Established Thru Jesus’ Birth-1

ESTABLISHED THRU JESUS’ BIRTH—Philippians 2:1-13

Attention:

The TV short ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ was released in 1965.

In the movie, there is one scene which, since I’ve been saved, always brings tears to my eyes:

Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn’t have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don’t know what Christmas is all about.

[shouting in desperation]

Charlie Brown: Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

[moves toward the center of the stage]

Linus: Lights, please.

[a spotlight shines on Linus]

Linus: [From Lk. 2:8-14]

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, & the glory of the Lord shone round about them: & they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, & saying, Glory to God in the highest, & on earth peace, good will toward men.”

[Linus picks up his blanket & walks back towards Charlie Brown]

Linus: That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Need:

Charlie Brown’s anguished outcry, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about? ?”

Christmas is an absolutely fantastic time of year! But most are at a loss as to how to explain its true magic.

Christmas infuses secular tradition(trees, ornaments, wreathes, lights, etc.) with Christian meaning.

Paul discloses the importance of Jesus’ birth.

Jesus’ birth is of utmost importance to the Christian.

Why is Jesus’ birth of utmost importance to the Christian?

7 significant establishments of Jesus’ birth.

1—Jesus’ birth is significant in that it...

Establishes JOY(:1-2)

Explanation:(:1-2)

:1—“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection & mercy,”

Among those of Christ(God’s people) there is a minimal presence of “Consolation”, “Comfort”, “Fellowship”,”Affection” & “Mercy.” These are all received by the child of God with the expectation that these will be extended to others. These are all received, lived out, & offered via “Christ” & the Holy “Spirit.”

“Consolation/Encouragement”—paraklhsiv—N. f.—1) A calling near, summons, (esp. for help); 2) Importation, supplication, entreaty; 3) Exhortation, admonition, encouragement; 4) Consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment—4a) Thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah the consoler, the comforter); 5) Persuasive discourse, stirring address—5a) Instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse. Strong—Imploration, hortation, solace. Used 29X.

From—parakalew—To call near, i.e. Invite, invoke(by imploration, hortation or consolation).

“Comfort/Consolation”—paramuyion—1) Persuasive address. Strong—Consolation (properly, concretely). Used 1X.

From—paramuyia—1) Any address, whether made for the purpose of persuading, or of arousing & stimulating, or of calming & consoling—1a) Consolation, comfort.

“Love”—agaph—1) Brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence; 2) Love feasts. Strong—Love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially (plural) A love-feast.

“Fellowship”—koinwnia—1) Fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse—1a) The share which one has in anything, participation, 1b) Intercourse, fellowship, intimacy—1b1) The right hand as a sign & pledge of fellowship (in fulfilling the apostolic office), 1c) A gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment & proof of fellowship. Strong—Partnership, i.e. literally--Participation, or social--Intercourse, or pecuniary--Benefaction. Used 20X.

“Affection/Bowels/Tenderness”—splagcnon—1) Bowels, intestines, (the heart, lungs, liver, etc.)—1a) Bowels, 1b) the bowels were regarded as the seat of the more violent passions, such as anger & love; but by the Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer affections, esp. kindness, benevolence, compassion; hence our heart (tender mercies, affections, etc.), 1c) A heart in which mercy resides. Strong—probably strengthened from splhn(the "spleen"); An intestine(plural); figuratively--Pity or sympathy. Used 11X.

“Mercy/Mercies/Compassion”—oiktirmov—1) Compassion, pity, mercy—1a) Bowels in which compassion resides, a heart of compassion, 1b) Emotions, longings, manifestations of pity. Denotes the inward feeling of compassion which abides in the heart. Hopeless suffering may be the object of oiktirmov, compassion. Strong—Pity. Used 5X.

:2—“fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

“If” the above are truly ours by Christ, then we are encouraged to act on them if for no other reason than to seek the “joy” of their apostolic mentors/fathers.

“Joy” for Paul was wholly contained within the genuineness & authenticity of Christian integrity among those to whom he ministered. Such integrity ensured that they would be unified in mind, love, soul & spirit, & thought.