WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.800 Well, now we come to the preaching of God's Word, and we continue our series walking through the book of Philippians. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:13.240 We'll be looking at chapter 2 today, verses 1 through 4. 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:17.019 So if you have a Bible, you can turn there with me, or it'll be on the screen behind me. 00:00:18.100 --> 00:00:21.339 My family and I have lived in Scotland now for almost two years. 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:28.199 And during our time here, I've come to recognize various cultural differences between the Scottish and Americans. 00:00:28.199 --> 00:00:35.960 And one of those that probably has been most obvious is the fact that Americans are much more direct in their form of communication, 00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:39.960 much more likely to speak their mind than most Scottish are. 00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:43.420 And I experienced this firsthand probably about a year ago. 00:00:43.579 --> 00:00:47.980 I went on a daddy-daughter date with my oldest, Mary Catherine, and she said, 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:50.659 well, let's find a place to get a cheeseburger that we haven't been before. 00:00:50.739 --> 00:00:55.519 So we look up, find this restaurant, and go get a cheeseburger, just the two of us, and have this meal. 00:00:55.520 --> 00:00:59.940 And when you're on a daddy-daughter date, it's a necessity that you order dessert after your meal. 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:04.079 And so it was her choice to order a strawberry milkshake. 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:09.800 That milkshake came to the table, and she tasted it, and she just, you could tell on her face something wasn't quite right. 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:10.780 She kind of slid it to me. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:15.020 I take a taste, and it was really, really a horrible milkshake. 00:01:15.859 --> 00:01:18.300 And it was just, it was barely frozen at all. 00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:20.740 It was thin like you're just drinking strawberry milk. 00:01:20.739 --> 00:01:24.219 It was really sweet, as if they hadn't used real strawberries, maybe some sort of syrup. 00:01:25.179 --> 00:01:26.939 And it was really kind of disappointing. 00:01:27.299 --> 00:01:32.619 But we, so we didn't end up getting consumed, but the meal came to a close. 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:39.560 Our staff waitress came to the table with a credit card machine to pay, and she had that obligatory question, how was everything? 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:45.759 And me, in my American ways, figured I'd tell her what I thought. 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:50.040 And I wasn't rude about it, but I said, you know, that burgers were great, but the milkshake just, it wasn't that great. 00:01:50.100 --> 00:01:51.900 It was kind of, it wasn't really frozen, it was kind of runny. 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:56.439 And immediately you could tell she had no context for responding to what I said. 00:01:56.540 --> 00:02:00.240 She probably never heard anyone actually answer that question honestly before. 00:02:00.800 --> 00:02:02.380 And she didn't say, I'm sorry. 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:04.260 She didn't say, well, let me make you another one. 00:02:04.360 --> 00:02:06.160 She didn't say, well, let me take that off the bill. 00:02:06.240 --> 00:02:10.099 Not that I was asking for any of those things to be done, but she just said, oh. 00:02:10.920 --> 00:02:13.540 And she took the credit card machine, and she walked away. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:18.819 And Mary Catherine and I were like just looking at each other, thinking how awkward of a conversation that was. 00:02:19.459 --> 00:02:24.359 And like I said, it was probably because no one was ever so direct or honest with her before. 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:30.120 You know, Scottish, for the most part, I find you to be very kind and honest and reserved. 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:33.780 But maybe if you were placed in my situation, you would have never said anything at all. 00:02:33.939 --> 00:02:37.019 Yeah, the meal was great, thank you, in my American ways. 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:38.959 And partially because of my personality, too. 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:45.460 If someone asked me a question like that in that setting, I have no problem, in all politeness, sharing what I thought. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:50.780 And so I recognized when I did that, there was this kind of cultural landmine that kind of exploded in front of me there. 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:57.439 And so in our passage today, as we look at Paul giving, continue to give instruction to the church at Philippi, 00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:03.460 he's being very honest and very direct with him today in a way that he hasn't been so far in this letter. 00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:07.760 And he's addressing an issue that he sees arising within the church. 00:03:08.260 --> 00:03:09.800 It's an issue of disunity. 00:03:10.520 --> 00:03:17.360 And so it's a call to the church to be united with one another and for that unity to be based in humility. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:24.439 And so it's my hope today, as we go through this passage, that we can receive this message joyfully and eagerly. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:28.719 Maybe perhaps not quite like that waitress, just kind of dumbfounded with what do we do with this, 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:34.960 but that through the leading of the Spirit that we can recognize how this is good for the body of Christ 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:38.240 and how we can apply this to our lives individually. 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:40.520 So let's turn to our passage then. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:45.139 Philippians chapter 2, verses 1 through 4. 00:03:45.139 --> 00:03:53.459 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, 00:03:53.639 --> 00:03:58.659 any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, 00:03:58.939 --> 00:04:02.839 having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:09.419 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 00:04:09.419 --> 00:04:15.259 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 00:04:15.859 --> 00:04:16.939 This is the Word of God. 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:18.099 Will you pray with me? 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:26.800 Lord, we thank you that you have given us your Word as a lamp into our feet and a light into our path. 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:35.199 And so we ask now, Lord, for your grace and your faithfulness as we desire to use your Word appropriately. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:43.539 God, we ask that you open our eyes and our hearts by your Spirit that we may understand and be able to apply your Word this morning. 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:49.259 Lord, we ask for the blessing of the speaking and the listening of your Word. 00:04:49.300 --> 00:04:50.539 And we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:51.459 Amen. 00:04:53.539 --> 00:04:57.219 Well, as you know, we finally stepped into chapter 2 of Philippians. 00:04:57.220 --> 00:05:06.880 But our passage today, even though it's divided by a chapter, is really a continuation of what Paul has given as instruction in chapter 1. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:13.700 You may remember last week we saw Paul's instruction to let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:05:13.760 --> 00:05:16.840 And we considered the practical implications of that. 00:05:17.380 --> 00:05:22.860 Paul mentions that we need to stand firm, that we need to strive side by side with one another. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:28.960 And as we thought about it last week, the application was really thinking about attacks from outside the church. 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:31.540 Well, here Paul's focus shifts a little bit. 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:37.220 So we're not thinking about attacks that happen outside the church, but attacks that can occur within the church. 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:41.080 Issues that we face that can disrupt the unity of the body. 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:46.819 And so if we were to jump ahead to chapter 4, we know that Paul actually calls out two women within the church 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:50.040 and tells them to be of the same mind in the Lord. 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:54.160 So we're not really given any more detail than that to know what's really going on in the church. 00:05:54.260 --> 00:05:58.819 Is it this conflict that's been started between two women that's kind of blown up in the church? 00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:00.879 Are there other issues that are going on? 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:05.180 All that we really know is that Paul has this earnest call for unity. 00:06:06.700 --> 00:06:10.360 And so that's going to be our focus today when we think about the unity of the church. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:13.540 Really three things that I want us to focus on that I think we see in this passage. 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:16.320 The first is the source of our unity. 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:19.279 The second, the nature of our unity. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:22.420 And the third, the means of our unity. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:25.300 So let's consider the first one, the source of our unity. 00:06:26.379 --> 00:06:30.779 Now, if there's some parents in the room, you realize that, especially with young children, 00:06:30.860 --> 00:06:35.639 a lot of part of your life is taken up with providing instruction and correction to your children. 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:40.600 And sometimes this can happen so much that we may lose sight of why we're really trying to do this. 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:48.800 It may turn into simply we're trying to modify their behavior more than anything because we just want some peace and quiet at home. 00:06:49.100 --> 00:06:52.800 We just want to not be embarrassed when we take our family in public. 00:06:52.900 --> 00:06:57.120 We just want them to try harder or to be obedient or follow our instructions. 00:06:58.160 --> 00:07:02.280 And we kind of leave it at that because it's about our lives and making our lives easier. 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:06.900 I'd probably admit that I'm guilty of that more often than I'd like to admit. 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:12.519 But there's another reason why we give instruction as a parent, too, not just to make our lives easier. 00:07:12.599 --> 00:07:14.099 That really shouldn't be our main motivation. 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:19.579 But it's really in order to bring our children closer to Christ. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:24.899 We want them to have the right behavior because this is what the Bible instructs. 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:31.379 We want them to recognize that obedience to us is not just honoring to us but is ultimately honoring to God. 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:39.159 And so this is what we see in this passage today that Paul gives us is he really focusing on that second motivation. 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:44.180 He doesn't come to the church with instruction in this letter and say, hey, this is what you ought to do. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:46.439 He doesn't begin there. 00:07:46.579 --> 00:07:54.439 He begins by, as we'll see in just a moment, thinking about the work of the Trinity in our lives. 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:59.779 And so if we remember, again, what we talked about last week, to let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel. 00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:01.180 How do we do this? 00:08:01.219 --> 00:08:01.980 We stand firm. 00:08:02.060 --> 00:08:03.120 We strive side by side. 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:13.680 He could have very easily just transitioned into chapter or to verse 2 where it says to be of one mind, the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord with one mind. 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:17.420 That would have been a really pretty seamless transition from one thought to the other. 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:32.279 But we see these other verses in here, particularly how he starts chapter 2, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:40.720 So, again, Paul is not just concerned with the behavior of the church, but he's concerned also about the motivation for their behavior. 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:46.360 He wants to remind the church of the power and presence of God in their lives. 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:51.159 He wants the church to know what really is the basis for our true unity within the church. 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:58.560 Is it just based on our own efforts for our good intentions, or is it based on something more significant than that? 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:05.539 And so as we look at this first phrase, we recognize that he puts this word, if, in here, kind of as if it's a conditional statement. 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:09.379 If you are encouraged in Christ, then you can have unity in the church. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:18.500 But we see here that Paul is really not questioning whether the church actually has this encouragement from Christ, whether there actually is comfort in love. 00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:21.939 He's actually laying a factual foundation for the church. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:28.059 And so this if can actually be easily translated as since rather than just if. 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:35.319 So if we read it that way, since we have encouragement in Christ, since we have comfort from love, since we have participation in the Spirit. 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:41.479 And so we see that Paul, there's no question whether Paul thinks the church has these good gifts. 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:43.579 He's confident of that fact. 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:48.159 But he wants to highlight to the church where these good gifts come from. 00:09:48.979 --> 00:09:56.239 We know that a part of the reason that Paul writes this letter to the church in Philippi is because he wants to be an encouragement to them. 00:09:56.240 --> 00:10:02.180 He wants to motivate them in their faith by allowing them to see what his ministry looks like. 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:06.919 We see he's very, very clear about the affection that he has for the church in Philippi. 00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:14.460 But even though he has those feelings and that affection for the church, he points out here that these feelings don't start with him. 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:17.080 They originate in Christ. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:22.200 And so if we consider Paul's benediction at the very end of 2 Corinthians, he says this. 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:28.220 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 00:10:29.460 --> 00:10:32.800 Now it sounds almost identical to what Paul is talking about here. 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:37.740 It's because Paul is highlighting the work of the Trinity in the lives of believers. 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:46.520 And so if we think about these one at a time, how the Trinity is working in our lives and continuing to do so, what encouragement do we have in Christ? 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:52.480 Well, over the past weeks, we've seen this encouragement over and over again, just in the first chapter of Philippians. 00:10:53.139 --> 00:11:00.179 He says, he who began a good work in you will bring it to the completion, will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus. 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:04.939 And so we know that it is Christ's initial work in our lives that brings us to salvation. 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:09.199 It is Christ's ongoing work in our lives that leads us in sanctification. 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:14.460 We can be confident that Christ will complete his work in our lives at his return. 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:19.240 And so we see the fruit of righteousness comes from Christ. 00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:32.879 If we look at the passage we looked at last week in verse 29, it says that it has been granted to you for the sake of Christ that you should not only believe in him, but that you should also suffer for his sake. 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:39.460 And so Jesus is the one who has given us the good gifts of faith and suffering. 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:52.720 And as a result, we see what Paul has talked about in chapter one, the advancement of the gospel, the saints emboldened in the spread of the gospel, the enemies of the cross facing destruction. 00:11:52.720 --> 00:12:03.920 We see fear replaced by joy that allows the church, that allows us to profess as Paul does, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:09.460 To know that no matter what happens to us in life and in death, we have Christ. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:12.600 Is there any greater encouragement than that? 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:17.620 But Paul doesn't just stop there thinking about encouragement. 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:24.840 He goes on to talk about the love and the comfort that we have in the Father. 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:31.519 And we know that this love is love that Paul has expressed to the church already. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:33.759 He says, I hold you in my heart. 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:41.879 But again, consider, if we go back to 2 Corinthians, actually at the beginning of the letter this time, something else that Paul says in verse three, he says, 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:51.360 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:57.220 So again, Paul's pointing out that his love for the church does not originate with him. 00:12:57.299 --> 00:13:01.819 It's an outworking of the love that he has experienced from the Father. 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:09.800 And so we have here a picture of the God of all comfort, the God who is the embodiment of love itself. 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:17.320 A God who loved the world so much that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. 00:13:18.520 --> 00:13:25.000 And so in our hardship, in our suffering, that we know is coming because Paul says so in this passage. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:35.639 Even in that hardship and suffering, we can have comfort in knowing that we have the undeserved, unconditional, never failing love of Christ. 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:41.799 So then to go on to think about the work of the Spirit then, we have this participation in the Spirit. 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:47.000 This word participation, it's a word that we saw in chapter one that can be translated as fellowship. 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.819 We go back to chapter one, verse seven, it says, 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:52.659 For you are all partakers with me of grace. 00:13:53.699 --> 00:14:00.700 And so we saw in that passage that to literally translate that is you are fellow fellowshippers with me of grace. 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:10.759 And so we know that through the grace of God, we can experience communion with one another, the communion of the saints through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. 00:14:11.560 --> 00:14:18.520 But that authentic community among the saints, it must be grounded in community that we have with Christ. 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:23.140 This connection with Christ is what's required for us to see unity within the church. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:31.299 And so we know that if you've been around this church or many other churches, there's something helpful that we can see in catechisms. 00:14:31.439 --> 00:14:38.960 We know that catechisms are used to help in our understanding the faith, to help us summarize proper doctrine. 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:46.500 And so if we turn to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, question number 30, we see this mentioned of the Holy Spirit. 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:48.179 It says, 00:14:48.299 --> 00:15:03.299 And so we see that it's the work of the Holy Spirit that leads us to faith. 00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:08.539 It's the work of the Holy Spirit who allows us to be in fellowship with Christ. 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:12.840 It is the Spirit who binds us to Christ. 00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:16.160 And so we are encouraged by Christ. 00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:18.100 We are comforted by the Father. 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:20.060 We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:26.899 And as evidence of that, we see God's divine affection and sympathy for us. 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.840 It's this deep kindness. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:33.080 It's this endless mercy that is given to us freely. 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:39.519 And so as we experience this affection and sympathy, it really should be something that overflows from us. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:43.740 Paul gives us this example himself when in chapter 1 he talks about, 00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:45.259 For God is my witness. 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:47.980 I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:51.759 And so we see this affection is rooted in Christ. 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:54.919 And this affection should be on display throughout the church. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:16:01.679 And so for Paul then, it's not a matter of if the Holy Spirit is at work in the lives of believers. 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:07.699 But since the Trinity is at work in the lives of believers. 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:11.139 It is the Trinity's work that is the source of our unity. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:16.099 And so that should be our motivation as we think of this instruction that he gives the church. 00:16:16.239 --> 00:16:19.959 To remember that is the Trinity that is working in us. 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:22.919 And so that allows us to move to our second point then. 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:25.000 That's the source of our unity. 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:27.979 What then is the nature of our unity? 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.719 Look in verse 2. 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:32.879 Complete my joy by being of the same mind. 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.680 Having the same love. 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:35.899 Being in full accord. 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:37.379 And of one mind. 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:41.960 So here we get a description of what unity looks like in the church. 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:44.620 What is the nature of this unity? 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:48.320 What is the quality of it that we should see within the church? 00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:54.399 Well, many of you know that here at Buclue we run an international ministry on Mondays called Connect. 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:58.259 And this is for those who may need help improving their English. 00:16:58.439 --> 00:16:59.840 Both their oral skills. 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:00.939 Their listening skills. 00:17:01.319 --> 00:17:05.500 Also a great opportunity to develop relationships with those in the south side neighborhood. 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.519 And one thing that we try to do. 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:11.099 Because most people have some sort of English education in the back. 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:13.920 But it's usually in a very formal educational setting. 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.539 So it's kind of. 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.619 They learn from a textbook. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:17.220 They learn the kind of structure. 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:19.740 Answers and responses to questions. 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.180 And how to communicate. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:24.560 So for instance, when someone gives you a compliment. 00:17:24.840 --> 00:17:25.920 You know, everyone knows how to say yes. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.500 Thank you. 00:17:27.320 --> 00:17:29.580 But what we try to do some weeks is to think. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:32.600 How can we introduce a variety of words and phrases. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:36.519 That allows us to sound and speak more like a native speaker. 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:39.120 And so rather than just saying thank you. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.880 We can say, oh, I appreciate that very much. 00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:43.799 That's very kind of you to say that. 00:17:43.840 --> 00:17:45.320 That really means a lot to me. 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:47.360 I'm so glad you mentioned that. 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:49.680 All those words, they really mean the same thing. 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:52.259 But when we kind of combine them together in such a way. 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:53.740 When we use a variety of phrases. 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:56.080 It goes to show our sincerity. 00:17:56.580 --> 00:18:00.000 And our appreciation for the comments that have been said to us. 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:03.539 And so here we see Paul really use a similar strategy. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:06.100 All these phrases that he used here in verse 2. 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:06.940 The same mind. 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:07.920 The same love. 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.480 Full accord. 00:18:08.580 --> 00:18:09.080 One mind. 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:12.640 There's very little difference in meaning between all these phrases. 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:15.900 But it does go to show his emphasis. 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:21.240 And it strengthens his plea and his call for unity within the church. 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:24.759 And so he begins by saying to be of one mind. 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:27.519 He wants the church to be united in how we think. 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:29.600 Not just in an intellectual sense. 00:18:30.580 --> 00:18:31.900 But our wills. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.400 Our hearts. 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:40.160 That we can be of one mind in pursuing unity as we pursue Christ. 00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:42.380 He mentions the same love. 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:43.980 Not only are we united with our heads. 00:18:44.060 --> 00:18:45.560 But we are united with our hearts. 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:49.660 We desire to serve and love one another the same way that Christ has loved us. 00:18:51.340 --> 00:18:52.840 He says being of full accord. 00:18:53.780 --> 00:18:56.200 That literally means with one soul. 00:18:57.340 --> 00:18:59.600 It describes the harmony that we should feel. 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:02.820 This shared passion for the unity of the church. 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:04.720 For the spread of the gospel. 00:19:05.760 --> 00:19:08.260 And then he goes on and he repeats that mind again. 00:19:08.340 --> 00:19:09.300 Being of one mind. 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:12.960 And he's not only talking here about right doctrine. 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:16.379 We know that we want to think correctly about the scriptures. 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:19.680 And if we were to poll everyone here and just ask questions. 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:21.079 Well are you evangelical? 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:22.619 Are you reformed? 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.619 Are you confessional? 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:24.919 Are you covenantal? 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:28.720 Probably I think we'd have a great unity of response there. 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:33.059 But it's not just correct doctrine that unifies us as a church. 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:34.079 That's a great foundation. 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.539 But there are plenty of churches out there. 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.099 I'm sure we may know some. 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:40.879 Where the doctrine is strong but the unity within the church is weak. 00:19:41.619 --> 00:19:42.839 And so when we think about the mind. 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:44.039 It's more than just doctrine. 00:19:44.159 --> 00:19:47.719 It's being able to build and live in accordance with that doctrine. 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:50.559 How does that play out in our lives as believers? 00:19:52.179 --> 00:19:55.740 And so we see how these ideas overlap with one another. 00:19:56.199 --> 00:20:00.759 They illustrate the earnestness of Paul's plea to be united with one another. 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:04.940 But I want to point out that there's an important distinction to make. 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:08.400 Because when we talk about the unity that Paul calls for in the church. 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:10.700 He's not calling for uniformity. 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:15.599 And I think within society around us we can often get these two confused. 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:17.640 Or we equate them in one way. 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:22.700 Because it's natural for us to want to be around. 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:25.259 And get to know those people that are like us. 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:29.400 And so maybe it's someone who shares the same interest with us. 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:31.379 Naturally we're going to gravitate toward that person. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:34.700 Or maybe someone of the same socioeconomic status. 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:37.680 Maybe someone who has that looks like us. 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.700 Or dresses like us. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.839 Or sounds like us. 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:43.579 People that hold the same political views as us. 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:45.680 People that like the same sports teams as us. 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.579 Whatever it may be. 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:50.680 It's a natural thing to gravitate to those people that are like you. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:52.039 I mean it doesn't take much. 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:53.500 You can walk outside this church building. 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:55.279 Especially around the university setting. 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:57.980 And see that it's the artists who hang out with the artists. 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.880 It's the athletes who hang out with the athletes. 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:02.299 It's the hipsters who hang out with the hipsters. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:05.440 But on the flip side of that coin. 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:09.720 I think often times in our society we see conflict arise. 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:14.380 Because there's this thought that if we don't share opinions and interests with one another. 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:16.860 Then we can't have community with one another. 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:18.339 We see. 00:21:18.479 --> 00:21:21.459 I see this most glaringly probably in political issues. 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.939 Or social issues. 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:24.759 May hear people say look. 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:27.859 If you don't hold the same social opinion that I have. 00:21:28.459 --> 00:21:29.559 Then you must hate me. 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:32.299 Or if you don't hold the same political view that I have. 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:32.959 Then you're my enemy. 00:21:34.419 --> 00:21:36.859 And I think the reason for this is because. 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.839 The outside world. 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:41.099 They don't have any grounding in the gospel. 00:21:41.979 --> 00:21:45.199 The common denominator for them is simply these opinions. 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.920 And interests that they have. 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:48.620 And so when you take those away. 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:51.759 You also take away the potential for community. 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:55.279 And so unfortunately I think this. 00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:58.180 Tendency can often invade the church. 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:03.220 Because naturally we want to hang out with people that we are like us. 00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:05.200 It's easy to like people that are like you. 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:08.019 It's easy to serve people that you know. 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:09.039 And are comfortable around. 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:13.879 I think it's kind of fitting to be able to talk about this today. 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:15.480 With my pastor here from the states. 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:18.579 Because this is something that was always emphasized in our church in the states. 00:22:18.639 --> 00:22:20.639 Especially regarding community groups. 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:23.099 Because the natural tendency is. 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:24.700 For any church that has community groups. 00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:27.240 For members of the church who want to join a community group. 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.420 Is to find a group. 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.480 Or to form a group. 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.839 With a bunch of your friends. 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:34.659 And so that can lead to great fellowship with one another. 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:38.060 But it can also have the unintended consequences. 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.700 Or maybe intentional consequences. 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:41.500 Of excluding other people. 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:44.440 It can also have the consequence of. 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.940 When it's time to multiply. 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:48.440 When it's time to form new community groups. 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:50.779 There's this natural resistance to do that. 00:22:50.820 --> 00:22:51.940 Because we're so comfortable. 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:55.060 In our insular little circle of friends that we've created. 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:57.320 And so we need to recognize. 00:22:57.480 --> 00:23:00.340 Even though there may be appearance of fellowship within a church. 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.240 We need to ask. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:03.680 Is this fellowship truly grounded. 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:05.180 In the unity of the gospel. 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:07.580 Or are we simply seeing. 00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:10.340 Fellowship that's grounded in uniformity. 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.840 Of opinions. 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:12.980 Of interests. 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.799 Of likes. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.140 And dislikes. 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:19.700 We see here that Paul is not calling for the church. 00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:21.080 To be the same. 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.320 To look the same. 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:23.440 To hold the same opinions. 00:23:24.060 --> 00:23:26.420 He's not trying to form a cult here. 00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:29.940 He's emphasizing that we are the body of Christ. 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:32.980 We've been created in the image of God. 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:34.680 Each of us different and unique. 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:36.599 With different skills and abilities. 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.880 And interests. 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:42.319 There's a great little book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:46.460 Who's a German minister and theologian in the early 20th century. 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.500 He's called Life Together. 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:51.299 And in that book he talks about authentic Christian community. 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:52.360 And what that should look like. 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.519 And he says. 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:56.440 I want to read an excerpt from one passage of his. 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:56.839 It says. 00:23:56.839 --> 00:24:00.759 God did not make a person as I would have made him. 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:04.379 God does not will that I should fashion the other person. 00:24:04.439 --> 00:24:06.439 According to the image that seems good to me. 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:08.459 That is in my own image. 00:24:09.459 --> 00:24:12.019 Rather in his very freedom from me. 00:24:12.179 --> 00:24:14.000 God made this person in his image. 00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:17.759 I can never know beforehand how God's image should appear in others. 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:21.720 That image always manifests a completely new and unique form. 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:24.539 That comes solely from God's free and sovereign creation. 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:27.440 To me the sight may seem strange. 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:28.839 Even ungodly. 00:24:29.879 --> 00:24:32.720 But God creates every man in the likeness of his son. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.659 The crucified. 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.960 Strong and weak. 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.220 Wise and foolish. 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.779 Gifted and ungifted. 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:40.539 Pious and impious. 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:43.440 The diverse individuals in the community. 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:46.299 Are cause for rejoicing in one another. 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.379 And serving one another. 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:50.180 And so again we see. 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.039 Emphasize. 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:52.319 As Paul says here. 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:54.720 He's not calling for uniformity within church. 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:56.240 He's calling for unity. 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.639 In the midst. 00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:58.639 Of diversity. 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:00.700 And so this is what he says. 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.480 Completes. 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.319 His joy. 00:25:02.419 --> 00:25:04.579 When he sees this outworking of the gospel. 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.259 In the lives of the saints. 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:08.059 That they can be unified with one another. 00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:09.200 Despite their differences. 00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:11.399 Knowing that they serve. 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.259 A creative God. 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.819 Who has designed each one of us different. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:17.899 And so we should want to have. 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.639 A diverse church. 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:18.939 There's. 00:25:19.159 --> 00:25:21.119 There's reason for us to praise the Lord. 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:22.159 For the diversity in our church. 00:25:22.239 --> 00:25:22.939 To have young. 00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:23.759 And old. 00:25:23.879 --> 00:25:25.159 To have people of different races. 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.419 And nationalities. 00:25:26.459 --> 00:25:27.659 To have people of different backgrounds. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.319 And professions. 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.039 And interests. 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:30.739 We want to see that in the church. 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:33.199 And we want to make sure that those differences. 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.739 Don't isolate us. 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:36.699 That they don't hinder the growth of the gospel. 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.979 That they don't prevent us. 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:40.059 From loving and serving one another. 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.079 Effectively. 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.879 And so then finally. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.679 That is the nature of our unity. 00:25:45.679 --> 00:25:47.119 What then is the means. 00:25:47.679 --> 00:25:48.479 Of our unity. 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:50.519 When I was in. 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.920 Uni back in the states. 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:52.980 One year. 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.839 At the beginning of the school year. 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.380 There was a rather. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.099 Controversial. 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.900 Issue. 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.240 That was. 00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:58.160 That was circling around. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.400 There was this one student group. 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:00.740 Who was advocating. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.599 That some of the tuition fees. 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:04.099 That students paid. 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.779 Should be redirected. 00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:07.660 To purchase wind energy credits. 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.400 From this company. 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.160 And while there's some. 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.700 A lot of students that were on board about this. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.620 There were others that. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.720 Thought this was a bad idea. 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.980 Not all from a. 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:16.720 From an environmental perspective. 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.460 But they thought the principle of it. 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:20.140 Our student fees. 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.920 Our tuition fees. 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:22.279 Should go toward our education. 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.799 Not to pay another company. 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:25.000 For wind energy credits. 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.660 And so while the. 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:26.960 The. 00:26:27.600 --> 00:26:28.380 Administrators in school. 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:30.420 They rejected this proposal. 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.880 There was another group. 00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.140 Who. 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:32.960 Who decided. 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.559 They were going to. 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.819 Kind of take more action. 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.380 In order to. 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:37.000 Expose the hypocrisy. 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.799 Of the other group. 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.339 Because they thought. 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:38.940 They were just kind of. 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.600 Virtue signaling. 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.120 And so what they did. 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:42.740 Was in the university center. 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:44.319 In the middle of school. 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.200 They set up this booth. 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.720 This table. 00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:46.839 For a number of weeks. 00:26:46.919 --> 00:26:47.679 Two or three weeks. 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:49.000 Where people could come. 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:50.480 And donate their personal money. 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:52.339 To buy these wind energy credits. 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:54.679 And after the course of two or three weeks. 00:26:55.679 --> 00:26:56.619 These students had raised. 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:58.319 It was less than a hundred dollars. 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.759 For this wind energy credit. 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:01.039 Which is exactly what they thought. 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.159 These students would do. 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:04.659 They didn't expect anything different. 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.579 And so to kind of. 00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:08.179 Rather in a tongue-cheek method. 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:08.439 They. 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:10.240 They actually made a big check. 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.099 And they put this kind of. 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:12.220 Measly amount of money. 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.960 In the check line. 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.799 And they pretended. 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.200 They were going to present this. 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:17.259 To the wind energy farm. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.319 And it was their way of it. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.340 It's showing that. 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:22.160 Even though there may be. 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.100 This desire. 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:24.559 Of group think. 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.880 Of this desire to see. 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.980 A common goal achieved. 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.140 It must begin. 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.380 With the individual. 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.079 And they point. 00:27:32.120 --> 00:27:32.640 And they showed. 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:33.340 Obviously. 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.100 That there's no. 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.380 Individual responsibility. 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.740 There was no individual initiative. 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:38.039 Toward this endeavor. 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.500 Even though they wanted the group. 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:41.600 To achieve it as a whole. 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:43.079 And so Paul. 00:27:43.199 --> 00:27:44.459 He recognizes that tendency. 00:27:44.459 --> 00:27:45.279 Within the church. 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.659 And so in these latter. 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:47.339 Verses. 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:47.500 He. 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.439 There's this shift. 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.919 Away from talking to the church. 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:50.659 As a whole. 00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:52.279 To focusing on. 00:27:52.699 --> 00:27:53.359 The individual. 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:55.059 Look at verse three and four. 00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:56.480 Do nothing from selfish. 00:27:56.699 --> 00:27:57.899 Ambition or conceit. 00:27:58.439 --> 00:27:59.359 But in humility. 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.659 Count others more significant. 00:28:00.659 --> 00:28:01.359 Than yourselves. 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:03.000 Let each of you. 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.579 Not only. 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:05.399 Look not only to his own interest. 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:07.000 But also to the interest of others. 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:09.039 And so Paul. 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:10.019 Is making the point here. 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:11.180 That in order to grow. 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:11.839 In unity. 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:12.799 As a church. 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:14.619 That must begin. 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:15.460 By growing. 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.240 In humility. 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.599 As individuals. 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:20.559 And it's important. 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:21.019 To note here. 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.660 That during Paul's time. 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.640 During Roman reign. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.539 When he wrote this letter. 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:26.140 Humility was not a virtue. 00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:27.619 That was. 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:29.380 Praised within the culture. 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.960 Within the Roman culture. 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.440 Is a very. 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:31.859 Very. 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.940 Well-ordered society. 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:34.900 There were different. 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:36.120 Classes of people. 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:38.040 It would have made no sense. 00:28:38.040 --> 00:28:38.560 For someone. 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:39.580 Who is of higher class. 00:28:39.580 --> 00:28:40.660 To humble themselves. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.320 To someone of a lower class. 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:43.100 Why in the world. 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.600 Would you. 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:45.019 Let go of your authority. 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.440 And power. 00:28:45.540 --> 00:28:45.960 And influence. 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:46.920 In order to be subservient. 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.360 To someone. 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.200 Who is obviously. 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:48.980 Lesser than you. 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.920 And so in Paul. 00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:51.900 In calling for. 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.140 And advocating for humility. 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:53.640 He's really. 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.680 Telling the church. 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.500 That we need to be. 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.740 Radically different. 00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:58.600 Than the society around us. 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.640 We've looked at this already. 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:00.860 But. 00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:01.580 But further on. 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:02.140 In chapter three. 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.720 Paul says. 00:29:02.800 --> 00:29:03.560 That we are citizens. 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.580 Of heaven. 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.399 And as a result. 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.500 We should have a different value system. 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:09.079 Than those around us. 00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:10.879 And so we do nothing. 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:12.299 Out of selfish ambition. 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:13.639 Or conceit. 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.559 This word conceit. 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:16.259 It literally means. 00:29:16.379 --> 00:29:17.339 Vain glory. 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:20.000 And empty pride. 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.119 In our own works. 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:21.879 In our own abilities. 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:23.559 That word. 00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:24.500 Selfish ambition. 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.919 It's actually the same word. 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:27.079 That we saw in chapter one. 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.119 Verses fifteen. 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:29.039 When Paul is describing. 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.679 These other. 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:31.139 Ministers of the gospel. 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:31.919 Who are preaching. 00:29:31.919 --> 00:29:32.799 Out of envy. 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.859 And rivalry. 00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:36.500 And so we see that. 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:37.659 Even though. 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:39.059 It may have the appearance. 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:40.000 Of doing something good. 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.959 Even though we may. 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:42.319 May think we're doing something. 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.259 For the benefit of others. 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:44.179 Or for the benefit of the church. 00:29:44.179 --> 00:29:45.379 We can still do so. 00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:46.619 With the wrong intentions. 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:48.599 We can still do so. 00:29:48.959 --> 00:29:50.179 Out of a prideful heart. 00:29:50.959 --> 00:29:51.619 And so that's something. 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.539 We need to make sure. 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.459 We guard against. 00:29:54.959 --> 00:29:55.759 You may have heard of. 00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.659 Saint Augustine. 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.199 Who's a church father. 00:29:58.199 --> 00:29:59.359 From centuries ago. 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.539 From the three and four hundreds. 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:02.480 We have a lot of his. 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.619 His writings preserved. 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.299 And in one letter. 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:05.180 He wrote to another. 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:06.180 Leader in the church. 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:07.059 He's emphasizing. 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.519 The need for. 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:10.000 Or the importance. 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.839 Of humility. 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.460 And he explains. 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.359 That the only way. 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.639 For holding on to truth. 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.859 Is first humility. 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.759 Second humility. 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:19.119 And third. 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.099 Humility. 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.879 And he goes on to say. 00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:22.259 However. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.420 Often. 00:30:23.639 --> 00:30:24.339 You should ask me. 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.779 I will say the same thing. 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:26.819 Not because. 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:28.740 There are any other precepts. 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.500 To be explained. 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.939 But if humility. 00:30:30.939 --> 00:30:32.240 Does not precede. 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.919 And accompany. 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.839 And follow. 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:35.679 Every good work we do. 00:30:36.159 --> 00:30:37.200 And if it is not set. 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.879 Before us. 00:30:37.939 --> 00:30:38.500 To look upon. 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:40.059 And beside us. 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.659 To lean on. 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.579 And behind us. 00:30:41.619 --> 00:30:42.339 To fence us in. 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.579 Pride will rest. 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:44.299 From our hands. 00:30:44.439 --> 00:30:45.279 Any good deed. 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.799 We do. 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:47.779 While we are in the very act. 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.359 Of taking pleasure in it. 00:30:50.939 --> 00:30:51.799 And so we see. 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.339 Just how. 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:53.419 Foundational. 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:53.700 How. 00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:54.659 How fundamental. 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.220 Humility is. 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:57.519 To the life of Christians. 00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.279 When Paul says. 00:30:59.360 --> 00:30:59.980 To count others. 00:31:00.100 --> 00:31:00.640 More significant. 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.279 Than yourselves. 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.500 He is literally saying. 00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:03.360 To see. 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.100 And view others. 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.900 As worthy. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:06.279 Of your service. 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.980 We need to think. 00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:10.140 And we need to act. 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:10.819 In such a way. 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:12.519 That is not for our own benefit. 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.400 But also for. 00:31:13.860 --> 00:31:14.240 The benefit. 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.259 Of others. 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.620 And so as we think about. 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:19.059 How to apply this text. 00:31:19.600 --> 00:31:20.600 Certainly we need to ask. 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:20.960 The question. 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.779 Well what does unity. 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:22.500 Look like. 00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:23.100 For us. 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:23.839 As a church. 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.220 For us. 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.620 As a body of Christ. 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.620 Here in Edinburgh. 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:29.059 Who worship at Beclew. 00:31:30.579 --> 00:31:31.579 But there is also. 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.240 And first and foremost. 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.200 A much more important. 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:35.100 Personal question. 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:35.900 That we need to ask. 00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:37.180 One that is much more difficult. 00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:37.600 To ask. 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.019 Because. 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.120 It exposes. 00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:39.980 Our own sin. 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:41.920 Questions like. 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:43.120 Where do I need to root out. 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.600 Pride. 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:45.120 In my own life. 00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:47.680 How can I act. 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.299 And think. 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:48.920 And serve. 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.279 With humility. 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.220 Where am I. 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:52.839 Am I working. 00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:53.699 And am I serving. 00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:54.720 With the wrong motive. 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:56.299 Of trying to receive praise. 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.679 From others. 00:31:56.679 --> 00:31:57.799 Rather than truly caring. 00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:58.339 For those. 00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.579 Who I serve. 00:32:00.919 --> 00:32:01.919 Because it's really easy. 00:32:01.919 --> 00:32:02.839 To identify. 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.459 The problems. 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.059 In a group. 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.439 That are outside of us. 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:06.619 Right. 00:32:06.659 --> 00:32:07.299 Oh we don't have union. 00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:07.579 In the church. 00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:08.559 Because that person. 00:32:09.199 --> 00:32:10.579 Won't stand in line. 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.240 Because that person. 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:11.939 Has this opinion. 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:12.619 That's always different. 00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:13.740 From everybody else's. 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.579 It's easy to identify that. 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.399 But what about us? 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.759 We need. 00:32:17.959 --> 00:32:18.819 The Holy Spirit. 00:32:18.899 --> 00:32:19.679 We need the Holy Spirit. 00:32:19.679 --> 00:32:20.539 To convict us. 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:21.299 And to correct us. 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.519 And to guide us. 00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:23.899 Towards humility. 00:32:23.899 --> 00:32:25.000 So that we can see. 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.599 Unity within the church. 00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:29.099 And so the wonderful thing is. 00:32:29.139 --> 00:32:30.299 Is that we have a model. 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.460 For this humility. 00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.259 We're going to look at this. 00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:34.500 In the next time we meet together. 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:35.579 In verses five through seven. 00:32:35.659 --> 00:32:36.619 But Paul continues. 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:38.319 By pointing to Christ. 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.759 He's not saying. 00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:40.480 Be humble. 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:41.799 By your own power. 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:42.819 And on your own efforts. 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:43.720 Period. 00:32:44.899 --> 00:32:45.099 No. 00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:45.559 He's pointing. 00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:46.559 To Christ. 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.500 As our perfect example. 00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:48.099 As Christ. 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:49.299 Who's our suffering. 00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:49.859 Servant. 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.479 Servant. 00:32:50.879 --> 00:32:51.619 Who not only. 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:52.240 Upheld. 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:53.839 This ethic of humility. 00:32:53.959 --> 00:32:54.859 He is the source. 00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:56.339 Of this ethic. 00:32:57.899 --> 00:32:58.319 It says that. 00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:58.959 It was he. 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.819 Though he was in the form of God. 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:02.279 Did not count quality with God. 00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:03.279 A thing to be grasped. 00:33:04.179 --> 00:33:05.119 But emptied himself. 00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:07.179 By taking the form of a servant. 00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:09.139 Being born in the likeness of men. 00:33:09.939 --> 00:33:11.119 And being found in human form. 00:33:11.199 --> 00:33:12.199 He humbled himself. 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.799 By becoming obedient. 00:33:14.379 --> 00:33:15.299 To the point of death. 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:16.000 Even death. 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.219 On a cross. 00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:17.339 Yes. 00:33:19.100 --> 00:33:20.180 So I don't want to jump ahead. 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:20.880 To what we're going to look at. 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:21.259 In the future. 00:33:21.339 --> 00:33:22.200 But I don't want to. 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:23.579 Neglect. 00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.519 That point. 00:33:24.640 --> 00:33:24.960 Today. 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:25.299 Either. 00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:25.980 To recognize. 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:26.640 That though. 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.819 Paul's instruction. 00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:28.759 Though it's clear. 00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:30.019 And direct. 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:30.579 To us. 00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.259 As a church. 00:33:32.279 --> 00:33:33.019 His command. 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:33.720 Is not simply. 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.500 Be humble. 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.039 Be united. 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:37.480 No. 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:37.839 We see. 00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:38.960 His instruction. 00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:41.319 Is centralized. 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.160 On the cross. 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:42.660 Of Christ. 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:42.740 Christ. 00:33:43.860 --> 00:33:44.660 Because it is. 00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:45.340 Christ. 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:45.720 Who. 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.759 Has saved us. 00:33:47.060 --> 00:33:47.440 It's the. 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:48.440 Life of Christ. 00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.160 Who serves. 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:49.880 As an example. 00:33:49.880 --> 00:33:50.480 For us. 00:33:51.360 --> 00:33:52.220 It is the spirit. 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.680 Of Christ. 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.500 Who enables us. 00:33:53.540 --> 00:33:54.700 To become more like Christ. 00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:56.600 As a result. 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.519 It is the body. 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.160 Of Christ. 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.940 Who can stand united. 00:34:00.340 --> 00:34:01.019 With one another. 00:34:01.900 --> 00:34:02.840 And so this joy. 00:34:02.840 --> 00:34:03.500 That Paul has. 00:34:03.540 --> 00:34:04.400 That we see throughout the letter. 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:04.940 That he says. 00:34:04.940 --> 00:34:05.840 Will be made complete. 00:34:05.840 --> 00:34:07.100 When he sees unity in the church. 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:08.880 This is our joy. 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:09.460 As well. 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.840 We can find great joy. 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:12.240 In our own humility. 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.220 In the unity. 00:34:13.220 --> 00:34:14.120 That it brings the church. 00:34:14.160 --> 00:34:14.800 Because we know. 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:16.120 That it is for our good. 00:34:16.180 --> 00:34:17.059 It is for the spread. 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.700 Of the gospel. 00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:18.860 And ultimately. 00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.440 For the glory. 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:20.100 Of God. 00:34:21.120 --> 00:34:21.720 Let's pray. 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:27.860 God. 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.360 We recognize. 00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:29.559 That sometimes. 00:34:29.700 --> 00:34:30.680 The easiest commands. 00:34:30.680 --> 00:34:31.480 Are the hard. 00:34:31.740 --> 00:34:32.660 Hardest to follow. 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.700 And so God. 00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:37.140 We ask. 00:34:37.240 --> 00:34:37.760 That you work. 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:38.460 In our lives. 00:34:38.620 --> 00:34:39.700 To convict us. 00:34:39.699 --> 00:34:41.739 To direct us. 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:42.480 On a path. 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:43.159 Toward humility. 00:34:44.359 --> 00:34:45.659 May we not only do. 00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:46.319 What is right. 00:34:46.419 --> 00:34:47.139 But may we do it. 00:34:47.239 --> 00:34:48.079 For the right reason. 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:51.639 May you strike down. 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:52.099 Pride. 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:52.799 In our lives. 00:34:53.639 --> 00:34:54.460 May expose. 00:34:54.819 --> 00:34:55.259 Blindness. 00:34:55.619 --> 00:34:56.339 The blind spots. 00:34:56.419 --> 00:34:57.000 In our lives. 00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:59.239 Where we are looking. 00:34:59.359 --> 00:35:00.139 For our own glory. 00:35:01.199 --> 00:35:01.879 We are looking. 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:02.319 For the honor. 00:35:02.399 --> 00:35:02.799 Of others. 00:35:04.659 --> 00:35:05.059 God. 00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:06.179 May it be our desire. 00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:07.539 To put others. 00:35:07.779 --> 00:35:08.319 Ahead of us. 00:35:08.320 --> 00:35:09.380 To follow the example. 00:35:09.380 --> 00:35:10.019 Of Christ. 00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:11.660 And to recognize. 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:12.260 The unity. 00:35:12.260 --> 00:35:12.900 That that brings. 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:13.300 The body. 00:35:14.720 --> 00:35:15.140 God. 00:35:15.180 --> 00:35:15.559 We pray. 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:16.200 For the unity. 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.860 Of our church. 00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:18.340 Here at Beclue. 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.559 May we love. 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:21.300 And serve. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.059 One another well. 00:35:23.240 --> 00:35:23.760 May there be. 00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:24.740 Great diversity. 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:25.680 Among us. 00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:27.840 May we rejoice. 00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:28.440 In that. 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.559 As we. 00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:30.300 Remain. 00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:30.820 In fellowship. 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.460 With one another. 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:33.300 God. 00:35:33.340 --> 00:35:34.120 We desire this. 00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:35.400 For your glory. 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.620 In our joy. 00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:37.359 In Jesus name. 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:38.420 Amen. 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:42.099 Will you stand with me. 00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:43.460 For our last psalm. 00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:44.239 This is a psalm. 00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:45.059 One thirteen. 00:35:45.319 --> 00:35:45.460 Which. 00:35:45.699 --> 00:35:46.539 Is a psalm. 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.000 Requesting. 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.539 And praising God. 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:50.119 For the unity. 00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:50.799 Of his people. 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.699 So will you stand with me. 00:35:51.739 --> 00:35:52.000 To sing. 00:35:52.000 --> 00:36:21.980 Thank you.