Following Jesus

Introduction

Last week we saw that Paul was concerned about the the conduct of the church in Philippi. Today, we want to start with Philippians 1:27

Philippians 1:27 NIV84

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel

The question that each of us must ask ourselves is this, “What does it mean to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel.” Well, when you come to chapter 2, Paul gives us a blueprint to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to Philippians 2, and we’ll begin with verse 1.

Worthy of the Gospel

Philippians 2:1–2 NIV84

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

The first thing I want us to notice is the little word that begins this chapter, the little word “If”. It is not conditional, but rather has the meaning of since or because of. It assumes that all of the these present.

So it assumes there is encouragement from being united with Christ. Every follower of Jesus should find encouragement from our relationship with Jesus

QUESTION: Are you experiencing encouragement from Jesus?

It assumes we receive comfort from the love of Jesus. Every follower of Jesus should be comforted by experiencing the love of Jesus.

QUESTION: Are you experiencing comfort from the love of Jesus?

Paul also assumes that every follower of Jesus has fellowship with the Spirit of God—because the Spirit of God is in you!

QUESTION: Are you experiencing fellowship with the Spirit of God?

And finally, it is assumed that you will experience and express tenderness—affection for others; and that you will express compassion—mercy, or favor.

QUESTION: Is your life filled with expressions of affection for other? And do you express compassion or mercy?

So,

if you are encouraged by being united with Christ,

if you have comfort from Christ’s love,

if you have fellowship with His Spirit,

and if you are filled with tenderness and compassion

THEN your life should be different. Look again at verse 2.

Unity of Believers

Philippians 2:2 NIV84

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Then, Paul says the church at Philippi can complete his joy by:

Being like-minded—having the same mind.

Having the same love—an unconditional love.

Being one in spirit (unity) and one in purpose (task).

That means that our unity with Jesus Christ should give us unity in the church!

And our unity should be marked by both love.

Now this passage continues to build.

Caring for Others

This unity, love, and purpose then our lives should look different! Look at verse 3.

Philippians 2:3 NIV84

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Living a life the way Jesus tells us to live goes against everything the world says! The first thing the world says is you are number 1! The most important, and you need to do whatever will makes you feel good or makes you happy !

But Paul tells the church at Philippi:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition. In other words, you are NOT the most important thing in the world .

Do nothing out of vain conceit—is empty pride, or an empty desire to boast.

Taking care of yourself above all else, and having an empty desire to boast has no place in our lives.

Instead, Paul tells us that we need to be concerned about other. In fact, he says we need to consider them as more important than ourselves.

Paul goes on to emphasize this point! Look at verse 4.

Philippians 2:4 NIV84

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Building on the characteristics of the first four verses, the question becomes, how can we do this? It is simple! We need to follow Jesus, and that is exactly what Paul tells us. Look at verse 5

The Attitude of Jesus

Philippians 2:5 NIV84

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

We need to have the same attitude as Jesus had. But what does that mean? What does that look like? Well in the next several verses, Paul is going to explain the attitude of Jesus.

Philippians 2:6 NIV84

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

Jesus was/is God! Jesus knew this fact! He was God

Jesus didn’t feel the need to boast and prove to anyone that He is God.

Philippians 2:7 NIV84

but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Because Jesus knew that He was—He was able to make himself nothing. The Greek means, empty himself. It is the idea of removing a mantle--cloak symbolizing preeminence or authority. Jesus took off anything that displayed his preeminence or authority—and made himself nothing.

He replaced His mantle of authority and put on the nature or form of a servant

And became a man. The key is that while Jesus was 100% man, He was also 100% God.

Now look at verse 8.

Philippians 2:8 NIV84

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient unto death.

Jesus went the extra mile—by going to the death of the cross. In Jesus day, the cross was never talked about in “polite company.” The cross was the worst possible punishment imaginable, and Jesus was obedient all the way to the imaginable death on the cross.

And because of Jesus’ obedience He has been exalted by God the Father. Look at verse 9.

Philippians 2:9–11 NIV84

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

God exalted Jesus to the Highest place.

God also exalted Jesus’ name above every name!

So that His name is so powerful, at the name of Jesus EVERY knee bows—and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord—Master, Ruler, King!

To the glory of God the Father.

So What?

If you and I are going to be encouraged by Christ, If we are going to find comfort in His love, If we are going have fellowship with His Spirit, and be filled with tenderness and compassion we need to have the attitude of Jesus!

If we are going to live different from this world—a life filled with selfish ambition or empty pride—we need to care for others, their needs and interest.

And the way we do all of these is to have the same attitude of Jesus:

We have to know who we are—inside and out.

We have to be willing to give of ourselves as Jesus gave of Himself.

We need to be a servant to all, having a servant’s heart.

Being a servant often involves taking a lowly position or even suffering.

But that’s not enough—we need to be willing to go the extra mile—Jesus went to the cross!

Finally we need to understand that obedience leads to us being exalted—Exalted to heaven when life in this world is over!