My teaching notes for Wednesday night, Sept. 22nd. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the teaching. They are provided to help you follow the sermon as you listen each week. The church provides a live stream of the service each Wednesday at 6:30 on Facebook at Tabernacle Facebook Page We also provide the services through YouTube later on Wednesday evening at TAB YouTube
A CALL FOR UNITY
Philippians 2:1–4 – [1] 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. (ESV)
- You could consider this section (1:27-2:18) the heart of the letter to the church at Philippi.
- vv. 2:1-4 is the second of four appeals.
- A call for unity
- Vv. 1:27-30 – Appeal 1 – A call to walk worthy of the Gospel
- Being unified as the people of God… SO THAT WE CAN REACH OUR COMMUNITY FOR CHRIST
INTRO THOUGHTS:
4 RHETORICAL STATEMENTS– v. 1
- If there is any encouragement in Christ
- Comfort – not just to console, but to make strong.
- 2 Cor. 5:17 – In Christ
- Col. 1:27 – Christ in you
- Gal. 2:20 – Crucified with Christ. Christ lives in me
- John 15 – Abiding in Christ
- Comfort from Love
- His love toward us
- Our love toward others
- Participation in the Spirit
- Fellowship – Kononia – Spiritual fellowship
- Filled with the Spirit
- Abiding within us
- Affection and Sympathy
- His grace and mercy toward us
THOUGHTS:
- Obviously, the answer is yes.
- If all this is possible in and through the Gospel.
- THEN… the appeal is made
THE GOAL IS UNITY – v. 2
IF (the answer is yes)…THEN make my joy complete
Be of the same mind
- Think the same way
- Believe the same way
- 1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (ESV)
Have the same love
- Servanthood love
Be in full accord
- Same passion and purpose
THOUGHTS
- Our understanding of who we are in Christ is FOUNDATIONAL for living out the Christians life.
- Daily reflecting upon and embracing the Gospel.
UNITY IS OBTAINED AS WE LOOK WITHIN– vv. 3-4
To be one is to have a proper view of self. (A reality check)
Do nothing from selfish ambition and conceit
- Our own desires and interest
Live in humility
- Me nothing. Me in Him… everything
Count other more significant than yours
- Our worth. Self-worth.
Look out for the interest of others
- What can I do for others?
THOUGHTS:
- Having a proper view of self in light of the Gospel.
- LIVE LIKE JESUS WOULD LIVE
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:
- REMEMBER, Paul loved the church in Philippi. They were a good church and church making an impact…
- BUT…He also knew what is was going to take if they were going to CONTINUE to make and impact for Christ.
- They need to be unified. TO LIVE IN UNITY.
- The key to unity is remember and living out who we are IN CHRIST
- Humility is the key. Me nothing. HIM and THEM everything.
- True humility is found in understanding grace.
- As we embrace and live out the Gospel, we are one with Christ but also one in passion and purpose as a Church.
- As I begin to see US as one then we can begin to really reach our community for Christ.