Message Title: Attitude of Adaptability
Theme: Imposter Syndrome: Philippians Series
Season: Ordinary
Main Text: Philippians 2:1-13
Scripture Reading: Psalm 78:1-4
RCL Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25:1-9; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32
Focus: Paul continues to give instructions on living like Christ.
Function: To act like Christ is to embrace humility, teachability, and obedience (especially when it challenges the way we think).
Other Notes: COMMUNION
SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 78:1-4 Listen, my people, to my teaching; tilt your ears toward the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth with a proverb. I’ll declare riddles from days long gone— 3ones that we’ve heard and learned about, ones that our ancestors told us. 4 We won’t hide them from their descendants; we’ll tell the next generation all about the praise due the Lord and his strength—the wondrous works God has done.
INTRODUCTION:
- AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Who can tell me the plot of Remember the Titans? (Denzel Washington, 2000) also is anyone offended that this movie came out nearly 25 years ago?
- What transformed the team? During training, they learned to see each other as humans, as equals, as a team and some even as family.
- When they returned from training camp, they had to face reality of the societal pressures to follow the status quo of segregation or to comply with integrating as the law required. Things got uncomfortable and even painful on the field, in the classroom, and on the streets.
- integration
TRANSITION: last week imposters vs. imitators of Christ
- Continuation of the instructions from last week. As we read, we will continue to search out instructions Paul gave the Philippians.
- Undoing imposter gospel like undoing segregation in RTT
MAIN TEXT: Philippians 2:1-13 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, 2 complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other. 3 Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. 4 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. 5 Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus: 6 Though he was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit. 7 But he emptied himself by taking the form of a slave and by becoming like human beings. When he found himself in the form of a human, 8he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God highly honored him and gave him a name above all names, 10so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.12 Therefore, my loved ones, just as you always obey me, not just when I am present but now even more while I am away, carry out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes.
EXPLAINATION/INTERPRETATION:
- AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Notes of instructions CONTINUED
- Reiterates unity, Humility, Community
- Attitude of Christ – obedient & humble, not exploiting their position of power/privilege
- Be obedient even when no one is watching
- Encouragement:
- God helps you do these things (Prayer: Help me to want what you want.)
- AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Reword Paul’s instructions
- Don’t be a jerk
- Stay connected to community for support and accountability
- Fight against pride in thinking you have faith all figured out
- Pray that God still surprises you through scripture and through others
APPLICATION: To act like Christ is to embrace humility, teachability, and obedience (especially when it challenges the way we think).
Undo the imposters message
- The imposter message is still prevalent today
- TWO TYPES OF “CHRISITIAN” PROTESTORS: Westboro & the “angels”
- Both have pride that they are 100% right to be the spokesperson of God. One is speaking of hate, judgement, and condemnation. The other is speaking of love, grace, and inclusion.
- Which message matches the entirety of scripture? Impostors or imitators?
- TWO TYPES OF “CHRISITIAN” PROTESTORS: Westboro & the “angels”
- Many of us come from backgrounds where language and mindsets are not challenged. You respect your elders and just let sleeping dogs lie. Don’t question the lessons of our elders. BUT when we aren’t allowed to critically examine the lessons we inherit, we are bound to repeat the mistakes and sins of the past: Slavery, Women’s right to vote, Segregation & Jim Crowe were all part of the church’s recent past.
- Desegregation started in 1954. On September 25, 1957, under federal troop escort, the Little Rock Nine made it inside for their first full day of school. Ruby Bridges is 69 years old. SIXTY NINE! She’s still alive! This is our CURRENT past. Christians used scripture to support segregation and treating people of color as second rate citizens. We’re still unlearning the evils of our past.
- Further Reading: The Cross & The Lynching Tree – James Cone
- Desegregation started in 1954. On September 25, 1957, under federal troop escort, the Little Rock Nine made it inside for their first full day of school. Ruby Bridges is 69 years old. SIXTY NINE! She’s still alive! This is our CURRENT past. Christians used scripture to support segregation and treating people of color as second rate citizens. We’re still unlearning the evils of our past.
- The false teachers that chased Paul around trying to change his message did not take time to reflect on the possibility that God could be surprising them in a new way. They refused to see God doing something new. Are we closed minded to God doing new things? Preconceived ideas
- Test the lessons of the past against scripture
- As we actively seek out embodying Christ, we need to Undo prideful/bigoted thoughts:
Challenge your own assumptions and stereotypes.We all have unconscious biases, so bring awareness to yours and question why you feel the way you do about certain groups. – take time to pause and pray when you feel uncomfortable about a teaching, interpretation, or differing individual.
Expose yourself to new perspectives.Hearing their stories can increase empathy. – fall in love with the world like God loves the world. Look at people like God does. Search for God’s image in them.
Check your language and humor.Avoid telling jokes or using words that perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Language matters, so be thoughtful. – I know this sounds like fun-killing BUT if our goal is to imitate Christ, we will want to change the way we speak. Know better, do better.
Speak up respectfully.Push back thoughtfully by asking questions, sharing facts, and appealing to their sense of fairness. – don’t let things slide. Find the time to speak out against skewed versions of Jesus.
- In Holy Envy, Barbara Brown Taylor talked about the importance of connecting with people of others faiths and cultures. These relationships didn’t ruin her faith but strengthened her resolve on her beliefs.
CONCLUSION: Our faith is not threatened by the existence of people different from ourselves. While we cling to Christian community for support, imitating Christ, we are called to be IN THE WORLD. Engage with the world, BE God’s love while you stand firm in your faith with humility, adaptability, and obedience to Christ.
Embody the attitude of Christ. Lean on God to help you adjust your attitude.
(stay accountable for your actions)
COMMUNION: