A Gospel Worthy Life - Pt. 2 - The Attitude of Christ - Philippians 2:1-11 first draft

Introduction

Diversity and Communication Training at the Bus Barn

Read Philippians 2:1-11

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

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

I. The Joy of Unity (vv. 1-4)

Philippians 2:1–4 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

A. Paul is still addressing the issue of living a life worthy of the Gospel

In the previous section, he addressed how the believers need to stand firm together for the faith of the Gospel

This way of life will reveal our calling to suffer with Christ as we also believe and trust in Christ

B. Now Paul is addressing the issue of standing together in love and unity

C. The Motivation for Unity - The Good News of God in Christ

We have encouragement in Christ because of His sacrifice on the Cross

We have experienced the love of God because of Christ’s willing to die on the cross

We have fellowship with the Spirit because we have been brought near to God through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross

He is not saying “If” as if there’s a question, but rather, emphasizing the fact that if they are believers, then they have all experienced these good gifts from God because of the Gospel

Because we have experienced the blessings of the Gospel, Paul is saying this is going to change how we live and interact with others, both inside and outside the church! We cannot receive the gospel and remain unchanged by it.

D. The Call to Unity

Paul, knowing that love and humility that leads to true unity does not naturally exist within the human heart.

We are all prone to seek our own good at the expense of others.

He pleads with us to lay aside our own selfish ambitions and concerns, to quit seeking our own personal advancement and recognition

We all want to further our own name and reputation and recognition

We want others to see how smart, talented, powerful, influential, etc. in comparison to others

Instead he calls us to humility, to think of ourselves less in order to serve and lift up those around us.

E. Paul exclaims that when the people are united together as one around the Gospel, this will bring him joy.

There is joy when we live together in unity as God’s people, as we are of one mind, serving one another, and sharing God’s love to those around us

In fact, a significant part of our work for standing for the gospel in the world around us is how we are living with those within the community of faith.

If our relationships within the church are suffering because of self-interest, then we will not be able to share the gospel of Christ with those who need to hear it.

John 13:35 ESV

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Our loving and humble service to one another in here can actually empower our ability to stand firm for the gospel out there.

II. The Power to Love One Another - Beholding Christ (v. 5)

Philippians 2:5 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

As Paul is calling the Philippians to be united with one another and to love and serve each other, he calls them to have the same mind or attitude that was in Christ Jesus.

First, he tells them that this mindset and attitude is already their’s in Christ Jesus. Because of the Gospel, because of what Christ has done for them on the cross, this new change of heart and mind has been given to them by the power of the Spirit!

But there is a sense in which while this mind is ours, it still needs to be cultivated. So Paul is getting ready to help us look at Christ and who He is and what He has done. He wants us to look at and behold Christ!

As much as we could have people tell us what to do, real change does not happen from a list of rules, although the list of rules tells us what the standard is. True change, however, happens as we fix our eyes on Jesus.

John 1:29 ESV

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

There’s a reason why we are constantly told to behold and to look to and fix our eyes upon Jesus. It is through the looking and beholding that God transforms us into His image.

Matt Papa, in his book Look and Live, writes: “Faith is a looking. It is the serious looking of sin-stricken, snake bitten people toward God’s peculiar and radical display of mercy… the crucified, bloody, exalted Son-of God.

And if we don’t see Him, we die. We die. We go to Hell. We have no victory over sin. Our lives remain a self-destructive mess. We have no joy. We are slaves to our addictions.

Unless we see Him. Unless we run to survey the Savior on the pole. Unless we fight through crowds and through our doubts, and lift up our eyes.”

So Paul directs us to look at Jesus as we grow in our love and unity with each other!

III. The Way of Love - Humility (vv.6-8)

Philippians 2:6–8 ESV

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Here we learn some deep theological truths of Jesus that shows us just what it means when we say that God is love!

Jesus is Fully God

Jesus Refused to Serve Himself

Jesus Became Fully Man

Jesus Became a Servant to Others

Jesus Was Obedient to the Father unto Death

Jesus Humbled Himself to Die a Death on the Cross

It is important for us to realize that through all this, Jesus remained fully God. He never ceased being God.

So when we talk about how Jesus came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many, we need to understand that He was doing this as the only Being in all of existence that never had to humble Himself. And yet, Jesus was demonstrating for us God’s perfectly holy and loving character by coming as a servant and a helper to His people, because we see that this is what God has always done for His people.

He is the one who provided the covering for Adam and Eve when they fell.

He is the one who provided the rescue for Noah and his family from the flood.

He is the one who made the covenant promise with Abraham and even told him that He would fulfill both parts of the covenant.

He is the one who brought Pharoah down and freed His people from slavery.

He is the One who fought the battles for the Israelites when they came in to the promised land.

And we could go on. It’s how the Psalmist could write in Psalm 28:7

Psalm 28:7 ESV

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

God is the One who accomplishes the work that we need in order to be in right relationship with Him.

And if God, the Creator of all and worthy of worship, has chosen to be helper and servant to His people, how much more should we, who are made in the image of God

IV. The Reward of Obedience - Exaltation (vv. 9-11)

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Conclusion