03-07-2021
03-07-2021
Dr. E. Dale Locke (West & Online), Rev. Trevor Johnston (East), Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Sermon Series: Descending Into Greatness
Week 3: What?
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. Why do you think the show “Undercover Boss” is so popular?
3. We’re focusing today on vs. 6-7a. There’s an essential truth here that many Christians miss. Many think that in spite of the fact that Jesus was God, he made himself nothing. But it’s actually because of the fact that Jesus was God, that he made himself nothing. What’s the difference between these two ideas, and why does it matter?
4. Paul says in Romans 2:4 that it’s the kindness of God that leads people to repentance. This is one of COH’s core values. If you asked an unchurched person their opinion about what God uses to lead people to repentance, what would you expect them to say?
5. The words in Philippians 2:7 “he made himself nothing” is actually the Greek word “kenosis” which means Jesus “emptied himself.” Of what did Jesus empty himself?
6. Read Hebrews 2:14-18: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Why was important that Jesus set aside all of the advantages that he had as God as he came to live on earth?
7. How do we imitate Jesus in this? What would it look like for a person to have Jesus’ mindset as described here?
8. Pastor Dale said that we all struggle with some degree of narcissism. What is narcissism, and why do so many of us struggle with it?
9. Richard Foster writes in his book Celebration of Discipline: “More than any other single way, the grace of humility is worked into our lives through the discipline of serving one another….” What did he mean by that? If you’ve ever seen an example of this principle, share about it with your group.
Two Types of Serving Help Us Become More Like Jesus:
The Mundane:
10. Pastor Kevin Queen said: “I used to think about doing great things for God, but as I’ve grown, I now feel like I want to do things for a great God.” What did he mean by this?
The Hidden:
11. Jesus said in Matthew 6:3: “Don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.” Why did Jesus say that?
12. Richard Foster wrote: “Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service, and nothing transforms the desires of the flesh like serving in hiddenness. It’s the flesh that whines against service, but it screams in hidden service. It strains and pulls for honor and recognition.”
What do you think of what Richard Foster said here?
Question to consider on your own: What are you doing for the Lord that no one will ever know about?
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· Prayer Night - Thursday, March 25 at 7pm: Join us as we ask God to work in our church and especially in all of our Easter outreach. The West Campus event will be in English. The East Campus event will be in Spanish. We will worship together, and our primary focus will be on group prayer and intercession.
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