When I began working on my master’s degree in seminary one of the first classes I took my first semester was a preaching class under Dr. Joel Gregory. One of the assignments in the class was to take Philippians 2:1-11 and exegete it with the final product being a message from these scriptures. While I was not extremely familiar with that passage at the time, when the class was over I felt as though it had become a favorite of mine from the New Testament. Since then I have preached from the passage numerous times and used it as a reference in many more messages. While the underlying principle for this passage deals with the role Jesus played in becoming man to provide salvation and reconciliation for unregenerate mankind, there are several factors which are profound teaching points within themselves ranging from unity to servanthood.
The critical point comes in verse 5 where Paul tells the church of Philippi to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus. That attitude is one of a servant. This is a reminder from where Jesus stated about himself in Matthew 20:28 that “…the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve…” Paul is stressing to the Philippians that importance of having an attitude of serving one another. As I shared this thought with our staff this past week I related the story of when Lisa and I went to San Juan, Puerto Rico for our anniversary last year. While in San Juan we enjoyed the luxury of staying in a nice resort where individuals were charged to serve us whether cleaning our room, bring food or sodas to us, or providing directions to various sights. We even splurged and received a full-body massage at the spa. Lisa and I thought, “We could get used to this type of treatment!” Unfortunately, it only lasted for a few days while we were there on vacation. The point is that we, as individuals, often enjoy being waited on by someone. That is our nature often times, though not always.
However, we are told where Jesus’ purpose in coming was not to be served, but to serve. In like manner, we are to take on that same thought process or attitude in our daily lives. We are to serve one another. Jesus did not have to serve us. He was of royalty. He was not just a king; He was the King of Kings. However, Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:6-7 that instead of holding onto or clutching His royalty selfishly that He emptied Himself of all rights by “assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men.”
If we are to imitate Christ in our lives, then we must empty ourselves of our self! Too often the issue of pride stands in the way. We sit by and say, “Why should I serve him/her? He/She never serves me!” That is a prideful attitude! John Ortberg once said, “Pride destroys our capacity to love.” When we boil it down serving someone is born out of love. We must never let a deserving attitude or sense of entitlement enter the picture. We will never deserve to be served, especially by God. However, that is what He chose to do for us, out of pure love rooted in humility. In verse 8 we read that He humbled Himself to the point of death for us. Why, because He loved us!
Over the course of the next several days to week why not look for ways to serve someone else. You might have opportunity to serve them a meal, clean up their mess after a meal, or offer to mow their lawn. If fact the act could be as simple as letting someone take your place in line at the check-out. Serving is about putting others first. Jesus never thought about what advantage He would gain in coming to earth in the form of a servant to die for us. He looked at how it would benefit us! Why not do something to benefit someone else this week.
Have a Servants’ Heart,
Pastor Ric
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