The right mentality for the best unity is Christ’ humility!

Philippians 2:5 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

The right mentality for the best unity - Have this mentality!

Introduction

One pastor prepared once a fantastic sermon about humility. But when he got to the church he found out that many were missing that night. And he started saying: I prepared a good sermon about humility but it is too good to preach it now, with a few people only in the sanctuary.

To be humble it means to know your place.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Humility

There is an old ditty that goes: “It needs more skill than I can tell / To play the second fiddle well.”

In a similar vein, Leonard Bernstein was once asked which instrument was the most difficult to play. He thought for a moment and then replied, “The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm—that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.

Context - Philippians

Paul’s context: prison! Rome, most probably..

The most obvious defect to mar the church’s fair reputation was its disunity. Martin, R. P.

The frequent use of the word ‘all’ (1:1, 4, 7 [twice], 8, 25; 2:26; 4:21), which Lightfoot calls ‘a studied repetition’, is connected with the apostle’s appeal for unity and concord. Martin R.P.

‘The Apostle and his Friends’ is the New English Bible’s caption to sum up the message of Philippians. This impression of intimacy and cordiality is re-echoed by all commentators, and forms the most noticeable characteristic which distinguishes Philippians in the Pauline literature. Martin R.P.

Philippians is a book of relationships: (1) encouraged by Paul’s problems - 1:14; encouraged by Paul’s way to fight - 1:30; learned by Jesus’ own humiliation - 2:5; Timothy was concerned for their welfare - 2:20; Epaphroditus was longing for them - 2:26; look out for evildoers - 3:2; let’s walk together in the things we all agree - 3:15; follow me, Paul - 3:17; I entreat Eudoia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord - 4:2; you have revived your concern for me - 4:10.

Bengel: summa epistolae; gaudeo, gaudete.

Humility in context

The results of unity: (1) tenacity in suffering (1:27-30) and (2) harmony in community (2:1-4). The key o unity: humility.

It is an extraordinary power when the community lives the unity. Power to face the suffering.

It is an extraordinary harmony when the community lives the unity. We comfort one another. We have sympathy. Fellowship: the real one!

Humility is not natural. Our reflex is to look only for our own good. For our own needs. Pride is natural. Humility is something we need to fight for!

I. Humility is a PLAN!

Humility is not a feeling! It’s not a reaction. You feel something when you humble yourself but humility itself it’s a plan, not a feeling.

it's about the mind, not the eyebrows and shoulders.

Lord Jesus had a plan: This is their need and this is what I’m gonna do for them! Php. 2:7.

Their need: salvation!

Problem: they are human beings, I am not.

Solution: I will be a Man.

Php. 2:4 - let each of you look. To exert effort in continually acquiring information regarding some matter, with the implication of concern as to how to respond appropriately—‘to be aware of, to be concerned about, to consider.’

Humility It’s not a reaction but, more than that, it is an ACTION!

Jesus was so humble. He said: learn from Me! I am humble. Matt. 11:29. Learn from Me, ACT like me. Don’t learn and think only. Learn and do!

Humility is my plan to quit my position for their provision. To quit my rights. My pleasures. Myself! Jesus did not has godly features and qualities. He was GOD! But he humbled, that means he gave up on himself!

In human history the very first meaning of humility is “low, flat”. You never fall when you are low! You are already there. Humble before the mighty God!

Humility comes from humilitas which comes from humus = ground. We - me and you - are the ground our fellows needs to step on in order to fulfill their needs.

Humility is one of the most rare virtues our days because a few people continue to PLAN something for other’s need. A few people consider to PLAN something for others. We all PLAN something for ourselves and for our families.

Isaiah 32:8 - but he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands! Humility is the most noble thing you can plan!

Joseph had a plan! He humbled himself. He thought about it. He had discussions with his steward. Joseph had the power to destroy them be He understood this: they need me to be their brother, not their judge!

II. Humility does always have a specific PURPOSE.

When you plan to do something, your purpose must be clear. In our case it’s about other’s need, other’s interest (Phil. 2:4).

It’s not only about accepting something, but purposefully doing something!

It’s possible to not live the humility when you just say: that’s ok, I’m gonna accept it. It’s not fair but I don’t want to fight them.

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament 1. The Hebrew Originals of the Greek Terms.

The prominence of the verb in the use of the group shows that the main ref. is to an action rather than a state, and that this includes its results.

Your purpose, my brothers and sisters, it’s not your willing to fight. It’s not about you. When we speak about humility it’s about what do we do for others, not for us!

There is no humility if there is no purpose!

Php. 2:4 - let each of you look.

to exert effort in continually acquiring information regarding some matter, with the implication of concern as to how to respond appropriately—‘to be aware of, to be concerned about, to consider.’

‘each of you should be continually concerned about not only your own interests, but also the interests of others’.

Need, not nonessential! Nevoia, nu pofta.

Don’t humiliate yourself if there is no need but only nonessential.

! Don’t care only about my needs. I know you love me. Please take care of the needs from your own church! Paul

We love african people! We love romanian from Romania. But we can’t find room in our hearts for romanians from Grace Romanian Pentecostal Church.

What’s our need? (1) encouragement; (2) comfort; (3) fellowship - deep level! Soccer is good, but not enough!; (4) affection and sympathy.

Go, my brother/sister. Go home and plan something for this Christmas! Christ-mas, not christmas. Your purpose, your attention, your brainstorm is this: what’s their need?

Joseph had a purpose: their need is to receive food, not sentence to death! They were already almost dead!

III. The PITH (măduvă, heart, essence) of humility: obeying to God’s PLAN!

Php. 2:8 - the heart of humility is obeying!

Php. 2:5 - “Be so disposed toward one another as is proper for those who are united in Christ Jesus.” M. Silva

Humility is obeying to God’s plan. God’s plan for Jesus is: redeem the humanity through cross.

! Humility and love have the same pith: obeying God’s words

Php.. 2:6 - form of God; equality with God

6a: the form of God. Antithetical to form of a servant.

6b: Christ’s voluntary act negatively stated. He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (ESV). “the notion that Christ set aside his “advantageous” position for the sake of others is at the very heart of the NT message (cf. again 2 Cor. 8:9).” M. Silva

Php. 2:7-8 - Christ’s voluntary act positively stated.

Phil. 2:7 - emptied himself! to completely remove or eliminate elements of high status or rank by eliminating all privileges or prerogatives associated with such status or rank—‘to empty oneself, to divest oneself of position.’ ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν ‘he emptied himself’ (Louw-Nida)

M. Silva: to nullify, make of no effect (Rom. 4:14).

NIV: He made Himself nothing.

No one can live the humility in the community unless he lives it in relationship with the Trinity!

The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church Humility

M. *Luther regarded it as the joyful acceptance of God’s will,

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Humility

Corrie ten Boom was once asked if it was difficult for her to remain humble. Her reply was simple. “When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey, and everyone was waving palm branches and throwing garments on the road, and singing praises, do you think that for one moment it ever entered the head of that donkey that any of that was for him?”

She continued, “If I can be the donkey on which Jesus Christ rides in His glory, I give him all the praise and all the honor.

Php. 2:8 - he humbled Himself. That doesn’t mean he was carried to the cross, but He went there on His own.

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Joseph understood the pith of humility: God’s will, God’s plan. “I am not God” he said. He understood his place. And he obeyed God’s will.

The key of unity is humility. The key of humility is obeying God’s will every second. Planning our lifes thinkings a lot about community’s needs.

There is a lot of Grace in humility. Our name is the level of our own humility. James 4:6.