No Matter What Part 2

Last Week: Paul remarkably challenges the Philippian church to have joy. The remarkable part of that is his situation. He has a joy in the face great suffering, loneliness, uncertainty, and fear of death.

The bottom line key to joy is 1) having hope beyond this life and 2) a greater purpose in this life.

Paul summarized this in his statement, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain”.

But what does this mean? How can we be confident in death—as joy? What does it mean to “live Christ”?

This week we’re going to answer what it means to “live Christ”

And like we said last week, “living Christ means living in the reality of the person and work of Jesus.” But what does that mean practically?

Here in , we see a key to joy in this life: genuine humility.

Let me tell you too … if you put these principles into action in your marriages, friendships, work relationships… you will experience Joy in those settings.

Transition: If humility is major factor in joy in this life … then how to we live in humility?

Humility Lives in Unity With Others

One of the areas of our lives that erodes joy more than others, is conflict with other people

It’s amazing how relationships with other people can bring the most joy in our lives, but at the same time can bring the most frustration, anger, and hurt.

Paul goes to the heart of the problem with our relationships … disagreement.

He says, “[be] of the same mind, [have] the same love, … in one accord and of one mind” (v. 2)

What is this unity and oneness of mind? That we'd always agree or have a cult like uniformity?

No! It's being so unified in what matters most, those other differences stop having the power they once had.

Illustration: Unity in sport and war

Humility Esteems Others Higher Than Yourself

Paul goes on to say:

Philippians 3–4 ESV

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Humility is not jut thinking poorly of your self.

You can still be very self-centered and think the world revolves around you even if you don't have a high view of yourself.

Nate Larkin: "Worthless piece of crap the world revolves around."

This doesn’t mean we have a really poor view of ourselves. Yes, we’re messed up, broken sinners—but we are now redeemed, forgiven sons of God.

Philippians 2:1 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

This means that we consider others more valuable than ourselves.

“encouragement in Christ” — Def. help, one who comes along side. “comfort from love”, “participation in the Spirit” — these are the benefits of the gospel

And we are able to do this because Jesus values us first.

Paul says, “If” through this assumes the affirmative

In other words, because Christ gave everything by his death on the cross, we definitle have these things.

Because I am fed by the bread of life, I can turn to feed others.

But a starving man will never feed others.

Humility Looks to the Interests of Others

So when we value others (even higher than ourselves); we will be concerned for their “interests”

We will stop fighting for our “rights”

Here’s the beautiful design of this is that if everyone in a community is seeking the best of everyone else; everyone’s needs are met and no one is grasping for their own needs.

Illustration: Marriage picture in —two people trying to out do one another in submission and sacrifice.

Humility Bears Death for Others

So far this is pretty radical stuff. But Paul goes beyond what our world can understand. Paul calls us to an even more radical humility.

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Now what does this mean? Are we to go jump off a bridge for our neighbors or family members? No! He is not talking about needless suffering here. Let’s look closer at this ...

What “mind” is Paul talking about here?

Paul it saying, “have the same attitude/spirit/mode as Jesus” … who was willing to suffer and bear even death for the benefit of others.

Let me be honest here … I don’t even want to do the dishes for others! Definitely don’t interrupt my favorite show or the game!

True humility is willing to suffer for another person’s benefit.

Paul tells us here that Jesus “emptied himself”. This does not mean that He stopped being God.

Rather it means that he humiliated himself … From being the supreme being, God himself — to being a “servant”

Illustration: Love & Respect — Jesus was willing to take rejection on the one hand, and serious disrespect on the other.

Jesus gave us the ultimate example of humilty.

Conclusion

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