Ice Breaker

If you had to choose between having someone serve you for a day or being able to serve someone else for a day, which would you choose and why?

Summary

In this sermon, Pastor Kent explores the concept of servant-heartedness through Philippians 2:3-11. He begins by acknowledging his natural tendency to avoid serving others, contrasting it with his wife's natural servant heart. Kent shares how memorizing this passage during a missions trip transformed his perspective, helping him shift from self-centered thinking to Christ-like service. He emphasizes that Jesus calls us not to repress our desires but to repurpose them through love.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss what it means to have the mind of Christ and serve others, we ask that You open our hearts to Your transforming power. Help us to see where we might be focused on ourselves rather than others. Give us the courage to be honest about our motivations and the wisdom to repurpose our desires rather than simply repress them. May this discussion draw us closer to You and to each other. In Jesus' name, amen.

Key Verses

1. Philippians 2:3-4
2. Philippians 2:5-8
3. Philippians 2:9-11
4. Proverbs 3:5-6

Questions

1. Pastor Kent talked about his natural tendency to avoid serving others. Can you relate to this? In what areas of your life do you find it most difficult to serve others?
2. What's the difference between repressing your desires and repurposing them? Have you experienced either of these in your own life?
3. The sermon mentioned using the 'five whys' to examine our motivations. How might this practice help us understand our true desires and intentions?
4. How does our culture's emphasis on self-fulfillment conflict with Christ's call to consider others better than ourselves?
5. Pastor Kent said, 'Jesus wasn't repressing himself, he was repurposing himself.' What do you think this means, and how might it apply to your life?
6. In what ways have you seen selfish ambition or vain conceit drive your actions recently?
7. The sermon suggests that Jesus' approach to greatness is through service rather than power. How might this perspective change how you approach leadership or influence in your life?
8. What practical steps can you take this week to adopt the attitude of Christ Jesus as described in Philippians 2?

Life Application

This week, identify one relationship or situation where you've been acting out of obligation, resentment, or duty rather than love. Apply the 'five whys' technique Pastor Kent mentioned to discover your true motivations. Ask yourself repeatedly why you feel or act the way you do until you reach the root cause. Then, prayerfully ask God to help you repurpose your desires rather than simply repress them. Choose one specific action you can take in that relationship that comes from genuine love rather than obligation, and follow through with it.

Key Takeaways

1. There's a difference between repressing our desires (which leads to resentment) and repurposing them through Christ's love.
2. Our natural tendency is to focus on ourselves, but Christ calls us to consider others better than ourselves.
3. Jesus didn't repress his desires but repurposed them out of love for us, becoming a servant and sacrificing himself.
4. True greatness in God's kingdom comes through serving others, not through power or control.
5. When we let go of control and trust God rather than ourselves, we experience His provision and power.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for modeling what it means to have a servant's heart. You, who deserved all glory and honor, humbled Yourself and became obedient even to death on a cross. Forgive us for the times we've been driven by selfish ambition and vain conceit. Help us to examine our hearts honestly and to repurpose our desires rather than simply repress them. Give us the courage to serve others out of genuine love, not obligation. May we decrease so that You might increase in our lives. Transform our hearts so that we might truly have the same attitude as You. We pray this in Your powerful name, amen.