New Year: Live for Jesus

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is our final sermon in 2021. This sermon is ‘New Year: Live for Jesus’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Philippians 1:27-2:11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Philippians 1:27-2:11 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 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.In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature God,    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;rather, he made himself nothing    by taking the very nature of a servant,    being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man,    he humbled himself    by becoming obedient to death—        even death on a cross!Therefore God exalted him to the highest place    and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,    to the glory of God the Father. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you grow in BOTH your experience and expression of God’s love this Christmas? WARM-UP Do you have any New Year’s resolutions? How have you gone in the past with them? Do you think that this year will be any different? Why do you think the world puts so much emphasis on the New Year? Read Philippians 1:27-30 What does the word to ‘conduct’ mean? How are we made citizens of the gospel? What is the main emphasis in these verses? Why is unity important? Where have you seen this not lived out? Where have you seen it lived out effectively? If someone was to look in the windows at St Bart’s, what type of church would they see? What could disrupt our unity? How could we ensure that we stand firm together in the face of pressure from the world? What practical measures could we put in place? Read Philippians 2:1-11 From what basis does Paul urge us to live in humility? What would make his joy most complete? Does this mean that we all have to be the same in everything? Why/why not? What unites us? What is the rule of humility in living as one people? What happens when someone is not humble? What is the measure of humility that Paul references? How is this distinct from all other religions? In what specific ways has Jesus shown us humility? To what extent are we to be humble? How does the world view humility? Is it easier for us as Christians to show humility? Why/why not? Who should now be at the centre of our lives and object of our worship? In what ways is Jesus greater than all things? In the new year, what rhythms and patterns could help us grow as one and grow in humility? Apply In what ways could you grow in the knowledge of God and humility? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that you loved us so much that you would be so humble even to death on a cross. Help us as your people to be one, that the world may know of your love, and keep us from pride and selfish ambition. May we be a church that continues to make and mature disciples of you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What daily rhythm is going to help you live for Jesus in 2022? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Worthy of the Gospel” by Simon ManchesterAUDIO: “Adopt Jesus’ Death as the Test of Your Outlook” by Don CarsonAUDIO: “Humility” by John StottAUDIO: “Imitating the Incarnation” by Tim KellerBOOK: “Humilitas” by John DicksonARTICLE: “3 Bookmarks and a Bible” by Brian RosnerGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook