Good morning, as we continue on our study of Philippians we come to chapter 2 today.
Just recently we celebrated Black History Month. When I reflected on this month and the hard work that people put into the effort to make equal rights for everyone, I often think of the word “unity.” The Civil Rights Movement compelled many different people from different backgrounds to unite for one purpose. These people were not the same, they were many different people coming together for one goal.
Someone has said that it is all about attitude. I think they were right. Your attitude determines your altitude. Perhaps you have heard the story form Frank Layden, the former coach of the Utah Jazz in the seventies. He had problems with one of his players, so he summoned the talented, but troubled player to his office. Looking the player in the eye, he finally asked, “My son, I can’t understand it with you. Is it ignorance or apathy?” What was the player’s typical unconcerned response? The player said, “Coach, I don’t know, and I don’t care!”
Or how about the lady that got bit by a rabid dog? It looked like she was going to die from rabies. The doctor told her to put her final affairs in order. So the woman took pen and paper, and began writing furiously. In fact she wrote and wrote and wrote. Finally the doctor said, “That sure is a long will you’re making.” She snorted, “Will nothing! I’m making a list of all the people I’m going to bite!”
Let’s go ahead and look at our text today, and get some facts about determining our attitude. It is in Philippians 2:1-11. Here in Philippians 2:1-11 it says, “1”
In Philippi, we can see a unity type of scene occurring. The church that Paul founded in the city had several different people from several different walks of life. You have Lydia, a Jewish convert from Asia and a wealthy businesswoman. A slave girl who was probably a native Greek was listed as a member as well as a jailer serving in this colony who was probably Roman. But the grace of God allowed the people to overcome their differences and unite to form the church. But with this diverse group I can imagine that conflicts may have taken place.
But Paul in his letter reminds the Christian about the common bond that they share. That common bond of course is the same that you and I share today: and that is Jesus. When you read the NIV of the text, it’s hard to pick up on this. It’s difficult to feel Paul and what directions he is trying to go.
But commentaries that I have looked at explain that the word “Because” or “since” should replace the 4 “Ifs” found in verse 1. Instead of casting shadows onto what he is saying, Paul is explaining, “Because you have encouragement from being united in Christ, because you have received comfort from His love, because you have had fellowship with the Spirit, because you have received tenderness and compassion, therefore unite.”
The first thing that I come up with this morning is an “If Any” Theology. It’s the section of verses 1-4. Here in these verses again it says, “1”
There is a key word in Christianity that most people overlook. It may be the key word that makes our faith different than any other faith. It is not a word that most would immediately associate with the faith. Think very quickly of that one word that you would associate with Christianity. Obviously there would be the words Jesus Christ, the Bible, Holy Spirit, God, love, resurrection, the cross. If you have been paying attention, you may say the word unity. Well guess what? You’re wrong! How many of you chose the word “OTHERS?” That is exactly the word that Paul focuses on in verses 1-4. I like to refer to these verses as an “If Any” theology. That word “if” as I said, literally means since or because.
Now the word “any” is very significant at this point as well. If you would ask me if I have any money, and I have a million dollars, I would say yes. But if I had a penny I would still answer yes! There is a big difference in a million dollars and a penny. Paul says, “if you have any of these things.” If you have any of this then you are connected here with them.
Moving on. I had an opportunity during my sophomore year of college to attend a prison service. I went with a class to the Morgan County Correction Facility. On the drive there I had come to the conclusion that I would have nothing in common with these inmates.
They were behind bars for some serious crime that required that type of punishment for their crime, and me, well the worst crime I have ever committed was going too fast and having to pay a big fine. While there I was surprised to find that the song service was uplifting, and the message was inspiring. And as I left that prison that night, it dawned on me that the prisoner and I did have something in common. We both loved Jesus now.
However because of bad choices they were in prison. I was allowed to leave that evening, but they had to stay there. At some point in their lives they made an unwise move and did something that landed them there. Perhaps one of them decided to drive drunk, and ended up killing someone. Maybe one of them decided that they needed more in life, and had actions that were illegal. Whatever the case, they made a decision that was focused solely on them selves.
In our text, Paul advises us to pass by these types of thoughts and behaviors. He writes, “Do nothing out of selfishness or vain conceit.” An example of this would be with the Enron scandal that has taken place not too long ago. The selfish thoughts and ambitions of a few of the leaders ruined the lives and careers of several of their employees. People who were dreaming of retirement found out that their retirement accounts were empty. They people behind these scandals found themselves facing long prison sentences. Heartache, insecurity, and families being ripped apart were only a few of the results of this event. Nothing good occurred because the motives at work behind this were selfish and vain.
But Paul offers us a way out. The second part of verse 3 says, “… But in humility consider others better than yourself.” Paul says here is your answer, humility. A humble person focuses more on God and others instead of themselves. Humility knows that by ourselves, we can do nothing, but through God we are worth something. True humility brings about gratitude.
In the text Paul informs us that we should not only be focused on our interests, but on the interests of others. Verse 4 again goes on to say, “1”
Each of you look around the room at everyone else at this time. The people you are looking at are the others that Paul is talking about here. We are to be looking them. Jesus gave us the charge to love God and to love one another. We can do that by looking out for each other. .The wold tells us to look out for number one. Robert J. Ringer wrote a book, Looking Out For Number One. It was the best-selling book in America for 46 weeks. I wonder how well a book called Looking Out For Number Two would sell?
If you want better relationships in your home, in your church, in your community, in your school, in your working environment, then this message is for you. Look out for others.
Selfishness, humbleness, and pride are big issues to deal with. In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters below.
News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn’t a technology problem like a bad radar, it wasn’t even the fog. The cause was human selfishness. Each captain was aware of the other ship’s presence nearby. Both could have steered clear, but according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other. Each was too proud to yield first. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late.
If there is selfishness and pride in our lives it can hurt those around us as well.
Perhaps verse 5 is the most challenging verse in the New Testament. “Your attitude should be that of Christ Jesus.” There is no question that Paul is speaking to the whole church, to all of us. There is no indication that this is impossible. We are to strive for this kind of attitude. Christ was in the nature of god, but became a servant for others. He was all about putting others first. Now we know that we make mistakes and that we can never be as perfect as Christ, but we are to strive to have attitudes like that of Him.
The final thing that I want to bring out this morning is that we should all strive for the “all for one” mentality. Now when I hear that phrase, I immediately imagine the three musketeers huddle up and swords drawn. With this they repeat the phrase, “All for one, and one for all.” They have a common goal and a common purpose. They realize that they’re working for a cause that is greater than themselves. The cause is so great that one person would not be enough to accomplish it. It is going to take unity and cooperation of them all in order to accomplish this all.
We have seen that the unity of the church and the accomplishment of the purpose of the church go hand-in-hand. Each of these things that Paul brought out not only maintain the unity, but also help to fulfill the purpose of the church. When we are unselfish we glorify god. We truly build the body of believers. Humility also glorifies God. It also helps others to build us up as well.
In conclusion, how would you describe Hell? Certainly we could describe Hell as fire, brimstone, and the gnashing of teeth. All of those are true. But someone once described Hell as knowing the truth too late. Someday, as it said in verses 9-11, “1”
But the question remains, will it be too late for you.
Let’s pray |
