Philippians 2:1-30 = August 25

Other Resources:

The Humility of Jesus - Philippians 2  https://virtualbiblestudy.com/lessons/philippians/2/

Prison Epistles

Joy of the Lord: The Single Mind

Philippians 2:1-30

HUMILITY — Here are a couple of examples of "computer illiteracy":

Customer with modem, without a computer:

"OH!! You mean I need a modem AND a computer to get on the Internet?!"

This guy calls in to complain that he gets an "Access Denied" message every time he logs in. It turned out he was typing his user name and password in capital letters.

Tech Support: "OK, let's try once more, but use lower case letters." Customer: "Uh, I only have capital letters on my keyboard."

Have you ever known someone who could only use "capital letters" because there were no "lower case letters" in their heart (I'm speaking spiritually here)? It is significant to me that the one known as LORD GOD and I AM knew how to use the lower case letters, to the point of washing the dirty feet of his followers. No, further than that, Jesus was willing to give up his life to offer each us life. He was the ultimate example of humility and selflessness.

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:3-8).

Have a great day (in service to others)!

Opening Questions — Get Us Thinking:

Submission — how do you feel about it?

Imitating Christ’s Humility — Philippians 2:1-30

1Therefore 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,2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6Who, being in very nature^a,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature^ba servant,

being made in human likeness.

8And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

12Therefore, 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,13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14Do everything without grumbling or arguing,15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^cyou will shine among them like stars in the sky16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.17But 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.18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.20I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.21For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.22But 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.23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.27Indeed 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.28Therefore 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.29So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,30because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

Research Questions — “Dig Deeper” to find God’s Will

1. God is ... What do we learn about God?
2. We are ... What do we learn about people?
3. Reading between the lines, with what challenge did the church in Philippi struggle?
4. What does it mean to consider someone "better than yourself" (v. 3)? How does humility differ from being a doormat?
5. What do you think it was like for Jesus to leave heaven and become human? To take on himself all of the sin of mankind?
6. Who does Paul sound like in this passage: Your dad? Army sergeant? Coach at half-time?
7. What does it mean to "work out your salvation" (v. 12; see also 2:1-4)?
8. How do Timothy and Epaphroditus illustrate 2:1-4?
9. When you were growing up, did your father praise you the way Paul praises Timothy?
10. Consider verses 20-22 and 30. How true is verse 21 today? How rare are people like these two men?

Reflective Questions — Live it today.

1. How does this passage challenge the Madison-Avenue advertising image of success?

2. Think about someone you admire because they truly put the interests of others ahead of their own interests. What can you do to be such a person yourself?

3. What makes God's people "shine like stars"? How brightly do you "shine" in your universe? Do you give praise easily ... or do you find this hard to do? Where do you need to improve?

4. I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

5. You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this?

6. How does this equip us be a better disciple and help empower us to “make disciples”?

"When God measures men He puts the tape around the heart -- not the head!"