A Lifestyle of Humility

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A Lifestyle of Humility

• January 9

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Think About It

• Think back to a recent squabble with a relative
  what was it about?
• Hopefully our misdeeds are apologized for and
  forgiveness given humility is required on both
  sides of any issue
• ? Today we look at what God says about humility

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Identify Humility

• What misunderstandings do people have about being
  humble?
• Listen for what Paul says about humility.

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Listen for what Paul says about humility.

• Philip. 21-4 (NIV) If you have any
  encouragement from being united with Christ, if
  any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with
  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
  purpose.

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Listen for what Paul says about humility.

• 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
  conceit, but in humility consider others better
  than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not
  only to your own interests, but also to the
  interests of others

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Identify Humility

• According to Paul, what qualities mark unity with
  Christ?
• What does he say about how Christians can show
  their unity in Christ in practical ways?
• What did Paul say about self-centeredness?
• How can petty quarrels hold a person back in
  their Christian walk?

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Identify Humility

• How will being more Christ like affect our
  interactions with other people?
• So after all that, what is humility?
• C. S. Lewis said, Humility is not thinking of
  yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
• Agree or disagree? Why? If you agree, what do
  you think he meant?

Agree Disagree

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Listen for good advice given by Jesus.

• Luke 147-11 (NIV) When he noticed how the
  guests picked the places of honor at the table,
  he told them this parable 8 "When someone
  invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the
  place of honor, for a person more distinguished
  than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the
  host who invited both of you will come and say to
  you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated,

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Listen for good advice given by Jesus.

• you will have to take the least important place.
  10 But when you are invited, take the lowest
  place, so that when your host comes, he will say
  to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then
  you will be honored in the presence of all your
  fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts
  himself will be humbled, and he who humbles
  himself will be exalted."

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Practice Humility

• According to this parable, what were the typical
  seating arrangements at a wedding feast?
• What did Jesus suggest was a way to avoid
  embarrassment?
• What was Jesus concluding remark that
  communicated the value of humility?

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Practice Humility

• What are some situations where you might be
  tempted to exalt yourself?
• What can be the dangers of comparing yourself
  with others?
• What are some specific ways to show humility in
  these categories?

Church At Work Driving in Traffic

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Listen for how Jesus sets an example by what he
does.

• John 133-5 (NIV) Jesus knew that the Father
  had put all things under his power, and that he
  had come from God and was returning to God 4
  so he got up from the meal, took off his outer
  clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
  5 After that, he poured water into a basin and
  began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them
  with the towel that was wrapped

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Listen for how Jesus sets an example by what he
does.

• around him. 14 Now that I, your Lord and
  Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should
  wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an
  example that you should do as I have done for
  you.

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Follow Christs Example

• What background did Jesus know about Himself?
• What did Jesus do after the meal?
• What, then, did He tell the disciples to do?
• When and why is it difficult for us to serve
  others?

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Follow Christs Example
Humility is demonstrated through service but
begins with attitude

• Jesus taught by example the attitude and practice
  of selfless service. What kind of volunteer
  service tasks might someone say, I could never
  do that!?
• What is the relevance of the three things Jesus
  knew about Himself, in the context of what He
  did?

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Application

• Jesus is the model for human relations in the
  church
• Consider the church to be the training ground for
  the kind of humility Christ exemplifies
• Counteract selfish pride with selfless humility

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Application

• People of the world do their best to appear
  important to others
• Ask God to show you where you have been caught up
  in this attitude
• Ambition and competitive spirit are appropriate,
  but steer clear of selfish ambitions and unworthy
  competition

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Application

• Today we are confronted by the humble,
  sacrificial service of Jesus
• This week, look for contemporary ways that are
  the equivalent of washing one anothers feet.
• Be ready when someone asks for volunteers
• By the way, we need someone to empty the trash in
  all the Sunday School rooms!

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A Lifestyle of Humility

• January 9