02-28-2021
02-28-2021
Rev. Trevor Johnston (East, West and Online), Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Descending Into Greatness
Week 2: Who?
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
1. We have a longer Scripture memory passage than usual for this series, but we encourage you to try to memorize it. Philippians 2:5-11: “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.”
2. Last week we learned that humility was not always considered a virtue. In fact, historians who have studied this say that humility first began to be thought of as something positive because of Jesus. Pastor Trevor said that the Philippians passage above is V-shaped. What did he mean by that?
WHO is JESUS?
3. Philippians 2 claims that Jesus – a human being who lived 2,000 years ago – was actually God, who existed before he was born as a baby. This is a core belief of the Christian faith, but it is also a very strange claim for Jesus to make. Normally, we would consider anyone who says something like this to be a cult leader or a con-artist. Read the following Scriptures, and discuss how each one supports this claim.
· 2 Peter 1:1: “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours….”
· Titus 2:13: “…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ….”
· John 20:28-29: “Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”
· Mark 14:61b-62: “But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”
4. In Philippians 2:6-11, Paul is quoting the lyrics of a Christian song that was written before the end of the 30’s A.D. – less than 10 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. How does the existence and date of this song strengthen our confidence that Jesus was actually was who he said he was – God in human flesh?
5. If a man who lived 2,000 years ago actually was God, what difference does it make? Why would that matter for us today?
6. Since Jesus was God, you might wonder how we can be expected to have the same mindset he had. Danielle Strickland said, “Humility is agreeing with God about who I am.” What did she mean by that?
WHO am I?
· I am created by God in His image.
7. Of all God’s creation, only humans were made in God’s image. What are some implications of being made in God’s image?
8. Pastor Trevor said that humility begins with dignity. When a person struggles with feeling worthless, how are they likely to treat other people?
· I am not God.
9. Why is it important to remember that we are not God? What happens when we forget that we are not God?
· I am loved by God.
10. Read Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” How can the knowledge that God loves you this much (and loved you even while you were sinning) help you grow in humility?
11. Pastor Trevor said that the reason Jesus lowered himself to the lowest place is because that’s where we were. Think of the lowest moment you can remember in your life. How does it feel to know that Jesus was/is there with you in that place?
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