The Way Up Is Down
🎥 This Week’s Sermon Moment
He Chose the Towel Over the Title
Timestamp: 01:16:15 – 01:17:20
He chose the towel over the title, the servant’s place over status, and the cross before the crown.
This clip captures the heart of the message as Dr. Jones explains how Jesus chose the towel over the title and calls believers to sacrificial living instead of self-seeking status.
The Way Up Is Down
Text: Philippians 2:1-11
In this message from Philippians 2, we are reminded that as believers, our citizenship is in heaven. Just as the Philippians lived in one place but belonged to Rome, we live on earth but belong to the kingdom of God. Our identity, loyalty, and conduct must be shaped by a kingdom we have not yet seen.
Humility: The Heart of Heavenly Citizens
Paul calls the church to unity, love, and humility. Because we have encouragement in Christ, comfort in His love, and fellowship in the Spirit, we are to reject selfish ambition and the need to impress others. Humility values others above self and seeks their good.
Pride hinders God’s purpose. It disrupts unity and keeps us from serving as Christ served. We are called to surrender pride daily and to adopt the mind of Christ.
Humiliation: The Habit of Heaven’s King
Jesus, though fully God, did not cling to His divine privileges. He emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, and humbled Himself in obedience to the Father—even to death on a cross.
The cross was painful, public, and shameful. Yet Christ embraced it for us. He chose the towel over the title and the cross before the crown. The Creator served the created so that sinners could be saved.
Honor: The Height of Heaven’s King
Because Christ humbled Himself, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
In God’s order, humility comes before honor. We do not have to grasp for glory. God lifts the humble in His time.
A Call to Respond
The way up is down. Bow to Jesus willingly. Surrender pride, bitterness, and the pursuit of status. Follow the humble Savior and trust the exalted King.
As citizens of heaven, let us walk humbly on this earth until we see Him face to face.
