Attitude Makes a Difference

Series: "Living Above Your Circumstances"

"Attitude Makes a Difference"

Text: Philippians 2:1-11

Philippians 2:1–11 NLT

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

INTRODUCTION:

A famous comic strip character once exclaimed, “I love mankind, it is people I cannot stand!” The common experience with most people today could well be summed-up in the same words.

If we are not careful, people can rob us of our joy. Paul was facing his problems with people at Rome (Philippians 1:15 – 18), as well as people at Philippi. It was the latter that concerned him the most. When Aphrodite’s brought a generous gift from the church at Philippi and good news of the church is concerned for Paul, he also brought bad news of a possible division within the church family. Apparently there was a double threat to the unity of the church. 1) false teachers coming in from without and 2) interpersonal conflict between members of the church. What Euodia and Syntyche were debating about, Paul does not state. Perhaps they both desired the same position in the church.

As human beings, we generally approach people in 1 of several types of mindsets (as reflected in our attitudes toward them). These mindsets are reflected as follows:

The tormented mind: a mind that is tormented by guilt and worry.

The tense mind: a mind that is overwhelmed with stress.

The tough mind: a mind of that is been hardened so that it does not feel.

The trained mind: a mind that sums up everything through things that are learned in formal education.

The playful mind: a mind that does not take things too seriously. The focus is on enjoying the moment without considering the consequences.

The paranoid mind: a mind that is always looking for the underlying motives behind other people’s actions (even when there are not any) and is always on guard for others to offend.

The perverted mind: a mind that refuses to accept the will and purposes of God.

The perfected mind: a mind that is saturated with the principles, purposes, and person of Jesus Christ.

The key thought for this entire passage (Philippians 2:1 – 11) is found in verse 5. Paul writes “you must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (“τοῦτο φρονεῖτε ἐν ὑμῖν ὃ καὶ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ”= lit. “you should think the way Christ Jesus did” φρονεῖτε means to employ one’s faculty for thoughtful planning, with emphasis upon the underlying disposition or attitude—‘to have an attitude, to think in a particular manner.’ ).

Our attitudes basically begin with the way that we think. In our text, the apostle points out some basic truths concerning our attitudes and their role in helping us to live above our circumstances.

I- THE RIGHT ATTITUDE BEGINS WITH A CHRIST - TRANSFORMED HEART (PHILIPPIANS 2:1).

Philippians 2:1 NLT

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

A- Christ-transformed hearts derive their motivation and strength from the Lord, not from external circumstances. (Philippians 2:1a).

Philippians 2:1a NLT

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

1-

B- Christ- transformed hearts experience a Spirit empowered fellowship. (Philippians 2:1b)

Philippians 2:1b NLT

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

C- Christ transformed hearts operate with spirit enabled affections (Philippians 2:1c).

Philippians 2:1c NLT

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

II- THE RIGHT ATTITUDE REJECTS LIVING OUT A SELF-CENTERED WORLDVIEW (PHILIPPIANS 2:2-4).

A- Instead of being self-centered, Christians must adopt a heartfelt, purpose driven, unified focus (Philippians 2:2).

Philippians 2:2 NLT

2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

B- Instead of being self-centered, Christians must adopt a spirit of humility (Philippians 2:3).

Philippians 2:3 NLT

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

C- Instead of being self-centered, Christians must seek the good of others (Philippians 2:4).

Philippians 2:4 NLT

4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

III- THE RIGHT ATTITUDE IMITATES THE CHRISTLIKE PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE (PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11).

A- A Christlike perspective on life begins with the decision to adopt Christlike attitudes in the course of everyday life (Philippians 2:5).

Philippians 2:5 NLT

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

B- A Christlike perspective on life involves making a conscious choice to follow the path of humble service (Philippians 2:6-7).

Philippians 2:6–7 NLT

6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

C- A Christlike perspective on life requires an absolute commitment to complete obedience (Philippians 2:8).

Philippians 2:8 NLT

8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

D- A Christlike perspective on life that is lived out in everyday life results in great reward (Philippians 2:9-11).

Philippians 2:9–11 NLT

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

CONCLUSION: