Unity Through Humility

United in Humility: Living the Christ Life

Bible Passage: Philippians 2:1-18

Summary: In Philippians 2:1-18, Paul urges the church to adopt the mindset of Christ, promoting humility and unity among believers. The passage emphasizes the significance of looking out for others, modeling the humility evident in Jesus, and highlights the ultimate exaltation of Christ.

Application: This sermon will help Christians understand how embracing humility can lead to greater unity within the body of Christ. It addresses the challenges of pride and selfishness, providing practical steps to cultivate a spirit of togetherness and service, especially in times of division.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that humility is not a sign of weakness but a powerful virtue that reflects Christ’s character. It shows how true unity stems from selflessness and aligns with the call to be Christ-like in our interactions with one another.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of the whole Bible, Christ exemplifies true humility through His incarnation and sacrificial death, demonstrating that exaltation follows selflessness. Paul points to Jesus as the ultimate model of humility to inspire believers to reflect His character within the church community.

Big Idea: Embracing humility leads to unity in the body of Christ, reflecting Jesus' example and advancing the gospel.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider using your Logos library to dive deeper into the cultural context of Philippians, especially how humility was viewed in the Roman world compared to the Christian ideal. Explore commentaries that discuss the theological implications of Christ’s kenosis (emptying) in Philippians 2:7-8, and analyze various translations of verses 12-13 to better understand the nuances of working out salvation and God’s enabling grace.

If Jesus in his humanity delighted in the fear of God, surely we need to give serious thought to cultivating this attitude in our lives.

Jerry Bridges

Philippians 2:1-4

Maybe here, you could emphasize how unity in the church is born out of love and shared purpose. Encourage your listeners to adopt an attitude of humility and regard for others, as Paul urges, reflecting on how Christ lived selflessly for the benefit of others. Unity begins when believers genuinely consider others as more important than themselves, nurturing a spirit of mutual service and love, as Jesus exemplified.

2. Exemplifying Jesus’ Journey

Philippians 2:5-8

Perhaps you could unpack Christ's journey of humility, seeing His sacrificial descent from glory to a servant's death. Jesus' life serves as the ultimate paradigm for humility, challenging us to rethink our approach to leadership and service. Highlight for your congregation the divine reversal—greatness in God's economy is found in service, and power comes from selfless love, pivoting on Christ's example to transform our attitude towards others.

3. Exaltation Through Humility

Philippians 2:9-11

You could focus on how Christ's exaltation followed His humility, underscoring the biblical narrative that humility precedes honor. Encourage believers to trust that God exalts in His own time and way those who humble themselves. Point out how Jesus’ name, now exalted, will eventually command universal acknowledgment, pushing us to live lives that reflect His glory and honor.

4. Engaging God’s Empowerment

Philippians 2:12-13

Here, you might stress how believers are to actively participate in their spiritual growth, empowered by God’s presence. Explore the mysterious synergy between divine enablement and personal effort, encouraging your congregation to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, while confidently relying on God's effective work within them.

5. Emanating Joyful Service

Philippians 2:14-18

Perhaps you could encourage the church to live out their faith visibly and without grumbling, shining like lights in the world. Stress the joy and sense of purpose that comes from living a life aligned with Christ's humility and unity. With Paul’s life as a backdrop, challenge your listeners to offer themselves fully to God, knowing their service brings joy to others and themselves, fulfilling their role in the body of Christ.

When Paul was in prison, he didn’t write gloomy letters filled with complaints. Instead, he sent uplifting messages, telling others to rejoice! It’s like when you trip over your own feet in front of your crush but instead of feeling embarrassed, you laugh it off and make a joke. Paul taught us that even the most awkward moments can be turned into joyful stories if we have the right attitude!

As a cell group leader, you might struggle with getting everyone engaged and actively participating in discussions during meetings. To foster growth, consider integrating personal testimonies into your group sessions. Encourage each member to share a current challenge they are facing and how their faith can help them through it. This not only motivates participants to join but also allows them to feel valued and understood, creating a warm atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable to contribute.

As a youth leader, you could be facing the challenge of keeping young people engaged in spiritual discussions outside of traditional settings. Create a monthly outreach event hosted in a public park, inviting youth to participate in games combined with short devotionals. During these events, encourage each young person to invite a friend. This usage of a relaxed, informal setting allows them to share their faith naturally, deepening connections and fostering growth both in numbers and spiritual depth.

If you’re facilitating a cell group at home, you might struggle with maintaining enthusiasm and commitment amongst your members. To encourage a culture of accountability, introduce a 'goal-sharing' session every few weeks, where each member states one personal goal they want prayer support for. Ensure to pray collectively at the end of each session for those goals, providing follow-up encouragement in upcoming meetings. This practice builds deeper connections, allows members to invest in each other’s spiritual growth, and encourages a supportive community.

=====================

Scripture: Phil 2:1-19

Unity Through Humility

2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. The Humbled and Exalted Christ

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Light Bearers

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 

15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

@book{The New King James Version_1982, address={Nashville}, publisher={Thomas Nelson}, year={1982}, pages={Php 2:1–19