Unity through Humility (Phil 2:1-11)

Intro

I love stories. Growing up, my mom and especially my dad taught me the value of a good story. One that was riveting. One that made you laugh. A story that made you miss something. A story that reminded you of the right and good ways.

The film around Daniel Ruttieger stands out as a classic example. Standing 5 ft 6, and 165 lbs, Daniel had a dream to play football for the fighting Irish at Notre Dame. Having a learning disability that made getting accepted at the prestigious school difficult, he pressed on, getting help, doing whatever was necessary to keep going. He eventually was accepted, became a tackling dummy on the practice squad and played in the last game of his senior year. He only played two plays and sacked the quarterback on the last play of the game. The team lifted him on their shoulders and carried him off the field.

Cue credits of the film Rudy... Everyone loves that movie. But Imagine if the story went differently...If the story went more like....Rudy was 6ft 3 and 260 lbs. Could bench press a horse…an amazing student....he used all that skill, talent, physicality and surprise surprise…got on the football team and went on to amazing success. No one watches that movie....because where am I in that movie.

The story of Rudy is one that many long to see themselves in. It is in this story that we see a skewed view of humility. It reflects our shortcomings and how we could, if given just one chance, overcome them ourselves.

In contrast, the story of Jesus is the much more the opposite. He is the King of Kings, fully capable of all things who voluntarily chooses to be a servant to those undeserving. That is you and me... Those he came to serve treat him badly...ultimately leading to His death. He dies a death of a thief, of an insurrectionist. However, Jesus the servant is ultimately vindicated by God and exalted above all else.

In Jesus, we see the ultimate story of humility. Not a story in which, we overcome but actually a story in which we recognize that Christ does everything for us.

Definition of Humility:

Humility recognizes that God is God and we are not. Its historical root is in the Latin word "humus" (human) meaning "of the earth." The intent of the word is to be face down in the dirt, submitting to the authority of another, without personal pride.

Humility is an essential, critical quality of every follower of Christ.

I have heard it said that the definition of humility is God setting the definition of who you are and who you are to become…and whole heartedly agreeing with His definition. This results in the way you live out your life through that defintion.

BIG IDEA: Today, we want to look at Phil 2 and see how In Christ, there is a point to the humility. Through humility, through choosing to make ourselves low, to value others above ourselves, we find unity. When we give up control.....when we submit our agenda and instead follow God’s agenda, our humility pours out unity from our lives and ultimately brings about the kingdom and glory to God.

Definition of Unity

Like Humility, Unity is an essential, critical quality of every follower of Christ.

We strive for unity with the Spirit of God, and with fellow believers of God. Unity, oneness, togetherness. This isn’t an ideal, this is the way. This is the kingdom life.

Christian unity is when the spirit of God unifies us together despite our many differences. It means we are one in our source, our thinking is centered around the person and work of Christ. Our activity centeres around loving God and loving others. By this…all people will know that we are disciples of Jesus. With Christ as our source, we are united.

Last week, Pastor Paul walked us through a commissioning as we are to be heralds of the good news to our neighbors and coworkers. In that, we have a source, Christ, who leads us through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are unified in wanting more people to know Christ as their lord and savior amen! Despite all of our differences, we can agree on that.

And Christ, is glorified as he brings folks who would never come together naturally. . I think of Peter the zealot and Matthew the Tax Collector. By their very descriptions, they should never be allowed in a room together but unity through humility in Christ is seen in the gospels as we look at the disciples.

We see in psalms 133:1 how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. We see in 2 Cor 13:11 how critical it is for brothers and sisters in Christ to strive for full restoration, encouraging one another…living in peace being of one mind.

It is through humility that God brings the people of every nation, tribe and tongue together in unity. In fact, the way of Jesus and even our eternity is marked by this.

Not the last time...

These verses form a centerpiece for the whole letter

Through out the letter to the Philippians, Paul is talking about How we handle external issues in our world such as hardship and suffering…and experience persecution for the Gospel....when our lives our given in His name…how we keep leaning in to our pursuit of Christ as the image we are imitate.....what it means to have true contentment........all of these concepts and many more found in the letter to the Philippians require....humility as seen in Christ.

In Phil 2:1-11, we see a massive passage that helps outline this. Let’s jump there and start in verse 1:

Philippians 2:1 NIV

1 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,

HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANYTHING?

Therefore is always great because it reminds of where to look. This passage follows Paul encouraging them against external issues, people, suffering. Now he is going to be coaching them through internal issues, people, suffering.

The word there “IF” can actually be received as “since” or because. It is assumed...Have you received any encouragement from being united with Christ? The answer is yes. The word there encouragement reflects being consoled in times of disappointment. do you dwell on the reality that you have?

Since or Because you have comfort from His love....the word here for comfort is not the soothing sympathy. There can be a shallow quality to only sympathy in light of loss and pain. Paul is not saying the love of Christ it is like a blank sympathy card that Jesus has signed and given us. Far from it.

The word for comfort means to fortify. To build up, to strengthen. When we know that we have the love of Christ, there is courage and bravery in our souls because, as we see in Romans 8.... there is no height, no depth, nothing today, nothing tomorrow, no death or life, no angels, no demons...no created thing that can separate us from the love of God. Have you been strengthened by that love and do you dwell on that reality?

Since you have .Common sharing of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit fills, guides, and moves in our lives in a powerful, precious way. Constantly directing our attention back to the work of Jesus in our lives for the glory of the Father. I am drawn to John 14:26

John 14:26 NIV

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Since that is real for you as a disciple of Jesus, are you dwelling on that?

Finally since you have received tenderness and compassion....other words in translations are affection and mercy? Has God held back what you and I deserve because of our sinfulness? The answer is a resounding yes....God has given us mercy!

Take notice that these are not options but realities of the Christian life. Not possibilities based on personality....they are gifts of the reality of being with Christ. As real as water being wet, fire being hot and a rock hurting when it hits your head... Paul is setting reality for those with Christ.

Perhaps it is wise to inventory your heart here. Do you experience and reflect these realities? Would those who know you affirm that you have received the gifts of encouragement, comfort, fellowship of the Spirit? Tenderness and compassion? Are you reflecting those back out to others, including your fellow church family members? These are realities of being in Christ.

(DON”T READ)

Philippians 2:2–4 NIV

2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Make my joy complete v 2

Paul goes on in verse 2, “since you have received all those things....then make my joy complete.” Another way of saying this is make my happiness full to the highest measure....Can we stop for a moment...Paul is writing this from prison. Wouldn’t the highest measure of happiness be freedom? being released from captivity? But Paul is reflecting the same humility he is coaching them through. One could argue and say “Paul doesn’t deserve to be in prison for preaching the gospel”.

But Paul also recognizes that he doesn’t deserve any of the good things he has received in Christ either.

Before Christ, Paul was a zealot and he hated and persecuted....killed Christians. Part of humility is having an appropriate self view in light of our deficiency, in light of our need of Christ.

So Paul’s joy is seeing others formed in the likeness of Christ, Christ, the one who saved him, Paul, the chief of sinners as he describes himself in other letters.

Be Like Minded and Same in love, in the Spirit v2

Paul’s joy is complete by the outpouring of unity that comes from humility. Paul says to be like-minded, having the same love, being in spirit.

When you hear like minded…do you get a smirk and think...”that’s not real” I do sometimes...

People I care deeply about.My wife, my kids, my family, my friends, my church family..... People who love me unconditionally…I don’t think any in that group think 100% like me. It seem like every relationship has, at its core, differences n thinking in one way or another.

But Paul is not saying here that all people will have the same temperament, perspective, background, and personality. That is not reality and has never been since the creation., how are we to be like minded?

Humility - do nothing out of vanity but consider others.

Paul explains in verse 3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others”. Here we see our first connection Paul’s instructions establish a link between like-mindedness and humility because the only way we can be like-minded is if each of us is willing to forego our agendas, our self ambition in order to center our collective will around the Lord’s agenda.

We don’t have to approach problems the same way..it is good for us to bring our unique perspectives to a problem. But we filter that thinking....through humility.

I would quickly point out that humility is not insecurity or self depreciation. I have heard it said that humility is not thinking less of yourself.....but thinking of yourself less.

Humility is again letting him set the definition and us agreeing with our lives…letting go of our agenda and control over our decisions, our activities and the view of ourselves. Jesus is our Lord as we will see later. That means He dictates our lives.

We are to do nothing.....not one thing....out of self-promotion and self-ambition.

Here is a little exercise....perhaps you may do this regularly. Imagine you won the lottery tomorrow. Money is now not an issue for you and the next 3 generations. If you were to write out a list of the first 10 things you would do with that money, what would they be? Who would they benefit? Who would they help?

We laugh, we smirk…you may think..”well isn’t that idealistic”. But quickly we see how selfish ambition can be at our very core. I am thankful that my wife would be there to talk me out of buying all the guitars and recording music the rest of my days.

We are not to have selfish ambition, We are to do nothing out of vain conceit.....

The definition of conceit is helpful here ““An excessively favorable opinion of one’s own ability, importance, wit,”.

The greek word here is two words which form one....”glory” and “empty-handed”. A spirit of glorifying ourselves but the result is emptyness. This includes those empty braggers as well as those who have the activity to back it up…but it ultimately doesn’t matter. When we are full of vanity, we are most likely working out of a place where we don’t honestly think we need God at all.

Romans 12:3 reflects that we are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to…but to be sober minded when it comes to ourselves. Just a few verses after that, it says to never be wise in your own sight.

Paul is saying don’t do those things but rather in humility value others above yourselves.

In the ancient world, the idea of considering others above yourself, of lowering yourself below others was deplorable. It was a fault, not a virtue. But here in the way of Jesus, it is crucial.

This is building here...when I don’t have selfish ambition....obsessions of self, when I consider others better than myself, I will naturally look to their needs. I will want them cared for as I have been cared for by God.

One commentary (enduring word) said it this way.... If I consider you above me and you consider me above you, then a miraculous thing happens: we have a community where everyone is looked up to, and no one is looked down on. Doesn’t that sound heaven-like? That is the way of the Kingdom.

Paul is saying hey...The old garment of pride and selfishness....throw that out. Put on the new shirt of humility on and watch unity happen.

If you are like me and every other human on the planet....we need an example of this.

Our natural selves and think what depths will I go to…what evil will I commit to avoid bad things for me? What evil will I commit to achieving good things for me? Without Christ, this is our natural self. Who are we to follow to counter our natural selves. To change the story. Who do we follow as our example for the way?

Paul says we have an example of humility that we can follow in Christ. Read in verse 5

The Example of Christ (READ)

Philippians 2:5–8 NIV

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

This begins a section of scripture that many scholars believe to be a hymn of the early church. Before Paul describes the mind of Christ with the hymn…he says you need to have this mindset to have humility which produces unity that lasts. Relationships can and will be difficult with anyone. We need the mind of Christ.

Paul is pointing to a glorious truth. Jesus is God. As followers of Christ, our hopes and faith rest in that truth. His glory reaches beyond all we can comprehend. The foolishness that we exhibit in thinking we deserve glory is laughable....Christ is God. He deserves it all!

The magnitude of that glory must be acknowledged because for Jesus to then make himself nothing by taking the nature of a servant. He did not stop being God. The word used there “being” outlined in Greek means “the things as part of someone which cannot ever be changed or taken away.” Much debate has been around that term but Jesus never stops being God…

Jesus Christ is eternally, equally, and essentially God. But he took on, he added the nature of a servant, of humanity.

Paul says He did not consider equality with God…the word used here is that Jesus did not clutch to his royalty or privilege. Think of the roman Gods, the greek Gods... This is in direct opposition to the view of man-made gods who exploited their privilege, took advantage of others to achieve something such as power or pleasure or inflict pain. Christ had every reason to put himself and his needs first…and He didn’t.

Christ is the ultimate showcase for the humility that Paul wants you and I to imitate. He left the perfection of heaven for the imperfection of this world. By coming into this world, Jesus experienced humanity...He could feel pain and cry. The mind of Christ chose this....

So lets dive a little deeper into what Christ was thinking of?

What was Christ thinking of?

Jesus thought of the Father before Himself (v6)

Christ thought perfectly....He first thought of the Father. Though Jesus and God are one....Jesus still prioritized the Father’s will. What does he say in the garden as we looks to the cross? Not my will....but your’s be done. Though they are equal, Jesus thought of the Father before Himself.

Jesus thought of us before Himself v8)

Philippians 2:8 NIV

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Jesus was thinking of the Father’s will, he was also thinking of men and women, boys and girls here and around the world who absolutely need a Savior. We all need to be rescued from sin! You need a Savior because you need saving! Jesus thought of us before himself and came to save.

In thinking of the Father and of us, Jesus was as elevated and glorious as you can get, but out of love he went as low as you can get.. dying for us. Dying the death of someone who had done wrong...

But Jesus knew no sin. He willingly chooses to come under the very wrath of God and died. He does this so that you and me, anyone who repents and puts their faith in Jesus, can be set free from the curse of sin and death. He defeated death....sin where is your victory, death where is your sting? But to defeat death, He went as low as you can possibly be. Humility is bringing yourself down low to elevate others. Who has done that more accurately, more completely, than Jesus?

Therefore....He is exalted

The wonderful word of therefore. Because of all that Jesus has done...that he exemplified humility, because he though of God first…because he also thought of you and me and the rest of humanity..that we needed to be saved…because he humbled himself and saved us....God has lifted him up....

Philippians 2:9–11 NIV

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When Christ rose from the grave, God gave Jesus a universe worth of praise. The Father gave Jesus the highest praise possible. Jesus did not elevate himself (even though he has now rescued mankind, struck down death and emerged victorious…) instead he waited and God, the Father, lifted him up. Reminds me of Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 1:3 NIV

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

The Lordship of Christ that brings glory to God the Father. This is the worship of spirit and truth but look what it took. Jesus could have come down, forced, or manipulated folks into worship of God. But he instead chose the path of humiliation....and that path led to every knee, every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord.

How tempting it is to go for the glory first and forget about humility.

He is Lord over all. Roman Citizens might have been asked to swear an oath to say Caesar is Lord…burn an offering at his image. Paul is reminding the church.....that is idolatry…there is only one Lord…and His name is Jesus.

Paul does not write this for an intellectual exercise only but instead is encouraging them....you need this mind…this attitude toward yourself. Elevate others, choose the path of a servant…and like Jesus…watch God lift you up.

Watch as you are equipped to persevere through external and internal conflict…watch the unity among the believers around you grow as you humble yourselves before the Lord.

Conclusion

Again, I am thankful that this will not be the last time you hear about Phil 2:1-11. I would encourage you to read it and reflect on a few things as we close today.

One who is humble understands that God is God, and they are not. Thus our actions reflect what God has called us to do. I This is the Christian's proper position before the Lord. This leads to an outpouring of unity. As we draw our eyes to the source of all that is good, right , and perfect , our unity grows But I would ask you today....

Where is it easy to be humble? Where do we make excuses?

Where is it difficult to be humble? Perhaps a more direct way of asking would be...where I am I creating excuses to not be humble…because deep down…I am still choosing self, elevating myself, viewing myself in a skewed way......over God and others.

We highlight, embellish and take credit for our wins and victories. We minimize our defeat and losses and most often deflect the blame to others. We create pictures of ourselves for others to see that are not real.

We need humility. We need to be sober minded about our need for the Lord, and our need to love others just as He loved us.

Perhaps it is your time. I can give God 75 minutes....truth be told I would rather it be 70 but the pastor likes the sound of his own voice I imagine. The rest of my time is mine to do with as I please. Deep down we believe we know best how to utilize our time. We forget our need for the Lord to help direct our path... And then, we look down on others who seem to be in our opinion.... wasting time.

Conversely....Where is it easy to be humble?

I don’t mean the self deprecating, that is pride masquerading as humility…I mean the reality that I am nothing without Christ and I am complete with Christ. Fully complete. We are human, we have flaws, we are broken.....on our own.

But our completeness is not hinging on our efforts but on the full complete works of Jesus Christ. Col 2:9-10 reminds us that in Christ, the complete God lives in bodily form....and in Christ, you have been brought to completeness. Look in your life and identify the areas where it is easy to follow the power and authority of Christ…to be fully complete in Him.

As you look at those areas, see where the unity is. Look for where, despite differences, there is a oneness and togetherness that is an outpouring of that humility in Christ. Here at GracePointe we see glimpses of that right…we have incredible differences but what unites us is not a method…not a building....but a savior and his name is Jesus!

As we humble ourselves and put the needs of others first, we see others with the eyes of Christ.... in light of our own brokenness....others do this for us.

Our community is formed....where no one is looked down upon but rather everyone is honored. James 4:10 reflects this

James 4:10 NIV

10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

As disciples of Christ, we are encouraged, comforted, included in the fellowship of the Spirit with tenderness and compassion.....as we humbly walk with the Lord. May we deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus. As we consider others before ourselves, may unity in Christ be an outpouring of our humility as you follow the example of Christ.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving your son who is You. Thank you for the power of the gospel seen in your word today. Lead guide and direct our steps as we humble ourselves before you. May we dwell in the reality…that we are loved, encouraged, included, and given mercy by you. May more and more people come to know you as their Lord and Savior.

Amen

May God lead us. May Christ be our example.

May we go forth with humble hearts,

ready to serve your neighbor and a world in need.

Have a Great Day GracePointe