Become New with John Ortberg

11. Philippians 2 and the True Use of Privilege

Become New

Jesus, though in very nature God, did not cling to privilege but poured Himself out, becoming a servant. Paul lived this by refusing to claim his Roman citizenship until after suffering in prison, choosing solidarity with the powerless. Greatness in God’s kingdom is not about grasping but giving, not about climbing status ladders but coming down them. The “great inversion” is joyfully using gifts and privilege for others, not yourself.

00:00 — What does Philippians 2 teach about privilege?

00:28 — Did Jesus give up His privilege?

01:16 — Paul in Philippi: the backstory

02:35 — Why did Paul wait to claim Roman citizenship?

03:29 — How Roman society defined status and rank

04:26 — Who were the elites, citizens, and slaves?

05:46 — Why gold rings and togas signaled privilege

06:58 — How laws reinforced status in Rome

08:19 — Jesus’ great inversion: down, not up

09:03 — Why washing feet was shocking in Israel

10:00 — Paul chooses to suffer with the powerless

11:08 — How the church became a community of equals

12:03 — Give till it pinches: Lewis on generosity

12:24 — Why God has a thing for servers

13:00 — What the great inversion means for us today


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