Philippians 2:1-8: When Believers Were of One Accord

Let’s Have Harmony in the Church

Philippians 2:1-8

When believers were of one accord They prayed with great faith (Acts 1:14) They preached with great power (Acts 2:1) They enjoyed great fellowship (Acts 2:41-46) They experienced great growth (Acts 2:47)

Paul challenges the Philippian Church to be of one accord (v. 1)

How to have harmony in a church (v. 2)

1. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory (v. 3)

A. Ending strife gives a church new life

B. Strife keeps bad company a. Joined with envy, divisions, carnality (1 Corinthians 3:3) b. Named with the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) c. Comes from Satan (James 3:14-16)

C. Service to glorify the servant is worthless

D. All work in the church should glorify God (Colossians 3:23)

2. Let each esteem others better than themselves (v. 3)

A. Here is a different dimension to self-esteem

a. The great push for self-esteem

b. Paul calls for higher esteem for others

B. Esteem for others grows out of love (v. 3)

a. Love enables us to forget the faults of others

b. When you build on a fault, expect an earthquake.

c. Love enables us to look for the best in others

C. This esteem causes us to care for the needs of others (v. 4)

a. Our concern for them is greater than for ourselves b. We want to protect them and what is dear to them

3. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (v. 5)

A. Here is the key to heeding Paul’s call

a. How to put away strife and vainglory

b. How to esteem others better than ourselves

c. How to care more for the things of others than of our own

B. The mind of Christ conquers carnality

a. Makes us humble instead of hateful

b. Makes us giving instead of greedy

c. Makes us selfless instead of selfish

C. We learn about the mind of Christ at the cross (vv. 6-8)

a. He laid aside His glory; how can we seek glory? Have the mind of Christ.

b. He humbled Himself; how can we be proud? Have the mind of Christ.

c. He became a servant; how can we covet high positions? Have the mind of Christ.

d. He was obedient to death; how can we do less? Have the mind of Christ.

Exaltation follows humility (v. 9-10).

A humble, caring church will be a united church.

A united church will be effective in its ministry.