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Unity Through Humility: Lessons from Philippians 0:10 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word. Thanks for joining me this morning as we read Philippians chapter 2 verse 5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.0:21 So let the lord give you a piece of his mind. That's what we're gonna look at today as we read Philippians chapter 2, but we began this over the weekend. So I'm gonna go back, to chapter 1 and give a little bit of0:33 background on, this book. Now this was 1 of the 4 prison epistles, which most scholars believe that Paul wrote during his first imprisonment in Rome. This letter0:45 is Paul's most personal, which provides a glimpse with his close relationship with these believers in Philippi. While there are a couple of, kind of latent issues going on with0:57 the with those at Philippi, that Paul touches on in his letter, this letter is primarily a thank you letter. The church at Philippi had on this occasion and others1:08 stood with Paul and financially helped him, sharing in his distress as we we will read in chapter 4 verse 14. Now it's not surprising that Philippi would hold a a special1:20 place in Paul's heart as the call to go there during his second missionary journey was was somewhat special. We run about it in Acts chapter 16. Let me read verse 9 of Acts 16.1:32 And a vision and a vision appeared to Paul in the night, and a man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him saying, come over to Macedonia and help us. That was the Macedonian call. Now after he1:44 had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. So he went to the western part of Macedonia1:56 where Philippi was located, and he met with Lydia, who the scripture, records as worshiping God, but not having not at that point having been saved, not knowing2:07 Jesus. She was converted to Christ by Paul's teaching. Then Paul and Silas, as you'll recall, were imprisoned because the Chamber of Commerce got mad because people turned2:19 from sin and their demonic oppression. And as a result, business declined for the corporate community, and so Paul and Silas were thrown in jail. But after a manifestation of God's power2:31 in the prison, the jailer was converted, which was the start of the church there at Philippi. That was the first church that Paul started in, in Europe. So if you2:43 didn't read chapter 1, be sure and go back and read it. Also, be on the lookout as we read the book of Philippians of a lot of familiar verses. And when you when you see those, I want you to2:54 pause because, you know, we we we see those, and it's important to see them in the context. We we hear these scriptures, a lot of devotions, sermons built on these verses,3:07 but they're often plucked, out of these passages. So it just gives them so much more meaning when we see them in the context of the entire letter. So here in chapter 2, Paul addresses 1 of3:18 the latent problems there in Philippi, a lack of unity. He makes it apparent that unity can only come through humility. And guess what? Jesus is our example of3:30 humility. Beginning in verse 1. Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and mercy this this if, by3:42 the way, is not a question. Paul is laying out an argument, and there is a consolation in Christ, and we know that there is. He says, if there is a consolation. We know that there is. So3:54 if any comfort of love, if fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and mercy which there are, then do this. So it it's, again, it's an argument. It's not a question. Verse 2. Fulfill4:06 my joy by being like minded, having the same love, being of 1 accord and of 1 mind. And it's because of the support and help of Christ that we can4:18 be unified. It's the holy spirit that brings us together. We can't do it on our own. But nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than4:30 himself. Now this is the this is the, the unity killer. Alright? Selfish ambition. Recall back in Galatians when Paul was talking about the works of the4:41 flesh. Remember, he gave a whole list. Selfish ambition was on that list. Rather, we're to esteem others, put others in their interest before yours. Easily4:53 said, difficult to do. Look at verse 4. Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interest of others. So how can we accomplish5:05 such a difficult task? Let's be honest. How can we do it? Here it is. Have the mind of Christ. Think like him by following his example. Verse 6. Who being in or verse 5. Let5:17 this mind be in you, which was also in Christ, who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a5:28 bond servant and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the5:40 death of the cross. So Jesus humbled himself. It wasn't forced upon him. He he took this upon himself to the point of a humiliating death on the5:52 cross. But look at this. Because Jesus was willing to humble himself to accomplish the plan and the purpose of the father. Look at verse 9. Therefore, god also has highly exalted him6:04 and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on the earth and those under the earth, and that6:16 every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is lord to the glory of the father. Because Jesus humbled himself before all, God is exalting6:28 him above all. Now this is what Jesus says to us in James 4 10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up.6:40 Verse 12. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.6:52 For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure. So what is Paul saying here? Do we do we work out our own salvation? Through our7:03 obedience to God, What was worked in us through the Holy Spirit by God's grace is worked out, sanctifying us. Okay? We have a personal responsibility to work7:15 out our spiritual muscles, alright, if you will. Just as physical muscles don't grow when you're sitting on the couch, your spiritual muscles don't grow if you're not working them out. So we we don't work our own7:27 salvation. We don't gain our own salvation. It comes by god's grace through faith. But we must, as Paul said, as we law as we, saw in Ephesians, be filled with the spirit.7:40 Right? That's we have a responsibility. If you wanna grow, you've gotta do your part. Alright. Verse alright. Paul returns to the issue7:51 here of humility and not operating or acting out of selfishness. Do all things, is verse 14, do all things without complaining and disputing. And here is what comes8:03 of humbling ourselves and not seeking our own to the destruction or division of others, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse8:15 generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. The result is we become like our savior, and our conduct in the midst of this8:27 fallen and evil world will shine like light in the darkness, like luminaries in the world, the sun and the moon, which provide comfort and direction. When you and I, as8:39 followers of Christ, are living in unity, when the body of Christ is in unity, when a church, a local body is in unity, when a family of followers of Christ are in8:50 unity, it speaks volume to the world. It shines light in the darkness. Verse 16, holding fast the word of life so that I may9:02 rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run-in vain or labored in vain. Hold fast and hold forth the word of life, the light of truth that you've been9:13 given. Just hold on to it and and let it shine brightly. This is like, like a runner with a torch. We hold on to the light that we've been given, and we also hold it9:25 forth to the benefit of others. Now in the remainder of the chapter, Paul speaks of and into the ministry of Timothy, who is his spiritual son. And these are these are really words of affirmation that9:37 he speaks here. And he's now remember, he's writing this. This is a letter to the Philippians, and he is, he's writing this about Timothy. Now just think how Timothy is is is seeing this. And and when these9:49 words of affirmation are coming from from Paul, the same is true for us when we're affirming others. Now I'm not saying things that aren't true, but affirming them with the the positive things that we see in10:01 our life, the spiritual growth that we see. But I trust in the lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no 1 like minded who will10:13 sincerely care for your state, for all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus, but you know his proven character. Right? He's not like the rest of them. That as a10:24 son with his father, he serves me in the gospel. Therefore, I hope to send him at once as soon as I see how it goes with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall10:36 also come shortly. Now, again, I can only imagine how those words built Timothy up encouraging him in a rather difficult calling. Now,10:49 Paul turns to, Epaphroditus, who scholars believe was the presbyter or the deacon at Philippi. He brought the gift to, Paul from them.11:02 And in the course of the of his mission and ministry, he actually became sick and almost died. And so verse 25, yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus,11:14 my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and the 1 who ministered to my need, since he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed, he was sick11:25 almost unto death, but god had mercy on him, and not only on him, but also on me, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore, I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again, you may rejoice,11:38 and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the lord with gladness and hold such men in esteem. Because for the work of Christ, he came close to death, not11:50 regarding his life to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. Wow. That's really powerful. We need you know, we when we live with the mind of Christ, esteeming others12:01 better than ourselves, even death has no grip on us, nor can fear overshadow us. For me, as Paul said, for me to live is Christ, to die is gain.12:13 Paul said that over in chapter 1. Father, we thank you for your word. And and, again, for the the writings and the example of Paul, the teachings, the instructions, the inspired word. And I I12:25 pray the Holy Spirit would continue to take this living word, shaping us, molding us, sanctifying us that we might be unified and that we might serve you and bring12:37 glory and honor to you. We pray and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Thanks for joining me this morning, and until next time, keep standing on the word.12:49 Today's study comes from the Stand on the Word Bible Reading Plan available for free at frc dot org slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you13:01 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 Unity Through Humility: Lessons from Philippians
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