Phil 2:1-11

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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Intro:

Different factions of the church have been striving to attain unity.. forever.

Some folks say: we need to come together over the things we agree upon.. and let everything else fall to the side.

This method, seeks unity by way of compromise.

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The most liberal, barely-bible believing Church won’t have to change..

Everyone else will have to simply.. compromise their values.. and meet at the liberal, barely-bible believing level. ++

Some seek unity by inviting others to believe as they do.

They have cornered the market on truth.

They have the final say on what the Bible means, how a worship service should be performed and how ministries should be governed. ++

The church is either saying:

“give up your beliefs, so we can get along”

Or:

“embrace our beliefs, so we can get along” ++

The church seeks unity, thinking that it will be attained, if we can finally line up our doctrine.

But a simple look at most any denomination, group or fellowship that is doctrinally aligned..

.. will show you: that common doctrine does not necessarily create unity. ++

Illustration:

about 30 years ago I was working with a missionary couple who were up in their years.

They had been together, just them and their dog… in a remote location… doing ministry for a long time... ++

I noticed that they argued frequently.

This couple was forever disagreeing with one another..

However, as I listened closely to their conflicts..

I learned.. that most of their disputes.. were over issues that they were actually agreeing upon. ++

They talked about the same thing.. but just.. in a different way…

So, as he argued his point, which was the same as hers..

She countered his point, with her point.. even though, with different words, they were saying the same thing. ++

Some folks are like that couple on purpose..

they might totally agree..

but they are going to make it seem like they don’t. ++

Believe it or not, this mentality is common in the church..

There are those who have aligned with a common doctrine..

And yet.. they still fight and argue over petty stuff.

There are people who attend the same church..

But they split hairs over the color of the walls.. or the volume of the music… or the way to run a children’s ministry. ++

Identical doctrine is not the key to unity.

It certainly helps..

But it’s definitely not the key.. ++

As we look at the first 11 verses of chapter 2.. we see that Jesus is giving us an example..

He practiced humility.. in a manner that exceeded limitation..

And.. His testimony of humility was give.. as an example.

For vss 3 and 4 have made it abundantly clear..

That humility and love are the primary means by which.. the church.. and fellow believers.. to find unity. ++

Now I’ll be honest with you.

Today, I’m not really interested in applying the topic of unity to the: Methodists or the Presbyterians or the Pentecostals or the Baptists..

The primary keys for unity are the same amongst all of them. ++

They need to find unity.. through love and humility..

But I’m not really caring about denominational unity right now..

Right now.. I’m pretty much, only caring… about the unity that should be existing.. amongst the individual believers, who actually are called to be in community with one another.

Philippians 2:1–2 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

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Paul wants the church in Philippi to experience unity.:

This is what they should become.. “unified”

But first, in vs. 1.. he states a motivation..

There is encouragement in Christ.

There is the comfort from love

There is participation in the Spirit

There is affection

There is sympathy.

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This is what God has given us.. (everything listed here… in vs. 1)

Therefore, this is what you should do.. (that which is described… in vs. 2)

As we will see… as the passage moves on…

Verses 3-4 will tell us how to do, what vs. 2 tells us we should do.

and then...

Vss 5-11… give us Chris’t example on the matter.

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In unity, we are being called to a pretty big thing..

Since we struggle with unity, over petty issues..

Paul is wanting us to see.. how privileged we are..

He wants us to take our eyes off of ourselves.. and focus, first and foremost..

.. upon Him! ++

God has given us so many good things to rejoice together in..

Good things.. to set our focus upon..

Good things.. that are far more significant than the little things that other Christians do.. that we might not like..

We have: encouragement in Christ.

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2 Corinthians 1:5 ESV

5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

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This world can dish out a lot of hardship…

And yet.. in the midst of all that, Christ can still provide encouragement.. ++

John 14:27 promises peace, that will keep us from being troubled or afraid…

Jesus said:

John 14:27 ESV

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

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There is peace that comes from Christ.. that is beyond understanding and circumstance.. ++

We have the fellowship of the Spirit..

Speaking either of the fellowship we have directly with the H.S., where we experience Him leading us, convicting us, empowering us and gifting us.

Or, speaking also of the fellowship that we can have w/other believers..

Because of the H.S. ++

We have.. given to us.. – by God..

Both: affection, and sympathy (mercy).

This is all pretty incredible stuff…

and this is where our focus needs to be.. ++

You see, verse two is where we are told what to do..

But Paul is making sure we know why and that we know.. how.

Verse one deals with the focus we are to keep on God and upon His Word..

Where as verses 3, 4 deal with the focus we are to keep, on one another.. ++

The practical deeds of unity are laid out in vs. 2.

The first one is: “Be of the same mind.”

This is a standard encouragement found all throughout the NT. ++

Romans 15:5–6 ESV

5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

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What was the problem in Corinth? They were dividing themselves up into different camps. –Each group had it’s preferred apostle or teacher.. and they were trying, early on, to create denominations around these different personalities..

Paul corrected this behavior by brining their focus back around to Jesus.. ++

Peter has similar words of encouragement.

1 Peter 3:8–9 ESV

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

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In this passage, having one mind is grouped in with:

Having sympathy.. being tenderhearted.. being humble of mind (courteous).. not repaying evil for evil.. or reviling for reviling.. ++

Next, back in Phil 2 vs. 2… they are called to have the “same love”

One of the things that really brings me joy, is seeing my kids.. loving each other..

They fight and argue all the time..

But every once in a while… they will do something incredibly kind and loving… for one another.

That thrills me. ++

Now, I’m pretty sure that’s a fatherly thing..

And I’m pretty sure, God too, is taking joy as a Father, when He sees His children loving each other.. ++

The final two practices of unity are: “being in full accord, and .. being of one mind”

essentially, these verses are speaking of harmony.. of agreement.. of common focus. ++

Concerning focus..

Paul is forever trying to get his readers.. and to get us..

To take our eyes off of ourselves..

And focus in on Christ.. ++

The Apostle Paul said… “Don’t look upon us… - when pagans tried to worship him for the miracles.”

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Believers were told… to show preference to one another ++

Jesus said… the greatest commandments, had to do with loving God, and loving one another…

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And now, here in vs. 3… Paul encourages us to not act in selfish ambition… but to act in humility… - and example of this would be… to count others more significant than yourself. ++

this thought brings me to a very familiar passage in Hebrews..

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

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The part of this that really hit me… was the beginning of vs. 2 - ‘looking to Jesus’

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That kind of makes things simple… not that it’s a simple thing to do… but the knowledge of what we are called to do… is simple..

-The work of the HS… is to get us to look away from self, and look unto Jesus.

The work of our adversary, is just the opposite..

Satan wants us to “look at self” - And that lines up with what ‘self’ wants…

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When we focus in on ourselves.. One of two things will happen.

We will either become inflated..

Or deflated.. ++

Both reactions.. will lead to division in the body..

If we focus on ourselves and become inflated..

we will end up setting ourselves apart from everyone else..

We will elevate our ideas.. our personality.. our ingenuity..

And will by default.. demote those who are around us.. ++

If we focus on ourselves and become deflated..

we will look at our faith.. and grow discouraged..

We will think that we don’t have enough faith.. we don’t do enough.. we don’t pray like we should..

and instead of focusing on Jesus..

we focus on ourselves.. ++

In both cases, whether we are inflating or deflating.. we are creating division..

How then is division defeated?

by focusing on two things.. in two very specific ways..

We’ve already talked about our need to focus on Jesus.. - to look to Jesus..

But what about our need.. and our attitude.. when it comes to focusing on other believers?

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Let’s read on in Phil 2…

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

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IN Proverbs 13:10 it says: “by insolence (pride) comes nothing but strife.”

When, in the church, we start thinking about how great we are.. compared to everyone else:

The outcome is not going to be.. edifying. ++

When we consider how great other Christians are, compared to how much of a crummy Christian we are… - again… the outcome is not going to be edifying. ++

Vs. 3 and 4 call us away from such petty and unprofitable comparisons.

If we, the church, as a whole… set the principles of these two verses to the forefront… our impact would significantly increase.

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We, like members of one body… would be invested in the roles… and the purposes of the other parts of they body… and we would act and engage to the betterment of those parts.

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Unfortunately… this is not the common outlook amongst Christians.

For many… there’s no commitment.. there is only.. convenience and comfort.

What’s in it for me?

What can you do… for me?

How can you make me comfortable? How can you make me feel good? How can you provide me with convenient ways to do things so I feel like I’m a good person?

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Why do we think this way?

Because… as Christians… our culture, even our church culture… has taught us more about being customers… than servants. ++

So… we treat our individual church communities like restaurants and grocery stores. We are a customer.. the customer is always right..

The customer is going to find the store that treats them the best and gives them the best deal…

Customer is King.. ++

But I can assure you… Jesus didn’t teach this mentality. He continually drove His ‘customers’ away. He continually divided his client base..

In fact… here’s a few things Jesus said in Luke 14...

When you are invited to a wedding… don’t sit in a place of honor. The one who invites you might have to tell you to move...

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Instead… come in humility… and sit in the lowest place… that way… the master can invite you to move up to a higher, more honorable position.

He ends it with this statement:

Luke 14:11 ESV

11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Later on in Romans 12:16, Paul tells us to:

Romans 12:16 ESV

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

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When people are in fellowship w/selfish ambition.. or conceit..

Asking: -What’s in it for me?

What have you done for me lately?

Why won’t you… Recognize me?..

What will these attitudes produce?

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Not unity.

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Instead… they will produce Strife.. division.. weakness.. a poor testimony.. infighting.. abandonment.. ++

Common doctrine is important.. but it’s not the key..

the key is right here in verse 3 and 4

"count others more significant than yourselves”

“look to the interest of others” ++

Now.. the church isn’t catering to these successful mentalities..

In fact.. the church is catering to exactly the opposite..

The church is beginning, in some ways.. to support and encourage the customer mentality..

But let me be frank with you for a moment..

For me, personally… I am not to be elevated over anyone, in any way.. I need to consider every one of you, as being better than me..

I need to place your interests as a priority, over mine..

That’s me, as an individual..

But as the Pastor who is teaching the Word..

I want you to know.. if you want unity..

You need to realize something about yourself..

– self.. doesn’t matter.

In fellowship, our foundational attitude should be: other’s first.

I consider them better so that I don’t run the risk of elevating myself over them.

I consider their interests so that I don’t run the risk of forcing mine upon them..

And when they are doing the same thing back to you..

Instead of feeling elevated in pride..

You feel encourage in spirit..

Encouragement is always better than pride.

When we lift ourselves up..

We will fall.

When others lift us up.. we won’t.

Evan and Katie have about 5 more days of training down in Florida before they fly out to Australia.

Every morning.. they run an obstacle course with their team-mates.

At the end of the course, they have to climb over a 12 foot wall.

The first two people, are lifted up by their team mates..

Every one else, is both, lifted and pulled over the wall.

they’re not being prideful..

in fact, all of these walls have different names..

one of which is “Pride”

To get over Pride..

You have to be willing to lift others..

And.. you have to let others lift you.

It’s not easy lifting others over the wall.

They are wet, dirty and their boots are full of sand..

WHEN YOU lift them.. you get some of the funky stuff that’s on them.. –on you.

The sand from their boot..

Might end up.. in your mouth..

In your eye..

Rolling down the back of your shirt..

And it’s not comfortable, nor is it convenient..

But.. it is a commitment.

And that’s why you do it.

We won’t get over pride in our own effort.

Exalting ourselves will get us nowhere..

Encouraging / lifting others.. will get us great success.. in the Lord.

In case there were some who didn’t get the concept of humility..

Paul lays forth the example of Jesus.

Phil 2:5-11

We humble ourselves, and it simply means, we might have to be uncomfortable…

we might have to be.. inconvenienced..

we might have to be.. put out a little bit.

Christ humbled himself..

And He became.. a lower being..

He went from ultimate strength in body..

To human weakness..

He went from life..

Unto death..

Why?

What was His personal agenda?

What was in it for Him?

Those questions are answered in John 3:16

Love.

That’s why Christ died..

Because of love.

God loves us. He wants us to be restored, in fellowship with Him.

To restore that fellowship, a great price had to be paid..

That price.. was paid.. in the humility of Christ..

A humility that led to humanity.. which led to suffering.. which led to death…

You see, each of us.. every human.. is a sinner.

Now, that doesn’t mean we are all axe murderers and rapists..

That simply means.. we are all in a condition.. where we can’t help but to fall short of perfection.

We can’t help, but to “miss the bullseye”.

God’s nature is such, that He will not tolerate sin in His presence.

Sin has incurred a debt..

We were created to know Him and worship Him.

That’s what we owe..

But we can’t pay that if we have sin in our life..

That debt.. requires a payment..

A payment that has been offered up by humanity for years.. through the practice of sacrifice..

Which.. was very temporary in it’s means..

For a moment.. God’s wrath for sin.. would be laid on an animal..

So that fellowship with man could be experienced.. in a small way.

But God wanted unity with us.

Not something that was just: temporary..

Something.. that was permanent..

Therefore.. He sent His Son..

To live a perfect life..

And to die, as a perfect sacrifice..

A sacrifice of such great value..

That it is sufficient to cover and cleanse the sins of all humanity.

And if anyone wants their imperfections cleansed, so that fellowship with God can be restored..

They simply need to ask for it, accept it by faith, and commit their lives to Him.

Why? Because it’s given freely, by the one who humbled Himself ultimately.

Conclusion.

We who are in the church:

do we have a problem with humility?

Well, it was the greatest act of humility, that purchased our right to attain eternal life..

And here we are, as those who are purchased..

…having a hard time, extending to others.. what has been freely extended to us, by God.

Jesus humbled Himself to serve us..

The example is there.. WE need to humble ourselves.

To serve others..

On a practical level.. in the small scale that is our world..

God wants us.. this band.. this family.. this fellowship.. to have unity.. harmony.. like-mindedness..

Our doctrines and philosophies might not always line up..

But if our love lines up… if our humble attitude towards others lines up..

If we are lifting others up in encouragement, rather than, lifting ourselves up in pride..

We will find strength.. joy.. purpose.. belonging.. and victory…

INVITE KEN TO LEAD CLOSING SONG.

It’s hard to give love and humility to others if we ourselves have yet to receive the love of Christ..

Today I want to invite you.. to receive that gift of eternal forgiveness that God offered on the cross..

INVITATION

If you are a believer.. who hinders unity.. because you have the “What have you done for me lately?” attitude..

And the H.S. is wanting you to line your life up.. w/His instruction..

INVITATION