Sermon Notes 10-28-07

Sunday, October 28th 2007 “Joy In Unity”
Today’s Scripture is Philippians 2:1-6

You were made to make a difference in your world!

1 Peter 4:10
Noah was called to be a “builder”—can that be a MINISTRY?
Nehemiah was called to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem! Could building a wall be a ministry?
Mary was called to anoint Jesus! Can that be a ministry?

Quote: “United we Stand and Divided We Fall!” Is this a Trueism?
Have you ever seen a tug-of-war?
A rope is laid across a line and a mark is established on the rope!
The winning team is the one who drags the other team across the line!
Sometimes in the Church we see this very same thing happening!

Ask yourself what Satan's most significant strategy has been since early New Testament days?
DIVIDE AND CONQUER by DIS-UNITY! That is what he has tried to do and has succeeded in doing that very thing in many churches!
Adam and Eve—Satan divided them from God!

Genesis 3:1-
Satan's great plan---Divided And Conquer!

I. Paul’s Plan for Living A Life of Joy:

1st The Plea! “make my joy complete by being like-minded"

Philippians 2:2
People can rob us of our joy!
Paul was facing his problems at Rome and also at Philippi!
At Rome---he is under arrest and in chains! Phil. 1:12-14
At Philippi---Paul was concerned because he had received good and bad new:
The good news was that the church was still operating and able to send him support!

Questions:
1. How can another rob us of our joy? Really?
2. How did others being “like-minded” bring Paul joy?

II. Paul’s Plan for Living A Life of Joy

1st The Plea!
2nd The Problem! “Do nothing out of Selfish Ambition”
The bad news was that false teachers were coming in from outside the church

Phillipians 3:2-3

Relationships are destroyed by “Selfishness!”
Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of Selfish Ambition”
Good New---The Gospel is going forth!

John 13:35
True spiritual unity comes from within; it is a matter of the heart!

Philippians 2:2
Relationships are destroyed by “Pride!”
Paul says: v2 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or Vain Conceit”
Romans 12:16

Questions:
1. What is selfish ambition and vain conceit?
2. How do selfishness and pride destroy relationships?

III. Paul’s Plan for Living A Life of Joy

1st The Plea!
2nd The Problem!
3rd The Principle! “like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind”

Philippians 2:2-4
Steps To Unity
Christians should have the basis for "oneness" in thought and action!

John 17:20-21
Jesus had this thought in mind when He prayed

Philippians 2:3

Relationships are strengthened by humility!
Gratitude or Ingratitude? Paul says: "If you are GRATEFUL for what you have received---"then make my joy complete by being like-minded"
Bottom Line: “Put Jesus At The Center of Your Life!”

Questions:
1. Discuss the steps to unity (Philippians 2:2-4)
2. For whom was Jesus praying? (John 17:20-21)

IV. Paul’s Plan for Living A Life of Joy

1st The Plea!
2nd The Problem!
3rd The Principle!
4th The Pattern! The Pattern is Jesus

Philippians 2:5-8
Jesus said: “Your attitude must be like My Own, for I did not come to be served, but TO SERVE…”

Matthew 20:28
“Serving”to be an attendant, to wait upon, be a friend or teacher, to minister, to serve!
Servant and Minister are the same word in the Bible!
Jesus Emptied Himself for YOU!
Gratitude or Ingratitude---the choice is yours!
What is stopping you?