Rejoicing As You Shine

Rejoicing as You Shine Text: Philippians 2: 5-17

The only way for a believer to be like Christ is to allow their mind to be renewed daily in the word of God. As a believer soaks his or her mind into God’s word he or she will begin to bear fruit. The old saying is true, “What goes in will eventually come out.” Paul seems to be giving the church of Philippi a lot of instructions. Maybe he saw a lot of potential and some minds that really wanted to be changed!

The key verse is verse 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

And then Paul begins to tell us what kind of mind-set Jesus had. Phil. 2: 6-8 (Read)

Jesus Christ was in the exact form and imagine of Father God, but He didn’t see the need to stay on the same level as God.

Phil. 2: 7 (Read)

Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Phil. 2:8 And being found in the appearance of a man He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

He came in the appearance of man, and quickly found that His most important mission was to become the last offering or sacrifice needed! (No animal wanted to become men’s sacrifice, but Christ did. It became He number one mission!)

Phil. 2: 9-10 (Read) This gives us the results of an obedient life.

1.God highly exalted Him 2.God give Him a name above every name 3.At the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven, on earth, and those under the earth.

Verse 11 says, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Check out this prophecy from the prophet Isaiah 45: 22-25 (Read)

Now when we begin to give Him our full lip service we shall become light bearers for Christ! (This will bring forth tremendous growth and joy in our life!) Matthew 5:13-15 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Phil. 2: 12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Obviously, we always want God’s best in our lives, but sadly most people aren’t walking in God’s best. (You know if you are.)

Then Paul gives the church more instructions. Phil. 2: 14-15 (Read)

I Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Phil. 2:16 (Read)

Holding fast the word of life! (In Revelation we will be partaking of the tree of life. Could there be any collation?) Could the tree of life in Genesis have any collation?

Then Paul kind of sums up what is happening in his life, Phil. 2:17-18 (Read)

Remember, real unity and joy are only possible in and through Christ Jesus!