Aaron led us in a passage this evening from the second chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippian church focused on our core goal of our ministry at Men of Steel, molding men into the image of Christ. We broke down the scriptures by section reflecting on how Jesus’s ministry on earth was selfless, serving, sacrificial, and sovereign. We closed with the question of how might we apply this model to our own lives every day to show the love of Jesus to the world around us through our actions.

Selfless

Philippians 2:1-4
1. Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?  Any comfort from his love?  Any fellowship together in the Spirit?  Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  2. Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  4. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Serving

Philippians 2:5-7
5. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.  6. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  7. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  When he appeared in human form,

Sacrificial

Philippians 2:8
8. he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Sovereign

Philippians 2:9-11
9.  Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11. and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Application

Philippians 2:12-15
12. Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.  13. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14. Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15. so that no one can criticize you.  Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.