Friends in Christ

Home

Weekly Messages About Us Spiritual Practice Handouts
Facebook logo Friends in Christ on Facebook

Site Map

Contact Us

PicoSearch


Search this site



Friends in Christ Weekly Message
October 28, 2005

     Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
Matthew 23:11-12 (Message*)

In our culture, people are accustomed to the practice of making oneself seem important in order to get ahead. Self promotion is commonplace. But this is not what Jesus teaches us.

Instead of seeking positions of prominence, Jesus suggests we take on the role of a servant. He urges us to humbly serve others, leading by example rather than self promotion.

Jesus warns us that if we try to build up an image of ourselves, we will get knocked down. It is difficult to maintain an image which is not an accurate picture of ourselves, but it is easy to just be ourselves. We can't be knocked off a pedestal if we don't get on one. And by living authentic lives, our lives will have meaning.

We can profitably meditate on these words of Jesus, using them to examine our lives. Do I humbly serve others rather than seek positions of prominence? Do I avoid trying to project a false image of myself, and simply live authentically?

Bill Samuel

* The Message version ©2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.

©2005 Friends in Christ, Inc.

Previous Message

Go to previous message
Chronological list of messages

List of messages by scriptural references
Next Message

Go to next message

Friends in Christ
11445 Neelsville Church Road
Germantown, MD 20876-4145
E-mail fic@friendsinchrist.net

br>
Home . Weekly Message . Bible Study groups . Site Map
Values . Who We Are . What People Say About Us
Open Worship . Using the Bible. Silence
Jesus Prayer . St. Patrick's Breastplate
Contact Us . Support Us

Google
 
Web www.friendsinchrist.net
Document last modified on Saturday, 05-Nov-2005 19:12:51 EST