Philippians

Philippians 2:1-11,14-29; Matthew 8:5-10

Be Humble, Don’t Grumble, Give Honor

CIT: Paul and Timothy write a letter to the church at Philippi

CIS: Imitate Christ

SO: The hearer will find their identity in Jesus Christ

Follow along at d1.church/notes.

Intro:  Philippians

1. Humility(Philippians 2:1-11)

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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

EXP: When we ended Paul’s initial thoughts from Chapter 1 of Philippians, we were riled up to live a life worthy of the Gospel—a life of boldness in the face of adversity. Paul then states, If you are encouraged so far…then let’s take inventory. Do you have comfort? Are you joined in the Holy Spirit in cause? Do you feel tenderness and compassion for others? If you are doing these things, you are on the right track. Paul says, but to make his thoughts thus far complete and provide him with joy. Be Like-Minded. Love one another. Be one in spirit and in one mind. Lay down Selfish Ambition and vain conceit. Be Humble and value others above yourself. Stop looking only after your own self-interests. 

ILL: When we leave church on Sunday morning, we give in the offering box, eat with our family, and have a great time. We could buy the meal for another family. Then we get home, look in the mirror, and say, “Yes, this is a good day!” “I did the Lord’s work today!” We stretch our arms out and pat ourselves on the back. We are fired up! Paul is correcting the Philippians. They are doing good things, but their report tells them they may be losing themselves. The correction for the church at Philippi is to Stay Humble!

ILL: It is a reasonably standard cycle for church people. We come to the saving knowledge of Christ. We are delivered from addiction and pain and carried through one of our most challenging times. Do you know what usually follows tough times for Christians? Better times. When the times get good, we then (armed with our new knowledge of how to do things) take a better job that requires us to spend more time away from church people and our family. We have a little money in the bank and can now make empowering decisions for ourselves, armed with the wisdom God has shared with us. Then we stop praying. We stop giving. Money stops first, then people stop going to church altogether. Our sentences begin with “I” a lot. We get “too big for our britches.” Stuff starts falling apart, including relationships, job performance, and children. Eventually, we may return to God, with tails between our legs. 

Paul says, Be careful, Church. Remember to stay humble; it says we should be like Christ. Verse 5 says

 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

  did not consider equality with God something to be used

 to his own advantage;

Rather, he made himself nothing.

  by taking the very nature of a servant,

  Being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

  He humbled himself

  by becoming obedient to death—

 Even death on a cross!

Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place.

  And gave him the name that is above every name,

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

And every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

  To the glory of God the Father.

APP: Paul uses Christ’s existence as Fully God and Fully Man to show that God was purposeful with his intention. Christ came to earth to serve. This is how God wanted to show himself to man. If God’s desire to reveal himself is by showing himself as a servant to others, and if we imitate Christ, our actions should be the same.

T.S.: The way to stay representing Christ throughout life changes is to remember that we are called to be servants. By staying Humble, we will not give in to complaining.

2. Don’t Grumble (Philippians 2:14-18).

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

EXP: You will have a natural tendency to complain. You will also be able to stand out in a sea of fools. Again, Paul is telling them that if they remain committed to Christ, he will celebrate them. Even though his circumstances are dire, his days are ending. And they should be celebrated.

ILL: If Pride does not rise inside you, a negative spirit can easily overtake the Christian.  

When they were growing up, my children lived extraordinary lives compared to what I grew up with, especially what their grandparents had. For years, my son never wore anything that did not have a Nike swoosh on it. My daughter was funded in Cheerleader and all that it entails for 10 years. They had access to televisions and gaming systems, cell phones, and never missed a meal. Even though all their physical needs were met and major devastation was not on their radar, they still found reasons to complain. They did not always get what they wanted when they wanted. You might call them spoiled. 

There is a line in the movie The Godfather where Don Corleone says about Sonny to a business associate, “ I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them as you see, sometimes they talk when they should listen.”

This is how I felt about my children. I often reminded them that they “lived privileged lives.”

I think this is how God sees us. Our heavenly Father blesses us, but we tend to talk when we should listen. We speak out of turn. The history of our bible is saints and Israelites who, after a while with God, forget how privileged a life we lead. We complain, we grumble. We forget to count our blessings and expect them.

APP: What brings joy to Paul and God is understanding who we are in him. Because of our confidence in salvation and blessing, we should be grateful and imitate Christ’s servant attitude without complaining.

T.S.: Churches need leadership.

3. Honor (Philippians 2:19-28)

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father, he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed, he was ill and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore, I am all the more eager to send him so that when you see him again, you may be glad, and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

EXP: Paul’s expression for the Philippi church is that they need a guiding leadership force. This is the correction part of the letter. Paul has addressed the lack of humility and the complaining among them. He has congratulated them on their financial understanding and zeal for the spread of the Gospel. But now they are struggling with the relational aspect of Christianity. Sometimes, good money issues mask the relational part. Paul is not letting it slip by. He knows God is about relationships, and finances will only amplify the heart. So he is sending leadership. Timothy, who is invaluable in this area. Paul shoots a dig, “for everyone looks out for their own interests.” Timothy will bring this to order. 

Epaphroditus is concerned about what is happening there. I am not sure what happened to Epaphroditus, but he has suffered an illness or even a poisoning, or attempt on his life. Maybe he brought the Philippians’ letter to Paul and their support. He is trying to return but is hindered by this ailment. Paul knows he would have been a loss to the kingdom had the attempt on his life succeeded. Paul then expresses that his presence causes him anxiety. His being with Paul and his leadership cannot be in Philippi. He encourages them to honor him and those God places in authority over them. Then the last dig is “He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give.”

ILL: This Church may be doing well in affluence and organization, but lacks Humility, constantly complains, looks out for themselves only, and fails to honor local leadership. They have an authority issue. 

There is a story in the Gospel of Matthew 8:5-10

 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

EXP: A gentile with no spiritual reference for the Messiah has heard that a healing man has come to town. He asks if he can heal his servant. Jesus asks Do I need to go to him, he answers If you are God, then why can’t you just say the word and it will be done? I am a soldier and understand that I am in authority (privileged and afforded a level of confidence) and under authority (humble). I can direct those under me to do stuff; surely God can speak, and it will happen. 

APP: When we begin to live a life for Christ, holding this story close will be a game-changer. God loves us so much that we can easily become like spoiled children. We will have to make a conscious effort to remember who God is and what he is capable of; this is faith that goes beyond our circumstances.

T.S.: I attended Legacy service this week, and Aaron shared a truth that I wanted to relate to you. In sharing about the law from Paul in Romans, who says the law can tell us what sin is, but only Christ can make us clean, Aaron said, “This mirror can show us if our face is dirty, but it cannot clean it off.” 

This passage about humility can reveal gaps in our understanding of life as a Christ follower, but only Jesus can cleanse us of our Pride and selfishness.

I want to pray for three groups today:

1. Some of you may have experienced a life change with Christ. Praise God. But somehow you have begun to think you did it on your own.
2. I pray that you will hear the words today and remember the blessings and wisdom that only came from God. 
3. Some of you are living in protection mode, only looking out for yourself.
4. I pray you will be open to serving others like Jesus.
5. Some of you today have a need like the centurion. You now know God is the only solution and need him for your life. Today, you understand that he is the ultimate authority.
6. I pray for salvation.