Philippians 2

April 19, 2022

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Reading along with us in Philippians? Here’s today’s reading:

Philippians 2 (NIV)

Imitating Christ’s Humility
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others............Continue Reading

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This Post Has 7 Comments

  2. Church unique, if you are to ask me if our church is these first verses: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Every church I’ve been part of have had this problem. Power struggle. A great weapon from the enemy. For the most part, we have 150 different personalities and we love each other. That is our most precious quality!! God loves diversity. Hates adversity. To think that Jesus laid down his glory and power. And left heaven to become human for us. But now all power is His, as he returned to the right hand of the Father! Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Not too sure what this is saying. But it can’t be saying to work for your salvation. A mentor of mine years ago told me there’s only one thing I need to do in this life. Be Mark Johnson. I think that’s what this verse is saying. Be yourself, find your gifts and use them for Gods kingdom. Don’t bury your coin! Without complaining or arguing. There again. I’ve seen plenty of that. But not at lhcc. These are the reasons I love lhcc. Timothy must have been with Paul when he wrote this letter. Not sure if I would have been. Fear of the Roman’s. We honor the rich and famous. Paul says honor those that would give their lives for the sake of Christ. Like Epaphroditis

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  3. Philippians 2 Paul reminds us that our relationships with others should be the same mindset as Jesus.
    He reminds us to do everything without grumbling or arguing so that we can become blameless and pure children of God so we can shine among people like the stars in the sky that’s a great picture. People will see that and want to have that joy you have.

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  5. Humility does not come naturally to most of us. We are a prideful people and especially in this country. Our own needs, beliefs, and passions tend to take precedent in many situations. Jesus really gave us the ultimate example of a humble life. Taking on human form as a deity! Coming to earth to experience the same things we do and still upholding himself to a standard of humility until his very last days here on earth as we saw last week washing the feet of His disciples at the last supper. It really is convicting to read that and think about how many times I put my own needs over serving, over where my time and money goes, over the thing that is truly important which is loving others and trying to be more like Jesus,

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  6. In a world that is so full of pride and selfishness we are called to be humble and think of others more and better than ourselves. It is the best means to be united together as well as truly identify with the heart and example of Jesus. What greater humility and sacrifice could there be than to be God and take on flesh? And to do that because it would be hard to understand God otherwise. And not only that, but to die a horrendous death. How clearly Jesus showed who God was in the things He said and did. It is no wonder that God would exalt Him and make Him the focal point of all creation, leading all to worship and recognize Him. It is far better to do that now before it is too late. And with Jesus’ sacrifice and exaltation before us, it only makes sense to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. In other words, to be vigilant to make sure that what God has placed within us through salvation comes out in the way we live. It is the best way to be sure that we have that salvation and are honoring the One who should be and will be honored, because it is a serious thing to honor Him. And it should be reassuring that as we are doing what we can to live out what God has placed in us, that He too is working in the same way to complete us to be the person He desires us to be. And as we do the right things, we also do them with the right mindset..without arguing or complaining.

    And Timothy and E got it. They understood the nature of ministry and the importance of the gospel and they put themselves out there to make it happen. Timothy had a heart for the Phillipians and the Phillipians and E had a heart for Paul. As Paul’s letters were functional as well as theological, he lets them know what has been happening with their envoy E and the fact that he will be returning back to them. It will be good for them to enjoy Christian fellowship again.

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  7. Paul calls us to be selfless and humble and tells us the motivation, the inspiration, and the power that we have to do so.

    The motivation: Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

    The inspiration: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    The power: for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

    What does selfless and humble look like?

    A mindset:
    Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of MIND let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

    Let this MIND be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation……

    An action:
    -Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (I think this means: since you have obtained salvation, work as one who is saved recognizing what you have been saved from.)
    -Do all things without complaining and disputing
    -live as lights…
    -hold fast the word of life

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