Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 ESV)

Lesson Focus: Forget about yourself! (part 2)

This week we pick up “part two” of Paul’s portrait of Christ as an example of, and inspiration for, humility.

Incarnation: (1) the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form; (2) capitalized : the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ

“Have this mind among yourselves” This is the third time (vs. 2) Paul has said that this is about a concept, “a mind” about how to live. There is no checklist here. If we have this mind “which is yours in Christ Jesus” we are indwelt with the actual mind of Christ.

“equality with God”
If Jesus had not set aside or put off his divine nature His actions on earth would have supported heresies like Mormonism, and Kabbalah.

“made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant”
?????? – kenoo? to make empty, that is, (figuratively) to abase, neutralize.

“obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”
Jesus went on a path to ultimate humility; first he became flesh, then sin, and finally a brutal humiliating death on a cross between two thieves.

“God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name”
We worship a resurrected, living God who conquered sin and death to give us a life of peace that surpasses all human understanding. With this newness of life comes the mind of Christ. A divine mindset that pursues love wholeheartedly for the glory of God the Father.

Impression: Christ Jesus made himself nothing to make it possible for us to do the same for Him.

Personal Time: “Jesus clarify your impression on my life”

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1-4 ESV)

Lesson Focus: Forget about yourself!

There must have been some discontent in Philippi because Paul is urging the church to seek unity. In this passage He brings back (vs. 2:3) the destructive motives observed in the Romans in verse 1:15 “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.”  In this chapter Paul gave us four godly examples of the divine humility that produces unity.*
Jesus (1-4)
Jesus (5-11)  – part two
Paul (12-18)
Timothy (19-24)
Epaphroditus (25-30)

What motivations us to seek unity?

“if there is any encouragement in Christ”
Our relationship with Christ should be enough.
It was enough for Jesus -  (John 8:28-29)

“any comfort from love”
??????? agape?  – the ultimate love that cannot be accessed without the Holy Spirit, the love of your enemy.

“any participation in the Spirit”
if any fellowship of the Spirit – KJV Our fellowship as brothers and sisters in Christ.

“any affection and sympathy”
Paul was reaching for the deepest of our feelings for one another.

“complete my joy”
Paul pleaded that they (we) gather all these motivations and love each other with the mind of Christ.

“but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
This has been used by those who lean toward continued depravity of the believer to support their view of “just a sinner saved by grace.”

Humility is not self loathing to the point that those around you are lifting up to some kind of false caring. True humility is placing a divine value on others that exceeds the value of your own desires.

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Humility is not a vow of poverty.

Where should we find humility, and what will it look like?

Impression: Humility is not a human attribute. Jesus is the divine standard of humility. Humility is not thinking of one’s self as depraved (i.e. a lowly sinner); it is not thinking of yourself at all.

Personal Time: “Lord, who are you leading me to invest in?”

* from Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

(Philippians 1:27-30 ESV)

Lesson Focus: Stand firm in the midst of whatever persecution you encounter.

“manner of life” – politeuomai  – to live as a citizen
The root of this word is where we get our English word polity. Paul was saying, let the fact that you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God guide you to conduct yourself in a way that is worthy of the price Jesus paid for your “manner of life.”

Paul got more specific about this conduct; warning the Philippians to stand firm in one spirit. What would that look like? It would look like a church being of one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.

How will Origins strive for the faith of the gospel?

Philippi was an important Roman outpost protected by Roman soldiers. A major responsibility of these soldiers was to protect legal religions and destroy those that were illegal. These people had already seen Paul and Silas in jail in their own midst.

 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.

(Acts 16:21-23)

It would present a challenge to trust God enough not [to be] frightened in anything by your opponents.

Have you ever been mocked, penalized, or even attacked just for speaking the truth?

“a clear sign to them of their destruction”
When we suffer for the gospel it speaks volumes to non-believers about how much we value our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Impression: The degree to which you will suffer for something denotes its worth. Jesus suffered and died to give you life. (Citizenship in the Kingdom of God)

Personal Time:  A prayer – “Lord reveal to me those things that I value more than I should.”

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, (vs. 19)

“my deliverance” -  ????????: (so?te?ria – so-tay-ree’-ah) rescue or safety  (physically or morally): deliver, health, salvation, save, saving. The Greek word has four possible meanings: 1) it could mean Paul’s ultimate salvation or glorification, 2) deliverance from the threatened persecution, 3) a vindication from the Emperor’s ruling, or 4) Paul’s release from prison.

as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.(vs. 20)

Lesson Focus: The whole of our life is in Christ and purposed for His glory.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.(vs. 21-23)

Could Paul be considering suicide?
“Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.” (v s.22)

But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (vs. 24-26)

“But to remain in the flesh”
In this text Paul is not talking about sin, but just the physical life, which he knows is the Lord’s and is purposed for the saving and discipleship of men. In this instance Philippi.

“Convinced of this”
Paul’s honest and heart-wrenching lament with God has clarified his purpose, the progress of the Gospel.

Note: At no time did Paul love God any less. Paul knew, and we should know, that in questioning God the Lord would not, could not, love him any less. It is not a sin to question God.

“so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus”
Paul makes it very clear here that his clarity of purpose and renewed motivation and perseverance came from Christ. It is no different for us today. In our trials we must work out our fears and anger with God in raw honesty. Our direction will come from the indwelling Christ, our fresh wind from pneuma (pneuma) the Holy Spirit.

Impression: Jesus will accomplish His purposes for us through His perseverance and clarity worked out in us.

Personal Time: It what ways can you glorify Jesus by surrendering to His perseverance and clarity?

First, thanks go out to the Bowens for hosting the Metairie branch in their home. The Brisket was awesome. The Harahan branch is anxiously awaiting Caleb Hyman and his family to worship with them. Fantastic! Here’s the week’s study.

Impressions: From the book of Philippians
Impression – a: a characteristic, trait, or feature resulting from some influence.  b: an effect of alteration or improvement.  c: a telling image impressed on the senses or the mind.

Philippians 1:12-18 (ESV)
I want you to know, brothers,  that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard  and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (12-14)

Lesson Focus: Trials can be a magnifying glass that allows people to see Jesus in us.   

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.(15-17)

“envy and rivalry” Paul had a contingency of “preachers” who were jealous of his apostolic power and authority. Made up mostly of Judaizers (“Judaizers” refers to Jewish Christians who sought to induce Gentiles to observe Jewish religious customs) they opposed Paul and Barnabas at the Jerusalem Council and pressured the Galatians to observe circumcision.

Who are the Judaizers of our day?

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (18)

Impression: Jesus will reveal His simple truth through us even in circumstances that test our ability to surrender to His plan for us and those around us.

When you explain surrendering to Jesus, how do you describe this surrender?

Personal time:

Are there circumstances in your life that are drawing your attention away from Christ?

How is the Holy Spirit directing you to make the most of your tough situation?

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)