Kingdom Culture

Introduction

Good morning and welcome back!

This morning if you will, start turning in your Bibles to Philippians 2.

Again, that is Philippians 2, and we will be looking at the first 16 verses of that chapter this morning.

This morning we are going to be talking about culture and really how culture has invaded and in some ways dictated the Church and how the Church operates.

And the reason for that title is because we as Christians are not called to live according to the cultural mandates under which we reside.

Romans 12:2 tells us . . .

Romans 12:2 NRSV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

You see are constantly being influenced by the culture around us.

And many times we don’t even recognize how we are being influenced and impacted by the culture.

That is one reason why Paul says to not be conformed to the patterns of the world, but rather by the work of the Holy Spirit we are to be transformed.

And that transformation comes how? By the renewing of our minds.

And that renewing gives us the ability to discern what is of God and what is not of God.

That renewing helps us to discern what is God’s will for us and for The Church and what is not.

But the problem is we have two opposing camps at play here.

First, we have the one extreme that has tried to embrace every wordly aspect they can so they can get folks in the door prescribing to their version of Christianity.

Which has resulted in greed, heresy, and out right sin.

Then on the other extreme we have the “ultra-religious” that looks at 2 Corinthians 6:17 that tells us . . .

2 Corinthians 6:17 NRSV

Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you,

To the ultimate extreme, making up rules and doctrines that are 100% man made and found nowhere in Scripture, imposing their will on people.

And this extreme has resulted in denominations, religion, power, control, abuse, and Church hurt.

And both are wrong.

Our culture is not about the world or anything worldly.

Our culture is about being a Kingdom culture.

A culture shaped by two things really.

The Great Commandment and the Great Commitment.

The Great Commandment tells us to . . .

Matthew 22:36–40 NRSV

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

And the Great Commitment tells us . . .

Matthew 28:19–20 NRSV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Nowhere in any of this does it tell us to create division and separation between Christians in things we call “denominations.”

And also nowhere in this does it tell us to embrace and adopt every worldly and ungodly thing in the world for the sake of filling the seats and the offering plate either.

Sin is sin and part of loving our neighbour is to call it what it is and try to restore our brothers and sisters in love.

Proverbs 27:5–6 NRSV

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts, but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

And also . . .

Galatians 6:1 NRSV

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.

And I like that Paul warns us to watch out ourselves too.

The most loving thing we can do is help someone get on the right path before it’s too late.

But the problem is we manipulate what Christian love really is.

The Religious Rulers impose harsh rules based on their culture and tradition and crucify anyone who breaks them and say it’s “tough love.”

The Oohy-Gooey Seeker Sensitive Church turns a blind eye to sin and lets anything go for the fear of hurting someone’s feelings or offending them.

And we wonder why things are the way they are.

Blaming the culture in which we live.

Well, the culture is just a product of who we are as humans.

We talk about the entertainment industry and how evil and corrupt it is.

News flash—the entertainment industry is just out to make money and they just give the people what they ask for.

The problem is, we are going after the symptoms and not the disease.

The disease is sin—not just the sin of the world, but our own sin.

Our own embrace of this mess around us is why there is no change.

All of that church mess we see are things that the enemy has used to divide and conquer.

So that’s the problem and the solution for the problem is for us to adopt an actual Kingdom mindset.

And if we are going to be part of the Kingdom, then we need to understand and learn a little bit about the culture of that Kingdom and how we need to be living in order to fit into that Kingdom.

Which, in itself, runs counter to the cultures of this world.

And these are things that apply NOW, not in some distant far off future when we die and go to heaven.

The Kingdom of God is coming, but I want to tell you the Kingdom is coming NOW.

We can begin living in the Kingdom TODAY.

In fact, we SHOULD BE LIVING ACCORDING TO THE KINGDOM TODAY!

People think that eternal life begins at death.

Eternal life begins when you accept Jesus Christ, NOT when you draw your last breath on this planet.

But we need to CHOOSE to step into where God is leading us.

We need to CHOOSE to step into HIS KINGDOM.

Which is where Paul’s letter to the Philippians comes into play.

Because in this letter, particularly in chapter 2, Paul is going to give us a crash course into Kingdom living.

So, this morning we are going to be looking at this a little deeper.

But to start I would like to read verses 12-16 to wet our whistle just a bit.

Philippians 2, starting in verse 12 . . .

Scripture Focus

Philippians 2:12–16 NRSV

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Unity in the Body

Now, I read the last part of the passage and it is a part that most of us are pretty familiar with.

Most of us have heard that taught and preached about numerous times.

However, that’s only half the story here.

In order to get the full story of this passage, we actually need to back up a bit to chapter 1, verse 27 and start there to see how Paul came to the conclusion that he did that we read about here.

He starts out in chapter 1, verse 27 . . .

Philippians 1:27–30 NRSV

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

So, the first thing that Paul begins to teach them here is that their conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.

In other words PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH in a nutshell.

That they not live their lives like Sunday morning Christians, praising Jesus in the sanctuary, but living like the devil the rest of the week.

Or, having all the faith in the world while in the church service but being overcome by doubt, fear, and anxiety the rest of the week.

Living their lives under the subjection and condemnation of the enemy, with only glimpses and glimmers of hope every so often.

Paul wants them to live the victorious life as children of the God of this universe.

And this is only possible as a body of believers, when there is unity in the faith.

He says, stand firm in ONE spirit, with ONE mind, striving TOGETHER for the faith of the gospel.

And to stop paying attention to the distractions of the enemy that are toothless threats that are trying to destroy them.

Keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and their minds on the Gospel of Christ, like the writer of Hebrews tells us to do.

And the reason is because He is the King and He is who we take direction from.

And HIS opinion is the only one that matters.

And HE is the only one you need to be worried about any way.

And something about Paul.

He is not writing this letter from some ivory tower somewhere.

In fact, Paul is in prison when he wrote this and most believe he was in prison in Rome.

So, he was suffering from a little hardship of his own.

And the whole point of him writing this letter was to first thank the Philippians for sending money to help him while in prison, but also to deal with some attitudes and situations that were taking hold in the church.

Namely being, rivalries starting to take hold between members.

Jealously, backbiting, selfish ambitions starting to rise up.

Inflexibility and attitudes that were starting to wear down the saints of God.

So Paul says, hold up a minute—let’s back this train up and remember what Kingdom we belong to.

And how we are supposed to act, as citizens of that kingdom.

And quit acting like the rest of the world acts.

Which brings us up to chapter 2 now, starting in verse 1, Paul writes this . . .

Philippians 2:1–2 NRSV

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

So, going right back to what Paul has just said he pushes it a little further and tells them IF . . .

If they have any encouragement from being united with Christ.

If they have any comfort at all from His love.

If they have any fellowship at all with the Holy Spirit and with each other through the Holy Spirit.

And if, they have any love and any compassion for one another.

Then they should be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Now, does this mean they have to agree with each other on every single aspect of their lives?

NO!

This is NOT what Paul is talking about.

Paul is saying they are to be LIKE MINDED as it comes to how Christians are to conduct themselves and live their lives.

And that like-mindedness should be INFORMED AND INSTRUCTED by the same love.

And that love being—the LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST.

The love that should be the essence of every believer.

THE GREAT COMMANDMENT…Love God with all our being and demonstrate that love by loving others—by SERVING OTHERS.

By putting FEET to the things we say, by DEMONSTRATION and not just by words.

And the purpose is the BUILDING OF THE KINGDOM.

The BRINGING IN OF OTHERS TO THE KINGDOM.

And this can only be done when those in the Kingdom live ACCORDING to the Kingdom.

But the problem is that many times those in the Kingdom get their priorities mixed up.

They get so stuck on THEIR WILL and THEIR WAY— THEIR PREFERENCES on how the Kingdom should look that they miss the mark.

Their motivation becomes THEIR WILL and THEIR COMFORT instead of God’s will and God’s way.

Which is precisely why Paul writes . . .

Philippians 2:3–4 NRSV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

In other words, don’t let your will and your personal preferences dictate your work in the kingdom and your relationship with other believers.

Don’t worry so much about what you like but rather WHAT IS BEST FOR OTHERS.

What best serves the KINGDOM, AS A WHOLE.

What do others in the HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH HAVE NEED OF?

And the HOUSEHOLD stretches way beyond the 4-walls of the individual church.

We need to ask ourselves, what does our church have that another church might have need of that we can share with them?

How can we come together and share what we all have, not for our little kingdoms we set up, but for THE KINGDOM OF GOD, that encompasses us all.

And stop worrying so much about what’s going to benefit US the most START CONSIDERING WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO.

We worry way too much about how certain things can benefit just us and forget that God has a much bigger plan than just us and our little church.

And sometimes a greater exercise in faith is NOT DOING what may make sense to our natural eyes, but instead slowing down and listening to the voice of God.

Stop trying to look at things through the worlds eyes—look at it through Kingdom eyes.

Selfless Humility—Kenosis (Self-Emptying)

And Paul gives us the perfect example of how to achieve this in the person of Jesus Christ.

In verse 5 he writes . . .

Philippians 2:5 NRSV

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

And we so miss what it means to have the true mindset of Jesus Christ.

Because when we talk about having the mind of Christ, we are really talking about having the ATTITUDE of Jesus Christ.

And what was Jesus’ attitude?

It was one of Kenosis in the Greek or “self-emptying.”

Christ literally made himself nothing—emptied himself, gave ALL of himself, for US.

Look at verses 6-8 . . .

Philippians 2:6–8 NRSV

who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.

In other words, Jesus, who’s VERY NATURE was that of God—CHOSE to lower himself and instead of using his deity (or his Godness) to His advantage, emptied Himself—gave US ALL OF HIMSELF and SUFFERED for ALL OF US.

The perfect demonstration of HIS NATURE, which is LOVE.

The perfect demonstration of humility.

And Paul says, we need to be like that as well.

We need to have that same attitude and same mindset.

We are to consider OTHERS before ourselves.

And when we can do this, THIS is when we can start to come into the unity of the faith.

This is when the joy of the Lord will begin to manifest in our lives and in our worship of Him.

Because joy comes when we are in love with Jesus.

And our love for Jesus is manifested in our love toward others.

And we express our love for Jesus through our worship of Jesus.

And ultimately, OUR LIVES ARE A REFLECTION OF OUR MINDS.

How we speak, how we act—the things we do, reflect who we are.

Jesus himself told us . . .

Luke 6:45 NRSV

The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

And if our mind is that of Christ—our mouths will speak love, joy, praise, adoration.

And our actions will demonstrate generosity, love, respect, and a bond with other believers—regardless of what church they go to.

Because fellowship with the Spirit, brings about a bonding and fellowship with others through the Spirit.

And then because of the Sacrifice of our King . . .

Philippians 2:9–11 NRSV

Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So even though Jesus humbled himself and suffered a humiliating death on the cross, God the Father raised up the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

And the day is coming when EVERY knee will bow.

And by EVERY it means every intelligent being that has ever been created, living and dead, believer or non believer, angel or demon, the devil himself, WILL BOW TO THE KING.

WILL acknowledge that He is Lord.

And WE HAD MIGHT AS WELL START RIGHT NOW.

Because I AM A CHILD OF THE KING and I WILL FULFILL THE MISSION THAT MY KING HAS GIVEN ME.

Not the mission that I WANT or I THINK, but MY KINGS COMMAND IS MY MISSION.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

You can either submit NOW OR LATER, but you WILL SUBMIT TO THE KING.

Work it Out

So, how do we get to this place?

How do we get to where we have the mindset of Christ?

How do we get to where we are living in the center of God’s will?

Well, are you praying?

Are you spending time in His word?

Are you seeking His face?

Are you loving others around you (and not in the creepy way)?

We can’t just sit around talking about it, we actually have to do it!

Look at the last part of this passage where we started . . .

Philippians 2:12–16 NRSV

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Okay, two big concepts here.

First, verses 12 and 13 tell us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Working out our own salvation means nothing more than putting the salvation that God has given us to work.

Think about it in terms of a farmer who is given a bunch of seed for free.

Is that seed going to just grow sitting in a bag in the barn?

NO, the farmer has to do something with it.

So, what does the farmer do?

He first has to prepare the ground—plow it up.

Then he has to plant to seed.

Then he has to make sure it has plenty of water and fertilizer.

And then he has to keep the weeds out.

And then, after the crop has grown, he can harvest it.

This is what Paul is talking about—nurture and cultivate and grow the gift of salvation that we have been given.

And do it in the full awe and obedience of God Almighty.

In other words, be led by the Spirit in ALL things, like Paul talks about in Galatians 5.

Live a life worthy of your calling like Paul tells us in Ephesians 4.

And the second thing Paul tells us is to do all of this without murmuring and arguing.

Without the murmuring and complaining like they spent so much time doing in the Old Testament.

When things get tough—don’t complain—PRAY.

When things don’t go your way—don’t complain—PRAY.

When you just don’t understand—don’t complain—PRAY.

Philippians 4:6 NRSV

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Because prayer demonstrates faith, complaining demonstrates a lack of faith.

And bringing things before God in prayer demonstrates MATURITY.

It builds CHARACTER.

It helps us remain BLAMELESS AND PURE in the wicked generation that we exist in.

It helps us to repel the world’s culture and usher in the Kingdom culture the way we are supposed to.

It helps us witness to others.

We cannot fulfill the mission, if all we are doing is sitting around complaining about things that don’t matter anyway.

Altar/Challenge

You know there are a lot of things that go in in churches that are of no consequence whatsoever.

Not necessarily good or bad things but if it is not tied to building the Kingdom, it is of no consequence and we should be able to take it or leave it.

The greatest tool of the enemy is his ability to divide us by denominations, sects, worship styles, and practices.

We need to step out of that mindset and step INTO THE KINGDOM MINDSET.

Because that is the MIND OF CHRIST.