Christ Our Pattern - Philippians 1:27-2:30
1:27-30 Citizenship duties of the Kingdom
Only let your 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; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is
to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of
God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on
him, but also to suffer for his sake;
The word translated conversation is the word politeuo in the
original. We derive our English word political and politics from this word. It
is not the usual word Paul uses when talking about lifestyle and behavior. This
word deals with the behavior of an individual under the responsibility of a
group. Let’s consider why Paul might have chosen this word.
What group did the Philippians belong to?
The church, those who were under the authority and
commandments of the Gospel of Christ.
They were also citizens of Heaven, of the Kingdom of God.
Keeping the background of the city of Philippi in mind, why
would Paul use this approach with them?
This was a Roman colony, filled with Roman citizens, having
the rights and responsibilities that came with the title. They would understand
the requirements of the gospel as they understood the requirements of Roman
citizenship.
What were some of the requirements as citizens of the
Kingdom?
Unity, dedication, working together.
No fear of their enemies.
To believe on Him and suffer for Him.
How is adversity a “token” of salvation?
Paul says it is a gift, not just the gift of salvation, but
the gift of suffering for Jesus Christ.
Having the Mind of Christ
2:1-8 Humility and Sacrifice Philippians
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any
comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and
mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be
likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not
every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it
not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took
upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being
found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.
There are five requests in this section that Paul makes to
the church what are they?
1. Fulfill my joy
2. Let nothing be done through vainglory (self-interest)
3. Let each esteem others better than themselves
4. Look not upon your own things, but the things of others
5. Let the mind of Christ be in you.
Paul uses several phrases to make the Philippians realize
how important what he will say is. What are those phrases? Why are they
powerful persuaders?
Consolation in Christ, comfort of Love, fellowship of the
Spirit, bowels and mercies (tender feelings of the heart) Fulfill my joy.
Paul reaches down to the depths of the Christian experience
and uses these undeniable realities of the Christian experience to establish
the importance of what he will ask.
2:5 When Paul speaks of the “mind” of Christ, what is the
mind he is talking about?
An attitude, understanding or heart, as fits the
translation, a way of thinking.
2:7 The Emptying of Christ
Paul now use Jesus Christ as an example of how the
Philippians should be. This passage is called the Kenosis of Christ. It means
the “emptying of Christ.”
2:7 But made himself of no reputation (Gk ekenosen, emptied
himself), and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness
of men:
Of what did Christ empty himself?
Of his heavenly glory, He put off his omnipresence and
omniscience unless needed. He put off
His power and glory in order become like us and to die for us.
What did Christ not empty Himself of?
His deity, He was still fully God.
What does Paul mean when he says Christ was in the “form” of
God and the “form” of a servant.
The word used here is the word “morphe” it is not talking
about shape. The word means the unchangeable essence or the express nature and
character of something. Jesus has the
unchangeable nature of God. Paul is
saying He was God who then took on the nature of a servant.
With Jesus as the example what are we to do in regards to
others?
We are to empty ourselves. No matter who or what we are we
must set that aside and look out for others and not ourselves. We must become and take on the nature of a
servant even as Jesus did. This can only
be done through true humility.
2:9-11 The Exultation of Christ
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is above every name: That at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in
earth, and things under the earth; And
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father.
What is the result of Jesus’ humiliation?
God has exalted Him, given Him a name above all names.
What occurs when the name which Jesus has been given is
revealed?
All creation will worship Him and acknowledge Him as
rightful Lord and King.
When will this take place?
Revelation 19:11-16 - And I saw heaven opened, and behold a
white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in
righteousness he doth judge and make war.
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and
he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in
blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses,
clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite
the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the
winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a
name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
How is the phrase “Jesus Christ is Lord” a creed for the
Christian?
It expresses both the beginning of our faith and its final
goal. To know Jesus as Lord is the
beginning of salvation it is also that which daily challenges me to submit more
of myself and know Him as Lord in every area of my life.
2:12-16 Working Out Our Salvation
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in
my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to
do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That
ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst
of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the
world; Holding forth the word of life;
that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured
in vain.
In verses 12 and 13 Paul employees a play on words, what is
it?
He tells them to work out their salvation, for God works in
them.
What does he mean by “work out” your salvation?
The Greek word means to “carry it out to the goal, to the ultimate
conclusion.” He is telling them to live so others can see, who and what they
are on the inside. The things he has just talked about. He is not talking about
working for salvation.
What is the means of this outward working? What is its power
source?
God working in you both the desire and the ability to
perform His will.
What are the result in Vs. 15 and 16 of this working out?
They will be blameless and harmless before those in the
world. They will shine as lights holding forth the word of life
Paul will rejoice looking forward to his reward, knowing his
life and work counted.
Examples humility in Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus
Paul
2:17-18 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and
service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also
do ye joy and rejoice with me.
Paul or Paulus means little.
How is Paul an example of his own teaching?
He is willing to be offered up in the same way the
Philippians are demonstrating. The word
refers to an offering that is poured out, like the OT drink offerings. Showing Paul’s willingness to be used up even
to the point of a violent death.
2:19-24 Timothy
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto
you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will
naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are
Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father,
he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently,
so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I
also myself shall come shortly.
Timotheus (19x) Timothy (9x) his name comes from two words,
from time / precious and theos; meaning dear to God; - Strong's
Timothy - Personal name meaning, “honoring God.” Friend and
trusted coworker of Paul. When Timothy was a child, his mother Eunice and his
grandmother Lois taught him the Scriptures (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15). A native of
Lystra, he may have been converted on Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts
14:6-23). Paul referred to Timothy as his child in the faith (1 Cor. 4:17; 1
Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2). This probably means that Paul was instrumental in
Timothy’s conversion. When Paul came to Lystra on his second journey, Timothy
was a disciple who was well-respected by the believers (Acts 16:1-2). Paul
asked Timothy to accompany him. Timothy’s father was a Greek, and Timothy had
not been circumcised. Because they would be ministering to many Jews and
because Timothy’s mother was Jewish, Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:3).
Timothy not only accompanied Paul but also was sent on many
crucial missions by Paul (Acts 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Rom. 16:21; 1 Cor.
16:10; 2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Thess. 3:2,6). For example, when Paul was unable to go to
Corinth, he sent Timothy to represent Paul and his teachings (1 Cor. 4:17).
Later when Paul was in prison, he sent Timothy to Philippi (Phil. 2:19).
Paul felt that no one had any more compassion and commitment
than Timothy (Phil. 2:20-22).
So close were Paul and Timothy that both names are listed as
the authors of six of Paul’s letters (2 Cor. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Thess.
1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; Philem. 1). In addition, Paul wrote two letters to Timothy
(1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2). As Paul’s ministry neared the end, he challenged
Timothy to remain true to his calling (1 Tim. 1:18). As Paul faced death, he
asked Timothy to come to be with him (2 Tim. 4:9). At some point in his life,
Timothy was imprisoned; but he was released (Heb. 13:23). - Holman Bible
Dictionary.
How is Timothy an example?
He will naturally care for your state
2:25-30 Epaphroditus
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my
brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he
that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of
heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but
God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have
sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see
him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him
therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because
for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to
supply your lack of service toward me.
Epaphroditus’ name means, “favored by Aphrodite or handsome”
A friend and fellow worker of Paul and the apostle (Phil.
2:25). He had delivered to Paul a gift from the church at Philippi while the
apostle was in prison. While he was with Paul, Epaphroditus became seriously
ill. After his recovery, Paul sent him back to Philippi, urging the church
there to receive him “with all gladness” (Phil 2:29). The name Epaphroditus was
common in the first century Greek-speaking world. - Holman Bible Dictionary.
What actions in the life of Epaphroditus make him an
example?
Ministered to Paul, love toward the Philippians, For the
work of Christ he was near death, not regarding his life, to supply your
service toward me.
Conclusion
I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above
the other and that the taller we grew in Christian character the more easily we
could reach them. I now find that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the
other and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower. -
F. B. Meyer (1847-1929)
Of all the Christian characteristics, like love, faith, or
boldness, Paul chooses one in this chapter for the Philippians to emulate,
humility. He shows that it was this
quality of Christ that made Him come to earth and give His life on the cross.
Yet this quality is rarely seen as a desired quality in Christians in our
society, often it is exactly the opposite. This is perhaps indicative of much
that is wrong with modern Christianity. May it not never be indicative of who we
are.
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