Continuing The Ministry Of Christ's Love

November 11, 2007 - Rev. Kevin Kelly

Philippians 2:1-11

Philippians 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 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.

1. Sacrificial Love is Generous

What is your understanding of sacrificial love? How is your understanding of this form of love in contrast to the world's view of love? What does our world teach us about love?

List as many occurrences of sacrificial love in the Old and New Testaments as you can. Describe the settings and persons involved. How did demonstrating sacrificial love change situations, circumstances, and people in these examples? What role did generosity play in the demonstration of sacrificial love?

Are you generous with other people? Do you struggle with this area of your life? Why or why not? How does our willingness to become a servant to other people affect our life and theirs?

2. Sacrificial Love is Unconditional

This is what we term "agape" love. Agape—uncalculated goodwill for all people, unselfish love, love in all circumstances, love with no reservation, unfettered love, love with no conditions, love with no strings attached.

How did Paul in Philippians 2 reveal Jesus as demonstrating and becoming the type of love that I just defined?

4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

Jesus is our ultimate example of unconditional love. "Jesus, it seems, is certain that the more you love God, the more you will love people"—Erwin McManus.

Do you love God unconditionally? Why is this a struggle for humanity? What interferes with this type of love for God and for people? How does our inability to love God fully affect our ability to love others?

Do you look to the interests of others or are you focused only on yourself? Read verse 5 again. What type of attitude should we have? How is servant-hood a way for us to grow in this dimension of our lives?

You may look at the list of ways to serve in our church and not think that all are equally important. Why is this not true? How might God use your willingness to serve others to teach you unconditional love?

3. Sacrificial Love is Self-Giving

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

Are you self-giving? What does this look like in your life? How did Paul describe Jesus' mission in life? What is Jesus teaching us here about his role and about our role?

What sacrifices will your make in your life to love God more fully, and in turn, love other people more fully? Which of these sacrifices will you struggle with most? Take a look at the "Created in Christ Jesus to do Good Works" booklet. What might be some ways for you to start demonstrating love for others by serving in our church?