Philippians 2:12
The Mind of Christ (3)
I. \\#Phil 1:1-2\\ Introduction
II. \\#Phil 1:3-30\\ Paul’s Heart
III. \\#Phil 2:1-30\\ Paul’s Commands
A. \\#Phil 2:1-11\\ Be Like-Minded
1. \\#1\\ A Comparison
2. \\#2\\ A Command
3. \\#3-4\\ Paul described like-mindedness as A Cure
4. \\#5-11\\ Gave us the Case of Jesus Christ.
5. \\#19-30\\ Paul mentions two like-minded Colleagues. Compared
with Jesus, earthly colleagues are barely worth mentioning.
However, Paul was able to give these two men to the Philippians
as visible earthly examples of what it means to have the mind of
Christ.
a. \\#Phil 2:19-24\\ Timothy
(1) \\#Phil 1:1\\ Timothy was with Paul at the Roman jail.
(2) \\#Phil 2:21-22\\ Concerning Timothy:
(a) \\#21\\ He did not seek his own, but the things of
Christ.
(b) \\#22\\ He had served with Paul like a son serves a
Father.
(3) \\#Phil 2:23\\ Paul hoped to send Timothy to Philippi soon
to see about their welfare.
b. \\#Phil 2:25-30\\ Epaphroditus
(1) He had come from Philippi, bringing news and aid with Him.
Philippians 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of
Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a
sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
(2) \\#Phil 2:25\\ Paul called him a BROTHER, COMPANION IN
LABOR, and a FELLOWSOLDIER.
(3) \\#Phil 2:26-28\\ While at Rome, Epaphroditus had become
very ill.
(a) \\#27\\ Now he was well.
(b) \\#26\\ And he longed to see the Philippians again.
(4) \\#Phil 2:25, 28-30\\ Paul probably sent this letter to
the Philippians by Epaphroditus’ hand.
(a) \\#Phil 2:25\\ Paul was PLANNING on sending him.
(b) \\#Phil 2:28\\ In Paul’s mind, he had SENT him even
though they had not seen him yet (i.e. WHEN YE SEE
HIM AGAIN).
(c) This sounds like Paul was going to send Epaphroditus
as soon as he finished writing the letter.
(5) \\#Phil 2:30\\ Paul considered this man like-minded because
he did not let the fear of death stop him from serving
the Lord.
(a) There are a lot of clues in this book about what it
means to have the mind of Christ.
i. \\#Phil 2:2\\ "having the same love"
ii. "being of one accord"
iii. \\#Phil 2:3\\ "esteeming other better than self"
iv. Caring for the things of others instead of your
own things.
(b) But here is an important one.
i. Continuing on in the face of death.
ii. It is for certain that death was not a deterrent
for Christ, Paul, or Epaphroditus.
iii. What will we do if we face death?
iv. Some won’t continue serving Jesus if they meet a
little pain or discomfort.
v. It’s a shame when you can work all day long with
a headache, a cold, and a hangnail, but you
can’t make it to church.
vi. You certainly don’t have to be like us but the
rule around our house is if you can work, play,
or shop, you can go to church.
B. \\#Phil 2:12-13\\ Work Out Your Salvation
1. \\#12\\ We need to clarify what Paul was saying.
a. Paul was NOT saying, "Work FOR your salvation."
(1) Such would go against everything else Paul said.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(2) Salvation is something you work for like a wage; it is
something you receive like a gift.
b. Paul was saying, "Now that you are saved, let salvation work
its way out of you."
2. Paul is NOT giving commands, rules, or lists on what a believer
will do if saved.
a. Why not?
b. \\#13\ Because God will find His own way to express His
presence through you.
c. This is an important truth.
(1) This is the verse that, to me, defines what this
dispensation of grace is all about.
(2) Grace is God working in and through you to accomplish
His will.
(3) Paul is teaching that if God is in you, He will work
His way out and into your life. Let him.
d. Notice that this work of God is an "inside-out work."
(1) "God which worketh in you... to will"
(a) That is, God is working inside you to want to do
His will.
(b) God changes the "wanter" of the convert.
(c) That starts on the inside.
(2) "God which worketh in you... to do"
(a) But God not only gives us the desire to do His will,
He makes it possible for us to do it.
(b) This will effect our actions.
(c) Hence, God works from the inside out.
3. For this principal to be true, we need to understand some things.
a. Salvation is God’s work, not man’s.
(1) Believers are not under the control of other people.
(2) The church does have a responsibility to teach, guide,
and even discipline its members, but Jesus Christ is
Lord of the Christian.
(3) There is a fine line between a pastor and church helping
its people and controlling them.
b. Salvation grants both individuality and guidance from God to
every believer.
Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master
he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him
stand.
4. Paul was willing to trust God to work in the lives of the
believers.
a. We should too.
b. Everyone does not have to do Christianity just like we do.
(1) If it is God leading them, it will be right.
(2) If it is not God leading them, it is up to God to deal
with them.
5. However, the freedom to be lead by God also gives us the
responsibility to make certain we are lead by God.
a. This is not freedom without accountability.
b. Every believe will stand before God for how they let salvation
work out of them.
c. \\#12\\ For that reason, Paul says let salvation work out of
you WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING.
C. \\#Phil 2:14-15\\ Do Not Murmur or Argue (Dispute)
1. Here is another of those commands that deals with attitudes and
the tongue.
a. A Christian who has the mind of Christ will also have the
attitudes and tongue of Christ.
b. To put this command succinctly, WE WILL NOT BE NEGATIVE OR
ARGUMENTATIVE.
2. Paul does not tell us how to do this. He just tells us why.
a. That you may be BLAMELESS.
(1) To have blame means you are at fault, that you did some-
thing wrong.
(2) Wrong attitudes and words will lead you to wrong actions.
(3) Ask the children of Israel:
1Cor 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed
of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written
for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
b. That you may be HARMLESS.
(1) To have harm means you have harmed or hurt someone.
(2) Negative attitudes and words will hurt others, usually
those you care about the most.
3. Paul was in a place where there was much to complain about and
in a situation where an argumentative spirit would be natural.
a. Yet, he is not.
b. He is commanding the Philippians not to be like that.
c. Instead he is rejoicing and teaching others to do so as well.
D. \\#Phil 2:16-18\\ Hold Forth the Word of Life
1. In this commandment, Paul is saying, "Honor the Word; obey it."
2. Again, Paul does not spend time telling us how; he tells us why.
a. Honor the Word so that if I be offered as a sacrifice, I will
know that I have not lived my life in vain.
b. Paul said the proof of a well-spent life will be that those
I have taught continue in the Word of God.
3. May I say that such will be the proof of every preacher’s service
for Christ.
a. The preacher’s charge is not to build buildings or gather large
crowds.
b. It is to proclaim the Word of God so that others might
understand it and will obey it.
4. Many years ago I made the statement, "Although I like to hear you
say a sermon or a lesson helped you, more than hearing you say it,
I desire to watch you live it."
5. Hold the Word of God up in your life so that others can see it.
The hope that the Philippians would obey these commands brought joy and comfort to
Paul. I assure you, it will to any preacher.
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