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Philippians 2:1-4

Thursday, March 25, 2010

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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 Gods kingdom governed by the Jesus story.

1. In particular, their struggle for the progress of the gospel needs tobe 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 ultimatemodel 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.


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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 anyaffection 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.


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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


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same mind

This expression cannot mean that Paul here pleads for uniformity of

thought or that he insists on everyone holding in common aparticular 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 Christs (2:5)


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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


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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.


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Paul identifies selfishness as the enemy of unity and humilityas

the antidote. Although we do not know what the specific behaviorsof disunity are, Paul mentions two areas of internal attitude which

are likely being influenced by self-centeredness:

1. Opinions

2. Needs.


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Opinions

Prohibition:Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,

Solution:

but with humility of mind regard one another as more importantthan yourselves;


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

What solution is offered for resolving the differenceof opinion alluded to in the song?


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

What solution is offered for resolving the differenceof opinion alluded to in the song?


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We Can Work it Out

The Beatles

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.Thursday, March 25, 2010

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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.


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Opinions

Do nothing

Refers to external actions.

from

This is the internal attitudes/mindset.

selfishness or empty conceitA 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 ones idea is right.

(Word Biblical Commentary)


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Opinions

What opinion topics are usually associated

with disunity within churches?


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Needs

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

Solution:

but also for the interests of others.


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Needs

It is human nature to go into a self-preservation mode when when

we face opposition and persecution. As the Philippiansencountered 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.


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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 longeravailable. As this multiplies the unity that is developed through

meeting others needs is destroyed.


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Needs

What are some hinderances to looking out

for the welfare of others?


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Sow What?

Paul has identified selfishness as the cause of the disunity

in the Philippian church and humility as the solution. Itappears 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?

Documents

Phil 2_1-4 Web