The Path to Gospel Unity
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Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Introduction
Introduction
Last week we considered the exhortation that Paul gave to the Philippians to stand firm in the Gospel. In the face of strong opposition to the proclamation and advancement of the Gospel, it was necessary for the believers in Philippi to follow the example of Paul, who stood firm in the faith, despite the severe consequences that meant for him, including imprisonment.
But as we looked at that passage last week, we noted that it was not only necessary for the church to stand firm, but to do that in a united fashion. They were exhorted by Paul to live in unity and harmony with one another in such a manner that they would live as worthy citizens of heaven. But that was to be done particularly in terms of their relationships with one another.
In our passage this morning, Paul picks on that theme of unity that he’s already begun in the last section, and elaborates further on the significance and importance of this unity.
Paul longed to know that his friends in the church would be unified.
He would find joy through this.
Not about number of conversions and baptisms.
If they wanted to bless Paul, then they should be unified. The way that Paul would be overjoyed was through unity in the body, unity in the body of Christ.
Unity is not a spineless sentimentalism - it is grounded in Doctrinal accuracy (primary issues - those issues that are clear in Scripture, clearly articulated!!)
But true Gospel unity extends beyond doctrinal commitments - it goes to our relationships; our attitudes; our interactions with others; our humility.
John 17 - High-priestly prayer...
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
What concerns Jesus at this crucial time is that the disciples are united. As Jesus is about to ascend into heaven, this is the thing that Jesus prays for!
This passage follows the command by Paul for the believers to conduct themselves as worthy citizens.
Unity in the midst of opposition. Striving together for the faith of the Gospel
Philippians are engaged in a spiritual battle. The strength of the army consists in the unity of its soldiers.
1. The Motivations (v.1)
1. The Motivations (v.1)
He begins doing this drawing their attention to specific realities which form part of and ought to be evident in the lives of professing Christians, which realities ought to drive their conduct as Christians. Paul mentions four different aspects in verse 1.
As we come to these various realities that Paul speaks of here, we must first understand what he’s saying as he raises these matters. When Paul raises these “if statements” he is not saying that what is following is conditional upon you experiencing these, or feeling these things as part of who you are. He’s not saying that if don’t sense or feel these things in your life, then you’re excluded from the requirements that follow. What he is saying is that since you are believers, since you are in the Lord Jesus Christ, there are certain things that are now true of you, and these things will shape the way in which you now think and act as a result of who you are in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul points out truths and realities that are evident.
1.1. Encouragement In Christ
1.1. Encouragement In Christ
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
The first aspect that Paul touches on is encouragement from being united with Christ. In the original language this simply speaks about “being in Christ”. “If you have any encouragement from being in Christ...”
The word encouragement: The sense of this is “comfort” - he’s asking them if they have any comfort in the Lord Jesus Christ. It includes the sense of “calling” or “to summons”.
The Philippian believers have been facing suffering; persecution; they’re in the midst of a Roman colony - not a friendly group of people.
Paul has spent time writing to these believers to be encouraged, to be strong in their faith...
The reality is, when we are in Christ, we have a comfort. This should be the reality of the believer. Even in the face of persecution and suffering, Christ is our comfort...
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
So, do you have this comfort in your life? Is this something that is a practical reality in your life?
1.2. Comfort From Love
1.2. Comfort From Love
if any comfort from his love,
The word that is translated “comfort” here (in other translations “consolation”) is a word that relates to speaking words that are comforting and consoling to another person. It is a word that speaks about gentle, caring words, very often in the face of loss or hardship. Sometimes the word is used of providing exhortation. But in every situation, it has the dimension of words spoken, but in a comforting or encouraging fashion.
This comfort that is spoken is that which flows from love. “Comfort from love”, or “consolation from love”.
Although not critical to the whole text and our understanding of it, I would agree with those who say that this love that is flowing specifically from God the Father.
The Apostle John said in 1 Jn 4:8 that “God is love.”
Look also at 2 Corinthians 13:14...
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
There is a trinitarian formula in that verse - Father, Son and Spirit.
So in our passage, this can be seen....
Encouragement in Christ - Son
Comfort from Love - Father
Fellowship with the Spirit - Spirit
It is the perfect unity within the Godhead that itself motivates towards unity as a body.
Paul is asking, do you know the tenderness of your Father’s love? Has the love of God been shed abroad in your hearts?
1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Is this true of you? Have you experienced this? Do you live your life as if this is a daily reality in you?
One commentator writes:
The Message of Philippians 1. Christian Oneness
If they know the love of God, they know the truest consolation and the gentlest incentive. If they have been made into a fellowship (RSV participation) by the Spirit, can they live in any other way than fellowship together?
Both of the words encouragement (paraklēsis) and incentive (paramythion) are full of gentleness in their New Testament usage. They share the idea of a true ‘concern’, itself the product of love for the needy and productive of those words and deeds designed to lead folk out of their need into a fuller life.
1.3. Fellowship with the Spirit
1.3. Fellowship with the Spirit
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
This is the third motivation that should move a Christian towards Gospel unity: Fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
The word for fellowship is the well-known word Koinonia. It’s means fellowship, partnership, or the sharing of life together.
The Spirit is often the person of the Godhead that is linked to this unity.
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Paul had already celebrated the koinonia (partnership) of the Philippians in the Gospel work…
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
It is the Spirit of Christ in us that is the cause of our unity and our shared partnership.
To live without unity is to live in a manner that is inconsistent with the reality of being in Christ.
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
We have all been baptised into that one body of the Lord JEsus Christ, and it is His spirit that lives within us.
If that is so, then we must live in harmony with each other. We as the body of Christ are united together by the Spirit of Christ, and we are to live out that unity as we live together!
1.4. Tenderness and Compassion
1.4. Tenderness and Compassion
if any tenderness and compassion,
This is the fourth motivation that Paul refers to… tenderness and compassion...
These are qualities that marked Christ’s love for his people as He humbled Himself and came into the world for our sake.
In Matthew 12:18-20, we read the words spoken of by the prophet Isaiah that described this beautiful Saviour...
18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
The same mindset is that which should belong to believers in the church. Listen to how Paul exhorts the Colossians:
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
2. The Mindset (v.2)
2. The Mindset (v.2)
2 then make my joy complete
Paul’s joy is attached to their harmony and well-being.
Paul has already sounded the note of joy, through all his persecutions and trials. Still rejoicing. The ground of his joy is in Christ, and in the glory and exaltation of Christ.
Paul certainly had a deep joy, and a real joy. This joy was in Christ, and yet there was something that would unsettle that joy… something that would make that joy in Christ incomplete… if this church were not united together, if they didn’t live together in a spirit of unity.
...by being like-minded,
Christian unity requires that they must be of the same mind.
They are to “think the same thing.”
Thinking properly is essential to spiritual unity.
Again, the focus of Paul is not so much here on doctrinal unity. They already are united in the Apostolic teaching - doctrinally they’re on the same page.
But here, he’s taking this a step further.
they must think the same…
The word that is used here is translated elsewhere as “attitude.” It involves the will of the person.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
...having the same love,
Christian unity is grounded in a deep love. Christians are to have a profound love for one another.
Christians need to be joined together in mutual affection.
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
True Christian unity is after the heart. The affections of the believers must be for one another.
...being one in spirit...
Single word in the Greek - compound… together with, soul.
The unity that they are to cultivate is to reach the very soul, the entire being of the person.
...and purpose..
“Intent on one purpose...”
If we are going to make progress, if we are going to stand firm in the Gospel mission, in our desire as believers to proclaim Jesus Christ, we must be intent on one purpose. We must have a common goal.
We are to be driven by the Gospel. We are to proclaim Christ - the Messiah. We are to have a deep desire to make Christ known in our lives and through us as a community.
3. The Means (v.3-4)
3. The Means (v.3-4)
As we continue, we must notice now the means that Paul gives them for achieving this Gospel unity.
There are things that are to be done in terms of the manner of living life with others that will be the means through which such Gospel Unity may be achieved.
There are attitudes of heart that are consistent with the Gospel power that will enable such Gospel Unity to become a reality.
The call that Paul makes to the believers in the church here speaks to the attitudes that the believers are to have as they live their lives in union with others.
As Paul does this, he uses contrasts… Not like this / But like this...
The contrasting statements tell the believers in Philippi that they are not to conduct themselves in a particular manner, but instead to conduct themselves in another manner.
There are two key attitudes that Paul conveys through this method of contrasting.
3.1. An Attitude of Humility (v.3a)
3.1. An Attitude of Humility (v.3a)
They are to have an attitude of humility.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, BUT in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Let us firstly consider the negative side of that statement.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
The word translated “selfishness” here is the Greek word eritheia.
It is the word used by Paul back in Philippians 1:17 to describe the rival preachers in Rome who “proclaim[ed] Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause [Paul] distress in [his] imprisonment.”
The word describes a heart that is motivated by selfish desires, aimed at the promotion of ones own position, even it if be at the expense of others.
Think of those in the business world who aim to claim to the top of their field within their sphere, with little care for anyone else around them, and the cost to those around them.
It can also be seen in the world of politics, as one political leader seeks to gain a position of prominence over another, irrespective of who gets hurt and harmed in the process.
If we just look at how politics plays out in South Africa, with different factions within a party, each person vying for the top position - I think we get a good sense of this.
But friends, the sad reality is that this selfish ambition is not limited to the realm of business and politics.
The same selfish ambition is at work in the hearts of those who claim Christ as Lord.
Paul found it necessary in this case to caution the believers at Philippi.
The heart of man instinctively seeks the good of self. We are people who by our very nature seek our own interests.
Just look at children when they are young, fighting over a toy. Or a child that has no interest in a particular toy until another child suddenly goes and picks that toy up…
It is a sad reality that in the sinfulness of the heart, in the pride of man, we by nature seek our own interests, and what we want in life, and it is destructive.
James speaks about the effects of this life…
1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
When we hear quarreling between two people, we hear those who are seeking their own interests.
When last have you heard quarreling?
When last have you been engaged in a quarrel with someone else, trying to get your own way in whatever matter is under consideration?
I don’t say this to shame you, but I do say it in order to get a sense of the prevalence of this kind of behaviour within your own context.
Paul also uses the word “vain conceit” - or perhaps otherwise translated as “vain-glory”.
Again, this speaks of a person who sees their own glory and prominence.
They want to have their way.
Or, they want to be seen as right.
They want other people to agree with them, to agree with their view of things, to agree with their way of doing things.
And if someone doesn’t do things their way, then they are seen as the enemy…
A sad example of such a person is found in John’s third epistle...
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. 10 So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
Note these facts that we have about Diotrephes...
He loves to be first;
he refuses to welcome the apostles into the church;
he maliciously spreads gossip about men of God;
he withholds hospitality from other believers;
he requires others to follow his poor example;
he excommunicates anyone who crosses him.
What a sad situation, where an apparent leader of the church is on his own mission, and whoever doesn’t agree with him is dealt with decisively…
But we mustn’t lose sight of the warning to ourselves individually.
While the extent of our own pride may not be the same as Diotrephes, we are all have the potential to act selfishly.
We all have the ability to think first and foremost about our own ways, our own perspectives of things, that we fail to hear other people, to really listen to and understand them.
And even to submit ourselves to not having our own way, but to going with the way of others.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Paul then issues the contrasting statement...
...but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Instead of having this attitude of pride, there is to be humility.
The real meaning of the word used is “humility of mind”
There is to be a lowliness of mind among believers, such that they consider others better than themselves.
In that day, among the Greeks, the word that is used here had only negative connotations. It was an insult.
To be lowly of mind was not something that you pursued, but something you fled.
But even today, humility of mind can be seen to be a weakness.
This is truly a counter-intuitive mindset.
Furthermore, I think it is a mind that can only truly be cultivated in the soil of Gospel work.
We truly need the working of the Spirit of Christ within us in order to cultivate this kind of mindset.
As we look at others, and as we consider those around us, we are not to consider ourselves as better, but them as better.
We are to look at others, and in a sense have a preference for them - to see them as significant.
In Ephesians 5:21, Paul says...
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
In Romans 12:10, Paul writes...
And in Ephesians 4:2, Paul writes:
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Andrew Murray writes:
I cannot too earnestly plead with my reader, if possibly his attention has never yet been specially directed to the want there is of humility within him or around him, to pause and ask whether he sees much of the spirit of the meek and lowly Lamb of God in those who are called by His name. Let him consider how all want of love, all indifference to the needs, the feelings, the weakness of others; all sharp and hasty judgments and utterances, so often excused under the plea of being outright and honest; all manifestations of temper and touchiness and irritation; all feelings of bitterness and estrangement,have their root in nothing but pride, that ever seeks itself, and his eyes will be opened to see how a dark, shall I not say a devilish pride, creeps in almost everywhere, the assemblies of the saints not excepted. Let him begin to ask what would be the effect, if in himself and around him, if towards fellowsaints and the world, believers were really permanently guided by the humility of Jesus; and let him say if the cry of our whole heart, night and day, ought not to be, Oh for the humility of Jesus in myself and all around me! Let him honestly fix his heart on his own lack of the humility which has been revealed in the likeness of Christ's life, and in the whole character of His redemption, and he will begin to feel as if he had never yet really known what Christ and His salvation is. Believer! study the humility of Jesus.
Murray, Andrew. Humility [Illustrated] [Annotated] . Niche Edition. Kindle Edition.
That was the first attitude that is necessary as a means towards Gospel Unity. The second is this:
3.2. An Attitude of Kindness Toward Others (v.4)
3.2. An Attitude of Kindness Toward Others (v.4)
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
The second attitude, then, from a negative perspective is that we should look not only to our own interests.
These two attitudes are intricately linked together, intertwined. It is impossible to have the one without the other.
In fact, the expression in verse 4 is merely an elaboration on verse 3, and how what is said in verse 3 plays itself out in our lives in a practical way.
But here, Paul speaks about not looking to ones own interests.
The attitude of the believer is one that is not to be consumed by an interests merely in their own pursuits, their own agenda, their own lives...
Actually even more than that - the attitude of the believer is not to be self-focused.
The life of the believer is a life of service to others.
One preacher said this:
We were not saved to be spectators. Christ did not save us merely to gather in the same building once or twice a week, to smile and greet one another, to sing together, to listen to a sermon or a Bible study lesson, to pray, and then to retreat to our separate lives. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving of full acceptance, that we were saved to serve. (Mike Riccardi)
Paul gives the “but” statement in these words...
...but also to the interests of others.
We as Christians are called to live with consideration to the interests of those around us.
We are to live always having others interests truly at heart, and humbly asking the question of ourselves, “How may I live my life in such a way that it will benefit those around me”.
How can I live my life in such a way that someone else will be blessed and encouraged through my own life?
Indeed, this is the very example that Jesus Christ set down for us in his coming… Account of James and John, and their desire for a position of prominence…
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Application and Conclusion...
Application and Conclusion...
As we come to close off this morning, let me ask you some questions...
Do you have harmonious relationships with those in the church?
Do you have harmonious relationships with others in general?
Is there bitterness, unhappiness with others? Is there an uneasiness within you towards others?
It is critical, for the sake of Christ, that these issues are resolved and they are spoken through, worked at.
It is absolutely critical that unity in the body is maintained.
This is a heart issue.
Where is your heart. Is it right with Christ? Are you resting in Christ?
If you’re living with regrets, fears, things that are burdening you down now, from your past etc. then you’re not going to live in harmony.
Do you want to be right?
Is it essential for you that others do not mistreat or misrepresent you? Or cheat you?
How touchy are you about your relationships with other people?
If someone wrongs you, how do you respond?
Church in Corinth… lawsuits among believers.
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
But then, are we doing these things in practical terms?
I want to urge and encourage each person here - sent out a list of ways to get involved in this community. This will be a practical way of demonstrating the humility that we’re looking at here - getting involved in serving in the body.
Yes it’s a sacrifice; yes, it means that you can’t just look at your own interests and pursuits and agenda in life; yes, it means sacrficing your time, your resources, even your own pleasures in life, for the purpose of serving others.
But friends, this is the Christian life.
As we close, I want to challenge us with a quote from Andrew Murray:
What a solemn thought, that our love to God will be measured by our everyday intercourse with men and the love it displays; and that our love to God will be found to be a delusion, except was its truth is proved in standing the test of daily life with our fellowmen. It is even so with our humility. It is easy to think we humble ourselves before God: humility towards men will be the only sufficient proof that our humility before God is real; that humility has taken up its abode in us; and become our very nature; that we actually, like Christ, have made ourselves of no reputation. When in the presence of God lowliness of heart has become, not a posture we pray to Him, but the very spirit of our life, it will manifest itself in all our bearing towards our brethren. The lesson is one of deep import: the only humility that is really ours is not that which we try to show before God in prayer, but that which we carry with us, and carry out, in our ordinary conduct; the insignficances of daily life are the importances and the tests of eternity, because they prove what really is the spirit that possesses us. It is in our most unguarded moments that we really show and see what we are. To know the humble man, to know how the humble man behaves, you must follow him in the common course of daily life.
Murray, Andrew. Humility [Illustrated] [Annotated] . Niche Edition. Kindle Edition.
If Malelane Baptist Church is going to be an effective Gospel-bearing, Christ-exalting community, then this humility must mark us.
Let us humble ourselves before God, and humble ourselves before one another.
Let us serve one another and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Live out your salvation!!