Real Joy: Descending Into Greatness Part 1

Real Joy: Descending into Greatness   Part 1
Philippians 2:1-11  
Page # 1175
6-8-14

I. Descending into greatness includes receiving

1. His encouragement  

Mark 10:45 - “…For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Hebrews 13:5 - “…for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ ”

Matthew 16:18 – “I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

John 21:12 - “Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.”

Luke 8:4-8 - “…The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road… other seed fell on rocky soil…, other seed fell among the thorns… other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.”

Luke 12:37 - “The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat.”

Luke 22:29-30 – “…as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Matthew 25:21 - “…Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Romans 15:1 – “We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak in order to build them up in the faith.”

2. His agape love                 

Matthew 22:37-39 – “And He said…, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind…The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

3. His fellowship        

John 16:13-14 – “…the Spirit of truth will guide you into all the truth… He will glorify Me …”

4. His affection and mercies    

Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

II. Results of descending into greatness:

1. Walking in oneness.
    
2. Valuing one another. 
 
3. Serving one another.  

Faith Sheet  
Transformation Verse - “He who believes in the Son has eternal life.” John 3:36

Main Points: Humility means “joyous lowliness of mind.” It is more of an attitude than a physical posture. Descending into greatness is the only way to be truly great. Trusting the Father, Son and Spirit to first serve us motivates us to humbly serve others. In Matthew 20:26-27 Jesus says, “…whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave.”

#1- Reviewing this past Sunday  

1. Read Philippians 2:1-4. Discuss the message with someone.
2. What causes most of the disunity and fights in your home? Work? School? Church?
3. Read Mark 9:35. In what specific ways could you put this truth into practice where God has placed you?
4. John Calvin said, “It is evident that a man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he has previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself.”       Spend some time alone or with someone focusing on God’s greatness, holiness and also His love displayed through Christ and His cross. Ask God to increase your true Christ-like humility.

# 2- Preparing for next Sunday

Descending into Greatness   Part 2
1. Read Philippians 2:1-11. What stands out to you?
2. What one great characteristic are all believers to possess? (5)
3. What did Jesus put aside or “veil” to come here to earth? (6-8)
4. Mediate on verse 8 and then answer: What does this say about God’s plan of salvation and His love for His people?
5. What will we all see and hear in the near future? (9-11) Will you be making this confession with joy or with reluctance?