On Sunday, 29 January 2006, we looked at Phil 2:1-12 under the title, Follow his lead in true humility.
If God has touched you then be united with one another by humbling yourselves like Jesus.
1. Has God touched you?
Have you felt the encouragement of uniting with Christ, the consolation of his love, fellowship with the Spirit, his tenderness and compassion?
We looked at George Fox's journal where he gives an account of the love of God changing him. You can read his journal at
2. Be united among yourselves
We looked at Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions. Here they are:
1. In all our conversation, concerns and dealings with our neighbours we will be honest, just and upright.
2. If we wrong others in any way we will not rest until we have made restitution.
3. We promise that we will not permit ourselves to indulge in any kind of back-biting.
4. We will be careful not to do anything to others out of a spirit of revenge.
5. When there is a difference of opinion concerning another’s rights, we will not allow private interest to influence us.
6. We will not tolerate the exercise of enmity or ill will or revenge in our hearts.
7. If we find that we have a secret grudge against another we will not gratify it but root it out.
8. We will not allow over-familiarity in our talk with others, or anything that might stir up licentious behaviour.
9. We resolve to examine ourselves on a regular basis, knowing that the heart is very deceitful.
10. We will run with perseverance the race that is set before us, working out our salvation with fear and trembling.
2. If we wrong others in any way we will not rest until we have made restitution.
3. We promise that we will not permit ourselves to indulge in any kind of back-biting.
4. We will be careful not to do anything to others out of a spirit of revenge.
5. When there is a difference of opinion concerning another’s rights, we will not allow private interest to influence us.
6. We will not tolerate the exercise of enmity or ill will or revenge in our hearts.
7. If we find that we have a secret grudge against another we will not gratify it but root it out.
8. We will not allow over-familiarity in our talk with others, or anything that might stir up licentious behaviour.
9. We resolve to examine ourselves on a regular basis, knowing that the heart is very deceitful.
10. We will run with perseverance the race that is set before us, working out our salvation with fear and trembling.
This covenant was made on 16 March 1742
3. Humble yourselves
It's not a “What’s in it for me” spirit or a “Look at me, am I not great” spirit. Humility is about not having the need to blow your own trumpet. Shine the spotlight on others.
4. Let this thinking be in you that was also in Christ Jesus
We looked at this profound Christian hymn, full of deep truth. We considered different photo filters which bring out different elements to it.
It looks like Jesus and Adam are being compared. Jesus does what Adam couldn't.
It looks like Jesus is being described in the language of the suffering servant in Isaiah.
It looks like Paul might have had Jesus' example of washing his followers' feet in mind.
Paul's got his eyes on Christ and is working out what it means to be united with him, identified with him, having his life in us: being like him.
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