PHILIPPIANS 2 HAVING A LIFE OF PURPOSE SESSION

PHILIPPIANS 2: HAVING A LIFE OF PURPOSE SESSION 4 BRIDGES DAVE MATTINGLY

DISCUSS • Have you ever received encouragement from an unexpected source? • Do you have an “irrational” fear or phobia? (spiders, heights, crowds, flying, germs, etc. ) • What is something that frequently annoys you?

PHILIPPIANS 1 • Philippians are a source of joy for Paul • They (and we) are partners in the gospel • Paul’s chains have advanced the gospel • Motives vary, but the gospel is pure • Paul urges them to live worthy of the gospel • We have those same tools: unity, courage, faith

PHILIPPIANS 2 • Phil Hard With a Vengeance • The Roman Empire Strikes Back • The Wrath of Khan • Beyond Thunderdome • Be Amused; Be Very Amused • Dude, Where’s My Joy? • 2 Fast 2 Humorous • Paul and Timothy’s Excellent Epistle

PHILIPPIANS 2: 1 -4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

PHILIPPIANS 2: 1 -4 • Encouragement • Compassion • Love • Joy • Comfort • One Spirit • Tenderness • One Mind • J • O • Y Jesus Others You • No Selfish Ambition • No Vain Conceit • Humility • Interests of Others

PHILIPPIANS 2: 1 -4 • What are ways that we can show encouragement, comfort, love, tenderness, compassion, joy, one spirit, one mind, selflessness, modesty, humility, and interest to those in need? • Who are people in need of all that? Where are they? How can we reach them? • How did Jesus reach them?

PHILIPPIANS 2: 5 -8 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!

PHILIPPIANS 2: 5 -8 • What did Jesus become to save us? • What did he give to do that? • What did he take to do that? • How can we “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus? ” What could we become, give, and take to do that?

PHILIPPIANS 2: 9 -13 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

PHILIPPIANS 2: 9 -13 • “Therefore God exalted him…” • “Therefore… work out your salvation…” • “…with fear and trembling” • “…for it is God who works in you”

PHILIPPIANS 2: 14 -18 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

PHILIPPIANS 2: 14 -18 • Do everything without grumbling or arguing • Drink offering (“Pour out the drink offering to the Lord at the sanctuary. ” – Numbers 28: 7) • 4 Passover cups (Sanctification, Proclamation, Blessing, Praise)

DISCUSS • Who can you encourage, that would not expect it? • How can we surpass our fears with God’s “spirit of power? ” • How can you address an annoyance without complaining?