Philippians Church at Philippi established Acts 16 12
Philippians § Church at Philippi established (Acts 16: 12 -40) § Letter written from prison (61 -63 AD) § Situation: response to kindness of Phil. sending to Paul (4: 11 -15) § Message: ü Joy (3: 1, 3, 4: 4) ü Commitment to Christ § Style: Tender letter
Seeing Good in Brethren (Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians) 1: 3 -11 I. Seeing Good in the Past (vv. 3 -8) (Thankful) II. Seeing Good in the Future (vv. 9 -11) (Request)
Seeing Good in All Circumstances (Christ Glorified in All) 1: 12 -30 I. Seeing Good in Problems (vv. 12 -18) II. Seeing Good in Life (vv. 19 -26) III. Seeing Good in Death (vv. 19 -26) IV. Seeing Good in Submission (vv. 27 -30)
If you were a servant Philippians 2: 1 -11 May be hard to see any good
Philippians 2: 1 -11 Unity Through Humility 1. Paul urged Christians to be humble servants (vv. 1 -4) 2. Christ is presented as the ultimate example of a humble servant (vv. 5 -11)
Seeing Good in Being a Servant (Unity Through Humility) 2: 1 -11
Seeing Good in Being a Servant (Unity Through Humility) 2: 1 -11 I. Christians United Through Humble Service (vv. 1 -4)
I. Christians United Through Humble Service (vv. 1 -4) A. The Basis (v. 1) – since…. 1. 2. 3. 4. Consolation in Christ (fn. Encouragement) Comfort of love Fellowship of Spirit Affection of mercy NCV 1. Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? 2. If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose.
I. Christians United Through Humble Service (vv. 1 -4) A. The Basis (v. 1) B. The Plea (v. 2) – united 1. Phil. 1: 27 – working together / harmonious § Stand fast in one Spirit § With one mind § Striving together 2. Phil. 2: 2 – group that functions as one person § Likeminded – same mind (ESV, ASV) [“thinking same way” -HCSB] § § § Same love – love for same thing One accord – lit. of one soul – joined in soul One mind – one in intent and purpose
I. Christians United Through Humble Service (vv. 1 -4) A. The Basis (v. 1) B. The Plea (v. 2) C. The Attitude (vv. 3 -4)
A Contrast Selfish Ambition (v. 3) Lowliness of mind (v. 3) Conceit (v. 3) Esteem Others (v. 3) Look at own interest (v. 4) Look at others’ interest (v. 4)
Seeing Good in Being a Servant (Unity Through Humility) 2: 1 -11 I. Christians United Through Humble Service (vv. 1 -4) II. Christ – God’s Example of a Humble Servant (vv. 5 -11)
II. Christ – God’s Example of a Humble Servant (vv. 5 -11) A. Is Deity (v. 6) 1. “being” = present participle [pre-existent deity & continued deity afterwards –cf. Vines I, 116] 2. “robbery” – “a thing seized or to be seized, booty” (Thayer) 3. Affirms his deity (cf. Heb. 1: 8; John 1: 1)
II. Christ – God’s Example of a Humble Servant (vv. 5 -11) A. Is Deity (v. 6) B. Willingly became a Servant (vv. 7 -8) 1. Emptied himself (ASV, ESV) – how explained in following phrase 2. Of what did he empty himself? § § § Not deity Not the attributes of deity “Form” – mode of expression (Vincent, Trench) Form of God [being equal in form] – for the form of servant Refers to status – not essence of being – gave up the glories of heaven (Jno. 17: 4 -5)
The Humility of Jesus Who He Is What He Did Equal with God Became Man Form of God Form of Servant Yet Obed. to cross
“Rather than say Christ emptied something out of himself, then Paul is saying that Christ emptied himself. He poured himself out, putting himself totally at the disposal of others. ” (Weaver 88)
II. Christ – God’s Example of a Humble Servant (vv. 5 -11) A. Is Deity (v. 6) B. Willingly became a Servant (vv. 7 -8) C. Now Exalted (vv. 9 -11) 1. Exaltation because of the humiliation & obed. 2. Exaltation follows humble service
Seeing Good in Being a Servant (Unity Through Humility) 2: 1 -11 I. Christians United Through Humble Service (vv. 1 -4) II. Christ – God’s Example of a Humble Servant (vv. 5 -11)
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