Sermon Tone Analysis

As a body we are in a crucial spot.

Unity is the key to help us get from our temporary location to our permanent home.

So today we are going to look at biblical unity & humility.

We will look at the END GOAL of UNITY, THE ACTION NECESSARY to create unity (HUMILITY), and the RESULT of it all being future GLORY.

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Pray

So you get the END GOAL before you get the ACTIONS steps necessary.

The end goal hear being unity.

End Goal (Unity) 1-2

This passage breaks down like a movie that starts at the end, then gradually back tracks and plays out to the end.

So you get the END GOAL before you get the ACTIONS steps.

The end goal here being unity.

Paul is urging the Church at Philippi to be unified.

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Philippians 2:1

Key in on v. 1

Unity is essential for right relationships

Unity is essential for right relationships

If we are unified we will console and comfort our brothers and sisters in Christ

If we are unified we will have the unique brotherly bond through the fellowship of the Spirit.

If we are unified, we will have a deep compassion and sympathy for our brothers and sisters.

On the contrary, if the body of Christ is not unified, all of these will be lacking, we will not have a deep compassion and sympathy for one another, we will not have deep meaningful relationships with one another, & we will not have a desire to comfort one another when times get tough.

We must have unity to have true biblical relationships with one another.

Unity is what makes the body of Christ stand out

It is a defining feature

We love each other as family despite all of our various differences

John 13:

Endeavoring = To be eager, intense desire

Paul is saying, have an intense desire to remain unified.

Disciples of Jesus want to right with their brothers and sisters in Christ.

I cannot stress enough how crucial UNITY is for the church.

Fortunately for us, Paul gives a simple formula for keeping unity.

Paul gives a simple formula for unity.

Be Likeminded

How do you become likeminded?

By having the same love

The same love being Jesus Christ & one another

And obviously the second is like unto it

reiterates the point to loving people.

When we are unified in our love for God and others, we will be likeminded.

This will get our mind off of ourselves and put it on others.

When we are unified in our love for God and one another, we will be likeminded.

Be of One Accord

Philippians 2:2

Accord = being unified in the same character, affections, and mindset as another.

Or with united souls

How are we to be of one accord?

By being of one mind

Being on the same page doctrinally & spiritually

When we are on the same mission, with the same message, we will be unified.

Application

If we want to be healthy as a body, we must diligently seek to be likeminded and of one accord with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Now that we know the END GOAL of this sermon being Unity, lets look at the ACTION STEPS necessary to accomplish this.

Action (Humility) 3-8

Paul goes on to refine his point of how to bring unity by laying out some action steps.

If we are to live unified in community then it we must learn to sacrifice.

Particularly ourselves.

Specifically we must learn to humble ourselves so that we can see

Don’t do this

Do no do anything through selfish ambition or for your own vain glory.

Do this

Humble yourself, become low

reckon others to be better that yourself.

the phrase “let each esteem other better than themselves” essentially means, “esteeming each other superior to yourselves.”

esteeming each other superior to yourselves.”

Instead of fixing your eyes on those points in which you excel, fix them on those in which your neighbor excels you: this is true “humility.”

Humility is the key to right relationships.

We are to put others in a position of priority in our lives.

Andrew Murray put it this way

Humility is perfect quietness of heart.

It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me.

It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised.

It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble.

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We are to put others in a position of priority over ourselves.

Dying to self

This is the mantra of a disciple of Jesus

Through Christ we put to death our selfishness and as a result we begin to put others first.

Side Note:

This does not mean that we are to become doormats that people walk all over.

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Application

If we want to be healthy as a body, diligently seek to be of one accord and likeminded with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

This is done through humbly esteeming others better than ourselves.

This concept of humility that leads to unity applies in all areas of life.

When I put my wife first, my marriage is strengthened

When I put my children first they know they have daddies heart.

When I put students first they will see that I genuinely love them, thus giving me credibility to speak the Word of God into their lives.

When I put the lost world first they will see that my faith is real and will be much more likely to listen when I share the gospel.

The way you live your life depends on weather your words have any validity.

Why would anyone listen to me if my life does not reflect my words?

Now Paul is going to give us a perfect example of humility.

Be Unified

1-2

Put Others First

3-4

Jesus’ Example

5-8

The result of humility

Jesus is the perfect picture of humility.

9-11

He is the standard that we shoot for.

A true disciple of Jesus has a heart to be just like Him.