Sticking Together Series

Series: Philippians

Sermon: “Sticking Together”

Philippians 2:1-4

Pastor John Bright

Philippians 2 “1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Anybody like watching the reality show – “Forged in Fire”? It’s a competition where metal workers or blacksmiths try to make the best tools – usually a knife or sword.

“It is the Japanese who have created the best swords in the world. To create these fine weapons, ancient Japanese sword makers had to create a sword that was hard enough to retain a sharp edge, but at the same time soft enough not to be brittle. Sword makers who made swords by making the steel hard found they could preserve a sharp edge. Such swords, however, were often so brittle that they would often break when they clashed in battle. Soft steel, however, was found to be not as brittle, but would easily dull and be unable to slice through armor. Japanese sword makers therefore had to forge a sword with steel hard enough to retain a sharp edge, but at the same time pliable enough not to break in battle. What Japanese sword makers learned to do was to create a sword made of hard and soft steel. Multiple sheets of hard and soft steel are heated, folded and pummeled together over and over again. Japanese swords go through a lengthy forging process until they have up to 33,000 paper-thin (layers) of hard and soft metal. Each of these layers is one hundred thousandth of an inch thick. This is all done to a very precise recipe of temperature treatment. The end result is a finely crafted weapon with extreme pliability and a blade that will retain a finely honed edge. (It Is The Japanese Who Have Created The Best ... Contributed by Steve Rutherford on Aug 18, 2005 in Sermon Central)

That’s a picture of the Church – God allows the hard steel of persecution from the outside and it can make the Church strong or break it. God also gives us the soft steel of humility and love for one another. When properly applied among believers, we can be the Body of Christ that brings salt and light to a broken and hurting world. Both are needed and necessary.

Last week, we looked at this outside persecution – a world and culture hostile to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This week, we have to take a hard look at ourselves. While that may be difficult, it’s what God wants in every generation of the Church.

God Provides All We Need to Be the Church

“1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

This morning the sermon will consist of two lists – the first is what God will give the Church – you and me – for our unity. Just before the end of Philippians, Paul gives us a wonderful declaration – Phil. 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” This is a good place to remind you that I am NOT a prosperity gospel preacher and God NEVER promises to give you Pink Cadillacs or perfect health. The needs of the Philippians are the needs of Believers who are facing persecution. Think they knew discouragement? Think they knew what it’s like to not be able to speak your mind? I bet you they had worries and fears – even if you declare it’s a sin – don’t we have bigger fish to fry in these days – COME ON MAN!

God will give them (and us) consolation or encouragement. Paul has just reminded them they will suffer as he has suffered. The greatest encouragement in our seasons of suffering is the presence of God. There is a consistent message through the Old and New Testaments – God is with His people. Deut. 31:6 "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Before Jesus left the earth at the end of his 3 years of ministry, He spoke to them and said – John 14 “16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” That’s encouraging!