Well, many of us have just spent time celebrating the birth of Christ.
! And we've also spent time marking the end of another year
! And the start of a new one.
We go from meditating on Jesus' birth
to reflecting back on the year behind us
to anticipating what the year ahead may hold.
And in the midst of all this, we do well to remember
what's most important.
As the calendar pages turn,
what is it that we should be aiming for
with our living?
Well, God's Word gives us the priorities that we need
to keep from wasting our lives.
And through His Word,
God calls us to continue looking to Jesus.
Not just His birth,
but the whole good news
of who He is
and what He has done
for us.
The Gospel of Christ Jesus
transforms our lives
and fixing our eyes on Jesus
can affect everything
in wonderful ways
in the year ahead.
This morning, we're going to let the Apostle Paul
focus our eyes on Jesus
through what he wrote to the church in Philippi.
We're going to see how the Gospel of Jesus
can transform our relationships
with one another.
And we're going to fill our eyes up
with the goodness of Jesus again
as we remember
not only His birth,
but His death
and even beyond that.
As we read through
Paul's letter to the Philippians,
it becomes apparent
that there is some conflict
going on in this church.
Paul doesn't give us all the details
of the conflict.
He does at one point in this letter
single out two individuals by name
who are at odds with each other.
That'd be a little bit embarrassing
having that read out loud
on a Sunday morning.
But what's the solution
to the conflict in the church?
Well, here in chapter 2,
Paul lays out a solution
and he urges the church
to move towards this solution.
Let's listen to what he has to say
here in chapter 2.
He says,
Therefore,
if you have any encouragement
from being united with Christ,
if any comfort
from His love,
if any common sharing
in the Spirit,
if any tenderness
and compassion,
then make my joy complete
by being like-minded,
having the same love,
being one in spirit
and of one mind,
do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit.
Rather,
in humility,
value others
above yourselves,
not looking to your own interests,
but each of you
to the interests
of the others.
Paul begins here
by appealing
to their own experience
as followers of Jesus.
He reminds them
of the encouragement
that they have
from being united
with Jesus.
He reminds them
of the comfort
that they have
because of Christ's love
for them.
He reminds them
that they all
share together
in the Spirit of God.
He reminds them
that in Christ
and because of Christ,
they should have
some tenderness
and compassion
towards each other.
A deep love
and sympathy
towards one another.
And then,
on top of all that,
he reminds them
that their fighting
with each other
is a grief to him.
As an apostle
of Jesus
in charge
of helping
establish churches,
they can
make his joy
complete
by putting an end
to their conflict.
And then,
finally,
Paul gets to
the main imperatives,
the solution.
Make my joy
complete
by being like-minded,
having the same love,
being one in spirit
and of one mind,
doing nothing
out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit,
but in humility,
valuing others
above yourselves.
These are the things
that Paul urges them
to do
in order to end
the conflict.
And it's an interesting
way to urge someone
to stop fighting.
The first three or four
things he tells them
to do here
have to do
with unity.
Think about this.
He could have simply said,
stop fighting.
Stop arguing
and causing division.
But he doesn't say it
that way.
Rather than simply
telling them to stop
or what not to do,
he tells them
what to do.
He says,
pursue unity
unity
with one another.
Be like-minded.
Have the same love.
Be one
in spirit
and purpose.
One thing
that catches
my attention here
is that he doesn't
just tell them
to agree with each other
as if that were
enough.
He calls them
to a deeper unity
than that.
a unity
that has love
in it.
The same love
each
for the other.
He calls them
to have the same
spirit
and the same purpose.
This is a deep
unity.
It's more than
just stop fighting
with each other.
Many of us
here in this room
have been parents
of young children.
Have you ever
tried just telling
your kids,
stop fighting?
Nobody?
Did it work?
Does it work?
Of course not.
At least
not in my experience
anyway.
Paul doesn't
tell them
to stop fighting
with each other.
Rather he tells
them to pursue
deep unity
with one another.
Are you in
conflict with a
brother or sister
in the Lord?
Maybe even a
family member.
What would it
look like for you
to pursue deep
unity
with that person?
God?
How do we do that?
Paul?
Well in verse
three and four
Paul begins to
get to the more
tangible
things.
Things
that help us
to achieve
this kind of
unity that he's
talking about.
We can only
achieve this
deep unity
with one another
by doing
nothing
out of selfish
ambition
or vain
conceit.
We can only
achieve it by
having humility
and in that
humility
valuing
the other
above
ourselves.
The first
thing that he
mentions here
is ignoring
the selfish
ambitions that
we have.
He says
do nothing
out of selfish
ambition.
What is
selfish
ambition?
It's that
inward desire
to live for
our own
pleasure
and comfort
and interests
as the top
priority of
our lives.
And Paul
says
do nothing
out of
selfish
ambition.
This really
gets down to
our attitude
and our
motivation.
Paul's
saying
don't allow
a selfish
and self
centered
attitude
to drive
what you
do.
To do
nothing
out of
selfish
ambition
means to
do
everything
out of
love.
And it's
not just
our
selfishness
that we're
to sideline
it's also
our
vain
conceit
he says.
Conceit
is another
word for
pride.
It's an
over
estimation
of our
own
importance.
It's an
overvaluing
of our
own
opinions
or desires
or interests
in relation
to the
opinions and
desires of
others.
And Paul
calls it
what it
is here.
He says
it's vain.
It's
empty.
It's not
a right
or a good
way to
think of
ourselves
as
though
I'm
the
most
important
and
all
others
should
come
second
to
me.
Do
nothing
out of
vain
conceit
he says.
So there's
two things
here.
One is
thinking only
about
myself
and what
I want
and the
other is
about thinking
that I
and what
I want
are more
important
than you
and what
you want.
These
attitudes
are
what's
causing
conflict.
And Paul
says we
need to
stop
operating
out of
these
attitudes
altogether.
If we're
going to
have deep
unity with
each other
and resolve
conflicts
and put
an end
to arguments
this is
where we
have to
begin.
I have
to seek
to change
my own
heart.
my own
attitude.
No more
can I do
things out
of selfishness
out of
pride
as if I'm
the most
important.
Now you
might hear
this and
wonder as
I did
how can
Paul be
serious
here?
Do
nothing
out of
selfish
ambition?
That's a
pretty tall
order.
What about
me?
what about
my life?
What about
the things
that I
want?
At least
sometimes
isn't it
right that
I put
myself
first?
Paul
says no.
Do no
thing,
do nothing
out of
selfish
ambition
or vain
conceit.
Think like
this
instead.
Rather
in
humility
value
others
above
yourselves.
Pride
would have
me believe
that I'm
more important
than others.
The reality
is that
we're all
equally
important
one to
another.
But the
solution is
to go beyond
even that
to valuing
others
above
ourselves.
That's
what he
says.
In
humility
value
others
above
yourselves.
Treat
one
another
as more
important
than
yourself.
That's
what an
attitude
of
humility
will do.
I
make
myself
lower
than you
by
caring
about
you
and
what
you
want
more
than
I
care
about
myself
and
what
I
want.
And this
is exactly
how Paul
explains
this
attitude
of
humility
as he
goes
on.
He
says
in
humility
value
others
above
yourselves
not
looking
to
your
own
interests
but
each
of
you
to
the
interests
of
others.
Care
more
about
others
than
about
yourself.
Care
more
about
what
others
want
or
need
in
the
moment
than
what
you
want
or
need.
This
is
humility.
This
is
love.
This
is
the
solution
to
conflict
and
division.
This
is
the
path
to
that
deep
and
true
unity
that
he's
talking
about.
And
the
tough
thing
about
this
is
it's
not
something
that
we
can
make
each
other
do.
This
is
an
attitude
and
a
heart
that
each
of
us
has
to
work
on
in
ourselves
first.
But
I
believe
that
if we
as
Christ
people
master
this
one
thing
alone
verses
three
and
four
we
would
have
such
amazing
peace
and
joy
and
fellowship
and
friendship
and
encouragement
and
participation
in the
church
that
it
would
be
like
a
true
taste
of
heaven
for
us.
People
can
hardly
even
imagine
that.
A
family
with
no
arguments
no
fights
no
conflict
where
each
so
deeply
loves
and
serves
the
others
that
people
would
just
be
dying
to
be
a
part
of
that
family.
Well
how
can
we
do
this?
Paul
could
at this
point
remind
us
of
the
power
of
the
spirit
who
lives
in
us
and
in
fact
he's
already
done
that
a
little
bit
back
up
in
verse
one
but
instead
Paul
goes
a
different
way
he
points
us
straight
to
Jesus
verse
five
in
your
relationships
with
one
another
have
the
same
mindset
as
Christ
Jesus
have
the
same
attitude
that
he
had
look
to
him
he's
the
example
for
us
he's
the
ultimate
example
of what
it
looks
like
to
do
nothing
out
of
selfish
ambition
he's
the
ultimate
example
of
what
it
looks
like
to
humbly
consider
others
as
more
important
than
yourself
he's
the
ultimate
example
of
what
it
means
to
look
to
others
interests
and
not
just
to
one's
own
and
then
Paul
reminds
us
of
the
very
mindset
and
attitude
of
Jesus
and
what
Jesus
did
verse
six
have
this
mindset
the
same
mindset
as
Christ
Jesus
who
being
in
very
nature
God
did
not
consider
equality
with
God
something
to be
used
to
his
own
advantage
so
here's
what
Jesus
did
Jesus
existed
as
God
he
was
in
very
nature
God
divine
and
yet
he
did
not
consider
that
equality
he
had
with
God
something
to be
used
to
his
own
advantage
he
did
not
cling
so
tightly
to
his
divine
privilege
and
glory
putting
himself
first
though
in
his
case
it
would
have
been
right
to
do
so
in
relation
to
us
rather
he
made
himself
nothing
by
taking
the
very
nature
of
a
servant
being
made
in
human
likeness
so
as
God
he
was
more
important
than
us
he
was
superior
to
us
he
was
worthy
of
the
greatest
honor
and
glory
and
yet
what
did
the
son
of
God
do
he
made
himself
nothing
other
translations
say
he
emptied
himself
and
of
course
there's
debate
about
what
exactly
that
means
what
did
he
empty
himself
of
but
I
think
many
recognize
that
it's
a
metaphor
he
made
himself
nothing
relative
to
who
he
was
he
humbled
himself
massively
how
by
taking
the
very
nature
of
his
servant
and
by
being
made
in
human
likeness
he
was
God
which
means
that
it's
good
and
it's
right
for
us
human
beings
to
serve
him
but
he
lowered
himself
he
humbled
himself
and
came
down
to
serve
us
he
treated
us
as
more
important
than
himself
looking
to
our
interests
our
needs
he
became
one of
us
a man
one of
his
own
creatures
he
was
made
in
human
likeness
which
is a
shockingly
humble
thing
for
God
the
maker
of
all
things
to
do
the
son
of
God
took
for
himself
the
weakness
and
frailty
of
human
flesh
in
order
that
he
might
serve
the
human
beings
that
he
made
theologians
debate
this
mystery
of how
there
could
be
this
union
of
God
and
man
in
Jesus
but
it's
beyond
what
we
can
grasp
we
never
want
to
minimize
the
divinity
of
Jesus
he
didn't
give
up
being
God
to
become
a
man
neither
do
we
want
to
minimize
the
humanity
of
Jesus
he
didn't
just
take
on
the
body
of
a
man
he
was
truly
human
truly
one
of
us
but
what
Paul
wants
us
to
understand
is
that
doing
this
was
a
massive
step
down
from
the
glory
that
he
had
as
God
it
was
an
act
of
humility
self
humiliation
compared
to
who
he
was
and
that's
just
the
first
step
down
Paul
keeps
going
he
humbled
himself
even
lower
than
that
verse
eight
and
being
found
in
appearance
as
a
man
he
humbled
himself
by
becoming
obedient
unto
death
even
death
on
a
cross
Paul
emphasizes
one
aspect
of
what
it
means
to
be
a
human
being
it
means
that
Jesus
who
was
God
now
had
to
obey
God
the
one
who
gave
the
commands
to be
followed
by
us
put
himself
in
the
position
where
he
had
to
obey
the
commands
that
were
given
he
was
so
truly
man
that
he
was
bound
like
we
are
to
obey
God
or
else
face
the
consequences
and
finally
Paul
wants us
to
understand
just how
far
he
obeyed
God
unto
death
to the
point
of
death
he
gave
up
his
very
life
in
obedience
to
God
he
died
what
happened
leading up
to the
cross
where
Jesus
dies
was the
ultimate
example of
what we were
just reading
in verses
3 and
4
it was
the
ultimate
in
humility
value
others
above
yourselves
just think
through the
events
leading up
to the
cross
the
trial
the
beatings
the
way he
was
mocked
and
insulted
the
carrying
of the
cross
I
can't
help but
think of
what Jesus
prayed in
the
garden of
Gethsemane
when he
said
father if
it is
possible
take
this
cup
from
me
yet
not
what
I
will
but
what
you
will
your
will
be
done
Jesus
had a
will
of his
own
just
like
you
and
me
he
had
interests
of his
own
like
not
being
falsely
accused
and
not
being
beaten
and
treated
terribly
like
he
was
but
he
was
looking
to
the
interests
of
God
your
will
be
done
father
and
he
was
looking
to
the
interests
of
us
this
is
my
body
given
for
you
this
is
my
blood
of the
covenant
which
is
for
you
and
this
wasn't
a
death
that
was
noble
in
appearance
it
wasn't
a
hero's
death
in
the
way
that
we
usually
think
of
it
he
humbled
himself
becoming
obedient
unto
death
even
death
on
a
cross
crucifixion
was an
execution
method
for the
worst
of
criminals
impaling
someone
on a
pole
or
hanging
them
to
die
on
a
cross
was a
form
of
shaming
and
symbolic
of a
person
being
under
God's
curse
he
was
stripped
naked
and
left
up
on
the
cross
to
suffer
in
agony
a
torturous
slow
death
in
front
of
everyone
it's
the
very
opposite
of
honoring
someone
it is
in
fact
a
deliberate
degrading
of a
person
public
torture
and
execution
Paul
saying
that
Jesus
obeyed
God
and
his
plan
of
salvation
by
allowing
himself
to
go
through
this
Paul
saying
that
Jesus
of
his
own
choice
chose
this
humiliation
setting
aside
his
own
interests
for
ours
so
that
we
could
be
saved
and
our
sins
atoned
for
and
forgiven
and
now
this
is
what
Paul
is
saying
with
all
this
he's
saying
have
this
same
mindset
this
same
attitude
as
Christ
Jesus
had
have
this
same
mindset
and
attitude
towards
one
another
this
is
love
this
is
the
way
to
achieve
real
and
deep
unity
with
one
another
just
imagine
for a
moment
that
Jesus
had
the
attitude
that
we
often
have
what
about
me
what
about
my
life
what
about
what
I
want
at
least
sometimes
isn't
it
right
that
I
put
myself
first
we
would
have
been
lost
forever
and
left
to
face
God
on
judgment
day
with
no
way
out
of the
punishment
that
we
deserve
from
him
because
of
our
sins
Paul
is
saying
look
to
Jesus
look
to
his
love
for
you
and
what
he
did
for
you
how
he
humbled
himself
for
you
and
now
love
each
other
like
that
don't
be
afraid
to
die
if
that's
what
it
takes
to
put
others
interests
and
ambitions
ahead
of
your
own
Christ
did
it
for
you
we're
going to
take a few
moments
now
to go
to the
Lord's
table
the
bread
and
the
cup
Jesus
passed
those
around
the
table
to
his
disciples
on the
night
before
he
died
and
they're
both
tangible
symbols
reminding
us
of what
Jesus
did
for
us
how
he
suffered
for
us
for
our
forgiveness
and
if
you're
a
believer
if
you're
a
follower
of
Jesus
then
we
invite
you
to
eat
and
drink
with
us
in
these
moments
if
not
please
abstain
and
just
let
the
elements
pass
you
by
we're
going
to
take
a
few
moments
now
just
to
reflect
and
to
pray
quietly
this
is
a
time
to
confess
the
selfishness
and
the
pride
that
we've
lived
out
of
recently
this
is
a
time
to
praise
and
thank
God
for
his
gracious
gift
once
we've
had
a
few
minutes
to
do
this
we'll
have
Dave
and
Rod
come
up
and
serve
the
bread
and
the
cup
and
we'll
just
ask
and
then
we
can
eat
and
drink
all
together
at
once
it's
easy
to
stop
right
here
and
just
glory
in
the
death
of
Jesus
and
how
wonderful
that
is
for
us
what
Jesus
did
on
the
cross
there's
so
much
love
here
there's
such
wonderful
peace
and
joy
knowing
that
our
guilt
is
gone
everything
that
we've
done
wrong
every
way
that
we've
blown
it
gone
and
dealt
with
but
as
Paul
puts
Jesus
forward
as
the
model
of
the
attitude
and
mindset
that
we
should
have
toward
one
another
he
doesn't
stop
at
Jesus
death
he
keeps
going
and
I
want
to
read
this
part
for
us
too
because
Jesus
willingly
humbled
himself
in
this
way
for
us
verse
nine
therefore
God
exalted
him
to
the
highest
place
and
gave
him
the
name
that
is
above
every
name
that
at
the
name
of
Jesus
every
knee
should
bow
in
heaven
and
on
earth
and
under
the
earth
and
every
tongue
acknowledge
that
Jesus
Christ
is
Lord
to
the
glory
of
God
the
Father
there's
such a
striking
contrast
here
in
these
words
Jesus
humbled
himself
in
the
greatest
way
possible
though
he
was
God
he
made
himself
nothing
taking
the
form
of
a
servant
and
a
man
and
even
dying
on
a
cross
he
humbled
himself
in
the
greatest
way
possible
and
so
God
exalted
him
in
the
greatest
way
possible
to
the
highest
position
God
raised
him
up
lifted
him
high
and
gave
the
greatest
of
glories
to
his
son
here's
the
answer
to
that
question
what
about
me
God
does
not
overlook
us
when we
give
our
lives
away
in
service
of
others
God
does
not
allow
us
in
the
end
only
to
suffer
and
die
he
is
a
God
who
humbles
the
proud
and
lifts
up
the
lowly
God
rewards
our
humble
love
towards
one
another
and
he
will
give
us
honor
and
glory
for
it
and
that's
a
good
motivation
for
us
the
scriptures
speak
of how
we
should
look
to
our
heavenly
reward
and let
it
motivate
us
in doing
what is
right
and what
is
good
but
never
mind
us
for
a
moment
look
at
Jesus
look
at
the
reward
that
he
has
received
for
humbling
himself
like
this
Paul
says
that
God
has
exalted
him
to
the
highest
place
and
given
him
the
name
above
every
name
that's
higher
than
every
earthly
king
ruler
president
you name
it
I can't
help but
think of
Donald
Trump
I won't
say too
much about
him
we all
know him
well enough
from the
news
but if
there's
one
thing
he likes
to say
over and
over again
it's that
America
is the
greatest
nation
on
earth
and
of course
one can
debate
whether it
is or
not
but
Trump
takes
great
pride
in
America
and
sees
himself
as
the
leader
of
the
greatest
nation
on
earth
the
commander
in chief
of the
world's
greatest
superpower
to borrow
his own
language
and probably
most of us
would agree
that Trump
is among
one of the
most powerful
men on
earth
as president
of the
United
States
but
there's a
name
that is
far
above
the
president
of the
United
States
far
greater
in power
and authority
it's so high
and exalted
that every
knee
will bow
before him
including the
knees of
Putin
and Trump
and Carney
and Musk
and whoever
else we
deem powerful
every knee
will bow
before Jesus
and it's
not even
an option
as to
whether we
do or
not
his name
is so high
that sooner
or later
God will
make every
knee
bow
before him
he will
make every
tongue
confess
what is
true of
King
Jesus
that he
is
Lord
of
all
what
better
truth
to face
a new
year
with
then
with
this
with
than
this
the one
who loves
us
so deeply
that he
humbled
himself
like
this
is now
Lord of
all
in charge
of everything
in the
universe
he's
forgiven us
of our
sins
and he's
bringing
his kingdom
with power
and great
glory
soon
may our
hearts
know the
peace
that comes
from
believing
in his
death
and may
our lives
reflect
and our
mindsets
especially
our
attitudes
reflect
his
mindset
more
and more
in this
new
year
let's
pray
Lord
Jesus
it's an
awesome
thought
to think
that
you are
seated
on the
throne
of
heaven
right
now
and that
if we
were
somehow
to bridge
the gap
between
heaven
and earth
and be
in your
presence
all of
us
would
fall
flat
to the
floor
before
you
and one
day that
moment
will
happen
so we
give you
praise and
glory that
you are
the great
Lord and
King of
all
the King
of Kings
we can't
help but
think of
our
friends
family
neighbors
and others
who
who won't
bow today
to you
we
pray that
you would
work in
their
hearts
and reveal
yourself
to them
just as
you have
to us
that they
would give
their lives
to you
we ask
that you
would
direct our
paths and
keep us
in this
year ahead
we're so
thankful for
the year
behind and
all your
provision
help us
not to be
anxious about
what's coming
in the
future but
to trust
you with
all our
hearts
and direct
our paths
we ask
in Jesus
name
amen