BENEFITS OR THE HUMILITY

EXPOSITORY PREACHING

DR. TIM FULLER

SOUTHERN BIBLE INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE

CLASS SERMON ON PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11

BY E.O. JAMES

TEXT. PHILLIPINES 2:1-11

TITLE: THE BENEFITS OF HUMILITY

2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.[1]

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father[2]

INTRODUCTION

They are called benefits on our secular jobs.

Paul, call them blessing in the Christians community.

I like you work on my job mainly for the benefits along with the pay.

We have medical, vision, dental, 4o1k, legal benefits, vacation, and most of all we fly for free

Two of my 3 daughters took after me and work for the same company. My middle daughter is a flight attendant of 7 years. She enjoys every ounce of her benefits even more so than me. She and her husband fly all the time, even on her own time. She flies here and there, she flies everywhere.

On the other hand, my youngest daughter who is a little humbler, she and her husband have used her flights benefits only once maybe twice after 5yrs. I tell her from time to time how I would like to see them take more advantage of their flight’s benefits and go places.

Just like we have benefits on our job. We have benefits as a believer in Christ. Paul starts out mentioning four benefits

IF I CAN I WANT TO TALK ABOUT:

“THE BENEFITS OF HUMILITY”

Philippians Chapter 2 starts with the word “therefore” letting us know that Paul is continuing what he was talking about in chapter 1 verse 27 through 30. Not only that, this “therefore”, is there for as a “because” of what he is about to say needs their attention. It’s an attention getter.

He wasencouraging the church at Philippi to continue to live their lives in ways that are worthy of the gospel, and any suffering is for the sake of Christ, which also can serve as proof of salvation.

Paul continues his encouragement not only to the believers, but now for the believers as introducing the word “if”. This if is not an if of doubt as if the benefits wasn’t available. it is an if because the benefits was, the benefits is, and the benefits will remain available. These benefits are matter of a fact. Not a question of doubt.

Paul is reminding the church at Philippi to enjoy the benefits in Christ which can be biblically reference with (Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessingin the heavenly places in Christ)

POINT 1. RECOGNIZING YOUR BENEFITS OF HUMILITY

Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ

1. The benefit of consolation in Christ. Consolation is simply encouragement. The church at Philippi is greatly encouraged in Christ, by His birth, His life, His death, His burial, His resurrection and His imminent return. That is the gospel that is encouraging to all believers. Which is an eternal, everlasting, inexhaustible source of encouragement.

2. The benefit of being loved by Christ, which bring a comfort like no other. Comfort with unity in the mist of tribulation and a comfort with contentment in the of mist humble means. Whatever you are going though I like Paul want to encourage you by letting you know you can find comfort and love in Jesus Christ

3. The benefit of the presence of the Holy Spirit. The fellowship with The Holy Spirit is what cause them to fellowship with one another. In His fellowship with them, He leads them, guides them, protects them and provide for them in their everyday lives. Just as The Holy Spirit does with us today.

See - Philippians 1:19 and Philippians 3:3

4. The benefits of affection and mercy through Christ. They have the affection of God through Jesus Christ which is expressed though God’s tender mercies, loving kindness and His longsuffering. Today as believers we have this same benefit. We call it Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a retch like me.

POINT 2: LIVE A LIFE OF HUMILITY

VERSE 2

Alone with them realizing their benefits Paul calls the Philippians believers to action by asking them to fulfill his joy, meaning complete his joy.

Let’s understand that Paul already has joyfor the work that’s being done, but the one thing that would fulfill his joy, is for them to continue demonstrating the sharing of the gospel.

How? By their actions on how they treat one another.

Now if you really want to complete your pastor’s joy, no matter what church you are attend, share the gospel on how you treat each other at your church.

How do you do that?

*Paul said; By being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind.

I will interject this if you don’t mind.

This is not brain washing where no one can think on their own. It is individual believers living their own lives, but having the same goal in life, the same love of life, and the same purpose for life, which is to glorify the One and Only True Living God Who gave them life.

It is important to say, the reason Paul mentions these four calls to action; is because the believers at the Church in Philippi were not all being like-minded. They were not all having the same love and they were not all being of one accord and were not all of one mind.

Which is a sure recipe for discord cooked up by the 3 Miss’s. These misses are not gender based they are relationship based.

They are Misinformation, misunderstanding and mistrust.

Which leads to Misdirection, Misfortune and Mis opportunity and a Miscarriage for life’s purpose

Which Paul address in chapter 1 especially in verses 15 – 17; and chapter 3 verses 17 - 19 concerning fraudulent preachers with false motives and a fakegospel. We call it fake news now a days.

Being like-minded is to get rid of the Misinformation. Being like-minded is to strive for the same purpose. Their view points are alike. They see things alike. Their vision and hope for the future is alike. The things that are on their minds are all alike. That leaves no room for misinformation. In do so they will be able to dismiss the miss in misinformation.

I ask, Due to the amount of misinformation in our churches to day is it like the church at Philippi? Are we not all striving for the same purpose? Could it be that we are not all like-minded? Are we double minded and unstable in all of our ways? Are you giving people a piece of your mind? If so, then you may not have any pieces left.

(What’s on your mind? I don’t know about you but I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus. That’s not just thinking about Jesus. It’s meditating on His planes and His purpose for this life he has given me.)

Having the same love is to have the same love that they know that Christ has for them. Then, that same love will cause them to have that same love for one another.Their desire to hear and share the same gospel. Having the same love eliminates the misunderstanding among the body of believers.

Today, if you want to eliminate misunderstanding among the body of believers and non-believer at your church, All I can say, is the same thing that Paul said. Have the same love.

*Jesus said something along these lines “Love one another as I have loved you, by this shall all men know that you are my disciples by the love that you have one for another”. Again, Have the same love.

Being of one accord is getting along with one another, getting rid of disputes and working together, Paul is asking them to live their lives together being intertwined like ropes. Everyone doing and saying the same thing. In other words, everyone is in sync and in step with ever one else. In working together, it gets rid of the mistrusts. They would have to let mistrust know that there are 3 outs. Out of sync out of step and out of order. With mistrust out of the way, they can trust each other. Can we all get on the same page in our churches today and get mistrust out of the game?

Being of one mind is to agree with one another. Agree to follow the same rules in order to create order. Having the same vision and the same purpose. Achieving the same goal.

If we have dis-order at our churches today, it is because we are not all of one mind.

VERSE 3

Paul’s is interested in breaking this cord of discord, so he strongly encourages them to avoid doing things that will continue the disunity by not doing anything though selfish ambition or conceit. Disunity brings about conflict of the believers’ opinion of misinformation: Actions of misunderstanding and Charter of mistrust.

Selfish ambition is doing things that only benefit one’s self, with no concern for anyone else.

Conceit is having large egos and opinions of oneself. These vain actions result in nothing profitable for the gospel. Paul is saying Don’t let nothing result in nothingness. Don’t let nothing be none for nothing.

I don’t mean to meddle but we can find in our churches today where some people’s actions result in nothingness?

When it comes to selfish ambition,

There were jealous conceded preachers and teachers that preached and taught for their own self interest and for the down fall of Paul

The early Philippian church was experiencing selfish ambition and vain conceit from both sides. Outside and inside.

Not only the early church but the present-day church as well. Could it be that some believers today are doing things for selfish reason, in order to gain profitthough power, prestige and prominence?

Maybe we are just like the people in Philippi. Just look at how they measured people and their members.

It looks like we measure people today the same way. We say “He got money he’s good”.

We measure a man

His coins in his pocket over his charter in his heart.

His Fortune over his Faith.

His Gold as a God.

His Interest over his Integrity.

His Money over his Morals.

His Profits of his Principles.

His Position in life over his Purpose for life.

His Sales over his Sins.

His business plan of Saving money

over God’s plan of saving Souls.

But when the rich young ruler presented his resume to Jesus with the intent to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus made it plain that money don’t mean nothing. When it comes to salvation, you can’t pay for it. Why? Because Jesus paid it all.

It’s ok to have earthly things but you can’t depend on earthly things to provide heavenly values.

Just suppose someone could take ten dollars to heaven, what would that someone spend it on. There is nothing in heaven for sale.

Just suppose someone ended up taking a hundred dollars to hell. I know what that someone would want to spend it on. But it won’t be there for sale. (A cold glass of water)

Lazarus as for a finger to be dipped in water, and just for a drop of water.

Paul offers a remedy for selfish ambitions and vain conceit.

Paul put humility first, by offering to them to be lowliness of mind. Here, He was passing the offering plate to where the believers of Philippi can place in it selfishness and conceit. And take out of it lowliness of mind, by putting other ahead of self.

VERSE 4

In verse 4, Paul lets them know, it is ok to look out for you own interest.

But it is much better to look out for the interest of other as well.

The citizen of Philippi looked out for their own interest in selfish ambitious ways.

We can see that in the book of Act chapter 16 verses 16 to 24, Where the master of the slave girl lost profit because Paul cast out of her the spirit of divination.

The slave owner went to the Magistrates’ of the city and stirred up Misinformation, Misunderstanding and Mistrust. And therefore, Paul ended up in prison.

The church members were looking out for their own interest. Paul makes in plain that is a normal thing to do. But, don’t just care about yourself, care about others as well. In other words, add some more caring to your caring.

((We live in a world in what we call a dog-eat-dog society. I got mind – you get yours – and I may just take yours. If you are not big and bad enough,(to protect yours). If you are not strong or smart enough (to hold on to yours), If you are not slick enough and quick enough (to hide yours.)

In other words, you had better get all you can – can all you get - and sit on the can. And you can still lose it all. Yes, you can.) )

Allow me to say this, there is nothing wrong with taking care of you and your house hold. But please understand that this is a strong statement to the non-believers, when believers take care of other believers., It promote unity among the believes. It turns the dog-eat-dog society up-side-down. Because it shows we as believers, truly care for the cause of Christ.

Just to sum things up with these first four verses.

These benefits you have in Christ come with the responsibility of humility toward each other. It is an act of the sharing the gospel on how you treat one another in your church. And that is by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. Doing so can fulfill your joy, Paul’s joy and your Pastor’s joy.

Paul knows that we can’t pull this off on our own.

So, he now shifts from the blessing of the believers to an example of humility for the believers

POINT 3: JESUS AS AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY

VERSE 5 though 8

Paul asked the believers to imitate Christ when he says let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

Paul wants them to humble themselves for the sake of others just as Christ had humbled Himself for their sake.

Taking on the same mind of Christ Jesus is to be like-minded with Christ, taking on the same attitude of Christ.

In other words, the attitude of humility that Christ Jesus has, we should have.

VERSE 6

Paul explains Christ and the humility of the mind of Christ

He says Jesus in the form of God meaning Jesus is God. The form of God is the very essence of God that never changes.

Jesus is not an image of God like man is.

Jesus is not in the likeness of God like man is

Jesus is God.

Jesus who is God did not use His Deity (His Goddess the fact that He is God) for His own self interest

Jesus did not consider that His Deity was taken from Him as if He was robed or tricked or deceived, like Adam and Eve.

It was not robbery because it was something He did on His own volition. Jesus did not lose anything. He just placed His Deity on hold. On pause. Jesus is still 100 percent God and became 100 percent man all at the same time.

VERSE 7

Jesus did not build on His own reputation that He is God, which He could have. He had the right and the ability to do so. Yet He chose not to.

This verse talks about Jesus taking the form of a bond servant. It is a servant bonded to his master by way of a coventent. This covent was made before the foundation of the world.

Paul uses this term several times referring to himself as a bond servant of Jesus Christ. It’s a made-up mind to do the master’s will.

Jesus chose to take on the form of a bond servant. He came as a bond servant to do the will of God the Father.

Jesus came in the likeness of man meaning, He has a human body. Even today Jesus has a resurrected human body. His body has nails scars on his healing hands and on his feet. His body is a glorified body.

Jesus looked like a man. He walked and talked like a man. He ate and slept like a man. And the whole time he is God

VERSE 8

Jesus was found in the appearance as a man because he is man. Paul mentioned this again in a different way because it is important the we understand that Jesus is God and He is man.

What does that mean? In a simple explanation Jesus is the creator who became the created all the while he remained the creator.

((This refers to Jesus’s taking on His humanity. And in order for Him to complete His redemptive plan to make man like Him. He had to humbled Himself.))

He humbled Himself. No one humbled Jesus but Jesus.

Jesus humbled Himself to obedience to God. Jesus obeyed God to his death and He obeyed God in the way He died. On the cross. Jesus did not have to die but he did. Jesus did not have to die on the cross but He did.

(More work of words about the cross here)

Why? That was God’s plan all along to redeem us

POINT 4: JESUS’S BENEFITS OF HUMILITY

VERSE 9

Verse 9 – 11 is the Benifits of humility

Therefore, Because Jesus humbled Himself.

God has highly exalted Jesus also

God is the One that does the exalting and

God is the one that does the giving of the name that is above every names.

Jesus humbled Himself to the lowest level God lifted Him up to the highest level.

That level is stated it the next two verses.

VERSE 10

At the name of Jesus every knee will bow

Not just your good knee will bow, but every knee will bow.

No matter where you are in all of creation every knee will bow. It doesn’t matter if you are in heaven, on the earth or under the earth every knee must bow.

What does under the earth means? In the grave?

Verse 11

AND THAT EVERY TONGE WILL CONFESS MEANING THAT EVERY TONGE WILL SPEAK.

EVERY TONGE WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.

ALL THIS IS DONE TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

CONCLUSION

We must learn to be like Jesus and humble ourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift us up.

In these 11 verses Paul is concern about the disunity at Church in Philippi. He encourages the believers to fulfill his joy by getting rid of the discord among believers.

In doing so it will unite and lift the church community up.

But the best way to do it was to esteem others and their interest greater than oneself through humbling themselves.

Paul uses Jesus Christ” humility as an example.

Because Jesus humbled Himself God exalted Him to where every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT

To believers it sustains us.

To non-believers it humbles them

To God it glorifies Him.

[1] The New King James Version. (1982). (Php 2:1–4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. [2] The New King James Version. (1982). (Php 2:5–11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.