One Team Mindset (2:1-4)

One Team Mindset: Others First Pray & Read Passage Intro, Explain, Appeal, Apply I. Overview A. Paul has exhorted them to live worthy by together standing firm in the faith, striving side by side for the gospel, suffering joyfully and confidently for the Lord. Living worthy of the gospel together requires considerable unity, so Paul expands on the common Christ-like mindset required for common Christ-like conduct.  This is so necessary b/c of the danger of opposition from without and the danger of divisiveness from within. And unity is critical… b/c what’s at stake is nothing less than the progress of the gospel and the character of the individual before God. B. Unity in community comes by humility. – But how does one come by humility? 1. Humility is a by-product of the way you think!!! Humility results from elevating God to his place in my eyes, which puts me in my place. Humility is an attitude and a way of life that comes from an understanding and fear and awe and love of God. Humility springs from a heart that is constantly reaching to fully embrace what Christ has done for me. 2. Humility is NOT our natural gait.  Humility is not self-deprecation. It is not hating everything about yourself and your very existence. 3. Self-effort to empty self is self-defeating. Humility empties self only from being filled up with awe at the face of God, given a volcanic passion to be a part of His plan. C. Outline: (Paul explains, appeals, applies) 1. Humility’s fourfold foundation: Think of what you’ve been given. 2. Humility’s fourfold focus: Think the same way. 3. Humility’s approach: Think of others first. Look after others first (to give what you’ve been freely given). To have unity in community through humility… (to love and serve like Jesus) II. Think of what you’ve been given.  Humility’s fourfold foundation A. Encouragement in Christ – a coming alongside to cheer and support, to counsel and exhort; also consolation, giving comfort and relief in affliction  “When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within, upward a look and see him there, who made an end to all my sin!...”) – 2 Cor. 1:5 B. Comfort from love – consolation, feeling comfort in times of disappointment; also gentle cheering or encouragement (whispered words of comfort, affection, cheer, counsel; knowing you are held in the hands of everlasting love) – 2 Thess. 2:16-17 C. Fellowship in the Spirit – partnership of eternal life by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God – also participation, communion, sharing  To fellowship with the Spirit is to fellowship with those who are also in the Spirit (1 Jn 4:20) D. Affection & Compassion – God’s affection (from the bowels, deep-seated feeling) and compassion (awareness and sympathy for another’s suffering… and condition; caring concern) – Mt. 9:36 E. When tempted toward or entangled in disagreements, do you think of what you’ve been given in Christ? – (ie.) You forgive when you know how much you’ve been forgiven. III. Think in sync.  Humility’s fourfold focus A. Complete my JOY – make full my joy (His gladness in God) “Fill up my cup, let it overflow” – intensely personal, and further motivation for their harmony/unity B. by Being of the same mind – same in thinking, frame of mind, in consideration, inclination, and sentiment, attitude  same mind toward Christian comfort and encouragement C. Having the same love – possessing, furnished with (having, holding, experiencing)  Definition: a strong affection and regard for a person and their good as understood by God’s moral character; especially characterized by a willing forfeiture of rights or privileges in another persons behalf  same love as God’s love to you in Christ Jesus D. “One-souled” – united in spirit, harmonious – united in character and affections  linked inextricably by the Spirit of God to be united in the spirit of God (the spirit, the intent, the purposes of God)  True unity is not organizational but organic. E. Of one mind (one purpose; mind on the one thing) – same word as the first – intent on the one thing: Does that sound at all like what we’ve been saying is the driving message of Paul’s letter?   Mind again in v. 5 with a mind/attitude the same as Christ Jesus – The affection and compassion of God F. Does your relationship with Christ inform your relationship with others? IV. Humility’s approach (way of thinking, contrasts the way the world wags)  Think of others first. Look after others first (from a mind to give freely what you have been freely given). A. Format (vv. 3-4), Not… But (instead, rather) B. Think this way. (and you will also act this way) 1. NOT a. With a strong drive for personal success without moral inhibitions or thought to Christ and others (rivalry) b. Being proud without a proper basis (unduly vain and conceited) – which is pretty much just the case, isn’t it?  A. B. Bruce, in his classic The Training of the Twelve (Kregel, p. 180) observed, “The whole aim of Satanic policy is to get self-interest recognized as the chief end of man.” 2. BUT a. In humility – (probably a term of derision accepted and embraced) lowliness, modesty, and humility of mind – valuing or assessing oneself appropriately, especially in light of sinfulness vs. mercy and grace, our finiteness vs. God’s infinity b. Think of others first. Be of an opinion (consider, give regard for) the surpassing value of others (more important) rather than yourself. (piece of cake) 3. In any situation in which I disagree or have a differing opinion, will I choose to be selfish and conceited, or humble? Will I put their needs and desires before my own? C. And this way. 1. NOT Just to look after yourself – not each looking out for and contemplating himself (one’s own interests and expectations and corresponding response) 2. BUT also of others (every other one)  Put others first. Think of others first. (why I am so proud of this church) D. Has God’s approach to a relationship with you affected your approach to relating with others? Imagine how this attitude can transform our lives. (more examples) 1. Marriages 2. Ministries 3. Communities V. To love and serve like Jesus, we need unity in community through humility. Humility comes from elevating God, which puts me in my place. I remember all that God has given, for me and for others. I think like a teammate whose heart and mind stays focused on the one main thing. I start thinking of others first, looking after others first. This is the mind of Christ—to humbly obey the will of God, humbly putting the good of others before my own interests, to know Christ and make him known. To be a part of the one main thing that God is doing in this age: God is exalting Jesus, so that… vv. 10-11.