Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
“The Church must always remain a dialogue, and never an imposition of it’s own convictions and methods. Propose, not impose. To serve, and not to dominate.”
Cláudio Hummes (1934-2022).
Yesterday, in our prayer time in Petrópolis, every ministry shared a summary of their work and everyone prayed for everyone else. It was a powerful time.
A brother prayed over me and specifically thanked God for my humble posture of service and prayed for me to be able to remain in that posture perpetually. In my heart, I said, “Amen!”
As God blesses us or grants us favor, we must give thanks and cast any accolades or crowns, any compliments or commendations, back to the feet of Jesus who modeled humility for us.
In our time together, Patrick Johnson of GenerousChurch read Philippians 2:5-11 and celebrated the example of Jesus and His humility. Read it.
“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.”
This prayer time in Petrópolis and this Scripture have reminded me that generous service takes the posture of humility. As I begin the work on my third trip to Brazil with strategic program work in Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, and São Paulo, I do so with this verse on my lips.
“Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you” 2 Corinthians 12:14a. I am here a third time not because I want anything from the Brazilian people. I want them! Pray with me for humble receptive hearts.
And pray for me as I prepare sermons and slide decks. My Sunday went from open to preach at the two largest evangelical churches in Rio de Janeiro, serving 1,500 and 9,000 members respectively. I will propose the way to live and aim to serve them with humility.