“The Mindset of a Servant” (Part 4)

From Salvation to Service Sermon Series

“The Mindset of a Servant” (Part 4)

KEY PASSAGE: Philippians 2:1–11(NASB)

Heavenly Father, I pray that You accept our praise and worship. We praise You; we glorify You, and we magnify Your holy name, and all God’s people say, Amen. Please be seated.

TITHE and OFFERING

We will call on the ushers to pass around the offering plates so we can collect our tithes and offerings. The worship team will lead us in song as we collect our tithes and offerings.

PRAYER FOR TITHE and OFFERING

Our Father in heaven, we offer our hearts full of gratitude to You by giving You our tithes and offerings. We pray that You accept these gifts from Your people for the work of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.

WELCOME

Welcome, everyone, to our Sunday Worship Service. Please stand up and greet the folks around you. Our first-time visitors, please stand so we can see you. We also welcome all who join us online.

ANNOUNCEMENT

📖 Wednesday Night is our Bible Study Connect at 7:00 p.m. Please join us for a time of learning, fellowship, and spiritual growth as we study the Word of God! We are studying the Book of First Samuel, and this week we will focus our attention on Chapter 10. I encourage you to read Chapter 10 of First Samuel and come ready for Bible Study on Wednesday night. 📅 Corporate Prayer Meeting—We meet every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. downstairs in the fellowship hall for a time of prayer. Please join us during our Corporate Prayer Meeting here at the church. 🗓️ Church Leadership Meeting is 📍 Saturday, August 16 at 🕛 Noon here at the church.

DECLARATION of FAITH in GOD

Let us stand and say the Declaration of Faith in God together. Please remain standing as we pray.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Let’s pray. I thank You, Father, for truth because the truth transforms when our hearts are open to it. Jesus declares that the Word of God is the very essence of truth. And so, I pray that You open up our hearts to receive from You the truth, the whole truth of the Scripture, nothing but the truth, so that we can respond to You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen. You may be seated.

SERMON INTRODUCTION

The world defines greatness through power, persuasion, prestige, and position. To be considered “great” means having a title, a high-paying job, public recognition, or a moment in the spotlight. Greatness is about status, influence, and prominence—being known and celebrated. But our Lord Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 20:26, “Whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant.” Jesus calls Christians to a different standard—a kingdom standard. Jesus taught that true greatness in the kingdom of God is not measured by status but by your service. The greatest among you, Jesus said, is the servant. Kingdom greatness is revealed in how we serve the family of God – the church [the Body of Christ] for the glory of God.

If you want to know whether you are great in God’s eyes, don’t look at your title in the church—look at your service record. Greatness in the kingdom of God is not measured by how many people know your name, but by how many people have been blessed by your sacrifice and your ministry. Ask yourself this question: How much time have I truly invested in the work of the church? Not just your attendance, but your service to God and His people. Not just your presence, but your involvement. Have I shown up when no one was watching and served when it wasn’t convenient? Because in God’s economy, greatness is traced not by applause—but by your obedience to God.

This principle applies at every level—including the home. If a husband claims to be the leader of his household, then by kingdom standards, he should also be the chief servant. Let’s make it practical: if you were to list out who serves whom more in the home, and your wife serves you more than you serve her, then by Christ’s definition, she is the greater servant—and therefore, the greater one. So, to say, “I am the head of this house,” means you should be the lead servant. Ladies – can I get an Amen?

America is built on service industries. We often choose where to spend our money based on the quality of service. We are quick to complain when the service is poor because we expect to be treated with care and appreciation. No one enjoys pulling up to a drive-thru restaurant and placing an order with someone who is rolling their neck and giving you attitude. That is not service.

Imagine walking into a five-star hotel like the Ritz-Carlton. From the moment you arrive, someone opens your door, greets you by name, and asks how they can serve you. Every detail is intentional. Every gesture is designed to make you feel valued and welcome. Why? Because their culture is built around service. What if every believer approached church with that same mindset: “How can I serve you today?” And in the kingdom of God, it is the same principle. Greatness is not about being served—it is about how well you serve.

SERMON EXPOSITION 1

In Philippians 2, Paul invites us into the heart of Christ Jesus—a mindset not built on status, but on surrender. Jesus didn’t demand recognition. He took on the form of a servant and humbled Himself to the point of death—even death on a cross. The thinking and mindset that goes into crafting a mentality of servanthood. That is not just theology. That is a blueprint for how every Christian should live. And here is the challenge our church: the world teaches us to climb higher, but Jesus teaches us to bow lower. The world says, “Make a name for yourself.” Jesus says, “Make yourself nothing.” The world says, “Lead by power.” Jesus says, “Lead by serving.”

A servant begins with a mindset committed to preserving unity and cultivating harmony. If you are going to serve in the spirit of Christ, then fostering peace within the body must be a priority. If you are going to be a servant, then harmony must be your goal. Servanthood is about building bridges.

In Philippians 2:1–2, Paul writes, “If there is any encouragement in Christ, consolation of love, fellowship in the Spirit, affection and compassion. Make my joy complete by being …” Here it is: “… of the same mind, maintaining the same love, unified in Spirit, intent on one purpose.” Did you catch that? Twice Paul uses the word “same” in verse 2 —same mind, same love. And here’s where the mindset of a servant comes in: a servant doesn’t stir division—they seek to make connection.

A servant doesn’t fracture the fellowship—they fortify the fellowship. A servant asks, “Will what I am about to say or do build up the body, or break it down, or make things worse?” Servants are bridge-builders. They think in terms of pulling things together, not tearing things apart. They pursue peace, not personal preference. They harmonize rather than antagonize because in the kingdom of God, greatness is not found in asserting your way—but in laying it down for the sake of unity – for the sake of peace.

You don’t compromise the truth in the name of harmony. You don’t use the truth to the exclusion of love. Truth and love must walk together—never one at the expense of the other. Our unwavering goal as a church remains unity—in dealing with the truth, expressing the truth, and communicating the truth.

That raises a question – What is unity? Unity does not mean uniformity. Unity is not uniformity—it is oneness of purpose. It is not about everyone being the same, but about everyone moving in the same direction, with hearts aligned and goals shared. Unity does not mean everybody is the same. It is okay for us to be different. You don’t have to be like everybody else. You weren’t called to be like everyone else. Because if everybody were you, and you were everybody … everybody else would be unnecessary. God made you different for a reason—to serve a divine purpose.

Husbands and wives often say, “We are so different.” Because you were never meant to be the same—you were made in God’s image [Imago Dei] to complement each other according to Genesis 2:18. The Bible makes it clear that God has crafted the body in such a way that the ear is not the eye, and the eye is not the hand, and the hand is not the foot. The body is crafted differently. But what makes the body unified is that it is connected and operates toward the same purpose.

 SERMON ILLUSTRATION 1

The most precise definition for unity given in the Bible is in the last phrase of verse 2: “… united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” A football team is unified, not because every player plays the same position – that is uniformity. A football player or team is unified because they are operating in harmony towards the same goal line. Each person plays their unique part to reach the goal line, and every position matters because every player contributes to achieving the goal line. One reason families, churches, and communities often fall into disharmony is that people lose sight of the goal line and start focusing on each other.

Have you ever noticed how arguments—especially in marriage—often start with an issue, but end up being about each other? What began as a disagreement over a situation quickly turns into a criticism of personalities, and you wind up talking about each other. The goal is lost because you have been distracted from something bigger. Unity means everybody is doing the same thing and everybody is going in the same direction.

SERMON EXPOSITION 2

They think that way. They are trying to preserve, Ephesians 4 calls it, “… the unity of the Spirit …” So, why should a church or a Christian be concerned with maintaining and preserving the unity of the Spirit? Very simple, because the Spirit doesn’t work in disunity. This is a fundamental biblical principle for the pragmatic operation of life. Where disunity prevails, the Spirit of God withdraws His manifest presence. But where unity abides, the Spirit of God abides freely and is at home among God’s people.

The Bible says that when a husband and wife are in disunity, God will not hear the prayers of the husband according to 1 Peter 3:7. The husband’s prayers are blocked, hindered when there is discord in the home. It is no surprise that Satan seeks to sow discord within the home, knowing that division can hinder the abiding presence and power of God. Discord in the home is not a clash of personalities between husband and wife; it is a spiritual strategy of Satan to obstruct what God intends to accomplish. If we become entangled in personal conflicts and overlook the spiritual dimension, then we miss the point and the purpose.

 SERMON ILLUSTRATION 1

I want you to picture a choir singing in front of you, composed of many voices—sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. If each singer of the choir follows their sequence or pitch, the result is chaos. But when every voice watches the same conductor and follows the same score, harmony emerges. The same principle applies to the church. Unity among servants of Christ doesn’t come from trying to match each other—it comes from being aligned with the same divine direction and purpose. When every believer [Watch This] is attuned to the movement of the Holy Spirit, they become attuned to one another. That is the Spirit of unity. True spiritual unity assumes a shared God-centered perspective governing the mindset of those who serve.

SERMON EXPOSITION 3

The first principle I want to highlight is this: if you are to embrace the mindset of a servant—which is the pathway to greatness in the kingdom of God—you must be committed to pursuing harmony. The Scripture encourages us, ‘If it is possible, ……….. live at peace with everyone,’ and, ‘Make every effort to live in peace with all.’ The second way a servant thinks, the mindset of the servant, is that they think in terms of serving others, not just serving themselves. Let’s look at verse 3. Verse 3 says, “Do nothing …” Nothing from nothing leaves nothing. It doesn’t offer an exception. There is no loophole.

Paul challenges us with a profound call in verse 3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” That is deep and rooted in the very character of Christ Jesus. He says, Do nothing … no exceptions … from selfishness. Don’t make your choices or decisions based on what you are going to get out of it.

If Philippians 2:3 were truly embraced and obeyed, I believe it would resolve many of the tensions and issues we see in churches today—especially within music departments. This verse dismantles the spirit of comparison that says, “Why don’t they call on me to sing? My voice is far better than so-and-so's.” This verse would also eliminate and cut at the root the power struggles among church leaders today. You see, when humility oversees our hearts and we value others above ourselves, and then competition gives way to collaboration, ministry becomes a reflection of Christ’s character.

Let’s talk about selfishness for a moment. True selfishness is when the self is the only one benefiting. It is when the other person’s well-being hasn’t even entered into the equation. You are not selfish just because you gain something; it becomes selfish when your gain comes at the exclusion of others when your decisions disregard their interests completely.

 SERMON APPLICATION 1

In the business world, you often hear businesspeople talk about a win-win situation—a fair exchange, where both parties gain and benefit. In other words, how do we negotiate and navigate this thing so that we both win? Selfishness is about me winning, while you lose. That is what the Bible calls empty conceit—a mindset where the outcome orbits around self. Servanthood says, ‘I desire to win, but I also want you to win.’

So, the question is: How do we win? Paul says, Don’t make it only about you. Servants think in terms of the benefits that others get, as they benefit too. There is a win-win scenario in the service being rendered. The person serving you at the restaurant isn’t just bringing your food—they are working hard with the hope that their kindness, attention to details, and care will be met with a reward. They are trying to earn a tip—but more than that, they are seeking confirmation that their service to you matters.

Many people wrestle with tipping—not because they are mean. The 15% or 20% tipping principle is something that most people struggle with, especially when the service feels average or the food is not good enough. I must admit, when I am traveling for business and the expense is not coming out of my pocket, I don’t hesitate to tip. I am very generous with tipping when I am traveling for work. But when it is my own money, I find myself calculating, even questioning myself, whether the 15% or 20% tipping principle is justified. You see, it is not just about the money—it is about the heart behind the giving.

And so, it is okay to hope for a tip—and there is nothing wrong with desiring a reward for your labor. But don’t let the desire for gain overshadow the heart of service. Paul wants you to shift your focus: think not just about what you want to receive, but about what you are called to give. When you embrace a servant’s mindset, something powerful happens—you begin to live in a measure of God’s grace. You are helping others, and in the process, you are being helped. You are giving, and you are also receiving. Those two realities—service and blessing—are always at work, side by side. That is the beauty of kingdom living: when you pour out, God pours in.

SERMON EXPOSITION 4

Paul is speaking to the family of God—because he knows the world operates differently. In the world, it is a dog-eat-dog reality, driven by self-interest and competition. But Philippians 2 was written to the church in Philippi, and Paul’s focus is clear: he is calling on believers to relate to one another through humility and service. This is a call for Christians to reflect on Christ in how they treat one another.

So, you should benefit from the spiritual nourishment and support this church offers. But it is equally critical that somebody else benefits from you. Someone else should be blessed because of your presence and involvement. Being part of this church family means both receiving and giving—growing through the ministry and helping others to grow.

James 1:27 teaches us that the truth of one’s faith is always evident. James says you know whether a person understands true religion. True religion, according to Scripture, is not just about belief—it is about action. It reaches out to the widows and orphans, serving those in need. That is the mark of genuine faith: a life that blesses others. That is the meaning of true religion.

One reason we often lose the heart of a servant is that we forget the pit from which God rescued us. When we lose sight of the grace we have received, we become reluctant to extend that same grace to others who desperately need it. These are folks who are often overlooked, undervalued, and dismissed. These are folks who are at the bottom of the spiritual barrel. You reach back to people who are not where you are.

So, the mindset, first of all, is a mindset of unity. And then there is a mindset of serving others. Galatians 5:13 says, “… we are to serve one another in love.” Love means it is going to cost you something. You cannot serve in love for free. It costs to serve. Whether time, energy, or inconvenience. Thirdly, servants think in terms of their new position in Christ Jesus. They think in terms of their Christ-centric worship, and they have a Christ-centered mentality.

SERMON EXPOSITION 5

Verses 5-8 say, “Have this attitude … this thinking in you … this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself (This is called the kenosis theory) by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.”

This is a quintessential passage on the hypostatic union, discussing Jesus Christ, who has two natures in one person. The hypostatic union refers to the foundational Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ is entirely God and fully man, united in one person without confusion, change, division, or separation. How did this all happen? It says that Jesus Christ emptied Himself. It is like taking water and pouring it into a glass. Jesus took deity and poured it into humanity.

Jesus emptied Himself or poured deity into humanity; that occurred at the virgin birth, so that you see Jesus Christ as the God-man.

Because Jesus is man, one moment He is hungry—but because Jesus is God, He can turn sardines and crackers into a Moby Dick sandwich and feed 5,000 men. Because Jesus is man, He thirsts—but because Jesus is God, He walks upon the water. Because Jesus is man, He suffers and dies—but because He is God, He rises in power and glory. This is the dual reality of Jesus Christ—the mystery and majesty of the hypostatic union: Two complete natures—divine and human—perfectly united in one Person.

It says that this Jesus took the form of a bondservant. The word bondservant means a slave. The slave was the lowest person. Jesus existed in the form of God, but He became a slave-man. Have this mind in you that was also in Christ. Paul’s point is for you to think, act, and have the mindset of Jesus. When you know who you are, service is no problem. It is when you don’t know who you are that service is a problem. Service was not a threat to Jesus because He never lost sight of who He was. He always knew His position. Jesus said in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” You are not doing anything to me until My Father in heaven says so, and you don’t take My life. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus was extremely secure in His position, and service was not a threat to Jesus.

And here you have the God of the universe weeping in John 11:35. “Jesus wept.” Jesus was so secure in His manhood that He could weep openly, unshaken by the world’s shallow definitions of strength. Jesus was so human, but the next verse says, “Loose him and let him go.” Jesus stands at the tomb of Lazarus—His divinity is wrapped in humanity. First, tears came down His face, revealing the depth of His compassion. Then comes the supernatural command: ‘Lazarus, come forth.’ And death submits to the voice of Life.

Finally, a servant thinks in terms of true greatness. Verse … 9 says, “For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus understood true greatness, which allowed Him to serve. What is true greatness? True greatness is divine exaltation. Let me tell you what false greatness is. It is Human exaltation.

SERMON CONCLUSION – FAITH APPEAL, CALL to ACTION, and ALTAR CALL

In closing, the path of a submissive mind is not paved with ease—it is marked by your sacrifice, service, and surrender. But in the end, it leads to glory. Scripture declares, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). Joseph endured thirteen long years of suffering and servanthood; in God’s appointed time, he was elevated to be a ruler over all Egypt. David was anointed in obscurity; he was chased through caves and wilderness, but when the time was right, God enthroned him as king over Israel.

This is the joy of the servant’s mindset—not just in helping others or sharing in Christ’s sufferings, but in knowing that our lives glorify God. When we serve, when we sacrifice, when we shine—our good works become a radiant testimony that glorifies our Father in heaven. And the glory may not be visible today, but I can assure you – you will see the glory. When Jesus returns, He will reward His faithful servants—those who chose humility over pride, service over status, and surrender over self. May you have “The Mindset of a Servant?” Will you lay down your pride, pick up your cross, and follow the path of submission that leads to eternal glory? If you feel the Spirit is touching your heart—whether to surrender your life to Christ, renew your commitment, or say, “Lord, give me a servant’s heart”—then come to the altar. The altar is open. Heaven is watching. And Jesus is ready to receive you. Let us humble ourselves under His mighty hand and serve with joy and gladness. And let us walk in the assurance that the glory is coming. God bless you.

BENEDICTION [CLOSING PRAYER]

Let’s stand on our feet and let’s pray together. As we, Lord, have contemplated the glory of Christ and the greatness of this Scripture, we are told in the Scripture that every knee will bow in heaven, on earth, under the earth. We pray, God, that You would be gracious to people today who are here who have not bowed their knees, may they willingly confess You as Lord and Savior, believing that You died for them on the Cross and rose from the dead, turning from sin to embrace You and to obey You, even as You obeyed Your Father and humbled Yourself. We pray, God, that You would be gracious to every heart here and that You would produce in them the conviction of sin and the confidence in Christ Jesus that leads to faith in His death and resurrection so that no one here will be forced to bow under the weight of divine wrath and judgment but that all will bow under the offer of grace. And so, we commend this to You in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior, we pray, and everyone says – Amen. You are dismissed. God bless you. We look forward to seeing you next week at 10:30 a.m.