Philippians 2:1-4
"Why Can't We All Just Get Along? "
Gospelcom Bible Gateway
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
INTRODUCTION:
A. Arguments and disagreements are common in our marriages, between our friends and family, and in our churches.
B. Getting along hasn’t always been easy among Christians.
1. Early church examples of disagreements include:
a.Disciples arguing between themselves over who will be the greatest (Mark 9:33)
b. Paul confronts Peter regarding different eating between Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 2: 11)
c. Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement over circumcision that caused them part ways (Acts 15: 1-3)
2. Today’s church includes approximately 22,00 different Christian denominations or sects
C. The church in Philippi was under external and internal pressure that caused disagreement.
1. External pressures on the church were a result of false teachers (Philippians 3:2)
2. Subject to pressure from quarreling members inside the church (Philippians 4:2)
3. We should stand in the Lord and be of the same mind.
D. The church is made up of imperfect, but redeemed people. (Luke 4:18)
E. Disunity over a long period of time is a spiritual disease
Basics for getting along in the Family of God (3-4)
A. Paul identifies two behaviors to be avoided in the family of God.
1. Self ambition
a. Do you know someone who is selfish?
b.How does selfish behavior affect the behaviors of others in the church body? in your family?
c. Has being selfish affected friendships, or your marriage?
d. Selfish: To cause division in order to get your own way.
2. Conceit
a.Do you know someone who is prideful or does things out of self serving ambition?
b. When someone is prideful around you, how does this affect your relationship with that person?
c. How does pride affect your relationship with God? With the family of God?
d.Conceit: Empty pride that comes from seeking other favorable opinion
B. The opposite of self ambition and conceit produces humble servants.
1. The absence of self ambition
a. The absence of self ambition is all about serving others rather than yourself.
b. In our culture are individuals more focused on themselves or serving others?
c. Are you focused on yourself or serving others?
d. How are you serving the family of God?
2. The absence of conceit
a. The absence of conceit is to live humbly.
b. In the Greek culture was living humbly considered a positive attribute or was it despised?
c. In ancient times, conquered people were humbled by their conquerors. Many became slaves.
d. Apostles humbled themselves to be bondservants of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1, Jude 1:1, Second Peter 1:1, James 1:1)
e. Humility is the grease that keeps the church functioning smoothly.
f. How can you cultivate humility?
1. Prayer
2. Genuine worship
3. Do something that is not required
4. Genuine encouragement of people
5. Live respectfully
6. Learn to bow humbly
APPLICATION:
1. Pray
2. Reflect on your motivations and assess if they are driven by pride, or self serving ambition.
3. Enter into genuine worship of our Lord and Savior this week.
4. Encourage another brother or sister in the Lord this week.
5. Look for opportunities to serve the Lord in your local body of believers.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK:
Philippians 2:3
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”