Explore the Bible Lesson Preview March 20, 2011 "Live Up To The Gospel" Background & Lesson Passage: Phil. 1:27-2:11

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview March 20, 2011 "Live Up To The Gospel" Background & Lesson Passage: Phil. 1:27-2:11 Motivation: Our church strategy involves 1) Gathering our hearts, 2) Growing our souls and 3) Giving our lives away. Perhaps no other passage better describes the mindset for gathering, growing and giving than does today's lesson. Examination: I. Our Conduct (1:27-30) A. Live By the Gospel "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ" (1:27a). Barclay, p : "...On this occasion Paul uses a word which he very seldom uses in order to express his meaning. The word he would normally use for to conduct ones' self in the ordinary affairs of life is per ipatein, which literally means to walk about ; here he uses politeuesthai, which means to be a citizen.... Philippi was a Roman colony; and Roman colonies were little bits of Rome planted throughout the world, where the citizens never forgot that they were Romans, spoke the Latin language, wore the Latin dress, called their magistrates by the Latin names, however far they might be from Rome. So what Paul is saying is, "You and I know full well the privileges and the responsibilities of being a Roman citizen. You know full well how even in Philippi, so many miles from Rome, you must still live and act as a Roman does. Well then, remember that 1 / 11

2 you have an even higher duty than that. Wherever you are you must live as befits a citizen of the Kingdom of God." (Eph. 4:1; Phil 3:20; Mark 10:28-30) B. Working For the Faith (1:27b-30) 1. Conduct (27b) a. Public "so that whether I come and see you, or am absent, I may hear of your affairs " Paul expected the Philippians to live out their faith in the public arena. We are not called to be secret saints but bold ambassadors. b. Permanent "that you stand fast" standing firm is a favorite admonition of Paul's (I Cor. 15:58; 16:13; 2 Cor. 1:21; 1:24; Gal. 5:1; Eph. 6:14; Philippians 4:1; Col 4:12; 2 Thes. 2:15). As he was guarded by Roman soldiers, he no doubt called to mind their fighting legions that were so dependent on individual soldiers " standing firm ". The armor described in Ephesians 6: provides no protection for the back. A soldier who refused to stand fast but fled in the face of the enemy would not only expose himself to the "fiery darts" of the enemy, but would also expose the soldiers to his left and right. c. Purposeful "... in one Spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel " The Christian army is not passive and disorganized but rather unified, powerful and pressing toward the objective. (Eph. 4:3-6) 2. Courage "and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God " (28) In the spiritual realm, as in the physical, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. 2 / 11

3 One of the surest signs of doing damage to Satan's realm is opposition. Paul saw his share of opposition across Asia Minor, specifically resulting in a beating and a brief stay in prison in Philippi. "Been there, done that, got the T-shirt." From personal experience Paul says "Don't be afraid." Explore the Bible Commentary, (Fall, 2003) p. 28: "The last sentence of Philippians 1:28 has led to much discussion. One view suggests that, by standing firm and unafraid in their witness, the Philippian believers would serve as a warning to unbelievers (to accept the gospel or perish.) At the same time, their stand and witness would affirm to the believers that their own deliverance (salvation) was sure; it would validate the gospel as true. Thus standing firm would produce two different results for the two different groups. Another view holds that the response to the believers' faithful and fearless witness involves unbelievers only. The unbelievers would see their own destruction and at the same time see the believers' deliverance (salvation). And this is from God likely refers to the entire matter of opposition - the persecution (Which indicates the persecutors face destruction ) as well as the believers' remaining faithful (which indicates they have eternal salvation). Even when His people face intense opposition and persecution, they can be sure that God is working out His purposes through them." (II Thes. 1:5-10) 3. Consequence "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake " (29) Peter wrote " In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials " (I Pet. 1:6) and " But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed... " (I Pet. 3:14). 3 / 11

4 We are never promised the absence of trouble, but strength during the trials. (I Pet. 4:19) 4. Conflict "having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me " (30) The Philippians saw the results of this conflict ( struggle ) in the life of Paul (Acts 16:19-40; I Thes. 2:2) and realized that he was in prison. No prosperity gospel here! Only blood, sweat, toil and tears. II. Our Priority (2:1-4) A. Reasons for Unity (1-2) 1. Consolation "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ..." (1) "If" is used as " since." " In Christ " we have resources that need to be applied. William Barclay, translates this phrase " If the fact that you are in Christ has any power to influence you..." ( The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians, p. 31) 2. Comfort "if any comfort of love" (1) The power of love "in Christ&q uot; is fully examined in I Corinthians 13: / 11

5 Christ's love empowers us with comfort (encouragement, incentive, persuasive power). 3. Communion "if any fellowship of the Spirit" (1) This speaks of our being one in the Spirit; the result of this fel lowship is power and direction to do what God wants. (I Cor. 12:13) 4. Compassion "if any affection and mercy" (1) The KJV translates this " bowels of mercies" which carries the Greek concept of deep-seated emotional responses. Many translations read compassion and tenderness. As Paul wrote from prison, he made a very personal appeal to the Philippians; if they were feeling pity toward him, translate the strength of that emotion toward building unity in the Body. 5. Companionship "fulfill my joy" (2) The final reason given by Paul for unity was based on the personal joy such a demonstration would bring to him. (John 15:11) B. How Does Unity Appear? 1. Conformed "by being like-minded" (2) Explore the Bible Commentary (fall, 2003), p. 32: "Harmony would result from the Philippians' thinking the same way. This does not mean to think the same thoughts. The word for thinking describes an intellectual effort, but it also indicates a mental inclination or tendency toward a certain direction. Christians should have the same mental orientation. They may have varying opinions, but the 5 / 11

6 proper spiritual standards in the forefront of their minds, they can resolve their differences or at least not let them affect their fellowship. Paul explained the way they were to be thinking in verses 3 and 4." (John 8:32, 36; 17:17; Eph. 4:15) 2. Constrained "having the same love" (2) Elsewhere Paul wrote, "...t he love of Christ constrains me " (2 Cor. 5:14). If the Philippians would have the agape love of Christ, their unity would be assured. (Eph. 3:14-21) 3. Compelled "being of one accord, of one mind" (2) This purpose and " mind" is more fully explored in As we are more like Christ, we are brought closer together in purpose and unity. II. Attitudes of Unity (3-4) A. Conceit "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit" (3) Barclay comments on the power of "selfish ambition": "Far from being filled with ambition, the great men were filled with a sense of their own inadequacy for high office. There is the desire for personal prestige. Prestige is for many people an even greater temptation than wealth. To be admired and respected, to have a platform seat, to have one's opinion flattered, are for many people most desirable things. But the aim of the Christian ought to be not self-display, but self-obliteration. He should do good deeds, not that men may glorify him, but that they may glorify his Father in heaven. The Christian should desire to focus men's eyes not upon himself but on God." Conceit is nothing less than putting ourselves on the throne of our hearts. It is the opposite of humility. B. Concern "but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself" (3) Explore the Bible Commentary (Fall, 2003), p : "The 6 / 11

7 cure for the divisive evils of rivalry and conceit is humility. In Greek culture, humility conveyed the ideas of cowardice and a lack of self-assertiveness, thus weakness. The Hebrew Scriptures and other writings gave the term a positive meaning, and Paul went a step further in connecting it with Jesus (2:8). Humility in Scripture is a godly virtue, not a human weakness. Hence the apostle encouraged believers to adopt this attitude as an antidote for pride, self-conceit, and selfishness. Humility enables believers to consider others as more important than themselves. The key to this kind of humility is humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging we indeed are sinners, and turning from our sinful, self-willed ways in faith to Jesus Christ. We who have done that received the forgiveness for which He paid. We also must acknowledge that the ground truly is level before the cross. No one gets preferential treatment there; all must repent and believe." (Matt. 23:12; Jas. 4:10; I pet. 5:6; 2 Cor. 3:5; Heb. 1:3) C. Connection "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others" (4) If we're to be one Body in Christ, then we must be intentional in looking out for each other. (Gal. 6:2, 10; Matt. 7:12) The tangible evidence that Christ possessed such a mind is noted in 2:6-11. The essence of the mind of Christ is humility and sacrificial love for others. How different is the mind of Christ from that of Satan or Adam." (Rom. 5:12ff, I Cor. 15:45) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1688: 2:6-11 "These verses known as the kenosis (Gk.) passage, are the text of one of the four great Christological passages in the N.T. (cf. Also John 1:1-19; Col. 1:15-23; 9, 10, and Heb. 1:1-4) The passage was probably an early church hymn, which divides naturally into two stanzas: (1) Christ's humiliation (vv., 6-8), and (2) Christ's exaltation (vv. 9-11). Here Paul gives a strong assertion of the deity of Christ. The word kenosis, meaning to empty', as used here speaks of the self-emptying of the Son of God as He 7 / 11

8 became incarnate (John 1:14). NKJV translates this word made Himself of no reputation' (v. 7). Christ existed in the form of God' ( morphe, Gk. V. 6) which signifies the nature of God. His character, the very essence of His deity, "Did not consider it robbery to be equal with God' (v. 6) it is an expression which means did not think it necessary to grasp at deity.' No ambition to become God could plague Christ since He was in fact God! He, therefore did not give up His deity, but He did, for a time surrender His heavenly glory. The Lord Jesus as the possessor of divine essence takes the form of a bondservant' (v. 7) ( morphen doulou, Gk. Lit. the nature or essence of a slave'). He sets aside His divine glory, but not His divine nature, and takes upon Himself the true attributes of man. As Christ preexisted in the form of God,' He then took upon Himself the likeness of men.' His humanity is real; yet His being is still that of deity. The incarnation was not a subtraction of deity, but an addition of humanity. Christ sets aside the outward expression of His deity when expressing Himself as a bond-servant. The purpose for this obedience and emptying is stated with clarity. Jesus humbled Himself to become obedient unto the death of the cross. Once again the preeminence of the atonement and consequent salvation is emphasized by the Scriptures (cf. John 1:1, John 17:5, 24, Heb. 2:14-18,5:8, 7:1-3,10:5)." III. Our Attitude (2:5-8) A. Challenge "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (5). The "exchanged life" is the core of Christianity. He exchanges our sin for His righteousness and our carnal worldview for His Spiritual fruit. Theologically, this is an accomplished fact at salvation; practically, having the "mind of Christ," is a result of dying to self and living in His power and grace on a daily basis. (John 15:1-5; II Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:20) B. Comparison "He humbled Himself" (8) Perhaps the single biggest factor fueling pride is comparison with others. Paul writes that the only true comparison is with Christ. Jesus demonstrated humility in three distinct 8 / 11

9 ways: 1. Clinging: "did not consider it robbery to be equal with God" (6); (Gen. 1:26, II Cor. 13:14) 2. Changing "but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men " (7); (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:21-23; Luke 24:44-50) 3. Crucifixion: "became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross " (Ps. 22; Isa. 53). IV. Our Confession (2:9-11) A. Coronation "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name " (9) A person's name represented his/her character. R eceiving a " name which is above every name " is analogous to being crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Ps. 2; Acts 4:12; I Cor. 15:24-28; I Tim. 6:15; Rev. 11:15, 17:14) B. Capitulation "that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven and those on earth, and of those under the earth " (10) We can choose to surrender willingly to Christ today. In the day described, no force will be necessary, for when He is revealed in glory, the automatic response of every person who has ever lived will be to pay Him the honor due. 9 / 11

10 C. Confession "and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father " (11). The outward action of kneeling will be confirmed by the verbal confession of acknowledgment. Paul wrote in Romans 10:9-10, 13 that we have the opportunity today to willingly confess Him as Lord, else He'll be your Judge. Application: 1. Jesus commands unity in His Body (John 17:20-23). 2. Unity is best achieved by the exchanged life in Christ. 3. The exchanged life in Christ is demonstrated by Christ's own example. Leader Pack Item 6: Poster: Lesson Outline Biblical Illustrator: (no article for this week) Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: Dates: 2011: 1/19-5/11 - Midlink & Meal; 3/13 - Afshin Ziafat preaching 3 services; 3/ Spring Break Week; 4/1 - Parent's Night Out; 4/2 10 / 11

11 - AID Sudan 5K Run/Walk; 4/3 - SBS Leadership Lunch; 4/3 - Lord's Supper; 4/7 - UBA Quarterly Assn. Meeting; 4/ Mad About You Newlywed Retreat; 4/10 - New Member Orientation; 4/10 - Warren Samuels preaching 3 services; 4/ Summit Ski Trip; 4/16 - SPF Rademacher Farm; 4/17 - Preschool Preview Sunday; 4/17 - Spring Loaded; 4/21 - Broken For You; 4/22 - Church Offices Closed for Good Friday; 4/24 - Easter Sunday svc. 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am, 5:30 pm - no SBS; 4/24 - First Sunday in New Preschool; 4/30 - Men Pray Event. 11 / 11