Letters To Leaders – Selflessness

‘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. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 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! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ‘ Philippians 2:3-11

Pastor Jeremy Smith, the Lead Pastor of Crosspoint Church in Niceville, FL, continued the sermon series Letters to Leaders on the subject of “Selflessness.” Here are the posts from the previous messages in this sermon series:

The key idea that is center of this sermon series is:

1. Every Christian is a leader. And the goal of every Christian is to “make disciples.”
2. Christlike leadership is influence acted upon with self-sacrificial love.

Critical questions for this week’s subject are:

• Would you consider yourself a selfish person?
• Would you consider yourself a selfless person?

There is no better example to think of when meditating on these ideas than Jesus.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same “mindset” as Christ Jesus…”

The word “mindset” is one word that has been coming to me frequently lately. When this happens, I see this as God saying to me, “John, pay attention and dig deep.” I only say that because it came up again today in the key text of Jeremy’s sermon.

‘Those who live according to the flesh have their “minds set” on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their “minds set” on what the Spirit desires. ‘ Romans 8:5

In the Book of Daniel, Daniel was told, “Since the first day that you “set your mind” to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God.” Daniel set his mind to gaining understanding and humbling himself before his God, and his prayers were being answered.

How we have our minds set will determine our actions, and our efforts will be either “selfish” or “selfless.”

This list can go on and on. And we operate in these “mindsets.” I pray to the Lord that with every passing minute, I spend more time in the mindset of the “Spirit.”

‘Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. ‘ John 13:3-17

At the last supper, Jesus, the Creator of the universe, lower Himself to wash His disciples’ feet. This task was generally relegated to the lowest position of the household. But Jesus took this task on Himself and said, “I have given you an example to follow.”

And this is the example He exemplified on the cross to die for our sins.

‘Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. ‘ James 4:10

‘So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. ‘ 1 Peter 5:6

When we humble ourselves before the Lord in the service of others, He will lift us up in honor.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You help me to become selfless.

Please help me to see others with soft eyes, the way Jesus looks at us. I pray that You will give me the courage to act on the promptings of the Spirit without hesitation.

You say that there is no greater love than to lay your life down for a friend, I pray that you make that part of my spirit.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️