November 27, 2022 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

By Pastor Immanuel Garcera

God Came Down: True Humility

During the Christmas season, one of the things I’ve come to enjoy is the common motivation for people to give. Even when they’re not inclined to give typically, something about this season moves them to be more generous than usual. But then I start to wonder, “Why are we more inclined to give only during the Christmas season?”

I ask this because I truly believe one of the main attributes of God in Jesus Christ is His selfless humility. Yet, even we, who call ourselves believers, have a hard time being consistent in our selflessness towards others in humility. Even in our everyday conversations, I saw a study that said the average person listens only 14 seconds before talking. Even then, most people (90%), while listening to others are formulating responses in their heads! What is it about our nature that makes it so hard to look after someone else’s interests and well-being, than ourselves? Philippians 2:3-4 reads:

“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.”

These are the verses preceding our main passage for today’s sermon. Even in the early days of the church, leaders have had to remind the people to be selfless, and I believe we all know why. It’s difficult to be selfless. Especially when we feel entitled to look after ourselves, consider ourselves to be right, or whatever reason you can think of. Yet, the Bible tells us to “count others more significant than you”. What would this look like in our families? In our friendships? In our schools or workplaces?

Church, we are called to be selfless all days of the year. As we continue our Christmas Advent sermon series on why Jesus came to earth, let’s follow His example, and may humility be our gift to others and look to their interests and well-being first before our own.

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!