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Claim - Having a ‘like-mind’ for the gospel requires exulting others above ourselves.
one in aim and direction
one in aim and direction
Here is what you have,
1 - Encouragamnet from unity/being joint to Him
2 - Comfort from His love (to us)
3 - Fellowship in the Spirit (or from the Spirit
4 - Tenderness and Compassion From Christ’s love
2a -the Esence of unity is to think the same - likemindedness
2a -the Esence of unity is to think the same - likemindedness
v2
Like mindedness - IE - thinking the same
The New American Commentary: Philippians, Colossians, Philemon The Expression of Unity (2:2b–4)
This is unity. It is not found in an identical life-style or personality. It occurs when Christian people have the same values and loves. Paul sought that in this church.
The expression of unity
The expression of unity
1 - same outlook
The New American Commentary: Philippians, Colossians, Philemon The Expression of Unity (2:2b–4)
The first is the same outlook. Three ideas combine to emphasize its different aspects: having the same love as Christ did; having a harmonious affection; and valuing the same thing. The NIV translates “having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (2:2b)
2 - Humility - compare against the world’s view of rights
The New American Commentary: Philippians, Colossians, Philemon The Expression of Unity (2:2b–4)
Before the New Testament era, the word “humility” had a negative connotation. The adjective related to it “was frequently employed, and especially so, to describe the mentality of a slave. It conveyed the ideas of being base, unfit, shabby, mean, of no account. Hence ‘humility’ could not have been regarded by the pagan as a virtue to be sought after.”
3 - Considersation
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
phi 2 4
Claim - Having a ‘like-mind’ for the gospel requires exulting others above ourselves.
Focus - Motivated by Jesus’ own humility we can humble ourselves, putting others first for the sake of Gospel advancement.
Function - To rejoice so much in Christ’s sacrificial humility and resultant triumph that we follow his example in loving others unreservedly.
Achieving a life worthy of the gospel:
Achieving a life worthy of the gospel:
1 - Our Encouragement - CHrist our Encouragement
1 - Our Encouragement - CHrist our Encouragement
Winston Churchill was once asked, "Doesn't it thrill you to know that every time you make a speech, the hall is packed to overflowing?"
2- Our most effective strategy (Unity with each other intellectually?) - Unity our Stratergy
2- Our most effective strategy (Unity with each other intellectually?) - Unity our Stratergy
"It's quite flattering," replied Churchill.
"But whenever I feel that way,
3 - Our Measurable Goals (Humility) - Humility our Toolkit
3 - Our Measurable Goals (Humility) - Humility our Toolkit
I always remember that if instead of making a political speech I was being hanged, the crowd would be twice as big."
There are many ways to remain humble, but today’s passage blows any typical technique such as Churchill’s example, out the water.
So let’s begin.
4 - Our Model (Jesus) - Jesus our Example
4 - Our Model (Jesus) - Jesus our Example
The ‘Therefore’ at the beginning of chapter 2 tells us this is next section belongs to a claim or statement he’s already made.
Therefore is a big word!
Therefore, Let me give you an example of what it means (do you like what I did there)
And thsi ‘therefore’ belongs to 1v27.
Our Sunday Gathering is an oppertunity to Glorfiy God as a gathered people, encouraging one another as we meet, which is why it’s important to arrive on time and don’t wonder in and out to the toilet or to get drinks.
‘whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. ‘
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
THEREFORE - plan your Sunday’s carefully, leave earlier than you need to, get your children to go to the toilet before the service and you can service 75mins without a drink.
THEREFORE - T
THEREFORE - Therefore is a big word! (do you like what I did there)
whhich we can live a life worthy of the gsoel...
This chapter is Paul’s continued exhortations to the Philippian church, to live a life worthy of the gospel.
Live a life worthy of the Gospel he says, Therefore, do the following.
The word Therefore, therefore gives us the appropriate responce to something that has already been said.
It’s the next step to achieving the instruction, or responding to the claim. Or sometimes just a slightly different way of applying something that has already been applied.
So I’ve called this talk
Therefore, when we start a passage with the word ‘Therefore’ as we do today, we know 2 things need to be straight in our minds.
1- what has been said already
2 - What is the next step or correct responce to that claim.
So, what is the claim already put forward by Paul here in the book of Philippians to the Philippians?
Paul’s said lots of great stuff already, but it all revolves around a central theme.
First he was giving thanks for it being present in the lives of the Philippians church in 1v4-5,
because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
He then explained what ‘partnership in the gospel’ means in 1v9-11.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
In simple terms , Love each other by seeking to live according to God’s will. And the primary principle for God’s will on earth for his church is made clear in Philippians,
And that is that God is praised more and more as the Good news of salavtion spreads to all.
For example, He then shows how even in suffering and persecution, the gospel can still advance in 1v12-26.
And then here comes the simplest summary the big picture in Philippians, indeed the Christian life 1v27
The New International Version Chapter 1
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
Therefore, Chapter 2.
The therefore today in Chapter 2, tells us if you like, how we are going to achieve that type of life.
The type of life that is worthy of the gospel.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistle to the Philippians 2. A Call for Unity and Mutual Consideration (2:1–4)
The word of exhortation begun in 1:27, ‘only see to it that you live lives as citizens worthy of the gospel of Christ’, now finds concrete expression in a concerned appeal for unity and mutual consideration within the congregation
And we’re going to break it down into 4 points.
Achieving a life worthy of the gospel:
1 - Christ our Motivation
2- Unity our Strategy
3 - Humility our Toolkit
4 - Christ our Example
Short Start - The ‘Therefore’ at the begiing of chapter 2 tells us this is continuing the way in whhich we can live a life worthy of the gsoel...
Unity and Humility
Unity and Humility
becasue they are the things emphasised here,
So let’s crack on.
1 - Christ our Motivation
1 - Christ our Motivation
Before Paul tell us what’s expected from us to live a Gospel worthy life, he gives us a reminder about our motivation.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
then do the following...
Note that Paul is not saying that, ‘if you ‘feel like’ you have any encouragement, comfort etc from Christ’
The challenge is not aimed at Jesus to make sure he’s delivering the goods to us!
If Jesus delivers his comfort to you, then you can do what follows in this chapter.
Jesus has delivered!
The challenge is to us.
In as much as he is pointing out that we do have encouragment, comfort love etc from Christ,
SO IF YOU have that, in other wards,
if youbelieve that, claim that, then you ought to live a life worthy of the gospel that includes living in unity and humility with each other.
SO here are the 4 simple phrases in which Paul says we ought to be be motivated by Christ Jesus to live a life worthy of the gospel:
There are 4 simple ways in which Paul says we ought to be be motivated to live alife worthy of the gospel, by Christ.
Here is what you have,
1 - Encouragement from our unity/being joined to Christ.
He is our brother, our friend, our king. His death on the cross pays our price for sin before God. He unites us to himself, so we now have His perfect life as our own.
Indeed, we have just finished the book of Revelation, which culminates in the great wedding between Jesus and us His church. 2 become 1.
United in love.
Through the gospel,
if the encouragement of being united to Christ means anything to you, says Paul, live a life that is worthy of it.
2nd, we have
2 - Comfort from His love to us. Whilst we were still sinners, he died for us. He gave everything us we’ll see in v6-8. No longer aimless and restless in this world, we are comforted by Chirst Jesus’s love in all situations.
If the comfort of Christ means anything to you, says Paul, live a life that is worthy of it.
3rd, we have
3 - Fellowship in the Spirit.
2 - we are loved by Chirst
We, the church, the people of God,
share the commonality of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit that opened our eyes to our sin,
took us to our knees in repentance,
and now directs our steps to live this worthy life.
If the common sharing of the Holy Spirit means anything to you, says Paul, live a life that is worthy of it.
4 - Tenderness and Compassion From Christ’s love.
Our fears, brokenness, guilt and desperation, our lack of hope,
all shown tender compassion by Jesus,
who makes us whole, forgives, gives us a sure hope.
If Jesus tenderness and compassion means anything to you, says Paul, live a life that is worthy of it.
These are real truths that every person who has accepted the Gospel has!
And if that is of any value to you - this is what you should live like!
Christ is our motivation then, so what is our instruction:
Well there are 2 and they are related, or rather they play into one another.
Firstly there is a call to ‘Unity’ - so that we can togetehr live lives worthy of the Gospel.
So we’ll refer to Unity as our stratergy if you like.
It’s what we need to do to achive our goal of a gospel worthy life together.
And secondly we are called to humble ourselevse before each other.
And that is the way in which we can both acheive unity, but also demonstrtae a gospel worthy life.
So umilty is out tool kit if you like,
So the next 2 points are
2 - Unity our stratergy
3 - Humility our toolkit
2- Unity our Strategy
2- Unity our Strategy
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
phil 2
Paul who is already commending the Philippians for being great gospel partners, causing Paul much joy and thanks to God, says, do it all the more.
Fulfill my joy, by being united.
Becasue if a people are united, then it stands to reason that they will operate brilliantly together.
It’s kind of obvious, but if a football team isn’t united, then they are unlikely to be very effective!
If some think an all out attack is the way to win,
others think all out defence,
and others think it’s best to dive on the floor and roll around everytime the opposition comes near them,
they wont be effective.
There will some victories, some goals, some things to give thanks for.
But nothing compared to a team utterly united.
The Philippian church may do alright as individuals, they may even get much right as a church,
But if they are totally united in the way Paul is describing imagine the effectiveness they will have as a church for the gospel.
And so it is with us at GC.
And the sports analogy is helpful one for understanding what unity is.
Becasue basically, unity is have an agreed strategy.
It’s not a spiritual floaty feeling of lovey dovey warmth towards each other.
That again wouldn’t win many matches!
Look at the words Paul uses.
‘Like-minded’ ‘Same love’, ‘one is spirit’ and ‘of ‘one mind’.
1 - Like minded - Unity is to agree intellectually with each other.
2 -Same Love - To have the same motivation - the same purpose or drive for what we are doing - and we already know that Love and motivation ought to be Jesus.
3 - To have the same spirit, (small ‘s’) in other words the same mindset, the same attitude towards the task in hand.
4 - And of one mind - again emphasising that we need to agree intellectually, not arguing and bickering and wasting precious time and resources on quarrels.
This intelectual agreement isn’t always going to be easy,
that’s why Paul’s been commending and praying for that already.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
And we talked 2 weeks ago about how important the Bible is to have as our foundation for understanding God.
And needless to say it has to be our foundation for intelectual unity.
But even with the word of God, the bible as our guide for unity, we will still find this type of ‘one-mindedness’ and ‘of the same spirit’ hard - becasue we all want to be right.
We all want our opinon or way forward, to be considered better than others.
But next comes one fo the most significant tools we find for practical gospel worthy living in the bible. This is the ulitmate tool, for ulitmate unity around and for gospel living.
3 - Humility our toolkit
3 - Humility our toolkit
And it’s one that I believe we all struggle with the most.
But it’s one that’s so important, becasue it applies the 2nd greatest commandment.
Love your neighbour as yourself.
3 - Humility our toolkit
3 - Humility our toolkit
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
phil 2 3-
What an embarrassingly difficult exhortation this is from Paul.
Frankly I reccon we struggle to do this well with our spouces,
or closest friends,
let alone everyone in the church!
What even that annoying bloke,
Even that weird lady,
Even that poor person,
Even that pompous person,
Even that prize idiot,
Even that self-righteous, good for nothing...
Yes, even them.
Even value them above yourselves.
Consider them as of more worth than yourself,
Put their concerns and interests before your own.
How helpful would this sort of living be to our effectivness as a church,
So quick to dispel arguments, or disagreement,
or self-fish agendas.
etc etc.
So quick to give each other the benefit of the doubt,
So generous is our sacrifices and care for each other.
I’m afraid v3 and 4 here, blow our worldly modern take on life right out the water.
I have my rights,
But there isn’t much point prooving to you ho wit will unite us as gospel worthy people.
This isn’t fair to me,
I’m entitled to this and that,
For I trust it is pretty obvious how loving and binding this type of attitude is.
I have a right to put No. 1 first.
I do more than that person, so I don’t have to do any more
My child deserves better from their school
I deserve better from my church,
I’m not treated well by.
If i don’t want to do that then I don’t have to
I have my rights,
I know my rights
This is why this teaching is so difficult for us, becasue I struggle to see how v3-4 allow us to express any of the things I’ve just said!
What we really need then enough power,
enough conviction,
enough example of why and how
to actually live like this.
And well that comes back to two people. You and Jesus.
And that is why Paul moves onto giving us exactly that!
Look what he has done, he has modelled this immense tool for our lives, in himslef - and he did it all for you!
Our strategy is to be untied, with one mind seeking to discern the will of God, in our individual and corporate lives,
SO, now what is left is how to be united3 - Humility our Toolkit
So now all that’s left is a pratctical way of ensuring that rather than argue endlessly about who’s wrong or right, who’s ‘mind should we agree with in our unity
And what does unity look like?
3 - Humility our Toolkit
3 - Humility our Toolkit
4 - Christ our Example
4 - Christ our Example
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Notice the word ‘mindset again’
Jesus did not stubble through life as if to see what happened!
No - He decided,
he used his intellect
- he chose,
he committed to,
he determined that..
And what did he determine to do, what was his mindset -
Well it’s what we just talked about
Well it’s what we just talked about
It’s about absolutely putting others needs,
and interests,
before our own
- quite literally it is to ‘think of others as more worthy than yourself, said v3b!
And that is what Christ thought/decided, set his mind upon to do
To think of you and me, as more worthy than his own interests!
WOW - isn’t that extrordinary!
Jesus,
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Jesus did all of that for you and me!
Talk about humility.
Talk about being prepared to put others interest above your own,
Talk about being happy to forfeit any rights, or fairness, or even equality!
Jesus is our example!
I happened to read a refelction on v8 from the great preacher Charles Spurgeon of the 1800’s, and this is his thoughts on v8.
v8 - He humbled himself
Jesus is the great teacher of lowliness of heart.
We need daily to learn of him.
See the Master taking a towel and washing his disciples’ feet!
Follower of Christ, will you not humble yourself?
See him as the Servant of servants, and surely you can not be proud!
Is not this sentence the fullness of his biography, “He humbled himself”?
Was he not on earth always stripping off first one robe of honour and then another,
untill, naked,
he was fastened to the cross,
and there did he not empty out his inmost self,
pouring out his life-blood,
giving up, for all of us,
till they laid him penniless in a borrowed grave?
How low was our dear Redeemer brought!
How then can we be proud?
Stand at the foot of the cross, and count the blood drops by which you have been cleansed;
see the thorn-crown;
mark his scourged shoulders,
still gushing with encrimsoned channels of blood;
see hands and feet given up to the rough iron,
and his whole self to mockery and scorn;
see the bitterness, and the pangs, and the throes of inward grief,
showing themselves in his outward frame;
hear the thrilling shriek, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Morning and Evening Evening, June 3
Jesus is the great teacher of lowliness of heart. We need daily to learn of him. See the Master taking a towel and washing his disciples’ feet! Follower of Christ, wilt thou not humble thyself? See him as the Servant of servants, and surely thou canst not be proud! Is not this sentence the compendium of his biography, “He humbled himself”? Was he not on earth always stripping off first one robe of honour and then another, till, naked, he was fastened to the cross, and there did he not empty out his inmost self, pouring out his life-blood, giving up for all of us, till they laid him penniless in a borrowed grave? How low was our dear Redeemer brought! How then can we be proud? Stand at the foot of the cross, and count the purple drops by which you have been cleansed; see the thorn-crown; mark his scourged shoulders, still gushing with encrimsoned rills; see hands and feet given up to the rough iron, and his whole self to mockery and scorn; see the bitterness, and the pangs, and the throes of inward grief, showing themselves in his outward frame; hear the thrilling shriek, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” And if you do not lie prostrate on the ground before that cross, you have never seen it: if you are not humbled in the presence of Jesus, you do not know him. You were so lost that nothing could save you but the sacrifice of God’s only begotten. Think of that, and as Jesus stooped for you, bow yourself in lowliness at his feet. A sense of Christ’s amazing love to us has a greater tendency to humble us than even a consciousness of our own guilt. May the Lord bring us in contemplation to Calvary, then our position will no longer be that of the pompous man of pride, but we shall take the humble place of one who loves much because much has been forgiven him. Pride cannot live beneath the cross. Let us sit there and learn our lesson, and then rise and carry it into practice.
And if you do not lie prostrate on the ground before that cross, you have never seen it:
if you are not humbled in the presence of Jesus,
you do not know him.
You were so lost that nothing could save you but the sacrifice of God’s only begotten.
Think of that, and as Jesus stooped for you,
bow yourself in lowliness at his feet.
Sense of Christ’s amazing love to us.
May the Lord bring us in contemplation to Calvary,
then our position will no longer be that of the pompous person of pride,
but we shall take the humble place of one who loves much because much has been forgiven of us.
Pride cannot live beneath the cross.
Let us sit there and learn our lesson, and then rise and carry it into practice.
Pride cannot live beneath the cross.
Let us sit there and learn our lesson, and then rise and carry it into practice.
PAUSE
Of course, Christ’s humilty, was not weakness, but immense strenght and power,
And Christ’s humility was not without purpose or gain.
His humility earnt him what we’re told in v 9-11
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Every knee, believer or not, will one day bow to Jesus,
for though his humility he gave up everything for humanity.
Through his humility He forgave,
he loved,
he comforted us beyond comprehension.
Through His humility we can only respond in bowing down to his tenderness and compassion.
But to reject his humility, to reject all he gave up for us,
to deny him as Lord and humble saviour,
Well then you will also be brought to your knees in humble recognition for Jesus,
Or -
but it wont be a joyful, loving experience, no, quite the opposite.
So, Humble yourselves in repentance, drop to your knees today - before it is too late for you.
And for those of us who already know the humility of Chirst,
then on our knees is where we began, and on our knees we ought to continue.
In the light of Christs humility,
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Let’s pray we can do that right now,
And let’s remember our glorious and humble saviour as we do so.
Pride cannot live beneath the cross.
Let us sit there and learn our lesson, and then rise and carry it into practice.
1 - Chirst our Motivation
2 - Unity our Stratergy
3 - Humility our Toolkit
4 - Jesus our Example