Bible Study - Relationships (5) - Yield - Philippians 2:1-5, 13-15 - May 24, 2020

Bible Study – Relationships (5) – Yield – May 24, 2020

This is lesson five (5) in our series of study entitled, “Dealing with Messy Relationships.”

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

Humbly place the needs of others before your own.

Let’s read Philippians 2:1-4:

2 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 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. ⁴ Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

Those of us who have children, grandchildren or great grands know that we desire the best for them. We who know the truth of salvation, through faith in JESUS, desire for all of our children, family members, friends and those with whom we come into contact to receive JESUS as their Savior and to live obediently serving HIM. We desire the very best for them.

That is why JESUS came to earth. GOD desires the best for each of us. HE knows about eternity – Heaven and Hell. We exist in this this life upon earth. We came from the union of two humans or the union of a sperm and an egg in a petri dish. We have two places to spend eternity – Heaven or Hell. We have a choice. There is one way to Heaven and that is placing your faith in JESUS and HIS passion.

The Apostle Paul was writing to the Christians in Philippi. He was writing this letter from prison in Rome.

He used the word “if,” which can be interpreted as “since,” or “assuming that.”  The bottom line is that all Christians are sinners saved by GOD’S Grace through faith in CHRIST and have the same Heavenly Father. Therefore, we are Spiritual Brothers and Sisters through faith in JESUS.

The Apostle Paul’s desire was for the Christians in Philippi to relate their unity in JESUS with their unity with each other and unity in purpose.

In these verses 1-4, we read:

-         Encouragement – translated from the word “paraklesis,” which is related to the Holy Spirit. It carries the meaning of One Who comes along your side in times of trouble or need to offer genuine solace and encouragement that you experience individually and corporately as the body of believers.

-         Consolation – carries the idea of “comfort,” which comes from GOD’S love.

-         Fellowship – comes from the Greek word “koinonia,” which springs from a person’s intimate, personal relationship with GOD as manifested by the indwelling Holy Spirit. When Christians fellowship with GOD, they in turn fellowship with each other as a natural outflow. It reflects the intimate partnership Christians have with GOD through their faith in JESUS.

-         Affection and mercy can be translated as “affection and sympathy” or “tenderness and compassion.” These are terms that reflect as coming from the core of a Christian toward others as the result of experiencing forgiveness from GOD of their sins and receiving GOD’S Grace through JESUS’ redemptive act. When fellow Christians responded to others naturally from their inmost being - coming from their core or intimate knowledge of CHRIST in them - that made Paul’s day. It was an outward confirmation of and inward change.

-         make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Paul’s desire was for the Christians in Philippi to apply the truths of salvation to others as they journey through life in unity with GOD and their fellow man/woman. How can this be accomplished? ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. ⁴ Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. A person needs to have a change of attitude toward others by recognizing and putting into practice being an example for others, both Christian and non-Christian.

-         Practice what you teach and preach. Selfish ambition carries the idea of contention, strife, faction and conceit carries the idea of “vainglory” or “self-conceit.”

-         Christians need to ask GOD to examine their hearts to keep a check on their hearts. Are we doing what we do for selfish reasons or for the Glory of GOD?

Let’s read Philippians 2:5-11:

Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

⁵ Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

⁶ who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.^[a]
7 Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
⁸ he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
⁹ For this reason God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
¹¹ and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

JESUS/GOD is our example. HE chose to come to earth to be born a human, live human, die human to pay the penalty for all sin. At the end of time, every human will honor JESUS as GOD and confess HIM as LORD.

Notice, JESUS emptied Himself of HIS Glory to come to earth and live a human life. HE was the example of how we as humans are to live. We are to empty ourselves and embrace the fulness of JESUS within us as born-again believers.

JESUS/GOD had to put HIS Glory aside to come to earth to be born human, be subject to sin, yet without sin, to give his physical life through physical death and trust GOD to raise him from the physically dead to eternal life. The resurrection confirmed that JESUS was GOD’S Son, sinless, yet GOD in the flesh. 

JESUS gives us a clue when HE was praying to GOD, HIS Father as recorded in John 17:1-5:

17 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 since you gave him authority over all people,^[a] so that he may give eternal life to everyone 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.

Why did JESUS do what HE did? Out of HIS LOVE FOR YOU PERSONALLY!

GOD’S desire is for no person to perish in Hell but to be born-again in his or her spirit to become HIS Child through the miracle of rebirth. It is your born-again spirit/Spirit that goes to Heaven. How do you become Spiritually born-again? Believe that JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay for all your sins by shedding HIS blood on the cross and ask HIM to come into your heart believing that HE paid, in full, for your sins. Simple, but life changing. When you are Spiritually born-again, GOD gives you HIS Holy Spirit to indwell you as a down payment/guarantee that you are now HIS Child and you have eternal life. GOD equips you with gifts to serve HIM upon earth. You ARE A CITIZEN OF GOD’S KINGDOM.

The more you serve HIM, the more you will love HIM and learn of HIM as HE reveals more truth to you. Life upon earth is a workplace for learning and building an intimate, personal relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. All Christians are being molded into the image of JESUS and becoming more like HIM – “building the same attitude as that of CHRIST JESUS!”

Once a person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior, why leave us upon earth? Let’s read on------

Let’s read Philippians 2:12-18:

Lights in the World

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to 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 by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. ¹⁷ But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.

At the moment of salvation, the Spiritual rebuilding process just begins and lasts a lifetime. HE is still working on me.

As humans/Christians, we have all sorts of issues that prevent us from serving GOD as HE desires. It is a building process. Mainly building trust in GOD as we serve HIM.

The absolute wonder of wonders is that as Christians, we are perfect in the eyes of GOD. How can that be? The answer is found in 2 Corinthians 5:21 - ²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin to be sin (JESUS)^[e] for us (those who place their faith in JESUS), so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Being blameless and pure comes from being Spiritually reborn through faith in JESUS. Being blameless comes from a pure heart because of the presence of GOD/Holy Spirit within you. Being “faultless” carries the idea of Christians being blameless before GOD because of the work of JESUS. This is captured in Jude verse 24 - ²⁴ Now to him (JESUS) who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy,

In my life, I found that I got ahead of GOD. HE just was not moving quick enough. HIS desire was for me to keep instep with HIM and build trust in HIM. Waiting is often tough to do but necessary. Why? It is because, I might be ready but the person or task GOD has for me to minister is not ready. Be still and know that I AM, GOD. Timing is often critical.

We are unique in the plans GOD has for us to carry out for HIS Kingdom. Some of us may be round pegs needing to be fit into round holes or vice versa. Paul tells us not to get discouraged because “For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.” We can pray and ask GOD to reveal areas in our lives where we need to confess that do not align with HIS Word or purpose. We may have unconfessed sin. We may be hanging onto issues that are barriers to serving HIM. Ask HIM to search your heart and reveal any barriers. Then listen and watch what GOD reveals.

Paul used the word “working.” It carries the idea of “to be active,” “to be efficient,” “to work effectively.” It meant that GOD was working fervently, effectively, efficiently to reveal Himself in the lives of HIS Children. I spoke to a young man this week who reflected the presence of CHRIST as he helped me with an issue. As GOD works in the lives of Christians, HE is perfecting them to serve, which may be through work or through reflecting HIS love and care. When we reflect GOD in our lives that is a gold reward. (1 Corinthians 3:11) Often, we never know that we have reflected JESUS/GOD as we go about our daily routine. 

We may grumble and argue about the issues that come our way as we journey through life. Rather than grumbling and arguing, we should ask our LORD JESUS, “What are YOU trying to reveal or teach me?” Paul acknowledged that life upon earth was difficult but we do have JESUS to Whom we can turn to for help, strength, wisdom and leadership.

Paul reminded the Christians in Philippi that they are lights. They are like the stars in heaven that guide those who seek direction. No different today. Christians are still light to those who seek hope in JESUS. Prepare for the opportunities that GOD has for us by studying HIS Word, sitting under Bible teachers who teach truth and put into action what GOD is teaching and revealing to us. It is an exciting journey to our final destination which is Heaven. Rejoice, because GOD loves you. You are special to HIM. Make HIM special to you!

Often, we get in our own way when we respond to the opportunities GOD reveals to us. Stubbornness, fear, lack of trust, lack of confidence, procrastination and many other human issues can get in our way – yield to the Holy Spirit and trust HIM as HE leads, guides and strengthens you.

Blessings!!!