Unity in Christ Part 2

Scripture Phillippians 2: 1-11(CSB)

If then there is any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy.

Make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.

Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus.

Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.

Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man.

He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross.

For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name.

So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

And every tougue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Last Sunday I began talking to you about unity and today I will continue. Unity is very important in the Church of God. Let me remind you that God is not the author of confussion. Before I start telling about the purpose of this letter that Paul wrote from a prison cell to thde saints at Philippi let me give you an acronym for UNITY.

U - understanding that you need to have a group mindset. (all of us is on God’s team representing His church).

N - never by yourself ( we should be praying daily for each other).

I - Initiative (we should take charge of seeing that our church family needs are taken care of, not waiting to see if someone else will do it or ask us).

T - Teamwork (we all should be contributing to each other by praying together. Take time this week to find you a prayer partner. Instead of gossiping pray. Instead of watching a television show open your bible and read it).

Y - Yearning to get things done. (With COVID -19 still effecting us for over a year now we should be checking on each other at least once a week to see if one of us needs anything).

I want you to know that each and every member of Calvary is important to me. Just as Apostle Paul wrote this letter to encourage the saints at Philippi i’m hoping I can encourage each of you to come together in unity. The word of God tells us this in this portion of scripture. Let me remind you that our unity effects things in the heavenly realm. We all need to get along here. All of us have daily distractions, but we must keep our eye on the goal. We need to be unified so all of us can tell the world the good news. We need to let the world know that we have the mind of Christ that brings peace and joy.

This letter also remind us that we need to remain humble. Last wek I told you that no matter where you live or what you possess that God should get the glory not you. It is because of Him that He allows you to even breathe. Think about this, If God is powerful enough to get you to heaven, then he is powerful enough to sustain you on earth. In spite of our cicumstances God is able to take care of us. But, you must have a relationship with Him. If you really have this kind of relationship with Him it won’t be hard to come together in unity. Just like the saints in Phillipi who endured struggles we are called to live for Christ too. For example look at verse 2. “Make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Look at the word same. (it has to do with harmony and unity in the body of Christ). Where there is disunity the spirit of God won’t have anything to do when everyone isn’t on one accord., Remember last week when I talked about how the city of Cleveland was unified when the Cavaliers won the NBA championship in 2016. Each player on the team played their position and the team came together and won. They all played in harmony just like we all need to be together in harmony. Verse 3 tells us “do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.” We are servants and should be serving each other not ourselves. Don’t do anything out of selfish ambition or conceit. Verse 4 explains itself.”:Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also the interests of others. Verse 5 says “Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus. Verse 6 “Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited Verse 7 “Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man.” These verses explains how Jesus being in the form of a man and still God he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant. Remember He is still God. He shows us that He poured the fulness of diety into his humanity. He took on human flesh and became a servant. I don’t know what the problem is of us serving each other. Serving was never a threat to Jesus because he never lost sight of who he was. He knew his position with the Father. We need to be more Christlike and remember that we are sons and daughters of Christ, this should make it no problem to render service to each other. Never forget that God is a rewarder of them that diliigently seek Him. Think about how when we go to a restruant and get good service, most of us will leave a nice tip. Our minds can’t even fanthom what type of rewards God has for us.

Verse 8 says “ He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even to death on a cross.” Verse 9 reads “For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name.”These verses tells us that Jesus was after more than just praises of people; He lived for divine recognition. He came to do His Father’s will not his will. What are you living for? Recognition from man or God? Let me remind you that man’s recognition is temporary but God’s recognition is eternal. Let me remind you that only what you do for Christ will last.

Verse 10 says “ So at the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Verse 11 says “ And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Please saints don’t just hear the word but be doers also. These verses reminds us regardless of who you are (all people will bow down and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This can be done voluntarily but a day is coming when all will do it mandatorily).

Praise God............

Right now I’m giving you an oppurtunity to become part of our Calvary Congregational Church family.

Maybe you are thinking about waiting until you change a few things in your life. Jesus will accept you just the way you are. We are a family of believers that will pray with you and show the love of Jesus Christ. Don’t wait come now. Romans 10:9 says “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Right now for those of you who haven’t given your life to Jesus I will say a prayer for you. DearLord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turnfrom my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

You can come by letter or Christian expierence. We will be glad to have you.

Just as you must eat, drink, and breathe to live, you must read the Bible, pray, and be involed in a church to stay spiritually alive and vital.

Thank you for tuning into our worship service today.

God bless you,

Minister Woodard