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Philippians 2:1-4
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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.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
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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?