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• We have an almost incurable pull up and to the right.
• The Bible warns that such desire can lead to arrogance, independence, and thanklessness.

• Jesus started in heaven and came down to earth, in flesh, as a servant, submitting to death.
• Illustration: Hybels describes a bad hotel experience that was a step down in comfort.
• Jesus went from the glory of angelic adoration, to birth in a manger.
• The second person of the Trinity is beaten, humiliated, and nailed to a cross.
• The problem we all face is the gap between our moral standing and the perfection of God.
• Illustration: A prisoner cannot serve another inmate's time, because he has his own sentence to serve.
• Only Jesus could be the bridge between our sin and God's holiness.

• John 3:16
• Illustration: In becoming parents, a wife and husband experience demotions.
• The way of the kingdom is to subject yourself to a series of demotions.
• Illustration: Hybels worst-selling book is Descending into Greatness.

• Illustration: Survey found that the greatest growth for believers came at a time of pain.
• Illustration: Believer whose business was failing testified to great spiritual growth.
• Matching the attitude that was in Jesus requires some downward steps.

• Take a step of intentional demotion by serving someone who can't pay you back.
• Taking a step down helps us to live with a higher level of joy and kinship with Christ.