Summer Concert Series Part 3

Message Review

Main points and scriptures from this week's message. 

Thank you to all those who voted for which songs we would be using to develop our weekend messages during the Summer Concert Series. This week, for Celebrate America Weekend, we went country. This week's song is "Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw.

The message of this song is a message all of us need to hear. It’s a reminder to consider others…. To acknowledge that life does not revolve around me...that no matter what successes we achieve, we should not forget the power of humility and kindness.

We are celebrating America this weekend, which is great to celebrate all that we have accomplished and how far we have come, but we still have a lot of work to do, because American culture is plagued with a "me first" attitude. 

PHILIPPIANS 2:3–11 (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. 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.

I’ve picked a few lines from the lyrics of this song to talk about:

1) "I know you got mountains to climb, but always stay humble and kind."

• Kindness is being friendly, generous, and considerate.  It is impossible to be kind without humility.
• Humility is the absence of self. It keeps the view of our own importance in perspective.  

The book of Proverbs describes the work of humility in our lives:

Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 

Proverbs 18:12 (NIV)
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4 (NIV)
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

2) Don’t hold a grudge or a chip and here’s why: bitterness keeps you from flyin’ 

When our son Christian was in the 6th grade, his Dad was asked to help coach his football team. After the season was over,  the coach was asked to step down, and my husband was asked to take on the head coaching role. This team had played together for 3 years….let’s just say, not everyone likes change! There were a few parents that took serious issue with the coaching change and the adjustments in their son’s playing time on the field. Unfortunately the parent's attitude about the issue escalated, until they shouted highly public insults at my husband, our son and me.  One family went as far as attempting to physically assault my husband and me. 

While I have despised walking through this for the past 5 years, it has been incredibly good for me.  So many times I have wanted to check my Christianity at the door and let them know what I really think about them!  Instead I have forced a smile, said hello when I really wanted to say something else, and not allowed them to bring out the worst in me. It would be so easy for me to develop a grudge over this, but there’s no way I am giving them that kind of power. 

Look at the example of Jesus:

Philippians 2:6–7 (NIV)
Being in his very nature God, he 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.

We see here from Jesus, that humility comes before honor. 

3) When you get where you’re goin’ don’t forget to turn back around and help the next one in line.

Philippians 2:3–5 (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. In your relationships, with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

Helping the next one in line will not happen if you are not intentional. 

4) You know there’s a light that glows by the front door and a key under the mat.

Everyone wants to know that no matter what comes our way in life, I have a place that I belong, a place with people who love me and will welcome me.

With God you are always welcome home, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been gone, how far away you may be, or how much you may have failed living a life that honors HIM.

Message Discussion Questions

The following questions will help guide your discussions and give your group some opportunities to open up and share.

• What are some situations you have been in recently where it was a challenge to remain humble and kind?
• In what ways or in what relationships do you struggle with the "me first" attitude. 
• What is one way that you can begin to put others first, rather than "me first"?
• Have you ever let a grudge creep into your life?
• Have you ever turned around and help the "next one in line"? How did it make you feel?
• How does God view that person that you know that is angry and bitter towards you? Does God earnestly desire that person to come home as well? 

Live It Out

Encourage your group to start doing. Commit to a step, and live it out this week.

• Think of one person in your life that could use a "hand up". And this week do at least one practical thing to help them. 
• Think of one person in your world that you do not like and have disagreements towards. In your journal write down how God feels about that person. 
• Begin to ask God in your prayers for humility and kindness to be part of your personality and character. 

Closing Thoughts

• Finish group with prayer requests and praise reports.
• More resources always available here: Small Group Resources