LGC - Incoming Part 1 - FGA Singapore

Incoming (Part 1)

Rhordan Wicks

INTRODUCTION

In this series, we explore the question of why loving others is hard and what we can do about it. We look at Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Philippians 2:1-9). From Paul, we learn that loving others is hard because of our selfish ambition or conceit.

‘Conceit’ in Greek (kenodoxia) literally means “vain glory” or “empty praise”, the idea that the projected image of glory is not real. As much as we try, we cannot confer glory to ourselves. When we are ‘glorified’ by the praise of others, it then makes it easy to reciprocate with love. As long as we act out of this motivation for selfish glory, conceit makes it hard for us to love others who do not serve our selfish ambition.

The short answer to this problem is: Be humble.

Easier said than done, however. So, Paul asks us to look at the example of Christ’s humility. There are two layers to this example. The first is to look at Christ as a role model – the classic WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?). The second is to learn to dwell “in Christ Jesus” which is made possible by what Jesus has done on the cross.

DISCUSSION

Who do you have to love today? How successful have you been at loving?
Read Philippians 2:1-4. Note that Paul is writing to members of the church in Philippi (cf. Philippians 1:1). In verse 2, he stresses that they are to be united in mind, love, and spirit.

a. From verse 1, what is the basis of his instructions? What must members of the church have before they are able to fulfil what Paul wants in verse 2?

b. Do you possess any of the characteristics you’ve mentioned in your answer to part a? To what extent have these characteristics motivated your interactions with the church community?

c. How can you build unity within the church?
Read Philippians 2:5-11. Paul urges the Philippians to have the mind of Christ in their interactions with each other, the mind which “was also in Christ Jesus” or which is “ours in Christ Jesus”.

a. From verses 6-8, in what ways did Jesus humble Himself? Why did He do so? What then might it mean to have the mind of Christ?

b. Read Philippians 2:13. What encouragement might we take in our attempt to have the mind of Christ?

c. Share an experience where you found it difficult to love and/or be humble.

i. What did you do?

ii. Did you ask for help? If so, who helped you, and what was the result?

iii. Did loving and/or being humble become easier afterwards?
Of course, we are called not only to love those within the church, nor those who are our friends. In Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:32-36, Jesus explicitly tells us to love our enemies, and in so doing, be perfect as God is perfect.

a. Is there a gap between how you are loving right now and how God wants us to love? Shall we pray as a group, incorporating the following:

i. Let us acknowledge that we have reached our limits, and are unable to do what God the Father wants us to do, in our own strength;

ii. Let us confess that unlike us, Jesus the Son of God has met and can help us meet the perfect standard; and

iii. Let us ask for the Holy Spirit to step in to assist us in loving others in our everyday lives.

b. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Know that in our weaknesses, Christ’s power can be made known. How might we constantly be reminded of this assurance?

WHAT WILL YOU DO

‘Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.’ This is Rick Warren’s helpful summary of a passage in C.S. Lewis’s book Mere Christianity. Read the following extract in the Chapter titled “The Great Sin” (spoiler, the great sin is pride):

“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.

If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.”

Are you willing to take the first “biggish step” today?

Is there a particular area in your life where you are having difficulty taking this step?

MEMORY VERSE

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.“ Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)