Philippians 2:1-4 Being One
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turn Bibles to Philippians 2
Paul continues to put his attention on the Philippians.
Last week Paul alluded to unity
in Php 1:27 (in one spirit, one mind)
in his description of how the church was to stand and strive
against outside pressure.
Now he will continue to emphasis
unity, and show them how to be unified.
disunity can disrupt, weaken,
and destroy a church by
causing discord, disharmony,
conflict, and division.
I titled todays Message “Being one”
as he is going to exhort us to unity
and show us how to have unity
and he will do that by starting
with a moment of reflection in verse 1
then show us what our unity should look like
then how we can do that.
lets pray then we will read
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
So this section is to lead the Philippian church to unity
and we see how we share
in the same experiences with the Lord
and that we should have the same goals, love,
by looking out for each other
in Philippians 4:2-3 it gives us an insight that there
was some contention within the Philippian church
2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
there must have been some disagreement between these two sisters in Christ.
And while this maybe doesn't seem like a big deal
it is
we cant do the work
if we cant work together
so Paul encourages the believers here to be selfless
to look out for each other
to put each other interests first
because if these sisters in christ
can just bless each other
take care of each other
do good to each other
then you are not hurting each other
any more
or slowing down
the work the church has
and while this is all easier said then done
Paul opens up this exhortation
with an encouragement
he reminds the believers
first what they all share in common
lets dive in Philippians 2:1
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
So here we have a moment of reflection.
have we experienced these things?
There is 4 “if’s” here
these “if”s written to the church are not
well maybe you have received these things.
The “if” refers to certainties, not possibilities.
these are like “since”
he is reminding them, assuring them
of what he knows has taken place already.
this is almost like a check up
have you experienced these things?
if.... consolation in Christ,
if comfort of love,
if fellowship of the Spirit,
if any affection and mercy
Lets just note that these 4 if’s
point out to us 4 great blessings
the believer has to enjoy!
So lets look at it a little deeper...
Philippians 2:1 (NKJV)
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ...
1. CONSALATION IN CHRIST
This word consolation is “parakleisis” pará = side of + kaléo = call)
it refers to calling to one's side
or one's aid
which can be for the purpose of providing
comfort, consolation, exhortation, encouragement.
this word is often understood as the work of the Holy Spirit
and while the Holy Spirit gives us comfort
Jesus is the source of comfort, consolation, encouragement
For the Philippians they had experienced Jesus’ comfort in that
Believers are encouraged by the knowledge
that they are in a relationship with Christ,
having received salvation and being connected to Him.
This union with Christ provides a source of
comfort, support, and encouragement in the midst of challenges.
So yes....
we share in the consolation in Christ
not just in salvation
but in our relationship with Him
as we face circumstances and trials
in John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
So in the midst of trial and suffering,
find encouragement in your relationship with Jesus.
Why do so often when in hard times,
do we run everywhere but to Him?
He should be the first we run to
but
we often run to
everything else but Him
(distractions, friends, nature, hobbies, music, art, etc.)
I think of how when my boys get hurt
I want them to go to me
I dont think son just go watch a tv show, go tell a friend, go tell some one else
Tell me son, I love you
Let me help you make it better.
Jesus is the greatest we have!
He is great in wisdom
He is great in knowledge
He is great in love
He is great in mercy and compassion
Run into the loving arms of Jesus
He cares for you!
He is the source of encouragement/ comfort
so Let us run quickly & often to Jesus
So yes....
we share in the consolation in Christ
the next blessing we share seen in verse 1 says
Philippians 2:1 (NKJV)
1 ...if any comfort of love...
2. COMFORT OF LOVE
this word for comfort is different then
then word used of consolation in Christ
“Comfort”
this word is different but
also carries the idea of comfort and encourgement
just is a more gentle, cheering type of word
So have we experienced the comfort of His love?
I could talk about God’s love on and on
but let me just share a few scriptures
because I think it would best to hear
from God’s own Word
19 We love Him because He first loved us.
17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So I think what Paul was hoping to
draw out of the Philippians here is
seen in 1 John 3:1
1 John 3:1 (NKJV)
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!...
Behold what manner of love..
Do we behold His love?
Has it been beheld to you?
God loves you
you are not unimportant
or nothing special
You are loved by God
Behold His love
Be comforted by His love
go back to....
Philippians 2:1 (NKJV)
1 .... if any comfort of love....
so to answer Pauls question....
Yes, we share in the comfort of His love
the next blessing we share seen in verse 1 says
Philippians 2:1 (NKJV)
1 ....if any fellowship of the Spirit....
3. FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT
This is the Greek word translated “fellowship” (koinonia)
means to have in common
and so we have in common
the Spirit of God
this is not just a beautiful idea
this is a blessed reality
Eph 4:30 tells us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
So God’s love that as we just saw
He has for us
that should comfort us
is poured into our hearts
by the Holy Spirit that was given to each of us
that continues to work in our lives with personal sanctification,
and others edification
So each and every believer has
a personal fellowship with the Holy Spirit
and in turn all believers are united
by having the same Spirit
So yes
we share in the fellowship of the Spirit
the final self reflection and next blessing we share seen in verse 1 says
Philippians 2:1 (NKJV)
1 ...if any affection and mercy,
4. ANY AFFECTION AND MERCY
Have we experienced the affection and mercy of God?
the word for affection normally
refers to inward parts
which in the times of this being written
regarded the stomach area as the seat of
emotions likes anger and love
So this is a deep deep deep feeling.
it really shows us that God truely care for us
which is why He has given us mercy through Jesus
so is there any affection and mercy?
Yes of course
So
Yes, they had been encouraged by their union with Christ.
Yes, they had experienced God’s love.
Yes, they had enjoyed the fellowship of God’s Spirit.
Yes, they had affection and mercy from God
So we are unified in experiencing these
4 blessings
our unity should then continue
that is described in verse 2
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
I love how Paul shows that their unity
would fulfil His joy.
this word (fulfil )
can be translated to to fill up or complete
and it points us back
to the fact of Paul in prison
filled with joy
seeing God use him
in spreading the gospel
and that his joy wasn't based on his circumstances
it was based on Jesus
So he would rejoice in
Jesus, and so seeing the Philippians
unified in Christ would fill him up
He just wanted to see them doing well!
so if they remain unified in Christ
they will be okay
no matter what they may face.
whether Paul is departed with Christ or not
no matter what external persecutions
or internal pressures.
they will be able to stand together
and do the work God has for them
thats what being like-minded,
having same love,
being of one accord,
of one mind is about
that we share the same
beliefs, goals, loves, cares, and mindset
now this isnt saying that
we are to be like robots
and cant have our own thoughts
and were a machine
God created us all different
and He has given us different gifts
and abilities
its just we share in common
goals, purposes, love, and our beliefs.
having these in common unify us
So first, we see "be likeminded."
which actually shares the word
used for being of one mind in this verse too
which Paul explains what this looks like in
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
these are the kind of thoughts we are to have in common.
if we are encouraging these amongst each other
the discord type conversations,
the gossip type conversation get shut down.
its a little difficult to sow discord if we share these kinds of thoughts.
Secondly, "having the same love."
This speaks toward our love for one another but
also the things we love
like God’s Word, God’s work, The lost in this world,
the hurting, and sick.
Sharing in the same love
helps us stay on task
this will protect us from the selfish goals
conceited ambitions
This causes us to to be less about ourselves
and about Jesus, and others.
Thirdly, "being of one accord."
the word here literally means "one-souled",
showing us that we are to be in harmony
in tune with Christ and each other
that we are knit together in Christ
discord, divisive word or actions have no place
in a people knit together
united in spirit
so...
1. Since there is consolation in Christ - be like-minded.
2. Since there is comfort of Love - have the same love.
3. Since there is fellowship of the Spirit - be of one accord
4. Since there is affection & mercy- be of 1 mind
So how are we going to be a one souled,
one minded, with same loves
group of people
if we are different,
with our personalities, thoughts, and actions
and may not see eye to eye on every detail
Paul shows us how we can work towards
our unity in verses 3-4
lets read verse 3
Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
How many things should be done selfishly?
The phrase “selfish ambition” means strife
that comes from ugly self-promotion
and a competitive spirit
which is destructive to unity
how many things are to be done with conceit?
it means to have vain pride
so
Selfishness is tearing others down
and vain conceit is building ourselves up.
often times these 2 work together.
both are divisive, and
something each individual can being
that is harmful and hurtful to the whole church.
instead as the next part of the verse says..
“but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself”
this can get misinterpreted
and people get fake
and hypoctircial
John the Baptist gives us a good pattern
in Jn 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease."
The order is important
for as we see Jesus higher and higher
we get a proper perspective of our self.
True humility or lowliness of mind
is not putting ourselves down but rather lifting up others.
If we concentrate on lifting up others,
putting down ourselves will take care of itself.
As we go through life exalting Christ and others,
then genuine humility will be inevitable.
But if we exalt ourselves
then God will take care of our humiliation
because He promises to humble the proud.
So humility is not simply feeling small and useless
It is sensing how great and glorious God is,
and seeing myself in that light.
He is great He wants me to lift others up
Jesus set us the example of being a servant
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
maybe...
What would you do if you knew
you were about to die?
would you
go do something fun? be with family,
Jesus washed feet.
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
Jesus sets an example of sacrificial love
How can we act selfish, entitled, conceited
knowing that not even Jesus
Who is much more worthy
then me didnt act that way
so
how are we going to be selfless
and esteem other better than ourselves?
so as verse 4 says
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
so how we are going to be able to not have selfish ambition
or conceit
and esteeming others better than himself?
by looking out for the interests of others
this involves
empathy
in Seeking to understand the perspectives, feelings, and needs of others.
active listening ,
not just hearing what someone is saying but truely hearing them out
being considerate
considering how our words, actions, and decisions may impact others
serving others,
collaborating and cooperating
showing kindness and compassion
celebrating the success of others
Our unity,
is not going to come from
selfish, asserting self, seeking to be served, and trying to take
for if we
we share in comfort of Christ
we share in the comfort of His love
we share in the fellowship of the Spirit
we share in our affection and mercy.
we are to be
like minded,
having same love
one accord
one mind
Esteeming others better
looking out for the interests of others.
so that as the chapter heading says in Philippians 2
that we would have
unity through humility.
as worship team comes forward.
So much of this is just about love
because you have been loved
be loving.
it will keep us together
May we show each other love
with selflessness
looking out for each other interests
for
Jesus has encouraged us
He has comforted us with His love,
We have His Spirit
and compassion for one another
If we show love to each other
we can keep our unity
and push past the enemies attempts to slow us
down and do the work God has for us!
Lets go be used by Him!