Humility
About This Series:
The only thing more baffling to me than the pride of man is the humility of God. God literally stooped so low in His incarnation, life, suffering, and death that even our most selfless, heroic acts barely scratch the surface of what He willingly endured. So how can we begin to model His impossible example? What will His humility look like when applied to our daily lives? Stephen unpacks the Apostle Paul’s inspired description, illustration, and application of humility.
Sermons In This Series
1 - (Philippians 2:1–2) The Vanishing Virtue
Paul is under house arrest. He is isolated from his friends. Church leaders in Rome have abandoned him. Yet, strangely, he isn't longing for freedom or praying for comforts. His sole desire is to see the Church of God being unified in humility.
2 - (Philippians 2:2–4) An Unnatural Way to Live
What is the cure for gossip and slander? What is the remedy for pride, envy, and vain ambition? Paul gives us the answer in Philippians 2:2-4.
3 - (Philippians 2:5–8) A Mount Everest of Truth
The only thing more baffling than the pride of man is the humility of God. Philippians 2:5-8 is a passage we will spend all eternity wrapping our minds around.
4 - (Philippians 2:7–8) Crushing the "Kingdom of Me"
All our possessions are made of matter, which God created. All our talents and strengths come from our DNA, which God designed. Everything that sustains us from food, to air, to relationships, is a gift from God. Are you living in light of that today?
5 - (Philippians 2:8) The Sovereign Became a Slave
Jesus washed men's feet. He touched lepers. He ate with tax collectors. He walked from place to place without material possessions. He was the Lord over all, yet became a servant to all. Are you following His example?
6 - (Philippians 2:9–11) Jesus Is God
The fact that 11 of Jesus' 12 disciples were martyred for their proclamation of Christ's Divinity should tell you two things: first, that Christ's Divine nature is absolutely foundational to Christianity; and second, that the world doesn't like it.
7 - (Philippians 2:12–13) The Truth About Our Tendencies
We are all different people. We have different tastes, hobbies, ambitions, and convictions. Our diversity is seen from the food we eat to the places we vacation. But in the midst of all this diversity, there are a few tendencies we share in common that hinder our spiritual growth and vitality. In this eye-opening look at Paul's exhortation to Philippian believers, Stephen exposes these tendencies and teaches us how to overcome them.
8 - (Philippians 2:14–15) Leaving the State of Discontent
Discontentment is a virus in the Church today. It travels on the winds of gossip, snuffing out joy in every heart it passes through. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:14-15 why it can have no place in a believer's life. How do we start shining as distinctive lights in our world? Stop grumbling and complaining about life and each other. The world knows how to do that too. And they’re watching . . . just how different are you from them?
9 - (Philippians 2:16–18) No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets
We'll never live a life without regrets if we aren't committed to living today without regrets. Paul shows us what that commitment looks like in Philippians 2:16-18.
10 - (Philippians 2:19–22) Satisfied with Second Place
Contrary to popular opinion, God's criterion for Church leaders isn't charisma, experience, eloquence, and education; it's humility.
11 - (Philippians 2:19) Making Plans in Pencil
Paul planned to visit Rome, but was instead imprisoned by Felix for two years. When he was finally allowed to leave, his ship capsized in Malta. Paul learned early in his ministry that 'the mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9).
12 - (Philippians 2:25–30) The Gambler
We don't learn much about Epaphroditus from Paul's letter to Philippi, but we learn enough to know how vital he was to Paul's ministry. Stephen introduces us to this unsung hero of the New Testament in this portion of his series, 'Humility.'