Serve With Humility and Love//////With Bishop David Ray

Serving with humility and love is at the very heart of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. Drawing from Philippians 2, the call is clear: encouragement, comfort, and fellowship are found in belonging to Christ, but these gifts are not meant to be hoarded—they are meant to be shared. True Christian living is not about self-promotion or impressing others, but about working together in unity, considering the needs and interests of others above our own. This unity is not just for those we know well, but extends to strangers, to those we meet in passing, and even to those who may not treat us kindly.

The challenge is to maintain a tender and compassionate heart, even when others are difficult or when we ourselves are weary. It is easy to serve when we feel like it, but the real test comes when we are called to humility and love in the face of conflict or misunderstanding. The example of Christ is our guide—He humbled Himself, even to the point of death on a cross, not for His own benefit, but for ours. This radical humility is not weakness, but strength; it is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less, so that we might lift others up.

Worship, too, is an act of humility. It is not a performance for others, but a bowing of the heart before God alone. When we worship in spirit and truth, our focus shifts from ourselves and those around us to Christ, who is worthy of all honor. In this posture, God works within us, giving us both the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. The unity and love we are called to is not something we muster on our own, but is the fruit of God’s work in us as we hold firmly to His word and example.

Throughout history, pride and selfishness have divided people, but the church is called to a different way—a way of unity, humility, and sacrificial love. This is not just a lofty ideal, but a daily practice, empowered by grace and the Holy Spirit. Whether in our homes, our church, or our community, let us be known as people who serve with humility and love, following the example of Christ, and valuing others above ourselves.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Value Others Above Yourself Placing others’ needs and interests before your own is a mark of true humility. This does not mean thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking of yourself less, so that you can genuinely care for those around you. In a world that prizes self-promotion, the way of Christ is to lift others up, even when it costs us comfort or recognition. [13:56]
• 2. Unity Requires Humility and Compassion True unity is not possible without a tender and compassionate heart. It means working together with one mind and purpose, even when personalities clash or misunderstandings arise. Humility allows us to rise above petty conflicts and to seek the good of the whole, rather than insisting on our own way. [07:33]
• 3. Worship Is Bowing the Heart to God Worship is not about outward performance or drawing attention to ourselves, but about focusing our hearts entirely on God. When we worship in spirit and truth, we are humbled before Him, and our lives are reoriented around His presence and will. This kind of worship transforms us and brings us into deeper unity with one another. [20:01]
• 4. Christ’s Example Empowers Our Service Jesus’ humility, even to the point of death on the cross, is both our example and our source of strength. We are not called to serve in our own power, but in the grace and power that God provides. As we follow Christ’s example, the Holy Spirit enables us to love and serve beyond our natural capacity. [17:16]
• 5. Hold Firmly to God’s Word Daily Clinging to the word of God is essential for living a life of humility and love. Without daily grounding in Scripture, we are prone to drift into selfishness and chaos. God’s word shapes our minds and hearts, equipping us to serve others faithfully and to persevere in unity. [23:13]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:39] - Reading Philippians 2:1-16
• [02:02] - Encouragement, Comfort, and Fellowship in Christ
• [03:26] - The Need for Tender and Compassionate Hearts
• [04:50] - Loving and Working Together
• [06:18] - Being Conscious of Others
• [07:33] - Unity: One Mind and Purpose
• [08:52] - Responding to Difficult Attitudes
• [09:33] - Avoiding Selfishness and Impressing Others
• [11:32] - Handling Conflict with Humility
• [13:17] - Looking Out for Others’ Interests
• [15:19] - Addressing Attitudes in the Church
• [17:16] - Christ’s Humility and Our Example
• [19:25] - True Worship: Focusing on God
• [21:57] - God Working in Us
• [23:13] - Holding Firmly to the Word
• [25:47] - The Mind of Christ
• [27:07] - The Importance of Women in Ministry
• [28:31] - Standing Against Self-Centeredness
• [29:52] - The High Standard of Christ’s Example
• [31:13] - Suffering and Humility
• [33:16] - You Are Somebody in Christ
• [33:55] - Serving with Humility and Love

Bible Reading

Philippians 2:1-16 (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.
> 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
> 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
> 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
> 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
> 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Observation Questions

1. According to Philippians 2:1-2, what are the signs that someone is truly living in Christ? What does Paul say should make his joy complete?
2. In verse 3, what two attitudes does Paul warn against, and what does he say should replace them?
3. The sermon mentioned that worship is not about outward performance but about focusing on God. What does verse 10 say about worship, and how does it connect to humility? [19:25]
4. In verse 13, who is at work in us to give us the desire and power to do what pleases God? How does this relate to our ability to serve with humility and love? [21:57]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon talked about valuing others above ourselves, not by thinking less of ourselves, but by thinking of ourselves less. How does this mindset challenge the way people usually approach relationships, both inside and outside the church? [32:30]
2. The pastor shared a story about refusing to argue with someone who was not humble. What does this teach about handling conflict and maintaining unity in the church? [12:09]
3. The passage says that Jesus humbled Himself even to death on a cross. Why is Christ’s example of humility so important for us to follow, especially when serving others is difficult or costly? [17:16]
4. The sermon emphasized holding firmly to God’s word daily. Why is this daily grounding in Scripture necessary for living out humility and love? [23:13]

Application Questions

1. Think about a recent situation where you had to choose between your own interests and someone else’s. How did you respond, and what would it look like to “look out for the interests of others” next time? [13:17]
2. The pastor mentioned that it’s easy to serve when we feel like it, but the real test comes when we’re tired or dealing with difficult people. Who in your life is hard for you to serve with humility and love? What is one step you can take this week to serve them anyway? [08:52]
3. The sermon said that worship is bowing our hearts before God, not performing for others. Are there ways you find yourself distracted by what others think during worship? What can you do to focus more on God alone? [20:01]
4. The pastor talked about sensing when someone comes to church with a bad attitude and the importance of addressing it with love and humility. How do you usually respond when you notice someone’s attitude is off? How could you approach them differently in light of this teaching? [15:19]
5. The message highlighted the importance of unity and working together, even when personalities clash. Is there someone in your family, church, or workplace you struggle to work with? What is one practical way you can pursue unity with them this week? [07:33]
6. The sermon encouraged holding firmly to the word of God every day. What is your current habit of reading or listening to Scripture? What is one change you could make to be more consistent in grounding yourself in God’s word? [23:13]
7. The pastor said, “You are somebody in Jesus Christ,” even when you feel discouraged or overlooked. How does knowing your value in Christ help you serve others with humility and love, especially when you don’t feel appreciated? [33:16]