Introduction:
Two long time friends decide to go camping in the woods for the weekend. They pack up their gear and head out. As they hike to their favorite campsite, a large grizzly bear ambles onto the path about 100 yards in front of them. Both friends freeze in their tracks hoping the bear won’t spot them. The bear sniffs the air, growls loudly, and begins to charge at them. The first friend promptly sits down on the ground, takes off his hiking boots, and starts to change into tennis shoes. The second friend panics and tells him “You don’t have time to change shoes NOW! Do you seriously believe we can outrun that bear? The first one replies, ’I don’t have to outrun the bear. I only have to outrun YOU!’
The caption above the joke read, “Hey! What are friends for?” Its funny as a joke. But it’s not so funny things happen to friendships in life. If you have ever had a relationship you expected to last for the long haul end because of troubles, you know what I’m talking about today. Let them fend for themselves; I have my own problems to worry about!
Common Ground (Why am I listening?)
Maybe you have seen a friendship broken because of abandonment. Or a marriage relationships dissolving when times are “for the worse”. Maybe you have been part of a business partnership that fell apart because of financial struggles. You might have even part of a church that split because of tough times. Have you ever had a time when you expected unity and what you ended up with is a shattered relationship and a broken heart? Have you ever seen unity that was supposed to last, blown apart by troubles and hardship?
It happens doesn’t it? The world is such a troubled mess and often those troubles enter relationships we cherish. When the trouble comes how do we go about maintaining unity in our relationships? That is the question I want us to focus on today as we explore Philippians 2.
Context:
As you turn to chapter two, let me remind you about what we have discovered so far in chapter 1.
Paul is rejoicing in the good news of Jesus in the midst of suffering for his name. Paul is in prison for preaching the gospel. And he says his chains have advanced the gospel. The palace guard has heard the story of Jesus. And other brothers have been encouraged and emboldened to share the gospel as well! His purpose and goal has been Christ! For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. And he tells his readers that his suffering has been a gift!
It is in this context, Paul using his own life as an example, that he turns his attention to the Christians in Philippi and he makes this appeal to them.
Text:
Turn to Philippians 2:1-16.
Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV)
1 If YOU have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
The emphasis is clearly on being united with Christ. And the questions he makes here are rhetorical; they have an assumed answer. The Greek case of the word translated “If” in the NIV suggests the idea is a reality. “If” could and probably should be translated “since.” The assumption Paul is making is that “since” they have encouragement from being united in Christ; “since,” they have comfort from his love; “since” they have fellowship with the spirit; and “since”, they have tenderness and compassion.
Observation: These qualities are byproducts of the life that is surrendered to Jesus (Humility).
Encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness and compassion If you life is surrendered to Jesus, you probably know what Paul is talking about. You’ve probably experienced it. The word “encouragement” in the text is the same word that Jesus uses in John 14:16 when Jesus promises to send a counselor or comforter – literally someone who will walk beside and guide the disciples. Have you ever experienced encouragement by the presence of “the comforter”? We are reminded in a similar way that comfort comes from God’s love. We know God cares for us and ultimately desires the best for us. And we share a common bond, fellowship, through the Holy Spirit. Christians are united by his love and drawn together as one body through the Holy Spirit who indwells them.
With this seed, Paul says they have hearts that are tender and compassionate. Literally, those words means they have "eyes that are able to see the needs of people around them" and "hearts that seek to alleviate those needs." On the basis of what they have in Christ, he urges them to continue to behave in such a way as to make his joy complete starting in verse 2.
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Nothing will bring him more joy that to see that they stay together in the battle. The bear is charging down the path toward them. Paul knows that unity will be necessary for them if they are to stand up under the pressure of the attacks headed their way. Do you hear the unity words?
Having the SAME love, being LIKE minded, having ONE Spirit and ONE purpose.
Illustration:
I have been told that the sign of a good orchestra isn’t just to walk away from the concert pleased by the sound; a good orchestra blends the instruments. You walk away saying "I couldn’t tell the difference between the various instruments. All the parts are blended into a beautiful medley of music." I go to a concert and I know the instruments are different; sometimes the notes are even “opposed”; but in the end they have the same goal and purpose -- the presentation of a harmonious song. In the same way, Paul urges the church in Philippi to produce a beautiful song. He doesn’t want friends who throw others to the bears when the bear is giving chase.
So he tells them,
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Paul is concerned that selfish motives and ambitions –(pause) (aren’t these pride?) can creep into relationships in the church especially as they begin to face troubles and persecution. Selfish motives will quickly drive a wedge into the church; selfish motives will wreck the harmony.
The word for selfish ambitions that he uses in our text in verse 3 is the same word Paul uses previously in chapter 1 verse 17 to describe those who oppose him. Selfish ambitions are the mark of troublemakers in the church. Selfish ambitions are often the hallmark of conflict. And Paul uses a word to describe that. “Vain conceit.” "Do nothing out of selfish ambitions or vain conceit."
The words “vain conceit” literally mean “vain glory.” Glory that is vain is glory that is empty. He is talking about self serving glory that has nothing in it.
Several years ago my wife bought a 24 pack of soda. I remember this case of soda in particular because she called me into the kitchen to show one of the cans. She handed me the can and asked, "Does this can feel different to you?" It did. It was really light. It was sealed. There were no signs of cracks or leaks. It had all the right labels. It looked like a refreshing can of soda, but we when we popped the seal, the can was empty. There wasn’t a single drop of soda in it. In the manufacturing process, that can had been missed. The can was filled with nothing The can was full of empty glory.
This is what takes place when selfish ambitions and self serving glory enter the church. We might have the right look and labels (the church); there might not be any outward signs that we are different, but inside we are empty. It is the reward of selfish ambitions and empty conceit. Folks, show me a situation where deeply bonded relationships are split due to conflict and I can guarantee you that one or both parties involved have approached the situation with pride (empty glory).
Instead of empty glory, Paul suggests humility.
Key Concept: Paul says humility is the key to unity. In humility do these things. Then Paul begins to define what true humility looks like.
Verse 3 - In humility consider others better than youselves.
Paul defines humility as placing more value on others.
I. Humility does not mark down ourselves, rather it puts a mark up on others.
Humility attaches more value to other people. Consider OTHERs BETTER than yourself. He does not say, “consider yourself WORSE than others.” Frankly that’s the wrong focus. It starts from the wrong end. Self.
Instead, we consider others better than ourselves. It’s not just their person, but their ideas, strengths, and even weaknesses. When I evaluate that, it’s hard for me. In my own pride, I like to be important. I like to value myself. I mark myself up alot. It’s part of our fallen nature. But Paul puts the brakes on that nature. Consider others BETTER than yourselves.
Then he reminds his readers not to be so completely absorbed in their own affairs, that they ignore the needs of others.
Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Illustration:
Dee and I made our first trip over to help with Habitat for Humanity. I have to admit I wanted to skip it. I had other things I could have been doing. It certainly wasn’t convenient for my schedule. When we got there, we worked and talked with the other men and found out that not a single man there was from our town. They were all from Riverside and Sioux City. I was a bit shocked. These men were committed to helping even in a community not their own. Most of these men had given significant time working on houses throughout the Siouxland area.
I was then shocked by what they told us next. This was their first time working with people from Onawa. I immediately felt ashamed. I had known of the need for volunteers for almost a year. I understand encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness and compassion, from being united with Christ. And this was my first time helping out. And even then, my attitude in going to help was less than stellar. I was personally ashamed that it was my first time there. My attitude was far from humble. I was embarrassed. I was embarrassed for myself and I was embarrassed that not a single church or community organization had sent help.
Should it be that way?
Paul tells his readers in this letter that
II. Humility sees past it’s own needs to the needs of others.
He doesn’t want us so caught up in our own affairs and agendas and schedules that we miss the needs of others. That’s a truth I think we need to hear today in a culture that worships busyness. It’s part of the American culture to be busy. If we are not busy we are not being productive. But in our busyness, we can be blind to OTHER’S needs. And it is so easy to say "Let them deal with the bear on their own; I have my own bears to deal with."
It begs a question as we consider humility. How important have we made our own needs? How humble is our schedule? How humble is our agenda? Have we put on blinders that focus on our own needs so much that we miss the needs of others?
Paul says it should not be that way, and he paints them a picture of Jesus as he defines humility.
Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Jesus gave up the glory of heaven and made himself nothing, a nobody, a servant. He took on human flesh with all the troubles it brings. Jesus CHOSE to do this.
III. Humility is a chosen attitude.
His attitude of humility ruled His feelings; His feelings did not rule His attitude. Look at the text. Do you see how Jesus CHOSE an attitude of humility? And in his humility he chose to be obedient to death - even death on a cross. It was God’s plan. Jesus humbled himself in obedience to be part of God’s plan. Humility and obedience are tied together in this text.
In the military, new recruits must survive several weeks of boot camp. Boot camp is designed for a specific purpose. It is designed to "break" new recruits. Break them from what? To break them from pride. It is designed to teach the new recruit to trust the chain of command; to learn to follow orders; and to trust the man beside him. It is designed to instill humble obedience and an attitude of teamwork. The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines want men who can function in obedience even in the midst of combat. I marvel at some of the men who enter the military prideful and arrogant and who return from the time in boot camp as humble and broken soldiers.
Do you see in our text how Christ’s humility is seen in his obedience
IV. In us, humility can be developed through obedience.
And listen to what happens with Jesus. As the ultimate example of humility, Paul writes...
because of this, “9 God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Jesus was glorified to the ultimate position because of his humilty. His name is above every other name. Because Jesus gave up so much in obedience, Jesus was glorified to the ultimate postion. That at the name of Jesus that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God.
It’s a glory Jesus shares with us as we humble ourselves in obedience.
Romans 8:17-18 (NIV)
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Paul makes and appeal to this obeidence then when he writes starting in verse 12
Philippians 2:12-16 (NIV)
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
It is more than just a good thing; it is a salvation thing. In humble obedience, continue to work out your salvation. What does Paul mean? We work it out through humility, but where do we work out our salvation? Well, Paul is writing to the CHURCH in Phlippi. So based on his audience, I think Paul is talking about working out our salvation in terms of relationship with one another in the church. To Paul, It’s the one place where relationships should not be torn apart by arrogance and pride. The church is the place where relationships should be deepest. It is a tremendous responsibility that should be looked at with fear and trembling before a mighty God. Fear and trembling indicates our position before God. It is a sign of great humility.
And we remember who is working. It is God who works in us to will and act according to his good purpose. The reason?
15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
With humility, relationships will flourish. We will be blameless and pure. We will be children of God. We will shine like starts in the universe.
Since the earliest times of ocean travel, stars have been important for navigation. Many lost sailors have found their way home because of the stars. Each one of us can shine like a star; as we become a beacon for the lost as we extend the word of life to others. We become lights leading the way to life through humility. The world can be a dark place where conflict reigns. People are hurting and dying without Jesus. Fragile lives are navigating the ocean of life without light. These lives need someone to Light the way! Would you be a star?
Would we let God use us for a purpose greater than ourselves. What do we do with this?
Application Time:
If we have damaged relationships perhaps today is the day to humbly repair them. It will probably take humility. It takes placing more value on that person.
Maybe we need to drop something off our busy schedules so that we can help meet a need? There are needs in the congregation and in this community that I know are not being met.
Maybe today is the time to repent from selfish ambitions and selfish motives. We may need to repent from making our desires more important than sharing the good news of Jesus. We may need to examine the cans in our life to see if there are any that are full of empty glory. Pray that God would reveal that!
Conclusion:
Will we be people who shine like stars to a dark world, (in our schools, our businesses, our homes, or our highrises) as we hold out the word of life? Will we be a beacon to the solution of Jesus? Will we LIGHT the way to life? As a congregation? As individuals? Or will we choose to take off our hiking boots, put on our tennis shoes, push those in need aside, and throw them to the proverbial bears?
