Philippians 2 “Christ-Centered Humility”

Paul understands that the Church in Philippi is faced with the task of standing firm in the midst of suffering. The task of standing firm is not a self-determined work that is accomplished based solely on a change of actions by the person, rather, standing firm is accomplished in and through the work of Christ. Remember from last week, he who began a good work in you will see it to completion.

This understanding of these verse could make us do one or two things.

First, we could just seek to do the right thing without a knowledge of why or who is at work to make this possible. The folly of this view is that we tend to base our own salvation upon our performance. We reflect and believe that we have continouslly done the right thing, we are outwardly righteous and pios, but it never comes from a reflection of who Christ is and what he has done. This can lead to moralism. As long as I am moral, I can go to heaven. or put another way, “I am a good person, therefore God will let me into heaven.”

Second, It could cause us to be reliant on God’s work in us without any participation from ourselves. Just like exercising one hour a day cannot help someone lose weight, it must be partnered with dieting to be truly effective. There must be some participation from the individual in the act of standing firm. While our minds are being conformed to Christ our actions and reactions on the heart level are still stuck to the flesh that inhabits our own sinful nature.

There is no coupling of Christ and our spiritual growth. Again, we place joy in performance or how our actions were good. we do Not place our spiritual growth in Christ and being faithful to him.

This morning we are going to see Paul showing what Christ centered humility is.

Last week, Paul reminded the Philippian church that living a Christ-Centered life is begin in Christ and those who are living a Christ-centered life seek Christ’s glory in everything that they do.

This week Paul is going to continue this thought. Remember, Paul is writing the book of Philippians so that those who are in Christ can seek joy not in there circumstances but in Christ alone.

MP: Jesus is your true example of humility and obedience, therefore, emulate him.

Living a Christ-centered life has a gospel understanding of humility (2:1-11)

Philippians 2:1–11 “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 co…”

Christ centered living can only be found in reflection of the Gospel. Paul reminds the believers that they have this gospel in common (1-2).

This commonality shapes the way that Christians treat one another in community. It flows from a understanding they they are now apart of Christ, they have felt the Love of God in Jesus, they likewise participate in the spirit of Christ. each one of them have been shown inward affection and sympathy. The church had a common experience of grace.

In reflection of the gospel, we too have beheld the same grace. We have experienced the encouragement of Christ, we have called upon the name of Jesus and we have been saved from our own sins. He has provided us love in himself first, by participating in the death we deserve, he has provided us a comforter and sealed us with him in the Holy Spirit and we continue to live and work through the Holy Spirit, we have felt his care as we cast his burdens upon him, and he curbs our anxieties.

Now for the Christian there is a responsibility in unity. While the rest of the world would rather divide over issues and hot takes. We as Christians should desire to be unified over the gospel.

Paul’s joy would be complete as the Philippians church stood together in unity. His joy would be seen in the church as they sat apart differences for the gospel sake. The unity that Paul is asking the Philippian church to have is one that occurs when Christians have the same values and love.

How is that unity possible?

It comes through humility.

Paul reminds us what humility is through a quick definition in verse 4 but in the following verses he surrounds his definition by a perfect example.

Jesus

Work through verse 5-11

Humility led to Jesus’s exaltation. Our humility leads to Jesus’s exaltation

Living a Christ-centered life has a gospel understanding of obedience (2:12-18)

Philippians 2:12–18 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”

It is not simply taking the gospel and not doing anything about your life. The gospel produces obedience. You are saved now obey. We are not to obey to be saved. That is a perversion of the gospel.

Working out our own salvation is produced with a revernt understanding of who God is and what he is doing. God is working through us to accomplish his goals and will.

BEcause of that dont grumble about the position your are in.

Paul may have had in mind the Exodus narritive of grumbling. Manna and Quail, water and death.

For Paul he understood that his life was for the glory of Jesus, and if that ment his death then he knew he served well. He wanted to be faithful to what God has called him too.

Paul being poured out as a drink offering placed himself in a position that diminished his own circumstances and he saw the faith of Philippians church and their growth more important.

Christ centered humility results in joy and rejoicing no matter the circumstances. Paul while facing death rejoices because God is doing a work in the Philippian church and God is going to get the Glory.

Living a Christ centered life recognizes good examples of Christian living (2:19-29)

Philippians 2:19–29 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the …”

Paul provides two other examples of Christ-centered humility, Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Timothy has been travling with Paul, Paul will write two books of the bible to Timothy. And for Paul there is no one like Timothy. He seeks the interest of Christ. He hopes to send Timothy to the Philippian church to encourage them also.

Example of Timothy

Causes others to have Joy in Christ

Concerned for others

Seeks the interest of others

Labored for the Gospel

Epaproditus, did not want the church to be distressed over him.

Example of Epaphroditus

Brother

Fellow Worker

Fellow Soldier

Messenger and Minister

His trials were used so that others may have joy in

Christ

Received with joy and honor

Christian Discipleship and who are your leaders