Formula for Christian Unity

Amen thank you Jane and Amy if you would turn in your Bibles to Philippians chapter 1 Philippians chapter 1. The title of her message tonight is formula for Christian unity formula for Christian unity. I want to read a brief introduction and if I may.

My last message was entitled, becoming an epistle of Christ by living a word centered life becoming an epistle of Christ by living a word centered life. We considered four essentials in these four essentials I've shared with our teens often over the years. First we must acknowledge the word of God in our heads as simple as that may sound if we are acknowledging the word of God in our heads. We got a have a growing all of that that we had the very word of God in our disposal.

Secondly, we considered we must assimilate God's word in our hearts that would be adoration. The more we read it and have an off work, the more adoration we have for the number three what we consider.

We must apply God's words are habits. And finally, one must offer God's word in our history. Number four will happen automatically if were acknowledging in our headset for some lighting it in our hearts if were applying it to her habits. We are authoring in our history as our history is just an accumulation of what we do.

The greatest unifier of Christians is when the spirit of God uses the word of God, make each of us like the son of God for the glory of God.

Read that again the greatest unifier for Christian is when the spirit of God uses the word of God to make each of us like the son of God. The glory of God. Certainly, roadblocks and threats to unity come from within. When members tend to be self-centered, self-serving robots can come from without. Through antagonist and in Philippians chapter 127 through 30. Paul warned of this external threat, and he places our text in its proper context.

Our text to be Philippians 21 through 11, we need to begin by reading Philippians 127, 230 get the contact so if you follow with me.

Philippians 120 70 that your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries. Which is to them a proof of perdition, but do you of salvation, and that from God for you. It has been granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake. Having same conflict which you saw in May and now here is inmate chapter 2.

Therefore, if there's any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and mercy fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 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. Therefore God also has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the earth that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father and tonight we want to consider for things as we look into this text, the right motivation for spiritual unity, the right methods for spiritual unity, the right mindset for spiritual unity and the right mentor our monarch for spiritual unity. Now tell you in advance that III will take the bulk of her message tonight. First of all, the right motivation for spiritual unity. Notice verse one again. Paul writes therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and mercy the word if can be translated assuming or sense. And Paul is letting his readers know that he's assuming that they are in Christ and therefore motivated by all the things that we possess and him Warren would weirdly gives us quote he said there's a difference between unity and uniformity. True spiritual unity comes from within. It's a matter of the heart uniformity is a result of pressure without. This is why Paul opens this section appealing to the highest possible spiritual spiritual mode since the believers at Philippi are in Christ does not encourage a to work toward unity and love, not division and rivalry.

11. What do we have in Christ. As believers, what we have in Christ. As believers, while in first one we see consolation in Christ word can be translated, encouragement or exhortation. Both of these are benefits whether were encouraged through Christ are exhorted us to price.

Both of them are benefits in this context and Philippians chapter 2, the noun means to draw alongside of in the comfort and I think that you degree if we are in Christ we have great, comfort. We have great consolation. Another thing that we enjoy in Christ is comfort of love in Christ, Kenneth Weese states the tender persuasion and encouragement which exhorts to unity among the Philippians comes from God's love for them, which reached down and say comfort of love in Christ, the love that because God sent Jesus Christ of this earth to die for his own men third fellowship of the Spirit in Christ and this is twofold.

It's not only personal sense of his presence. But the fellowship that we have each other in Christ.

I would say that if you had the privilege of attending this morning. You know exactly what referring to.

It's not only fellowship of the spirit within us, but it's a fellowship that we share with each other as believers as brothers and sisters in Christ and then finally, Paul says, affection and mercy in Christ. John MacArthur states affection became the strongest Greek to express compassionate love. A love that involves one entire once entire being the fact the matter is if an individual is in Christ, encouragement, love, fellowship and compassion will be evident and increasing as we become more and more like Christ. And this contributes to unity among fellow believers who are in Christ.

So the first consideration the right motivation for spiritual unity consolation in Christ comfort of love in Christ Fellowship of the spirit in Christ, affection and mercy in Christ.

The second thing that we want to look at tonight is not only the right motivation with the right methods for spiritual unity. Paul shifts to what he requests. Notice the first part of verse two fulfill my joy.

And then he tells them how his joy would be fulfill in this is an important part of message that I hope that you will get if you forget everything else that I shared I want you to remember three words, harmony, humility and helpfulness and then under these we are going to see three methods are three things that we can do our eight I should say that we can do to fulfill Paul's joy.

So three themes and then under them eight methods that were used to fulfill Paul's joy. Theme one harmony theme one harmony verse two, he says being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind, harmony simply means agreement or court in the first method. How can we have agreement or accord be of the same mind literally in the Greek. That means mine the same thing. This wasn't a command for unity if the expense of truth.

Paul is assuming that the same thing is also the right thing and the way that we ensure that in a Bible believing Bible preaching churches through expositional preaching, not spiritualizing not grabbing a verse and having 21 illustrations but carefully word by word expositor with the word of God says of the we can quiet our lives so method number 1B of the same mind method number two is have the same love that word for love is agape and agape does not happen without spiritual Maple effort.

It goes against the selfish bent of our heart we choose to sacrifice as needed for the welfare of brothers and sisters in Christ. So he says have the same law. Method 3B of one accord, what is that mean united in spirit or being one sold or acting together as one. One commentator that I read said this brothers attacking or even belittling one another make a story spectacle before the world their inner spiritual growth is retarded in their witness to the world is weakened. We as believers more than any other group to be a one accord because what we have in Christ and then method number four be of one mind be being intent on one purpose or literally, thinking the same thing and this brings his readers back full circle. The being of the same mind as I reflected on this and thought it to be kind of bookends. This dealing with the mind as I thought of that.

Philippians 121 came to my mind four to May to live is Christ and to die is gain. That is a common mindset for the May to live is Christ.

Everything is filtered through my relationship with Christ and desire to glorify him.

In verse two, the apostle uses a variety of expressions that denote the same thing. The object which he aimed at was union of heart union, a feeling union of plan and purpose. In other words, harmony, theme to Jan harmony theme to his humility and we see that in verse three let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Humility is freedom from pride or arrogance or assertiveness, freedom from pride or arrogance or assertiveness, no pride comes in a whole lot different packages summer plaintiff and others. Some are just out there and godly, but some are very sellable. I'm sure other pastors would say the same thing go before the Lord before you speak and and just say Lord, glorify yourself if it means me fumbling for words to keep me humble and in a prayerful attitude, then so be it. But we need to be very very careful beloved of pride. We need to seek to be humble, realizing that any good thing that we have comes from God and under this general theme of humility method number five.

He says reject selfish ambition or personal accomplishment that fosters contention. You see that in any group. You certainly see that on any on any team reject selfish ambition or personal accomplishment that fosters contention.

We have to be careful about method 600 humility, he says, seek humility of mine. It's a poster that pride work and see which would lead us to act from a wish for flattery or praise. We want the praise of other people will want to miss a great job, or whatever. And Paul evidence growth in this Paul evidence growth in this area. Just thinking this through. During his third missionary journey. He called himself the least of the apostles's on his third journey. He's the least some pretty important people. The apostles during his first Roman imprisonment. He referred to himself as the very least of all the same.

That's a pretty big group and shortly after this, he designated himself as the chief of sinners, so he's gone from apostles to saints to everybody and he says I'm the chief of sinners.

He personified the attitude of humility that we need to pursue and then finally under humility method seven esteem others, English standard version count others more significant than yourselves and for us to do that. It takes sensitivity and unselfishness, humility, verse three let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. The third thing that we want to look at is helpfulness, helpfulness, and you might think. Where does that come in. I hope that we can unpack this obviously in verse four, it's pretty obvious, but as we get into later versus and see how Christ personified helplessness, helpfulness.

I think you'll I trust be challenged in blast verse four says let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interests of others method a not looking out for your own interests at the expense of seeking the well-being of other people. You look at for the good of the whole. Galatians 610, Paul wrote, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Personal illustration. On my way home today from church thinking about this, having the mind of Christ and by knowing that I was speaking tonight. I got on the exit my exit. And as I got on that exit to get off the interstate, I saw a car parked over the side and looked very quickly and it looked like a woman changing a tire and as I went past the car I saw that she had a couple of daughters Psalm dressed in my suit and I didn't have to battle long and you would add that I got down to the bottom of the ramp got on the entrance ring back 87 got back on the interstate. You know I'm in the Graham exit and pulled up behind her now.

Fortunately, I reckon she had it a percent done and she said there's no amulet you change my tired rest that you look too nice and that is to change the tire. But here's the point. I knew in my heart what I needed to do. I needed to meet the need of that lately all kinds of thoughts growth mind. What was it that that was my wife with that was my daughter and beloved the pointer were making is this were to have the spirit of help and I think is we get into this further, you'll see that everything Jesus did really was from a spirit of helpfulness of obedience to the Lord God, yes, but also the spirit of elf III the right mindset for spiritual unit. The mindset first of all identified says let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Now this mind refers to the harmony, humility and helpfulness that we just looked at in verse that's the mind of Christ were to have. We cannot attain that in this life, but it's a standard that we should aim the mindset is personified by Christ.

The mindset they were to have is personified by Christ. Verse six and we see this theme of harmony again being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, harmony, who, being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God as a brother. Where'd you get that were to get harmony being in the form of God. Paul chose a term for that that stress is the essence of a person's nature distresses is continuous state or condition. Think about the condition of Jesus Christ from eternity past. Think about the condition or the state of Jesus from eternity past. He was in complete harmony with the father's will. He left the place of inexpressible glory took upon himself the most humble form of humanity and perform the most lowly office wife so that he could benefit us in Gethsemane Jesus prayed three times, not my will but yours be done.

And I have this question asked of all of us. What are you willing to sacrifice in time and treasure for unity and harmony in the church. What are you willing to sacrifice in time and treasure for unity and harmony in the church versus seven and eight the number two we see humility as eternal spirit. Jesus and of the realm of time and space and humbled himself in several ways, and I want us to consider three and I I thought of these things. A couple of them in a way that I've never thought of that. That typically is the case when you pour yourself into a Texan you're trying to understand it read behind commentators.

I hope to share some things tonight. That'll give you cause something and cause to be grateful.

What Jesus did on our behalf with the theme humility is eternal spirit. Jesus and of the realm of time and space, and humble himself in several ways, and we look at these three adulation what is outward main at a adulation to fawn over to worship God the son made himself of no reputation. Now think of going from heaven were angels worshiped and adored you to earth where you were of no reputation. Isaiah 53, three states he was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Jesus said this a profit is without honor except in his own country and in his own house. John tells us that even his brothers did not believe that God the son, and eternal glory pass at the worship of angels came in a time and space was despised and rejected by men became a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and was without honor in his own country and even in his own home and this was always shocking when I read it in the Scriptures in glory. Angels worshiped him, but in Galilee, Jesus said that the fairies Pharisees called him Beelzebub the meaning of which could be Lord of flies Lord of Don or Lord of idolatrous sacrifice. Whatever the meaning is it is a despicable title that they gave to him. Question, are you overly concerned about receiving the praise of others or being well thought of by others at the expense of truly being used of God for his glory.

Are you overly concerned about receiving the praise of others are being well thought of by other at the expense of truly being used of God for his glory question that we all have to ask ourselves to be sure. The second thing affluent abundance of property. Look at the middle part of verse seven, taking the form of a bondservant, Jesus said of himself, the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. The Jews intended to give him a shameful burial that parallel to shameful death word would get that Isaiah 53, nine speaking of the Jews they made his grave with the wicked and reading commentaries.

That basically means they intended to bury him with the other two criminals in their eyes. A shameful death and shameful bit burial, and yet God had other plans intervene. He was buried in a rich man's borrowed Hebrews 13 five says let your conduct be without covetousness, be content with such things as you have, for he himself is set I will never leave you nor forsake Jesus personified. Being willing to give up affluence. Are you overly concerned about pursuing the good life and possessing things at the expense of investing in the kingdom. And another's will need to think that through. Are you overly concerned about pursuing the good life and possessing thing at the expense of investing in the kingdom. And another's. In this last one. I learned a different twist on as I meditated on this may not be anything surprising you. But then again it may very well give you deeper understanding of Jesus is condescension's appearance 7B to a day coming in the likeness of men.

And being found in appearance as a man were concerned about her parents, Mama, because of the type of attention it draws is not true.

All of us were concerned about her parents, mainly because of the type of attention that it draws us beloved.

All I have to do is come up your with my time loosened in the top button but this is not a matter of democracy, but I guarantee it every one of you watching would notice everyone we are concerned about our appearance, mainly because of the type of attention and rosters and this can foster comparisons that can contribute to disunity.

This truth that I wanted to illustrate to Jesus, God molds us and makes us for his listener when Isaiah 53.

Two states. This is stated of the eternal perfect son of God, when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire. There is no beauty that we should desire can you hear the mockers taught Jesus. Now look at him.

He thinks he is the Messiah. Think about that just an ordinary man with nothing that stood out about them and yet this ordinary man was the very son of God. Now I made this comment God molds us and makes us for his purposes. What if you put Jesus in a lineup with Joseph, who was said to be handsome and Norman appearance. What if in that lineup.

There was Moses beautiful child Bible says what about David Wright.

I and good-looking. Who would you identify as the Christ based on appearance. Are you overly concerned about how you appear to others at the expense of drawing attention to what is really important Christ in you, are you overly concerned about how you appear to others at the expense of drawing attention to what's really important Christ in you, and then 8B.

This third thing helpfulness he he became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

You say you're stretching the helpfulness out of that will follow this. If you would Christ's life of obedience personified help an addict culminated in his death on the cross and if you want proof that beloved just look at the miracles that he performed and think helpfulness healing feeding rescuing from danger, casting out demons just to mention a few.

Jesus personified service for other people, helpfulness. The Holy Spirit was sent in Christ's name John 1415 to 17 states if you love me. Jesus said, keep my commandments and I will pray the father and he will give you another helper, that he may abide with you forever. The spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows but you know, for he dwells within you and will be in you. One of the ways it Jesus helps us is by sending the helper to us. The Holy Spirit, Jesus said that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself, and that agape love expresses itself through obediently helping others do the enabling of the Holy Spirit would people think of you as a helper do you do things for other people because you feel obligated or do you have a desire to be a helper. Jesus certainly personified that Matthew 20 verse 27 and whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to certainly serve, but to serve, and give his life a ransom for many. What is the most humbling picture of service that you could recall when it comes to Jesus washing his disciples feet. Jesus certainly was helpful. Your love for Christ least obedience to Christ, and helpful service to others, to the enabling of the Holy Spirit. What we see. We looked at is the right motive for spiritual unity. That's what we have in Christ.

The right methods of spiritual unity and I came under three broad headings.

Those headings were harmony, humility and helpfulness and then we just looked at the right mindset of spiritual unity that's personified by Christ harmony with the father's will. Humility in this condescension and helpfulness in the service routers married .3. Again, you got it you part of it the right mindset of spiritual unity was personified by Christ harmony with the father's will.

One with the father in the plan of salvation harmony with the father's will.

Humility in this condescension, no place to lay his head. Nothing special about him. That would draw you to and helpfulness in his service routers.

When we look at the miracles of Christ in his interaction with other next forth we want to look at the right mentor or monarch for spiritual unity and this is in a sense restating what we said when we said that Jesus personified spiritual unity. Look at verses 9 to 11 therefore God also has highly exalted, and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. We look at two things under this Christ is our mentor, our teacher is example maximize the importance of harmony, humility, and health us when you think about his example maximize of harmony as brothers and sisters in Christ, humility as people who have been given so much by and then finally, helpfulness, Christ is not only our mentor, but he's our monarch's exaltation magnify the accomplishment he achieved and what was that the salvation of his people from their sin. Jesus did not make salvation of his people possible. He made it predestined. It wasn't just a possibility or probability thank the Lord Christ armoire our monarch is out exaltation magnify the accomplishment. The result of Christ harmony militant helpfulness you see in verse nine God has highly exalted him, and that Greek word for highly exalted can be transferred a translate I should say super exalted God has super exalted him, the reference of the resurrection and ascension, and glorification of Jesus following humility aiding death. After all, that he laid aside in glory was an example for you and for me.

Can you imagine the scene in heaven.

When God the son returned in victory. I like to think of what it must've been like for the Angels to see the son of God the eternal son of God, Lee have in for a moment in time become an ordinary man live a perfect life diet sacrificial death rise victoriously from the grave and return in the glory. Can you imagine the scene in heaven. When God the son returned in victory. Secondly, the renowned, the renown of the name given him. Verse nine the name which is above every name you know what that name is the name which is above every name is. I thought that through all kinds of things came to my mind. John MacArthur and others give us insights into this Christ new name which further describes his essential nature racism above and beyond all comparison is simply Lord L small oh small are small, they Lord this name is the New Testament synonym for the Old Testament descriptions of God as sovereign ruler, both before and after the exaltation.

Scripture affirms that this Jesus rightful title, the God man was Lord, I want to read Revelation 1911 through 16. They describe this one, whose name is above every name, just listen to this. If you were John writes in Revelation 19 oh I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse and he who sat on them was called faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood in his name is called the word of God and the armies of in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses. Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with he should strike the nations. And he himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God and he has on his robe and on his thigh a name written this in our Bibles and KING of Kings and Lord of lords. What is the reason for this. The reason for the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the year that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. MacArthur states this mandate includes the angels in heaven, the spirits of the redeemed, obedient believers on earth. The disobedient rebels on earth and lost humanity in hell. They will all we will all confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the father. Revelation 511 to 13 captures this universal confession and let me say this, the Greek word for confess means to acknowledge is coming a day when everyone is going to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. Revelation chapter 5 verses 11 to 13 John again states.

Then I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures and the elders and the number of them was 10,000×10,000, and thousands of thousands same with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor glory and blessing in every creature which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all N. I heard say blessing and honor, glory and power be to him who sits on the throne into the Lamb forever and ever.

I want to make three applications for so if I may, in Philippians 127.

You recall that Paul wrote only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs that you stand in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel in our text Paul reemphasizes the necessity of harmony among the brethren. A quality that's possible only when there is true humility and a helpfulness of disposition in our text Paul reemphasizes the necessity of harmony among the brethren, a quality that is possible only when there is true humility of mine and helpfulness of disposition and hear the three applications number one is your interaction with others tangibly fostering harmony among the children of God, for whom Christ died is your interaction with others at beacon Baptist Church tangibly fostering harmony among the children of God, for whom Christ died. And when I say tangibly. Can you think of specific instances for you intentionally worked at fostering harmony among brothers and sisters in Christ. Secondly is your focus upon humbly serving contented and anticipating in one day here is well done good and faithful servant. Are you content to humbly serve the Lord, you know, I was tempted to to give a specific name but I think I'll not do it just make up a general application.

There are some things that people do serving the Lord that no one ever sees and let me say this, I believe that those people have the greatest possibility of true riches in glory why is no element of pride.

There one people served out of sight and sound of man. There is the opportunity when they have the right mindset of humbly serving as undeveloped receiving great reward.

But let me give a parallel illustration of that. I think sometimes our private prayers often can glorify God more than our public prayers.

I said our private prayers can often glorify God with in public prayers. I don't know of anyone.

Maybe there are people out there.

Your you're not looking. They can totally insulate himself from the fact that as I prayed to God are listening and that's just an honest admission. I truly want to pray to God when our firm called upon to pray publicly, but I for one maybe it's a week cannot divorce myself from the fact that there are people out there hearing now when I get up in the morning and I have my personal private prayer is just automate and it can be very very rewarding because you know you're not trying to impress anyone and he sees the thoughts and intents of your heart and the same is true here folks is your focus upon humbly serving contented and anticipating the one day hear his well-done, good and faithful servant and then finally is your love for Christ evident others to your obedience to his word that motivates you to be helpful to the body for God's glory is your love for Christ evident. Others through your obedience to his word that motivation to be helpful to the body for God's glory.

I want to at this time. Read the lyrics to the song that my wife sang earlier May the mind of Christ, my Savior within me from day to day by his love and power controlling all I do and say. May the word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour so that all may see I triumph only through our may the peace of God. My father rule my life and everything that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing. May the love of Jesus filming as the waters fill the sea him exalting self-effacing this is victory may have run the race before me strong and brave to face the foe, looking only under Jesus as I onward go. May his beauty rest upon me as I seek the loss to win and may they forget the channel see only him. The formula for Christian unity. Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus.

11 if we forget everything else. I've tried to share tonight. Three words harmony, humility and helpfulness harmony within the church doing all that we can foster that humility. Being willing to do whatever needs to be done for the glory of God and helpfulness looking for ways that we can help brothers and sisters in Christ. Please bow for the benediction. Now the God of patience and comfort during grant you to be like-minded toward one another. According to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind with one mouth glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen