Phil 2
Notes
Transcript
Philippians 2
Philippians 2
Opening words
As we walk into chapter 2 we find that Paul is going to be emphasizing humble service to God and one another, we can do that because we have the perfect example.
But to serve each other and God there has to be unity.
The lack of unity is one of the most decisive issues in the church. This life isn’t about me, or you, it is about using our life for God’s glory.
So lets look at verses 1-11 this evening...
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 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, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 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.
These opening verses are all about unity through humility.
Why did Paul write this? Something must be taking place there at the church at Philipi, perhaps some disunity, lack of harmony in the church.
The issue is 2 ladies, 2 families as Paul speaks about these ladies who are having a spat.
Let me share Phil 4, verse....2
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
How could these two women cause such division that Paul as to address it? Well remember 2 women mean two husbands, two sets of kids, two sets of inlaws… and so forth, so you have perhaps people taking sides.
But Paul is seeking that they change there attitude.
Verses 1-2
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
So here Paul is addressing this in a very general way, but by chapter 4 He calls out these two ladies,
But what does Paul mean with these 2 verses…??
Paul makes 4 statements there, a 4 fold incentive .. if these 4 things are true, then you need to live a certain way.
Some texts has this chapter beginning with the word therefore and some just the world If… it is ok.... the start of if here in the ESV implies the word therefore.
And this is important… we know “Therefore”...
Remember that is a important .... it is saying because of this, then do this..
He is pointing back to chapter 1, verse 27
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Since you are to do this.... then it should have this effect in your life…it should bring unity in your life.
So look at what he is referring too.. Now let me point out the word “if”… should be seen as since or because of....
1. But if there is any encouragement from being united with Christ… Is there encouragement from being in Christ…yes, it is almost rhetorical in nature. All blessings are found in Christ… discouragement is what we find apart from Christ.... So of course there is..
2. If there is any comfort from His love… Are you encouraged by his love, are you comforted by His love...
3. If any fellowship with the Spirit.... are you blessed by walking in and through God’s Spirit...
4. Any affection and sympathy.... Have you been affected by his love, His mercy and compassion
Well, we could really affirm these statements. Down deep in our lives we rejoice in all these things.. We have experienced all these things, (and if you haven’t then maybe you are not His)
Because you share in this....
Paul says make my joy complete, as a Spiritual father, Paul says if verse 1 is true then live it out in verse 2
How would Paul’s joy be made complete.. Join Him, be in the same mindset as he… it speaks of unity. have the same mind, the same love, being in one accord and of one mind.
Paul says it will make my joy complete, when you stand in unity…In living this way we make our best effort to bring God the glory.
Now lets move on to verse 3
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Humility is the key here in this passage, Paul literally urges the brothers and sisters to think of others, their needs, their lives etc ahead of themselves.
He is thinking of how Christ put us, the world ahead of what he may have desired to deliver us from sin. So Christ action is our motivation.
So think, how would Christ treat others, how would He serve others, Would he put himself above others… the answer is no.
Richard Melick says------
Philippians, Colossians, Philemon The Expression of Unity (2:2b–4)
Humility begins with a realistic appraisal of oneself and others as being in the image of God
Now verse 4.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Did you hear that… just as you take care of your life, take care of others. You can only do that if you consider them in the same value and place as yourself.
Paul says the Philippians were to look out for others interests as well as their own… any concern of others were to become the concerns of all.
WWJD - Great question for us to consider
Now Paul has been talking about what it takes to live, not he reminds us of How Christ lived for us...
Lets look at Phil 2:5-6
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,
Wow, verse 5 Paul says our mindset, our perspective should be His. Have the same mind as Christ....
Remember we talked early on about the issue of disunity? The lack of harmony… that is solved when you replace your mind and take his ways, his mind as your own.
And just so we understand it more completely.... verse 6
Paul says though he was in the form of God..... Jesus was in the form of God . Jesus was God, before in incarnation, His birth into flesh He was in the image of God himself, He as God.
Remember John 1:1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
But he humbled himself and was born into flesh. And in coming to us, it didn’t change his status, He didn’t loose anything and thus there wasn’t anything he had to grasp or hold onto…
Verse 7 says
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Do not think Jesus became less than God when he emptied himself… He changed his appearance, He became like us, fully human… but do not loose sight of the fact that he was fully God has well.
Like the movement of a person who leaves riches to embrace poverty, it doesn’t change the person just changes their status..right?
Jesus took the from of a servant, humanity are seen as the servant of God. He became like us.
But the meaning gets even fuller as we look at verse 8
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Here is where its the richest…In human form, He didn’t flaunt his status, his place, He didn’t demand anything but humbled himself taking on the mission of the Father, He choose humility.
In a humble state, he became obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross
As a true servant, Jesus choose to obey God the Father and gave his life on the cross, to what.. benefit others.
Remember verses 3-4
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Paul said have the same mind in you . as Christ had and put the world ahead of his own self. He died for the sins of the world.
Wow.
Now look at verse 9
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
Because of His faithful work… God has exalted the Son. and bestowed on him and name that is above every name.
So here we see the change, The Father is now the subject, not Christ. And the purpose of God’s actions is evident. God chooses to exalt the Son, Jesus.
2 Thoughts here reveal the nature of what the Father is doing...
a. Exalted him to the Highest place
b. Gave him a name that is above every name.
So the the first one (A.) “exalted” literally means he is super exalted.... More than before some might say, from the lowliness of the cross to the exaltation of His restored glory.
He is given honor, because of all that He did, God exalted him and gave him a high name,
Most think this is the title Lord.... This would corrrespond to Peter’s preaching at Pentecost.
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
He becomes the adoration of the Godhead...
And now lets look at verses 10-11
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.
Because of that exaltation, that new name, He see the result of God’s action.
Quoting the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament - Isa 45:23
23 By myself I have sworn;
from my mouth has gone out in righteousness
a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear allegiance.’
So through the work of Jesus, and by His exaltation by the father Jesus becomes the object of our worship.
The bowing of the knee stands for worship and the tongue provides the confession that He is Lord.
Ultimately every creature will acknowledge who Jesus is whether they did so or not in this world, they will one day as they stand before Him.
This picture as seen as a future event (eschatological) last things… end times.
The Bible teaches us a day is coming when the whole world will stand before him.
In all this God is glorified,
