Philippians (But it's not about me)

Background

Paul is writing to the Philippian church from prison. They had sent a gift by way of Epaphroditus. Paul sends this letter back with him.

It’s a letter of encouragement, gratitude, and a bit of an update on his situation. What you would expect.

While the letter seems disjointed into 6 different parts there’s one conclusion that Paul keeps coming to and this phrase is where we are going to focus.

“But it’s not about me.” Slightly more than humility. This COULD be about me, but it really isn’t.

I am in prison, but it’s not about me

Philippians 1:12–14 (NIV)

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. (he doesn’t say, “it’s actually not that bad.”)

13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

People are preaching out of envy, but it’s not about me

Philippians 1:15–18 (NIV)

15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (We see that they are successful in the letters to the Corinthian church and the Galatian church)

18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice

If I’m executed it would be gain, but it’s not about me

Philippians 1:20–26 (NIV)

20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Decide that it’s not about you

Philippians 2:1–4 (NIV) Paul turns it toward the Philippians - Now you decide

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, 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.

Why? Because that’s the spirit in which Christ served

Philippians 2:5–11 (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; (How many miracles did Jesus perform for himself? 0. He had no trouble feeding the 5 thousand, but when he was starving in the desert he wouldn’t turn a rock to bread)

7 rather, he made himself nothing (he made himself a homeless outcast why? Because his mission was not about him)

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! 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.

I could boast, but it’s not about me

Philippians 3:2–11 (NIV)

2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (I could make it about me but then I wouldn't have HIM!)

Vision

Deciding that it’s not about you is a voluntary choice. You can make it about you. Paul says, if I wanted to make this about me we could go on and on about my accomplishments, but it isn’t. Christ could have made it all about him, but instead he made it about the will of the Father. Why? Why move the spotlight off of ourselves? Because that’s where peace and contentment are.

Philippians 4:4–9 (NIV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (The only way you rejoice always is if it’s not about you because sometimes life sucks)

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Focus away from yourself)

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (If you take your eyes off of yourself, THEN the peace of God)

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (stop looking at yourself. Look at Paul suffering for Christ. Look at Timothy who spends night and day caring for others. Look at Epaphroditus who almost died serving Paul. Look at the gifts God gives. Take your eyes off of yourself, look at Christ)

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:10–13 (NIV)

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (10$ to whoever guesses how Paul has learned to be content) (I STOPPED LOOKING TO MYSELF!)

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

We can decide it’s about us. Preaching is about people coming together to hear what I have to say. People give because they want my ministry to flourish. They believe in my vision! People didn’t come to my event because I didn’t make it fun enough. They asked me to move off of the microphone because they don’t like me. You know what I really need, more “me” time. Can I tell you a hard truth? You are not going to get the peace of God from “me” time.

Most of the time we think it’s about us - and no one is thinking about us.

3 examples - Hogan and the guitar - Hogan and men’s group - Not being able to hear my guitar in the recording

You might be saying, I don’t really make things about me. I think about others way more than myself.

Let me give you a litmus test: I am convinced that at every root of division there is someone making it about them. I can’t imagine a situation where if you and I decided to look away from ourselves division wouldn’t disappear in an instant. In church, in marriages, at work, etc. So the test is, how much division is in your marriage? How much in your workplace? How much in your day in general? What are the chances that it’s all the other person making much of themselves?