‎Gospel Character: ‎Developing Christ-Like Community

GOSPEL CHARACTER: DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE COMMUNITY; Philippians 2:1-18; MHAFB, 20 Oct 19 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Series: Philippians / Topics: Gospel; Character; Community; Humility; Self-denial; Imitation of Christ Before Service: Pray with leaders! Opening Verse: Psalm 25:8–11 / Note: Today Ruby Noor Rogers was dedicated to the Lord! Songs for Worship: Chain Breaker, Blessed Assurance, How Great is our God ----------------------------------------------------------------------------SLIDE-Transition to Sermon, Ps. 119:105 Introduction 1. Attention: a. In the 2000 movie "Remember the Titans" there is a moving scene when Gerry, the team captain, & Julius get into a fight over how the black & white team members don’t support one another. i. Julius declares that he’s going to just look out for himself, which Gerry criticizes as the worst attitude he ever heard. ii. Julius responds simply, “Attitude reflect leadership, captain.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCxEAzvQqnY) b. Have you all noticed that… i. In your workplace? Supervisors really do set the tone for the culture, don’t they? ii. In your home? Parents absolutely create the culture that their children manifest! iii. What about the church? 1. Certainly pastors & chaplains have a key role in this, as do many lay-leaders 2. But ultimately, who are we all within the church supposed to look to for our leadership? a. Jesus, the head! (Eph 1:22-23; Col. 1:18, Christ the Lord is Risen Today’s “Following our exalted Head”) 2. Big Picture: Considering this, this morning we turn to Philippians 2 & begin to consider… a. SLIDE-Title: Gospel Character: Developing Christ-like Community b. As we read through these verses this morning, I encourage you to listen for two things: i. How we are supposed to live in Christian community, and ii. The example Jesus & the help that He, or God in general, gives us c. SLIDE-Thesis: As we do this, I hope that you will see that... i. Because of Jesus, Christians should be humbly united in Christ-like community 3. Passage: So without further delay, let us get into the text. a. Context: Within the letter of Philippians, Paul has already provided a general greeting, shared his goal & prayer for the spiritual maturity of this church, and encouraged them that the Gospel in unstoppable as we magnify Christ even through adversity. i. Near the end of chapter one he had this key verse (also printed in your bulletin), Philippians 1:27a, “Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.” ii. And now in chapter 2 Paul begins to explain a key way that happens—through humbly uniting in Christ-like Community b. Verses-8 Slides: Join me now in Philippians 2:1-18 as we see these things... Philippians 2:1–18 CSB 1 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 out not only for his own interests, but also for 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. 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. 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. 4. Transition: Pray with me… Main Point 1: Jesus’ Example & Help 1. Verses: I won’t be dealing with these verses in order from first to last, but rather taking a bit of a thematic approach to them. 2. Explain: a. Did you all catch the example of Jesus that is seen here? i. After giving some instruction on what Christian Community should look like, Paul breaks into what many think was one of the early Christian songs of worship, Philippians 2:5-11 ii. MP1: In this passage Paul beautifully highlights the remarkable humbleness of Christ & how He extremely & very tangibly put others before Himself 1. v6, Although He was God, he didn’t take advantage of His equality of God while living as a human 2. v7, He emptied Himself of the great magnification of His glory & majesty as He has in heaven 3. He took on the form of a servant 4. v8, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient even to death on the cross 5. Realize how amazingly Jesus humbled Himself in this a. For a mere human, the step it takes even for a world leader to humble themselves & help a beggar on the street is NOTHING like the way in which Jesus, the Creator & Lord of all creation, Author & Finisher of our faith, humbled Himself to become a peasant who would largely live in obscurity until His 3 year ministry that culminated with a humiliating & tortuous death. iii. And although it is not highlighted here, 1. MP1: Those who have read the Gospels know not only did Jesus demonstrate this humility, but He also taught it! 2. Especially consider His the Sermon on the Mount iv. While we could simply assume that Jesus’ example & teachings were good to follow-1. MP1: God settled the matter plainly that He is to be followed when He exalted Him above us & all creation! (v9) 2. Jesus is exalted as our Leader, our Captain, our Lord— a. He, very clearly, is one who should shape our community b. Both through His example & His teachings! c. There are clear consequences that this should have on our Christian Community-i. But we’ll come back to that more later b. Now, more than just the examples & teachings of Jesus, these verses also highlight the help of Jesus— or God, in general i. In the midst of these very challenging commands, 1. Right after commanding us to obey & “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling.” (v12) 2. Paul drops this gem in v13, “For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.” ii. While we have a key role to play—more to come on that—God is actively at work 1. MP1: To help us live out the character that He desires we have a. These qualities and traits that we’ll look more into shortly 2. MP1: And to help us create the community that He desires we have a. A natural consequence of our refined character iii. Furthermore, v13 highlights two key areas God works to make these changes—What were those? 1. MP1: Our Will: This is an exceptionally encouraging verse to me a. It points out that God helps us to change our desires i. To line up our desires according to His own will. b. Have you ever recognized how many competing desires you have in your own heart? i. “I really shouldn’t have that second piece of pumpkin pie.... But… it’s pumpkin pie!” ii. “I need to get up early & run tomorrow!” Tomorrow: “Sleep is suddenly MUCH more important to me.” iii. “I really should be kind & forgiving to my spouse. But they did that thing that I hate AGAIN!” iv. And on & on it could go… c. As Paul reflects in Rom 7:22-23, we have an inner conflict, while on one side we delight in God’s law, our flesh wages war against this! (Romans 7:14-25; 2 Corinthians 5:17) d. A common prayer in my spiritual growth has been along these lines: i. “God, I want X. But I don’t want to want X. Please change my desires, help me to want only what You want.” e. And one of the incredible things I have seen in my life is this-i. God is faithful to answer these prayers. ii. It doesn’t come right away, it usually takes a bit of time & a journey of learned obedience-1. But He is good & He works to transform us & renew our minds, to include our very will (Romans 12:1-2) f. Now, what was the other area that Paul reminds us of God’s work? 2. MP1: Our Works: God works to help our works! a. MP1: God saved us, not because of our good works, but In part, to do good works! i. Eph 2:10 share that we were “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” ii. And Titus 2:13 shares that God redeemed us so that in part we would be a people “eager to do good works.” b. Yet because of our sinful nature, we struggle with this! i. So God helps our will to change, becoming more like Christ, wanting what He wants ii. And He helps us to do the good works that He has called us to do throughout this process 3. God works in our lives so that our will & works will reflect His own! iv. And so, as we close this section, we recognize that it is not by our own wisdom or power that we live “live [our lives] worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (1:27a) 1. But it is through humbling ourselves, looking to the example & teachings of Jesus 2. We rely on His power & wisdom working w/in us to "both to will and to work according to his good purpose" (2:13) 3. Illustrate: It is because of Who Jesus is & what Jesus does that we can have the characteristics & community that we read w/in these verses. a. Very much, lining up with our opening illustration, “Attitude reflect leadership” 4. Transition: So, bearing this in mind, Let’s begin to dig into what Paul says our “Christian Community Consequences” should be because of Jesus’ example & help… Main Point 2: Christian Community Consequences 1. Explain: a. Throughout these verses you see multiple instructions from Paul on how we should live i. Directions that naturally flow from the example & teachings of Jesus ii. Directions that are ways that we “as citizens of heaven, live [our lives] worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27a) b. MP2: Paul emphasizes how we should take living for Jesus very seriously when he shares, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (v12) i. This is not to say we “work for our salvation,” 1. Again, the scriptures are clear that good works are the consequence of salvation, not its cause ii. However, this does apply to this the OT imagery of the extremely reverential way we should approach God 1. Fear: This is the product of an intimidating or alarming force; a. If you are in a bad relationship with this force, it could be literal terror b. However, if in a wholesome loving relationship with this force, this word captures an extremely serious reverence or awe, or perhaps a serious caution & care to do what is right in the eyes of this force 2. Trembling: To literally quiver or shake as a result of the reverence or fear that you are facing (Gen 9:2; Ex 15:16; Deut 2:25, 11:25; Isa 19:16; Mark 5:33; 1 Cor 2:3; 2 Cor 7:15; Eph 6:5) iii. These terms remind us... 1. …of the free agency and the duty we have to carry out the work of salvation that God has accomplished in our lives 2. ...that Christian growth takes work—we don’t "accident into it!” c. So, how do we live this out? Consider what Paul highlights here... i. MP2: v2 highlights that we are to be united through mind, attitude, & love 1. “make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." ii. Then consider vv3-5, "3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus...” 1. MP2: Here Paul highlight that we are to be extremely/radically humble, 2. This requires that we… a. MP2: Reject selfish ambition (self-seeking pursuits, jealously wanting to be better than others) b. And conceit (arrogance, exaggerated self-evaluation) 3. MP2: Instead we must put others before yourself a. MP2: Actively considering their interest 4. And we are to consider Jesus’ great humbleness as an example & as instruction to us for these very things iii. MP2: After reflecting on the example of Jesus, in v14 Paul continues his more instructional approach, sharing "Do everything without grumbling and arguing” 1. These would naturally occur less & less as we are more and more we are humbly united in Christlike community 2. Why would I grumble and argue with you when I’m trying to be united in love & put you first? iv. MP2: Finally in v16 Paul highlights that we should “[hold] firm to the word of life” 1. It is from this Word, God’s Word, that we receive the teachings & examples of Jesus 2. In it He reveals to us His truth & expectations for our lives 3. We must hold firm to God’s Holy Word! 2. Illustrate: a. In many ways each of these are ways in which we live out the radically humility that is the second point here & the powerful demonstration of Jesus in vv5-11 i. And if we don’t have this humility down, these other elements of Christian community simply won’t happen. b. Realize “True humility is not to think low of oneself but to think rightly, truthfully of oneself.” i. Consider the story of the great missionary Hudson Taylor-1. Upon a speaking engagement at a Large Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia, the moderator introduced him in eloquent and glowing terms. 2. He told the large congregation all that Taylor had accomplished in China, and then presented him as "our illustrious guest." 3. Taylor stood quietly for a moment, and then opened his message by saying, a. "Dear friends, I am the little servant of an illustrious Master." (W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, p. 243.) ii. Or consider Sir James Simpson, the doctor from Edinburgh that discovered the amazing medicinal purposes of chloroform. 1. While lecturing at the University of Edinburgh, Dr. Simpson was asked by one of his students, a. “What do you consider to be the most valuable discovery of your lifetime?” 2. To the surprise of his students, who had expected him to refer to chloroform, Dr. Simpson replied, a. “My most valuable discovery was when I discovered myself a sinner and that Jesus Christ was my Saviour.” (Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations, #2312) 3. Expand: Let us be those who, holding fast to the word of truth, think rightly & truthfully of ourselves-a. Rejecting selfish ambition, conceit, grumbling, & arguing b. But instead choosing radically humility— i. Considering the interests of others & putting others before ourselves ii. Uniting in mind, attitude, & love 4. Transition: Now, let’s close this off... Conclusion-1: Conclusion 1. Reiterate: Because of Jesus, Christians should be humbly united in Christ-like community a. We’ve seen the example of Jesus b. Considered the amazing help He provides c. And now seen the specific instructions given to us 2. Con-2: Apply: So, how should we respond? First & foremost... a. Con-3: Know & love Jesus better! i. The Bible, the Word of Truth, was provided for this very reason—take time in it, allow Him to introduce Himself more to you. ii. Learn from His example & teachings b. Con-4: Ask for help to change: Remember, He can help tangibly change ... i. Your character, will & your works ii. And consequently our community iii. And all to be to be more according to His good pleasure. c. Con-5: Choose radical humility: i. Use your notes from our last main point as a guide to this ii. Are you rejecting selfish ambition, conceit, grumbling, & arguing this week? 1. Each evening before you sleep reflect on how you did here. 2. Ask for God’s insights & strength to change iii. Whose interests did you consider today? iv. Who did you put above yourself? v. Are you seeking to be united in mind, attitude, & love 1. Or are you asserting your own mind and attitude above others? 3. Appeal: a. As we learn to live in this way, v15 highlights what we will 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.” i. Paul looked forward to this in the life of the Philippian Christians ii. He realized that even as he humbled himself, 1. Being "poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith” (v17), 2. That this would lead to gladness and joy that they would share with one another. b. Even so, may we see our own lives & community transformed in this way, i. As we humble ourselves before the Lord, one another, & watching world. c. Let us have “Gospel Character” and so develop a “Christ-like community” 4. Conclude: Pray with me... “Humility and a passion for praise [of God] are a pair of characteristics which together indicate growth in grace. The Bible is full of [the] self-humbling (man bowing down before God) and [of] doxology (man giving praise to God). The healthy heart is one that bows down in humility and rises in praise and adoration." - J. I. Packer (Your Father Loves You)