Philippians 2

Pre Chapter 2

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Php 1:27–30.

Paul tells us to stand fast in the spirit ( ESTABLISH OURSELVES ) with one mind together for the faith of the gospel, Not to be terrified by our adversaries ( NOT TO BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OR THE PEOPLE WHO PERSECUTE US FOR THE LIFE WE CHOSE TO LIVE IN CHRIST) We get to belive in him and also suffer for his sake. ( HES GIVEN US LIFE AND HE SUFFERED FOR US, SO WE SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE AND FOR HIS GLORY) Just as Paul was going through when he wrote us this.

Paul then goes on to say In chapter two… ( read first 4 verses )

Consolation means encouragement, therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, any affection and mercy, be of one accord, be of one mind. All these things fullfilled Pauls joy. This is the idea to create unity.

First Step for this kind of unity is this, let nothing be done in selfish ambition… A lot of times we can be self motivated, looking out for our wants and desires. Not esteeming others over ourselves.

Second step, Paul says not to b conceited, not to think so highly of your self, proud and puffed up.

Third step being lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than himself.

God didn’t make anyone better than you, God didn’t make you better than anyone. He made us all the same. So, don’t think you’re better than anyone based on what you can do, or how you work, dress, look etc.

Thoughts?

Read vs 5-11.

So all the things we just went over, Paul says let this mind be in you. As it was in Christ Jesus. It was the mind of Jesus who was equal to God. Yet, he in lowliness of mind and esteeming others above him made himself of no reputation. He emptied himself, Taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men. (Vs. 8) Jesus came down from the throne of Heaven and became a man, this was how he became obedient ( not that jesus needed to be obedient but taking the form of a man he related to us in our need to be obedient). To take form of a man and leave heavans glory. To the point of death, speaking on the cross. ALL of this to say there is no limit to what God will do to demonstrate his love for us… Thoughts?

A couple of things that stood out, all of those in heaven, all of those above the earth and under the earth shows his total totality. EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING should bow and confess his dominion. And, that Jesus didn’t place himself above everything, God appointed that to him.