Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB)

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Theme: Christ, in His Incarnation and death, is the inspiration & model for believers to grow in humility as people united in Him.

3 glorious truths about Christ’s Incarnation that believers must understand in order to grow in humility together:

1. Jesus left the glories of heaven & His divine privileges (v.6)
2. Jesus entered into humanity by becoming a man-servant (v.7)
3. Jesus died a humiliating death in obedience (v.8)

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Guest Speaker: Pastor Rick McLean

Matthew 5:1-12 (NASB)

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds ofevil against you because of Me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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Selected Scriptures

What:

• Water Baptism – A ceremony in which a person is immersed in water, publicly identifying themselves with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ
• Spirit Baptism – Happens at salvation when a person is spiritually joined with Christ

How: Immersion, not sprinkling or pouring

• The meaning of the word
• The clear description in the New Testament
• Immersion fits the symbolism of being buried and raised with Christ

Who: Believers

When: No set age

Why:

• Simple obedience
• The example of the early church

Application:

• If you are a professing believer you should be baptised
• If you are already baptized you should encourage other believer to be
• You should be ready to teach others about baptism
•  

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 Philippians 1:27-2:5 (NASB)

Chapter 1
²⁷ Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ in no way alarmed by your opponents – which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. ²⁹ For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Chapter 2
¹ Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, ² make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. ³ Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

Citizens of Heaven Living Worthily of the Gospel on Earth –  Series

The Importance of Unity and Humility in the Church, Part 2 – Philippians 2:3‑5

Theme: As Gospel-worthy citizens, the Church must strive to cultivate spiritual unity through the humility found in Christ.

The Mandate of Humility for Unity

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Philippians 1:27-2:5 (NASB)

Chapter 1
²⁷ Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ in no way alarmed by your opponents – which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. ²⁹ For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Chapter 2
¹ Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, ² make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. ³ Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

Citizens of Heaven Living Worthily of the Gospel on Earth –  Series

The Importance of Unity and Humility in the Church, Part 1 – Philippians 2:1‑2

Theme: As Gospel-worthy citizens, the Church must strive to cultivate spiritual unity through the humility found in Christ

I. The Motivations to Desire Unity – v. 2:1

1. Encouragement in Christ
2. Comfort of Love,
3. Fellowship in the Spirit
4. Affection and Compassion

II. The Marks of Real Unity – v. 2:2

1. Being of the Same Mind
2. Maintaining the Same Love
3. United in Spirit
4. Intent on One Purpose

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Philippians 1:18-26 (NASB)

¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. ²³ But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; ²⁴ yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Theme: Jesus is the Meaning & Purpose of Life

1. Meaning of “to live is Christ”
2. Motivation(s) to “live Christ”
3. Warning about not “living Christ”
4. Applications on how to “live Christ”

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Philippians 1:27-30 (NASB)

27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Theme: The Gospel is worth the church’s battle for unity within its walls & suffering from persecution outside its walls.

Two humbling qualities that should characterize the life of the church and the lives of citizens of Heaven:

1) Our suffering in solidarity for the Gospel (verse 27)
2) Our solidarity in suffering for Christ (Verses 28-30)

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Philippians 1:18-26 (NASB)

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Theme: The Christian’s greatest desires in life are to exalt Christ, to be with Christ, and to serve Christ’s people.

3 Heart-Stirring Reflections on why we as Christians should want to live.

1) Our Joyful Anticipation: Christ being magnified through your life (1:18b-20)

2) Our Win-Win Situation: Bearing fruit for Christ in life or Being with Christ in death (1:21-24)

3) Our Purposeful Predilection: Serving Christ for the spiritual growth & joy of others (1:25-26)

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1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NASB)

13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

5 Straightforward Imperatives from our Loving Heavenly Father to His Faithful Sons (and Daughters):

1. Be on the Alert
2. Stand Firm in the Faith
3. Act Like Men
4. Be Strong
(verse 13)

5. Let everything you do be done in Love (verse 14)

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Philippians 1:12-18 (NASB)

12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.Yes, and I will rejoice.

Three perspectives on life that the Church will clearly see when Christ & gospel are at center:

1. The Christian life priorities making gospel progress, no matter the circumstances (verses 12-13)

2. The Christian life encourages others to more boldly preach the gospel (verse 14)

3. The Christian life cares more about gospel proclamation than self-reputation (verses 15-18)

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