The Bible is full of advice on how we should live our lives. One important principle it teaches is to consider others better than ourselves. This means thinking of others’ needs and wishes before our own, and putting their interests ahead of our own. It’s not always easy to do this, but it’s an important part of being a good and godly person.
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It’s tough being a Canadian.
And not because of political leadership…
And not because of our neighbours…
And not even because of our weak dollar…
It’s tough being a Canadian….because we’re too polite.
Don’t believe me? You know you’re Canadian if you’ve ever been in this situation…
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And you know that you’re facing a Canadian at a 4-way stop when this happens.
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You know as a Canadian you’ll be delayed at a door because you and someone else insist each other goes first.
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Painfully polite
“Painfully polite” is a good description of these.
What we’re going to talk about today, I don’t want to you think of as “Painfully polite”. It’s much more life-transforming and Spirit empowering than that.
Philippians 2:1-18 NIVUK Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself — by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Can I pray?
There’s a lot to unpack in these verses, but I need to focus on what Paul said in verses 3-4.
Philippians 2:3-4 NIVUK Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
What is selfish ambition and vain conceit?
Selfish ambition is saying or thinking, “I need to look good or I need to avoid looking bad.”
Vain conceit is saying or thinking, “I deserve this.”
The interesting thing to me is that is how we’re marketed to.
Don’t believe me?
Look at the next car ad. See how the people around are admiring the car the person just bought. That is appealing to our selfish ambition.
This February, there will be an ad for trip to Cancun or the Mexican Riveria and the words will be “You deserve this.” In the middle of February it might be easy to think we deserve a little sun and fun. But realize they are pitching to you vain conceit.
I’m not saying having a new car is bad. I’m not saying going on trip is not a good thing. I’m saying Paul tells us to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility value others above ourselves. We’re to not look out for our own interests, but each of us need to look out for the interests of others.
It’s being Canadian without the painful politeness.
It’s not a smile and wave when inwardly we’re seething.
Does this really matter?
That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked. Jesus said,
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”John 13:35
Do they know we’re Christians by our love?
Or do they know what you stand for because of what you stand against?
As a Christian and a Canadian, I apologize for us regularly. We say and we do really silly and hurtful things. We look out for our own interests and don’t think about how it affects others. That has to stop.
For example:
Did you come to get something from God today or did you come to encourage someone else?
If you came to encourage someone else, you might not have known who the someone was, but you came with your smile and gave your handshakes and appropriate hugs, you may have already prayed for someone already. You either knew intuitively or learned from experience that
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
It’s in refreshing others that we are refreshed. It’s in blessing others that we are blessed. We have to look out for the interests of others. We can’t demand our own interests be honoured.
Paul goes on to say we do this… we value others above ourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others… because that’s what Christ did for us.
It is a wonderfully stirring poem Paul goes into as he tries to explain that in our relationships with one another, we’re to have the same attitude as Christ. Who didn’t push himself to the head of the line or demand others get out of the way because He is the Way. God took on flesh. This thing he made from dirt and breathed His Spirit in to give life, that’s what He took on. The immortal took on mortality. The creator became his creation.
Paul’s excitement goes into this wonderful praise of what has happened and what is to come… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Then he writes “Therefore”, meaning “because of this… this is how you should live
— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
WHY — for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.
What?
Paul says the same thing another way to church in Corinth…
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 NIVUK
You can’t do this on your own. It’s Holy Spirit that makes it possible for you to consider others better than yourself. If you don’t do it with Holy Spirit you do it with painful politeness…and we all know what you’re doing.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10 NIVUK
— Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’
WHY — Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”John 13:35
It is Holy Spirt who empowers you to accomplish every good work prompted by faith. But we also have a role. He’ll help us in our role, but we need to do what He shows us to do.
With that in mind, I present today’s tool.
Do each other RIGHT Tool
R – Release selfish ambition Philippians 2:3a
I – Ignore vain conceit Philippians 2:3b
G – Generate real humility Philippians 2:3c
H – Hold the same attitude as Christ Philippians 2:5-7
T – Transform with Holy Spirit’s help Philippians 2:12-16
R – Release selfish ambition
Philippians 2:3a Do nothing out of selfish ambition…
How do you release selfish ambition?
Regularly pray this psalm:
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
And wait for God to answer. Whatever he shows you that need to confess and repent of, confess and repent of it.
Am I trying to look good or not look bad?
I – Ignore vain conceit
Philippians 2:3b Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit
How do you ignore vain conceit?
This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken! Jeremiah 9:23-24
Take time to be in awe of God. Spend time in his creation, read theoretical astrophysics or anything that makes your brain hurt. See God AS God and you’ll see yourself in a much better light.
Am I doing it because I think I deserve it?
G – Generate real humility
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves
How do you have real humility?
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Humility is not putting yourself down.
You are not your own, you have been bought with a price, you belong to God.
Don’t presume you have to put yourself down to lift someone else up.
You don’t honour anyone by making yourself less. You honour them by seeing them and hearing them and looking them in the eye. In a few weeks I’ll unpack this more. Today I want you know that humility is not putting yourself down. It’s lifting others up.
Am I lifting others up or putting others down?
H – Hold the same attitude as Christ
Philippians 2:5-7 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
How can you have the same attitude as Christ?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
It was the joy set before him that he could endure. It’s what he’s done for us and what will come that we can have the same attitude.
It’s the attitude that says we’re here to serve and not to be served.
Am I a servant of others or am looking to be served?
T – Transform with Holy Spirit’s help
Philippians 2:12-16 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
How do we transform?
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
Am I conforming to the world or am I being transformed?
Does this make me more like Jesus?
Do each other RIGHT Tool
R – Release selfish ambition
Am I trying to look good or not look bad?
I – Ignore vain conceit
Am I doing it because I think I deserve it?
G – Generate real humility
Am I lifting others up or putting others down?
H – Hold the same attitude as Christ
Am I a servant of others or am looking to be served?
T – Transform with Holy Spirit’s help
Does this make me more like Jesus?
The Father’s will is for us to become more and more like Jesus. He’s put us in community to help us lay down our own lives. What if God created marriage to make us holy not happy? What if God created church to make us holy and not happy?
33 Bible verses to help you Consider others better than yourself
Philippians 2:3 ESV Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Romans 12:10 ESV Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour.
1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbour.
John 15:13 ESV Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Leviticus 19:18 ESV You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.
Galatians 5:26 ESV Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Mark 12:31 ESV The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
1 Peter 5:5 ESV Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Colossians 3:12 ESV Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
James 2:8 ESV If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing well.
Philippians 2:2 ESV Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Galatians 5:14 ESV For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Acts 24:16 ESV So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
Luke 14:7-11 ESV Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honour, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honour, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 10:27 ESV And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.”
Matthew 19:19 ESV Honour your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
James 4:6 ESV But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Galatians 5:13-14 ESV For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
Proverbs 27:2 ESV Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
John 3:30 ESV He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Matthew 7:12 ESV “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Romans 13:10 ESV Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Luke 6:31 ESV And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
1 John 4:18 ESV There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 Peter 4:8 ESV Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 3:8 ESV Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
1 Timothy 1:5 ESV The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Colossians 3:13 ESV Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Philippians 4:13 ESV I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Ephesians 4:2 ESV With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
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