Living with Open Hands: Embracing Christ’s Generous Mindset

Today’s gathering centered on the call to live with open hands, reflecting the generous heart of God through our actions, attitudes, and community life. We began by celebrating the ways God has already moved among us—through last night’s Halloween Bash, our ongoing ministries, and the simple act of gathering together in worship and prayer. These moments are not just events, but opportunities to shine the light of Christ into our neighborhoods, to serve with love, and to be present for one another in times of need.

Drawing from Philippians 2:1-11, we explored Paul’s vision for a unified, outward-facing community. Paul urges us to embody encouragement, tenderness, compassion, and like-mindedness—not for our own sake, but for the sake of others. The language he uses is deeply relational and active, calling us to be moved in our very core with compassion, just as Jesus was. This is not about uniformity of thought, but about sharing a common purpose: to reflect Christ to the world.

The example of Jesus is central. Though he was fully God, he did not cling to his status or use it for his own advantage. Instead, he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and humbled himself even to death on a cross. Jesus lived with open hands, giving himself away for the sake of others. This is the model we are called to follow—not living for ourselves, but for those who have yet to encounter the love and grace of Christ.

Generosity, then, is not just about money, but about our time, our talents, and our willingness to serve. Sometimes the blessings of giving are immediate, as when we see the joy on a child’s face or meet a tangible need. Other times, the blessings are delayed, unfolding in ways we may never see—like the students at Smithfield Elementary who, having received, now want to give back. Ultimately, we give not for the blessings themselves, but because we share the mind of Christ, whose very life is the embodiment of generosity. The promise is that one day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and all our acts of open-handed love will join in that chorus of praise.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True generosity begins with an open hand and an open heart, mirroring the way God first gave to us. Living with open hands means letting go of self-interest and being willing to serve, even when it costs us something. This posture allows God’s love to flow through us to others, making us conduits of his grace. [27:36]
• 2. The unity Paul describes in Philippians is not about everyone thinking the same, but about sharing a common purpose rooted in Christ. When we are moved by encouragement, compassion, and tenderness, we become a community that looks outward, seeking to bless those beyond our walls. This unity is the foundation for a church that truly impacts its city and world. [33:59]
• 3. Humility is the soil in which generosity grows. To value others above ourselves is not to diminish our worth, but to recognize the worth of every person as someone Christ died for. When we serve in humility, we reflect the very mindset of Jesus, who gave himself away for the sake of others. [37:19]
• 4. The blessings of generosity are both immediate and delayed. Sometimes we see the fruit of our giving right away—a need met, a life touched. Other times, the impact unfolds over months or years, or even in ways we may never witness. Trusting God with the results, we give faithfully, knowing that every act of love sows seeds for his kingdom. [44:15]
• 5. Our ultimate motivation for living generously is not the reward, but the example of Christ. Jesus did not grasp at his divinity, but emptied himself for us. As we open our hands and hearts, we participate in his ongoing work, anticipating the day when all creation will join in declaring his lordship. Our generosity is both a response to his love and a foretaste of the coming kingdom. [49:00]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:37] - Connection and Announcements
• [02:26] - International Leadership Institute Opportunity
• [03:32] - Opening Prayer: Laying Our Burdens Down
• [16:47] - Thanksgiving for Community Outreach
• [18:35] - Praying for One Another
• [20:21] - Offering and Story of Rick Moranis
• [27:00] - Children’s Lesson: The Open Hand
• [28:11] - Reading Philippians 2:1-11
• [30:35] - Building Blocks of a Unified Community
• [32:01] - The Meaning of Encouragement and Tenderness
• [33:59] - The Call to One Mind and Purpose
• [35:07] - Outward-Facing Church: Living for Others
• [38:45] - Christ’s Example of Self-Emptying
• [42:32] - Immediate and Delayed Blessings of Generosity
• [45:09] - Testimony: Smithfield Elementary’s Response
• [48:17] - The Blessings of “One Day”
• [49:00] - Living with the Mind of Christ
• [49:57] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV) —
> 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
> 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
> 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
> 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
> 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
> 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
> 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
> 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
> 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
> 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
> 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in Philippians 2:1-4, what attitudes and actions should mark the life of a unified Christian community?
2. What does it mean that Jesus “emptied himself” and “took the form of a servant” (v.7)? How is this different from using his status for his own advantage? [39:56]
3. In the sermon, what examples were given of immediate and delayed blessings that come from living generously? [44:15]
4. How does Paul describe the ultimate outcome of Jesus’ humility and sacrifice in verses 9-11?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul connect unity in the church with encouragement, tenderness, and compassion? How do these qualities help a church look outward rather than inward? [33:59]
2. The sermon says, “Humility is the soil in which generosity grows.” What does it look like to value others above ourselves without losing our own sense of worth? [37:19]
3. Jesus did not “grasp” at his divinity but emptied himself for others. What does this teach us about the kind of generosity God calls us to? [40:12]
4. The blessings of generosity are sometimes immediate and sometimes delayed. Why is it important to trust God with the results of our giving, even when we don’t see the outcome? [44:15]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to “live with open hands.” What is one area of your life (time, talent, or resources) where you tend to hold back? What would it look like to open your hand in that area this week? [49:00]
2. Think about a recent opportunity you had to serve or give. Was your motivation more about the reward/blessing, or about following Jesus’ example? How might your motivation need to shift? [49:00]
3. The unity Paul describes is not about everyone thinking the same, but about sharing a common purpose. Where do you see differences in our group or church, and how can we focus on our shared mission instead of our differences? [33:59]
4. The sermon shared a story about students at Smithfield Elementary wanting to give back after receiving. Have you ever experienced a time when someone’s generosity inspired you to be generous? How can you “pay it forward” this week? [45:09]
5. Humility is key to generosity. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to practice more humility and put someone else’s needs first? What is one step you can take? [37:19]
6. Sometimes the impact of our giving is delayed or unseen. Is there a way you can serve or give this week without expecting to see the results? How will you remind yourself to trust God with the outcome? [44:15]
7. The sermon ended with a question: “How might you open your hands with your time and your talents, and yes, maybe even your money this week, and allow the Lord to use you?” What is one specific action you will take in response? [49:00]