Untitled Sermon (14)

[Announce Text] Please turn with me to Philippians 2:1-11

[Scripture Introduction] This morning we continue in our series in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Having established the central idea in Phil 1:27 that the Philippians are to “behave as citizens worthy of the gosel of Christ...” he moves to the two specific attitudes of citizens that were a particular struggle at this time.

[Reannounce and Read Text] May God’s people hear his words to them from Philippians 2:1-11

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[Prayer for Illumination] Pray with me now as we ask for the Spirit’s illumination and guidance as we hear God’s Word for us.

Our Great God and Father, we praise you and bless you that you have chosen to make yourself known. The created world sounds forth your ‘eternal power and divine nature’ making clear to all your position as the Creator-King. Not only have you revealed yourself through the creation around us, but also specially and savingly through your Word. As we now turn to you in your Word, we entreat you to speak once again to us. Grant us also that as hearers we would “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” your Word. O Lord sustain us, nourish us by your word, for we know that “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Dt. 8.3) May we gain peace, comfort, joy, and strength as we see your wonderful grace toward us in Christ. Make us ever more desirous to do your will for your Glory and the good of our neighbour. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Recently, I purchased a replacement spool for my line trimmer. The spool came in a neat plastic container with the string coiled tightling together. After I unraveled a length of string and fed it into my machine, I noticed that there was a knot forming in my plastic case. I then made the foolish decision to open the plastic case. As you might expect, the line immediately tangled amongst itself, and I now have a ratsnest of line-trimmer string in my garden shed, instead of a coil with one small knot.

Or, perhaps, you have begun to decorate for an upcoming holiday, and you have taken the box of lights down from the attic and discovered that instead of the Christmas lights that you remember being neatly coiled, you find a mess of knots inside your box.

These are simple stories which reflect something of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, or entropy. In laymen’s terms, this law states that ‘order tends toward disorder.’ That line trimmer string, no longer ordered neatly by its case, tended toward disorder.

But there is another observation, perhaps we might call it the First Law of Churchdynamics, whereby ‘unity tends toward disunity.’ That is, just like a tangled knot of string trimmer line does not fall onto the ground and begin to coil itself, neither will a divided church accidentally stumble upon unity. The unified church, likewise, should she cease in her pursuit of unity will follow the natural trend towards disunity and division.

This was not only a problem for the Philippian church, but also for us today. [FCF] It is a universal problem that all of us struggle to live lives of unity. It is into this problem that the apostle Paul, carried along by the Holy Spirit, adressed the Philippians and indeed us today.

Paul begins chapter 2 with the word ‘So’, another translation says ‘therefore.’ This signals to us that the Apostle Paul is about to resume what he had been talking about back in Phil 1:27-28. Paul had charged the Philippian church to live, as citizens of heaven, lives worthy of the Gospel. As citizens, they were to stand firm as soldiesrs, striving side by side, unfrightened by their opponents. Verses 28b-30 explain the reasons why the Philippian church, and indeed the church at all times face such persecution: “it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” Remember, these are not wasted sufferings, for the sufferings of Christ resulted in our salvation, the sufferings of the apostles resulted in the spread of the Gospel, and our sufferings result in our sanctification.

But after that brief aside, Philippians 2:1 takes us back to Paul’s explanation of a life that is worthy of the gospel. The perspective changes slightly here. Instead of the picture of a military unit fighting together as they face their opponents, the image changes to life back at the army camp, life lived within the community.

Remember, this is a true church, and in many ways, a very healthy one. This church has prayed for Paul, sent people and gifts to Paul, and has resisted the opposition from Roman authorities and the temptation to compromise the Gospel.

Yet, as we have already seen, and will continue to see, it is as if he is saying, brothers and sisters beware. I can see the the seeds of division beginning to germinate and sprout. You must be aware of what your future holds if you do not pursue unity.

[FCF] Once again, It is a universal problem that all of us struggle to live lives of unity.

[Proposition] Because division is our sinful tendency, we must prioritise Gospel unity.

In our text this morning, we shall see four ways to prioritise Gospel unity and fight against our sinful tendency toward division.

I. Because division is our sinful tendency, remember the objective unity we already share.

II. Because division is our sinful tendency, pursue unity.

A. The Philippians are not called to pursue unity in a cold dutiful manner.

Rather the Apostle writes to them to complete his joy.

This is not the beginning of Paul’s joy in the Philippians (Phil. 1:4). But his joy will be completed, perfected, matured by their pursuit of unity.

How often are we grieved by the lack of unity we see? How often do we rejoice when sweet unity is shared?

B. How will Paul’s joy be completed? He gives four elements of unity.

These elements are bookended by the attitudes or mindset of unity, while the unity of affection rests in the middle.

Notice the language used: ‘same mind, same love, full accord, one mind’

The pursuit of Christian unity, therefore is not mere doctrinal agreement. Certainly it can be no less than that, for this passage describes a life worthy of the Gospel. It is more than that, it is a unity which permeates to the deepest parts of us, to a shared love, and a deep care for one another.

C. Beloved, even if we are united on the Church’s mission and her doctrine, that is no guarantee of unity.

In all liklihood more divisions in churches arise from a failure to pursue the same love, and to be in full accord [that deep care for one another].

This seems to be the case in Philippi. There is no doctrinal controversy within the church. Yet, perhaps there is love lacking between, or maybe it is the deep soul care that we are called to here.

Never rely on mere doctrinal agreement as a test for Christian unity. True unity involves affection, love, and care for one another.

D. I fear that we do not think often enough about the Bible’s emphasis on church unity.

A. John 17:21 “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

B. Ps. 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

III. Because division is our sinful tendency, identify its root causes.

A. If indeed division and discord is our sinful tendency, we cannot help but ask the question why? What is it about humans, but more specifically, Christians that leads us away from each other.

B. Paul identifies the root causes of division and unity in verses 3-4.

C. Simply put, our unity problem is a humilty problem.

“In one sense, and that the eternal sense, the thing is plain. The answer to the question , ‘What is Wrong?’ is, or should be, I am wrong.’ Until a man can give that answer his idealism is only a hobby.”

-GKC, Letter to the “Daily News”, August 16, 1905, “What is Wrong”

D. Paul doesn’t point outside and say, Christian unity would flourish if the church faced no pressure from outside. Instead, he points the finger at each one of us, and says the reason for the church’s tendency toward division and discord is your pride and mine.

E. Why isn’t the church united? It is because of our pride. How can a church pursue true unity through humility.

F. Verses 3-4 turn us from a self-centred approach to an others focused attitude.

Instead of selfish ambition and conceit, we are called to humility, counting others more significant.

Instead of focusing on our interests alone, we are called to look out for others’ interests also.

G. Paul identified this spirit elsewhere in Philippians 1: 16-17 “16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.”

Empty glory, desiring the praise, honour, and congratulations from those around us rather than from God alone.

H. Humility- not a Roman virtue (Pr. 3:34), especially not for a citizen.

IV. Because division is our sinful tendency, the source of unity is outside ourselves.

A. Verse 5 is a transition verse, looking backwards and forward.

B. Looking backwards, it ties together the idea of a unified mind that we have spent time looking at.

C. This mind that we have been called to share, the love we have been called to give, the others-focused attitudes we have been called to demonstrate, that attitude does not lie deep within our hearts, an ember ready to be brought to flame.

D. Instead, the answer is outside ourselves, but we nonetheless possess it. This is the mindset, the attitude, the love, the self-sacrificial mind of Christ that we have by virtue of our union with him.

1 Corinthians 2:16 “16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

Ephesians 1.

Beloved, every Christian here, has been given in Christ these spiritual blessings, one of which is the mind of Christ. The problem of pride lies within us, but the answer of humility lies outside of us with Christ.

Not only this, but as a preview of a few weeks from now, we also see Christ as the example of true humility.

Philippians 2:2–4 (NTC Php): Paul continues … by being of the same mind, having the same love, with souls united setting your minds on unity. Read what has been said with respect to the general theme of oneness or harmony (see on Phil. 1:27, 28). The mind or inner disposition is basic. This fundamental attitude will reveal itself by having the same love (for God in Christ, hence for fellow-members, with emphasis on the latter in the present connection), and by setting their minds on the one, that is, on oneness or unity.

Note that according to the context the oneness for which Paul pleads is of a distinctly spiritual nature. It is a oneness in disposition, love, and aim (see also N.T.C. on John 17:21). It is the oneness set forth so strikingly in Ps. 133.

2 law of thermodynamics: All things tend toward disorder

all churches tend toward disunity.

Paul reminds believers of the objective unity they share, calls believers to pursue unity, gives the

These are sins of the mind

I. Motivations for Christian Unity (v1) The Objective Unity we share

A. Fourfold conditional statements

Rooted in the Triune God

Trinitarian structure of first three conditions. Ephesians 4:4-6.

B. Encouragment in Christ

C. Comfort from Love

D. Participation in the Spirit

E. Affection and sympathy

II. United and Humble (v2-4) The Call to Unity

III. The Path to Unity– Humility How is this unity possible?

IV. The Source of Unity (v5)

A. Union with Christ

B. The mind talked about throughout this passage is the very mind which was in Christ (and is in you).

dividing further and further until all that remains is an island of one.

[Main Point 1] Because division is our sinful tendency, remember the objective unity we share.

Verse 1 is a striking beginning to Paul’s appeal for Gospel unity. Four parallell statements begin this passage, each one connecting back to the first ‘if’ we read at the start.

“[If] there is any encouragement in Christ, (if there is) any comfort from love, (if there is) any participation in the Spirit, (if there is) any affection and sympathy,” (Phil 2.1) After hearing such a string of conditional phrases you may be tempted to think what does this verse have to do with ‘objective unity?’

However, Paul is not doubting that these things are present, he is assuming they are present, but making an ‘If-then’ argument. “If these four things are present (and I believe they are) then complete my joy...”

This unity that we share is the experience of being recipients of the blessings of God. Particularly, in our passage, the encouragement in Christ, the comfort from God’s love, the participation in the Spirit, and the affection and sympathy [or tender mercies] of God.

At the beginning of his fourfold motivations for unity, Paul uses one of his favourite phrases: ‘in Christ.’ This brings us all the way back to Philippians 1:1 “ To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi...” These believers have been united to Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection and now recieve encouaragment from Christ as they faced the trials and sufferings of the Christian life. This encouragement describes Christ himself coming alongside and consoling, comforting, strengthening us.

Next, believers enjoy the comfort that comes from God. There is reason to see the first three ‘if’ statements as trinitarian in nature.One similar passage is 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” This formula is found elsewhere in Paul’s writings, even with this ordering of beginning with Christ, then the Father, and finishing with the Holy Spirit. Believer, what a comfort it is to know that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5.5)

Third, as a result of the gift of the Holy Spirit and his indwelling, believers have participation or fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

This is the pattern we see throughout Scripture, before we move to the commands or exhortations, we first recieve the evidence of what God has done already for us in Christ. It is as if you might ask Paul, “On what basis are you calling the church to pursue unity?” and he responded with, “Let me give you four shared experiences that you already have.”

It may not be where our minds turn to first, but it is crucial that we remember the shared experience of each and every Christian.

Beloved, these are words we need to hear. As surely as the Philippian church needed to be reminded of the objective unity they already shared, so too do we need this reminder to look back and recognise the shared Gospel experience that has shaped every Christian sitting in this room, throughout Hamilton, New Zealand, and the World. Not only this, but every believer in the past, and in the future will know these truths as their own.

If Christ has encouraged us [and he has], if the Father has loved us [and he has], if we now have pariticpation with the Spirit [and we do], and if we know the tender mercies of this great God, how can we turn around and reject others who have experienced these wonderful blessings.

Beloved, there is no one on earht that you have more in common with than someone who knows the encouragment of Christ, the love of God, the participation of the Spirit, and his ternder mercies.

Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.

If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Book 3, Chapter 8, “The Great Sin,” Kindle location 1665