
best describes
you
humility
frequently
used
word
but Paul
says here
it's a very
rare commodity
indeed in
the church
which clause
describes
you
let me
pray
Lord I
pray again
as I've
prayed so
often
after opening
your word
that
we stand
exposed
before it
your word
is that
living
two-edged
sword that
divides
deep
into our
hearts
and exposes
that which
is truly
there
Lord
so Lord
help us
to contemplate
that verse
21 and all
it's chilling
reality
that in
the church
community
such as ours
that word
humility
can be used
so frequently
and yet
if what Paul
says is true
there
it's actually
something that
approximates
or some
caricature
of humility
but true
humility
is a rare
commodity
help us
then Lord
to find
ourselves
as those
who are
truly
interested
in the
welfare
and
advancing
the honour
of Christ
Amen
Thanks David
Just a brief
summary then
Jesus is our
example of
humility
in life
and he's
our experience
of humility
in his death
and resurrection
on the
true joy
true unity
true partnership
in this
church family
or
would he
call you
out as a
grumbling
complaining
dissatisfied
person
a
Uriah
heap
type
character
driven
by self
interest
satisfied
merely to
signal
sorry
satisfied
merely to
virtue
signal
humility
while
keeping
your
distance
from
Christ
personally
and
keeping
a guarded
commitment
to
obedience
so my
final
sentence
takes you
to the
chilling
reality
of verse
21
if you've
got your
bible
open
look at
it now
there's a
chilling
reality
in this
verse
and I want
to suggest
to you
this morning
that every
one of
us
finds
ourselves
in this
verse
let me
read it
to you
they all
seek their
own
interests
wow
what a
statement
that is
the idea
of humility
seeing the
mind of
Christ
in action
is obviously
a rare
thing for
Paul
they all
seek their
own interests
not those
of Jesus
Christ
so here's
the question
I say
we're all
in that
verse
the only
question is
which clause
of that
verse
there's two
clauses
which clause
best describes
you
humility
frequently
used
word
but Paul
says here
it's a very
rare commodity
indeed
in the
church
which clause
describes
you
let me
pray
Lord I
pray again
as I've
prayed so
often
after opening
your word
that we
stand exposed
before it
your word
is that
living
two-edged
sword
that divides
deep
into our
hearts
and exposes
that which
is truly
there
so Lord
help us
to contemplate
that verse
21 and all
this chilling
reality
that in
the church
community
such as ours
that word
humility
can be used
so frequently
and yet
if what
Paul says
is true
there
it's
actually
something
that approximates
or some
caricature
of humility
but true
humility
is a rare
commodity
help us
then Lord
to find
ourselves
as those
who are
truly
interested
in the
welfare
and advancing
the honour
of Christ
Amen
Thanks David
Just a brief
summary then
Jesus is our
example of
humility
in life
and he's our
experience of
humility
in his death
and resurrection
true joy
true unity
true partnership
in this church
family
or
would he
call you
out as a
grumbling
complaining
dissatisfied
person
a Uriah
Heap
type character
driven by
self interest
satisfied
merely to
signal
sorry
it's
satisfied
merely to
virtue
signal
humility
while
keeping
your
distance
from
Christ
personally
and
keeping
a
guarded
commitment
to
obedience
so my
final
sentence
takes you
to the
chilling
reality
of verse
21
if you
got your
Bible
open
look at
it
now
there's
a
chilling
reality
in this
verse
and I
want to
suggest
to you
this
morning
that
every
one
of
us
finds
ourselves
in this
verse
let me
read it
to you
they all
seek their
own
interests
wow
what a
statement
that is
the idea
of humility
seeing the
mind of
Christ
in action
is obviously
a rare
thing
for Paul
they all
seek their
own interests
not those
of Jesus
Christ
so here's
the question
I say
we're all
in that
verse
the only
question is
which
clause
of that
verse
there's two
clauses
which clause
best
describes
you
humility
frequently
used
word
but Paul
says here
it's a very
rare commodity
indeed in the
church
which clause
describes
you
let me
pray
Lord I
pray again
as I've
prayed so
often
after opening
your word
that
we stand
exposed
before it
your word
is that
living
two-edged
sword that
divides
deep
into our
hearts
and exposes
that which
is truly
there
so Lord
help us
to contemplate
that verse
21 and all
it's chilling
reality
that in
the church
community
such as ours
that word
humility
can be used
so frequently
and yet
if what Paul
says is true
there
it's actually
something
that approximates
or some
caricature
of humility
but true
humility
is a rare
commodity
help us
then Lord
to find
ourselves
as those
who are
truly
interested
in the
welfare
and
advancing
the
honour
of
Christ
Amen
Thanks David
Just a brief
summary then
Jesus is
our
example
of humility
in life
and he's
our experience
of humility
in his
death and
resurrection
on the
true joy
true unity
true partnership
in this
church family
or
would he
call you
out as a
grumbling
complaining
dissatisfied
person
a Uriah
Heap
type character
driven by
self-interest
satisfied
merely to
virtue
signal
humility
while
keeping
your
distance
from
Christ
personally
and
keeping
a
guarded
commitment
to
obedience
God
so my
final
sentence
takes you
to the
chilling
reality
of verse
21
so if you
got your
Bible
open
look at it
now
there's a
chilling
reality
in this
verse
and I want to
suggest to you
this morning
that every
one of us
finds
ourselves
in this
verse
let me read
it to you
they all
seek their
own
interests
wow
what a
statement
that is
the idea
of humility
seeing the
mind of
Christ
in action
is obviously
a rare
thing for
Paul
they all
seek their
own
interests
not those
of Jesus
Christ
so here's
the
question
I say
we're all
in that
verse
the only
question is
which
clause
of that
verse
there's
two
clauses
which
clause
best
describes
you
humility
frequently
used
word
but Paul
says here
it's a
very rare
commodity
indeed
in the
church
which
clause
describes
you
let me
pray
Lord I
pray again
as I've
prayed so
often
after opening
your word
that
we stand
exposed
before it
your word
is that
living
two-edged
sword
that divides
deep
into our
hearts
and exposes
that which
is truly
there
so Lord
help us
to contemplate
that verse
21
in all
this
chilling
reality
that in
the church
community
such as
ours
that word
humility
can be
used
so
frequently
and yet
if what
Paul says
is true
there
it's
actually
something
that approximates
or some
caricature
of humility
but
true humility
is a rare
commodity
help us
then Lord
to find
ourselves
as those
who are
truly
interested
in the
welfare
and
advancing
the honour
of Christ
Amen
thanks David
just a brief
summary
then
Jesus
is our
example
of humility
in life
and he's
our experience
of humility
in his
death
and resurrection
on the
true joy
true unity
true partnership
in this
church family
or
would he
call you
out as a
grumbling
complaining
dissatisfied
person
a Uriah
Heap
type character
driven by
self-interest
satisfied
merely to
signal
sorry
satisfied
merely to
virtue
signal
humility
while
keeping
your distance
from Christ
personally
and keeping
a guarded
commitment
to
obedience
so my
final
sentence
takes you
to the
chilling
reality
of verse
21
if you've
got your
bible
open
look at
it
now
there's
a chilling
reality
in this
verse
and I
want to
suggest
to you
this
morning
that
every
one
of us
finds
ourselves
in this
verse
let me
read it
to you
they all
seek their
own
interests
wow
what a
statement
that is
the idea
of humility
seeing the
mind of
Christ
in action
is obviously
a rare
thing
for
Paul
they all
seek their
own
interests
not those
of Jesus
Christ
so here's
the
question
I say
we're all
in that
verse
the only
question is
which clause
of that
verse
there's two
clauses
which clause
best
describes
you
humility
frequently
used
word
but Paul
says here
it's a very
rare commodity
indeed in
the church
which clause
describes
you
let me
pray
Lord I
pray again
as I've
prayed so
often
after opening
your word
that we
stand exposed
before it
your word
is that
living
two-edged
sword that
divides deep
into our
hearts and
exposes
that which
is truly
there
so Lord
help us
to contemplate
that verse
21 and
all
it's
chilling
reality
that in
the church
community
such as
ours
that word
humility
can be
used
so
frequently
and yet
if what
Paul says
is true
there
it's
actually
something
that approximates
or some
caricature of
humility
but
true humility
is a rare
commodity
help us
then Lord
to find
ourselves
as those
who are
truly
interested
in the
welfare
and
advancing
the honour
of Christ
Amen
do