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lesson 2

 

EMPTYING SELF

 

 

I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS

                1. Philippians 2:6-7 - Emptying self is the first step in living a life worthy of the Gospel.

                2. Philippians 2:6-11 - Jesus' life and death defines what it means to empty yourself:

                                a. He didn't let his special relationship with God keep Him from people - 2:6-7.

                                b. He gave up his status/high position and became human - 2:7.

                                c. He gave up his equality with people, becoming a servant - 2:7.

                                d. He gave up his equality with servants, dying for mankind - 2:8.

                3. Philippians 2:9-11 - Each time he emptied himself, God filled or lifted him:

                                a. At birth - Matthew 1:18,20-21.

                                b. At the beginning of his ministry - Luke 3:21-22, 4:1-2.

                                c. During his ministry - John 3:34-35.

                                d. During his trials - Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:42-43.

                                e. Even after death! - Philippians 2:9-11.

 

 

II. MAIN THEME - Emptying self is something anyone can do, in Christ.

                1. Peter, a lower class, uneducated fisherman emptied himself by:

                       a. Leaving his job and becoming a disciple - Mark 1:16-17.

                       b. Obeying the "foolish" fishing commands of a carpenter (despite being a

                                  professional fisherman) - Luke 5:3-6.

                       c. Recognizing and speaking out loud his own inability and sin - Luke 5:5, 8.

                       d. Teaching what he could do was through Jesus, not his own ability or power -

                                  Acts 3:6-7,12-13.

                2. Paul, an upper class, highly educated Jew emptied himself by:

                       a. Giving up equality with his fellow Jewish leaders - Philippians 3:4-7.

                       b. Giving up the right to all physical things - Philippians 3:8.

                       c. Giving up his personal rights - 1 Corinthians 8-9.

                       d. Considering himself dead - Galatians 2:20.

 

 

III. APPLICATION

                1. Obey Jesus and others call to empty yourself - Luke 9:23-24; Philippians 2:5-7.

                2. Don't let your relationship with God separate you from the people God wants to

                    reach- 1 Corinthians 5:9-10.

                3. Recognize you are what you are by the grace of God, so work hard for people -

            1 Corinthians 15:9-10.

                4. Be and do what others need you to be and do - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

                5. Remember, as you empty yourself, God will fill and raise you up -

                    Philippians 1:6, 2:13, 3:20-21, 4:13.

 

 

IV. MEMORY VERSE - Philippians 2:7

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