Philippians 2:1-4

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Progress of the gospel through the Philippians abroad.

Progress of the gospel in the Philippians.

Progress of the gospel through the Philippians locally by living as

citizens of God’s kingdom governed by the Jesus story.
1. In particular, their struggle for the progress of the gospel needs to
be characterized by and courageous unity (1:27-30)
• In our section today, Paul establishes humility as the essential
character quality necessary for unity.
• Next week, we will see that Paul uses Jesus as the ultimate
model of this humility.
• In the session following that, we will see that Paul uses two
members from the community of faith as models of thus
humility.

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Philippians 2:1-4
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, make my joy complete by being of the
same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one
purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with
humility of mind regard one another as more important than
yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests,
but also for the interests of others.

Monday, March 22, 2010

 “in Christ”
Although Paul uses “if” he is not in doubt about these things . . . it is
a technique he is using.

Paul started his letter to the Philippians by establishing their identity

as “saints in Christ” (1:1a). Now, he is going to affirm some of the
fruit that has come into the community

Because the Philippians are in Christ a community is created in

which these four things are made possible.
1. Encouragement (comfort/exhortation)
2. Love
3. Fellowship
4. Affection/compassion

Monday, March 22, 2010

 “same mind”
This expression cannot mean that Paul here pleads for uniformity of
thought or that he insists on everyone holding in common a
particular opinion. Rather, he is asking for a total inward attitude of
mind or disposition of will that strives after that one thing that is
greater than any human truth . . .

the faith of the gospel

(Philippians 1:27)

The mindset that everyone must submit to is Christ’s (2:5)

Monday, March 22, 2010

 “same love”
Paul has already referred to his desire for their love to increase . . .

Philippians 1:9
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more

“united in spirit - intent on one purpose”

Philippians 1:27
I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man
for the faith of the gospel

Monday, March 22, 2010

 In essence, Paul is saying . . .

Your union with Jesus (1:1) has produced fruit (1:11) of

encouragement, love, fellowship and compassion among you.
Experiencing these things from you first hand has been a source of
great joy for me (1:4). My joy will be intensified to the highest
degree if unity will also come to characterized your new identity.

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Paul identifies selfishness as the enemy of unity and humility as
the antidote. Although we do not know what the specific behaviors
of disunity are, Paul mentions two areas of internal attitude which
are likely being influenced by self-centeredness:

1. Opinions

2. Needs.

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Opinions
Prohibition:
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,

Solution:
but with humility of mind regard one another as more important
than yourselves;

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Consider the lyrics of We Can Work it Out by the Beetles.

What solution is offered for resolving the difference

of opinion alluded to in the song?

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Consider the lyrics of We Can Work it Out by the Beetles.

What solution is offered for resolving the difference

of opinion alluded to in the song?

Monday, March 22, 2010

 We Can Work it Out
The Beetles

Try to see it my way,

Do I have to keep on talking till I can't go on?
While you see it your way,
Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.

Think of what you're saying.

You can get it wrong and still you think that it's alright.
Think of what I'm saying,
We can work it out and get it straight, or say good night.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.
Monday, March 22, 2010
 Life is very short, and there's no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend.
I have always thought that it's a crime,
So I will ask you once again.

Try to see it my way,

Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong.
While you see it your way
There's a chance that we may fall apart before too long.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Opinions
“Do nothing”
Refers to external actions.

“from”
This is the internal attitudes/mindset.

“selfishness or empty conceit”

A person, then, who is motivated by “empty conceit,” is a person
who assertively, even arrogantly, claims to have the right opinion but
who is in fact in error. Yet the term has more of a moral connotation.
It refers to a person who is conceited without reason, deluded,
ambitious for his own reputation, challenging others to rivalry,
himself jealous of others. Consequently this is a person who will
fight to prove one’s idea is right.
(Word Biblical Commentary)

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Opinions

What opinion topics are usually associated

with disunity within churches?

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Needs
Prohibition:
do not merely look out for your own personal interests,

Solution:
but also for the interests of others.

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Needs
It is human nature to go into a self-preservation mode when when
we face opposition and persecution. As the Philippians
encountered opposition (1:29-30) perhaps they began to think more
about self-preservation rather than meeting the needs of others in
the community of faith.

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Needs
If we are all looking out for the needs of others in our gathering . . .

I am freed to look out for others because someone else in the group
is looking out for me.

If I look our for my own needs and neglect someone else they now
have to look out for their own needs because I am no longer
available. As this multiplies the unity that is developed through
meeting other’s needs is destroyed.

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Needs

What are some hinderances to looking out

for the welfare of others?

Monday, March 22, 2010

 Sow What?
Paul has identified selfishness as the cause of the disunity
in the Philippian church and humility as the solution. It
appears that members of the gathering are divided over
opinions and lack of concern for each other. These are
two areas that can easily divide the church today.
1. What kind of opinions do you currently have that are not
shared by those in your faith community?
2. Do you have an arrogant attitude about your opinion,
even “secretly”?
3. How do you refer to or talk about others with differing
opinions?
4. What are hinderances to you meeting the needs of
other Christians in your fellowship?
5. What steps can you take this week to look out for their
interests?

Monday, March 22, 2010