Serving Others
Phil.2:1-11 (2:1-31)
Aug.8, 2010
The greatest challenges that the Philippian believers and the believers today have, is not w/our external circumstances, but w/the attitudes of the heart our internal attitudes. Wrong attitudes always contribute to sinful thinking which eventually leads to sinful behavior, Consider James 1:14-15. This is why we are encouraged to obey Phil 4:8.
Phil 2:2-4
Now as Paul begins he says v1, then it should not be difficult for the believers in Philippi and believers today to make Paul happy and joyful. Paul had such an affection for the believers that his own personal joy was inseparably tied to them being in unity and harmony w/each other, and so Paul encourages them v2-4. Paul understood that because of the believer’s unity and connection w/Christ that we have consolation or encouragement in Christ v1a. And our connection w/Christ means we cannot ever be condemned John 5:24 – Rom.8:1, and because of our connection w/Christ we have a relationship w/Christ that shall continue thru out all of Eternity, and being connected to Christ also means we are connected to each other thru Christ 1st Cor.12:13, and Christ in His Grace has given us Power to live the Christian life, 2nd Tim. 1:7 – 2nd Peter 1:3-4 and we are delivered from the penalty, punishment, power practice and guilt of sin and eventually we shall be delivered out of the presence of sin. It is also comforting to know how much Christ loves us v1b, choosing us to be His children, and be made like Him even before we were born Romans 8:29-30 – Eph.1:4 and He willingly made the sacrifice to make it happen, John 3:16 – Romans 5:6-10. And let us not forget, He created us out love Gen.2:7.
We have the joy of fellowship w/one another, because all of us are connected by The Holy Spirit. And this fellowship is not just social acquaintances but supernatural relationships and communication w/God and each other thru Christ Jesus in The Power of The Holy Spirit, whereby we are able to communicate w/each other about our spiritual blessings in Christ, which is why God gave us Pastor Teachers and Evangelist Eph.4:11-16, that we may grow together Eph.2:21-22. These believers were compassionate towards each other, v1d, and so when we consider the encouragement, comfort, fellowship and compassion believers experience and enjoy w/each other in Christ, we should be encouraged to follow v2-4.
Consider Heb.11:24 – 1st John 4:20-21 and 5:1-2. Because of our unity in Christ we should be of the same spirit and attitude sharing the same purpose of living for Christ, and this is all apart of the position believers inherit in Christ. Now consider this, Philippi was a cosmopolitan city and the Church was filled w/people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, values, and walks of life and this made unity difficult to maintain. Paul writes this letter not because of division in the Church, but to maintain and strengthen the unity that existed, and guard against selfishness and jealousy etc… These attitudes can ruin a Church, and this is why it is important for us to have a true perspective about ourselves Romans 12:3. Because the world we live in is notoriously self -centered, v2-4 challenges us to be completely opposite from the world Romans 12:2. And if believers would obey these principles it would clean us up on the inside 1st Peter 1:22, prepares us for the Rapture John 5:25 – 28-29 – 1st Thess. 4:16 – John 10:27 and for the presentation Eph.5:25-2. Obedience to God’s Word will also keep us from deceiving ourselves and from being deceived by Satan 2nd Thess. 2:8-12. Let us not forget John 6:38 – 13:16, and we are predestinated to be like Christ Romans 8: 29-30 – Eph. 2:10 for God’s Glory, and when God is Glorified thru us, He will glorify us John 17:4-5 – 2nd Tim. 4:6-8.
Phil 2:5-8
In v5-8 Paul emphasizes that the way believers think should reflect the way Christ Jesus thinks and according to John 1:1 Christ is Co-Equal, Co-Eternal, and Co-Existent w/God The Father in Heaven, but here in Phil.2:5-6 He did not hold on to His rights as being God but v7-8. Now this does not mean that Christ stopped being God taking on humanity, for He is still God Col.2:9, and although He is still God, He willingly set aside the voluntary use of His Divine Characteristics and Attributes, and during His earthly journey He gave up the Riches and Glory of Heaven and became poor, He gave up the Glory of a face to face relationship w/God and the enjoyment of the Glories of Heaven and He felt the wrath of God’s anger against sin on The Cross Matt.27:46 – 2nd Cor.5:21 and He did it all for the Salvation of mankind. Taking on humanity Christ identifies w/the basic needs and weakness of humankind, Heb.2:14-18 – 4:15-16. Note:” Being in the form” of God v6a means that Christ is the same nature and essence of God Col.1:15 – Heb.1:3. Christ has is and shall always be God from Eternity Past to Eternity Future Rev.1:8 – Heb.13:8. Christ is the perfect example of humility and selflessness Mark 10:45. Now here in v8 the scene shifts from the Heavenly focus to the earth when Christ who is made in the likeness of man submits to the Will of His Father in Heaven for our Salvation Matt.26:39 – Acts 2:23 – Rev.13:8.
Phil 2:9-11
Because of His humiliation v5-8, Christ is exalted by God v9-11, and those who suffer w/Christ shall also be exalted by God Romans 8:18 – 2nd Tim.2:12. Note: Christ exaltation did not concern His nature or eternal place w/in the Trinity, for they never changed, but His exaltation has to do w/His new identity as The God-Man Romans 1:3-4 and Christ receiving back His Glory John 17:4-5. And because God has exalted Christ and v9b, at the last judgment the entire universe v10-11 shall worship Him as Lord, some willingly and blessedly and some unwillingly and painfully, and v11 is the ultimate purpose of His exaltation 1st Cor.15:24-28.
In Jesus Name Amen
