Humility

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:1‭-‬11 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Meaning of humility 

Humility is not selfish ambition. There were opponents to Paul who were preaching for selfish gain. We are called to look to the interest of others. This is not telling us to self care is unnecessary, but it is not just solely about self. 

Model of humility 

Motivation of humility 

Manner of Life Worthy of the Gospel

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1:27‭-‬30 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

Citizens of heaven

We are to act as citizens of heaven. People should be able to look at our lives and see that we belong to God. Just like when people from other countries come here clearly stand out, so our lifestyle should reflect where we belong.

Expectation of opposition

We should live expecting opposition for our faith in God and lifting up the Bible as truth. Christians should not expect a life of utmost comfort but rather harsh criticism and even physical persecution. But this is an honor, it is an honor to share in Christ' sufferings. Because Jesus suffered not just harsh criticism, but even persecuted to death. Jesus has walked this path first. He has started the redemption of all things and calls us to follow him in the restoration of all things.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, - Philippians 1:3‭-‬18 ESV

Rev. Travis Drake

Paul is imprisoned in jail on a false charge of inciting rioting. He has appealed to the very top, the emperor of Rome, to decide on this matter. This is a pivotal point for Christians of that day and age. Paul is a central figure of the faith and he was about to see what Rome thought of the religion of following Jesus. And in this context, the followers of Jesus dared to share the gospel. How is this so?

Paul is focused on the sharing of the gospel. That no matter what's going on, he rejoices that the gospel is preached. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the proof of our future hope. That we will rise again renewed, restored, and whole again. 

How the gospel moves thru adversity

Gospel moves not because we can do it. It isn't by our willpower. We need God's empowerment. We cannot rely on our own strength or our works. God started the good work in us and he will complete it. We don't have to figure it out. We just need to move with God.