Introduction

Good morning, dear family in Christ. It's a beautiful day to gather together in His name, to sit under the canopy of His grace, and to bask in the warmth of His love. We're here to open our hearts and minds to the Word, to allow it to wash over us, to refresh us, to challenge us, and to ultimately transform us. We're here to learn, to grow, to serve, and to love.

Today, we turn to the book of Philippians, specifically to the second chapter, verses three and four. The apostle Paul, writing to the church in Philippi, shares these words of wisdom and encouragement: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

In these two verses, we find a profound and life-altering call to humility, faithfulness, and a missionary mindset. It's a call to consider others before ourselves, to serve with a spirit of humility, and to be motivated by a faithful heart.

Charles Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher of the 19th century, once said, "Humility is to make a right estimate of oneself." It's a simple statement, yet it carries a profound truth. We are called to see ourselves not as the world sees us, but as God sees us - as His beloved children, valuable and precious, yet called to serve and not to be served.

This morning, as we open our hearts to this message, may we be reminded of the beauty of a humble heart, the power of a faithful spirit, and the impact of a missionary mindset. May we be inspired to live out these truths in our daily lives, serving those around us with love, humility, and faithfulness.

Let us pray. Our loving Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts and minds, ready to receive Your Word. As we read from the book of Philippians, we ask that You would speak to us, challenge us, and inspire us. Help us to live out the truths we learn today, to serve with humility, to be motivated by faithfulness, and to have a missionary mindset. We ask this in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Manifesting Humility in Service

Humility is a virtue that is often misunderstood. It's not about thinking less of ourselves, but rather, thinking of ourselves less. It's about shifting our focus from our own needs, wants, and desires, to the needs, wants, and desires of others. It's about seeing others not as competitors or obstacles, but as fellow human beings who are deserving of our respect, our kindness, and our service.

Service, in its truest form, is an act of humility. It's about putting aside our own ego, our own pride, and our own self-interest, and instead, focusing on the needs of others. We are not the center of the universe, that there are others who are in need, and that we have a responsibility to help them.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, calls us to this kind of humility in service. He urges us to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but rather, to value others above ourselves. This is not a call to self-deprecation or self-denial, but rather, a call to selflessness. Recognize the inherent value and worth of others and to treat them accordingly.

Our actions, attitudes, and words have an impact on those around us. When we choose to serve others with humility, we are not only helping them, but we are also demonstrating the love of Christ in a tangible and meaningful way. We are showing them that they are valued, that they are loved, and that they are not alone.

This kind of humility in service requires us to put aside our own desires and ambitions. This is tough! Without the Spirit of God, it is truly impossible. It requires us to be selfless, to be generous, and to be willing to sacrifice for the sake of others–all things we cannot do without God’s help!

But the rewards of this kind of service are immeasurable. When we serve others with humility, we are not only helping them, but we are also growing and maturing in our own faith. We are learning to see others as God sees them, as precious and valuable individuals who are deserving of our love and respect.

Paul's words are also a call to transformation. He is urging us to change our attitudes, our actions, and our mindset, to become more like Christ in our service to others. This kind of transformation is not something that happens overnight, but rather, it is a lifelong process that requires commitment, dedication, and perseverance. The beauty of this process is that as we grow and mature in our faith, as we learn to serve others with humility, we are also becoming more like Christ. We are becoming more loving, more compassionate, more patient, and more kind.

Motivated by Faithfulness

We are now drawn to the idea of faithfulness ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO