Philippians 2

As I read this great chapter from Paul's letter to the Philippians, I remember my first semester in seminary as I was working on my master's degree.  I was an unknowing first year student and did not realize the enormity of my load in one class in particular until it was too late.  We sat and listened to the syllabus for the class and discovered that one assignment was to exegete the first eleven verses of chapter two.  What I discovered is that this passage would become one of my favorites from Paul's writings and one of the most prolific in describing the divinity and humanity of Christ explicitly detailing His heart of generosity and love for mankind.  In detailing this chapter I want to share two thoughts regarding the portions that stand out to me so greatly.

First, as we look at verses 1-4 once again we see the theme Paul stressed to the church of Corinth and Dr. Luke stressed to the early church in Acts, be united in all things.  If these two men find this matter to be of such importance to the early church I believe strongly that we should make it a matter of urgency in the postmodern day church.  Keep in mind the first four statements in the passage appear to questions in the English language, but are really statements of affirmation in the Greek.  When Paul writes "If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if an affection and mercy...", he is really saying "since there is encouragement, consolation, fellowship, and affection" make my joy complete by thinking the same way...focusing on one goal!  He further details the manner of fulfilling his joy by saying put aside selfish ambitions and ways of thinking by putting others first in how you think and behave.  This parallels what we have been discussing on Sunday mornings about the "Contextual Church."  The contextual church puts aside her personal desires for the betterment of the kingdom of God and the advancement of the Gospel.  The contextual church wants to see things done in such a way to draw in those who do not know Christ.  The contextual church is less concerned with the consumer mentality of the church and more concerned with the best way to reach to the unregenerate community.  Unfortunately we have allowed the worldly mindset to creep into the church of saying, "What does the church have for me!"  I am reminded of the words of John F. Kennedy as he made his inaugural speech in January of 1961 when he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what can you do for your country."  An interpretation of this statement for the church could be, "Ask not what the church can do for you, but what you can do for the church."  Could this be what Paul is implying here as well?  Could this be the mindset of unity?  Could this be what we must do in God's church today?

Paul continues this thought of self-abandonment by giving the greatest example for us which is found in Jesus Christ.  He states, that though Jesus was in the very same nature and form as God did not see that as something He could clutch but abandoned His rights for the sake of mankind.  I like the way the HCSB states this, "He emptied Himself."  How much different God's church would be if we all "Emptied Ourselves."  Paul doesn't leave it at that statement but also adds, "He Humbled Himself" to the very lowest form of mankind at the time, a servant.  Here the King of Kings and Lord of Lords became a servant for those who had (and continue to) wronged Him.  I think of what the first nature and first thoughts we have when wronged.  Too often we want to think, "How dare them treat ME that way."  We also begin to think of revenge in some manner.  However, Christ chose to become their servant out of love.  How we act when treated wrongly manifests a sacrificial heart or a selfish heart.  Which do you have?  Do you want retaliation or reconciliation?  Do you seek to serve or seclude yourself in self-pity? 

If we are going to manifest the very nature and attitude of Christ, we must think of others before ourselves, how we can advance the Kingdom of God, and how we can Glorify God and share His love.  Today let us make the Joy of Christ complete by being of the same mind, sharing the same love, sharing the same feelings, and focusing on one goal.  Let us glorify God today in our attitude and actions.