Jesus is selfless... so we're selfless

Hello, Bridge family. I really appreciate this week’s message because I firmly believe that our way of living reflects our identity as Christians. There are many ways to share the gospel. Still, when we prioritize others’ needs over our own and live selflessly, I believe we embody a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Putting others first is challenging, as our natural instinct is to prioritize ourselves.


Have you ever heard of the “golden rule?” You can find it in Luke, where Jesus teaches what it means to love. It goes like this, “Do to others as you would like them to do to you” (6:31). Years ago, we used a curriculum that emphasized three points each week, one of which was that we should treat others the way we want to be treated. I really took that to heart. If you were to ask me what my life verse is, it would be this, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to everyone else…and here is the kicker, For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45).


In our teaching this week, Paul is pointing out precisely what Christ teaches in Mark. If God was willing to do that for you and me, then why should we expect to receive more? Shouldn’t we be willing to give more? This is a hard lesson, and I often fall short more than I want. Still, I find that when I am living to the best of my ability by following Jesus’ example, my life becomes deeply rewarding. When I think about what it cost me to live by His example, it pales in comparison to what Jesus gave up. Let me encourage you to read Philippians 2:1-11, and to teach your children to follow you as you follow Jesus in His example of selfless living. Be a city on a hill that can’t be hidden, so that your family may connect with the heart of God.


Remember, as long as your child is at home, you have a great chance to share the Bible. Together, explore its stories, discussing how they apply to daily life, and fostering deeper family conversations. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful journey. God bless, and I look forward to seeing your family on Sunday.


Pastor Bob