The Calling of Every Member

PUT THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS FIRST

• Gospel unity requires us to pursue the same love, purpose, and mission together (2:1-2).
• Selfish ambition asks, “What do I want?” Humility asks, “What do others need?”
• Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself but considering others more important than yourself (2:3).
• Following Jesus requires us to look beyond our own interests to the interests of others (2:4).
• A church focused primarily on its own preferences will eventually neglect the people it has been called to reach.

A church focused primarily on its own preferences will eventually neglect the people it has been called to reach.

FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS

• Jesus did not cling to the privileges that were rightfully His (2:5–6).
• He willingly emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant (2:7).
• Jesus moved toward our need rather than protecting His comfort.
• His humility was not merely an attitude. It resulted in costly obedience (2:8).
• Jesus humbled Himself all the way to death on a cross so that we could be saved.
• The Father exalted the Son, and one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (2:9–11).

Jesus did not ask us to embrace a type of sacrifice He was unwilling to model Himself.

ACCEPT THE CALLING OF EVERY MEMBER

M2 will require more than agreement with a vision. It will require personal sacrifice from every member.

As we seek to make room for others, we may be asking members to consider sacrifices such as:

• Give sacrificially. Prayerfully consider what you can give beyond your regular offering toward M2.
• Adjust your schedule. Be willing to attend a different service or group time if it creates room for others.
• Serve where needed. Growing ministry requires more people willing to take responsibility rather than simply receive ministry.
• Release preferences. Some changes may not be what we personally prefer, but they may help us reach and disciple others more effectively.
• Embrace inconvenience. Parking farther away, changing routines, navigating construction, or giving up familiar spaces may be part of making room for someone else.
• Pray and prepare now. Don’t wait until Commitment Sunday to begin asking what God might want you to surrender for the sake of others.

We aren’t asking everyone to sacrifice in the same way, but we are asking everyone to approach this season with the same mindset.

“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)

THE CALLING

We cannot put the interests of others first without putting some of our own interests second.

Jesus willingly sacrificed His privileges to meet our greatest need.

If reaching others requires something from us, may we have the humility of Jesus to give it.

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