Sermon Tone Analysis

*Philippians 2:1-18** NASB*

| Philippians 2:1-18  1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

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| *Christ’s Humility – our supreme example*1-   Joy Made Complete – verses 1-42-   Christ’s Attitude – verses 5 - 83-   Christ the Exalted One – verses 9 - 114-   God’s work in Us – verses 12 - 18 |

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*Christ’s Humility – our Supreme Example*

 

*HOOK:*

 

-      How do you think the common “man on the street” views Jesus Christ?

 

-      Who would they say He was?

o   A good man,

o   Just another religious nut

o   Just one of many of God’s messengers or prophets

o   A lunatic or deceiver

o   God in the flesh, God come down to live and dwell among us

 

-      What did He do while on this earth?

o   one who did good deeds and taught good truths

o   deceived people

o   died for the sins of those who would believe on Him

 

-      What difference did He make?

o   Had little impact in history

o   Caused a stir for a few years in the Middle East

o   Started another religion

o   Made it possible for sinful man to be forgiven of his sins and be reunited in fellowship with God for all eternity

 

-      Did anything that He did then affect you and how you live today?

-      If you are a follower of Christ, do you think anyone around you can tell?

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*LOOK:                Observe – Just the Facts*

 

First let’s discover the *facts* & *context* of what Paul is saying to the Philippians.

·        In Chapter one we note Paul’s love and concern for them 1:7-11

 

·        He is in prison and it is for the furtherance of the gospel.

1:12

 

Ø The gospel of forgiveness of sin and of salvation is reaching more people then ever due to Paul’s imprisonment

 

·        Paul’s reason for living 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

·        Paul tells them to be prepared to suffer as he has.

1:29

 

·        “Therefore”  2:1; now based on what I’ve said previously listen up! Chapter 2

 

Now Paul commands them to do what in verse 2:2?  Make my joy complete.

How is Paul’s joy made complete?

2:2b – 4

-      being of the same mind - verse 2

-      maintaining the same love                 (agape)

-      united in spirit

-      intent on one purpose

-      Doing nothing from selfishness – verse 3

-      Doing nothing from empty conceit

-      Have humility of mind

 

 Paul states to them another command in verse 5. What is it?

-      Have this attitude (which was also in Christ Jesus) – verse 5

 

Paul now describes Christ.

Who He is and His attitude

 

          How does Paul describe Christ?

-      He existed in the form of God – verse 6

-      Emptied Himself                         - verse 7

-      Took the form of a bond servant

-      Made in the likeness of men

-      Found in appearance as man

-      God highly exalted Him             - verse 9

-      God bestowed on Him the Name above every name

 

How does Paul describe Christ’s attitude?

-      He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, Vs 6

-      He humbled Himself by becoming obedient – verse 8

 

Paul now concludes this portion of his letter with the “So What”.

Verse 12 – “So Then”

 

-      What is Paul concerned about in verse 12?

o   Obedience

o   The Philippians working out their salvation

 

-      What is truth does Paul state in verse 13?

o   God is at work in you!

 

-      Paul now shows us what the results of working out our salvation looks like in life.

What does he say?

o   Do all things without grumbling or disputing – verse 14

o   Hold fast to the word of life – verse 16

o   Rejoice and share your joy with him – verse 18

 

\\ *BOOK:                          Interpret*

 

Now let us step through the text to find out what Paul meant when he wrote this passage.

Going back to the beginning of chapter  2:

o   Paul reminds the Philippians of the blessings they have as Christians to prepare their minds for what he is going to tell them.

o   Listen to how The New Living Translation states this:

Ø Philippians 2:1 (NLT) Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?

Any comfort from his love?

Any fellowship together in the Spirit?

Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

There is so much more we have in Christ, but Paul says, if just any of these things are true then -

Now Paul gives them the command to “make my joy complete”.

(verse 2)

 

-      Paul is not giving the Philippians an option here.

It is a command.

-      Why would this be so important as to not be an option?

-      Look at what it means to Paul to have his joy made complete:

Complete: to fill, “*fill up* Paul’s joy, *make it full*”

 

o   If you could live and work with people who lived as Paul describes would your joy be complete?

§  being of the same mind - verse 2

§  maintaining the same love  (agape love)

§  united in spirit

§  intent on one purpose