December 30, 2007

One Through Humility

1)      Introduction:   

a)      There was a double threat to the integrity of the church

b)     1:15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry but others out of goodwill

c)      There were false teachers coming in to the church

d)     4:2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord

e)      There were also disagreements among church members

2)      The appeal

a)      2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ if any comfort from his love if any fellowship with the Spirit if any tenderness and compassion

b)     Characteristics of followers of Christ

c)      United with Christ

d)     Experience the love of God

e)      Fellowship with the Holy Spirit

f)       Compassion

g)      These characteristics compel believers to be ONE in Christ

3)      One

a)      2:2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded having the same love being of one accord, of one mind

b)     Be like minded = to think the same thing

c)      Have the same love = if God loves you unconditionally love others the same

d)     Being of one accord = soul to soul

e)      There is a difference between unity or oneness and uniformity

f)       Spiritual unity and oneness come from with in as Christ develops our character

g)      When we are one we can

i)        BE THE BODY OF CHRIST IN ACTION

4)      The key to achieving oneness

a)      2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than your selves

b)     The key to achieving oneness in spirit and purpose is Humility

5)      The definition of Humility the Kenosis 2:5-11

a)      2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

b)     Continually have the same attitude as Jesus

c)      My Attitude: pride, low self esteem or humility

d)     Humility is the opposite of pride and low self esteem

e)      Pride and low self-esteem are self-centered behaviors

f)       A humble person does not really think about them self

g)      A humble person has some of their issues solved and can be God’s channel of blessing to the world

h)     2:6 Who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped

i)        Jesus is the outward expression of the inward divine nature of God

j)       He was not selfishly thinking about him self he gave up His position

k)     2:7 (NAS) but EMPTIED Himself taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men

l)        2:7 (NKJV) but made Himself of NO REPUTATION taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men

m)   Empty = less of me more of Him

n)     No reputation = I have no where to go but up

o)      Bond servant = slave no rights

p)     2:8 And being found in (out ward) appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross

q)     He was God but He was also human

r)       He took that human body to the cross

s)       2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name  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

t)       The spiritual principle in the kingdom you go down first then up