Put the Goals and Interests of Others Above My Own

Intro:

My Home Life:

Dana and I have different interests. Different things we think are important.

Me: Tidy home.

Home is a mess: —> I start frantically picking up.

Attitude: Frustrated, annoyed.

Perspective: I’m supposed to have a peaceful home. Kids are sabbataging that! Wife isn’t valuing it as much as me.

Convince myself: I’m looking to the interests of others by picking up.

Dana’s interest:

Be present.

Lead the family:

Joy and encouragement.

Not be Irritable.

If you allow yourself to get close to anyone, eventually, your interests will collide with the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3–4 NIV

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.

1. Examine your own motives.

Selfish ambition and vain conceit:

Selfishness

Aristotle: Self-seeking pursuit of political office.

Wanting to make oneself look better.

3 Common manifestations: (Brian Sterm)

Jealousy

Selfish comparison

Competition

Story: Josh got picked as the Team Leader.

I wanted to be seen as a leader.

Love for him/Bitter jealousy towards him.

2. Value others above yourself

Story: Show up late. Team meeting.

Justified: “It’s nothing personal.” “I’m not intentionally trying to wrong anyone.”

Maybe so, but I wasn’t valuing their time.

Consider others each as a VIP.

Imagine:

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (Past or present) who would it be?

How would you treat them?

Would you be there on time?

Would you try to take the best seat?

Luke 22:26 ESV

But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

3. Look to the interests of others

Neil Walker: Searched for my sunglasses with me.

When someone expresses a need, see if you can help.

Sick and Broke: Denny and Karin brought us soup.

Three levels:

Be courteous:

Holding a door.

Getting a chair.

Serve

Sacrifice 1 John 3:16

1 John 3:16 NIV

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Application:

You must ruthlessly fight selfishness and passivity.

You must be intentional.

If you want to learn to serve, you must learn to observe.