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Philippians: Joy in Learning to Think Like Jesus – Lesson 3 of 8 (Philippians 2:1-10)

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Philippians: Joy in Learning to Think Like Jesus – Lesson 3 of 8 (Philippians 2:1-10) Philippians: Joy in Learning to Think Like Jesus – Lesson 3 of 8 (Philippians 2:1-10) LEARNING GOALS Ø Discovering what real fellowship looks like biblically. Ø Learning what it means to think like Jesus. Ø Increasing our understanding and worship of who Jesus is and what Jesus did for our salvation. Ø Understanding the way up is down because God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. Ø Recognizing the urgency of sharing the Gospel with others. OUTLINE 1. INTRODUCTION 2. FELLOWSHIP ISN’T ABOUT ME—IT IS ABOUT OTHERS 3. THE TRANSITIONAL STATEMENT THAT CHANGES HOW WE THINK 4. THE HUMILIATION AND EXALTATION OF JESUS INTRODUCTION In our study of Philippians 1 we saw the importance of fellowship within the life of the church and within the life of every Christian in two ways. First, the joy fellowship with those who love us, encourage us, help us, pray for us, and are united with us in sharing the Gospel brings our hearts. Second, is the fact we need fellowship with one another in the hard times if we are going to have joy in every circumstance. Drew Tucker’s statement emphasizes this point, “All of us are stronger than any one of us.” Fellowship, koinonia, is not an extra in the Christian life. It is an essential. 1 But what does fellowship really look like? In Philippians 2:1–4 Paul gives a biblical description of fellowship. Then in Philippians 2:5–11 he teaches that true fellowship means thinking like Jesus, and as he does, he gives one of the greatest passages about Christ in the New Testament. Fellowship Isn’t About Me—It is About Others Have someone read Philippians 2:1–4 In this passage Paul describes true fellowship within a church. There are four parts in this description. It starts with the motivations of fellowship. These are found in the four “if” statements in verse 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.” The “ifs” do not express doubt, but certainty. “If this is true and you know it is.” The certainty of the encouragement of your salvation in Christ and your union with Christ— we are to live as new creations in Christ. The certainty of the experience of the unconditional love of Christ who gave Himself for us— His love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) teaching us to love one another. The certainty of the enabling fellowship with the Holy Spirit—indwelt by the Holy Spirit, filled by the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), and walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)— Life in the Spirit who sanctifies and empowers us to walk in newness of life. The certainty of enjoying tender mercy that we have received in Christ and which is new each day. As His mercy flows into our lives, it is to flow out of our lives to others. Next, this passage gives four foundations of fellowship in verse 2, “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Paul had planted the church in Philippi. He loves them. But there were some threats to their fellowship like the dispute between Euodia and Syntyche in Philippians 4:2–3. 2 So, he tells them how they can bring great joy to him. Joy is complete when we are rightly related to one another and have: A shared mind––“same mind” means to think the same thing, to be likeminded. The emphasis is that we are to focus on what we share in common in Christ, our commitment to His Lordship and the authority of His Word. A shared love––“maintaining the same love” means a shared devotion, sacrifice, and care for one another. A shared soul––“united in spirit” takes us from the head and the heart to the deepest part of us, to our souls. You have heard of married couples being called soulmates because they know each other deeply and love each other intently. So, our relationships with one another in the church is not to be just external, but we are knit together in our shared relationship with Jesus. A shared purpose––“one purpose” means that we are united in taking the Gospel to others to help them come to know Jesus to the glory of God. The third part of this passage warns us to remove those things that kill fellowship within the church. The first part of verse 3 says, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit.” Selfishness mean self-promotion, a competitive attitude that demands to have its way. Empty conceit means thinking more highly of one’s self, excessive self-importance, and self-preoccupation. How can you tell if these negative attitudes are in you? Do you ever think your preferences are always right? Do you ever demand your way? Do you worry about what others think about you? Do you want to be recognized for your contributions? Do you argue a lot? Are you ever arrogant? Are you quick to criticize those who disagree with you? How much time do you spend speaking about yourself? The final part of this passage is the heart of this passage, what Paul has been building up to. In verses 3b-4, Paul gives the description of true fellowship based on humility and a 3 concern for others, “but with humility of mind regard others as more important than yourselves, do not merely look out for your own interests, but also one the interests of others.” Paul gives a total contrast to selfishness and empty conceit by saying the Christian life and joy is all about serving others. “Humility” is translated from a Greek word used only in the New Testament. It means to take on the mentality of a servant. It is a concern for the needs of others and putting yourself under them to meet their needs. The restatement in verse 4 is emphatic. We are to focus on others. Joy comes not from being served but from serving. Questions: How have you seen joy experienced by someone serving someone else? How have you experienced joy by serving someone else? The Transitional Statement that Changes How We Think Have someone read Philippians 2:5 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ.” The ESV translates this verse, “Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus.” This verse points us back. How can we lay aside selfishness and focus on serving others? In a fallen world we all wrestle with that question. Then it points us forward to the example of Jesus and the admonition to have the attitude, the mind in us that we displayed in Jesus when He left Heaven to come to earth. We are not to think like the world but like Jesus. This transition introduces one of the great Christological statement in the New Testament. The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ Have someone read Philippians 2:6–11 4 As we study these verses we should be filled with awe and wonder because of what they reveal about Jesus. And they give us insight into what it really means to grow in Christlikeness. This passage has two parts. The first is the Humiliation of Christ. The second is the Exaltation of Christ. The Humiliation of Christ Have someone read Philippians 2:6–8 Paul starts with who Christ is in verse 6, “Who, although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” The verse stresses the eternal pre-existence of Jesus as God. The word “form” means essence. He is God, the eternal Second Person of the Godhead. Whatever can be said of God the Father can be said of God the Son. He is 100% God. He is truly equal with God. This makes the next statement “he did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,” all the more remarkable. He did not insist on remaining on the Throne of glory, but willing laid it aside. He did not assert His rights although he had the right to claim His rights. This is foundational to everything else that Paul is going to say about Jesus. Because of our need for a Savior, he willingly stepped off the throne of glory to be born in Bethlehem’s barn and die on Calvary’s Cross. Next, Paul deals with what Jesus did in his incarnation in verses 7–8, “but emptied himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in the appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” with four statements. One, he “emptied” Himself. He laid aside His privileges and prerogatives as God to rule in Heaven and be worshipped. He did not cease to be God but laid aside outward glory being God while remaining fully God. Two, He did that to take upon himself the form, “the essence” of a “bond-servant.” When you think about it, it is absolutely astonishing that the Lord of Glory would willing become 5 a servant. In Mark 10:45 Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” In John 13 on the evening before His crucifixion, Jesus gave an object lesson in being a servant by washing the disciples’ feet.
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