Living as a Servant, part 3

As we get started today, I want to highlight Philippians 2:3-4 again: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of the others.” This Scripture tells us that we should not look ONLY after our own well-being, but that we should also look after the well-being of others.

We learn from the Gospels that when Jesus was on the cross, He focused on the Father’s will and was concerned about the standing of those who persecuted Him. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34 CSB. And even before that terrible day on the cross, Jesus placed His focus on the Father’s will and was constantly reconciling people to God. What an example! In fact, whether in times of persecution, or in times of safety and security, there is simply no other way, but to reflect Jesus to our world.
 

What would such an attitude look like in our everyday lives? We are routinely told, “If you don’t look out for yourself, no one else will.” But, here in Philippians 2, Paul is introducing the Church to the example of Jesus, and then challenging us to follow His example.
 

Paul Ai was a Vietnamese man who was a witch doctor during the time of the Vietnam War. Paul came to know Christ through the witness of an American soldier who led Bible studies at night. Paul rose to become the National Leader of the Assemblies of God in his country.

Because of his faith in Jesus, Paul Ai spent decades in prison. Now, the prisons in Vietnam were primitive, to say the least, and there was no climate control (heating or cooling). So at night, it got very cold. Prisoners were given a 4ft x 4ft blanket to try to keep warm with. Paul Ai would offer his blanket to other prisoners for the night under the condition that he could talk to them before going to sleep. Those conversations were always about Jesus and His love for them.
 

By not placing himself as #1, 600 people in that prison came to trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior - all because Paul AI was willing to part with a thin, 4x4 piece of cloth.

Continued tomorrow