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Ode to Joy

A Study in the Epistle to the

PhilippiansPart 4

Phil 2:1-18

By Samuel E. Ward

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IntroductionI. This Letter Is an Expression of Paul’s Joy in the

Philippians, Phil 1:1-11.

A. Paul’s Joy Is the By-product of Thanksgiving for the Philippians, Phil 1:3.

B. Paul’s Thanksgiving Brings Joy from Two Precious Realizations, Phil 1:4-6.

1. The Philippians have been his partners in the gospel since “day one,” Phil 1:4-5.

2. God will complete His ongoing work in them until Jesus Christ returns, Phil 1:6.

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C. Paul’s Prayers for Them Springs from the Joy Due to the Bond of God’s Grace Between Them, Phil 1:7-11.

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II. This Letter Is an Explanation of Paul’s Joy in Suffering, Phil 1:12-30.

A. Paul’s Suffering Had a Positive Impact on Motivating Others to Preach, Phil 1:12-19.

(Phil 1:14 NIV) Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

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B. Paul’s Suffering Had No Down-Side in Terms of Outcomes for Him, Phil 1:20-26.

(Phil 1:21 NIV) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

C. The Philippians Had an Opportunity to Contend for the Faith and Prove the Value of the Faith to the End, Phil 1:27-30.

(Phil 1:29 NIV) For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.

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III. This Letter Is an Exhortation to the Philippians to Complete Paul’s Joy in Them,

Phil 2:1-18

(Phil 2 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, {2} then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Let us continue our observations of this epistle by noting that. . .

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A. They Should Humbly Serve and Look Out for Each Other, Phil 2:3-4.

(Phil 2:3-4 NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. {4} Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

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What True Humility Is What True Humility Is Not

Considering others better than ourselves.

Stirring up trouble to make one’s self appear in a better light or to force one’s own will on others. (Gk. Erithea, “strife”)

Doing things for God’s glory

Exhibiting prideful, narcissistic, snobbish, attention-seeking behavior (Gr. kenodoxia, “empty glory”)

Looking out for other’s interests first

Looking out for one’s own interests

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B. They Should Have the Same Attitude Toward Humble ans Sacrificial Service as Christ Jesus, Phil 2:5-11.

(Phil 2:5-11 NIV) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, {7} but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

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{8} And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! {9} Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, {10} 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.

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1. From Christ’s example we learn something of the attitude and extent of our ministry in bringing others to Christ.

a. We must not let our perceived station or position keep us from serving others less privileged than ourselves. We are never “too good” nor “too high” to serve even the lowliest among us.

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b. We must be willing to do the “nitty-gritty” part of ministry in serving the needs of others.

c. We must be willing to die that others might live.

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(1 Tim 1:15-16 NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. {16} But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

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2. From Christ’s example we learn the path to receiving honor from God.

Because Jesus Christ humbly took on human flesh and obediently served His Father’s will even to the point of death, He was given the highest place, the greatest Name, and will receive the highest praise from every creature in heaven and earth.

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What then is the pathway to God’s highest honor?

a. Humble service to the least of us.

(Mark 10:43-45 NIV) Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, {44} and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. {45} For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

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(Mat 23:11-12 NIV) The greatest among you will be your servant. {12} For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

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b. Humble view of ourselves; devoid of pride, self-righteousness, and self-importance.

(Luke 18:13-14 NIV) "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' {14} "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

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c. Humble service for the purpose of edifying others, not a showcasing of our own talents or abilities.

(1 Pet 4:10-11 NIV) Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. {11} If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.

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If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

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(Acts 10:25-26 NIV) As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. {26} But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."

Let us, then always let everything we do, say, or sing, go to the glory of God.

(Col 3:17 NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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d. Humble service always gives its best to the Lord.

(Col 3:23 NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

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C. They Should Labor on to the Finishing of those Works for Which They Have Been Saved to Do, Phil 2:12-18.

1. God has work for each of us to do and is constantly seeking to get us to willfully cooperate with His good purpose, Phil 2:12-13.

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(Phil 2:12-13 NIV) 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, {13} for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

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The important truth to grasp here is that we are not saved by our works, but we are saved to do them. God has even gone so far as to schedule opportunities in our lives for us to minister to others. What He needs from us is the sensitivity and alertness to see them and then act upon those opportunities.

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(Eph 2:8-10 NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast. {10} For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

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2. God desires that our work be done without complaining or arguing with each other, Phil 2:14-16a.

(Phil 2:14-16a NIV) Do everything without complaining or arguing, {15} so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe {16} as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

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a. This will have the effect of insuring that Christians are able to be worthy representatives as God’s children.

1) Who are holy and blameless in a perverted and corrupt world.

2) Who shine like stars in the darkness of this world.

3) Who are able to have a life that reflects the gospel they preach.

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b. This will enable Paul to boast about a productive and fruitful ministry not lived in vain, Phil 2:16b.

1) Paul hoped to be able to boast about a well-run race for the glory of Christ when he gives an account of his ministry on the day of Christ.

(Phil 2:16b-18 NIV) . . . --in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

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2) Paul already has cause to rejoice with the Philippians should he be required to appear before Christ sooner, rather than later, perhaps expecting to be martyred on any given day, Phil 2:17-18.

(Phil 2:17-18 NIV) 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. {18} So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

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Conclusion

We complete God’s joy in us when . . .

1. We humbly serve and look out for others above ourselves.

2. We humbly serve and give our best to the glory of God and not ourselves.

3. We humbly serve as lights in a dark, corrupt, and perverse world by “holding forth the word of life” in our works as well as our words.