Philippians Chapter 2
The Attitude of Servanthood
Hello Fellow Treasure Hunters…
Well… did you think I forgot about our study? Well, I didn’t but I have been a bit preoccupied. It is my desire and goal to finish what we have started and now that my schedule is falling into a nice predictable pattern, I can get back to Philippians. I know many of you have plugged into studies that began in September. With that, some of you may now be in leadership positions in women’s ministry. Maybe for the first time you have been called to facilitate a table, be a coach of table leaders, serve as the coordinator for the entire study or even teach. Maybe you have stepped out of your comfort zone. As you assume these roles know that God will equip you, you can rest in the assurance that you have been called for such a time as this. Embrace your role and look upward. Follow Christ… I know without a doubt, if you will follow Christ’s example as a leader you will have an impact for the Kingdom.
Let’s take a look at Philippians chapter two and see what we can learn about the attitude that we are to have as we shepherd God’s flock. Pick up your study with Philippians 2:3…
3 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NKJ
In my opinion, Paul begins with a bit of a motives check. “Let nothing be done out of selfish ambition or conceit…” this verse prompted me to ask this question of myself. Why do I want to serve? For me, it is because I love Jesus. I am grateful for His forgiveness, passionate about His word, thankful for the gifts He has given me… I love Him with everything I am… I love Him! I want to express my love for Him by helping other women He loves come to know Him, and grow close to Him. That is what motivates me. I’m sure there are countless women out there who are motivated by similar reasons.
Can we serve for the wrong reasons? Paul recognizes that some could serve out of selfish ambition and vain conceit, being more concerned with furthering their own agenda than they are Christ’s kingdom and being noticed. But Paul also tells us the antidote for such an attitude is to esteem others better than ourselves, in other words, be humble. Remember that people are what the Kingdom are all about. And then He encourages us with the reminder to have the same attitude or mind as Christ. Look at this next passage…
“5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:5-11 NKJ
[1]
Mind refers to our attitude our way of thinking. (Note: We have to make the decision to "let" this be our attitude.) Our example is Christ who though He is God, made himself of no reputation (didn’t draw attention to himself as God); instead He came as a servant, in the likeness of man to serve mankind. He was humble and obedient to God’s plan (the cross). Think about the gravity of what Christ did for us. Imagine volunteering to leave the comfort of heaven to come to die for people who would love and reject you alike. Imagine a heart willing to obediently die for people who would never recognize such a sacrifice. It is a breathtaking thought. No wonder His name is above every other name! It is right that every knee will one day bow to Him! He is Amazing!
As we lead and shepherd God’s people we will likely never be asked to give our life… but undoubtedly we will be asked to lay down our own agendas, sometimes our own plans, and our time to give unselfishly to the ones God gives us the privilege of serving.
As I look at the sacrifice Christ made I have to ask myself these questions.
Am I willing to serve obediently and humbly? Am I willing to make myself of no reputation so that Gods kingdom and not my own, can advance? Am I willing to look out for others interests? Am I willing to esteem other’s better than myself? Am I willing to apply this standard to everyone I serve, and not just the people who like and accept me? Those are questions worth asking as we step out to serve, and when we need to be encouraged.
I think if we ask these questions… if we follow Christ’s example then we will make an impact on this earth for the Kingdom of God. And that church, is exciting!
Paul gives us three other examples of Christ like leaders in the rest of Chapter 2. I’ll look forward to our next post.
XO,
CJ
[1]The New King James Version. 1982 (Php 2:5-11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The Attitude of Servanthood
Hello Fellow Treasure Hunters…
Well… did you think I forgot about our study? Well, I didn’t but I have been a bit preoccupied. It is my desire and goal to finish what we have started and now that my schedule is falling into a nice predictable pattern, I can get back to Philippians. I know many of you have plugged into studies that began in September. With that, some of you may now be in leadership positions in women’s ministry. Maybe for the first time you have been called to facilitate a table, be a coach of table leaders, serve as the coordinator for the entire study or even teach. Maybe you have stepped out of your comfort zone. As you assume these roles know that God will equip you, you can rest in the assurance that you have been called for such a time as this. Embrace your role and look upward. Follow Christ… I know without a doubt, if you will follow Christ’s example as a leader you will have an impact for the Kingdom.
Let’s take a look at Philippians chapter two and see what we can learn about the attitude that we are to have as we shepherd God’s flock. Pick up your study with Philippians 2:3…
3 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NKJ
In my opinion, Paul begins with a bit of a motives check. “Let nothing be done out of selfish ambition or conceit…” this verse prompted me to ask this question of myself. Why do I want to serve? For me, it is because I love Jesus. I am grateful for His forgiveness, passionate about His word, thankful for the gifts He has given me… I love Him with everything I am… I love Him! I want to express my love for Him by helping other women He loves come to know Him, and grow close to Him. That is what motivates me. I’m sure there are countless women out there who are motivated by similar reasons.
Can we serve for the wrong reasons? Paul recognizes that some could serve out of selfish ambition and vain conceit, being more concerned with furthering their own agenda than they are Christ’s kingdom and being noticed. But Paul also tells us the antidote for such an attitude is to esteem others better than ourselves, in other words, be humble. Remember that people are what the Kingdom are all about. And then He encourages us with the reminder to have the same attitude or mind as Christ. Look at this next passage…
“5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:5-11 NKJ
[1]
Mind refers to our attitude our way of thinking. (Note: We have to make the decision to "let" this be our attitude.) Our example is Christ who though He is God, made himself of no reputation (didn’t draw attention to himself as God); instead He came as a servant, in the likeness of man to serve mankind. He was humble and obedient to God’s plan (the cross). Think about the gravity of what Christ did for us. Imagine volunteering to leave the comfort of heaven to come to die for people who would love and reject you alike. Imagine a heart willing to obediently die for people who would never recognize such a sacrifice. It is a breathtaking thought. No wonder His name is above every other name! It is right that every knee will one day bow to Him! He is Amazing!
As we lead and shepherd God’s people we will likely never be asked to give our life… but undoubtedly we will be asked to lay down our own agendas, sometimes our own plans, and our time to give unselfishly to the ones God gives us the privilege of serving.
As I look at the sacrifice Christ made I have to ask myself these questions.
Am I willing to serve obediently and humbly? Am I willing to make myself of no reputation so that Gods kingdom and not my own, can advance? Am I willing to look out for others interests? Am I willing to esteem other’s better than myself? Am I willing to apply this standard to everyone I serve, and not just the people who like and accept me? Those are questions worth asking as we step out to serve, and when we need to be encouraged.
I think if we ask these questions… if we follow Christ’s example then we will make an impact on this earth for the Kingdom of God. And that church, is exciting!
Paul gives us three other examples of Christ like leaders in the rest of Chapter 2. I’ll look forward to our next post.
XO,
CJ
[1]The New King James Version. 1982 (Php 2:5-11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
