Context: Caring as Echoes of Christ (Philippians 2:1-11)
Philippians 2:1-11 isn’t just exhorting us to be positionally humble, but that humility has a direction – it moves toward others. And it has an origin – Jesus. Our caring are echoes of Christ.
Key Idea – We echo the mind of Christ in counting others more significant than ourselves by our care for one another.
I. Genuine Concern for Others
- Two ways we can begin to practice genuine concern for others:
1. Move Toward Christ
2. Move Toward Others
Be interested in the seemingly mundane details
Respond to the details with prayer
II. Personal Commitment to Others
- “Love without an exit strategy.” (Paul Miller)
III. Shared Empathy with Others
- See people in three categories:
a. See the Good in Others
b. See the Hard in Others
c. See the Bad in Others
IV. Selfless Service to others
- Two ideas:
a. We care for others best with thoughtful selflessness
b. Our acts of care are never meaningless
Matthew 25:39-40 – “‘And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”