Philippians part 2

Unity through Humility

Last week, we began our study of Philippians looking at the church itself and then the first chapter. The main tone is one of positive encouragement as Paul considers how well the church has been doing since he planted it. They have been a generous church and a missional church, because they have been a gospel-centered church. Even the members that have been a nuisance to Paul still proclaim Christ, and so Paul is excited for them despite these antagonistic members.

The charge he gives to the church at the end of chapter 1 is to live a life “worthy of the gospel of Christ.” He alludes to how to live such life stating, “I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” The Holy Spirit calls us to live in unity in mind and mission. The next chapter will unpack how we can live such a life. In our study of chapter 2 today, we will see:

Unity in a church comes through humility in the individuals.

We will see this call to unity and humility issued in three specific ways in chapter 2.

  1. Jesus is our example of true humility.

  2. True humility looks different than the ways of the world.

  3. Humility includes investing in the leaders and workers of the church.

Christ is our Chief Example of Humility | Philippians 2:1-11

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1-11

Paul desires for the church to maintain a united spirit that matches the humility of Christ. Notice the series of phrases Paul begins with in verse 1. He says, “If these things are true, then complete [his] joy by being united.” He then gives us a description of what unity looks like.

It is of the same mind, meaning being united in their plan and purpose.

It is having the same love, meaning being united in their passions for Christ and His Kingdom.

It is being in full accord, meaning being united in their agreement for the purpose of the church.

Then, he gives a description of what it is not. It is not acting from selfish ambition or conceit. Instead it is considering others more significant than ourselves. It is caring for the interests of others, as well as our own. And these descriptions can be summed up easily with:

Christ demonstrated true humility in coming to earth and laying his life down for His people.

Sometimes people think of humility as being a doormat—letting everyone take advantage of you. No, humility is simply lifting others up. Yes, we take care of our own needs, but we also ensure that the people around us have their needs met. This type of humility is demonstrated in the life of Christ.

In verse 6, Paul seems to quote from what many scholars believe is an early hymn of the church. The style is more lyrical than prose, though scholars debate on the type of meter it may be. Regardless, this section, verses 6-11, provides us with the earliest example we have of how Christians worshiped Christ. Notice, central to the hymn is Christ is equal to God, but chooses to be “emptied” in order to go to the cross for the salvation of humanity. This word “empty” has a few meanings depending on how it is used. Here, Paul is saying Christ is “the form of God.” He uses “form,” not ‘image,’ because the Son is co-equal with the Father and Spirit. Since Christianity’s very beginnings Christ has been recognized to be of “the same stuff” as God. And yet, even though Christ could very well have exercised his authority as a member of the Godhead, he chose to become a servant instead. He did not lose his divinity, but he chose to conceal his divinity in flesh so that he could be the Suffering Servant.

Gregory of Elvira, a 4th century theologian, compared Jesus’ emptying to the sun. The sun continues to shine in all its brilliance despite the times when clouds may cover it. Even a small cloud that obstructs the light does not actually quench the light. Likewise, the glory of the Son may have been shrouded in flesh, but that didn’t take away its glory.

And central to the point Paul is making, Jesus did not shroud his glory for his own benefit. Jesus chose to be a servant to humanity rather than exert his authority, so that humanity could be lifted up. As we consider true humility, we must remember that Jesus used his power and authority to lift up others, not himself.

Just as Jesus humbled himself in order to serve humanity, we are called to humble ourselves in order to lift up those around us.

God works through Humility | Philippians 2:12-18

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:12-18

The phrase “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” has been confusing for Christians through the ages. The confusion comes with our understanding of what it means “to be saved.” Last week, we looked at short while at how salvation is a process. In Philippians 1:19, Paul says his imprisonment, through their prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, would result in his deliverance—the Greek word being the same as “salvation.” It is not that Paul is not yet a believer, but that his salvation will mature, and possibly culminate, through this trial. For the Philippians reading his letter, they do not have to go and get themselves imprisoned, they are simply told to continue serving the Lord through humility and building up one another. As they grow in their faithfulness, their salvation will be “worked out.”

But they are told it is God doing the work. Their humble service, imitating Jesus’ humble service, is empowered by the Lord Himself. The word “work” here is energon, which is the same Greek word we get “energy.” The will to work and the ability to work comes from the Lord. This truth gives us the key to the problem some people have when it comes to showing humility or serving the Lord, either in the church or in the community. When we find ourselves lacking the zeal to accomplish what the Lord has set before us, we must go to Him and seek His strength.

The strength and willpower to humble ourselves like Jesus only comes when we trade our selfishness for Jesus’ righteousness.

Only after Paul describes the work and humility of Christ does he then say, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” We cannot overcome our own selfishness without the help of Christ. He goes on to describe the plight of every Christian. We serve in a world that does not value humility. And even if this “crooked and twisted generation” ends Paul’s life, or if it ends our own life, we can still celebrate because it means the fulfillment of our faith, and we walk the same path our Savior walked—straight to the cross in obedience. Whether we are physically saved, or not, does not change the reality that walking in faithful obedience to Christ, which includes humbly lifting up others, results in an eternal inheritance in the heavenly kingdom.

I began by stating, “Unity in a church comes through humility in the individuals.” So far, we have seen this truth at an individual level. Jesus is our example of humility. True humility looks different from the ways of the world, and so we must live differently than the world. Now, Paul turns his attention to two leaders in the Church asking the Philippians to welcome them in their midsts humbly.

Humility in Leadership | Philippians 2:19-30

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Philippians 2:19-30

What these two have in common is they both are concerned for the well-being of the Philippian Church. Timothy has already proven his worth to the church, and Epaphroditus wants to make a visit so the church can see him healthy again. They are coming to benefit the church.

But much more than moral support, these two are most likely coming to engage with the poor leadership Paul alludes to in chapter 1, as well as the Judaizers we will see in chapter 3. Timothy is Paul’s second in command, and Epaphroditus is apparently a Philippian himself who has become a “fellow soldier and brother” with Paul.

Many times churches need a course correction. Even in the healthiest churches, like the Church of Phillipi, there are times when either false doctrine or poor attitudes creep in. Paul is not able to address these issues himself, outside of this letter, but he is able to send Timothy and Epaphroditus to address them on his behalf. As we move to considering unity through humility in light of the local church, we see our central truth today echoed: Unity in a local church comes through humility in the individuals. In this case, individual humility includes allowing these leaders to come and course correct the local church’s leadership.

The older a church gets, the more the church develops a certain culture. Eventually, this culture can get cemented in the church. Whenever this culture includes elements that are counter to the gospel, or includes habits that inhibit the church from fulfilling its part in the Great Commission, it is up to the leadership to provide a course correction. This type of self-awareness for leaders requires a great deal of humility, but it takes even more humility on behalf of the congregation to allow the leaders to lead in this course correction.

Corporate humility in the local church requires the church to be willing to evaluate their culture and practices.

It can be a painful time to ask the hard questions, and it takes great humility to ask them—even more to answer them truthfully. But, the hardest questions for leaders and the church are these:

  1. What is working well as we pursue the mission of the church?

  2. What is not working well?

  3. How can we do better?

And these questions are mechanisms to demoralize us. They are an exercise in humility. They are the means towards unity. It seems counterintuitive on the surface. After all, if we start critiquing, won’t that upset some people? Will feelings get hurt? Possibly, but what is better that we all feel good about half-hearted work, or that we recognize our faults in order to course correct the church, so that we can  passionately and purposefully pursue the lost in our community?

It is always helpful to consider how we can improve our lives, especially our spiritual lives. But it takes humility to accept the answer that comes when we ask that question. And the strength to do the work that comes with improvement comes from the Lord. “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Today, consider the humility that is needed for you to take the next step of faith. Is it time to humble yourself to meet with “those people” so they can hear about the love of Jesus? Is it time to humble yourself to meet the physical needs of your brothers and sisters in Christ? Perhaps for some of you, it is time to humble yourself and recognize you need to be saved. You have played “church” for years, but you have never actually surrendered to Jesus Christ for salvation. All the self-improvement in the world is worthless if you have not trusted in Jesus for forgiveness and eternal life.

Trust in him today.

Chilhowee Baptist