October 16, 2005
"The Mind That Makes God Smile"
What Makes God Smile?—Part 3
Philippians 2
How do I make God smile by my attitudes and my actions?
"Our actions always come from our attitudes."
1. Think of others. (Attitude)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
—Philippians 2:3-4
Humility: is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of others more than ourselves.
Jesus did not think of Himself, He thought of you!
"There can be no joy in the life of the Christian who puts himself above others."
—Warren Weirs be
"The mind that is controlled by Christ is a mind that pleases God."
Note: More than 20 times in the NT God instructs us how to live with one another.
2. Serve others. (Action)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
—Philippians 2:5-7
Jesus did not serve Himself, He served you!
...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
—Matthew 20:28
3. Sacrifice for others. (Attitude and Action)
"Sacrifice that costs us nothing usually accomplishes nothing."
And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.
—Philippians 2:8 (NLT)
A paradox of the Christian life:
The more we give, the more we receive.
The more we sacrifice, the more God blesses.
"This is a life filled with joy because it's becoming more and more like Jesus."
I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
—Philippians 2:20-21
4. Be an example to others. (Attitude and Action)
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example."
—Mark Twain
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
—Philippians 2:12
"Too many Christians attempt to serve God by pressure from the outside rather than power from within."
The purpose God wants us to achieve is Christ-likeness.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
—Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
The great contrast:
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life...
—Philippians 2:14-16
Lifework
Will you permit the Spirit of God to reproduce the mind of Christ in you and the actions of Christ through you?
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
—1 Peter 1:13
"God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways that are different from our strengths."
Prayer: Dear God, develop in me the mind of Christ. Help me to stop thinking of my own needs and start seeing the needs of those around me. Help me to be a servant, always looking for ways to help. I want to be a Christian in attitude and action. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
What Makes God Smile?—Week 3
Personal and Group Study
Getting Started
- What is guaranteed to always put a smile on your face? Why?
- If you were to describe your week in terms of a newscast, in what portion of the news would your week be reported? (Sports, Top Story, Breaking News, Weather, Human Interest, Financial Report, etc.) Why?
Digging Deeper: Philippians 2
- What was potentially happening in the church at Philippi that prompted Paul to write this portion of his letter to them?
- Give four motives for developing and maintaining unity in the church?
- What is the definition of humility? How does humility build unity? What are the characteristics of humility? How does a person develop humility?
- What does it mean to, "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Verse 13 says, "God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases Him." What part is up to you and what part is up to God. From this verse, what makes God smile?
- What impact does grumbling and complaining have on the church? What is the difference between grumbling and complaining and serious concern?
- How do Christians shine like stars in the universe?
- Paul uses a phrase we have seen before in 2 Timothy, "I am being poured out like a drink offering." What does Paul mean?
Applying It To My Life
- How would things be different if verses 3-5 were true in your family? Your church? Your work?
- What characteristic in Timothy or Epaphroditus, would you like to have as part of your own character? What can you do to grow in that area?
- If Timothy and Epaphroditus were to become part of your church, in what area of ministry would you use them? Who do you look up to as a model of humility and service. How do they challenge you to grow?