Philippians 2:1-4, 5-11, 12-18
How can I stop division?
What is humility?
Humility is not thinking LESS of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself LESS.
How do I gain humility?
- Count others as more significant than yourself.
- Look to Jesus.
Matthew 16:21-23, 24-28
Peter’s Letdown
Identity and Letdown
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.” (The Message)
“The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world. It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ. As we embark upon discipleship, we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with His death—we give over our lives to death. Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die. It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow Him, or it may be a death like Luther’s, who had to leave the monastery and go out into the world. But it is the same death every time—death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Matthew 16:13-14
Matthew 16:15-16
Matthew 16:16-18
Matthew 16:19
John 20:22-23
Matthew 16:20
We have a God who is incarnational.
Matthew 15:21-23, 24-28
Matthew 4:24
Jesus was testing her.
Jesus changed His mind.
Jesus was revealing the fullness of His ministry.
Matthew 14:22-28, 29-33
Was Jesus chastising Peter?
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Psalm 106:7-10
Matthew 14:13-16, 17-21
You feed them.
Jesus provides our daily bread.
Never underestimate what God can do with something insignificant.
God Provides In Death
Acts 17:16-22, 23-28, 29-34
Cultural in Paul’s time
Paul’s consuming motivation:
- He knew God’s truth
- He was constrained by God’s love
- He was jealous for God’s glory
Paul’s message is Christ-centered
Paul’s communication method:
- General observation – vv. 16, 22-23
- Religious conversation – v. 17
- Intellectual comprehension – vv. 18, 28
- Pointed confrontation – vv. 18, 23
- Gospel presentation – vv. 18, 24-31
- Personal invitation – vv. 30, 34
Our commission and mandate:
- Be certain of what you believe
- Be aware of what others believe
- Be prepared to share
- Be sensitive to the Spirit of God
- Be faithful
Romans 8:18-23, 24-27
If you are a Christian, expect suffering.
The Now and The Not Yet
Our Hope Is NOT Heaven, It’s Thy Kingdom Come
How can the Spirit groan?
How can I get hope right now?
May God’s passion for this world become your passion.
Comfort and Encouragement
2 Corinthians 1:1-7 NIV
- Barnabas was a generous giver.
- Barnabas was a faithful friend.
- Barnabas was a committed encourager.
- Barnabas was a forgiving brother.
Our ultimate encouragement is Jesus Christ.
Matthew 4:17-22
As the seed of your self unfolds, so does the bloom of who God is changing you to be.
- Start with Identity (where you will be planted)
- Figure out your routine (when will you get watered)
- Embrace dull consistency (plants need sunshine)
- What about when you wither?