CELL NOTES 1/2/10

ICE BREAKER

What is the best thing that has happened to you in the last week?

THEME 

Like Christ

Reading; Phil 2 : 1 - 11

SERMON OUTLINE 

1) Remember last week’s memory verse? It’s in today’s passage – v 5

2) Attitude is a vital matter. A Christ-like attitude, and willingness to allow other people’s ideas and preferences to take precedence over ours is vital for a united church.

3) The Millionaires in “The Secret Millionaire” try to gain an understating of the lives of others.

4) Writing from prison, rather than bemoaning his lot, Paul makes a strong appeal for unity.

5) Within churches we will not agree about everything, or share the same preferences in a host of ways, but we can share the same attitude towards each other, and a common aim in sharing the good news.

6) What unites? A common experience of the work of Christ in our lives.

7) In practice disagreement can happen easily , often because we are too busy justifying our position, irrespective if the impact this may have on theirs.

8) Wrong attitudes include “selfish ambition” (i.e. success at somebody else’s expense), and prioritising the impression we make on others.

9) We are urged to be humble – not denying our gifts, but putting the needs and opinions of others before our own.

10) Jesus measures greatness in terms of service, as described in the ancient hymn which forms vv6 - 11. He calls us to downward mobility, and a laying aside of rights, to serve Him and each other.

QUESTIONS OF APPLICATION  

1) Reading between the lines, what do you think concerned Paul about the church at Philippi?

2) How does humility differ from being a doormat?

3) How do you balance meeting the needs of others with meeting you own needs?

4) What rights may I be called to lay aside?

5) How do you balance holding to something you hold dear with the impact that may have when others see things very differently?