God In You

God In You

Philippians 2: 1 - 13

Intro: A turtle in Cleveland, Ohio wanted to go to Florida for the winter. Since it was too far to walk, he convinced 2 geese to tie a rope around their necks and fly south while he hung on with his vise-like jams clamped onto the rope. As they crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky, some other geese joined the formation. Very impressed with the arrangement, one goose said, “Who though up that brilliant idea?” The turtle immediately open his mouth to say, “I did . . .” and fell to his death. (from “Mirror, Mirror On The Wall” by Glenn Durham, SermonCentral.com, 2010)

I The turtle exemplifies many in society today and perhaps in Paul’s church in Philippi.

A It is not clear in this portion of Paul’s letter what the problem in the church may have been. Later Paul mentions 2 women, Euodia and Syntyche who are “grumbling”.

B We can assume from the context that the problem was an “all about me” attitude.

C Doesn’t that sound a lot like our society today? My life matters (implying to me, your life doesn’t) I’m going to get mine even if it involved looting and rioting. It’s all about ME!

II Read VSS. 1 – 5

A I believe, as do many others, that Paul is urging the church at Philippi and us to live having the “mindset” of Christ.

B Paul is specific with his instructions: sharing in the Spirit, tenderness and compassion, being like-minded, having the same love, no selfish ambition, no vain conceit, humility, put the interests of others ahead of yours.

C Those things are not always easy to do or live. Paul summarizes these things in encouraging the Christians in Philippi and us to have the “mind of Christ.”

III Paul continues by implying that as Christians, we are called to live as imitators of Christ, to live in a way that allows people to see Christ in us.

A We must be careful here because there is a great difference between being an impersonator and an imitator.

B. An impersonator takes great pains to make people believe they are who they are not.

C An imitator is clearly aware that they strive to live up to the challenge of being a “reflection” of the person they l ook up to.

Concl: Today, we celebrate the Eager Eighties and the Nifty Nineties, people in our congregation who are in their 80s or 90s. --- But, it is important for us to realize we do not celebrate PEOPLE. Instead, let us be mindful that we celebrate what God has done in and through these people. We celebrate their faithfulness in imitating the mind of Christ and God’s faithfulness to them.

VS. 13 – “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.