Renewing the Church Through Humility and Service
Summary
Four years ago, a dream was born to see a new kind of church in Kansas City—a church that would not be a relic of the past, but a living, breathing community marked by love, generosity, and joy. The longing was to be a people whose presence would be missed if we were gone, a church whose reputation would be renewed in a city where many see the church as outdated or irrelevant. This vision is rooted in the hope that our lives would point beyond ourselves, bearing witness to truth, beauty, and goodness.
To guide us in this, we look to the church in Philippi, as described in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The story of Philippi begins with humble beginnings: Paul, Silas, and Timothy meeting Lydia by the riverside, a woman who would become the church’s first leader. This is a reminder that the early church was built on unexpected people and places, and that Paul himself elevated women to leadership, challenging us to dig deeper into scripture and its context.
Paul’s relationship with the Philippians was unique—marked by deep affection, friendship, and mutual sacrifice. When Paul was imprisoned, the Philippians didn’t just send thoughts and prayers; they raised money and sent one of their own, Epaphroditus, on a dangerous journey to deliver support. Paul’s gratitude is not just a thank you, but a wellspring of joy, rooted in their partnership and spiritual maturity. Their reputation, even thousands of years later, is not one of dysfunction or scandal, but of love and generosity.
Yet, Paul’s prayer for them is that their love would abound even more—with knowledge, discernment, and right living. Spiritual growth is not a destination, but a journey. Even a church with a good reputation must guard against pride and complacency. The danger is in thinking we’ve arrived, becoming closed-hearted or self-satisfied. Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector warns us: humility is the posture that pleases God.
So, the question is not just how to restore the church’s reputation, but how to serve. The call is to slow down, notice the needs around us, and respond with practical love. It’s not about grand gestures, but about meeting real needs—one at a time, week after week. If we do this, our collective impact could echo for generations, just as the church in Philippi’s legacy still inspires us today.
Key Takeaways
- The renewal of the church’s reputation begins with a posture of humility and service, not with image management or self-promotion. Paul introduces himself to the Philippians not as an apostle, but as a servant—a “slave of Christ”—modeling the self-emptying humility of Jesus. Our identity must be rooted in serving others, not in status or recognition. [15:41]
- Deep, sacrificial friendship and partnership are at the heart of a vibrant faith community. The Philippians’ willingness to risk, give, and journey for Paul in his need is a model of love that goes beyond words. True community is built not on convenience, but on costly, consistent acts of generosity and presence. [17:08]
- Spiritual maturity is not a static achievement, but a continual process of growth. Paul’s prayer is that love would abound “even more”—with knowledge, discernment, and right living. No matter how healthy or loving a community becomes, there is always more to learn, more to give, and more ways to become like Christ. [19:09]
- A good reputation can become a spiritual danger if it leads to pride or complacency. The temptation to compare ourselves favorably to others, or to rest on past successes, can blind us to our ongoing need for grace and growth. Jesus’ parable reminds us that humility, not self-congratulation, is the way to God’s heart. [22:29]
- The most transformative impact often comes from simple, attentive acts of love. Noticing the needs of neighbors, coworkers, and strangers—and responding in practical ways—can renew the church’s witness more powerfully than any program or campaign. The call is to slow down, pay attention, and let the Spirit lead us into everyday opportunities to serve. [27:19]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - The Dream for Midtown Church
[02:55] - Encountering a Repurposed Church Building
[05:10] - Longing for a Living Church
[07:00] - The Reputation of the Church Today
[08:30] - Introducing Philippians and the Church at Philippi
[10:15] - Lydia and the Birth of the Philippian Church
[12:40] - Paul’s Imprisonment and the Philippians’ Sacrifice
[15:41] - Paul’s Unique Thanksgiving and Joy
[17:08] - The Reputation of the Philippian Church
[19:09] - Paul’s Prayer for Abounding Love
[20:38] - Love, Knowledge, and Right Living
[22:29] - The Danger of Reputation and Pride
[24:31] - A Personal Story of Encouragement and Humility
[26:35] - Shifting the Question: How Can We Serve?
[27:19] - The Practice of Noticing and Meeting Needs
[29:59] - The Collective Impact of Simple Acts
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
Philippians 1:1-11 (ESV)
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Philippians 1:1, how does Paul introduce himself and Timothy to the church at Philippi? What title does he use, and why is that significant? [15:41]
2. What actions did the Philippian church take to support Paul while he was in prison? How did this go beyond just words? [17:08]
3. According to Philippians 1:9-11, what does Paul pray for the Philippians to grow in, even though they already have a good reputation? [19:09]
4. In the parable from Luke 18, what is the main difference between the Pharisee’s and the tax collector’s prayers? [22:29]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul chooses to call himself a “servant” or “slave” of Christ instead of using his title as an apostle when writing to the Philippians? What does this say about his relationship with them and his view of leadership? [15:41]
2. The Philippian church is remembered for its love and generosity, not for dysfunction or scandal. What does this suggest about what really matters in a church’s legacy? [17:08]
3. Paul prays that the Philippians’ love would “abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” Why is it important for love to be connected to knowledge and discernment, not just feelings? [19:09]
4. How does Jesus’ parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector warn us about the dangers of pride, even in a healthy or successful church? [22:29]
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### Application Questions
1. Paul models humility by introducing himself as a servant. In your daily life, what would it look like to introduce yourself or think of yourself first as a servant, rather than by your achievements or status? [15:41]
2. The Philippians didn’t just send “thoughts and prayers” to Paul—they raised money and sent someone on a risky journey to help. Can you think of a time when you or someone you know went beyond words to meet a real need? What did that cost, and what impact did it have? [17:08]
3. Paul’s prayer is that love would keep growing, with knowledge and discernment. Is there an area in your life where you need more wisdom or discernment in how you love others? What’s one step you could take this week to grow in that area? [19:09]
4. The sermon warns that a good reputation can lead to pride or complacency. Are there ways you’ve seen this happen in churches or in your own life? How can you guard against becoming self-satisfied or closed-hearted? [22:29]
5. The call is to slow down, notice needs, and respond with practical love. What is one practical way you can “notice” someone’s need this week—at work, in your neighborhood, or among friends? [27:19]
6. The sermon suggests making it a goal to meet at least one need a month, or even a week. What is one specific need you’ve noticed recently that you could help meet? What’s stopping you, and how could you take a step toward meeting it? [28:57]
7. Imagine if everyone in our group or church met just one need a week. What kind of impact do you think that would have on our community? How can we encourage each other to keep this practice going? [29:59]
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Devotional
Day 1: Servants of Christ—Embracing Humility and Service
Paul opens his letter to the Philippians by identifying himself and Timothy not as apostles, but as servants—literally, slaves—of Christ Jesus. This choice of language is deeply intentional, reflecting the humility and self-emptying posture that Jesus himself modeled. Paul’s greeting is a reminder that the Christian life is not about status, authority, or personal ambition, but about putting others before ourselves and serving as Christ served. Imagine what our church and city would look like if every believer introduced themselves first and foremost as a servant, living lives emptied of vain ambition and selfish desires. This radical humility is the foundation for unity and the resolution of conflict within the church, and it is the posture that allows us to truly reflect Christ to the world. [13:40]
Philippians 1:1-2 (ESV)
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection: In what specific area of your life can you intentionally take on the posture of a servant this week, putting someone else’s needs before your own?
Day 2: A Reputation of Love and Generosity
The church in Philippi was known not for dysfunction or controversy, but for its deep love, generosity, and partnership in the gospel. Paul’s gratitude for them overflows with joy, as he remembers their sacrificial support—raising funds and sending Epaphroditus on a dangerous journey to care for him in prison. Their reputation, even thousands of years later, is one of love and generosity, not just within their own community but extending outward in tangible ways. This is the kind of legacy that endures: a church whose impact is felt and remembered because of its selfless love and open-handed generosity. What would it look like for our church to be remembered in this way? [18:04]
Philippians 1:3-7 (ESV)
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
Reflection: Who in your life could you show unexpected generosity or encouragement to this week, in a way that reflects the love of Christ?
Day 3: Abounding in Love, Knowledge, and Discernment
Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is that their love would abound more and more, not just in feeling but in knowledge and discernment. Spiritual growth is not a destination but a journey, and even a church known for love and generosity has more to learn. Paul prays that their love would be wise, leading to moral discernment and right living, so that they may be pure and blameless, filled with the fruit of righteousness. True Christian love is not separated from wisdom or action; it is a love that shapes how we live and the choices we make, even when the right path seems unclear. [20:38]
Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV)
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Reflection: Where do you need God’s wisdom to help your love become more discerning and active in your daily decisions?
Day 4: The Danger of Pride—Staying Humble in Success
One of the greatest dangers for a church with a good reputation is the temptation to become prideful, stagnant, or self-satisfied. Jesus warns against this in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, where the humble heart is the one justified before God. It is easy to compare ourselves to others and think we have arrived, but true spiritual maturity is marked by humility and a continual openness to growth. The call is to hold encouragement and humility together, remembering that our identity is always as servants of Christ, no matter how much we accomplish or how others see us. [23:34]
Luke 18:11-14 (ESV)
The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
Reflection: When was the last time you caught yourself comparing your spiritual life to someone else’s? How can you practice humility and openness to God’s correction today?
Day 5: Noticing and Meeting Needs—The Simple Path to Impact
Restoring the reputation of the church begins not with grand strategies, but with the simple act of noticing the people and needs around us. In the busyness of life, it is easy to overlook those who are struggling or in need of encouragement. By slowing down, paying attention, and asking the Holy Spirit to make us aware, we can begin to see opportunities to serve in small but meaningful ways. Meeting just one need a week, whether for a neighbor, coworker, or stranger, can have a ripple effect that transforms our community and leaves a legacy of love and service. [28:14]
Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV)
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally notice and serve this week—perhaps someone you usually overlook or pass by?
Quotes
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