Sermon Tone Analysis

Claim - Having a ‘like-mind’ for the gospel requires exulting others above ourselves.

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

v2

Like mindedness - IE - thinking the same

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

1 - same outlook

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

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

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:

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

"It's quite flattering," replied Churchill.

"But whenever I feel that way,

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

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.

‘

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,

He then explained what ‘partnership in the gospel’ means in 1v9-11.

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

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

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 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

becasue they are the things emphasised here,

So let’s crack on.

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.

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.