Verses 1-4.
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To be greatly strengthened and comforted, to have and to bring joy, believers need to share the same selfless love for each other.
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Work on your selflessness. Make sure you're working to serve others in the things that will benefit their faith and the growth of the kingdom.
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For humility, see others as better than you are—even superior to you (Matthew 18:4). This will also make you see their progress in the faith as more significant than your own. By being the best helper to as many people as possible, you will be able to learn and grow the most; for the more you give, more you will receive (Luke 6:38). By serving you will be the most effective (John 12:24).
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Think of how Jesus lived. He prioritized the growth of His disciples, so that they could accomplish even more than He did (John 14:12). He even died for them! He lost His own life for what they could gain.
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In a church, this kind of humility and selflessness will result in everyone being served and esteemed highly, with no one being disesteemed and neglected. This is love in action, which brings perfect unity (Colossians 3:14).
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To sum it up, be a humble servant to others (Matthew 20:26-28).
Verses 5-11.
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Jesus' humility is a perfect example. No one is higher, and yet no has stooped lower than He. As a result, God was and is most glorified.
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Like Christ, know your value, but speak and live modestly, and as a servant to others.
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Be obedient to God, and sacrifice your preferences and feelings for the benefit of others, and even to the point of pain and death.
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This will glorify God most!
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This passage supports the humanness of Jesus. He was/is God, but also remember that He was fully human (Hebrews 2:14,17), so we can follow His example.
Verses 12-13.
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You can be obedient because God is working in your heart/mind to make you obedient. Knowing that God is helping you, you are able to please Him, so believe in His help, and be obedient!
Verses 14-18.
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We are meant to be lights in the world (Matthew 5:14), to shine with good works and be known as faultless to the world (Titus 2:8, 1 Peter 3:16).
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If you're complaining, you won't have good works. Your attitude is key, so have a thankful attitude at all times.
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Be careful to obey the Word of God, and this will ensure that the investment of others into your growth is not wasted.
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Disobedience is also a waste of God's investment of His own blood (Acts 20:28b) into your life (2 Corinthians 6:1).
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Verses 17-18. Like Paul, “pour out” your energy for the purpose of serving others for the prosperity of their faith; and be happy about this opportunity! It glorifies God!
Verses 19-30
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Verses 19-24. Be someone that cares sincerely for the wellbeing of others. And for important works, partner with people that are the same way.
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Then you will have people you can trust for these works, and others will trust you.
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Verses 25-30. For the work of Christ and serving others, exert yourself. Push yourself beyond comfortable limits, and to “supply what is lacking” (look for need, and fill it).
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Yes, do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with a good diet and a minimum of sleep. Just be willing to lose sleep from time-to-time (2 Corinthians 11:27).
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But don't over-exert to the point of sickness. This is a mistake. But if you do over-exert, as with Epaphroditus, God can show mercy for that mistake and heal you. But next time make wiser choices for your body.
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For now, start by pushing beyond what you think your limit is in your current work. You'll be fine. You are able to do more than you think.
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Verse 29-30. It is an honorable life, not a irresponsible one, to exert oneself beyond perceived limits for the wellbeing of others (Acts 15:25-26).
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Others will respect you if you are diligent. They will not if you are not diligent.
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