Philippians 2: 1-4 Unity grows where humility lives
Philippians 2:1 “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion”
The thing about humility:
- We think it is one more thing that we need to do
- He is starting with reminding them what God has already done
Philippians 2:2 “then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
John 17: 20-21 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Paul is asking for them to become one – NOT UNIFORM
Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves”
The Apostle Paul starts by naming the two things that destroy unity every time:
- The hunger to win
- The hunger to be seen
In the world Paul and the Philippians lived in, humility was not considered a virtue at all. It was considered a weakness
Philippians 2:4 “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
IMPORTANT #1 – This is not a command to think poorly of yourself
IMPORTANT #2 – The Apostle Paul is not saying to ignore your own interests
Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”
Romans 12:3, 10 “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought… honor one another above yourselves”
1 Peter 5: “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.”
Mark 10:43-45 “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve”
You will find unity beginning to grow:
- Not because people stopped being different
- But because they stopped competing to be first
