Philippians: Shine Like Stars – DAY 2
Family Discussions for a New School Year
*This is DAY 2. To go back & read DAY 1: Paul & Timothy & Their Letter, click here.
DAY 2/TUESDAY
Philippians 1:1-2
Servants of Christ Jesus
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:1-2 (NIV)
What does it mean to be a servant of Christ Jesus?
Here are some things Jesus said about serving:
“Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.”
John 12:25-26 (NIV)
To serve Jesus you must follow Jesus.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
You can’t serve Jesus and; you serve Jesus only.
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.'”
Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)
With Jesus, the servant is not the least and last, but the greatest and first! Do we have the mindset of one who wants to rule over others or one who wants to serve others?
“A dispute also arose among them (the apostles) as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.'”
Luke 22:24-27 (NIV)
Would you rather sit at the table and be served or serve those who are seated at the table? Jesus deserved to be served, but He, the King of kings, Lord of lords, Son of God, came from heaven to earth to serve. We are to follow Him and serve others, even those people we think don’t deserve it.
There’s Nothing Glamorous about Washing Feet
The picture that first pops into my head when I think of Jesus & serving is Jesus washing His disciples’ feet.
“The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; 4so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. 5After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, ‘Lord, are You going to wash my feet?’
7Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’
8‘No,’ said Peter, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’
Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.’
9‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’
10Jesus answered, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.’ 11For He knew who was going to betray Him, and that was why He said not every one was clean.
12When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ He asked them. 13‘You call Me “Teacher” and “Lord,” and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.'”
John 13:2-17 (NIV)
Service involves sacrifice (as my pastor reminded us just this week). Many times it involves sacrificing, not just our time, money, comfort, pleasure, plans, & energy, but also our dignity.
| dignity: | The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. |
Jesus is more worthy of honor & respect than anyone ever, yet He washed the feet of His disciples, even Judas Iscariot who He knew would betray Him. We will dive deeply into this idea of sacrificing dignity when we get to Philippians 2, but for now, let’s end on Paul’s list of “good deeds” for widows written in a letter to none other than Timothy, his fellow servant of Christ Jesus.
“No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.”
I Timothy 5:9-10 (NIV)
Good deeds to be known for:
- bringing up children
- showing hospitality
- washing the feet of the Lord’s people
- helping those in trouble
- devoting yourself to all kinds of good deeds
None of the things on this list tend to be glamorous; most often these acts of service are not done in the spotlight, but “behind the scenes.” Let’s pray that God will change our hearts to look more like the heart of Jesus: willing to serve no matter the cost — even if it costs us our dignity; even if no one but our Lord ever notices.
DAY 2/TUESDAY Prayer
Father God,
Paul & Timothy described themselves as servants of Christ. I pray our family will be able to say that about ourselves.
Each day, by the power and guidance of Your Holy Spirit within us, may we: follow Jesus; serve Him only; in serving Him, serve others; and even be willing to wash the feet of someone who has offended or betrayed us.
As we continue to study Your Word, change our hearts into servant hearts!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
*To read Praying Philippians for My Kids, click here.
**To read DAY 1: Paul & Timothy & Their Letter, click here.
DAY 2: Paul & Timothy described themselves as servants of Christ Jesus. Servants of Christ sacrifice time, money, comfort, pleasure, plans, energy, & even dignity.
