Serving With One Heart

Introduction

Illustration: Imagine a 4-person rowboat where three people row hard and the fourth sits idle or rows against them. The boat goes in circles or barely moves. Then picture the same boat when all four set their oars in sync — steady, fast, and straight. Tie to Php 2: When we refuse humility and service we’re like the idle rower; unity and forward motion come when we lower ourselves and serve. Application: Ask, “Which oar am I holding back?” Challenge people this week to pick one place to serve that keeps the boat moving.

Big Idea

The church is never stronger than when we serve with one heart, putting others before ourselves.

May we all look at Php2:1-11 together, I am not putting on the screen so you can look at your bibles and I mine.

Philippians 2:1–11 “1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Unity flows from Shared Identity

True unity is rooted in our common life in Christ. Because we share Christ’s life, we can share on heart.

If there is any encouragement; if any participation. . . . is he really asking if, or is this one of those “if” clauses, meaning since there already is? Since this is already true. Since we are already united in Christ by Christ’s love and unified by the Spirit’s fellowship.

Think of this simple application: Unity is not something we can manufacture; it’s discovered in our shared identity in Jesus. It is something we strive to maintain, it is something we protect, we guard against gossip, pride and competing agendas, including things that compete for priorities.

Unity in the gospel isn’t based on liking the same music or voting the same way; it’s anchored in belonging to the same Savior.

These verses will lead us from our shared identity in Christ to shared humility and then Christ’s example, so hold on as we go on through the rest of this lesson serving with one heart.

Humility fuels our service

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

selfish ambitions: A drive for person gain that disregards others. It’s the kind of ambition that says “I must be seen, I must be first.” It’s fueled by envy, comparison, and a hunger for recognition. It often leads to division, to manipulations and burnout—because it is not anchored in love or service.

Conceit: excessive pride in oneself, or an inflated view of oneself. Conceit whispers, “I’m better, I deserve more.” It blinds us to others needs and makes us deaf to God’s call to serve. It’s pride dressed up as confidence, but it isolates and corrodes community.

Biblical humility Not self-loathing, but self-forgetting. C.S. Lewis put it like this: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” It’s the posture of Christ— who, though equal with God, emptied Himself to serve.

Thought definitions would give a greater impact this morning.

Practical service: Noticing needs, giving time, using gifts quietly, letting others go first.

Such as: noticing needs filling needs without being asked

Giving time without expecting applause

Using gifts quietly, for God’s glory not ours

Letting others go first — literally and figuratively

Choosing the background over the spotlight

Community thrives when members willingly lay aside “me first” thinking.”

Humility fuels our service and grows because we’re not competing, we’re cooperating

Needs are met, because we’re looking outward, not inward.

Christ is glorified, because we reflect His servant heart.

Community thrives when members willingly lay aside “me first” thinking. This is not just a nice idea —it’s the heartbeat of the church. It’s how revival begins: When hearts bow low so so Christ can be lifted high.

Christ is our Model and Motivation

The Pattern: Christ’s Descent and Ascent

Equality with God: Jesus did not grasp or cling to His divine status. This challenges our instinct to protect position or privilege

Servant: He took on the form of a salve — not just serving, but identifying with the lowest.

Obedient unto death: His obedience was not partial or convenient; it was costly and it was complete.

Exalted by the Father: The path of humility led to glory - not self-exaltation, but divine vindication.

Look at (v.5) Philippians 2:5 “5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,” - - - This is not just a call to imitate, but a call to participate in the mindset of Christ.

The Power: Christ’s Sacrifice enables our service

Jesus did not merely model humility, He empowers it. His descent broke the power of pride and self-centeredness.

Through His Spirit, we are not just inspired — we are enabled to serve with one heart.

We serve not to ear favor, but because we’ve been lavishly favored.

We love because He first loved us (1Jn4:19). now consider Titus 2:14 “14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”

The Purpose: Glory to God, Unity in the body

Christ’s exaltation shows that God honors humility. Our service is not in vain.

Serving with one heart reflects the unity of the Trinity and the mission of the church.

When we stoop low together, we rise together in the joy of shared purpose.

Philippians 2:10 “10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” - - - our service points others to the One who is worthy of all worship. Jesus stooped lower than anyone, so He could lift us higher than we ever deserved. Now we bend low, not in defeat, but in devotion!

Application

A braided rope is stronger than its strands. In the same way way, when each believer serves in humility, the church becomes unbreakable and we all serve with one heart. So here are some application things to consider this morning.

Personal check: Where is pride keeping you from serving?

Group challenge: Identify one way this week serve together as a family or group, prepare a meal for a family, or visit a shut in etc.

Church-wide vision: True community will look like Php2:1-11 when every member asks, “How can I help?” before “What’s in it for me?”

Conclusion

Serving with one heart is not drudgery; it’s joy. The same God who highly exalted Jesus promises to sustain those who follow His path.

Invitation: Are you following Jesus path? Chose today to follow Him, or return to Him. Remember the words of Paul, Philippians 2:5–7 “5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” - - - do you need to be emptied of yourself today? Ask God to empty you, do you need to die to yourself and be reborn in Christ, free from your sin, you can do that anytime, now or anytime you are ready.

(Song) (Prayer) (Exit)