SERVANT VS. SELFISH PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4

SERVANT VS. SELFISH PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4

at ti tude ˈadəˌt(y)o od/ noun 1. a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior.

One attitude that marks the new life of a Christian is the attitude of a servant.

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

PHILIPPIANS 1:21-26 For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don t know which one I should choose. I am pressured by both.

PHILIPPIANS 1:21-26 I have the desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

PHILIPPIANS 1:21-26 so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

COLOSSIANS 1:28-29 We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.

How do we make progress in the faith?

PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30 Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit,

PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30 with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance and this is from God.

PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30 For it has been given to you on Christ s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

THE LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL 1. One Spirit pneûma a. The rational part of our mind

THE LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL 1. One Spirit pneûma 2. One Mind psyche a. The seat of the feelings, desires, affections, and aversions.

THE LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL 1. One Spirit pneûma 2. One Mind psyche 3. One Mission a. Faith that comes from the gospel

THE LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL 1. One Spirit pneûma 2. One Mind psyche 3. One Mission 4. Great Sacrifice

THE LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL 1. One Spirit pneûma 2. One Mind psyche 3. One Mission 4. Great Sacrifice 5. Standing together courageously

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

THE LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL 6. Thinking the same way

THE LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL 6. Thinking the same way 7. Sharing the same love agape

THE LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL 6. Thinking the same way 7. Sharing the same love agape 8. Sharing the same feelings

THE LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL 6. Thinking the same way 7. Sharing the same love agape 8. Sharing the same feelings 9. Focusing on one goal (faith that comes from the gospel)

A life worthy of the gospel is one where a person is radically united with other Christians in a local church, trying to accomplish God s mission.

Radical unity is not unique to Christianity.

The goal of Christianity is what s unique: faith that comes from the gospel that people would come to Christ and grow into mature disciples.

THE SECRET INGREDIENT TO PROGRESS

If you want to progress in your faith, make it your aim to see other people progress in their faith.

PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

THE EXAMPLE

PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave,

PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even to death on a cross.

PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Why did Jesus humble Himself and assume the form of a slave, and eventually die?

So that people could be saved from their sins and be made holy like Jesus.

KEY OBSERVATION: The degree to which you are willing to suffer and sacrifice to achieve a goal will determine the degree to which you achieve it.

APPLICATION 1. Pursue unity with the local church.

APPLICATION 2. Cultivate the attitude of a servant. a. Make it your aim to help others progress in their walk with Christ.

APPLICATION 2. Cultivate the attitude of a servant. a. Make it your aim to help others progress in their walk with Christ. b. Understand you will have the attitude of a servant, or you will have a selfish attitude.