Philippians 2:1-4 “A Call for Unity”

Jon Beck

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

  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
  2. Comfort from Love
    • His love toward us
    • Our love toward others
  3. Participation in the Spirit
    • Fellowship – Kononia – Spiritual fellowship
    • Filled with the Spirit
    • Abiding within us
  4. 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.

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