Philippians 2:1-11

NEW YEAR, BETTER WORSHIPPER

New year brings new beginning, a fresh start, an opportunity to become a better person, a better individual, above all a better worshipper of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 practical insights to start the year to guide us become a better worshipper of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I. REMEMBER YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

Verse 1 gives us the “ifs” by listing four redemptive realities in the life of every believer:

Philippians 2:1 NASB95

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

A. You are a child of God;

• If you have been encouraged by your union with Christ (united in Christ, Christ lives in you)

• If you have experienced the comfort of Christ’s love (You are loved by Christ and is continually love by Christ)

• If you have enjoyed fellowship with his indwelling Holy Spirit (The Holy Spirit lives within you)

• If you have experienced God’s tenderness and compassion (We have been recipients of the compassion of God - from our slavery to sin, helplessness, hopelessness, depression and loneliness, etc)

This is an “if” and “then” statement. Since this is true, that you are loved by Christ, in union with Christ, with the Holy spirit living in you, you are child of God, then you are called to live for Christ.

II. REMEMBER YOUR CALLING in CHRIST

A. We are to grow in the likeness of Christ.

Only believers can grow in the likeness of Christ.

A mango seed cannot grow and bear a durian fruit.

We are to grow - we cannot remain stagnant and “as-is”.

We cannot have spiritually with no hunger and desire for God and His glory.

Verses 2–12 give us the “thens” by detailing how we should live in light of the grace we have been given as children of God:

• Then be one in spirit and purpose (v. 2).

Philippians 2:2 NASB95

2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

B. We are called to show the grace of Christ and the love of Christ in our relationships. We are God’s instrument of Grace.

Did I exert effort to form a strong bond of loving unity in the family? or in the church?

• Then do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (v. 3).

Philippians 2:3 NASB95

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Selfish ambition - ambitions that only benefits self, ambitions that excludes God, ambitions that is motivated by prides and promotes pride.

Did I grow in humility and and servanthood in my church this year? How can I grow in humility and servanthood this 2022?

• Then consider others better than yourselves (v. 3).

Philippians 2:3 NASB95

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Regard others as more important than yourselves - selfless living and giving. This is difficult. For we have the sinful nature in us opposing the Holy Spirit that is in us. That is why there is a need to be intentional in looking at the cross and hearing of the gospel everyday.

Did I grow in prayer this year?

Did I become more dependent to God this year?

• Then look not only to your own interests, but also to those of others (v. 4).

Philippians 2:4 NASB95

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

c. We are called to be accountable with other believers.

This means we are to live with a mindset that we are not created for ourselves, we are not saved for the benefit of our selves alone - for the interests of others, especially their salvation and sanctification!!!

Sin still needs to be defeated everyday, and we need each other to encourage and warn each other. Sometimes we are blind to our sins. To be accountable is to help others see their sin, to struggle with them, to fight sin with them, to walk with them to grow in holiness.

Did I grow in caring and in helping others this year?

Did I share the Gospel to more this year? If not, how can I share the Gospel to more people this 2022?

• Then make sure your attitude is the same as Christ’s (vv. 5–8).

Philippians 2:5–8 NASB95

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

d. We are called to incarnate Christ as His ambassadors.

humility, obedience, willingness to sacrifice for the sake of others.

“develop a habit to develop character”

in the past, before we see a printed picture, it must go through “photo development”.

if you want to develop your skill in singing, you have to sing, if possible everyday.

the same with our character, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit daily for us to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 NASB95

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Did I display the kindness of Christ in the way I treat other people?

Did I grow in forgiveness this year? Have I become more forgiving and patient this year?

Did I love more this year?

Did I grow in self-control this year?

then make known the name of Jesus (vv 9-11)

Philippians 2:9–11 NASB95

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

How can people confess with their tongue that Jesus is the Lord of their lives? It is when believers share the Gospel to them. It is when the believers lived a Christ-like Character through their action, words, and attitude.

New year, better worshipper

I. REMEMBER YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

II. REMEMBER YOUR CALLING IN CHRIST

Conclusion:

God is always at work to transform our hearts, to be Christ-like. Trials are often God’ ways to transform our self-centered, self-centered, prideful hearts to become Christ-centered, love driven hearts, and humble hearts. The Gospel call is the call to continual change of heart.

James 1:12 NASB95

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

CROWN OF LIFE