Sunday, September 16, 2018 pm
STUDIES IN PHILIPPIANS
Let This Mind Be in You
Philippians 2:3-5
We
are continuing our study of Philippians this evening.
In our last lesson (2:1-2), we noted Paul’s call for total unity
– unity in mind, motive, and action.
This is so crucial to being the body of Christ in a given
location. It is likely, there was some divisiveness among the brethren
at Philippi (cf. Philippians 4:2).
In
our text this evening, we want to address a quality that will help us to
achieve this oneness – that is humility.
We will notice its antithesis and introduce the greatest example
of humility – Jesus Christ.
a.
If I were to preach on
the subject of humility, this passage is where I would begin my study.
b.
It is a fundamental
quality of being a Christian.
James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:5-7.
c.
In this text, Paul
describes some things that will help us be humble, and thereby avoid
divisions.
a.
Selfish ambitions and
conceit
i.
Selfish ambition – or self-seeking pursuits.
Self-serving, associated with rivalry.
One source noted It was trying to win followers even if it causes
strife (or without regard to how it adversely affects others).
Galatians 5:20 – it is a work of the flesh.
Romans 2:8 it will bring about the indignation and wrath of God
in judgment.
James 3:14-16 (2x) – it is the wisdom of the devil (earthly, sensual and
demonic)
Philippians 1:16 – this was the motives of those seeking to make Paul’s
chains more difficult.
We live in a VERY selfish society, and it is fueled by many
leaders and those in influential positions (celebrities, some teachers,
politicians, activists, business leaders, etc.).
Often times, people have agendas and they don’t care who they hurt to
accomplish them. It’s the
“win at any cost” mentality.
ii.
Conceit – a
word that could be summarized as prideful vanity.
BDAG defines it as, “a vain or exaggerated self-evaluation.
The NASB uses the term, “empty conceit”; KJV – “vainglory”.
This is someone who is blinded to what he really is because he thinks
too highly of himself. The
Pharisee praying in Luke 18:10-12, or Simon the Pharisee who invited
Jesus to dinner (Luke 7:39).
The problem with the conceited attitude is one fails to HONESTLY and
objectively look at themselves.
This is descriptive of the excuses one makes to justify himself (cf.
Luke 10:29 – the lawyer seeking to justify himself as he questions
Jesus).
b.
Let
NOTHING be done with these motives.
i.
These attitudes are at
the very core of divisions and multitudes of problems.
Whenever divisions occur in the Lord’s church, we will very
likely (if not always) see these ungodly attitudes somewhere (and often
with all parties involved).
Our bitterly divided nation, at its core, is attributed to these
attitudes.
ii.
The Bible contrasts
these ungodly attitudes with the attitude of humility.
1 Peter 5:5 – God resists the proud…
iii.
NOTE that Paul says,
NOTHING is to be done with
these attitudes. There is a
time for self-preservation.
There is a time when we need to reprove and rebuke (2 Timothy 4:2).
There is a time to challenge.
There is a time to avoid others (cf. Ephesians 5:11).
But these should NEVER be done out of selfish ambitions and conceit.
a.
Lowliness of mind
– to think lowly. This IS
the quality of humility!
This IS the “poor in spirit” of Matthew 5:3.
The way we think of ourselves and others begins with our proper mindset.
We have continually emphasized the importance of thinking
properly. It is where
genuine obedience begins (e.g. obedience without ulterior motives).
Consider 2 Chronicles 7:14, speaking to Solomon after accepting the
temple as His place of worship, He notes that when the nation of Israel
falls away, He will accept them back…if
My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and
seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
An interesting observation – the Greeks did not view humility as a
virtue. Similar to today
when many see humility and meekness and weakness and timidity.
b.
Esteem others better
than himself
– we need to think about others as being better than we are.
Are they better than we are?
Who knows? God does…
but we don’t! We DO know
ourselves and we know our weaknesses and failures, our motives, etc.
probably better than anyone else.
c.
Look out NOT ONLY for your own interests.
As we have noted on numerous occasions, there is a place for
self-esteem and to see yourself for what you really are:
i.
Romans 12:3 – note how
Paul says we are not to think TOO highly of ourselves.
ii.
Clearly there is a time
tear ourselves down (cf. Matthew 5:3 – that is what is involved in being
“poor in spirit” – but it is the product of the realization of our
sinfulness) so that we will be humble, BUT there is something to be said
about being confident.
iii.
That is what faith is
about. Trusting God and the
He can accomplish what He promised.
2 Timothy 1:12 – I KNOW whom I have believed…
iv.
Philippians 4:13 notes
we can do all things through Christ.
v.
Most versions of our
text in vs. 4 notes the we ARE to look out for our own interests, but
not ONLY for those things.
There are things that only you can do for yourself (cf. Philippians 2:12
– work out your own salvation, Galatians 6:5, Acts 2:40 – be saved…,
etc.).
vi.
BUT we MUST know our
limits in these matters, and examine ourselves with humility.
We MUST make sure that our motives are not selfishness or
over-inflated!
d.
Look out for the interests of others
– this is the key to humility.
We need to think about others.
That is another key concept of the life a Christian.
It’s not (just) about you.
Paul in Romans 14:1, 15:1, Galatians 6:2 – bear one another’s burdens, 1
John 3:14 – because we love the brethren; Romans 13:8-10 – love your
neighbor as yourself, etc.
Whether your brethren, your neighbors or even your enemies, our lives
need to be thinking about others.
Think about how division and various problems could be prevented if we
would just think before we spoke or acted.
Think about what damage it might do to others.
Think about how it might be perceived by others.
Think about who really benefits by our decisions.
This is especially true when we are dealing with difficult decisions and
actions. We need to act with
compassion and thoughtfulness.
Consider again our society and the poison rhetoric that is being
bantered about in the media and social media.
a.
Humility begins with a
proper mindset as noted.
Paul now appeals to the example of Jesus.
Clearly, in all we do, we need to follow His example – 1
Corinthians 11:1, 1 Peter 2:21, Ephesians 5:1-2 – imitators of God…
Note Romans 15:2-3, Let each of us
please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even
Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of
those who reproached You fell on Me.” There are many examples of
Jesus.
b.
Which was also in Christ
Jesus - Jesus is the ULTIMATE example of this mindset.
Briefly, consider how He
demonstrated humility
i.
He did not consider it
robbery to be equal with God – His mindset (where humility begins) was
proper. To think about who
Jesus really is – the creator of this world, God in flesh, the ultimate
example of resisting sin, etc.
He was in heaven, the perfect place with all power and glory.
ii.
He made Himself of no
reputation – He gave up many things of high honor – consider that He is
God! He was thinking about
us!
iii.
He came as a
bondservant, in the likeness of men – a lowly position.
iv.
He humbled Himself to
the point of dying – He suffered on the cross, FOR YOU AND ME!
v.
Therefore, God has
highly exalted Him – God recognized His efforts and accepted His
sacrifice for the very sins we are guilty of.
vi.
THERE IS NO greater
example of humility than this!
c.
We will elaborate on
these things in our next lesson – 2:6-8.
IF
we want true unity, as Paul is encouraging, it will start with a humble
attitude. I firmly believe
if EVERYONE involved approached their concerns with humility, they could
be resolved. Sadly, most
will not fully do this. BUT
even if that is so, you have control over how YOU act toward others.
Is God pleased with your attitude? Do we possess humility as we
ought to? Think about it!