Be Like Christ

Be Like Christ

2005047

Topic # 0710 (Philippians)

Introduction:

A. Paul has spoken on the need to have good Christian conduct. (1:27)

B. 1:28 – the goal of the Philippians was to:

1. Stand firm in 1 spirit.

2. Stand firm in 1 mind.

3. Work together/labor together for the faith.

C. Unity is absolutely necessary. Unity happens because of brotherly love.

1. John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:23; 4:19-21

2. Love is the bottom line. How strong is it? Are we working on growing & developing our love?

a) Ample opportunities w/in our congregation to demonstrate love.

b) Benevolent actions

c) Group activities/social activities

d) Home bible studies

D. Some quick to complain about congregational shortcomings.

1. Before start complaining – need to take a look at self & make sure we’ve done all we can do to demonstrate love & grow closer to each other.

2. Thank God for blessings of our congregation

3. thank God that we are at peace & stand together in unity

4. thank God that we are growing - # of baptisms lately

5. Work hard to improve things – excel even more!

E. In Chapter 2 – Philippians were urged to be like Christ. How?

I. 2:1-2 – Congregational Unity is expected.

A. We should be working toward:

1. Encouragement – always look for the best in each other.

2. Love, fellowship, affection, & compassion. Need to build this up!

B. 2:2 – we are to be of the same mind.

1. Which means to think the same thing?

2. parallel 1 Cor. 1:10

3. Need to be united in doctrine, purpose, and work.

C. If we are like minded – then we will have the same love.

1. What to love?

2. The same things in matters to Jesus & His church.

3. One another w/the same kind of love.

a) sincere, fervent, from a pure heart – 1 Pet. 1:22-23

b) Mutual – not one sided.

D. These things help us become united in spirit.

1. Literal meaning: of 1 soul, having souls joined together.

2. Working together in complete harmony – not as separate entities going our own separate ways.

E. This helps us become intent on 1 purpose.

II. 2:3-4 - Selfishness destroys unity.

A. We must rid ourselves the desire for exalting self.

1. This is a big battle we face. Selfishness harms us more than we may care to admit.

B. We should put on humility.

1. Replaces problem of conceit.

2. Esteem others better than self.

3. parallels Rom. 12:10b

C. Look out for interests of others.

1. It is an attitude of maturity & was the attitude of Jesus.

2. Rom. 15:1-3

III. 2:5-11 – These qualities were seen in Jesus’ sacrifice.

A. Jesus lacked selfish ambition.

1. Before descending – he existed as essentially one with God.

2. John 1:1-3

a) He was equal with God.

B. Yet Jesus did not regard equality with God a thing to be asserted. (grasped)

C.    DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"?

1.      Do we consider our "standing" before others (whatever that may be) something to be held on to?

2.      Do we consider ourselves more important than others, and consider that distinction something to be preserved at all costs?

3.      IF SO, THEN WE LACK "THE MIND OF CHRIST"

D.    WHEN CHRIST BECAME FLESH... He "emptied Himself"

1.      He took upon Himself "the form of a servant"

a)     He did not come as a "king", "nobleman", etc.

b)     But as the lowly son of a simple carpenter

2.      He came "in the likeness of men"

a)     As such, He could experience their temptations and sufferings - He 2:14,17-18; 4:15; 5:7

3.      He "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" Consider He 5:8

4.      WHY DID JESUS DO ALL THIS?

E.     HE DID IT ALL FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS!

1.      He did it, to bear OUR reproach - cf. Ro 15:1-3; Isa 53:4-6

2.      Yes, He was looking out for OUR interests!

F.     DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"?

1.      We do, if we are looking out for the interests of others

2.      We do, if we are willing to humble ourselves, even sacrifice ourselves if it be in the best interests of others - cf. 1 Jn 3:16

G.    2:9-11 – He was highly exalted by God.

1.      For God has highly exalted Jesus in two ways:

a)     In the PRESENT - by giving Him "the name which is above every name" (the name by which men must be saved - Ac 4:12)

b)     In the FUTURE - that at His name "every knee should bow... that every tongue should confess" He is Lord! - Re 5:11-14

IV. 2:12-18 – work out your own salvation.

A.         Working out our salvation involves work on our part.

1.      As Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost - Ac 2:40

2.      And also wrote later to Christians - 2 Pe 1:10

a)     Man is not totally passive (or helpless) when it comes to his salvation!

3.      He must also have "fear and trembling" in working out his salvation

B.         BUT GOD IS ALSO VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN OUR SALVATION!

1.      Notice that Paul writes "for it is God who works in you"

a)         We are not alone in our efforts to serve God

b)         God is always there to help us along

2.      In what way does God "work" in us?  Paul identifies two ways:

a)     "to will" - God helps us in our desire and motivation to do His will

b)     "To do" - He works right along together with us!

3.      When we offer ourselves in service to God, He becomes our partner, our "co-pilot" - cf. He 13:20-21

a)     At our conversion, He begins a new work in us, and intends to complete it - cf. Ph 1:6

b) Unfortunately, many Christians hinder God's work in them by their lukewarm attitude (or is it their lack of faith in God?)!

c) God can work (and is willing!), but only if we let Him!

C.        And we are to work w/o murmuring or complaining.

1.      MURMURING WAS THE DOWNFALL OF ISRAEL... (1 Co 10:10-12)

2.      DISPUTING OFTEN FOLLOWS MURMURING...

a)     Those who murmur are likely to be the same ones who begin disputing with others

b)     All it accomplishes is ill will, and in many cases, unnecessary division

c)      Shall we dare destroy the unity for which Christ died on the cross to attain?

D.        We must shine as lights in the world.

1.      TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST BE CHILDREN OF GOD WITHOUT FAULT...

2.      TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST BE "IN THE MIDST" OF CROOKED AND PERVERSE GENERATION...

a)     Lights are valuable only if they are used to dispel darkness - cf. Mt 5:14-15

b)     Though we are to "be separate" from the world (2 Co 6:14-18),we must "not isolate" ourselves from it - cf. Jn 17:15,18; 1 Co 5:9-11

c)      We must associate with those in the world in order to be a positive influence

E.         TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST "HOLD FAST" THE WORD OF LIFE...

1.      Some translations read "hold forth"

2.      Certainly we should do both...

a)     "hold fast" the Word of life (by our study and obedience to it) - 2 Ti 2:15

b)     "hold forth" the Word of life (by offering it to those in the world) - Mk 16:15

1)     Showing the way

2)     Offering hope to those in need

Conclusion:

A.         This all goes back to being like Jesus.

B.         Are you striving to be like Him?

C.        If not, why not?

D.        I N V I T A T I O N



Be Like Christ 2005047 Topic # 0710 (Philippians) Introduction: A. Paul has spoken on the need to have good Christian conduct. (1:27) B. 1:28 – the goal of the Philippians was to: 1. Stand firm in 1 spirit. 2. Stand firm in 1 mind. 3. Work together/labor together for the faith. C. Unity is absolutely necessary. Unity happens because of brotherly love. 1. John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:23; 4:19-21 2. Love is the bottom line. How strong is it? Are we working on growing & developing our love? a) Ample opportunities w/in our congregation to demonstrate love. b) Benevolent actions c) Group activities/social activities d) Home bible studies D. Some quick to complain about congregational shortcomings. 1. Before start complaining – need to take a look at self & make sure we’ve done all we can do to demonstrate love & grow closer to each other. 2. Thank God for blessings of our congregation 3. thank God that we are at peace & stand together in unity 4. thank God that we are growing - # of baptisms lately 5. Work hard to improve things – excel even more! E. In Chapter 2 – Philippians were urged to be like Christ. How? I. 2:1-2 – Congregational Unity is expected. A. We should be working toward: 1. Encouragement – always look for the best in each other. 2. Love, fellowship, affection, & compassion. Need to build this up! B. 2:2 – we are to be of the same mind. 1. Which means to think the same thing? 2. parallel 1 Cor. 1:10 3. Need to be united in doctrine, purpose, and work. C. If we are like minded – then we will have the same love. 1. What to love? 2. The same things in matters to Jesus & His church. 3. One another w/the same kind of love. a) sincere, fervent, from a pure heart – 1 Pet. 1:22-23 b) Mutual – not one sided. D. These things help us become united in spirit. 1. Literal meaning: of 1 soul, having souls joined together. 2. Working together in complete harmony – not as separate entities going our own separate ways. E. This helps us become intent on 1 purpose. II. 2:3-4 - Selfishness destroys unity. A. We must rid ourselves the desire for exalting self. 1. This is a big battle we face. Selfishness harms us more than we may care to admit. B. We should put on humility. 1. Replaces problem of conceit. 2. Esteem others better than self. 3. parallels Rom. 12:10b C. Look out for interests of others. 1. It is an attitude of maturity & was the attitude of Jesus. 2. Rom. 15:1-3 III. 2:5-11 – These qualities were seen in Jesus’ sacrifice. A. Jesus lacked selfish ambition. 1. Before descending – he existed as essentially one with God. 2. John 1:1-3 a) He was equal with God. B. Yet Jesus did not regard equality with God a thing to be asserted. (grasped) C. DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"? 1. Do we consider our "standing" before others (whatever that may be) something to be held on to? 2. Do we consider ourselves more important than others, and consider that distinction something to be preserved at all costs? 3. IF SO, THEN WE LACK "THE MIND OF CHRIST" D. WHEN CHRIST BECAME FLESH... He "emptied Himself" 1. He took upon Himself "the form of a servant" a) He did not come as a "king", "nobleman", etc. b) But as the lowly son of a simple carpenter 2. He came "in the likeness of men" a) As such, He could experience their temptations and sufferings - He 2:14,17-18; 4:15; 5:7 3. He "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" Consider He 5:8 4. WHY DID JESUS DO ALL THIS? E. HE DID IT ALL FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS! 1. He did it, to bear OUR reproach - cf. Ro 15:1-3; Isa 53:4-6 2. Yes, He was looking out for OUR interests! F. DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"? 1. We do, if we are looking out for the interests of others 2. We do, if we are willing to humble ourselves, even sacrifice ourselves if it be in the best interests of others - cf. 1 Jn 3:16 G. 2:9-11 – He was highly exalted by God. 1. For God has highly exalted Jesus in two ways: a) In the PRESENT - by giving Him "the name which is above every name" (the name by which men must be saved - Ac 4:12) b) In the FUTURE - that at His name "every knee should bow... that every tongue should confess" He is Lord! - Re 5:11-14 IV. 2:12-18 – work out your own salvation. A. Working out our salvation involves work on our part. 1. As Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost - Ac 2:40 2. And also wrote later to Christians - 2 Pe 1:10 a) Man is not totally passive (or helpless) when it comes to his salvation! 3. He must also have "fear and trembling" in working out his salvation B. BUT GOD IS ALSO VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN OUR SALVATION! 1. Notice that Paul writes "for it is God who works in you" a) We are not alone in our efforts to serve God b) God is always there to help us along 2. In what way does God "work" in us? Paul identifies two ways: a) "to will" - God helps us in our desire and motivation to do His will b) "To do" - He works right along together with us! 3. When we offer ourselves in service to God, He becomes our partner, our "co-pilot" - cf. He 13:20-21 a) At our conversion, He begins a new work in us, and intends to complete it - cf. Ph 1:6 b) Unfortunately, many Christians hinder God's work in them by their lukewarm attitude (or is it their lack of faith in God?)! c) God can work (and is willing!), but only if we let Him! C. And we are to work w/o murmuring or complaining. 1. MURMURING WAS THE DOWNFALL OF ISRAEL... (1 Co 10:10-12) 2. DISPUTING OFTEN FOLLOWS MURMURING... a) Those who murmur are likely to be the same ones who begin disputing with others b) All it accomplishes is ill will, and in many cases, unnecessary division c) Shall we dare destroy the unity for which Christ died on the cross to attain? D. We must shine as lights in the world. 1. TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST BE CHILDREN OF GOD WITHOUT FAULT... 2. TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST BE "IN THE MIDST" OF CROOKED AND PERVERSE GENERATION... a) Lights are valuable only if they are used to dispel darkness - cf. Mt 5:14-15 b) Though we are to "be separate" from the world (2 Co 6:14-18),we must "not isolate" ourselves from it - cf. Jn 17:15,18; 1 Co 5:9-11 c) We must associate with those in the world in order to be a positive influence E. TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST "HOLD FAST" THE WORD OF LIFE... 1. Some translations read "hold forth" 2. Certainly we should do both... a) "hold fast" the Word of life (by our study and obedience to it) - 2 Ti 2:15 b) "hold forth" the Word of life (by offering it to those in the world) - Mk 16:15 1) Showing the way 2) Offering hope to those in need Conclusion: A. This all goes back to being like Jesus. B. Are you striving to be like Him? C. If not, why not? D. I N V I T A T I O N