Chapter 2 The Servanthood of God's Warriors

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to the Phillipian church. He knew that Jesus Christ was the Lord of his life and that anything that God allowed was for Paul's good and God's glory. Now this faithful soldier was sharing truths that he knew would transform believers into disciples and disciples into warriors who would fight and win the war against the devil, the flesh and the world.

Now it is our turn to learn these lessons and apply to them to our lives. We covered chapter one in a previous lesson on having a shepherd's heart. Here is chapter two. It teaches us the greatest quality of true leadership—having a servant's heart.

1) THE CALL TO SERVANTHOOD—Philippians 2:1-4

Jesus is our example of unconditional love and serving others. We are to esteem others better

than ourselves and see how we can meet their needs, and not just our own.

2) THE EXAMPLE OF SERVANTHOOD—Philippians 2:5-8

       What a Savior we have! Though He was God, study the four steps of obedience Christ took   

       in order to save us (taking the form of a servant, making Himself of no reputation, humbling 

       Himself and being obedient unto the death of the cross). We must do the same in taking up our

       cross to follow Him and putting self to death. 

3) THE REWARD OF SERVANTHOOD—Philippians 2:9-11

       Now look what the Father did to His obedient Son—four steps of reward (exalted, given a name

      above all names, every knee will bow and every tongue confess Christ's Lordship). Now study John

      12:24-26 on how God also honors those who serve with all our hearts the Lord Jesus.

4) THE SOURCE OF TRUE SERVANTHOOD—Philippians 2:12-13

       I love these verses. It is the mighty Holy Spirit who works God's miracle in us—making us willing to

       obey Him and giving us the power to do His will. So we "work," but he is the one at work within us.

       Incredible!

TO BE CONTINUED—

Chapter two is too important—too delicious—to hurry through. Watch for the next lesson.

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras