1. Philippians 1:27
V. 27. “Only let our conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
This verse begins a series of exhortations.
Among the exhortations is Philippians 2:2, “Fulfill ye my joy…”
“Fulfill…My Joy,” the Title of this Lesson.

2. Philippians 2:1,2
V. 1. “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies.
V. 2. “Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3. Philippians 2:3-6
V. 3. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
V. 4. “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
V. 5. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
V. 6. “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

4. Philippians 2:7-9
V. 7. “But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
V. 8. “and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
V. 9. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.

5. Philippians 2:10,11
V. 10. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.
V. 11. “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

6. “Fulfill My Joy” by being United, Philippians 2:1-4.
Unity is both Pleasant and good, Psa. 133:9.
Jesus prayed for unity, John 17:20,21.
Jesus Died to make Unity Possible, Ephesians 2:11,12,16.
Unity is Commanded, I Corinthians 1:10.
The Conditions which make for Unity among Brethren, Philippians 2:1-4.

7. Conditions Which Make for Unity –Awareness of our Blessings as Christians
“Consolation in Christ,” v. 1.
Salvation is “in Christ,” 2 Timothy 2:10. This brings great consolation!
“Comfort of love,” v. 1.
What is more comforting than our awareness that we are loved?
“Fellowship of the Spirit,” v. 1.
“Bowels (“affection,” NKJV) and mercy, v. 1.
Christians must possess love and affection for each other! Philippians 1:8; Colossians 2:2.

8. Attitudinal Qualities which Make for Unity, Philippians 2:2-4.
“Be likeminded,” v. 2. cf. Philippians 3:16.
“Having the same love,” v. 2; John 13:34,35.
Possessing “lowliness of mind,” or humility, v. 3; Colossians 3:12.
Opposite of a “holier than thou” attitude!
Esteem others “better than” ourselves, v. 3; cf. Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 5:21.

9. Unity is Obtained by Being Reminded of those things which Prevent Unity!
“Strife,” or “Selfish Ambition” (NKJV), v. 3.
When brethren develop a bad case of “selfish ambition,” and are determined to “have their way or the highway,” watch out!
“Vainglory,” or “Conceit” (NKJV. 3.
One preacher (years ago) was described as being able to “strut while sitting down!” Humility and Conceit can not dwell in the same heart!

10. “Fulfill…my Joy,” v. 2 by Imitating Christ, vs. 5-8.
V. 5. “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus..”
The Mind of Christ illustrated:
In “the form of God,” but thought it not robbery to be equal with God, v. 6.
Emptied Himself in order to serve others, v. 7.
Took Upon Self the form of a servant, v. 7.
Made in the likeness of men, 7.
Obedient unto death, v 8.

11. “Even the Death of the Cross,” v. 8!
“The Victim was laid on a wooden cross. Nails were driven through the carpal area where the wrist flexes. The knees were bent and the feet were nailed flat against the wood. The cross was lifted up, and the foot of the cross was dropped into the hole prepared for it! When this happened it was possible for the arms to be torn from their sockets, and the shoulders and elbows dislocated. Then began the slow torture. Pressure exerted on the arms would make it difficult to take a breath; the

12. victim would have to lift himself up to get oxygen
victim would have to lift himself up to get oxygen. Each breath was laborious. The open wounds on the back inflicted by the Roman whips made it difficult to drag the back against the rough wood of the cross. The heart, with the victim struggling to breathe, had to beat fast to oxygenate the blood. The blood pressure would become so high that plasma could be forced out of the blood vessels in the area between the thorax and the lung. Dehydration would set in. The tongue would begin to swell, etc. The pain was excruciating! This was one of the most brutal ways to inflict punishment upon a human being!

13. “Fulfill My Joy,” v. 2 – by Giving the Glory to God, vs. 9-11!
God has “Highly Exalted Jesus,” v. 9.
Has given Him a name above every name, v. 9.
Made it possible for us to wear His name!
Each Person must Submit to Jesus, v. 10.
Every “Knee should bow,” v. 10.
“Every tongue should confess…,” v. 11.
This redounds to “the glory of God..” v. 11.

14. Our Joy Can be Fulfilled If We:
Possess the Attitudinal Qualities outlined in verses 1,3,4.
Possess the likemindedness outlined in v. 2.
Have the mind “that was in Christ,” as outlined in verses 5-11.
Bow our knees to, and confess Jesus Christ is Lord, vs. 10,11.

15. Conclusion:
It is a Fact! Every Knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Christ – either in life, or in the judgment to come! Romans 14:11,12.
It is much better to do that now, than to wait until the day of Judgment!
Friend, have you confessed Christ and bowed your knee to Him in obedience to His gospel?