Selfless or Selfish?

Each of us fights a daily battle with  ___________.

We each face choices between two very similar but vastly different words:  _______________ and _______________.

The follower of Jesus has chosen the path of __________________ but must still walk the path each ____________.

We all know that selflessness is ________________ than selfishness.

From the very beginning of the letter to the Philippians, Paul had selflessness on his ______________.  Philippians 1:1

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons

The words “servant” and “selfless” go _________________.

Are you a ________________ of God or the ________________ of your own life?

Secret:  Being __________________ is the key to _________________.

Paul was determined to __________________ this new “Way” of Jesus.  Acts 9:1-2 

Saul’s Conversion

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Instead, Paul becomes a selfless ________________ of Jesus.

The key is to understand that even when I don’t _______________ up, I should never ____________ up.

Though I might not be able to ___________ up to the example, I can still _____________ from the example.

Three Brief Examples

Adversity:    Philippians 1:12-14

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

            Selfish:  Why is this happening to me?

            Selfless:  How can God turn my ________________ into          His _________________?

Change:  Philippians 3:7-8

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

            Selfish:  How is this change good for me?

            Selfless:  How can God use this change for His     _____________?

Contentment:  Philippians 4:10-13

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

    Selfish:  I want ___________ I want; ___________ I want it.

             Selfless:  I _____________ God to give me what He     _______________ me to have.

             _______________ selflessness leads to _____________ success.