Because That’s What Jesus Would Do!

WWJD? What would Jesus do?

Philippians 2:1-4 (MSG)

^1-4 If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Philippians 2:5 (MSG) – “Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.”

NLT – “You should have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

Jesus showed us how to…

1. Choose the option

Philippians 2:6-7 (NIV)

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

Question- How can choose the self(less) option right now?

Jesus showed us how to…

2. Choose in the face of hostility

Philippians 2:8 (NIV)

⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—

Humility is – “controlled strength”

1 Peter 2:21-23 (NIV)
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Question – How can I choose humility in the face of hostility right now?

Jesus showed us how to…

3. Choose open-handed

Philippians 2:8 (NIV)

⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:8 (MSG)

 “he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

1 “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

Question – How can I show open-handed love right now?

“You’re the only Jesus some will ever see, you’re the only words of life some will ever read. So let them see in you the One in whom is all they’ll ever need. You’re the only Jesus some will ever see!”

The Imperial’s

Jesus showed us how to…

1. Choose the self(less) option

2. Choose humility in the face of hostility

3. Choose open-handed love