Be a Servant

Church problem in Philippi, divisions and strife due to self-centeredness.

cf. Euodia and Syntyche - 4:2

They needed to learn how to be servants.

The necessary disciplines of the Christian life in the church

- be an encourager

- be a giver

- be a servant

The Pattern of a Servant. v.5-11

The model is Christ.

This passage perhaps the most important in all Scripture about the person of Christ. Yet it was given in response to a specific church problem.

In becoming a servant, Christ not only served God, he served us.

Gk. culture similar to our culture in that the concept of serving is abhorred.

Two words used in NT concerning servants

diakonos - to serve for the good of another, voluntary

doulos - to serve because you are under ownership, compulsion (slave)

The opposite of doulos is kyrios (Lord)

The pattern in Christ’s life reveals that the Lord became a servant (doulos)

He who was so high became so low.

7 steps down:

1. he forfeited his place of equality with God the Father

- though having every right to it, he did not regard it as something to be grasped

2. he emptied himself

- kenosis

- did Jesus in some way become less than God in order to become a man?

- what about his divine attributes while he was a man?

3. became a servant

- doulos - one who serves under compulsion

- the compulsion of love for God and for us

4. was made in human likeness

- became a man, but not a sinful man

5. humbled himself

6. became obedient to death

7. even to death on a cross (a disgraceful death)

The result was that God lifted Jesus up.

Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Jas. 4:10

7 steps up:

1. God highly exalted him

2. God gave him a name above all names (that name being “Lord”) cf. doulos

3. every knee should bow cf. the bowing knee of the servant

4. in heaven - Christ’s Lordship is recognized in heaven Rev. - worthy!

5. on earth - Christ’s Lordship will be recognized on earth cf. Zech.12; Isa 66 at the time of the Millennial Kingdom.

6. under the earth - even the underworld will acknowledge Christ’s lordship

7. every tongue would confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God

Christ is the pattern for being a servant.

Profile of a Servant v.1-5

1. A servant is committed to unity in the Body of Christ.

2. A servant harbors no selfish attitudes

- power struggles in the church - “turf battles”

- doing things in the church for recognition - donations, music, etc.

- resentment when expectations are not met.

3. A servant is interested in the welfare of others

As we keep our minds on Christ, we will become like him. We will be servants.