Sunday, January 15th, 2006

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CONSIDER OTHERS BETTER THAN YOURSELF

1 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. 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.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himselfand became 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 confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Phil. 2:1-11 (NIV)

Two relationship killers:
1. Selfish ambition “What will I GET?"

2. Vain conceit “How will I LOOK?"

Jesus’ definition of humility is not “Consider yourself worse than others.” His definition of humility is “Consider others better than yourself.”

In Order to ACT like others are more important you must:

GIVE YOUR RIGHTS AWAY!
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also…” Matthew 5:38-39

The legal way of righting wrongs: VENGENCE
“An eye for an eye…” (Ex. 21:23-25; Lev. 24:19-20; Deut. 19:21)

Jesus’ way of righting relationships: MEEKNESS
“Do not resist an evil person.”

Jesus applies Principle #2 in three practical ways:
1. If someone slaps you on the right cheek: In the case of an insult.

Respond by turning the other cheek: VULNERABILITY.

2. If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic: In the case of a dispute.

Resond by letting him have your cloak: MEEKNESS.

3. If someone forces you to go one mile: In the case of demands.

Respond by going with him two: SERVICE.

What are 3 or 4 common ways that people in our day try to take from one another?


The ultimate expression of giving your rights: (Matt 5:43-48)
· Love your enemies.
· Pray for those who persecute you.