Unity through Humility

1. Unity through Humility Philippians 2:1-11 By David Turner www.BibleStudies-online.com

2. The Nature of Unity • The world’s view of Unity is tolerance • Let me believe what I believe and you can believe what you want to believe • Do what you want to do, provided it doesn’t infringe on what I want to do • Christian unity is accomplished, not through doctrine of tolerance, but by a morally pure life that sets aside selfish pride and embraces humility.

3. Philippians 2:1–11 (ESV) 1So 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 rivalry 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.

4. 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 made himself nothing, 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.

5. A Call to Unity 1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, • Have you been: • Encouraged in Christ? • Comforted by Christ’s love? • Obtained Fellowship in the Spirit? • Received Affection? • Obtained Sympathy? • The Emphatic answer to all these is YES!!!!

6. If the answer is YES, then • 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. • Complete my joy: • By being of the same mind • By having the same love • By being in full accord • By being of one mind • Be • One

8. Unity is through Humility 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. • Don’t have this attitude: • Spirit of rivalry • Conceited or self-centered. • These cause division. • Have this attitude: • Humility: • Considers others more significant than Self.

9. Humility considers the needs of others 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. • Look out for your own interests • But, also • Look out for the interest of other brothers and sisters in Christ as well.

12. Let Christ be the example 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had (NET) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus(NAS) Unity of believers is accomplished when our minds are transformed to the mind of Christ. Romans 12:2–3 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

13. How did Christ show humility? • 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped • Jesus is God. • Before he came to this world • While he was here • When he returned • Yet his equality with God was secondary to his mission to serve man.

14. He became as nothing 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. • Jesus made himself nothing. • By taking the form of a servant. • By being born as a man.

16. He humbled himself 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. • As a man he took on the form of the lowest of men. • Instead of giving commands he obeyed the Father’s commands • Even to die • Even to die on the Cross

18. Result of his humility 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, • The Father exalted Him. • The Name of Jesus is above all names. • Above the Caesars. • Above Alexander the Great • Above all kings. • Above the name of angels • Above every name that has been or ever will be.

19. Jesus is Lord • 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. • Every person that ever lived, or will ever live will be humbled to bow the knee to Jesus. • Every person that ever lived, or will live will be humbled to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. • In this the Father receives Glory.

22. Because Jesus humbled himself • He will be exalted and every living creature will be humbled. • In obedience, will you humble yourself now? • Or, will you live in disobedience and be forced to humble yourself when God reveals the exaltation of his son?

23. Jesus is our example • Jesus humbled himself. • So should we. • Conceit, self-centeredness leads to: • Rivalry • Division and lack of unity among the believers. • Make my join complete! • Lay aside you personal self-interest for the interest of Christ. • Lay aside your rights and desire for recognition for the interest of Christ. • Be one minded with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

24. Humble yourself • And God will lift you up.