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SINGLE-MINDED SAINTS. Philippians 2:1-4. 10/18/20. #06.
Philippians 2:1-4 [New King James Version]
1 Therefore if there is any [a]consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
- Concord
- Paul’s main concern for believers is for their maturity
- The battle against our own sin nature continues
- Paul knows that Satan loves division in church
- Paul states that a new foundation for them has been laid
- Not only is Christ our example, he is our life
- There is an intimate relationship with the Lord that transcends mere knowledge or mentoring
- “If there is any consolation in Christ…”
- “If” is in 1st class condition = since there is…
- There IS consolation (compassion, empathy, comfort, solace) in Christ (he consoles us)
- Christ does comfort us in his love
- There IS fellowship of the Spirit
- We both have fellowship with God and with each other via the indwelling work of the Spirit
- Any saint causing strife within the fellowship grieves the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30)
- There IS affection and mercy
- The core fundamental tenor of the church body is to be gracious, forgiving, and merciful
- Believers are to be tenderhearted toward each other (a striving believer is ungodly)
- Even when church discipline is needed, correction is to be administered in love for the benefit of the offending party and the body (Matthew 18, II Thessalonians 3, I Chronicles 5)
- Paul’s main concern for believers is for their maturity
- Unity
- Paul moves from decorum to duty: because we have a relationship with Christ through the Spirit and because the Lord manifests godliness in us, we need to choose to be godly
- All power to please God is in us, but we must choose to obey and imitate him or to rebel against him (freewill)
- Paul uses the relationship with the Lord and his teaching to focus their attention on serving one another (Ephesians 5:1-10)
- Paul lists several aspects which should be found in body:
- Like-minded = to have the same purpose and goals
- This does not mean “group think” where everyone always agrees and conforms to group
- Our goals need to be the goals of Christ
- Having the same love = bond of care for each other
- One accord = “having the same spirit” (of grace, tenderness toward one another, cooperation,…)
- Of one mind = with the same intentions
- Like-minded = to have the same purpose and goals
- There is no room in the body for selfish pride, envy, or the desire to dominate others in the Body of Christ
- Paul commands believers to highly regard or esteem others:
- Humility = to be meek, self-deprecating, deferring
- Regarding others more highly than self (putting others first; not being self-promoting or apathetic)
- Charity
- Paul concludes that we should seek the welfare of others before ourselves
- We are servants of others
- We are to actively seek how we can show others Christ through our actions
- We are our brother’s keeper
- We are to watch out for others and their best interests
- We are not to be busybodies (I Peter 4) or interfere in the affairs of others (II Thessalonians 3), but we are to give aid when needed and are to watch for opportunities to do so
- Being a Christian is a relationship and a lifestyle (full of grace, mercy, compassion, kindness, helpfulness, and love)
- Paul concludes that we should seek the welfare of others before ourselves
Key Verse: Ephesians 5:1-10 [New King James Version]
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For [a]this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the [b]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.