Sermon Tone Analysis

Scripture Reading

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...

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)

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

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...

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

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...

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?

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:

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

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.

Paul had already celebrated the koinonia (partnership) of the Philippians in the Gospel work…

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.

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

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...

The same mindset is that which should belong to believers in the church.

Listen to how Paul exhorts the Colossians:

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,