Class Notes, Phil 4:1-23

Phil 4:1 (NIV) Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
• So how should we stand firm?
• "that is (NIV)" refers to previous discussion and not to new discussion
• But other versions could be interpreted differently to say that how you stand firm is explained by the imperatives that follow.  In which case, the following summarizes chapter 3, and chapter 4 deals specifically with how to stand firm
• Stay away from the Judaizers
• Make your faith a relationship, not a list of do's and don’t's
• Realize that this world is not our home
• Our citizenship is in heaven
• Live in the hope of the rapture
• We don't miss out on anything -- we don't believe that but it is true
• Follow the pattern of others
Phil 4:2-3 (NIV) I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
• Obviously, not everything is perfect in Philippi.  There is disagreement between two women.  How does Paul deal with the disagreement?
• He pleads individually -- he does not impose or force or suggest for someone else to
• He asks them to agree in the Lord.  What does the Lord want in the situation, not what do I want
• He asks for others to help them
• He asks for others, by implication, to honor them because they contended at his side with the gospel (more joint partnership as described in chapter 1).  In other words, they have both served faithfully and we must not dismiss their contributions
Phil 4:4-7 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• Why the emphasis on rejoicing?
• There is a lot to be thankful for
• Rejoicing takes the edge off of controversies
• Rejoicing helps us to see a larger picture
• How does gentleness fit into the equation?
• QT ENTRY:
NOTE: I'm pretty sure I'm going too far with this verse 3, but here it goes -- a summary of chapter 3.  In chapter 3 Paul starts out with the exhortation to rejoice, which is he also calls a safeguard.  He then warns the Philippians of the Judaizers, spending a lot of time explaining why outward things are rubbish, and finishes with a discussion on the hope of the resurrection, which is best understood as experiencing the rapture.  In these verses, he summarizes the beginning and the ending of chapter 3 with a one extra tidbit.  The extra item is: let your gentleness be evident to all.  To me, this is the part of our Christian witness that marks maturity in Christ (and contrasts with the lives of the Judaizers).  People aren't attracted to the faith by our ability to follow some set of rules or checklists or rituals (although, some people are but for the wrong reasons).  What attracts a person to Jesus, and makes a Christian attractive is love, evidenced by a gentle spirit.  As I imagine Jesus' life, this character quality is what stands out most to me, his loving and gentle spirit.  He would have been a good earthly friend (and he is a good friend now!).  Someone who cared about a person's struggle.  Someone who did not immediately judge you or tell you what you were doing wrong.  Someone who listened.  Someone who gently led you back to truth.  Someone who did not get angry for mistreatment but whose anger arose in defense of others or of God.  And even that anger would be controlled and gentle, firm and resolute.  Those are the people who please God, not the ones who have the rule book down flat.
• Prayer is an essential aspect to gentleness, why?
• Worry and gentleness do not go together.  Gentleness is defined by a relaxed spirit.  Worry is defined by an agitated spirit
• Additionally, spiritual maturity as evidenced by gentleness, is attained by a life of prayer.  Why? Because in chapter 3, that is how one gains Christ, how one gets to know Christ, at least as evidenced by Paul
• What is the result of prayer?
• Chapter 3, where prayer is implied, argues for a deep relationship with God
• Peace of God
• Transcends understanding means that something cannot be understood
• It can be experienced because it is a result of prayer
• Protection of our hearts and minds in Christ
• The world draws our hearts and minds away from the Savior
• Prayer draws us back to the savior
• Howard Hendricks called verses 2-6 "a five-part recipe for conflict resolution: (1) 'Rejoice in the Lord,' that is, get beyond yourselves and look to the Lord. (2) 'Let your gentleness be evident to all.' In other words speak with kindness to each other. (3) 'Do not be anxious.' Relax, and give it all to God. (4) 'Be thankful.' The simple act of expressing gratitude for our blessings takes the heat out of infection. (5) Present your requests to God. Prayer realigns us and restores peace . . ." (Hendricks, "Color Outside the Lines," p. 96)
Phil 4:8-9 (NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
• If "stand firm" refers to chapter 4, then this is the fourth imperative on how to stand firm (rejoice, agree together, pray, and think on good things)
• One other protection for us besides rejoicing and a relationship with God through prayer, is what we spend our thoughts upon (Constable, 2010)
• "True" (alethe) means valid, honest, and reliable (cf. Rom. 3:4)
• "Honorable" or "noble" (semna) means worthy of respect (cf. Prov. 8:6; 1 Tim. 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2)
• "Right" (dikaia) refers to what is just and upright
• "Pure" (hagna) denotes cleanness and connotes moral purity
• "Lovely" (prosphile) means what is amiable, agreeable, or pleasing
• "Of good repute" or "admirable" (euphema) refers to what is
Praiseworthy because it measures up to the highest standards
• APPLICATION: How might this list change some of our movie recommendations?  Actually, I suppose there would be few movies we could ever go to, but it does challenge us to consider carefully the things we expose our mind to
• I would add one more imperative, what is it?
• Application (what you have learned … put into practice)
• As we think on good thing, and God's word is one of the best things, we will be challenged by truth and by a need to change something in our own lives.  But we can't just look into the mirror and forget what we see, we must act (James 1:22)
• What is the promise of application?
• The God of peace will be with you. Obviously God is always with us, but when we obey his word to us, we experience his presence and enjoy the peace that comes when we walk in fellowship with God (Constable, 2010)
Phil 4:10-19 (NIV) I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
• I want to focus on two things in this last section, both related to money
• ONE: Paul says that he has learned a secret -- what is it?
• To be content in every circumstance (in plenty or in want)
• What does it mean to be content "in plenty?"
• Riches never satisfy, people always want more
• Learning to give joyfully
• Learning not to get something you want even though you can easily afford it
• Waiting on God in prayer
• What does it mean to be content "in want?"
• Waiting on God in prayer to supply
• Sometimes, for Paul, that meant opening back up his tent business
• Sometimes we can be a better witness by not being full-time but being part of the work force
• We can reach people, a pastor can never reach
• Most people see a huge disconnect from a pastor and a normal person (not realizing that a pastor is really no different)
• It is emotionally hard to be "in want," but it is spiritually harder to be "in plenty."  Why?
• Because we forget God when things are going good
• TWO: We talked about the "joint partnership in the Gospel" in the beginning of the letter.  Why is Paul so excited about their partnership, that is, there giving to support his efforts?
• Clue: it wasn't the money -- although that was appreciated
• IT WAS THEIR BENEFIT.  It was "what was credited to their account"
• Giving has transformational powers
• It is an indication of spiritual maturity
• It is for our good, and it is amazing how many neglect the spiritual blessing that comes from giving
• It pleases God!  (in contrast to the Judaizers tithe requirement, God wants the heart)

Class Notes, Phil 3:1-21

Phil 3:1-6 (NIV) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
• What is suggested in verse 1?
• One, finally suggests that he wants to finish his thoughts about Timothy and Epaphropditus
• Reminder that Epaphroditus is an argument against the health & wealth gospel, as well as the wholeness gospel
• Two with two possibilities, the first is that this wasn't the first letter Paul had written to the Philippians; or that emphasizing joy and rejoicing in the Lord, by writing it again, is never a bad thing
• Third, rejoicing in the Lord is a safeguard
• Rejoicing in the Lord is a safeguard, but against what?  Who are the dogs in verse 2?
• Dogs refers to opponents of God's truth
• Wild dogs referred to vicious animals that threatened the safety of everyone (Constable, 2010)
• Also, and somewhat tongue in cheek, Jews referred to Gentiles as dogs (Matt 15:21-28), but here the reference is to the Judaizers (Jews).  We know that from the context where circumcision is the key issue
• In this case, the Gentiles are clean, and the Judaizers are the dogs.  Yet the Judaizers are trying to make the Gentiles clean through circumcision
• Were the Gentiles circumcised, i.e. verse 3?  Then why does Paul call them the true circumcision?
• This is a case where the context does not make sense taken literally.  The "common sense" approach to any phrase that doesn't make sense literally, is to understand it metaphorically
• The Gentiles were the true circumcision, not because of physical circumcision, but because of a spiritual circumcision of the heart
• True believers are in the church, but he is not saying the church is the "new Israel" (Constable, 2010)
• Paul used three terms to describe the Judaizers
• Dogs
• Men who do evil
• Mutilators of the flesh
• Paul used three terms to describe the true church
• We worship God in spirit (as opposed to the physical rituals and ceremonies defined in the law)
• We glory in Christ Jesus.  We look to Jesus as the one who makes us acceptable to God and not upon our works (or how closely we follow the law)
• We put no confidence in the flesh (for our acceptance before God)
• While the Judaizers believed one had to be a Jew in order to be justified by Christ, it was not limited to circumcision prior to belief, but it defined a way of life after belief in Christ as well.  This is not just an argument about justification, but it is an argument about sanctification, the process whereby we are becoming more like Jesus Christ.  At the return of Christ is glorification (the final phase in our salvation) where we receive our new bodies and become like Christ
• Paul explains that if anyone had reason to take pride in his adherence to the requirements of the law it is him
• Circumcised on the eight day (at the prescribed time from birth, not later as some were)
• Of the people of Israel (not a proselyte)
• Of the tribe of Benjamin (many reasons to be proud for the uniqueness of Benjamin among Jews)
• A Hebrew of Hebrews (both parents were Jews)
• In regard to the law, a Pharisee (the most orthodox sect of Judaism in his day; he was also a disciple of Gamaliel)
• As for zeal, persecuting the church (he was a zealous promoter of Judaism above all things)
• As for legalistic righteousness, faultless (he followed ALL of the laws of Judaism, even the most trivial)
Phil 3:7-14 (NIV) But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
• How does Paul relate his previous position, in regards to the law, with his thinking now?
• All that stuff he now considers "loss"
• He calls it "rubbish"
• His new goal in life was not obedience to the OT law, but rather …
• gaining Christ
• knowing Christ
• having a righteousness that is NOT based on the law, but is totally through faith
• Note that he is not just referring to justification (a one time event) but also sanctification because he says "… through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith"
• "by faith" seems to imply a continuing process
• In verse 10, he expands on knowing Christ by adding two more things …
• Paul wants to know the power of his resurrection
• It would not make sense for Paul to suggest that he wanted to be resurrected since he would at the end of times.  I think Paul wanted to experience the power of the resurrected Christ in his life
• Paul wants to know the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings
• Paul has nothing to add to Jesus' suffering for us.  Our sins are completely paid by Christ alone.  So this fellowship, is that he is willing to suffer for the sake of Christ
• He is willing to give up his life to suffer for Christ's sake, even to the point of death
• Again verse 11 does not make sense or fit with Paul's other teachings if we assume he is not sure about his resurrection from the dead.  Therefor there is another sense to his statement
• The phrase is a very unusual phrase.  Constable had the best thought on this verse.  The dead would be the spiritually dead.  The resurrection would be the rapture of Christians from among the spiritually dead.  In other words, Paul hoped to experience the rapture, and believed it could happen before he died
• This is an important point.  We should all live as if the rapture was going to happen at any day.  Our witness will be critical to those who are left behind in order for them to understand what really happened.  The fact of the matter is that most churches will still be populated after the rapture, and the message of the rapture will be loss'ed to those
• Verses 12-14 emphasize that Paul was not just referring to his position in Christ (without the need for the law), but his everyday life of becoming like Christ (which also does not rely on the law)
• What does Paul say is his focus now?
• Forgets the past
• Looks forward to the future
• Presses forward to win the prize
• What is the prize?
• It is the reward that we will receive at the end of life for how we lived our life as believers
• "Each believer is on the track; each has a special lane in which to run; and each has a goal to achieve. If we reach the goal the way God has planned, then we receive a reward. If we fail, we lose the reward, but we do not lose our citizenship." (Wiersbe, The Bible …, 2:88)
Phil 3:15-21 (NIV) All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
• If you are spiritually mature, you will understand that what Paul says is true.  If a person has the right attitude, God will make that clear to them as well
• Verse 16 is probably directed toward the immature.  What we have attained is what God has revealed to us.  Living up to it, is applying those truths in our life
• The great difference between the spiritually mature and spiritually immature, is that the mature apply God's truth to their lives and the immature do not
• Paul uses himself, as well as Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples.  This is the essential aspect of discipleship.  While no one is perfect, we do well by following those who live according to the pattern of scripture
• Paul warns them at the end, as he had at the beginning, that there are enemies
• He could be referring to the Judaizers.  In which case the destruction is not eternal destruction, but physical destruction (death or discipline), as also described repeatedly in Hebrews
• These enemies have certain characteristics
• Their focus in on the stomach (could be appetite, could be ceremonial foods)
• They glory in their shame (they take pride in things that they should be ashamed of)
• They have an earthly perspective (they are focused on physical and material things)
• Constable suggests that ritualistic observances take precedence of God's place in their life
• In contrast
• Our citizenship is in heaven (not Roman, not Jewish)
• We eagerly await our savior (the rapture)
• We look forward to glorification, when our earthly bodies will be transformed to be like his glorious body

Class Notes, Phil 2:12-30

Phil 2:12-13 (NIV) 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.

• Why should Paul mention obedience in his presence compared to obedience in his absence?
• Some other translations word it differently:
• (NCV) … you have always obeyed God when I was with you. It is even more important that you obey now while I am away from you. ...
• It does not appear that they were duplicitous, but rather that the future would require their obedience even more
• In context, some of this may refer to the issues of unity.  While Paul's presence may help to deal with issues, ultimately they need to exercise obedience in this area without the help of an outside mediator

• What does it mean to "work out" your salvation?
• He does not say "work for"
• Greek word, katergazomai, means to accomplish; by implication, to finish or fashion
• God started the work by their salvation (they are justified), and while God is also the one who sanctifies us, we are required to exercise obedience to grow to maturity in Christ
• Obedience to God's word is how we are sanctified and how we finish the work of salvation which God started

• How does fear (alarm or fright) and trembling (quaking with fear) fit with working out one's salvation?
• In Hebrews, the writer warns about missing the rest that God offers to Christians.  The "life-rest" is equivalent to entering the "land" which the Israelites missed because of disobedience
• Heb 4:9-11 (NIV) There remains, then, a Sabbath — rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.
• Hebrews includes warning about loss, not the loss of salvation, but of blessings.  As believers we are warned about how we are to live our lives on earth
• Heb 6:7-8 (NIV) Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
• Heb 10:28-31 (NIV) Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."  31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
• APPLICATION: Our obedience to God as believers is a serious matter
• Appreciate the discipline of God. He is both your upholder and, in the last analysis, your environment. All things come of him, and you have tasted his goodness ever day of your life. Has this experience led you to repentance and faith in Christ? If not, you are trifling with God and stand under the threat of his severity. But if, now, he (in Whitefield’s phrase ) puts thorns in your bed, it is only to awaken you from the sleep of spiritual death—to make you rise up to seek his mercy. 

   Or if you are a true believer, and he still puts thorns on your bed, it is only to keep you from falling into the somnolence of complacency and to ensure that you “continue in his goodness” be letting your sense of need bring you back constantly in self-abasement and faith to seek his face. This kindly discipline, in which God’s severity touches us for a moment in the context of his goodness, is meant to keep us form having to bear the full brunt of that severity apart form that context. It is a discipline of love, and it must be received accordingly. “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline” (Heb 12:5). “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Ps 119:71).  (Packer, Knowing God, p. 146, 1973)

<http://www.thirstytheologian.com/2009/01/20/goodness_and_severity.php>

• What does it mean for "God to work in you to will and to act?"
• I think verse 13 is the counter-weight to verse 12.  Yes, we must act and choose obedience, but God is at work in us to do two things: to act and to choose
• God chooses not to force us to act or force us to choose
• God works within us.  In other words, God provides strength.  God has given us the Holy Spirit.  God speaks to our spirit and through our conscience
• We are not without resources, only excuses for a lack of spiritual maturity

Phil 2:14-18 (NIV) Do everything without complaining or arguing, 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. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

• In verse 14, if Paul had left out the word  "everything," how would the application change, or how might we interpret it?
• Response might be "do less grumbling or complaining"
• In everything means that there is no occasion for grumbling or complaining (it needs to be completely excised from our life)
• APPLICATION: if you want to improve your witness, do this one thing

• Why does Paul want us get rid of the grumbling and complaining?
• Blameless -- when grumbling and complaining are absent, we seem appear as if we have done nothing wrong
• Pure -- we appear unstained
• Without fault -- we appear as if we have no faults when we are not highlighting other's faults (opposite happens as we mention other's faults)
• Set apart from a crooked and depraved generation -- it makes us distinct, separate, set apart (holy) from the generation we live in.  One would think that Christians would have no problem being different from today's generations, but the opposite is true
• Shine like stars in the universe -- we appear beautiful

• Once we establish our witness, it is a lot easier to hold out the word for others to see -- it is our obedience to the word that changes us and makes us different
• Paul offers two perspective on their obedience and the implication to him
• One.  He didn't run or labor for nothing
• Two.  Even if he does die, it will be worth it

Phil 2:19-24 (NIV) I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

• Paul seems to switch gears here, but he really isn't.  What is another purpose for bringing up Timothy, and later, Epaphroditus?
• Timothy is a partner (serves in the work of the gospel)
• Timothy is a witness (has proved himself and has the interests of Jesus Christ)
• Timothy and Paul are united (Father and Son)

• Timothy (and Epaphroditus) serve as examples of the life that Paul challenges them to live

Phil 2:25-30 (NIV) But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

• How is Ephaproditus characterized?
• Roles
• Brother -- believer
• Fellow worker -- he ministers in the Christian faith
• Fellow soldier -- he serves in the Lord's Army
• Their messenger -- he was their messenger to Paul
• Character
• Longs for the church -- cares deeply for them
• Recent events
• Ill and almost died
• Illness almost resulted in his dying for the work of Christ.  Risked his life to help Paul
• Attacks the health and wealth gospel -- Serving God, even risking his life, and yet he almost dies.  Fits with Phil 1:29 where suffering is considered part of the Christian life
• Attacks the wholeness gospel as well -- Paul says he almost died, why would there be any doubt (ie., almost) if we are to be whole.  He was ill not persecuted
• Equates illness with spiritual service (hardly persecution, but treated the same in Paul's eyes)

• What does Paul command the church?
• Welcome him with great joy
• Honor men like him

Class Notes, Phil 2:1-11

Phil 2:1-2 (NIV) 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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

• Paul starts out with four "if any 's." Without discussing the reasons, why should he start out "if any," what is he suggesting, what does it sound like he is doing?
• He seems almost sarcastic (you should already know this) or maybe rhetorical (super obvious)
• It is a harsh reminder that we have experienced a lot by being united in Christ
• Constable suggests that "since you have" might be a better reading

• "Love begins when someone else's needs are more important than my own" (anonymous).  Paul lists four reasons for taking a particular action, how might believers experience these?
• Encouragement from being united with Christ
• Seeing Christ change another person's life
• Seeing another's enthusiasm to walk with God
• Listening to how God spoke to another believer
• Comfort from his love
• God loves us despite our sin
• God's love is unconditional
• God's love is never ending
• Fellowship with the Spirit
• Hearing God speak to our heart
• Seeing God lead or give direction regarding some matter
• Tenderness and compassion
• Recognizing that God deals with us in mercy and grace -- not giving us what we deserve but what we don't deserve
• Experiencing tenderness and compassion from other believers when going through a tough time

• Assuming that at least one of those characteristics is true, what does Paul ask?
• To make his joy complete -- suggests that if he has any fault with them, and it would not be many faults, the one area to grow is this area, i.e., whatever follows
• To be like-minded
• Suggesting that some persist in goals that are at odds or cross-purposes with the church.  Example of hiring music pastor in old church
• If related to previous 4, then like-minded is a reminder that we are all united with Christ, and we should seek Christ's mind in the matter
• To have the same love
• Not sure how the negative might look
• If related to previous 4, then it is for everyone to be comforted by the fact that we are each one equally loved by Jesus -- no one is loved more or less
• To be one in spirit
• This sounds like a lack of unity
• If related to previous 4, then it is a realization that all members fellowship with the same Spirit.  If there is disagreement over an issue, it cannot be that the HS is giving two different answers to two different persons
• To be one in purpose
• This sounds as if there are multiple purposes, that are in some way conflicting with each other in the church
• If related to the previous 4, then there multiple purposes do not result in tenderness or compassion to those with different purposes, but rather rudeness and hostility

Phil 2:3-4 (NIV) 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 gets to the roots of most issues of disunity, what are they?
• Selfish ambition -- seeing something as an opportunity to gain (respect or material gain)
• Vain conceit -- thinking that I know better what is the right course because of my spirituality, wealth, knowledge, or status

• Paul suggests corrective actions
• Exercise humility
• Consider others as more important (RSV) than yourselves
• Look to others interests (in addition to our own)

• APPLICATION: Ask a series of questions
• What am I expecting to get out of this decision?
• Why am I so emotional about this decision?
• What is the person who is adversarial wanting to get?
• Why is that person so adamant about his position
• How could help the person, assuming it is not unscriptural?

Helper	Servant
A helper helps others when it is convenient	A servant serves others even when it is inconvenient
A helper helps people that he or she likes	A servant serves even people that he or she dislikes
A helper helps when he or she enjoys the work	A servant serves even when he or she dislikes the work
A helper helps when the circumstances are convenient	A servant serves even when the circumstances are inconvenient
A helper helps with a view to obtaining personal satisfaction	A servant serves even when he or she receives no personal satisfaction
A helper helps with an attitude of assisting another	A servant serves with an attitude of enabling another

(Constable, Notes on Philippians, 2010)

Phil 2:5-8 (NIV) 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!

• Paul then uses Jesus as the supreme example for us in the area of humility.  First of all, he calls it an attitude
• What do we see in Jesus' example
• He was God -- He didn't make much of that claim (interesting he does, but it just lacking enough that people criticize believers that Jesus didn't claim to be God)
• Contrast is Adam who considered equality with God something to be seized (Constable, 2010)
• He made himself nothing (Greek word, kenosis) -- He didn't just drop down a step or two on the ladder, he went all the way to the bottom and became a servant
• Finally, he expresses his humility through his obedience unto death.  Why is that significant?
• Because he was unjustly accused and tried
• It is one thing to exercise humility but quite another thing when you are the victim of injustice

• APPLICATION: Humility is an obedience issue, not just a nice to have thing to add to our Christian life when we make it to that level

Phil 2:9-11 (NIV) Therefore 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.

• What is the result of Jesus' humility?
• God the father rewards him with ultimate status

• Three things
• God is our rewarder.  One can not please God without that realization:
• Heb 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
• God is our judge -- he will pay back the wicked for injustice
• God is our example.  Jesus set us an example for how we are to live