Service 01: Serve Humbly
Orientate
As we have seen, the heart of our relationship with God is defined by the word GRACE. But what are we supposed to be doing on earth? God has given us work to do and has uniquely equipped us to do it. At its most basic, that work comes down to one word, SERVE. But God is looking for a particular type of serving. There are a whole lot of selfish motivations that can drive serving. We see this in the workplace, or in politics, or in our own lives. But for Christians there is only one valid motivation – caring deeply about the needs of others. That’s what drove Jesus. Check it out …
Explore: Philippians 2:1-11
2:1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Journal
Journal for a few minutes on the following questions:
1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?
2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?
3. What do I need to do?
4. What did Jesus do that showed his deep humility?
Reflect
The contrasts are so stark in this Scripture. There are three distinct pictures. Jesus is with God and is God. He is creator and sustainer of the world. All of heaven bows to his power and beauty. All of heaven’s resources are at his disposal. He is feted and adored. Then by choice he’s on earth serving people as a penniless human (he had to rely on friends to provide for him). He is judged and criticised by the significant people and finally lays down his life – in shame tortured and crucified naked as a dangerous criminal. Then he’s back with God and his authority is so great that the whole of heaven and earth is bowing before him. Get your head around that! But the story of Jesus exemplifies the upside-down nature of Christianity. The rulers are the servants. The greatest are the least. The strongest are the weakest. The most exalted are the humblest. The richest are the poorest. The hideous are the most beautiful. Jesus knows all about this and calls us to see things the same way. So our life journey is a downward one. It’s a journey into seeing the needs of others, laying down our lives for others, using our resources for others, considering others more important than ourselves. Not holding on to our own reputation or ambitions or resources or desires. We follow the sacrificial Jesus journey. It’s a journey to incredible greatness in God’s eyes. It’s not that we ignore our own needs (2:4), but that serving the needs of others becomes an increasing priority for us.
Pray
This teaching goes against everything my old nature values and frankly I find it difficult. So I’m going to need a lot of help here. (I’m so glad that I have your Spirit in me.) But I follow you Jesus. You have lived this and I desperately want to do the same. Please change me.
Respond
Try to see someone else’s needs today. Make an effort to see things from their perspective. You may not be able to do anything to help, but at least try to understand.
