Sermon Tone Analysis

Q: When do y’all get out of school for Christmas and how long?

Q: Anything new happen?

Q: Any new prayer requests?

Pray

Review

Q: Can anyone tell me what we studied last time?

Living in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

standing firm in one spirit

striving side by side for the faith

not being freighted by our opponents

Introduction

So naturally we are picking up in Chapter 2. Hopefully we can cover the entire chapter tonight.

Chapter 2 is split up into 3 main sections.

Let us now read the first.

2 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.

This section is about how Jesus Christ is our example of the Christian life.

It outlines like this.

Have this particular mind

Act in this fashion

Because Christ was and is so

Therefore Jesus was glorifed

Q: What does Paul mean by mind?

A: He means a way of thinking or a mentality.

When our thinking changes, naturally the way we live will follow.

That is why Paul is emphasizing the mind.

If we all have the same mentality, goals, purpose, we will be humble.

We will consider other better than ourselves.

We will look for way to assist one another.

But there is a catch.

This mind or mentality is for those in Christ Jesus.

Only believers have this mind because it is God’s gift to believers.

Why?

Because it is the mind of Jesus Christ when He entered creation as a man.

When He endured the sufferings of the Cross for the sins of all those who will believe.

And when Jesus had accomplished His work God exalted Him.

God glorified Jesus by honoring Him and one day everyone will glorify and worship Jesus for who He is and what He did.

This does not mean that everyone will go to heaven.

It means that everyone, even those in hell, will understand and recognize who Jesus is and give honor to Him.

Let is continue reading.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Paul begins this next section with “Therefore”.

That is a sign for us to consider what was previously said.

So in other words, Paul is saying, “because of what I said before, do this.”

Q: What does Paul say to do?

v.12 “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”

v.14 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,”

v.16 “holding fast to the word of life”

Q: What does all this mean?

A: It means to continue in the process of our sanctification so that we stand out against an evil world for the glory of God.

It does not mean we can lose our salvation if we do not always obediently work out our salvation because it is God who works in us.

God does not ever fail in His workings.

He competes all His works.

Let us now read the last section.

v.19-30

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.

20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

27 Indeed he was ill, near to death.

But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Now Paul shifts to sending two men of respect to the church in Philippi.

Timothy, who has been like a son to Paul and Epaphroditus who has been Paul’s assistant in ministry.

We learn that Epaphroditus was near death due to an illness at one point.

But God “had mercy on him” and was restored to heath.

Both of these men were quite dear to Paul.

So why would he be sending them away to this church?

Because Paul understands the importance of good church leadership in order to lead the church in evangelism, discipleship, and defending the faith from its enemies.

Paul can not be everywhere.

Paul can write only so much and be aware of so many things.

Application

So what application is there for us in here?

In Christianity the mind is important.

Christianity is not about blind faith.

We have faith because of the evidence.

But even after a person believes the mind is still important.

Believers are to think like Jesus Christ.

With Him in mind in all things.

And when we begin to think like Him we begin to live like Him.

Like living in humility and correct living.

So let us ask for that mind in prayer.

Let us understand that mind in the Scriptures.

Having the same mind of Christ will lead us into deeper fellowship with one another and permit us to become more sanctified.

We will “work out our salvation” and “hold fast to the Word of life”.

We will learn to love this book, not resent it.

Lastly, good church leadership is critical for a healthy church.

If you ever attend another church, whether that is because you moved or RSBC shuts down I want you to closely examine the church leadership before you join.

If it not faithful to the Word of God and its enforcement and preaching then leave.

It is not healthy.