Your Life Isn't Just About You: Living with Others in Mind from Philippians 2

How do you make your life count? Jesus' answer runs against everything the culture teaches. Philippians 2 says to value others above yourself and to share the mindset of Christ, who stepped down so we could be lifted up. A life that counts is a poured-out life, lived with other people in mind. To live like Jesus is to live beyond yourself.

What did the rich man realize too late?

He realized that his life had never been only about him. In Luke 16, Jesus tells of a rich man who ignored a beggar named Lazarus at his gate. After death, in torment, the rich man begs Abraham to send someone to warn his five brothers. They are on the same path he was on.

Pastor Marty Sloan raised a sobering question. What if we had that perspective shift before we die, not after? Every person is made in God's image, every life has value, and the people around you have an eternity at stake.

Why is it so hard to live for others?

We feel a constant pull toward ourselves, and the culture encourages it. Our phones are iPhones and our photos are selfies. The message is to protect your time, build your platform, and do what makes you happy.

Pastor Marty pointed out that this mindset shows up inside the church too. People come to church thinking only about themselves. He acknowledged there is real value in Sabbath and rest. But the push to focus on yourself has pulled many believers away from the Great Commission: go and make disciples of all nations.

Even church isn't only for you. We've made church so comfortable, with soft seats and air conditioning, that it's easy to forget the mission.

What does Philippians 2 teach about humility?

Philippians 2 teaches you to think about others the way Jesus did.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3 to 4

Paul then tells you to have "the same mindset as Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5) and describes it.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6 to 8

Humility is, in this passage, choosing to value other people above yourself and to put their interests next to your own. Jesus had authority and chose servanthood. He had glory and embraced humility. He had power and used it to serve. He stepped down so that we could be lifted up. Jesus said it Himself: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

So ask yourself every day: who can I lift up today?

How can you encourage someone today?

Start small and start close. For example, Pastor Marty told about dropping off a rental car. As he walked away, he told the attendant two things not to forget: it's a beautiful day, and God is good. The man answered, "All the time," and said he needed that today. It took 30 seconds.

"Every one of us can make a positive deposit in somebody else's life," Pastor Marty said, if we slow down and stop thinking only about our own agenda. You are blessed to be a blessing.

Start with the people nearest you. Encourage your spouse, your kids, your parents, and your friends. Then look for the stranger God places in your path.

What does a poured-out life look like?

A poured-out life is one where whatever God puts into you flows out to others. Paul described his own life this way near the end.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.

2 Timothy 4:6

Pastor Marty described the shift as moving from self-focused to others-focused, from me-centric to mission-centric, and from comfort-driven to commission-driven. God has forgiven you, so forgive. God has loved you, so love. God has blessed you, so bless someone else.

What does "come and see, go and tell" mean?

It describes the two tracks of following Jesus. First you come and see. When the first disciples asked where He was staying, Jesus answered, "Come, and you will see" (John 1:39). You encounter Jesus, follow Him, and grow close to Him through His Word, worship, and His people. Then you go and tell. Andrew met Jesus and right away found his brother Simon to say, "We have found the Messiah" (John 1:41).

The woman at the well in John 4 did both. After talking with Jesus, she ran back to her town.

Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?

John 4:29

Many believers stop at seeing. If you only come and see, you risk becoming spiritually full but missionally still. Pastor Marty said one of the best ways to keep your own heart on fire is to tell someone else about Jesus. The church gathers to experience God and scatters to share Him. You can share your faith anywhere. He met a man at the gym, mentioned he pastors a church in Naperville, and the next day the man said he and his wife had watched Calvary's sermons online.

Learn to listen for the Holy Spirit's prompting, then take a step and trust Him. You'll sometimes miss it, and that's okay. Keep listening.

To go further, Pastor Marty recommended Transforming Worldviews by Paul Hiebert, The Gospel of the Kingdom by T. Austin-Sparks, and The Mission of God by Joseph Boot.

Common questions

What does Philippians 2:3 to 4 mean?

Paul tells believers to do nothing out of selfish ambition and, in humility, to value others above themselves. It means looking out for the interests of others, following the example of Jesus, who humbled Himself to serve.

What does it mean to have the mind of Christ?

Philippians 2:5 to 8 describes the mindset of Christ Jesus. Though He was God, He took the nature of a servant and humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. Having His mindset means choosing humility and service in your relationships.

How do I share my faith if I'm not a preacher?

Tell people what Jesus has done for you, the way the woman at the well did in John 4. A short, honest word at the right time, like "God is good," can open a door. Listen for the Holy Spirit's prompting and take the step.

What does "blessed to be a blessing" mean?

It means God's goodness to you is meant to flow through you to others. Because God has forgiven, loved, and blessed you, you forgive, love, and bless the people around you.