Christlike Attitudes

August 4, 2019

Text: Philippians 2:1-11

Title: One in Spirit and Mind

Jesus Christ is a humble servant (vv5-8)

Principle: To have to same mind is to be like the mind of Jesus Christ (v5-8)

Command: Be a humble servant (v5)

Reflection

• The incarnation and death of Christ will be helpful in order for us to be a humble servant

• It is my desire to have a mind of Christ as Christ's servant

Prayer: May the Lord grant me a mind like Christ that will make me humble and obedient to His Lordship.

Observations:

• Kenosis: what is the definition of emptying of  his self(v7)

The idea in 1:27 which is unity is being tackled in this passage. Church in Philippi suffered from division. Paul commanded them to make his joy complete. This is main idea of the passage. Paul wanted them to complete his joy. The Philippian brethren were very zealous in serving the Lord through serving Paul by attending to his needs. They were very supportive in terms of finances and other things even when he was not in jail. However, Paul's joy was not completed yet. What made Paul's joy not completed yet is the division that leads to competition in service. This is true in all the churches today. Church leaders and members are competing in terms of service. How to address this problem?

Paul begins with four "ifs": encourage from Christ; comfort from love; participation in the Spirit; affection and sympathy.  He gave these for them to evaluate if these four "ifs" our existing in them. For sure these were present in them or else they were not Christians at all. So if these were present Paul requested to make his joy complete by being united (mind, love, spirit, and intent). Verses 3 and 4 make this unity more likely to happen. It is by considering others better that we are and in terms of their interests. This idea goes back to 1:24 that he chose to continue to live for the sake of others. If we are thinking for the sake of others, there would be division. It takes humility and sacrifice to live for the sake of others. If we are living just to be better than others and centers on our own interest church will be in chaos. For this reason, Paul is begging to make his joy complete. These two, considering others better than we are and looking for the interest of others  are attitudes of Christ. Christ who has the right to consider others better than anyone else and look for his own interest went down as a slave in order to obey His Father even to the point of death on the cross for the people. Therefore, have the same attitudes as Christ's in order to avoid division and competition in service in our church.