Philippians 2

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but made himself nothing,

taking the form of a servant,

being born in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in human form,

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,

even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so 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.

1. The chapter launches off the last paragraph of chapter 1 and Paul says to stand firm in your faith, find your encouragement in Christ, comfort in love, and fellowship/joint participation in the Spirit.

2. Show Paul that what he purposed came about (joy) by being in one accord and of one mind. 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Cor. 14:40

3. Humbly look to the benefit of others first in all you do. Vs 3-4

4. Have the mind of Christ Jesus. Christ chose to condescend himself. Luke 22:39-42

a. He had conscious dignity - He did not fear humbling himself since he knew the power he had available to himself. v6

b. He voluntarily surrendered - He withheld his own power to demonstrate God’s power through him. v7

c. He complete surrendered everything - made himself nothing - no reputation...

C.I. Schofield said: 'He laid aside the outward insignia of the glory of deity'. He didn't lay aside His deity, He laid aside the manifestation.

d. He surrendered his will - 'He took upon Himself the form of a servant' - this is the surrender of the will. The surrender of the will a servant who owned nothing

e. He stooped to a lowly early position to be in subjection to those around Him: he was not only in the likeness of men, but subjected himself to alll other men...the crowd, the disciples, his enemies.

f. He was obedient all the way to death:

g Even in death lost all dignity, dying the most shameful way. John 10:17-18: 'No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. He was put outside the wall as a criminal that was unholy and would defile the city, and buried in stranger's grave as if He was worthless.

5. Why did He do it? Because He was called to this, must know our experience to be able to be our High Priest and Intercessor and must show how to live our human experience.

Accept the Promises & Principles

, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [fn1] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, [fn2] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so 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.

Lights in the World

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and yourmessenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has beenlonging for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

What you have accepted into your heart as truth, will drive your actions and show your attitude.