I Don't Get To Ride Shotgun Anymore
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1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
Unity surrounding problems within the church. Paul introduces 4 “if-then” statements.... all of the “if’s” are stated in a way to assume they are already true.
If “any encouragement” in Christ, yuou have certain obligations....and of course as Christians they were to be one in Christ.
If “any comfort from love”, Philippians should join hands to a common action. If there is love for Christ and each other, divisiveness can’t exist. .. in any form.
If “there is any fellowship with the Holy Spirit” then they should practice “unity”. As Christians they have the spirit indwelling them, they are partners with each other and with the holy spirit.
If “affection and sympathy”, then tenderness and compassion among them would make the unity that was being called for the norm.
1 If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Verse 1 explained the concept. Verse 2 elaborates it.
Paul is experiencing joy… but the joy is not complete… it can be.... the missing ingredient is unity.
He never asked for unity at the expense of the truth.
He assumes that the same thing is also the right thing.
How can unity flourish?
Possess a mutual love.
If you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, then the fruit of the spirit that is love should be displayed. sEe Galatians 5.22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Their pursuit of unity should be a heart and soul effort of every believer in this community of believers.
Verse 3 Philippians 2.3
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Humility… those who would advance themselves are seeking their own glory… their own affirmation… their own spotlight...... Paul says it takes humility....Glory is vain conceit, the Christian attitude is humility.
“consider others better than yourselves” is not making someone else morally superior to yourself,,,,, it is to mean consider for others preceding concern for ourselves. This will go far toward removing disharmony.
4. Verse 4
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Self-centeredness has no place in the kingdom of God. My “rights”, my “plans”, my “desires”…are all good… BUT they must recognize AND form a concern for the interests of others.
Paul is not calling for a neglect of anyone- He IS calling for a Christian concern that is wide enough to include others in its scope.
When EACH member of the body exercises this mutual concern… problems of disunity will disappear.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
This is the beginning of a Christology. A hymn. A truth.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11: Ephesians through Philemon B. Exhortation to Unity and Humility toward Those in the Church (2:1–11)
This rendering fits the context better than another suggestion that has been offered: “Have the same thoughts among yourselves as you have in your communion with Christ Jesus” (BAG, p. 874). Believers, of course, cannot duplicate the precise ministry of Jesus but they can display the same attitude.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
We could offer a theological course on this single verse… insted, I offer the “message” version...
6 He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what.
Jesus never said, “I’ve been a member for 40 or 50 years.”
When you choose to think so much of yourself that it creates advantages for your status- you are not imitating Christ… you are exalting yourself. And it is part of the human condition.
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
He emptied himself… He divested himself...
God- took on the form of a servant. Please understand… He didn’t empty himself of being God… he added to His Deity the role of a “servant”.
Some of us have never learned how to do the very thing God excelled at.... having a servant’s heart. Becoming a servant.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
HOw humble was Jesus’ humility?
Look at this verse.
2 things;
Obedience- to the point of death. Hebrews 5.8
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
2.A death not allowed for Roman citizens and that indicated the curse of God by the Jews... Galatians 3.13
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
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.
Paul was facing problems with the church at Rome… but the church at Philippi had their share as well. and it concerned Paul more.
Epaphroditus brought a generous gift from the church at Philippi… but he also brought bad news...
False teachers, disagreement among the church,
False teachers Philippians 3.1-3
1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—
Disagreement in the church Philippians 4.1-3
1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
I’ve been working on Discipleship at Westbrook Park UMC.... it goes in 4 steps.
Am I A Christian? Do I want To Be?
What Does Being A Christian At Westbrook Park Look Like? Do I Want that- or Not?
What Are My Gifts And How Can I Serve God In A Very Special Way At Westbrook Park?
How Can My Gifts Be Used To Make Me A Lifelong Missionary in My World?
Look at number 2. What Does Being A Christian At Westbrook Park Look Like? Do I Want That - Or Not?
Understand, it IS meant so that the mission of this local church is first and foremost of all we do. It is meant to offer a choice to join the mission. It offers an opt out… a choice to NOT join in!!! Why?
There is a difference between unity and uniformity. Uniformity is to emphasize the mission of the church. Here’s waht this body of believers does to fulfil the mission of the church. No church can do everything, so this is our specialty- our emphasis. We choose to plug into that or not. It is not based on how we emphasize service to Christ in this place. We CAN do that uniformly. But uniformity will come because we teach it and emphasize it- and if our teaching and our emphasis don’t cut it for you, you’re welcome to stay or go- but our emphasis will not change because we can’t be everything to everyone. This is who we are, if you want to be something else with a different mission emphasis there is a place for you- it may not be here.
That is uniformity.
Unity. Well, unity only comes when we lay down our pride and decide our selfishness can’t be fed. Rules, threats, and all of the discipleship teaching and Bible study groups on the planet will not change that. Pride and selfishness will always breed discontent and disunity.
There will be no joy for or in the life of the Christian who puts himself or herself above others. “My way or no way” is not “His way.”
Selfishness and pride are division problems. Selfishness and pride are heart problems. You can’t teach it. It’s a deeply individualized spiritual matter that will work to destroy the unity of the body of Christ.
State it again: There will be no joy for or in the life of the Christian who puts himself or herself above others.
The secret of joy in spite of circumstances is the single mind. Mind of Christ.
Let this mind be in you...
The secret of joy in spite of people is the submissive mind. Remember Philippians 2.3
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
How do we find these things? Humility. Christ “emptied’ himself… took the form of a servant.
The humble person is not the one who thinks meanly of himself; he simply does not hink of himself at all!- Andrew Murray
Humility is that grace that, when you know you have it, you have lost it.- Warren Wiersbe
Bottom Line:
The More It’s About Me, The Less It’s About Jesus
The More It’s About Me, The Less It’s About Jesus
Go back to your most recent complaint. What was that really about? Who was that really about?
Litmus test for humility.
Who do you think about most? Jesus thought more of us than himself. We should think of others, not ourselves.
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,
2. Who are you serving? The humble heart serves.
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Sometimes service means doing that which you don’t love.
3.What will you sacrifice for?
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.
If there is no bleeding, expect no blessing.
Cheap Crosses.
4. Who are you attempting to glorify anyway?
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
3.