Phillipians 2

(Phi 2:1) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

· Mercies

o Tender mercies

o Compassions

· If

o Forasmuch

o Not stating as in doubt of it

o It is more of an affirmation

o There are these things

(Phi 2:2) Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

· Paul was strong as horseradish doctrinally, and he loved to see unity

· Are we on missions to seek and to save or to search and destroy?

· He wanted them to have unity based on truth

(Phi 2:3) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

· This would take care of a whole lot of our problems today

· Vainglory

o This is pride

o Seeking glory for myself

· In lowliness of mind

o Humility will contribute to unity

o Christ set a great example for us in humility ()

o Strife can get among good people because they wonder who is the greatest

(Phi 2:4) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

· Be concerned about others rather than self

· Not nosey busy body like

· But rather genuine concern for the general welfare of others should be considered before and above your own genuine welfare

· This is the attitude that will further the cause of Christ

· ()

(Phi 2:5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

· We are not only to mind Christ, but we are to have the mind of Christ

o We should obey His commandments

o We should have the attitude that He had

(Phi 2:6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

· He was and is God

· He has always existed

o ()

o ()

o There has never been a time that Jesus was not God

(Phi 2:7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

· No reputation = emptied himself (ASV)

o He did not give up any Deity when He came to the world

o Immanuel = God with us

o The fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Him bodily ()

o He gave up His home in heaven

o He willing submitted Himself to do this

· Some teach that Jesus Christ eternally gave up something here

o This may or may not be true

o If not careful, they may make the mistake of saying He gave up part of His Godhead

· He willingly served others

o He did not lose any of His Deity to serve others

o We do not have to give up anything to serve others

· Form of a servant

o This is how He emptied Himself

o This is explaining the emptying

(Phi 2:8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

· Even the death of the cross

o Christ came to the world and died for us

o Not only did He die for us, but even the death of the cross

o He knew this before He came, and He was still willing to come

o If they treated the Master this way, then this is how they will treat the servant

o ()

o ()

o ()

o This is a shameful death

o ()

o This is how He became perfect as a sacrifice ()

· Can we humble ourselves as Christ did?

· He was obedient unto death

(Phi 2:9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

· ()

(Phi 2:10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

· At the name of Jesus every knee should bow

o () – this is imperative

o This looks to be in subjunctive mood in Philippians

o Something that they should do

o We should because we shall

o We should because of who Jesus is

o We shall because of who Jesus is

o We should do this willingly because of the position of Christ

· Things in heaven, earth, under the earth

o Every being is subjugated to Christ

o Christ has proven His authority over the world, the demonic world, the angels

o Angels, sea, wind, demons, etc.

(Phi 2:11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

· Jesus Christ is Lord

o He is Lord

o We do not make Him Lord

o He should confess Him and make Him Lord of our lives, but He is Lord

(Phi 2:12) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

· As ye have always obeyed

o The Philippians had always obeyed

o In Paul’s presence they had obeyed

o Paul exhorted continuance of their obedience

o ()

o ()

· My beloved = tender exhortation

· In my absence

o They were working for the Lord

o They were not working just because an apostle was around

· Work out your own salvation

o How? By making your own plan? No

o This is to apply God’s word to your own life

o There are some things that I must do for myself

· With fear and trembling = Because of the seriousness of this situation

(Phi 2:13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

· God which worketh in you

o God works in us

o As we are yielding ourselves to God, God is working through us

o God may know what needs to be done in a certain area through His providence and may use you in that area

o () – God is working through us through His word

o We need to avoid things that would contaminate our spiritual welfare

o Our will must be involved in the growth process

· To do of his good pleasure

o ()

o The main thing is to fear God and keep His commandments

(Phi 2:14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

· Do it without complaining in our obedience to God

· Don’t complain in serving the Lord

· ()

(Phi 2:15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

· This is why we do all things without complaining

· People should look at us and say “I want what he has”

· We have a God that is near by ()

· Blameless

o This is not just for elders

o ()

o ()

o ()

o This does not mean sinless

§ Peter was to be blamed ()

§ Later Peter serves as an elder ()

§ If Peter sought God’s forgiveness, then he is no longer blamed but was blameless

· Among whom ye shine as lights in the world

o The way we do things is not just for our own well being

o We need to be lights for those in the world

o ()

(Phi 2:16) Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

· The word of life

o The Word gives life

o ()

o There is power in the word

· In the day of Christ = the day of Judgment

· Paul believed that he would be in the judgment along with them

· He would rejoice and this implies recognition in Heaven

(Phi 2:17) Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

· Paul was willing to be spent for the cause of Christ

· He was willing to suffer for others

· This is like (vs. 5)

· Your faith = their fidelity

(Phi 2:18) For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

· Words of joy keep coming to mind here