Theme

Vision (2) - The Servant Church

Reading

Phil 2: 1-11

Recap

The church Mission Statement & Vision: Love God with all we have, and love others as ourself; a church moving In, Out and Up (IOU) serving God in the heart of the community.

Introduction

This week focussing on “Serving God in the Heart of the Community”

The Servant Church

What does this mean?

Need to look at the example of Jesus

How did Jesus Serve?

Ref. Phil 2:1-18

Jesus’ Example	Scriptures	Application
Humility – made Himself nothing	Phil 2:3; 1 Pet 5:5,6; etc	Need to destroy any tendency to selfish ambition, self-importance and self-glory. Beware the attitudes of the Pharisees.
Servanthood – taking the very nature of a servant	Phil 2:4; Matt 20:26-28; Jn 13:14; etc	Looking out for the needs and interests of those in the community; serving without seeking reward.
Identification – made in human likeness (yet without sin)	Jn 17:18; Phil 2:15,16a; Jn 1:5; etc	Identifying with the communities of Westhill and Kingswells, but clearly revealing the difference Jesus makes – shining like stars in a dark universe.
Death – became obedient to death	Lu 9:23,24; Gal 2:20; Phil 3:10; Phil 2:17; etc	Denying ourselves and laying down our lives for the gospel. Learning to share His sufferings and become like Him in His death. Ready to give everything for Jesus and those we seek to win for him.
Glory – to the glory of God the Father	Jn 1:14;; Rom 8:18,29,30; 2 Thess 1:11,12; 1 Pet 2:12, Phil 3:14 etc	We want to see Jesus exalted, the enemy defeated, lives transformed. We want to see the glory of God descend on our community.

Questions & Discussion Points

Humility. Think of one Bible character who was proud (e.g. Pharaoh, Naaman, Haman, Nebuchadnezzar) and one who was humble (e.g. Solomon [1 Ki 3:7-9], John the Baptist, The Centurian [Mt 8:8]). What important lessons can we learn from each one?

Servanthood. Read Phil 2:4. In what ways could we become better servants in the community? What dangers are there to avoid when seeking to look out for the interests of others? Maybe when considering buying a new article for ourselves (however expensive) we should instead prefer to buy it for someone else who needs it. Is this what this passage teaches? Is it good stewardship of our resources? What would happen if most of the church lived like this (consider both positive and negative outcomes)?

Identification. Discuss the tension between being totally identified with the community and yet still maintaining a distinct and pure Christian witness. How did Jesus manage this?

Death. Read the passage Phil 3:7-11. What does “the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death” mean? (other passages that may help are: Lu 9:23-25; Gal 2:20; Gal 5:24; Rom 12:1,2).

Glory. 2 Thess 1:12 says “We pray this so that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him.” What is it that Paul prays for that will cause Jesus to be glorified in us? How would you tell the difference between a church/christian in which Jesus is being glorified and a church/christian in which He is not?