Philippians 2:1-4

I have a confession to make. People drive me crazy.

We have such potential for kindness, beauty, creativity, and for seeing and knowing others deeply. But we rarely attempt it, or lean into the best of ourselves, and make a brighter world.

I know, sin has ruined us. The compulsion to reject God and his way, however subtly.

But even those who know sin is a thing, who profess faith in Christ as the remedy, who know better, often still live almost exclusively for self. For our own advantage, preference, and pride. And that’s just me!

Trigger warning - this leads into a look at church trauma.

Because when this comes to church, it creates harm, hardship, and scars (internal and otherwise) that linger. Trauma.

The most comprehensive study on the issue, from the Global Center for Religious Research, concludes it is likely that around one-third (27-33%) of U.S. adults (conservatively) have experienced religious trauma at some point in their lives. All suffering differently, some aware, some distancing themselves from the church without knowing why.

Definition of Religious Trauma: “Religious trauma results from an event, series of events, relationships, or circumstances within or connected to religious beliefs, practices, or structures that is experienced by an individual as overwhelming or disruptive and has lasting adverse effects on a person’s physical, mental, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” [Percentage of U.S. Adults Suffering From Religious Trauma: A Sociological Study, 2023]

It was brought to my attention that I had quoted someone who had disqualified himself from ministry, which led to a larger conversation, including the question, “How can or does that even happen?”

They are humans; they have done mental gymnastics to give them permission, neglect of the gospel, of knowing Jesus.

As we discussed last week, when we live a manner of life in opposition to our citizenship in heaven, we taint or outright lose our witness, the hearing of the gospel.

This is the point of the church’s existence!

“Yes, the church is part of the good news of Jesus. And the church proclaims the good news of Jesus. But when men and women have only seen churches formed by unhealthy power, celebrity, competitiveness, secrecy, and self-protection, our corporate ecclesial life belies the truth of the gospel. The church can only witness to the truth of Jesus by seeking justice, serving with humility, operating transparently, and confessing and lamenting failures.” Scot McKnight, Church Called Tov

The church is meant for living the humility of Christ in community.

As we turn to the second chapter of Philippians, Paul uses a single sentence (our 4 verses) to inspire the church to humility unknown to the world. The church has dealt with external opposition, and now he prepares her to safeguard against the parasitic behavior that could ruin them from within.

If the Philippians are to live lives worthy of their heavenly citizenship, they must also not allow themselves to be undone from within the church.

Our approach to the text today will be to take it all as application, in four steps, followed by an ultimate act we all can make.

How do you build a church, a body of believers that live to exalt Christ? What are the marks of this church and its fruit?

Celebrate Christ’s Encouragement

Revel in the gospel.

Verse 1 hits after the call to live a manner of life worthy of the gospel, with “So if,” “If then,” or “Therefore,” but Paul isn’t really saying these things might not exist. There are attributes of the church, realities that exist if they are in Christ, it is as if Paul is doing a call and response with the church - “Is there this?” “Yes” comes the reply, then live.

Philippians 2:1 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,” (ESV)

Marks of the church:

Encouragement in Christ

Comfort from love

Participation in the Spirit

Affection and sympathy

All that we receive in Christ.

The church must be rooted and growing in the gospel so that it is healthy and living up to its missional call.

Recognition that the gospel proclaimed is to be encouraging and comforting. It is relief.

All of Scripture declares a unified story of redemption, of God choosing a people to show the world what life with him is meant to look like, reliance, and provision. But also shows human incapability and penchant for choosing ways leading to death, so he comes himself to live a righteous, perfect life of obedience and dies a death our sin before God deserved, in order to grant us forgiveness and new life in him.

The gospel offers relief by providing spiritual, emotional, and existential rest through Jesus Christ, shifting the focus from human striving to divine grace. It relieves the weight of sin, guilt, and the pressure to be perfect by offering forgiveness, eternal hope, and peace in God's character.

Freedom from Striving: It breaks the cycle of trying to earn God’s favor, allowing for rest in the finished work of Jesus.

Comfort in Suffering: The gospel does not eliminate pain but provides comfort, perspective, and strength to endure, turning focus toward eternal hope.

Emotional and Spiritual Peace: It offers relief from accusations, anxiety, and the need to justify one’s life, replacing them with a sense of being known, loved, and enough in Christ.

Relief from Sin: It provides forgiveness and cleansing, addressing the deepest human need for reconciliation with God.

The central, uncompromised message of God’s grace and finished work of Christ provides the power for change and the basis for all relationships.

And from this amazing truth, amazing grace, the church lives.

“If they are in Christ, there is a ‘comfort’ or encouragement which they have experienced. If they know the love of God, they know the truest consolation and the gentlest incentive. If they have been made into a fellowship (RSV participation) by the Spirit, can they live in any other way than fellowship together?” J. A. Motyer

Formed into family by the Spirit — this is recognized rather than instigated. We ask the Holy Spirit to build the church, make the fellowship, and we notice when he does, we celebrate it.

So much of the “industry of the church” in our age is driven by preference and personality. We come to church with a set of standards that must be met, and they are not always biblical.

What translation do they use?

How loud is the music?

What roast of coffee do they serve?

How handsome is the pastor?!

Paul hopes for recognition of the Spirit’s work in bringing together an unlikely crowd and bonding them together in the gospel.

I think the Spirit has done a glorious work in Reservoir!

So, because we have experienced the encouragement of Christ, the comfort of love, this participation in the Spirit, we endeavor then to keep the main thing the main thing. We reflect back to one another what we have received in Christ. We see faith and the gift of the gospel not merely as individual in nature but as creating communal harmony, so we foster a spirit of cooperation and unity.

We go on celebrating the goodness of the gospel. Celebrating Christ’s encouragement.

What are you after that you have not already received in Christ?

One writer says of the church, and us, “They must be collectively pursuing the exaltation of Christ as the chief focus of their lives.”

We do that in harmony with one another, welcoming each other as we celebrate the gospel.

Romans 15:5–7 “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, [6] that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [7] Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (ESV)

As Paul would have us see them, these blessings now encourage us to be to each other what God in Christ has been to each of us.

And when we do, the Spirit keeps on building.

Cultivate Commonality in Christ

If the glory of the gospel is known in the church, collective life reflects that.

This is maybe the highest hurdle, and it is that which will fulfill, cap off Paul’s joy.

Philippians 2:2 “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” (ESV)

Here is a plea for like-mindedness. Paul is urging the church to be of one spirit and purpose.

“Unity is not just a useful weapon against the world, but rather it belongs to the very essence of Christian life, for it is the way in which Christians display outwardly what the gospel is and means to them. Unity is the gospel’s hallmark; it says to all who examine it, ‘This life is worthy of the gospel.’”J. A. Motyer

This is pushing them to work on it.

Paul saw unity as a by-product of the great truths on which the gospel rests, but he did not see it as coming about automatically or effortlessly. It is ‘natural’ in relation to the gospel, but it will not ‘come naturally’—only by effort, obedience and deliberate cultivation. For this reason, the truths of verse 1 lead into the exhortation of verse 2.

So challenging because we are opinionated, wanting to forge our own path. And culturally, admitting you were wrong is worse than actually being wrong! We are so prideful.

This is not uniformity.

Here, we are to agree on true north and head in that direction. We agree that Jesus is the hero of this story — everything we endeavor to do in life and ministry as a church is of one mind to lift his name, the biblical gospel, for his glory. So from a shared foundation of orthodox belief, we pursue Jesus.

Finding freedom and formation in Christ. Sin and brokenness of life do not keep us chained, and we are meant to be increasingly more like Christ. We are about these things.

Everything else, your weird eschatology, whether or not your pet will be in heaven, what preferred English translation you read each day, political philosophy, dietary pecadilos, Literal days or eras of creation, etc, is up to you, but it will not interfere with the unity around the main thing.

“Note that the thought begins with the words “the same mind” and ends with the words “of one mind,” both of which speak of a life intent on a unified purpose—a single goal. And what is the unified goal? The gospel! Paul mentioned the gospel five times in the first chapter, and in the fifth mention (verse 27) he declared, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel,” which is the commanding theme all the way to 2:18. So the call here in 2:2 to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” is a plea that the Philippians be “gospel oriented as they relate to and care for one another.” Hughes

The bits of church history we love to look at, and rarely experience, showcase what Paul is inviting the church to. Acts 2 type of commonality.

Here, they have the same mind; they share the same purpose. They are like-souled people willing to put in the work.

“Such unity will only come when Christians are humble and bold enough to lay hold on the unity already given in Christ and to take it more seriously than their own self-importance … and to make of those deep differences of doctrine, which originate in our imperfect understanding of the Gospel and which we dare not belittle, not an excuse for letting go of one another or staying apart, but rather an incentive for a more earnest seeking in fellowship together to hear and obey the voice of Christ.’” Francis Foulkes

Committed to the whole, part of something bigger than self, the church of second chances, a level playing field, of common cause in Christ. A unified love like this can transform church dynamics. That will have the world noticing who resides within us.

Ephesians 2:19–22 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. [22] In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (ESV)

And we make the effort for each other. By striving for this unity, believers live out the selfless love of Christ, strengthening their communal faith journey.

Conquer Conceit with Humility

Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (ESV)

Humility was nearly unrecognized in the world Paul is writing in.

Humility: The Greeks did not even have a word for humility because it was considered so lowly. The concept was entirely foreign to the Greeks and utterly abhorrent to the Romans. The word for humility was coined when the church was born. Some speculate that the word was even invented by Paul himself in writing these verses.

So it is new to the world, but humility is central to the health of the church and her witness because it is what most looks like Jesus.

Selfish ambition and conceit (excessive pride in oneself) are not even to be known in the church. “Do nothing…” motivated by these.

This seems too hard in the modern era. It seems like selfish ambition and conceit are all there is!

Even when we talk of humility, it is often performative. “Ask me if I am humble and I will tell you yes!”

But this is about our witness, fidelity to Christ; it is much deeper than performance to impress or improve your image.

The biblical view of humility is precisely not feigned or groveling, nor a sanctimonious or pathetic lack of self-esteem, but rather a mark of moral strength and integrity. It involves an unadorned acknowledgement of one’s own creaturely inadequacies, one's limits, and entrusting one’s fortunes to God rather than to one’s own abilities or resources.

And we have done silly things with humility. Some movements went so far as to discourage parents from encouraging their children for successes, because it might make them prideful. The church, though, doesn’t have a restrictive humility; ours is differently formed, sourced outside of ourselves.

You can’t write a prescription for humility, but you can position yourself for it.

“A friend was asking me the other day, “How can I be humble?” He felt there was pride in him, and he wanted to know how to get rid of it. He seemed to think that I had some patent remedy and could tell him, “Do this, that, and the other and you will be humble.” I said, “I have no method or technique. I can’t tell you to get down on your knees and believe in prayer because I know you will soon be proud of that. There’s only one way to be humble, and that is to look into the face of Jesus Christ; you cannot be anything else when you see him.” That is the only way. Humility is not something you can create within yourself; rather, you look at him, you realize who he is and what he has done, and you are humbled.” Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Everything in our Christian lives is designed to produce a greater humility in us. The word of God sanctifies us and promotes humility as a mindset. The cross tells us that all we bring to our salvation is our sin. It is impossible to enter the Christian life with pride! Prayer puts us on our knees before God, empty-handed. Worship causes us to look up to God, which puts us in our proper place. Our trials humble us, reminding us of our human frailty.

And that is good because that is the space in which we can begin to count others as more significant than ourselves.

“Considering others better than ourselves, which means seeing the strengths and gifts of others and our own weaknesses, failures, and limitations (cf. Rom. 12:10).” Francis Foulkes

Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (ESV)

This makes church an environment, an atmosphere of grace where people feel respected, listened to, and free from judgment, allowing them to be honest about their struggles.

This is how we grow in Christlikeness, how we are freed from the chains of sin. Staring at Jesus. Seeing him in one another.

Humility drives the life of the healthy church.

Consider Others with Compassion

This informs how we live alongside one another.

Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (ESV)

We are our brothers and sisters' keepers in Christ.

This is our witness on display. The bridging of divides, mutually supporting one another, leading to a more Christ-like community.

Serving rather than being served. It looks like Jesus.

You still take care of yourself, but you are not only for yourself. You are looking out for those in the church, and I think, following Paul’s intention (heteros, one’s neighbor), it is those outside the church as well. So this is the gospel driving mission.

We give each other time, a commitment to long-term patience, and avoid pressure or artificial deadlines for spiritual maturity, allowing for “wave upon wave” of grace among us.

Philippians 2:5 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” (ESV)

Because of Jesus, it is who he is and who he is forming us to be.

The church exalts Christ through humble unity.

Is there any encouragement in Christ? Yes!

Is there any comfort from love? Yes!

Is there any fellowship in the Spirit? Yes!

Do you share affection and sympathy? Yes!

Complete joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, sharing the same purpose, doing nothing motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, in humility, treat one another as more important than yourself. Be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.

The church exalts Christ through humble unity.

Begin with repentance — Applies to all of us. His loving kindness leads to repentance. Turn over what we have been holding onto of selfishness, or refusal to let the gospel transform you into this type of people.

Build the church, give each other: Gospel plus safety plus time — To foster a deep, lasting personal and communal transformation in the church.

Change happens through the gospel, a non-accusing environment, and patient, unhurried relationships create a healthy culture where we can honestly address brokenness and grow at the pace of grace.

Looking to our hero, living in humble unity.

God is known to write the best stories of redemption after difficulty or trauma — just look at the cross.

He will use the church marked by and reflecting the humility of Christ to unfold and tell those stories.

May it be so in us.