“Living the Mind of Christ”
The Call to Christlike Unity
Philippians 2:1–4
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. 3 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.
Unity flows from humility and selflessness.
Motivations for Unity (2:1)
Paul lists four spiritual realities that should motivate unity:
Encouragement in Christ
Comfort of love
Fellowship of the Spirit
Affection and mercy
Jesus prayed that His followers would be one.
John 17:21
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
We are to keep the unity of the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:3
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Marks of Unity (2:2)
Like-minded
Same love
One accord
One mind
The early church was “of one accord.”
Acts 2:46
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
Method of Unity: Humility (2:3–4)
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition”
“In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself”
“Look not only to your own interests but also the interests of others”
“In honor giving preference to one another.”
Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
Do not provoke or envy one another.
Galatians 5:26
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
The Mind of Christ: The Ultimate Example of Humility
Philippians 2:5–11
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 that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus proves that humility leads to exaltation.
Christ’s Attitude (2:5)
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”
Jesus said, “I am gentle and lowly in heart.”
Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Christ’s Humiliation (2:6–8)
His Deity: “Being in the form of God” (v. 6)
His Surrender: “Made Himself of no reputation” (v. 7)
His Humanity: “Taking the form of a bondservant” (v. 7)
His Obedience: “He humbled Himself…to the point of death” (v. 8
The Word became flesh.
John 1:14
He became poor so we could become rich.
II Corinthians 8:9
The suffering Savior described
Isaiah 53:3–7
Christ’s Exaltation (2:9–11)
God highly exalted Him
Gave Him the name above every name
Every knee will bow
Every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord
Jesus exalted at the right hand of the Father.
Hebrews 1:3–4
who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
All creation worships the Lamb.
Revelation 5:11–13
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Every knee shall bow.
Romans 14:11
For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
Working Out Our Salvation (Philippians 2:12–16)
Because Christ worked in us, we must work out our obedience.
Obedient Living (2:12)
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”
(Not work for salvation, but live out what God has done.)
Faith without works is dead.
James 2:17
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Be holy in all conduct
1 Peter 1:15
But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
God’s Power Within Us (2:13)
“God works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure”
God works “exceedingly abundantly.”
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Without Him we can do nothing.
John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
A Right Attitude in a Wrong World (2:14–16)
Do all things without grumbling
Be blameless and harmless
Shine as lights in the world
Hold fast the word of life
Believers as lights in the world.
Matthew 5:14–16
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Rejoice, pray, give thanks.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Daniel lived blameless in a corrupt society.
Daniel 6:4
So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
Living Examples of Christlike Service (Philippians 2:17–30)
Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus model humble service.
Paul — A Willing Sacrifice (2:17–18)
Poured out as a drink offering
Rejoices even through suffering
Paul again speaks of being “poured out.”
II Timothy 4:6
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
He counted his life as nothing.
Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Timothy — A Selfless Shepherd (2:19–24)
Genuinely cares for others
Like-minded with Paul
Sought Christ’s interests, not his own
Timothy faithfully served Paul’s work.
1 Corinthians 4:17
For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
Faithful friends sharpen each other.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend
Epaphroditus — A Dedicated Servant (2:25–30)
Brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier
Risked his life for the gospel
Served faithfully even while sick
Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for Paul.
Romans 16:3–4
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
God rewards faithful service.
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
