From Self to Serve

We get to love God by serving others.

True greatness is not found in how many serve you, but how many you serve.

Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV):

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1) Think Like Jesus

• Serving starts with the right mindset, not the right circumstances.
• You can’t live like Christ until you learn to think like Christ.

2) Humble Yourself Like Jesus

• Jesus gave up His rights to lift others up.
• Serving may look like lowering yourself, but in God’s eyes, it’s the highest position you can take.

3) Serve Others for God’s Glory Like Jesus

• Serving doesn’t end in humiliation—it ends in exaltation.
• When you serve for applause, you may get it. But when you serve for God, you’ll get a crown.

S – See others first

Phil. 2:4 says, “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Serving begins with noticing people.

E – Empty yourself

Phil. 2:7, Jesus “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.”

Serving means letting go of rights and pride.

R – Reflect Christ’s mindset

Phil. 2:5, “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

We serve because we want people to see Jesus in us.

V – Value humility

Phil. 2:8, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

Serving may cost you comfort, but humility is the highest virtue.

E – Exalt God above all

Phil. 2:11, “every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Serving is ultimately worship—it points people upward.

When we serve, we look the most like Jesus.

The most powerful attitude: “How can I Help?”