BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
SUNDAY 27DEC09
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From: LifeTruths & LifeWords (KJV)
Text: Philippians 2:5-11
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Glory to the Newborn King
Veiled in Flesh
Hail the Heaven-Born Prince of Peace
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From: Explore The Bible
Mark 3:7-6.6a (esp. 4:14-32)
Is God Still Working In The World?
God's Word is Sown
God's Word is Heeded
God's Kingdom Grows
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JESUS CAME FROM HEAVEN TO BE OUR KING:
He Speaks, We Listen, We Grow
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Philippians 2:1-18 – Text & Commentary

Paul begins Chapter 2 with a rhetorical question, teasing his readers about the possibility that there might be encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, fellowship in the Spirit, and affection in mercy.

2:2 complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. 

Paul then challenges them to live united in Christ, acting from love, emphasizing commonality of the Holy Spirit and of a Godly attitude, and to be of common purpose as Jesus instructed in His "great commandment and great commission".

2:3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 2:4 Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. 2:5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,

Paul illustrates his point using the "attitude" of Christ Jesus:

2:6 who though he existed in the form of God
did not regard equality with God
as something to be grasped,
2:7 but emptied himself
by taking on the form of a slave,
by looking like other men,
and by sharing in human nature.
2:8 He humbled himself,
by becoming obedient to the point of death
– even death on a cross!
2:9 As a result God exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
2:10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow
– in heaven and on earth and under the earth –
2:11 and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father.

2:12a So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, 

Paul recognizes the faithfulness of the Philippians, while he was with them, and even more-so when he was away.  Unlike children, and sometimes adults, who may alter their behavior based on the presence or the absence of an authority figure.

2:12b … continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, 2:13 for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort – for the sake of his good pleasure – is God. 

He uses the expression "... continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence" then 
qualifies it with "for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort - for the sake of His good pleasure - is God."  His goal is to remind them that the value of their salvation has already begun and that it looks like something very powerful and practical.

[Note: There is nothing in the text which justifies any claim to works-righteousness nor of anything other than a secure salvation.]

2:14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 2:15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world 2:16 by holding on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. 2:17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you. 2:18 And in the same way you also should be glad and rejoice together with me.

He continues in order to further guide them "Do everything without grumbling or arguing", then the righteousness emphasis "so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God, without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society", and finally the outreach value "in which you shine as lights in the world."

Truth in Action

Today I am choosing to an area of my life where I am either not being intentional about moving toward righteous living (thereby pleasing God) or have been trying to do so of my own strength.  I will ask a fellow believer to join me with prayers in agreement to address this as Paul describes, partnering with God, and allowing others in the fellowship to assist me.

Matthew 13:24-52, Mark 4:10-34, Luke 8:16-18

Commentary

After Jesus presented the parable of the Sower, the introduction of the good news, He 
then moved on to a series of parables which addressed the consequences.

Matthew 13:24-30 begins His description of how good seed planted in good soil that has 
been compromised by weeds is treated.  He does not, as the old saw goes “allow the 
perfect to be come the enemy of the good” and destroy the good “wheat” because of the 
weeds, He instead separates them at the harvest.

Matthew 13:31-32 and Mark 4:30-32, the parable of the Mustard Seed, describes the 
beginnings of the Church that Jesus is building as His Kingdom on earth as well as the 
beginnings of faith in the heart of a true believer; both begin very tiny but grow to where 
they are visible and attractive to “wild birds”, a reference to curious potential believers.

Matthew 13:33 parallels the parable of the Mustard Seed.  A small amount of yeast added 
to a large amount of flour causes it all to rise.

Matthew 13:34-43, Mark 4:10-20; 33-34 is where Jesus returns again to His explanation of the purpose of His parables.

Mark 4:21-25, Luke 8:16-18 is Jesus again reminding His listeners that He did not bring 
truth to them to be kept secret but like a light to be shined to displace the darkness all 
around.  He further notes that when the light shines it exposes secrets so that the arrogant 
and prideful are deprived of false gain.

Mark 4:26-29 Jesus notes that the “seed” of the good news of salvation, when planted in 
good soil, always takes root, grows, and is harvested.

Matthew 13:43-52 Jesus illustrates that one who perceives truth abandons everything for 
it, that everyone who truly understand the OT will recognize truth, and that one day 
angels will be sent to “... separate the evil from the righteous ...”

Keeping it Real

Do we note that Jesus turns His attention only to the seed planted in “good soil” as He discusses growth (discipleship) and harvest (admission to Heaven)?

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IN CONCLUSION

Jesus Came From Heaven To Be Our King

	He is Teaching – Are We Listening?
	He Requires Obedience – Are We Rebelling?
	He Wants to Bless – Are We Missing His Blessings?

	

Invitation