Humility and Unity
Philippians • Sermon • Submitted
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In Verses 1-4 we see Paul connect two themes that we may not initially think have a deep connection but as we will see the two are inseparable.
Humility and unity are two themes that we find all throughout Scripture, showing the importance of these truths for the life of every Christian.
We are going to start with Philippians 2:1-4 and then move on to see what all of Scripture has to say about these topics.
V.1 Paul introduces this section with 4 “if” statements.
He appeals to the universal experience of every believer.
The fact that every Christian would be in agreement on these 4 basic experiences is assumed.
These are phrased in the form of 4 rhetorical questions.
1. Have we experienced any encouragement in Christ?
2. Have we experienced the comfort of His unending love?
3. Have we experienced the partnership of the Holy Spirit?
4. Have we experienced the affection and mercy that is ours in Christ?
One of the primary means through which we experience all of these things is in the context of the Christian community.
This is the specific context to which Paul is speaking in these verses.
V.2 Paul then moves on to our responsibility, our obligation, that flows from the experience of these gifts.
We should also think the same way, have the same mind.
Have the same love. The experience of God’s love overflows into the showing of God’s love.
United in spirit. We are united with other believers through the same Spirit.
Intent on one purpose. The gospel is our priority.
This should be the natural overflow of every believer that has experienced the positive benefits of being united with Christ.
Not natural in that they come automatically, as none of these things comes automatically, rather natural because it is our obligation to live in this way.
Unity is clearly Pauls concern for the church as he writes these verses.
But he doesn’t leave this as some abstract theme. To just say, have unity.
Paul tells them practically how to have this unity by connecting it back to the individual and specifically to humility.
V.3-4
Do nothing for our own gain and glory, but consider others as more important than ourselves.
Do not look to our own interests but rather to the interests of others.
Humility as defined here sets the bar incredibly high.
But this is something that Paul, and Christ Himself have set the example for us to do.
Having this mind builds a culture of unity.
Imagine if we actually lived in this way?
Humility in the Bible is described as a key characteristic of godliness.
In many ways humility is portrayed as the most superior character trait that we can have.
4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
If for no other reason, humility must be seen as greatly superior because it is the trait ascribed to out Lord Jesus Christ.
28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Philippians 2:5-11
We also see humility as an attribute ascribed to Moses, Joseph, David, John the Baptist, and Paul.
We often see humility set against pride throughout Scripture.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom.
12 Before his downfall a person’s heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
These are just a few of the many examples we have.
But in our own society we must be honest that this is not typically the way in which we think.
Most often humility is seen as a weakness not as a virtue.
Those who are humble are seen as lacking self-confidence, having low self-esteem, and weak.
On the other hand pride is seen as the greatest of all virtues!
We are told you need to be proud of yourself, and have self-confidence.
Think about those who are exalted in our culture and placed on pedestals,
How many are humble and lowly?
How many are proud and arrogant?
And yet we let our children look up to these people and idolize them because they are “talented” and then we wonder why our kids act the same way as those that they idolize.
We must remember that these are secular views not biblical ones.
The kingdom of God is not like the kingdom of the world.
The kingdom of God is an upside down kingdom, it is foolishness to those that are perishing but to us it is the power of God.
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.
35 Sitting down, he called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all.”
4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
The kingdom of God operates by a different set of rules.
The church can not take the perspectives of the world and implement them into the church, it will not work!
You may be able to build something great, but it won’t be the church!
The church is not a business, the church is not an organization, the church is not an enterprise.
The church is a people, and that belonging to God, purchased through the blood of Christ and operating by a completely different set of rules and values.
The church belongs to Christ, it is His bride!
So, what does humility have to do with unity?
It has everything to do with unity.
Humility in individuals is what drives unity in the body of Christ.
Biblical unity is not a disregard for differing beliefs. It is not an accept all for the sake of unity mentality.
There can not be unity among those who have fundamental differences of beliefs about the person and work of Jesus Christ because there is only one Christ, and He is the source of our unity.
There is no unity between the church and the world.
Humility is the foundation for unity because the one who is humble is willing to evaluate his own beliefs in light of the authoritative word of God.
True humility is first and foremost, a submission to the revealed will of God, regardless of what I think or how I feel.
This type of humility will always bring unity in the church.
How many church splits would have been prevented if both sides were willing to evaluate their beliefs based upon the authority of God’s word?
Where there is division in a church, pride is not far away.
Ephesians 4:1-16
Our unity as a church does not come from disregarding doctrine but from humbly embracing the doctrine that we have been given.
We will have disagreements, but we must agree on the fundamental beliefs of Scripture.
We are saved by grace through faith alone.
That Christ was fully God and fully man.
That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
That He was buried.
That He was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures.
That the Holy Spirit lives in us.
That we are called to live in obedience to God, for His glory and honor.
I believe God has not made His Word difficult to understand.
The greatest obstacle to understanding Scripture is not education but rather pride.