The Upside Down Way of Christ
As we kicked off a new sermon series in the book of Philippians called “The Way Up Is Down,” Jamey Codding showed us how Jesus turns value systems upside down. In the Beatitudes he calls the poor in spirit, the meek, and the persecuted blessed, and then says, rejoice and be glad. He keeps flipping the script. Anger counts as murder. Lust counts as adultery. Enemies must be loved and prayed for. He does not just say it. He lives it. He eats with sinners, touches lepers, includes women as disciples, washes feet, and lets betrayal and a Roman cross do their worst while he serves rather than being served.
Key Takeaways
– The way up is down
This paradox names Jesus’ economy. Honor comes through humility, greatness through service, and life through dying to self. God does the exalting in his time, so a disciple stops curating image and starts washing feet. Hidden obedience becomes the place God loves to fill with his presence.
– Joy runs through chains and choices
Paul’s joy is not denial of pain but confidence in Christ whether life or death. The Spirit’s provision reframes prison as platform and trial as testimony. When Christ is the center, outcomes stop ruling the heart, and courage returns to ordinary days.
– Human heroes fade; Jesus does not
Admiration built on image cracks under proximity, but intimacy with Jesus only deepens awe. There are no skeletons in his closet, only surprises that stretch comfort and enlarge trust. The more one knows him, the more one is changed into his likeness.
– Knowing Christ costs suffering and self
Resurrection power is known along the road of sharing his sufferings. Pain does not become good, but it becomes holy ground where Christ’s nearness is learned by heart. Death to self frees love to spend and be spent without needing to be seen.
– Press on; reject complacency
Arrival is a mirage, so the disciple keeps reaching for the one who first reached for them. Forgetting past wins and wounds, the heart leans forward by the Spirit’s strength. The prize is Christ himself, and pursuit is the shape of love.
Reflection Questions
- Paul’s life ambition was to “know Christ” more deeply (Philippians 3:10). What habits or choices could help prioritize relational intimacy with Jesus over checking off religious duties?
- In what area of your life (career, relationships, social media, etc.) do you feel pressure to “climb” for status or approval? How could humility or service “flip the script” in that area?
- Jamey warns against complacency: “Arrival is a mirage.” Where have you been tempted to stop growing spiritually? What would “pressing on” look like practically this week?
- Paul found joy in chains because Christ was his center. When have you experienced unexpected joy in a hard situation? How can focusing on Jesus reframe current challenges?
- The Beatitudes call the meek, persecuted, and poor in spirit “blessed.” Who in your life embodies this upside-down blessedness? How could you encourage or learn from them?
Watch the Message
Worship Songs from May 31
- “I Know A Name”
- “How Great Thou Art”
- “Center”
- “Build My Life”
Listen to the songs we play on Sundays by clicking the image below to access our Spotify playlist!
