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PHILIPPIANS Week Two
“Learning How To Live As A Servant”
As we saw last week, the Book of Acts, chapter 16, records the roots of this church. Then nearly 10 years later, the Apostle Paul is in prison in Rome, and he writes a letter to encourage the church he planted a decade before.
To briefly review last week, we talked about Learning How to Live as if God is in Control. God is in control, isn’t he?
Yes, of course He is. But there is a big difference between saying God is in control and living as if God is in control. It is the difference between our theology and our actions. Together -- like the church in Philippi -- we can become a community that demonstrates God is in control by the way we live.
So last week we broke chapter 1 into three parts:
1. We can learn how to live as if God is in control by taking on God’s priorities.
2. We can learn how to live as if God is in control by trusting Him for the outcome
3. And finally, we can learn how to live as if God is in control by receiving suffering as something that is sometimes granted by God to the community of the faith.
HOW MANY READ PHILIPPIANS 2 THIS PAST WEEK?
This week, we turn our attention to chapter 2 and discover that Jesus is our model for living in troubled times. His model is not only praiseworthy or notable -- it is accessible for us. Paul challenges us to live up to the example Jesus set. AND WE CAN DO IT!
1. DON’T LOOK OUT FOR #1
1. DON’T LOOK OUT FOR #1
Look at the first four verses of chapter 2.
Philippians 2:1-4 (GW) So then, as Christians, do you have any encouragement? Do you have any comfort from love? Do you have any spiritual relationships? Do you have any sympathy and compassion? Then fill me with joy by having the same attitude and the same love, living in harmony, and keeping one purpose in mind. Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves. Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1-4 (GW) So then, as Christians, do you have any encouragement? Do you have any comfort from love? Do you have any spiritual relationships? Do you have any sympathy and compassion? Then fill me with joy by having the same attitude and the same love, living in harmony, and keeping one purpose in mind. Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves. Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others.
We are instructed that in the midst of difficulties that we should not look out for number one -- EVEN THOUGH THAT IS OUR TENDENCY!!
Philippians 2:3-4 (MSG) Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
Philippians 2:3-4 (MSG) Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
We learn from the Gospels that when Jesus was on the cross -- he focused on the Father’s will and was concerned about the standing of those who persecuted him.
Jesus prayed,
Luke 23:34 (GW)
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” ...
Or even before that terrible day on the cross Jesus placed his focus on the Father’s will -- and was constantly reconciling people to God.
What would such an attitude look like in our everyday lives? We are routinely told that if we don’t look out for ourselves, no one else will.
But look what Paul tells us next ....
2. THE GREAT EXAMPLE OF JESUS
2. THE GREAT EXAMPLE OF JESUS
In the next few verses (5-11) we hear one of the great songs of the early church. Some scholars believe that this passage was actually a worship song, sung by the very first followers of Jesus. It is a song filled with challenge and wisdom for us today:
Philippians 2:5-11 (GW) Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Although he was in the form of God and equal with God, he did not take advantage of this equality. Instead, he emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant, by becoming like other humans, by having a human appearance. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, death on a cross. This is why God has given him an exceptional honor — the name honored above all other names— so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11 (GW) Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Although he was in the form of God and equal with God, he did not take advantage of this equality. Instead, he emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant, by becoming like other humans, by having a human appearance. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, death on a cross. This is why God has given him an exceptional honor — the name honored above all other names— so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
These six verses break down into three sentences.
· First -- He Made Himself Nothing.
· First -- He Made Himself Nothing.
· Second -- He Humbled Himself.
· Second -- He Humbled Himself.
· Third -- God Exalted Him.
· Third -- God Exalted Him.
We Might Think That When God Came To Earth He Would Demand Worship From Everyone. But No -- When God Came To Earth He Made Himself Nothing.
He Became Like An Ordinary Man.
He Humbled Himself Living A Life Of Service -- And Then Humbled Himself Even Until Death.
And Beyond Humility -- Jesus Suffered The Kind Of Death Filled With Shame.
THIS DID NOT HAPPEN TO JESUS ACCIDENTALLY. THIS IS THE PATH JESUS CHOSE TO WALK.
The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus is our example. Paul tells the church in Philippi to have the same attitude that Jesus had.
During Times Of Trouble Or Persecution We Are Tempted To Defend Ourselves.
When People Misunderstand Us At Work
When People Ridicule Us For Our Beliefs In Public
When Our Own Family Members Do Not Understand Our Faith
We Face The Temptation To Argue And To Dispute. But The Apostle Paul Says That We Should Have The Same Humility Of Heart And Posture As Jesus, Our Lord.
Indeed, this message is repeated in many other places in Scripture. Here’s just one example. Four different times, the Bible says, “God gives grace to the humble, but HE resists the proud.”
How different this is from our society!
OUR LIVES IN CHRIST requires faith from us to trust that the Father will raise us up in His time and in His way.
REMEMBER -- these are Paul’s instructions through the Holy Spirit to people facing persecution.
Philippians 2:12-13 (TLB) Dearest friends, when I was there with you, you were always so careful to follow my instructions. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him. For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.
Philippians 2:12-13 (TLB) Dearest friends, when I was there with you, you were always so careful to follow my instructions. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him. For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.
#3 HOLD ON, AND HOLD OUT
#3 HOLD ON, AND HOLD OUT
Philippians 2:14-18 (TLB) In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, HOLDING OUT to them the Word of Life. Then when Christ returns, how glad I will be that my work among you was so worthwhile. And if my lifeblood is, so to speak, to be poured out over your faith, which I am offering up to God as a sacrifice — that is, if I am to die for you — even then I will be glad and will share my joy with each of you. For you should be happy about this, too, and rejoice with me for having this privilege of dying for you.
Philippians 2:14-18 (TLB) In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, HOLDING OUT to them the Word of Life. Then when Christ returns, how glad I will be that my work among you was so worthwhile. And if my lifeblood is, so to speak, to be poured out over your faith, which I am offering up to God as a sacrifice — that is, if I am to die for you — even then I will be glad and will share my joy with each of you. For you should be happy about this, too, and rejoice with me for having this privilege of dying for you.
You can tell that the Apostle Paul was quite the preacher -- because after singing the worship song his preaching becomes very practical.
He tells us to do everything without complaining or arguing.
To set aside complaining or arguing is a corporate discipline that is the only possible when people realize the blessings of grace and salvation.
We Have Been Saved By Grace. What Is There To Argue Or Complain About?
And We Would Look Like A Different Kind Of People To The Rest Of The Watching World. If There Were A Community Who Could Live Together Without Complaining Or Arguing They Would Shine Forth Like The Stars In The Heavens.
ILLUSTRATION
Talking with a businessman who came to my house, he doesn’t attend church because of different things he has seen -- but he says to me -- I’ve got to ask you some things because I trust you will tell me the truth and not judge me
Showing The Love Of Christ is how we will WIN OTHERS TO HIM -- NOT JUST ALONE BUT AS A CHURCH!!!
SO -- if we can HOLD ON to the Scriptural word of life given to us by the Holy Spirit -- we will also be able to HOLD OUT the words of CHRIST -- offering them to our families, friends, and our community.
the heart of our faith is to follow the humble example of Jesus -- especially in times of trial and persecution.
His example of humility IS A LIFE THAT SERVES!
IT IS OUR CALLING -- both individually and as a church.