Bible Study - Thrive (3) - Following with Joy - Philippians 2:1-11 - February 5, 2017

Bible Study – Thrive (3) – Following with Joy – February 5, 2017

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Thrive: Living in Real Joy.”

Our focus scripture is Philippians 2:1-11

We can live in love and humility even as CHRIST did.

Where does joy come from? Why did JESUS live in joy?

Unity and harmony are the foundations for joy. Lasting joy comes from having the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS CHRIST. The basis for this is the fact that a person, a Christian, in the right relationship with GOD, through faith in JESUS, knows that JESUS and GOD are real. GOD and JESUS love you with an unchangeable and everlasting love. As a Christian, these facts are confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The love of GOD and JESUS compels Them to appeal to the non-Christian to accept JESUS as his or her Savior. But the choice is left up to each individual.

Every human is the product of the handiwork of GOD, our creator. Everything we see upon earth reflects the handiwork of GOD to draw us as humans to HIM. GOD’S ultimate appeal to mankind was to send HIS Son JESUS to earth.

JESUS came to earth, in the flesh, to reveal the love and reality of GOD to the world. JESUS was and still is in unity and harmony with GOD, HIS Father. 

JESUS had a mission from GOD to reveal GOD to us upon earth. JESUS was tempted in all ways as we are tempted, yet, HE was without sin. JESUS fulfilled GOD’S plan and purpose for the redemption of all who will place their faith in JESUS. The fact that makes that possible is that JESUS was sinless. HE was perfect and had to be perfect because GOD demands the shedding of the blood of a perfect sacrifice for the redemption from sin.

For real joy in a person’s life there needs to be the right, two-way, relationship between both parties; GOD and mankind. JESUS came to earth to be that bridge between GOD and mankind. GOD is available but the question is; are we available to HIM? Do we accept GOD’S provision of salvation through HIS only Son JESUS?

JESUS said it best in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him (Thomas), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

When Christians are in unity and harmony with GOD and fellow humans it produces the joy of obedience from a knowledge base of truth.

Paul knew this joy because he was fully committed and dedicated to obediently serving GOD through the personal relationship he had with GOD through faith in JESUS. Paul was absolutely confident of the reality of GOD and JESUS.

Can we, as Christians, have this same confidence? After all, Paul had a special encounter with JESUS on the road to Damascus. All of us, as Christians, have the opportunity to encounter JESUS personally as we seek HIM. GOD’S Word reveals GOD and JESUS. As we study GOD’S Word, HE reveals Himself and the truth for salvation through JESUS. When we accept JESUS as our Savior more truth is revealed. As Christians, as we read and study GOD’S Word and talk to GOD (pray), we are to apply what GOD reveals to us through HIS Word in the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit. 

Every Christian has this same opportunity but why do we not experience the joy of being in the very presence of GOD? My prayer is that all who read this will come to know JESUS in a real way and discover the joy of knowing and experiencing HIM. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Philippians 2:1-2:

Christian Humility

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,

The Apostle Paul lists four (4) confirming characteristics a Christian has as a born-again believer through faith in JESUS.

The use of “if” is rendered “If such and such is true – and it is – then so and so can be accomplished or affirmed.” (Herschel Hobbs Commentary, p.100, winter 2016-2107, LifeWay, Nashville, TN.)

“If” can also be rendered “since.” Since there is encouragement in CHRIST, since CHRIST is the embodiment of love, since there is fellowship with the Holy Spirit and since there is affection and mercy – if then ---

2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.

Joy is not happiness. Happiness is based upon circumstances whereas “joy” is the result of GOD’S grace. GOD’S grace is unspeakable joy because you cannot define it. It is like seeing the most beautiful sunrise or sunset. These magnificent scenes speak to you and stir your heart as you relate to the awesome handiwork of GOD but how can you put those moments into words. When we behold the majesty of GOD and JESUS, words are inadequate to explain the knowing of truth that comes into our being. This is unity with GOD through faith in JESUS.

The true knowledge of CHRIST indwelling you is unmistakable and results in a joy that cannot be put into words but is expressed as you reach out to those around you with the Gospel and nature of the love that CHRIST had when HE was upon earth.

You are compelled by the knowledge of the truth, as manifested when you experienced CHRIST, coming along your side to encourage you with HIS love for you as a sinner. You experience the knowledge that you are saved by grace, as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit within the core of your being (affection and mercy).

Paul’s desire was for his fellow Christian brothers and sisters in Philippi to know JESUS in a real way which would result in them thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal – unity and harmony with GOD and each other as the result having an intimate loving relationship with JESUS.

Let’s read Philippians 2:3-4:

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.

All Christians are sinners saved by our faith in JESUS because of GOD’S grace. All Christians come to GOD through faith in JESUS because of HIS shed blood. No human can make a claim for salvation based upon his or her Spiritual superiority.

Notice that Paul stated “we are to look out for our interest” “but also for the interests of others.” Paul was saying not to be selfish. Christians of all people know the truth and the wisdom that comes from GOD through faith in JESUS. 

As Christians, we apply this wisdom to our lives and share this wisdom to with fellow humans. If fellow humans are not Christians, we are to respond to their needs and share the Good News of salvation as led by the Holy Spirit. If fellow humans are Christians but struggling physically or Spiritually, we need to offer our help as GOD has helped us. The Apostle Paul wrote of this in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

The God of Comfort

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.

4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Christians must keep in mind that the Holy Spirit gives us balance in our lives. We are to look out for our interests but also we are not to neglect the interests of others.

Let’s read Philippians 2:5-11: [Bible scholars believe that Paul inserted verses 5-11 from an earlier Christian hymn or poem to demonstrate the importance of humility.]

Christ's Humility and Exaltation

5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,

6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.

What was the attitude of CHRIST JESUS? JESUS knew that GOD, HIS Father was real. HE knew that HE left HIS Glory in Heaven to come to earth to be born a human and to live fully as a human. Let’s read John 17:1-5:

Jesus Prays for Himself

1 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You,

2 for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him.

3 This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent-Jesus Christ.

4 I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.

5 Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

JESUS left HIS Glory in Heaven when HE came to earth to live as a human.

JESUS was aware of the power HE could call upon if HE chose to abandon the redemptive plan of GOD. Let’s read Matthew 26:47-52:

The Judas Kiss

47 While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. A large mob, with swords and clubs, was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 His betrayer had given them a sign: "The One I kiss, He's the One; arrest Him!"

49 So he went right up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!"-and kissed Him.

50 "Friend," Jesus asked him, "why have you come?" Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested Him.

51 At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest's slave and cut off his ear.

52 Then Jesus told him, "Put your sword back in place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword.

53 Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions of angels?

54 How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?"

JESUS had the authority to terminate HIS redemptive mission but because of HIS love and compassion for us as sinners HE gave, HIS life for all who place their faith in HIM so they will have eternal life.

How many of us, if we had that power and were being unjustly treated would in our humanness use that authority? I would, but JESUS did not and for that I am eternally grateful, rejoice and praise HIS name.

7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form,

JESUS became sin. Do you recall 2 Corinthians 5:21?

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

JESUS became fully human. HE lived a sinless life as a human. HE gave HIS sinless life for all who will place their faith in HIM so they will have eternal life and experience the miracle of rebirth in their spirit.    

8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-even to death on a cross.

Crucifixion was a horrible and despicable death. Criminals were crucified. It was a slow, painful and humiliating way to die. JESUS chose to give HIS life just for you. Matthew 20:28:

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life-a ransom for many."

GOD in the flesh gave HIS life just for you. But the choice is yours to make. 

GOD formed mankind with the ability to choose. Adam and Eve chose to disobey GOD which resulted in eternal death. JESUS, the second Adam, gave HIS sinless life to redeem all from eternal death which came through the first Adam. How do you choose?

9 For this reason God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name,

Because of JESUS’ obedience unto death, GOD exalted HIM above every name.

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow- of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth-

11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

There will be a time when every tongue will confess the Lordship of JESUS CHRIST. Salvation is GOD’S plan carried out by JESUS.

All who read this belong to the human race. The Bible reveals that for all of us there is a time to be born and a time to die. Satan’s desire is for us to all believe that we will live forever in the flesh. What Satan does not tell you is that you will spend eternity somewhere either in Heaven with GOD or Hell with Satan.

Satan wants you to believe that you have plenty of time to make that decision. Do not believe it because eternity is just one heartbeat away.

Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins, believing that HE gave HIS life on the cross just for you to be set free from the shackles of sin and to be born into the family of GOD for eternity. When you accept JESUS as your Savior eternal life with GOD is restored. Unity with GOD, JESUS and the Holy Spirit is restored and confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The choice is yours. Experience the joy of salvation from sin and eternal death. Blessings!!!