Introduction : The Philippians church was a strong church—a very strong church.  When a church is strong, it is always full of vision and planning, It is always working out a strategy to carry forth the gospel.  A strong church launches ministry after ministry and program after program.  It is never still and never complacent—neither the minds of the people nor the hands of the people.  Because of this, there is always the danger of differences of opinion: differences in vision, desires, concern, emphasis, and interest.  There are always different ideas as to which ministry or project should be undertaken and supported and a host of other differences.

The point is, the more strength and activity a church has, the more attention it must give to unity.  Why?  Because a strong church has more minds and bodies working, Where more people are working more differences are bound to arise.  Consequently, the members must give more attention to unity.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1 Corinthians 12:24-27

Paul knew that he had to put the Philippians church on guard.  The church had to protect itself against disunity and division. This is the subject of Paul’s letter to the Philippians Church.  The way to become like Christ that result, in Unity is having a Christ like mind.

 

The first step to unity is Christ—allowing His life to be lived out in us. There are several traits that will hold the church together and keep it unified.  We will study these traits throughout this lesson series of Becoming Like Christ.

 

Trait 1   (1:27-30)    Alive:   A mind that is alive is an active mind.  The mind set on the Spirit is alive and active. The mindset of the flesh is dead.  The Christian life is distinguished by the activity that he or she engages in on a regular basis. 

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6The mind of Christ is not a lazy or unproductive mind.  It enjoys being occupied with activities that reflect the works of God through prayer, fasting, praise and service.  Having the mind of Christ brings the purpose of God’s desire that no one should be lost but all should come into the knowledge of Christ.  The mind is focused upon bringing about God’s will among Christians and Non-Christians.  A Christ like mind chooses to engage in thinking, what would God have me to do, rather than what my fleshly thoughts would have me do.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:7-9

Verse 27. Only let your conversation. The word conversation in today’s dialogue is applied almost exclusively to talking to one another.  But it was not confined to that, in the Scriptures. It means conduct in general-including, our manner of speaking our conduct in all relations in life. In our manner of speech, our plans of living, our dealings with others, our conduct and walk in the church and out of it-all, should be done in a manner that brings God glory.  

Christ like thinking should be applied to all our conduct-to our conversation, business transactions, modes of dress, style of living, entertainments, etc. There is nothing which we do, or say, or purpose, that is an exception.

Verse 28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries. Adversaries, or opponents, were just as common to the Philippians as they are to us today.  There were Jews in the region that opposed them.   Reference text Acts 17:5 the Philippians were exposed to persecution by the heathens. In that city, Paul had himself suffered much from the Jews in the region.  Reference text Acts 16; and it would not be strange if the same scenes should be repeated on the current residence of Philippi. It is evident from this passage, as well as from some other parts of the epistle, that the Philippians were at this time experiencing some form of severe suffering.

Verse 29.  For unto you. (Unto you as Christians.)  This favor is granted unto you in your present circumstances by God.  Paul is stating that unto us as Christians, we have more than a privilege to receive the blessing of God, we have an advantage because we are children of God.  We receive this (It is given.) from God on the behalf of Christ.

Discussion Points

(1.) It is an honor to a man to believe one who ought to be believed, to trust one who ought to be trusted, to love one who ought to be loved.

(2.) It is a privilege to believe on Christ, because it is by such faith that our sins are forgiven; that we become reconciled to God, and have the hope of heaven.

(3.) It is a privilege, because it saves the mind from the tortures and the deadly influence of unbelief—the agitation, and restlessness, and darkness, and gloom of a skeptic.

(4.) It is a privilege, because we have a Friend to whom we may go in trial, and on whom we may place all our burdens. If there is anything that a Christian should give to God, It Is Thanks, it is that he has been freed from the bondage of sin through his belief in Christ Jesus. His Redeemer. Let a sincere Christian compare his peace, and joy, and hope of heaven, and support in trials, with the restlessness, uneasiness, and dread of death, in the mind of an unbeliever, and he will see abundant occasion for gratitude.

But also to suffer for his sake. Here it is represented as a privilege to suffer in the cause of the Redeemer-a declaration which may sound strange to the world.  But this sentiment frequently occurs in the New Testament. Thus it is said of the apostles, Acts 5:41, that "they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." Colossians 1:24: "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you?" 1 Peter 4:13: "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings." Read James 1:2, Mark 10:30.  Acts 5:41.

Verse 30. Having the same conflict. Paul is emphasizing, that he too has shared in their struggle to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ and has met the same agony or the same strife with bitter enemies, and the same struggle in spiritual warfare.

Which ye saw in me. When I was in Philippi, opposed by the multitude, and thrown into prison, Acts 16.

And now hear to be in me. In Rome. He was a prisoner there, was surrounded by enemies, and was about to be tried for his life. He says that they ought to rejoice if they were called to pass through the same trials.

 

Trait 2    (2:1-2) Encouragement:  There is the trait of encouragement (consolation) (paraklēsis). The word means many things throughout Scripture; but in the present context it means encouragement, comfort, solace, exhortation, and strengthen-ing.  Note that this trait is a characteristic of Christ Himself. The very essence of His Spirit is to encourage, comfort, and strengthen believers to be one in spirit and busy about the ministry of His church. “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business ?”  Luke 2:49

Jesus must be about His Father’s business.  We must be about the ministry of the church.

Christ wants no murmuring, no grumbling, disturbance, or weakening of the unity within the church.  The Spirit of Christ is to take the disturbed or upset person and console him, comfort him, encourage him, strengthen him.

We see in verse 2 Paul says we should also "Be likeminded"—be just like Christ: console, comfort, encourage, exhort, and strengthen each other.

Let absolutely nothing interfere with the spirit of unity in the church.  But note, we are not only to help those who are disturbed; we are to let the comfort and encouragement of Christ flow in us when we are disturbed. When disturbed, we are to let Christ comfort us; and when others are disturbed, we are to comfort them.

Verse 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ. This statement is the start of Paul’s word of encouragement for the people as they endure the persecution brought about because of their faith in Jesus Christ.  He encourages them to be of the same mind, and would thus fulfill his joy. Paul appeals to understanding of what it means to be in Christ.  The meaning here may be this: "I am now persecuted and afflicted. In my trials it will give me the highest joy to learn that you still hold the faith in Jesus Christ as Christians. Even though you are persecuted and afflicted yourselves. Philippians 1:28-30; Paul regarded Jesus Christ as the source of all comfort, and earnestly prays that they might so live that he and they might avail themselves in the fullest sense of that unspeakable enjoyment. If any comfort of love. If there be any comfort in the exercise of tender affection.  Our happiness is almost all centered in love. It is when we love a parent, a wife, a child, a sister, a neighbor, that we have the highest earthly enjoyment. It is in the love of God, of Christ, of Christians, of the souls of men, that the redeemed find their highest happiness. Hatred is a passion full of misery; love an emotion full of joy.  If any fellowship of the Spirit. The word "fellowship-means that which is common to two or more; that of which they partake together. Ephesians 3:9; Philippians 1:5.

The Christians were eager and willing recipients of the influences of the Holy Ghost; that they shared, in some degree, the feelings, views, and joys of the Holy Spirit himself; and that this was a privilege of the highest order. By this fact, Paul now exhorts them to unity, love, and zeal-so to live that they might partake, in the highest degree, of the consolations of the Spirit. If any bowels and mercies. Paul is asking the people, If there is any affectionate bond by which you are united to me, and any regard for my sorrows, and any desire to fulfill my joy, than live to impart to me, (your spiritual father and friend), the encouragement (consolation) which I seek from you deeply.  Paul like us needed encouragement also.

 

Verse 2. Fulfil ye my joy. Fill up my joy so that nothing shall be wanting. That Paul’s joy would be complete. This would be done by their union, zeal, and humility. Look at  John 3:29.

That ye be likeminded. , That ye think the same thing. 2 Corinthians 13:11. Perfect unity of sentiment or of deep personal care, of opinion, and plan would be desirable, if it could be achieved. If at all possible  It may be, so far as to prevent discord, schism, contention, and strife in the church, and so that Christians may be harmonious in promoting the same great work-the salvation of souls. Having the same love. Love to the same objects, and the same love one for another. Though their opinions might differ on some points, yet they might be united in love. 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Being of one accord, of one soul; having your souls joined together. The word used here does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means a union of soul; or acting together.

Of one mind. , Thinking the same thing. Paul uses an expression to go deeper in their understanding as to how great it is for the people to be together in all things.  But this involves surrender of the whole person. The object which he aimed at was union of heart, of feeling, of plan, of purpose. He wished them to avoid all divisions and strife; and to show the power of their faith by being united in the common cause. John 17:21.

There can be NO HATERS, if we are of one mind

Imagine the spirit of unity that would flow through a church if all the members would let the encouragement (consolation) of Christ flow through them. There would be no murmuring, grumbling, disturbance—no disunity whatsoever.

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:12-16

 
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:18).

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do" (1 Thes. 5:11).

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God" (Isaiah 40:1).This page is under construction.