The Joy of Service

Introduction

Tomorrow is Memorial Day, as I’m sure you all know. To some, Memorial Day is just another holiday, just another day off from work, or just another day that we can go to the lake or have an outdoor barbecue. But to those who have lost someone they love because of war or military action, it’s more than that. It’s Memorial Day—a day set aside to remember those who gave their lives for the freedom we as Americans all share.

Memorial Day is an official holiday in most states of the United States. It was observed on May 30 until 1971. the date was changed to the last Monday in May. It is also known as Decoration Day.

After World War I the day was set aside to honor the of all American wars, and the custom was extended to pay homage to deceased relatives and friends, both military and civilian. The most common ceremony conducted on Memorial Day is the placing of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns located in Arlington national Cemetery.

The freedom we enjoy is made by the call to service my our service men and women. Through their faithful commitment to the call, we are allowed to share in so many benefits that much to the world seeks. Part of this call is joyful service. When Paul was imprisoned, he wrote a letter to the Philippians. When you start studying the Philippian letter, the chief these of encouragement begins to come to the surface. Paul wants to encourage the Philippians to live out their lives as citizens of a heavenly colony, as evidence by a growing commitment to service to God and to one another.

Turn with me into your Bibles to the 2nd chapter of Philippians. This morning we will be reading verses 2 through 8.

Philippians 2:2–8 NIV

2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Pastoral Prayer

Good Morning Father. We are thankful for your words this morning. Father lead and guide us as we learn more about you, and ultimately more about ourselves. Father we pray that you can take us father than we ever have been before, that as you fill us with faith and love; our vessel would over flow for others. Father may these bring glory to your Name. May we show you Son to a lost and dying world. In Jesus’ Name, all God’s children say - Amen.

You know one the benefits of Paul’s letters are their directness, and how they get right into it. Our passage this morning is no different. When Paul starts us off by making the call “than make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” When we this it begins to take on the flavor like we are disconnected and divided. My church family, I want you to know it is quite the opposite.

You see the church at Philippi has a special significance for Paul. The church was planted during his second missionary journey. Unlike the church in Rome where Paul wanted the Roman's united and to avoid disagreement that lead to discord. In this passage, Paul is not talking where you might think we are being scolded. He is talking to us by the ways of encouragement. Paul is not naive, and is a person who lives in the real world; He knew people would differ with one another.

Can you think back to a time where your toes were stepped on? Sometimes it doesn't feel so well. I realize no one likes having their toes stepped on, but it happens from time to time. The issue comes in is where we cannot let go of the situation that causes us to feel - man you just stepped on my toes. Sometimes when this happens, we fester and allow the situation to continually rewind in our mind. When we do this, it becomes more difficult for us to let go of what happened. Sometimes we feel like we have to have the upper hand, and feel our point of view is “right” way. We can look at this another way, as having blinders on - that allow us to only see in one direction at a time.

That is what Paul is getting at here in verses 3 and 4. Paul understood there could be a temptation to operate in a spirit of “selfish ambition or vain conceit.” This is where we could feel like we must advance our point of view. You’ve seen this before where two people are talking about whatever issue might be at hand. And, as the conversation is going on, you notice voices get louder. Neither one is backing down. And, before you know it they are about to square off, or go have a conversation behind the wood shed. I get it. I understand how easy it is to get pulled into this vortex. I came from an industry where direct language was part of the industry fabric in hopes to properly - let’s see, how do I put it - administer motivation.

Paul realizes that everyone naturally looks out for his/her own interests. But! If you look closely here in the middle of verse three, Paul gives us an antidote for when we feel like we are hitting the red-line. God loves us so much He provides a way out to help keep our testimony intact. The answer is = humility.

Unsaved people in Paul's day did not view "humility" as a virtue. Paul is not advocating an unrealistic view of life. He was not saying we should view everyone as better than ourselves in every way. His point was that we should view others as worthy of more consideration than we give ourselves. True biblical humility was frowned upon in the ancient world as despicable because it was misunderstood.

Paul knew from many biblical texts that God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. For example, the prophet Isaiah warned that “The haughty eyes of people shall be brought low, and the pride of everyone shall be humbled; and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day” (Isa 2:11). And Proverbs taught that “humility goes before honor” (Prov 15:33). A humility before God which leads to a humility in our relations with other people.

We are to consider the "interests" and matters of one another, not just our own. Verse 3 deals with how we view other people. Verse 4 deals with how we relate to them. We have a duty to be responsible and to look out for the needs of our families. The believer's sphere, our sphere, of concern should be broader than this, and should include the needs of our extended Christian family . In a larger context, this attitude should also encompass unbelievers.

When we look to the word “others” here at the end of verse 4. This word is key to this passage. It’s the Christian faith which first made the “others” important. Why did Jesus come from heaven’s glory to this earth? It was for others. Why should we carry the gospel? For others. To think of others rather than ourselves is have the mind of Christ.

Paul talks about this in verse 5. When we start thinking about the mindset of Christ - what is the one thing that characterized it? I’ll give you a hint, and it begins with the letter “H.” That’s right. It’s humility. Over in Ephesians, Paul gives us a working definition concerning the mind of Christ.

Ephesians 4:1–2 NIV

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

When I was teaching over at UNM in Albuquerque it was a great chapter in my life. The chapter of teaching was kicked off when I began tutoring math. I was helping students with topics that ranged from algebra to trigonometry to calculus. There was a lot of fun stuff we were able to work through. And the best part, in the old days - see there I go starting date myself. This stuff was done with pencil and paper, no calculators. When I was able to transition to a teaching position. There was one thing that was a constant. And, that is how many of us learn. Some of us learn by only listening, others by watching, and others by doing through example. When we do something by example, where we are trying to copy the task, this is one of the strongest forms of learning.

When you’re trying to fix something, how many of you have turned to Youtube for help? I can hear some of you saying now, “Lord thank you for the blessing of Youtube.” After watching, you went and performed. You developed muscle memory, by following a standard, an example.

That’s what Paul is getting at here, where he is talking about having a mind of Christ, and by his definition. The early church, and us too, needed an example. The believer's mind needed to reflect in a proper model. What better example do we have in all of human history - than that of JESUS CHRIST!

Guys, Paul is describing the initial steps of Christ’s work and his ministry in verses 6 through 8. We have the Son of God being described in His preincarnate state. Paul brings this into focus. We have the Son of God stepping out of into human likeness. He is not doing this for His own advantage, but to be a servant. Jesus is found in appearance as a man. Some might think he put aside His deity. And, that is far from what really is. Jesus took on human form, Jesus was born of woman, and was supernaturally conceived. When Jesus was born, He was fully man and fully God at the same time. If we looked at Jesus today in His infant state. He would look like any other typical baby. Except this baby, the Son of God, was bound for the cross. Jesus knew this. He humbled himself and became obedient to death on the cross. He went to the cross for you, and for me.

Jesus, begin God, knew and had seen everything going on down here. We have the Son of God stepping out of glory, taking on our from. He knew we needed help down here, and that there was no way we could be justified before the Father. He knew, “I need to go in, I need to get in there.!!!” “I’m going in!” “They need help now!” “I will become the bridge to the Father!” “I know I will be rejected by many, and that’s okay.” “I am doing this for you because I love you, even if you don’t love me back!”

You are that important to God.

Conclusion

Jesus chose others, and the interest of others. Jesus do not seek the spot light, or events that would elevate His prestige. Instead, Jesus is known as humble, gentle, patient, and bearing with one another in love. Jesus is our ultimate example as we are called into service. When we are called into service, serve with gladness and joy. Serve with a humble heart. When we are allow to serve others, we serve God.

How has God called you this morning? Do you need help developing the call God has laid at your feel. I invite you to come and pray before God. Come and talk to God about the call you feel in your heart.

Closing Prayer