Philippians If…Then…

Saints and servants- slave to who? Review The Philippian Church was the greatest missional church of her time…that lost her love in the process Saints and servants- slave to who? Grace and peace- there is no division in Christ

His imprisonment has advanced the gospel Review Paul is thankful for the Philippians’ partnership in the gospel…and prays for their love to grow in knowledge so that they can live it out to Christ’s glory His imprisonment has advanced the gospel

Review The Philippians’ citizenship in the Kingdom should change how they act and handle suffering

If…Then… 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…

If…Then… …then make my joy complete by being like- minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose….

If…Then… …Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves…

If…Then… …Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus- Philippians 1:1-5

If…Then… Based on scripture and your experience: Were the Philippians encouraged by being united with Christ?

If…Then… Based on scripture and your experience: Were the Philippians encouraged by being united with Christ?

If…Then… How?  

If…Then… Based on scripture and your experience: Did his love bring them comfort? Comfort= paramuthion- tender consolation as an ongoing process

If…Then… Based on scripture and your experience: Did their faith bring them a fellowship with the Holy Spirit? Fellowship= koinonea- deep, intimate communion, sharing oneself deeply with another

If…Then… Based on scripture and your experience: Did they, as followers of Christ, have any tenderness and compassion that came about through their faith? Tenderness- a “gut-level” feeling for or empathy towards others

If…Then… IF those things are true…THEN make my joy complete by… Why is Paul’s joy not complete?

If…Then… When you love Jesus, you are grieved by the things that grieve God

If…Then… If those things are true…it naturally follows that they will have an attitude that: - Is like-minded …make my joy complete by being like-minded- vs. 2

- Shares in common a love that overcomes their differences If those things are true…it naturally follows that they will have an attitude that: - Shares in common a love that overcomes their differences …having the same love- vs. 2 What is that common love?

If those things are true…it naturally follows that they will have an attitude that: - Is common in its purposes …being one in spirit and purpose- vs. 2 How do inferior purposes cause problems?

If…Then… The attitude produces actions: Checking selfish ambition and conceit at the door Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit- vs. 3

If…Then… The attitude produces actions: Choosing humility and placing others first …but in humility consider others better than yourselves- vs. 3

If…Then… Consideration for others must PRECEED concern for ourselves- Expositor’s Bible Commentary

If…Then… The attitude produces actions: Replacing self-centeredness with awareness of other people’s needs Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others- vs. 4

If…Then… 2 Objections: I can’t love others unless I first learn to love myself! Love your neighbor as yourself- Mark 12:31

If…Then… 2 Objections: Do to others as you would have them do to you- Luke 6:31 …if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us- 1 John 4:12

If…Then… 2 Objections: “But I’m not getting what I need out of this relationship…”

If…Then… 2 Objections: “I’m not being encouraged enough” “I’m not being shown enough comfort and I don’t like the fellowship”

If…Then… 2 Objections: “They aren’t tender enough when they talk to me- they hurt my feelings” ”There’s not enough compassion- they don’t think about my needs enough”

If…Then… I’m not called to get it, but to give it …because I already have it in Christ

If…Then… Smackdown: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus- vs. 5