Living in J.O.Y.

Introduction

This week we will celebrate the Fourth of July! This year marks 248th anniversary of our declaring our independence of Great Britain.

If you look back at our history, I believed Great Britain failed to believe that a “rag tag” group of citizens could over turn the most powerful country in the word back in the 1700’s.

But look at what happened. That rag tag group of men stood up against what they believed amounted to tyranny. Their unity shocked the known world of their day by breaking away from England.

John Adams is quoted as saying, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

As we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, I want to take a minute an reflect on how Christians ought to live.

You see, the hall mark of a follower of Christ should not be Nationalism.

The hall mark of a follower of Christ should not be their political affiliation.

No, the hall-mark of a follower of Christ should be love (that unconditional, agape love), and unity.

If you have your Bibles, and I hope that you do, turn with me to Philippians chapter 2, and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.

Philippians 2:1 NIV

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,

Paul begins with a “Therefore” which points us back to the last couple of verses of chapter 1. Paul says that the church at Philippi was facing the same kind of struggles with persecution that he had experienced.

Philippians 1:29–30 NIV

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Unity In Spirit

In verse 1 of chapter 2, Paul begins by saying:

If they receive any encouragement (Gk comfort, help, good, or aid) from being united with Christ (v. 1a).

If they receive any comfort from the love of Jesus (v. 1b). That unconditional love with which Jesus reaches out and touches our lives.

If they fellowship by being indwelled by God’s Spirit (v. 1c).

If they receive any tenderness (from God and those around them (v. 1d).

And if they receive any compassion (from God and those around them (v. 1e).

Philippians 2:2 NIV

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

The Paul urges them to be “like-minded” or agreeing with each other wholeheartedly (NLT) (v. 2a).

When they have this kind of unity they will make Paul’s joy complete (v. 2b).

This will happen because they will share in the same love (the love of Jesus) (v. 2c).

And because they will share in the same spirit (the Holy Spirit) (v. 2d).

And if they have the same spirit governing them, they will be of one mind—their purpose will be the same! (v. 2e).

Now stop for a minute and think about what that would look like for us.

Love Today

As believers,

If we have any encouragement from being united with Christ,

If we receive any comfort from the love of Jesus,

If any common sharing in the Spirit of God,

If any tenderness,

If any compassion,

Unity Today

Then we should be like-minded! We should show unity! We should exhibit unity (be like-minded) because:

We all should have the love of Jesus in us!

We should experience unity because we all have the same Spirit living in us—God’s Spirit!

And we should have unity because we have the same mind-set (one mind).

Paul believed that if each of us lives our lives obedient to Jesus we would face a lot fewer conflicts, fights, and arguments.

Expression of Christian Unity

When we come to verse 3, Paul becomes extremely practical.

Philippians 2:3 NIV

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

We just saw that we as a believer in Jesus, we are to be one in spirit and mind (v. 2).

As such, Paul now points to the kind of characteristics that should mark the believers’ interactions with each other.

Don’ts

Do nothing out of selfish ambition (selfishness, motivation to elevate oneself or one’s interests over others) (v. 3a).

Do nothing out of vain conceit (out to impress others,excessive pride or self-esteem that has no foundation in reality) (v. 3b).

Instead, in humility value others as more important than yourself (v. 3c).

Look at verse 4, Paul continues:

Philippians 2:4 NIV

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Don’t only look out for your interests (v. 4a)

Do’s

Instead, be concerned about what’s going on with other people (v. 4b).

The key to this passage is that the needs of others should be elevated above our needs.

This is goes against our natural nature. Think about it—most of the time I want to let you know how great I am. I want to let you know push my wants and desires.

My natural self wants to self-promote! I want to shout, “Look at me!”

But Paul points us back to Jesus! And IF the Holy Spirit lives in us, “each of you to the interests of others.”

In verse 5, Paul is going to help us understand, in a practical ways, what following Jesus really looks like (but we will look at that section next week).

So What?

When I was a kid, I learned a song that I believe may have been based on Philippians 4:2.

Jesus and Others and You (J-O-Y)

Written by B. Metzger, 1951 Jesus and others and you What a wonderful way to spell joy Jesus and others and you in the life of each girl and each boy

"J" is for Jesus for He has first place, "O" is for others you meet face to face, "Y" is for you, in whatever you do, Put your self third and spell JOY.

You know, if I’m honest, it’s hard to put the needs of others above myself.

It’s convenient to put the needs of others above myself.

If I’m honest, it is far easier to fall into the traps of selfish ambition and vain conceit.

Perhaps that is why Paul says that valuing others as more important than ourselves requires humility.

Humility is one of those words, that tends to be defined by using forms of the words. For example, Humility is a modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness.

Perhaps is Paul were writing today would be similar to how the Message puts it.

Philippians 2:4 MSG

Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

So today, I want to challenge us to stop obsessing about getting your own stuff done. Instead, slow down and help those around you!