Getting it Right with God - Part 2: Humbleness/Humility | Pastor Boniface
Getting it Right with God - Part 2: Humbleness/Humility | Pastor Boniface Mgonja
Sunday, March 19th, 2023 - Bethel Pentecostal Church, Barrhead, Alberta, Canada
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
“If my people, who are called by my name, will HUMBLE THEMSELVES,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear
from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Scripture: Philippians 2: 1-11 (NIV)
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if
any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-
minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you
to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ
Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God
something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being
found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to
death—even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is
above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven
and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
CONTEXT:
Paul’s message was not to the gentiles (non-believers) but believers in
Philippi - the leading city of the district of Macedonia, and a Roman colony.
The characteristics of the Philippian church:
Experienced poverty and tested by many troubles - persecutions (II Cor
8:1-2), but…remained faithful, with abundant joy, overflowed in rich
generosity.
Paul is writing this letter as a “thank-you note” for sending him a gift while
under arrest in Rome and encouraging them to stand firm in the face of
persecution and to keep on rejoicing.
However, Paul noticed some kind of disagreements among members (Phil
4:1-3), hence exhorting them to approach one another humbly and be
united with each other, setting aside all differences and work
together...for a common purpose.
DEFINITION:
Humbleness is a modest or low view of one's own importance.
“If my people…will humble themselves”
Submit, surrender [The opposite of humbleness is PRIDE]
Submitting to GOD and to ONE ANOTHER
KEY POINTS:
1. Cultivating TRUE Christian Love- Like-minded, same love, one in spirit
and of one mind
**** SO I TRULY APPRECIATE what you have done to me…BUT…
FULFILL MY JOY…..
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of
love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love,
united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Like-minded = same FOCUS
o The Pastor
o The Board
o Different ministries: Men’s, Ladies, Youth, Children, Worship
etc.
When you are of like-minded, same love, same spirit, same focus…the
enemy will TREMBLE and SHAKE because of UNITY
2 Chronicles 5 (NKJV) 11 And it came to pass when the priests came out of
the Most Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified
themselves, without keeping to their divisions), 12 and the Levites who were the
singers, all those of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, with their sons and their
brethren, stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having
cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and
twenty priests sounding with trumpets— 13 indeed it came to pass, when the
trumpeters and singers were AS ONE/IN UNISON [not only same rhythm but FOCUS], to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD,
and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and
instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: “For He is good, For His
mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a
cloud, 14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud;
for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.
2. Humble toward one another – value others above yourself
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humbleness/humility
value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you
to the interests of the others.
God OPPOSES the proud and in response, gives GRACE/FAVOUR to the
humble.
1 Peter (5:5) insists: “All of you, Clothe yourselves with humbleness
toward one another because God opposes the proud, but shows favor
to the humble”
Psalms 147:6 The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
Proverbs 3:34 (ESV)Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he
gives favor.
James 4:6 (ESV) But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God opposes the
proud but gives grace to the humble.”
More important about humility:
You can defuse unhealthy arguments when you are humble (Pro. 15:1)
You can handle unfair treatment peacefully (Eph 4:31-32)
You can ask for forgiveness from your Christian brother/sister when
you are humble (Matt 5:23-24)
You can talk with the right attitude when you are humble (Eph 4:29)
3. In everything we do (as a Pastor, Board, Ministry leaders, Members), let
Jesus be our center (role-model) - have the same mindset as Christ Jesus
In your relationships with God and one another, have the same mindset as
Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something
to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking
the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even
death on a cross!
Jesus said in Matt 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for
I am gentle and lowly in heart…”
Jesus loved us beyond measure - the love of Christ that surpasses
knowledge/understanding (Eph 3:19)
Jesus thought of others (us), not himself – he left the Heavenly glory to
reconcile us with God.
He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death
on a cross – i.e., the most painful and shameful death of the ancient days.
Col 2:13-15 “…He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to
open shame, by triumphing over them in him-BECAUSE OF US
CONCLUSION:
Why does the church exist today? What is the purpose of the church
in today’s world?
The ekklesia (called out for a specific purpose) or Church was founded
and established by Jesus Christ
o Matthew 16:16–18…. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this
rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
We are the Ambassadors of Christ
o How we understand and perceive the church is quite important
in determining how we live out our faith
We are called to make a difference, a lasting impact [SALT and
LIGHT]
o The church is called out to bring influence in the
community…responsibility to be salt and light in the world.
o The church exists to shine a light in this darkened world, that
others might glorify our Father in heaven.
Be right with God (Vertical Relationship) and right With People
Around You (Horizontal Relationship).
**TRUE HUMILITY**
Quote:
“In the end, the goal of the Christian life is LOVE. The measure of our
maturity is our love for God and our love for others. If we fail in our love
we have missed what it means to be a Christian”. – by Rick Ezell, the
pastor of First Baptist Church, Greer, South Carolina