HOW LOW WILL YOU GO?

Philippians 2:1-2 (ESV)

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 one mind.

Philippians 2:3-5

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.

Philippians 2:6-8

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.

Philippians 2:9-11

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.

A worshipping community reaching the world.

An intergenerational, multicultural army of Spirit-filled worshippers who know their identity in Christ and walk in His authority and power.

Daniel 11:32b (NKJV)

The people who know their God, shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

He has great things for us in 2023, but we must say “no” to the flesh and “yes” to the Spirit.

Philippians 2:5 (NKJV)

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

The Holy Spirit wants to help us grow in the mind of Christ, the attitude of a servant, and the heart of humility.

How do we walk in the humility of Christ in 2023?

1. Go Lower

Philippians 2:5 (AMP)

Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility].

Philippians 2:6-7

Who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] – Jesus didn’t cling to His heavenly position, He emptied Himself, lowered Himself, left Heaven’s glory, took on human flesh, He entered our world of darkness.

We cannot comprehend the descent of the Son of God. He went low for us.

How low will we go?

A. Low enough to say I am sorry.

B. Low enough to say I was wrong.

C. Low enough to repent before God and to repent before the people we love.

2. Take Up the Towel

Philippians 2:7b

By assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man].

Taking the form of a bondservant.

Jesus the divine Son of God, took on not only human flesh but took the form of a servant.

Mark 10:43-45 (NLT)

But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Joy Church 2023: Tier Up Leadership

Everyone stepping out to expand their leadership.

Worshipping community, reaching the world, here are three areas where you can tier up.

“Your comfort zone has everything except your calling. Are you going to step out of your comfort zone this year?” – Rich Wilkerson Jr.

John 13 – Jesus literally takes up the servant’s towel and washes the disciples’ feet.

Jesus said, “I have done this as an example for you.”

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

“Leaders add value by serving others.” – Maxwell

3. Say Yes

We want to say “yes” to the Holy Spirit.

We want to say “no” to the flesh.

Philippians 2:8 (NKJV)

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

To walk into all the Lord has for us in 2023, we must say “no” to the flesh, die to the flesh, and say “yes” to the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I will do whatever You ask me to do in 2023.

Lord, I will say whatever You want me to say in 2023.

Lord, I will do whatever You want me to do in 2023.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is one area of your life in which the Holy Spirit wants you to say no to the flesh and yes to the Holy Spirit?

2. Where do you need to go low right now in your life? Are you willing?

3. Is there a relationship in your life, in which going low could help bring healing or breakthrough?

4. What is one way you can be a better servant in your family, your work, your ministry?

5. Will you say “yes” to what the Holy Spirit wants to do in you and through you in 2023?