December 11, 2020
Take a Knee and Glorify the Lord!
Philippians 2:1-11
Mitzi Valdez
Central Truth
Jesus' life was the ultimate example of a servanthood lifestyle! When we empty ourselves, abide in His commands, and assume the position of a servant, the Lord fills us with humility, and we glorify Him by serving others!
Key Verse | Philippians 2:3-5
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:1-11
Christ's Example of Humility
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 1 2:5 Or which was also in Christ Jesus 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 2 2:6 Or a thing to be held on to for advantage 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, 3 2:7 Or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Dive Deeper | Philippians 2:1-11
In 2018, I traveled to Haiti on my very first discipleship trip with Watermark. I was undeniably terrified! As a newer believer, I failed to realize that this fear was derived from an attempt to lean on my own strength instead of the ultimate strength and provision of the Lord (Philippians 2:13).
As an RN, I was assigned to the mobile medical team that traveled to various villages in the area. On the first day, we set up a clinic in the middle of a church that had been destroyed in the 2010 earthquake. The building had no roof and barely any supporting walls, yet dozens and dozens of people were already lined up outside.
As the week progressed, I found myself in conditions I had never experienced before. The Lord facilitated opportunities to serve outdoors in the heat, in the middle of debris, and in a world full of pain and tragedy from years prior.
Halfway through our trip, the Lord brought me to my knees, allowing me to truly experience the ultimate lesson in servanthood. While helping others, I found myself squatting, then kneeling, and finally, in a praying posture on the ground. My only goal was to be face-to-face with the children who sat on their mothers' laps. I remember looking up, in the middle of asking questions, to the most beautiful child's face. That child returned my glance with the greatest smile.
While I was in a posture of humility, the Lord showed me how a servant's heart can be found. We glorify God when we push through our discomfort, deny ourselves our own desires, and place the needs of others before our own (Philippians 2:3-7). Jesus was obedient to the Lord's commands even to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). We have been reconciled through His faithful obedience (Romans 5:10)! We are better able to glorify God when we abide in His commands and clothe ourselves in Christlike humility.
Discussion Questions
1. What are some actionable ways that you can grow in thinking of others before yourself?
2. Has there been an area in your life in which you can easily put others before yourself? Has there been an area where it is more difficult?
3. Jesus Christ was the ultimate example of humility. Look to Him for encouragement in this area. How does considering Jesus' example challenge you in your own life?