What is Gospel Unity

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know Christ, Grow in faith, and to Go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

Now everyone else, it’s time to settle in and get comfortable and open up to Philippians chapter 2. We are starting this chapter today as we continue our series seeing that we are all Partners in the Gospel.

Let me ask you something for a moment. Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt the tension?

Nobody has said a word yet…But you can feel it.

Two people aren’t speaking…Someone feels overlooked…Someone else feels unappreciated.

And suddenly a group that was supposed to be one team becomes a collection of individuals protecting their own space, their own focus.

Here’s the truth: Disunity rarely begins with shouting. It begins with selfishness.

brief pause

It begins when my preference matters more than our mission.

And that’s exactly the problem the apostle Paul addresses in Philippians.

In this letter to the church in Philippi, Paul gives the church a radical formula for unity—not uniformity, not forced agreement—but something deeper.

He says unity comes when believers adopt one mind, one love, and one humble posture toward each other.

So, let’s go ahead and read

Philippians 2:1–4 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Now, I want you to remember that this is a community that is Roman in the middle of Macedonia (that’s Greek)…Here’s what I want you to think about, ok. Philippi was like an American military base planted in the middle of Germany—English language, American pride, American identity—even though America itself is thousands of miles away. These are men and women who will fiercely fight if needed. They are the best…Yet Paul is describing something else to them. Paul is describing not relying on their strength, but instead on something else. Paul is pointing them towards unity, and this morning we are going to look at different aspects of unity—starting with

Gospel Resources for Unity (vs 1)

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,

Now notice something important here. Paul gives four “if” statements — but he is not questioning these realities. In Greek this construction carries the idea of “since these things are true.” Paul is appealing to the shared spiritual realities the believers already possess in Christ.

So Paul has their attention as he offers both encouragement and frankly a little correction to the Christians in Philippi.

Let’s break these down a little bit, ok. First of all let’s look at

Encouragement in Christ

Paul is reminding them that their union with Christ produces spiritual strength. Because they belong to Christ, they share a new identity that should encourage and strengthen one another.

They are unified in Christ! This is central to their salvation and their identity in Christ. RC Sproul would say that our very identity is no longer self focused.

In other words, their relationship with Christ creates a bond that cannot be broken.

Their union with Christ becomes the foundation of their unity with one another.…LRBC — the same is true about you here today.

After Paul shares about their encouragement hs sares about the

Comfort from Love

The word Paul uses here describes comfort that relieves fear and distress. It refers to the kind of comfort that comes when someone walks with you through dark or uncertain times.

We all know what it feels like to face moments that seem uncertain or overwhelming.

Paul reminds the Philippians that Christ comforts them so they can comfort one another — this applies to us today too.

Christ’s heart is drawn toward the weak — not repelled by them.

And that same love should shape how believers care for one another today…for example, this is the love that leads us to provide meals when people are sick.

Let’s check out the next one

Participation in the Spirit

Here Paul points to their participation in the Spirit — meaning unity in the Spirit

This phrase is “Koinonia pneuma” and means fellowship or shared participation with the Spirit of God.

In other words, believers share life together because the same Holy Spirit lives in us all. This is the foundation of Christian unity.

This is why we are a spiritual family, right here in Leaf River.

Christian unity is not manufactured — it is produced by the Spirit of God.

There is one more thing we need to look at together before we move on.

Affection & Sympathy

These are pretty self explanatory I think. You see, Paul is pointing them towards the fact that they have a deep care and compassion for each other. There is a deep inward mercy that is experienced between these beleivers. Paul is reminding them of things that are true, even if they aren’t “feeling it” in the moment. In other words…they genuinely want the best for each other — or they should if they do not. This is what literally reflects Christ’s heart towards you and me…and he is showing us that within the context of a unified spiritual family.

Because these gospel realities are true, Paul moves from what they have, to what they should be pursuing. Next Paul points out…

The Command for Unity (vs.2)

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.

When Paul says, “complete my joy” he isn’t saying, “make Paul happy.” No, he is reminding them that their faithfulness is the completion of Gofd’s call on his life. That God has called him to make disciples, and as they seek to live unified and humble lives, he is able to see that he has done what God has called him to do.

Paul isn’t telling these Christians how to act…he is saying that the Philippians should value the same things, and that they truly have one purpose as believers.

Let’s go a little deeper here. What does it mean to have the

Same Mind

The phrase “same mind” means to share the same spiritual mindset and priorities. This is to have an eternal perspective, and seek to bring glory to God.

Paul is not calling them to identical personalities or lifestyles.

He is calling them to shared values and shared purpose.

Scripture is their authority. God’s glory is their goal. The gospel is their mission.

This is what it means to have the same mind. He calls them to another same though…he says they should have the

Same Love

Later Paul is going to tell them what it looks like to have the same love as Christ…but here Paul is telling them that they should have the same love together, and that love should be the love of Christ. Jesus even said to the disciples that there was a special kind of love that they have between each other—that believers should have between each other. We are called to love all, but to love more deeply those who share the faith in Christ together.

You see, when you truly love each other, then unity is stronger. When that love begins to lessen..that is when unity is strained.

But how can we do all of this…Well, that’s where the Spirit of God works.

Full Accord & One Mind

Paul is telling the Christians in Philippi that they have one purpose. He has already told them their purpose if you remember

Philippians 1:27 ESV

…you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Their purpose in Philippi is to advance the gospel…strive side by side for the faith of the gospel.

You see, in Philippi there is alot of external pressures. Being a Roman colony in Greece brings with it certain expectations, and living for God’s glory is not it. There’s also internal tensions as they are all trying to figure out what it means to follow Christ…Remember, there aren’t even enough Jewish people to need a temple there, so they are among the multitudes that are all worshiping various other gods. Paul knows how quickly disunity can kill their witness, and so he is trying to remind them that the things that bring them together are far greater than anything that seperates.

What Paul was advocating for here is a total lifestyle for the church in Philippi. He is not only saying they should have good business practices, and live ethically…no, he is calling them to a true unity that is only found in Christ. Paul goes on to express exactly what they looks like and that unity is not sustained by emotions — it is sustained by humility.

Let’s look at…

The Root of Disunity (vs3a)

Philippians 2:3 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit…

Paul has shown the purpose for being unified, and now he turns his attention to how that happens. You see, I think it’s fair to say that most Christians want to be unified…but maybe we just don’t know what that looks like practically.

For instance, does it look like just saying yes to everything that is asked of you? No, it doesn’t…but that is practically how many Christians think they are supposed to respond. So, Paul points out two specific beliefs that people simply cannot have while also trying to live unified. So…let’s take a brief look at those, because they are actually important, and I think some of you will be able see yourselves in these if you’re honest.

First of all let’s look at …

Selfish Ambition

In Philippi this language would have been very familiar. As a Roman colony filled with retired soldiers and political leaders, status and reputation mattered deeply.

But Paul says that mindset cannot exist inside the church.

That doesn’t sound familiar does it. Selfish ambition asks, “How do I advance?” The gospel asks, “How can Christ be honored?”

That’s not all though…There’s also

Conceit

Conceit is pointing everyone to yourself. You’re the best in the room…you’re the smartest, or the strongest, or the most crafty, or the best teacher, or whatever the fight is about…you’re the best — at least in your own mind. This is called pride!

This is the pursuit of reputation without substance. You see, Paul is highlighting the emptiness of pride without justification, or empty glory. Paul wants the Christians in Philippi to know where the glory actually belongs, and it is not on themselves.

RC Sproul says, “Pride is cosmic treason” We see this idea throughout the Scripture, and how pride is truly at the center of every sin…look at Adam and Eve and consider what their sin was…they wanted what only God has. That’s pride!

But what if there was another way? Paul does not merely condemn pride—he prescribes the cure.

The Pathway to True Unity (v.3b-4)

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

…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.

The reason Paul is brining up humility is because if you are unified, then you are not thinking of yourself above others. You can’t seek your own pride while claiming to be unified, it doesn’t work. These traits, unity and pride, are simply not compatible with each other.

Instead of pride, Paul gives the antidote: humility.

What does it mean to have

Humility of Mind

In Roman culture humility was despised, not admired. It was often associated with weakness or low social status.

But Jesus completely redefined greatness.

There is none more great, or humble that the one who placed himself on the cross for your sin and mine. You see, in God's kingdom, greatness is not measured by status but by sacrificial love.

Then, Jesus didn’t stop at the cross, but in humility he showed his greatness to everyone as he walked out of the grave and appeared to over 500 people to share the realities in his gift to you and I.

True humility is seeing ourselves as we truly are before God.

More than that, Paul says to

Count Others as More Significant

This is a call to prioritize others before to your own stuff.

In other words, using unity, let’s look to the good of others over the comfort or ease of myself. Paul isn’t saying to give all of your food to others so that you starve, but to see their need and sacrifice to meet that need.

Look, from a practical perspective this is a hard thing Paul is teaching…

Not Only You, But Also Others…

In other words, stop thinking of yourself only. Start thinking about how others are effected, and what others are going through. Start thinking about the ministry of others before the ministry that you serve in. Start thinking about how you can bless others and actually believe that they are serving the same God as you. To have unity in the church is to eliminate negative thoughts of others, and self-centeredness among yourself.

Listen, I don’t care who you are…you are not the most important thing that’s happening in your job—or in this church.

Paul is not only speaking of spiritual qualities here, but the physical needs of others. If anyone has any concern, then that concern would be a concern for everyone.

What Paul is describing here is a powerful picture of Christian unity that goes beyond agreeing theologically, and steps into the physical care of each other.

This is the picture of taking meals to someone that has been sick, or is going through a hard time. This is what it looks like to give to help the financial needs of another.

This is not a picture of erasing your own needs, then of considering others first. This is not neglecting personal stewardship, but generously caring for the spiritual and physical well being of your spiritual family.

What if we said it this way…personal responsibility is important, but the concerns of others are equally important.

Now listen…I think it’s important to have a shared volcabulary. It’s important that we all understand what a word means.

So—I keep talking about humility…but what does that mean? Does it mean that I just think of myself as the least important person? Does it mean that I just think of myself as lower on the “totum pole”…what does humility mean practically..and even better…how do I do it?

Let me tell you the secret of humility today.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself — Humility is thinking of yourself less.

In other words, you don’t think of yourself as the least important person…you just don’t think of yourself at all. That’s what it means to put others as more significant than yourself. Think of others…not of you.

When you finally take this mindset, then you will start to view everything differently. No longer do you think about how something someone else does impacts you…you consider how things that you do, impact others. There is no longer a need for focusing on yourself for space, but you are focused on others for God’s glory.

Self-forgetfulness literally produces service to Christ and others…this is what Paul is teaching to the Christians in Philippi.

Selfishness and pride means you can give financially and hold grudges…you can serve publically and compete in your mind (thinking Im better than others, and I do more important things)…you can agree doctrinally an divide relationally.

However, Christ shows us a better way.

True unity flows from a place of shared gospel — shared humility — and shared mission.

Paul is about to show us something powerful…but we will discuss that next week. I want you to go ahead and read this week the next verses us to 11. When you do that you will see that Paul instructs us to have the same attitude as Christ. That’s because unity is not grounded in our personalities…but in his incarnation!

One Mind

One Love

One Purpose

Not because we agree on everything…but because we belong to someone

So…the question I want to ask you today church is,

Do you value the work of the Kingdom more than your own preference?

Ephesians 4:1–3 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

If you are hear today, or listening online and you are curious about what that unity actually looks like in your life, please send me a message and we can get together and talk about how the Gospel changes your life.

Jesus walked on this earth and lived a sinless life for 33 years. Then he stepped up and took the punishment for your sin on the cross. Three days later Jesus walked out of the grave making a way for you to be with him, if you will only trust.

Following Christ is the most important decision you will ever make — because it determines both your present life and your eternity.

If you haven’t made that decision, or you’re unsure about your standing with Jesus…then let me encourage you right now to make it real. Right now, admit your a sinner, and in need of a savior — believe the Jesus lived and died for your sin — commit your life to live for Jesus from this moment on.

If that’s you, then reach out and let’s talk about what God has for you next.

For everyone, this week let’s each seek humility in all of our encounters.

Let’s pray