Paul Speaks in this Chapter about the attitude that we should have when we are involved in serving others. He talks about how we can find joy in serving others andhow we should serve with enthusiasm and without complaint. This is an absolutely wonderful passage, with plenty of encouragement for Christians who seek to serve God by serving others. Rob Mattthews will be joining us at Interface on 12th November to discuss this further. Check it out and be encouraged!
Read Philippians 2
What are our motives for helping other people? Do we do it because we want something in return, or just to bless the other person?
What did Jesus do?
Are we sometimes afraid to do something? We get encouragement from this passage that God is always with us.
Do we always do things for others without complaining, or do we get annoyed when people ask us to do something?
Do we spend life expecting to be served by others, or are we look to serve other people?
Paul encourages us to "Shine like stars in the Universe." What other ways can we serve other people in the coming weeks?
Commentary (from life application bible)
v1 - 5: Many people - even Christians - live only to give a good impression on others or to please themselves. But "Selfish ambition or vain conceit" brings discord. Paul therefore stressed spiritual unity, asking the Philippians to love one another and to be one in spirit and purpose. When we work together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our problems, we demonstrate Christ's example of putting others first, and we experience unity. Don't be so concerned about making a good impression or meeting your own needs that you strain relationships in God's family.
v 3: Selfish ambition can ruin a church, but genuine humility can build it. Being humble involves having a true persepective about ourselves (see Romans 12:3) It does not mean that we should put ourselves down. Before God, we are sinners, saved only by God's grace, but we are saved and therefore have great worth in God's kingdom. We are to lay aside selfishness and treat others with common respect and common courtesy. Considering other's interests as more important than our own links us with Christ, who was a true example of humility.
v 4: Philippi was a cosmopolitan city. The composition of the church reflected great diversity, with people from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life. Acts 16 gives us some indication of teh diverse makeup of this church. The church included Lydia, a Jewish convert from Asia and a wealthy businesswoman, the slave girl, prababy a greek native, and the jailer serving this colony of the empire, probably a Roman. With so many different backgrounds among the members, unity must have been difficult to maintain. Although there is no evidence of division in the church, it's unity had to be safeguarded. Paul encourages us to guard against and selfishness, prejudice, or jealousy that might lead to dissention. Showing genuine interest in others is a positive step forward in maintaining unity among believers.
v 5: Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people. Like Christ, we should have a serant's attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear. Remember, you can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others.
v5 - 11: Often people excuse selfishness, pride or evil, by claiming their rights. They think, "I can cheat in this test; after all, I deserve to pass," or, "I can spend all this money on myself - I worked hard for it." But as believers we should have a different attitude, one that enables us to lay aside our rights in order to serve others. If we say we follow Christ, we must also say we want to live as he lived. We should develop his attitude of humility as we serve, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts. Are you selfishly clinging to your rights, or are you willing to serve.
v9 - 11: At the last judgement even those who are condemned will recognise Jesus' authority and right to rule. People can choose to regard Jesus as Lord now as a step of willing and loving commitment, or be forced to acknowledge him as Lord when he returns. Christ may return at any moment. Are you prepared to meet him?
v12: "Therefore" ties this verse to the previous section. "Work out your salvation", in light of the preceding exhortation to unity, may mean that the entire church was to work together to rid themselves of divisions and discord. The Philippian Christians needed to be especially careful to obey Christ, now that Paul wasn't there to continually remind them about what was right. We too must be careful about what we believe and how we live, especially when we are on our own. In the absence of cherished Christian leaders, we must focus our attention and devotion even more on Christ so that we won't be sidetracked.
v13: What do we do when we don't feel like obeying? God has not left us alone in our struggles to so his will. he wants to come alongside us and be within us to help. God helps us want to obey him and then gives us power to do what he wants. The secret to a changed life is to submit to God's control and let him work. Next time, ask God to help you want to do his will.
v14 - 16: Why are complaining and arguing so harmful? If all that people know about a church is that it's memebers constantly argue, complain, gossip, they get a false impression of Christ and the gospel. Belief in Christ should unite those who trust him. If your church is always complaining and arguing, it lacks the unifying power of Christ. Stop arguing with other Christians or complaining about people and conditions within the church and let the world see Christ.
At Interface, God wants us to unified.
v14 - 16: Our lives shouls be characterised by moral purity, patience, and peacefulness, so that we will "shine like stars" in a dark and depraved world. A transformed life is an effective witness to the power of God's word. Are you shining brightly, or are you clouded by complaining and arguing? Shine out for God.
v17: Even if he had to die, Paul was content, knowing that he had helped the Christians live for Christ. When you're totally committed to serving Christ, sacrificing to build the faith of others brings a joyous reward.
v21: Paul observed that most belivers are too preoccupied with their own needs to spend time working for Christ. Don't let your schedule and concerns crowd out your Christian service to and love for others.
v22: Just as a skilled workman trains an apprentice, Paul was preparing Timothy to carry on his ministry in his absence. Who are you apprenticing for God's work?
v29, 30: The world honours those who are intelligent, beautiful, rich and powerful. What kind of people should the church honour? Paul indicates that we should honour those who give their lives for the sae of Christ, going where we cannot go ourselves. Our missionaries do that for us today by providing ministry where we are not able to go.
How can we at Interface move out together with the humility of Christ to serve others together without complaint or argument?
