HAVE THIS MINDPhilippians 2 (ESV)

Restrictive Covenants “Hereafter no part of said property or

any portion thereof shall be…occupied by any person not of the Caucasian race, it being intended hereby to restrict the use of said property…against occupancy as owners or tenants of any portion of said property by the people of the Negro or Mongolian race.” pg. 41 ByFaith Q1.15 NO.47

Restrictive Covenants Opposite of Philippians 2

Stay in their own group and keep away people who were different.

Prevent people unlike them from having the things they believed made them unique.

Philippians 2 Christ gives up his status and position to

become one of us and bring us into relationship with God.

Review – The city of Philippi First occupied in 6th century BC Originally named, Krenides (“the

springs”) East of Mt. Pangeus – gold and silver

mines In the 4th century BC, Philip names it

Philippi, after himself, and establishes it as a Macedonian settlement to protect the gold mines from thieves.

Review – The city of Philippi Romans take over Philippi in 2nd century

BC 1st century (42 BC) – Battle of Philippi

The men who assassinated Julius Caesar were defeated by Antony and Octavian.

Octavian later became the first Roman emperor, and took the title Augustus (honorable).

Augustus re-founded Philippi as a Roman colony and settlement for his retired military veterans.

Review – The city of Philippi Retired Military Veterans

Rights that made them unique from other Roman citizens Tax Exempt Given land to own Didn’t have to pay tribute to the emperor Self-Governed

Philippi Privilege and power; status and rank.

Review – Philippians 1(ESV) Philippians 1:1-2, “Paul and Timothy, servants of

Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul uses lowly term of himself (“servant”) in contrast to

honorary titles he uses of his audience (“saints,” “overseers,” “deacons”). He focuses on their office, not his. (1): Philippians to put others before themselves. (2): Philippians to follow Christ’s example, who took the

form of a servant (Phil. 2:6).

Review – Philippians 1(ESV) Phil. 1:3-4, “I thank my God in my remembrance of

you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy” Paul views the Philippians themselves as gifts – he’s

always thankful for them, giving thanks with joy. Paul loves them greatly

“…holds them in his heart” (Phil. 1:7) “…yearns for them with the affection of Christ Jesus”

(Phil. 1:8) Paul wants their love for each other to be like his love for

them (Phil. 1:9). He wants them to follow his example.

Review – Philippians 1(ESV) Phil. 1:9,11, “And it is my prayer that your love may

abound more and more…to the glory and praise of God.” Paul is about the fame of another, not his own. His hope is for God

and Christ to be shown great through the life of the church. God’s/Christ’s glory throughout Philippians

“…ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus” (1:26) “every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the

Father” (2:11) True believers “glory in Jesus Christ” (3:3) God will meet their needs “according to his riches in glory in Christ

Jesus” (4:19). Church unity: only possible with focus on God’s glory – his fame

not ours.

Review – Philippians 1(ESV) Why does he have joy in prison?

It’s “advanced the gospel” (1:12) “It has become known throughout the whole imperial

guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ” (1:13)

It’s made believers more “confident in the Lord” (1:14)

What about those who preach so that Paul would lose his influence? “Christ is proclaimed, and in that [Paul] rejoices” (1:18).

Review – Philippians 1(ESV) Phil. 1:21, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is

gain.” To have Christ and nothing else, is to have it all.

Who then is Christ and why should he be everything to Paul? Philippians 2 to answer that question…

Phil. 1:23-25, “…My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain…is more necessary on your account…for your progress and joy in the faith…” Focusing on what is best for others.

Summary (vv. 1-26)

Review – Philippians 1(ESV) Phil. 1:27, “…let your manner of life be worthy of the

gospel of Christ…” Alternative translation: “live as citizens worthy of the

gospel of Christ.” Gk. politeusthe (“manner of life/live as citizens”) – based

on polituma, “citizenship.” Root: polis – from which we get “politics.”

Philippi – very privileged veteran settlement But Paul wants them to have joy because they belong

to God, not because of their political status – “citizenship in heaven” (3:20)

Review – Philippians 1(ESV) Question: What is citizenship? Question: What does it mean to live as a citizen

“worthy of the gospel”? Phil. 1:27, “…standing firm in one spirit, with one mind

striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents.”

Having unity and defending the gospel, even against strong opposition.

Paul understood his imprisonment to have been for the “…defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:16).

Review – Philippians 1(ESV) Phil. 1:29-30, “…it has been granted to you that

for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict…I still have.” “Suffer,” in context, means to defend the gospel

against strong opposition (“conflict”). This shows God is for us and will overcome our

enemies.

What Are We Getting Into? Preceding Context of Philippians 2

To live as citizens worthy of the gospel is to have unity and work together to defend the gospel against strong opposition, which shows God is for us and will overcome our enemies.

Philippians 2 2:1-4 2:5-11 2:12-18 2:19-30

Philippians 2:1-4 (ESV) – Finally… So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort

from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1-4 (ESV) “So if there is any…complete my joy” (2:1-2)

These verses form a conditional statement. Paul is saying “if these qualities are present, have unity.”

Question: What are these qualities? Encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, participation in

the Spirit, affection and sympathy. Question: How do they allow for unity? Why is unity

the next logical step (if/then)? Each quality points to another person Focus on another person – basis for unity

Philippians 2:1-4 (ESV) “…same mind, having the same love, being in full

accord and of one mind” (2:2) Question: What kind of unity is this?

Thinking a certain way about others – they’re important enough for you to care about

Unity: bringing different things together into one – requires focus on others.

God’s glory: basis of outward focus Takes us outside ourselves, which produces focus on others Most fully seen in the gospel of Jesus Christ

Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV) 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in

Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Phil. 2:5-11(ESV) Carmen Christi (“Hymn to Christ”)

Believed to have clear indications of poetic structure Possibly an early hymn that was in use before Paul wrote

Philippians. Summary of Christ’s work (the gospel)

Pre-existence, incarnation, life, death, resurrection and ascension.

Phil. 2:5-11(ESV) Pre-existence

“…though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (2:6) GK. morphe (“form”): the nature or character of a thing All the qualities that define what it means to be God (“equality

with God”). Conscious of his divine status – he knew he was God. Gk. harpagmon (“to be grasped”): cling to strongly – Jesus

didn’t think his position was something he needed to keep for his own advantage.

Phil. 2:5-11(ESV) Incarnation

“but emptied himself, by taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men…being found in human form” (2:7). Question: What’s meant by “emptied”? Gk. ekenosen – give up privileged position (“taking the form of a

servant”) Didn’t stop being God, but gave up right to exercise his powers at will Took on full range of human limitations and relied on God

John 5:19, 30 (ESV), “Jesus said...Truly, truly, I say to you the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing…I can do nothing on my own…I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

Bankruptcy

Phil. 2:5-11(ESV) Death

“…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). He not only gives up his position in heaven, but also gives up

position on earth Eph. 4:9 – “…descended into the lower parts of the earth” Isa. 53:2 – “…no form of majesty that we should look at

him” Lowest low – no status on earth

Crucifixion – the most dishonorable form of death in the 1st century.

Doesn’t just give up fame, but becomes infamous Question: How could he have died if he was God?

Phil. 2:5-11(ESV) Resurrection & Ascension

“Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (2:9-11)

God the Father gives Jesus highest rank and reputation Name above every name (LORD=YHWH) Isa. 45:22-23 (ESV), “…I am God, and there is no other. By

myself I have sworn: from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.”

Paul quotes this and applies it to Jesus – Jesus is God. Question: Did Jesus become YHWH (Lord) after the ascension?

Phil. 2:5-11(ESV) Resurrection and Ascension

God the Father is glorified when Jesus is confessed as Lord (God).

To honor Christ is to honor God – to dishonor Christ is to dishonor God. John 5:23 (ESV), “…honor the Son, just as…the Father. Whoever

does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.”

1 John 2:23 (ESV), “No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.”

Everything Jesus does – incarnation, life, death, resurrection and ascension – is for God’s glory.

God’s glory should be the focus of the church; unity isn’t possible without it.

Philippians 2:12-18 (ESV) 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so

now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Phil. 2:12-18 (ESV) Christ-like Obedience

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (2:12-13). The church is to follow Christ’s obedience to the Father. If Christ, whose name is above every name, lived to glorify God,

then this God commands our respect. He uses his power for us – it’s his work in us that helps us obey

(grace) “…be glad and rejoice” (2:18)

Paul rejoices because God’s work isn’t in vain; they rejoice because God really is working in them. God’s + Christ’s work = joy.

Philippians 2:19-30 (ESV) 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you

soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need

Philippians 2:19-30 (ESV) 26 for he has been longing for you all and has

been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Philippians 2:19-30 (ESV) Timothy

“I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare” (2:20). Paul will be “cheered” by news of Philippians (2:19) – love. Like Paul, Timothy, exemplifies love for others and concern for what’s

best for them (cf. 1:7-8, 24-25). Epaphroditus

“…he has been longing for you all…” (2:26) Like Paul, Epaphroditus has great affection for the church (cf. 1:8).

Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus Living examples of Christ’s loving service and obedience Phil. 3:17, “…join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who

walk according to the example you have in us.”

Philippians 2:19-30 (ESV) Familial Language

Philippians 2:22, 25, “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel…I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother…” Question: Does Paul uses these familial terms of these men only because

they were his co-workers? Or is this language to be used in the church? Mark 11:29-30, “…no one who has left…brothers or sisters or mother or

father or children…for my sake and for the gospel…will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands…”

1 John 2:12-13, “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

Philippians 2:19-30 (ESV) Familial Language

Sign of unity Relationships so close we can use family terms: sons,

fathers, mothers, children, and yes, brothers and sisters.

Application What would the church look like? What would the workplace look like? What would the family look like? What would friendship look like?