Note: This sermon was updated on 07th February 2011

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Introduction

A. In the heart of every man and woman there’s a desire for greatness.

B. The dictionary defines the term “greatness” as “of high rank, official position, or social standing. Ex: a great noble.”

B. The world’s criteria for measuring greatness: title, wealth, skills, intellect, achievements etc.

C. Unfortunately this is how some Christians measure greatness.

D. The Bible has a different criteria called “The mind or the attitude of Christ”

E. This is the key to greatness in God’s kingdom.

E. In today’s sermon lets find out more about the Christ like mind.

1. Self sacrifice, (Philippians 2:5-6)

A. Expressed in Jesus when he demoted himself to the level of humans.

B. Left his heavenly and glorious status.

C. Ministry is a task in which we sacrifice our titles, honor and glory for the sake of others, (Mark 10:45).

D. Self promotion and status seeking: the major culprit of church problems.

2. Servant hood, (Philippians 2:7)

A. Serves the other person.

B. “…by taking on the form of a slave…”  (Slave in Greek is doulas: means bond servant, devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests)

C. Identifying with those who are weak: “…by looking like other men…” (NET)

D. Empathy: “…and by sharing in human nature…” (NET)

E. Greatness doesn’t start from the pulpit. It starts from the lowest possible point, (John 13:1-17)

F. Jesus didn’t die for God. He died for us – Likewise in ministry we serve God’s people.

3. Complete Obedience, (Philippians 2:8)

A. “…He humbled himself…” You can’t obey if you are not humble.

B. To humble one’s self could be painful. In God’s kingdom no pain means no gain.

C. Complete obedience: Jesus didn’t stop by becoming a man. He completed his mission by dying on the cross. (explain the agony of crucifixion)

D. Partial obedience is complete disobedience.

4. God promotes the humble hearted, (Philippians 2:9-11)

A. True greatness is not cheap

B. It costs the price of self sacrifice, servant hood and obedience.

C. Yet, the purpose of greatness is to glorify God: “…and every tongue confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father…)

Application

A. Self sacrifice is the first quality of Christ like mind. I should always think that my brother or sister in Christ is more important than me and to make efforts to build them up in Christ.

B. Every Christian is a servant called by God to serve others. The bond servants of Christ’s day possessed two important characteristics. They served their masters with joy. Then they were known for their faithfulness. Be faithful to God in every thing you do and do it out of joy without grumbling.

C. Obedience: most of us seek to obey God without obeying our spiritual leaders and parents first. You can’t obey God unless you obey these authorities in the first place.

D. God honors the Christ like attitude. Anyone who wants to achieve greatness in God’s kingdom must follow Christ’s example. Think about the greatness the world offers you. It doesn’t last long. When God exalts you it lasts forever.

E. I would like to conclude this sermon by reading John 13:3. “…Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him and that he had come from God and was going back to God.” Jesus wasn’t an insecure leader. He knew God has already elevated him above everything and everyone and nothing can take his dignity away.

Remember, greatness is just a one thing among the many other blessings that God has for you in his treasure chest. “Christ like attitude” is the only key that will unlock the chest.