Sticking Together

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Introduction

Series Recap

Last week we started looking at the book of Philippians, which is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church of Philippi.

Paul is writing as a pastor to the church while he is in prison for the gospel

After all, he was the one that planted this church.

and now he is writing to encourage them to continue in their spiritual growth and to finish well.

chapter 1

We looked at Philippians 1:3-11 last week, where the apostle summarizes the purpose of the entire letter.

He tells the church that he is confident that God, who began this good work in the, would be faithful to keep it going and bring it to completion.

And then he offers his own pastoral pray for their growth.

us

In application for us, we talked about the processes that God is using in our lives to help us grow and be ready for eternity.

because God has begun a good work in us as well..

and we noted the importance of learning to trust God in that process

because he is faithful in it..

using it to perfect us and grow us..

We saw how our job is to be obedient to his guidance, trust him, and keep walking forward each day.

Today

Today, were going to move into chapter 2 of Philippians as we’ve already read.

Where Paul gives the church an important directive in regard to protecting this growth

both that they have already achieved, and what God is still getting ready to do in them..

Paul tells the church..

As you continue to grow..

Make sure you make every effort to protect the unity among you.

Staple of Pauls Teaching

As an apostle and pastor to many churches.

Paul had a few things that he made sure to speak to every church..

To the church at large..

One of those directives was in regard to unity..

Paul is adamant about it in fact..

He talks about the importance of unity in many of his letters..

Ephesus

To the Ephesians he writes..

Ephesians 4:1–3 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called (Make note of that phrase for later), with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Romans

to the romans he writes

Romans 12:15–16 ESV

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Corinthians

to the corinthians he writes

1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Philippians

and of course here to the Philippians we see the same in our passage

Philippians 2:2 ESV

complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

As an apostle and pastor, Paul knew the importance of unity to the church..

He knew a unified church can accomplish anything for the kingdom..

as god himself said of those at babel in genesis 11:6

Genesis 11:6 ESV

And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.

Contrary

and on the contrary he knew what Jesus taught in Matthew 12:25

Matthew 12:25 ESV

Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.

Simply put

Simply put

If the church is unified, they will succeed in continuing to grow and serving

the kingdom of god will advance

But If they are divided..

they will crumble, fail, and fall away..

Unity becomes the balance beam that keeps us upon the narrow path forward..

And its so important that its to be protected with every effort.

So what is unity?

Be of the same mind(What)

What is unity

What is not..

Before we talk about what unity is..

I want to something its not..

When Paul is speaking of unity

he’s not telling us that we are all to be the same person..

thats not the one mind he’s speaking about..

he’s not saying we should dress alike,

and sound alike,

and all have the same exact thoughts..

Or even all act the same specific way..

Were not a cult..

and thats not the way we are created to function..

thats not unity.. its uniformity..

Embrace differences

In fact, Paul says we should embrace our differences instead of trying to make them uniform..

2 corinthians 12 tell us thats we are all very different pieces of the body..

We are all different.. created different.. gifted different..

and the body needs each of those pieces..

so we should celebrate the diversity in that.

but its in coming together in the body as one body that we are unified,

not in becoming uniform..

Paul to the Philippians

Look what he says..

Philippians 2:2 ESV

complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

The amplified translation help clarify…

Philippians 2:2 AMP

“make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ].”

Greek

The greek word used here that is translated together in the spirit is sympsychos : and it describes sharing the same attitude or mindset.

what Paul it telling us is that we are to share an attitude and way of thinking..

but its not our own..

Its not even human..

Its the attitude and way of thinking of Jesus..

Through the holy spirit..

becoming the body of christ as he is the head..

Regularly submitting our ways and actions to Jesus..

and making every effort to function as a functioning body..

Example

Football team

Dr. Tony Evans Uses the example of a football team to explain this.

A football team is unified, not because every player plays the same position or even does the same thing—that would be uniformity.

A football team is unified because they are operating in harmony to reach the same goal line.

Each player is playing his position with the objective of either helping his team score or stopping the opposing team from scoring.

Everyone is moving in the same direction.

In a good team, its not about one player..

or one play..

its about the group..

each one taking on the winning mindset..

with the same goal..

and working together..

and thats how we are to come together ..

around a common point..

for us the point being christ..

Unity is the state being one..

Working together for the same purpose and goal..

Cooperating.. being agreeable.. and staying focused on christ and not our selves..

The goal is To see christ glorified and people go to heaven…

Putting aside ourselves and being one body in christ..

Thats unity..

and its an expected practice of every christians..

Since you belong to Jesus (If)

Paul says..

This is the way every believer should act..

Look what he says..

Philippians 2:1 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

Ephesians 4:1 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

Paul tells us.. If you have received anything from christ..

Then you are not your own anymore..

and you are part of the bigger body of christ..

so walk like you are..

and how do we do that?

Well Paul instructs us here about how to stay in unity…

How do we embrace unity? (How)

the best was to embrace unity is to embrace others..

Look at..

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Paul gives us three directives here to help the church stay unified..

“Do Nothing from selfish ambition or conceit”

First, He says do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit..

again, we are unified around christ..

The church and the body is not about you and i.. it about Jesus..

the bible is not about you and i.. its about Jesus..

Yes we are gods children..

Yes he loves us..

BUT ITS ABOUT HIM..

Selfish ambition

Personal Agendas

Pride

Arrogance

and Inflated Ego

have no place in the body of christ..

They will destroy the unified work God is doing quickly..

Because they detract the focus from god to the self..

so if were going to stick together as one.. We have to be willing to lay down our pride and personal ambition

and take up the attitude of humility and the agenda of the kingdom..

Then look what he says..

“in humility Count others more significant than yourselves”

Paul says instead of pride and personal ambition..

we need the attitude of humility and the importance of others..

This a hard one for us Americans..

because we in America tend to make things about us..

but in the kingdom.. its not about you..

Its not about me..

Its about Jesus..

So we have to humble ourselves..

Humility

What is humility?

its the opposite of pride..

Its recognizing Im not the most important..

and i don’t know it all…

and I dont have to be the first..

humility is elevating others ahead of ourselves..

ahead of our interest, our desires, our own honor..

putting them first..

You see its hard to cause divisions when your constantly looking out for the needs of others..

But when your constantly looking out for yourself.. we will offend at every corner..

when we think it should be our way..

or about us..

or we should get the opportunity..

We cause division and cracks in the foundation of unity..

BUT WHEN WE BEGIN TO PUT OTHERS FIRST..

WE BEGIN TO SHOW THE LOVE AND CARE OF JESUS

Paul continues..

“looking not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others”

Pual is not saying we should not take care of ourselves.

but he says we should look at others as well..

and caring for them..

Jesus told us this too.

Matthew 7:12 ESV

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:39 ESV

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Scripture does not advocated allowing people to abuse you..

or being a doormat for others..

we have to take care of ourself..

but it avocates making taking care of others Just as importance as taking care of your self..

the church

the church of acts did this well..

Acts 4:32–35 ESV

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Caring for each other and putting others first brings great unity in the body..

SIMPLY PUT.. IF WE WANT UNITY.. IT CANNOT ALWAYS BE ABOUT US AS INDIVIDUALS..

WE HAVE TO GET THE SELF OUT OF THE WAY..

Christ set the example of this

Paul finishes this thought by showing us that Jesus has already given us the example to live by..

and showing us how we should think..

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Paul tells us..

If you need an example

You need look no further than to your savior..

because this is the way he operates..

Jesus willingly took on flesh and set aside his throne

Paul says.. Jesus was GOD.. He deserves all glory and honor..

but instead..

He set aside his throne for the good of humanity..

look what he says..

he did not count equality with god something to be Grasped

he chose not to count his equality with god something to exploited for selfish gain..

though he rightly should have..

he didnt count it as something to use to get out of helping humanity..

instead..

He Emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant..

He emptied himself…

he poured himself out..

He put his own desires and self on the backburned..

He willingly laid asside his rights as god in order to become a servant..

Jesus willingly made it about others..

he became a servant..

Servants are not about their own lives.. they are about others..

He made it about humanity..

even though he had every right not tooo..

and he went so far in humility as to give up his life..

with death on a cross..

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 2

Crucifixion was not simply a convenient way of executing prisoners. It was the ultimate indignity, a public statement by Rome that the crucified one was beyond contempt. The excruciating physical pain was magnified by the degradation and humiliation. No other form of death, no matter how prolonged or physically agonizing, could match crucifixion as an absolute destruction of the person (see note on

John 15:13 ESV

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

YOU SEE JESUS SET THE EXAMPLE OF PUTTING OTHERS FIRST..

AND WE ARE TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS..

THIS IS HOW WE MAINTAIN UNITY IN THE BODY..

THIS IS HOW WE STICK TOGETHER

BY TAKING ON THE MINDSET OF CHRIST AS A SERVANT..

AND PUTTING OTHERS FRIST…

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