Unity in Christ

One in Spirit: The Call to Unity

Bible Passage: Philippians 2:1–11

Summary: In Philippians 2:1-11, Paul urges the church in Philippi to embody unity through humility, highlighting the selfless nature of Christ as the ultimate example of servant leadership.

Application: This passage encourages Christians to pursue unity in their communities by adopting a posture of humility and service, reminding them that love and unity can overcome divisions and conflicts in their lives.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that true unity in the body of Christ is not merely about agreement, but involves humility and selflessness, modeled perfectly by Jesus, leading to joy and harmony among believers.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the ultimate example of humility and obedience; His incarnation and sacrificial death illustrate the profound depth of divine love, setting the pattern for believers to follow in fostering unity.

Big Idea: Joyful unity in the church is rooted in humility, following the example of Christ, who humbled Himself for our sake and calls us to do the same.

Recommended Study: For your preparation, consider delving into the implications of Christ’s kenosis (self-emptying) in your Logos library. Look for commentaries on Philippians that discuss the theological significance of verses 5-8, including how they inform our understanding of humility and unity. Examining pertinent cultural contexts of Philippi can also provide insights on the challenges facing the early church regarding unity.

1. Purpose Beyond Self

Philippians 2:1–2

Perhaps you could emphasize that unity begins with a shared purpose and mindset. The apostle Paul appeals for believers to be 'like-minded,' offering a framework for community cohesion. By cherishing the same love, unity is achievable. Through aligning our intentions, we demonstrate the practical outworking of being rooted in Christ’s love and humility. This sets the stage for overcoming conflicts when the church operates with a single purpose, manifesting the joy of unity so urgently needed in our communities.

2. Pride Abandoned, Selfless Spirit

Philippians 2:3–4

Maybe focus on the notion that unity is cultivated through humility and selflessness. Here, Paul challenges the church to put others before themselves, abandoning selfish ambition. Highlight that considering others' interests not only fosters unity but also reflects Christ’s humility. If believers embrace this attitude, they build a harmonious community, rising above discord. This path of humility opens new avenues for compassion and bonds that mirror Christ’s sacrificial love.

3. Patterned by Christ's Humility

Philippians 2:5–8

You could present Christ as the ultimate exemplar of humility and the cornerstone for unity. By taking on human form and humbling Himself to the point of death, Jesus demonstrates true service. The kenosis, or self-emptying, of Christ invites the church to model this humility, which paves the way for spiritual and communal unity. Preaching this can inspire believers to adopt Christ-like attitudes, essential for sustaining unity in the church.

4. Praise Arises from Unity

Philippians 2:9–11

Perhaps underscore how Christ’s exaltation following His humility serves as assurance of God's blessing and the ultimate reason for unity. With every knee bowing to Him, it illustrates that true unity is not a human construct, but a divine one. Preach that in Christ’s exaltation, our unity finds its goal, where believers gather in harmony under His lordship. Making His name known should therefore be the ambition driving the church’s unified mission.