1. Philippians For Times Like These
#9 – Make My Joy Complete
Philippians 2:1-4

2. Paul As Father In The Faith
Viewed the church at Philippi as his children in the faith.
He wanted what was best for them in every spiritual way.
They are God’s children
His own personal joy was tied up in how well they lived.
Ours is the same.

3. The Joyful Christian mind
Philippians 2:1-4 --Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

4. The secure Christian mind
Paul’s IF/THEN arguments
Not an expression of doubt
A literary device meaning the same as SINCE this is true, the other is true as well.

5. If encouragement in christ
PARAKLESIS
Solace, exhortation
Romans 15:5 -- Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus….

6. 2 Thessalonians 2: Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace…

7. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

8. John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

9. If Consolation in love PARAMUTHION Consolation, comfort
1 Peter 4:8 --Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

10. Colossians 2:2
…that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself….

11. If Fellowship of the spirit
1 Corinthians 3:16 -- Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
6:19 --Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

12. 1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

13. If affection and compassion
Philippians 1:8 –For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:12 --So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience….

14. The United Christian mind
Be of the same mind
Romans 15: Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15. The same love
1 Peter 3:8 --To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit….

16. The same spirit
Acts 2:46 --Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart….

17. The same purpose One mind a second time
2 Timothy 3:10-11a --Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra….

18. The humble Christian mind
Do nothing from selfishness
Nothing from empty conceit
Galatians 5:15, 26 --But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another…. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

19. Having multiple interests
Regard others as more important than yourself
Look out not only for your interests but the interests of others as well.

20. Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor…
Ephesians 4:2 -- …with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love….

21. Luke 14:7-11
Guests choosing the seat of honor
Jesus: Do not choose the seat of honor
Someone more distinguished may arrive and you’ll get booted to the end of the table
Rather, choose the last place and there’s a chance you will be elevated and honored.
Exalt yourself be humbled. Humble yourself, be exalted.