Overview
Call to Unity (Verses 1-4):
Paul opens with a passionate call for unity among believers. He emphasizes love, common purpose, and humility. His words aren't merely moral advice; they're a reflection of the Gospel's transformative power. This section sets the stage for what's to come, highlighting that unity is not just desirable but attainable through Christ.
Christ’s Humility (Verses 5-11):
The core of this chapter is found here, often termed as the 'Christ Hymn.' Paul describes Jesus’ incredible humility, illustrating how He set aside His divine status to become a servant, obedient to the point of death. This serves as the ultimate model for Christian behavior. It's a theological high point, reminding us that true greatness comes through selfless service.
Work Out Your Salvation (Verses 12-30):
Paul closes by encouraging believers to "work out" their salvation. This isn't about earning it, but about living in a way that reflects God's transformative work in us. He also speaks about Timothy and Epaphroditus, using them as real-life examples of humble service. The focus is on active faith, a life that genuinely reflects the humility and unity Paul talked about.
Philippians 2 pushes us to reflect on our attitudes, urging us to adopt the same mindset as Jesus. The unity that Paul advocates isn’t theoretical but is rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. It's a chapter that calls us not only to marvel at Jesus but also to emulate Him in our daily walks.
Paul opens with a passionate call for unity among believers. He emphasizes love, common purpose, and humility. His words aren't merely moral advice; they're a reflection of the Gospel's transformative power. This section sets the stage for what's to come, highlighting that unity is not just desirable but attainable through Christ.
Christ’s Humility (Verses 5-11):
The core of this chapter is found here, often termed as the 'Christ Hymn.' Paul describes Jesus’ incredible humility, illustrating how He set aside His divine status to become a servant, obedient to the point of death. This serves as the ultimate model for Christian behavior. It's a theological high point, reminding us that true greatness comes through selfless service.
Work Out Your Salvation (Verses 12-30):
Paul closes by encouraging believers to "work out" their salvation. This isn't about earning it, but about living in a way that reflects God's transformative work in us. He also speaks about Timothy and Epaphroditus, using them as real-life examples of humble service. The focus is on active faith, a life that genuinely reflects the humility and unity Paul talked about.
Philippians 2 pushes us to reflect on our attitudes, urging us to adopt the same mindset as Jesus. The unity that Paul advocates isn’t theoretical but is rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. It's a chapter that calls us not only to marvel at Jesus but also to emulate Him in our daily walks.
Philippians 2
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
🔑 Sermon: Re-Introducing The Cross (Part 1)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
End of Philippians 2
1 Year Plan: Sept 4 - Sos 5, Sos 6, Phil 2 [next day]
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
🔑 Sermon: Re-Introducing The Cross (Part 1)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
End of Philippians 2
1 Year Plan: Sept 4 - Sos 5, Sos 6, Phil 2 [next day]
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