Philippians 2 – Christian Fellowship,

Philippians 2 – Christian Fellowship,                        May 30, 2015

Relationship Among Believers    

Paul devotes this chapter to instructing the Philippians on the importance of conducting their lives as servants who have dedicated themselves to their Lord. He illustrates this teaching by referring to the manner in which Jesus Christ, Timothy, Epaphroditus, (E pack fro dike tus)  and he himself lived.  Paul gives us some correction and instruction on how we are to live our lives. 

Philippians 1:27-30 NKJV  Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,  

Conduct means our entire behavior, our whole manner of life.  Or simply conduct ourselves in a manner worthy. 

(28)  and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.   

Perdition:  from Merriam-Webster – utter destruction, loss or eternal damnation, hell

We are in a war, a Spiritual war, the realm of darkness that is fighting against the forces of light, we are carrying on an offensive warfare, not defensive and we were told that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). 

(29)  For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,   

(30)  having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. 

Philippians 2:1 NKJV  Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 

Philippians 2:1 NIV  If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 

Paul start off with the 4 pillars for Christian Unity 

1.   Because there is encouragement

2.   Because there is comfort from His love

3.   Because there is fellowship in the Spirit

4.   Because there is an experience of tenderness and compassion of God. 

Encouragement 

Jesus prayed in  

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. 

Some take this to refer only to a spiritual unity that all believers possess, regardless of actual deeds and feelings.  Yet, there is a unity that the world can see and on the basis of which people can come to believe in Jesus. 

This unity must be expressed in deeds, gestures, and speech: i.e., the way we think about, talk to, and act with other Christians. 

Love 

Christians have a duty to see more than another Christian’s faults.  Our love is actually to be an outpouring of His Love through us as we are transformed by the indwelling presence of His Spirit. 

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 

Christian Fellowship 

Not merely human fellowship based on common interests: a fellowship created by God; because by grace we have been brought into as members of Christ’s body. 

1 John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 

Mercy of Compassion 

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 

If we have been delivered from death by the mercies of God, how can we fail to show compassion to those who also confess Christ’s name, even though they might have offended us or disagreed with our interpretation of Scripture? Thus, (Luke 9:49) 

(2)  Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 

John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 

We are all influenced by habits, by environment, by education, by the measure of intellectual and spiritual nervousness to which we have attained, that it is an impossibility to find any number of people who look at everything from the same viewpoint.  Yet: 

(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.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 

As Paul admonishes the Philippians to “consider others better than yourselves” and to look “to the interests of others,” he was preparing them concerning the great war being waged between the powers of light and darkness.  

Verses 5 thru 11, is all about the Lord Jesus Christ 

The descent of the Lord Jesus from the highest position in the entire universe

down to the death on the cross

and then up again to see Him seated once more on the throne of His glory before which every knee shall bow. 

(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, 

The first view we have of Jesus is in reference to the fact that God became man: in the form of God and as God’s equal. 

Robbery: Because Christ was God, He did not look on sharing God's nature as robbery, that is, as “a thing to be seized,” or “A thing to be grasped after“ as though He did not already possess it, or as “a thing to be retained,” as though He might lose it.  A thing to be grasped after. 

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  He was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  (4)  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 

John 17:5  And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. 

Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  (16)  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  (17)  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 

John 17:4-5 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.  (5)  And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. 

We notice that Jesus possessed a glory before the incarnation

This glory was God’s glory.   

Jesus cannot be understood on the basis of his earthly life alone. 

He is a Man.  He is also God 

(7)  But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.   

Jesus had been above all humans, above all angels. Yet He became lower than both in love for humans and in obedience to His heavenly Father. 

Himself of no reputation: Translated as He emptied Himself 

Can God become man?  Can He enter His creation?  Remember, Jesus created all things here, He enter His creation as a Man. 

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Note the two verbs: Jesus was always God’s Son; thus, as a son He was given. In the flesh or taking on flesh, He became a man; thus,  

Important to understand:  a child is born, not given. And again, 

Galatians 4:4 NIV But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,

Christ endured all that we endure in this world: its pressures, its longings, its circumstances, its influences. And He was tempted as we are: 

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

(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.   

The cross is the most important event in the history of the universe.  It is the central message of the entire Bible. 

2/5 of Matthew’s Gospel is concerned with the final week in Jerusalem.

3/5 of Mark, 1/3 of Luke and nearly ½ of John.  

It was in the initial announcement to Joseph: 

Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." 

Jesus Himself spoke of the suffering that was to come (Mark 8:31; 9:31; et al), linking His mission to the crucifixion: 

John 12:32-33 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."  (33)  This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

There was no depth to which Jesus did not go. He relinquished His rightful position to become the Savior of Sinners. But in addition to its theological role in paying our ransom, it also serves as our example: 

Here, in Philippians, that is the subject: the sufferings of Jesus as an example of the patient endurance under the strictures of Roman rule. Peter continued: 

1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:  

(24)  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 

(9)  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,   

The final picture we have is of Jesus again in heaven.  Jesus Himself is the subject in these verses. 

(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,  (3 areas knee should bow) 

Refers to angels, humans, and demons, the under-world, hades, the abode of the dead. 

Isaiah 45:22  "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.  (23)  I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. 

(11)  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   

There is another “name” that appears to be “above every other name”: Lord. 

Thus, when early Christians made their confession, “Jesus Christ is Lord” they were actually confessing that Jesus of Nazareth is the God of Israel, Jehovah, the only true God.  

It is not enough merely to acknowledge mentally that Jesus Christ is God.  The devils also do that and tremble (James 2:19).   

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 

Jesus must be your and my God.  He must be your and my Lord. 

(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;   

“...work out your own salvation”:  Not a self-help salvation.  On the contrary,  because God has already entered our life by the Holy Spirit, because we, therefore, have His power at work within us  ...because of these things we are now able to strive to express this salvation in our conduct. 

Lets notice:  It does not say  

·      “work for your salvation,”

·      or “work toward your salvation,”

·      or “work at your salvation;”

·      it says “work out your salvation. 

It is the Holy Spirit in US that does the working. 

(13)  For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.   

John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 

The well-known verses in Ephesians speaks twice of works 

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9)  not of works, lest anyone should boast.  (10)  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

One kind of work is condemned because it comes out of ourselves and is contaminated by sin.  

The other kind of work is encouraged because it comes from God as He works through the Christian 

(14)  Do all things without complaining and disputing,  (oh, this is hard)

The concept here is not to be in rebellion against God’s will. 

(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,  

We are to be in complete submission to God: 

·      doing all things without complaining or arguing

·      our life is to be blameless before other people

·      our life is to be blameless before God also 

We, ourselves, are incapable of living out the kind of life that requires of us.  God is capable of living out that life in anyone who yields to His Spirit.  He does for us, and in us, what we cannot do for ourselves.  

The Word of God tells us how this will happen: 

Galations 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

Paul now includes three practical examples of what he is talking about. 

Example #1: Paul Himself 

(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.  

It is the duty as Christians to hold fast the Word of Life, The Scriptures and this implies projecting our lights into the darkness of this world. Run suggests energetic activity, while labored indicates the toil of Paul's ministry. 

(17)  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.  

Paul is a prisoner in Rome and expecting to be offered up upon a pagan altar. When he would be killed it would only be the drink offering poured out upon the far greater offering of their faith. His achievements—even his pending martyrdom—he place very low on the scale.  But not right now, he expecting to be release from prison shortly, vs. 24 

(18)  For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. 

Paul expects the Philippians to look on his suffering not as a matter of sadness but as a source of joy. 

Example #2: Timothy 

(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.  

Like-Minded:  Timothy and Paul had the same quality of concern for the Philippians 

(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.  

We learn four things about Timothy 

1.   Paul had “no one else like him.”  In many ways, he was like Paul.

2.   Timothy was concerned for others; sincerely

3.   Timothy put Jesus Christ first in his life

4.   Timothy learned to work with others; he had developed a skill of cooperation. 

These verses cover insights about Paul, as a father and teacher.  Served “with” me...jointly. 

We must remember we are but bond slaves.  But we also should express leadership in setting standards and lead by example. 

(23)  Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.   

Before sending Timothy to the Philippians, Paul needed to assess carefully his own situation.  

(24)  But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.  

Paul waited to send Timothy until Paul saw the outcome of his case.

 

Example #3: Epaphroditus  (E pack fro dike tus) 

Of all the men Paul honors in this epistle, Epaphroditus (E pack fro dike tus) gets the most attention.  Here, Paul builds to a climax. 

(25)  Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, (E pack fro dike tus) my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;   

1.   A brother in Christ: This was a new ideal in Paul’s day

2.   Fellow worker:  He was Committed, not just “involved”

3.   Fellow soldier:  He fought side by side with Paul 

A Philippian Christian sent by the church in Philippi to take a gift to Paul (Php_4:18b) 

Philippian 4:18b “received from Epaphroditus (E pack fro dike tus) the things which you sent, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God.” 

(26)  since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.  

Philippi was about 800 miles from Rome, a traveling distance of at least six weeks.  The message that he was sick would have made a round trip in no less than three months. 

(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.   

His condition had been far worse than perhaps they had imagined. Christians leaving Paul 

(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.

 

The reason the Philippians should esteem him highly on his return home, in high honor: 

He almost died for the work of Christ, which is then explained, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.  Meaning he was able to do what the Philippians could not do, be physically present to help Paul in all ways.

 

We have to remember, Paul was in prison and most of his friends had deserted him.

We just cover this Epistle, where Paul devotes this section of his letter to instructing the Philippians and us on the importance of conducting our lives as servants who have dedicated ourselves to their Lord. Paul illustrates this teaching by referring to the manner in which Jesus Christ, Timothy, Epaphroditus, (E pack fro dike tus) and he himself lived.

If we say we have the Holy Spirit living in us, then we have dedicated ourselves to their Lord.

We are to take this correction from the Apostle Paul on how we need to live our lives, so we need to let the light of our Lord Jesus light shine through us to the world.