Unity in Christ

Introduction

Does anyone here have a younger sibling? Let me ask you this, as kids, did your parents ever make you be unified (that is not arguing and picking on bickering with one another)? Well mine sure did, i’m sure I can’t count the number of times when I was a young child and my little sister (about 2 years younger than me) squabbled, and you know it always seemed to happen in public. I can recall, many a times with anger and tears in both our eyes being told something along these lines, and of course it went both ways, “ Now Jacob and Danielle , tell each other your, sorry, now, kiss and hug, and you better hold hands while we are here or you’re both in big trouble!” We were certainly made to be unified in those moments weren't we? As unpleasant as those moments were, of course they were refining and teachable moments for us children. Well, how much more important are they for us as Christians with Jesus and His will and Church Members/ a Church body (the bride of christ) with Jesus? So much more! As the business and purpose we have been called and commissioned to have eternal significance and effects. So, our unity with Christ and our unity together with Christ is to be always sought, taken seriously, and treasured.

Prayer

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. I ask these things for your glory and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen

Context

You will remember from last time, that Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi, which was the first church Paul had ever planted in Europe some 10 years before, while he was under arrest in Rome. During this time, Paul reflects fondly and warmly about them, and expresses his desire that one day he will get to come and see them again. During this time, though under arrest, and so some would assume restricted, Paul still saw God do a great many works and Paul still did ministry as best he could in the situation he was in. In fact, at this point, his guards had all come to hear about Jesus, the believers would come and visit Paul and be encouraged by him. And from Paul’s boldness and love of Jesus even during this time of hardship, the other believers in Rome were encouraged. They saw what the power of God, what the power of The Gospel of Jesus was capable of. From this, they were emboldened and most of them shared their faith fearlessly in the city of Rome! So from this, from Paul’s suffering, God’s power was on full display and the faith spread in unexpected ways! So then, comes the call and truth that the we spoke about, that the world will lie to you, saying that is has more for you than God, but guess what, it doesn’t, it never has and it never will, so don’t believe the world’s lies over the truth of God.

In today’s text, we move into more encouragement and examples from Paul to the church. Specifically, on the critical issue of unity within the church body, that they were supposed to be unified, what was to unify them, and what being so would look like for them. So then what would all that together look like in action? What is the timeless truth in their that Paul was telling them that we can take away from the text. Here it that we are, Seek Christ and pursue Christ-likeness above all things.

This at first glance, sounds like an elementary truth and actions for the believer. However, as anyone who has walked their faith life for any time can tell you, it is often easier said then done, and can often be overlooked. Remember, our enemy Satan, is seeking to distract each and every one of us as individuals and all together from seeking Christ, His will, and pursuing Christ-likeness; everywhere he can. So, a mature and maturing believer knows to be on guard and to always be seeking Jesus and try to become like Him, seeking to change our minds (how we act/thing/and respond to anything) to how Jesus would. That is, we need to rearrange ourselves so that Jesus’ priorities are our own. So, lets do this to aid ourselves in this. Let’s jump in to the text, where from it , I want you to see and do these actions as we have unity in Christ.

Message

The first action to see and do is to: Have Christ-like Humility 1-11

2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.[a] 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Here, Paul continues to address the church. He tells them, so then, if you are encouraged by Christ, if you are consoled by love, if you have fellowship with the Holy Spirit, you have affection for Jesus because of His mercy, then make my joy complete by being unified. Have the same love, the same spirit and way within you and intent for one purpose (the purpose of glorifying God) with your life. So, don’t do things out and for selfish gain for yourself, thinking only about your own being, but rather consider others more important. Be just like Jesus, now, here comes the good part. Get ready, what’s about to follow was actually a modern spiritual song about Jesus for them. He tells them to be just like Jesus, who even though he was God, but all the benefits and privileges that came along with that aside for us. The God of everything put everything aside and emptied Himself, served us to the point of utter humiliation for Himself, even to the point that He was executed, died on cross for our sins. For His selflessness, and His love of God’s purpose and mission, The Father has lifted Him on high, now His name is above every other name! Now one day every knee will bow to Him and confess that He, Jesus Christ almighty, is Lord of all, that God the Father would be glorified! Amen! If Jesus did that, and if Jesus is our example, then what does that say about us? That we, believers, are to have Christ-like humility.

I read a story one time, about the famous missionary Hudson Taylor, who was one of the most well known and well remembered Missionaries of the 19th century, remembered most for his time and efforts spent in China. In this story, for one reason or another he found himself in America and was invited to speak at a church. Before he came on the stage, someone came up to introduce him. Before doing so, Mr. Taylor was spoken up quite a spell. He was called many kind and big words including the words, “illustrious guest.” Then, when invited on the stage, He looked out on the stage, remained quiet for a moment (a little longer than you would expect an illustrious speaker to remain quiet. Then, he said these words, “Dear friends, I am the little servant of an illustrious Master.” Here was a man that understood that what was important wasn’t Him, or his want’s, or His desires, or His glory. He understood that what was important was God’s wants, God’s desires, God’s glory! That is humility. He was willing to make himself small, humiliate himself, to make God very big in the eyes of others.

So then, what does it mean to us today, to have Christ- like humility, so that we can have unity in Christ? I mean, look at Christ, He put everything aside so that The Father’s will would be fulfilled! He laid down His life, even for people who didn’t appreciate it, who mocked Him, scorned Him, beat Him and did the worst and terrible kind of things they could for to Him. Jesus held nothing back, because He loved His father so much. This means for us, we have to love what God loves. We have to be about God’s mission. We have to make sure that our priorities are right. It means we must Seek Christ and pursue Christ-likeness above all things. So each believer has to be diligent, and do a self analysis, where am I not seeking Christ and pursuing Christ-likeness above all things. In any given church in the United States, often we get distracted by the enemy by comfort and familiarness and forget our mission and commission from The Lord, a mission and commission given to believers of all ages and abilities. So then, have Christ like humility. Look at yourself, and say less of me, more of you Lord Jesus, because You, wonderful Lord are so much greater than any of us!

This brings us to

The next action to see and do is to: Live out your faith 12-18

12 Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.

With those things in mind, unity in Christ and humbling yourself to God’s glory, tell them, just like you always have listened to me, listen to this. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Now, on the first pass, that can be a little confusing, what does he mean here? Let me break it down, Paul is saying, since you are saved by grace through your faith in Jesus, live your life out, live your faith out with purpose and reason. Take it seriously, don’t just make your faith a sometimes thing, a part of the week thing, but an all the time always, it’s serious and important and not to be taken lightly. That is, it’s a big deal, so don’t treat it like it’s not! Because God is working in you for His good will and His good purpose. So then, Paul goes on, don’t grumble, don’t fight amongst yourselves, don’t seek your own selfish gain as evil people do. Instead, shine like Jesus did and does, like a bright like, holding firm onto the word of life, the word of the Gospel, the good news! Do this, and I will know that even if I am killed for my faith (which he will be) then it all had meaning and purpose in your growth in faith and endurance, so then no matter what pain comes to me, no matter how brutal or painful it may be I will have a lot of reason for rejoicing and you do right along with me! For our lives are really Christ’s, not our own.

It’s one of life’s great illusions isn’t it? That we live for ourselves, what we want, how we want it, when we want it. But in reality, not a single thing you have ever done or come into contact with has as much to do with you as you think it does. Our lives, our work, it’s really all about God, and not ourselves. And you know what, that is hard to remember sometimes isn’t it? I mean, just the way our world operates, doesn’t really work in a way that reminds of that, unless we keep our eyes wide open. Don’t believe me, that the world isn’t about us and is about something bigger. Let me give you an example from life where I am often reminded about this. As some of you may know, I’m also a substitute teacher, and as a substitute teacher, you aren’t normally privy to all the information going on around you and depending on the school am often overlooked by the other adults around. Well, being a pastor, I'm generally used to being in situations where I get to know what’s going on in any situation if I want to know. Let’s just say, that being a substitute teacher helps ground me and reminds me often that their is often much more going on around me then I can see and understand. Now, that’s just in the school system, can you imagine how much more when we consider the almighty, infinite, almighty, allpower Creator God of the universe!?

So then, do you have any reminder in your life, that the world is so much more thant what you see and understand? Do you ask God to open your eyes to what His will is for your life, for actions, for job, for your career, for your children as your parents? I promise you, if you ask Him, He will show you what His will is. That’s the easy part. Let me warn you though, what will follow, may not be easy. It may mean you have to make hard decisions, have to bake brave stands, it means in the end that you have to do what Paul wrote here. To live out your salvation with fear and trembling. To live out your faith life. To take it seriously, understand that your faith, your salvation is precious, and it’s a gift more costly and of more worth than anything else you will ever come across. So then, Seek Christ and pursue Christ-likeness above all things. Do, so and you will find that not only do you have greater unity overall. But that you will have a greater and more precious and wonderful unity with Christ!

Another action to see and do is to: Pursue the interests of Christ 19-30

19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. 20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; 21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. 23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need— 26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. 27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. 29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

Paul goes on to tell them, that he soon hoped to send Timothy to them, a man who was close to them and Paul, as he had been their with them before and was a close protege, so close that he was like a son to Paul. Timothy was clearly a man set apart, just look how Paul describes him, that his devotion to Christ was genuine and his interests and wants in life were wholly and completely in line with whatever the Lord Jesus willed for them. Here was a man of God, who truly laid his own life at the saviors feet, no strings attached and nothing held back. Paul hopes to send Timothy to them, so that he would receive an encouraging report about how they were and themselves be helped and encouraged by the beloved Timothy. Paul also tells them that he will send back to them their own member, Epaphroditus, who delivered the financial gift they had sent to Paul. It seems that while he was on this mission, whether on the long journey from Greece to Rome or while in Rome, the beloved Ephaphroditus became deathly sick. It was not looking good for him, they fully expected him to die from his illness, but God rescued him and had mercy on everyone around him, for it would have been a tragedy to have this servant of the Lord pass away. So, in order to alleviate their worries and concerns, Paul was to send him back to them with a note of distinction and well done service to God; as he had risked his very life in service of Christ, even going so far as further risking his health so that Paul could receive what was lacking from them (that is, a personal report/presence from someone from the beloved Phillippian church). Here we see these three men, Paul, Timothy, and Ephariptditus, three men who pursued Christ’s interests above anyone else's, even their own.

Let me get this straight, pursuing your interests, whatever they may be, farming, reading, writing, music, a certain career, gardening, sports, classic cars, whatever, is not in and of itself a bad thing. It’s not. But, it can become a bad thing. You see, it becomes bad when the pursuit and desire of those things go over your pursuit of Christ’s interests. And what did Christ always pursue while on earth? The Father’s will. The Father’s Glory. God’s will, God’s glory. Specifically that people would be redeemed and saved through the good news of the gospel.

In fact, let me let you in on a little secret, did you know, that you can (and should) use your interests to also pursue God’s interests. It’s true, you see, if we believe (and I hope you do) that God really is God and really is powerful, then it goes to follow that he gave you those interests doesn’t it? Then, if gave you those interests, but also the commission to go make disciples of Jesus that themselves make disciples of Jesus, then doesn’t it follow that while you are doing those interests, you get will have opportunities to make disciples! How cool is that? You get to go to car show and share the gospel! You get to plant a harvest and be part of the harvest of souls! You can work in the job or career you love, and a cleverly disguised missionary for Jesus while you’re there! How great is that Dotsonville Baptist Church! So then, Seek Christ and pursue Christ-likeness above all things. As you go about your day to day, remember you mission and commission. Don’t forget your redeemer and savior who serves as your perfect example ,and loves you completely and wholly, and have every part of your life unified with Him.

Conclusion

Beloved, where would be and who would be, if we weren’t unified with Christ? Where would be and who would be if He didn’t die on the cross for forgiveness of our sins? Where would we be and who would we be, if we didn’t accept His free offer of salvation? Let me tell you, we would all be very different people, on the way to a very different place the splendors of seeing God in heaven for all eternity, and would we not be commissioned ambassadors for Christs who were adopted into the family of God and well loved like His own children. That’s right, without Jesus’ great sacrifice, each and every one of us here today would be in a very different place with a very different mindset, and very different goals right now. However, praise God for Jesus and His death on the cross, praise God for the resurrection! Praise God for forgiveness! With that great gift, let us all alight and unify our minds, actions, thoughts, and deeds with Gods. Let us all Seek Christ and pursue Christ-likeness above all things; laying aside sin, taking on holiness, and making Christ’s priorities, our very own to God’s glory!

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.