Philippians 2v1-11 Bible Study

Continuation of Unity

Phil. 1v27 - “whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.”

The New International Version Chapter 2

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in 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 of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Just as Paul says for them to stand firm in one Spirit, he continues his thought by saying “Therefore...”

He doesn’t need the Philippians to be united in order for him to have joy

Big thought here is that Paul uses “Complete” as a way of saying that his joy would be maxed out if the Philippians were of one spirit and mind

Like minded - same love - one in spirit - of one mind

Unity through death to self

There is this concept throughout church history known as death to self

ESV - v4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Dallas Willard - death to self is like not being surprised that you didn’t get your way

Christ as Example

“have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”

he made himself nothing or other translations are that he “emptied himself”

took the nature of a servant

Obedience to death even death on a cross

the most humiliating type of death because it was public in nature and exposing

Jesus prayed in the garden (Luke 23v42) “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me - nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

For Jesus, the result was being exalted to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name

Interesting that Jesus taking on the nature of a servant is what propels forth unity

EVERY tongue will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

Your will Jesus, not mine

We achieve unity by serving one another and having a common purpose and mission

To proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, the long awaited Messiah and to him and the Father be given the glory

Put to death self - don’t be surprised when your way or what you want isn’t the end result

Be united under a common mission and purpose to be that hopeful help

What stood out to you in this passage and why?

What do you think unity for Reach College Group looks like during this time of physical distance?

How has “Shelter in place” affected you in accomplishing, doing, or having something that you wanted? As difficult and disappointing as that is, how does this text reshape your thinking?

What would this time practically look like for you serving the people around you and being united with RCG?