Philippians 2:16-18 (NASB)

¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. ¹⁸ You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Theme: The Christians’ spiritual ministry to one another, though costly and self‑sacrificial, should be marked by present joy and future anticipation of joy before Christ.

Three principles to remember regarding the connection between our joy and our sacrificial service to others.

1. Sacrificial ministry toward one another should be motivated by the future joy of standing faithful before Christ – 2:16
2. Suffering and sacrifice in ministry toward others should be cause for great rejoicing – 2:17
3. Self-sacrificial spiritual ministry together should result in mutual rejoicing – 2:18

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Philippians 2:14-16 (NASB)

¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing; ¹⁵ so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

Theme: Our Testimony as Christians must be marked not by grumbling or disputing against one another, but by holding tightly to the Gospel together in this sinful world

Three Guides to help us give up our grumbling and disputing for the glory of God

1. Grumbling and disputing, under any circumstances, is unacceptable- 2:14
2. Refusing to grumble and dispute allows our Christian testimony to shine in this world – 2:15
3. Holding tightly to the Gospel compels us to stop grumbling and disputing – 2:16a

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Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)

¹² So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Theme: God commands believers to work out what He has worked in them

Two Reminders and an Encouragement to working out what God has worked in you

  Reminders

     Reminder 1 – It is possible for Christians to be displeasing to God

     Reminder 2 – It is possible for Christians to be pleasing to God

  Encouragement – The Holy Spirit, Understanding His work

      – Holiness by Holy Spirit power
          – He infuses us with His power to battle sin

      – The Holy Spirit is Light
          – He is a lamp to illumine God’s Word
          – The Holy Spirit shines as a light into the darkness of our heart
          – The Holy Spirit helps to see the glory of Christ more clearly

      – Gospel centered effort
          – It reminds us how grateful we should be
          – It encourages us in sanctification by reminding us of the truth of who we are

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Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Theme: God commands believers to work out what He has worked in them.

3 Principles for believers to comprehend about sanctification to make us more like Christ:

1. People cannot work for salvation (v.12)
2. Believers must work out their salvation. (v.12)
3. Believers are enabled by God to be sanctified. (v13)

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Philippians 2:9-11 (NASB)

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Theme: Because Jesus humbled Himself to death on the cross, God has exalted Him above all,so that everyone will one day acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

4 Uplifting Realities to behold about Jesus’s supreme position which help believers to humble themselves under His Lordship:

1. The crucified,resurrected, and ascended Jesus is now at the place of supremacy over all creation (v.9)

2. Every single person will bow down before the exalted Lord Jesus (v.10)

3. Every single tongue will acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ (v.11a)

4. The exaltation of Jesus is unto the glory of God the Father (v.11b)

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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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