Bible Study – Glue (5) – Stick with Humility – May 24, 2015

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Like Glue: Making Your Relationships Stick."

Our focus scripture is Philippians 2:1-5, 13-15.

Humbly place the needs of others before your own.

On Paul’s second missionary journey, the LORD called the Apostle Paul and his team to go to Philippi, as we read in Acts 16:6-15:

6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in • Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, bypassing Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 During the night a vision appeared to Paul: A Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to evangelize them.

Lydia’s Conversion

11 Then, setting sail from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for a number of days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there. 14 A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was spoken by Paul. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Notice that the Holy Spirit prevented them from going in one direction to guide them to an area in need of the Gospel of CHRIST at that moment in time (opportunity). Humility gives us the ability to flex and not seek our will but to do the will of the Father as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke, it is believed that Doctor Luke joined them on their journey and made up the missionary team.

Philippi was an important city in the region of Macedonia (northern Greece today). It was about 10 miles from the Aegean Sea. It was named for Philip II, Alexander the Greats father. Octavian (Augustus) made Philippi a Roman colony for retired Roman soldiers and gave those who occupied the city full Roman citizenship.

It was on Paul’s first visit to Philippi that he established the first church in Macedonia. Lydia was the first convert to Christianity in that area. She had the gift of hospitality and insisted that Paul and his team come to her house.  

Paul’s letter to the Philippians was a letter of love and affection, which focused on humility and unity for the Christians to focus on the needs of others. Do you think that it being a retirement center for Roman soldiers was one of the reasons for the need for Paul to focus on humility?

Philippians 1:21-30: (Lead-in to our focus scripture)

Living Is Christ

21 For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. 27 Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance —and this is from God. 29 For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

The Apostle Paul admonished the Christians in Philippi to reflect on what CHRIST had given them by HIS faithful obedience and what such a great inheritance awaited them through their faithful, obedience to GOD. I think Paul had a glimpse of what awaited Christians when they leave earth and enter Heaven. There was the great joy of obediently serving GOD while they still remained upon earth.

As you recall, it is believed that Paul died and went to the third heaven as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:2-5:

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows. 3 I know that this man —whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak. 5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

Paul knew what heaven would be like when he departed his earthly body. He struggled with whether he wanted to leave his earthly body and be present with the LORD or remain upon earth to do the will of the LORD. He chose to minister, as led by the Holy Spirit, because he knew and had experienced truth in being a Christian. He challenged fellow Christians to stay the course because what awaited them was beyond the comprehension of the human mind.

Let’s read Philippians 2:1-4:

1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

In verse one, “If” can be read as “since” or “assuming that” in each place where “if” is used. Paul was confirming that “since” there was:

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     Encouragement in CHRIST – The word “encouragement” is translated from the Greek word related to the word “paraklesis” used for the Holy Spirit. It carries the idea of solace, peace and comfort resulting from CHRIST coming along your side in times of need.

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    Consolation of love – The word “consolation” also carries the idea of comfort. Such consolation comes from the love of GOD through your relationship with CHRIST.

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         Fellowship with the Spirit – The word “fellowship” comes from the Greek word “koinonia” and carries the idea of intimate communication, communion and participation. It is about an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. It is “knowing” the presence of GOD within you.

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   Affection and mercy – Affection and mercy come from the core of a person as brought about by the renewing of the mind as a Christian’s obedient walk with CHRIST. Some translations translate “affection and mercy” as “tenderness and compassion”, “affection and sympathy” and “bowels and mercies.” These traits come from the very depths of our hearts or being which reflect the work of GOD in our lives.

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       Fulfill – Fulfill means to make complete. When these attributes which Paul listed are present in a person they reveal that the Holy Spirit is active in his or her life which brings about this completion and results in an unspeakable “joy.” Such “joy” comes from the unity of Spirit, with singleness of purpose in obediently serving CHRIST and focusing on one common goal. The goal is not stated but when there is unity then the goal would be mutual.

When these various attributes come together in Christians, there is unity and harmony of purpose. There is no rivalry or conceit but humility. Humility carries the idea of not thinking more highly of one’s self than he or she should. Humility is “lowness of mind.” It is not a person going around with a dark cloud hanging over his or her head. Humility comes about when a Christian realizes and understands his or her relationship with CHRIST and places others before him or herself. This comes about through sanctification. To “consider others” is to “deem” or “count” others as more important than ourselves. This comes from knowing that you are secure in CHRIST and are confident of your relationship in CHRIST. Such an attitude comes about naturally from the internal working of the Holy Spirit. Such a manufactured attitude is unfulfilling and does not produce “joy.”

Christians are to look beyond their own interest “but also for the interest of others.” This is not neglecting our interest but looking beyond our interest to the interest of others as led by the Holy Spirit.

This includes, if we see a person about to do something that will lead him or her into trouble, we are to try to give him or her wise counsel. That can be a ticklish area and needs prayer for the opportunity to counsel. This is where we have to trust, when the LORD reveals the need, HE will provide the opportunity.  We must look for it.

How is that possible?

Let’s read Philippians 2:5: Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,

How does a Christian “make his or her attitude that of CHRIST?”

The goal of GOD is for every Christian to be made in the image of CHRIST. 

Romans 8:29:

29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

Every Christian has the opportunity to have the attitude of CHRIST but it is a process of yielding his or her will to GOD. Salvation is just the beginning step in the process of obediently serving GOD and that is the process of sanctification. Christians are called, at the moment of salvation, to obediently serve GOD but Christians are free to choose.  As we grow and mature Spiritually in CHRIST through the renewing of our minds, as brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit, we are being made more like CHRIST.

As stated several times in this series, JESUS never did or said anything unless HIS Father revealed it to HIM. That is the attitude and mindset of CHRIST. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:12-16:

12 Now we have not received the spirit of the • world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 16 For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Christians have the mind of CHRIST but will we use it? Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to all truth by being obedient to HIM in every aspect of your life. 

Proverbs 3:5-6:

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (King James Version)

In order to trust the LORD we must yield and trust HIM. Through our journey with HIM we build an intimate, personal, trusting relationship with HIM. We replace our mind of flesh with the mind of CHRIST.

Let’s read Philippians 2:13-15:

13 For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. 16 Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.

Having the mind and attitude of CHRIST allows Christians to obediently function according to GOD’S plan and desire. When they allow GOD to work through them they see the handiwork of GOD being manifested. Living life upon earth is not easy but when Christians see GOD working through them it brings joy and purpose to their lives. The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20:

20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

CHRIST is the reality of things to come rejoice in that fact, as we obediently serve HIM. Unity of purpose! Blessings!!!