When people are working well together and concerned about each other, it is a plus for the group - whether it is a family, club, or church. The apostle Paul was concerned about having a stable, and one might say, happy community of believers in Philippi. This was a church that he helped to launch. Now, as he is writing to them from prison, he wants to make sure that they are living fully in Christ. He states in his letter to them how he wanted those believers to be concerned about one another. He wrote:
"If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete..." Philippians 2:1
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-5
We discover that his advice goes beyond some moral prescription for good relations. Paul draws directly on the life of Jesus. Jesus was one who looked after our interests as he came down from heaven to make it possible for us to be reconciled to God. Our living ought to be a participation in the very life of Christ.
We are to look after the interests of others. Therefore, as believers in the body of Christ, each of us is to have a genuine concern for others. It might be difficult at times, when we already are caught up in our own struggles and problems - and some of them can be overwhelming. However, if we do go that extra mile to care for others, it will be for the betterment of the community. We will be living out the life Christ desires for us; we will be having the mind of Christ.
This is the second part of my sermon series on Philippians. You may want to read Chapter 2 in your preparation for worship.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
How do you think a congregation would be transformed in living out Paul's words here?
How much are you looking after the interests of others?
"If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete..." Philippians 2:1
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-5
We discover that his advice goes beyond some moral prescription for good relations. Paul draws directly on the life of Jesus. Jesus was one who looked after our interests as he came down from heaven to make it possible for us to be reconciled to God. Our living ought to be a participation in the very life of Christ.
We are to look after the interests of others. Therefore, as believers in the body of Christ, each of us is to have a genuine concern for others. It might be difficult at times, when we already are caught up in our own struggles and problems - and some of them can be overwhelming. However, if we do go that extra mile to care for others, it will be for the betterment of the community. We will be living out the life Christ desires for us; we will be having the mind of Christ.
This is the second part of my sermon series on Philippians. You may want to read Chapter 2 in your preparation for worship.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
How do you think a congregation would be transformed in living out Paul's words here?
How much are you looking after the interests of others?
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