Jesus First: Philippians 2
Today, we’ll continue looking at the letter to the church at Philippi for even more understanding of living with the mind of Christ. For purposes of review, last week Dondi Costin shared from Philippians 1 some important elements of this letter. This was Paul’s philosophy of ministry for the church at Philippi.
- Identity
- Community
- Resiliency
- Gallantry
- Consistency
Let’s now move into the next part of this letter as Paul encourages the kind of heart and mind we are to possess to accomplish God’s will.
Phil. 2:1-30
1. Living in Unity
Vss 1-2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
- The idea given here is “all believers need to be of the same mind, or on the same page”
- This is a direct repudiation of the natural desires of man. Everyone wants to be recognized, celebrated, exalted and noticed. But Paul here urges all Christ-followers to have the “mind of Christ.”
Warren Weirsbe states, “How different it is for us to exercise the submissive mind, the mind of Christ!”[1]
Ben Gutierrez writes, “When Paul penned this verse in his own language, he chose an interesting word for “mind.” The word mind here means “attitude” or “thinking.” Therefore, the word implies that the Mind of Christ is not a mere creed, theory, or formula – it is an attitude!”[2]
2. Living with Humility
Vss 3-11 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and thatevery tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Our first steps towards the mind of Christ: (Vss 3-4)
- Don’t serve for you – Let nothing be done through selfish ambition…
- Don’t serve for glory – … or conceit
- Put others first – but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
- God’s example of this “mind” (Vss 5-8)
- Jesus emptied Himself of the “prerogatives of deity”
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
- Vernon McGee states “Christ emptied Himself. The question is: Of what did He empty Himself? There are those who say He emptied Himself of His deity…There was never a moment when He was not God…I believe that He emptied Himself of the prerogatives of deity. He lived on this earth with certain limitations, but they were self–limitations.”[3]
- He set aside His glory and became a man – and coming in the likeness of men.
- He came as a servant – but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
- He died as a criminal would die…ultimate humiliation – He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross
- God’s response? (Vss 9-11)
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ isLord, to the glory of God the Father.
- HE is highly exalted
- HE is our salvation
- Every knee will bow!
3. Living Well
Vss 12- Therefore, my beloved, as you 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 who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
- “work out your own salvation” does not indicate we are saved by our works. It is through the grace of God and faith in Christ alone we are saved. But that’s not the finish line, it’s the starting line.
- John Calvin stated: “Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone!”
- We are called to be different than the world (Vss 14-15)
Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
- The only way to actually be different than the world is to be influenced differently than the world (Vs 16)
holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Max Anders says, “Christians must demonstrate they are saved by allowing God to work through them. Salvation by grace through faith. Saving faith surrenders all of life to God and his purpose, producing maturity demonstrated in good works. As Christians mature and allow God to work through their lives, they find God is accomplishing his purposes in them even when they are not aware of those purposes.”[4]
4. Living in Community
Vss 17-30 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. 25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
- Paul here recognizes his life as nothing more than a “drink offering” poured out on the altar for God
Warren Weirsbe says “The burnt offering, the meal offering, and the drink offering all represent dedication to God and commitment to Him and His work.”[5]
- Paul also recognizes the importance of TEAM
- Timothy was a co-laborer who remained faithful
- Epaphroditus was a co-laborer who remained faithful
- Remaining faithful is only possible through having the Mind of Christ
- Remaining faithful is the calling which God has placed on all of our lives
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 566.
[2] Ben Gutierrez, Living Out the Mind of Christ (Thomas Road Baptist Church, 2008).
[3] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: The Epistles (Philippians/Colossians), electronic ed., vol. 48 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 45.
[4] Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians, vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 227.
[5] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Holy, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 24.