Intro: We are in the series that’s a wrap and last week Pastor Joel shared a recap of the last 25 years. As we seek to engage in 2025 we recognize that our emphasis on community can also create some conflict and disunity. Accountability and transparency is community. As you all know the closer you get to people the more vulnerable you become. A vast majority of the problems in the church are not theological they are relational. 

1. What is the Issue

Context: Paul is attempting to repair frictional, relational damage that had occurred in this fellowship. It began when two of the women had a disagreement (Phil. 4:2–3). Evidently these strained relationships had spread throughout the church as people argued and complained (Phil. 2:14).

Paul uses 4 conditions in this verse, which really beg the question of our experience with Christ and the Holy Spirit. I believe the first two relate to Christ and the second two, the Holy Spirit.  The first one mentions Christ; the second one flows out of it. The third one mentions the Holy Spirit; the fourth one flows out of that.

The four conditions:

1. Encouragement in Christ
2. Consolation of Love
3. Fellowship of the Spirit
4. Affection and Compassion 

Encouragement: para kleesis to come alongside and help.

Paul is asking the question has Jesus ever come alongside you to help build you up, to encourage you, to root for you, to be a character witness when the accuser is hurling accusations.

Comfort from His love (ἀγαπης [agapēs]). 

 Since in salvation and sanctification we have known His love and the comfort of His love. We have known that comforting, loving forgiveness and mercy and grace - and it has been so abundant to us 

• Our reasonable response is to demonstrate what we have received. In light of the text of unity, His love is what united us to Him.

 The word agapa, used here, has to do with the greatest love, the highest love, the supreme love. 

He has poured His love and grace into your life, shouldn't you be compelled to give back to Him that which His heart desires?”

It is a sin against your intimate, personal relationship to Christ, and it is the ultimate act of ingratitude to the One who unceasingly has poured out both encouragement and comfort into your life since the moment you were saved.  

Our sin is not a church violation it is a relationship violation

Fellowship of the Spirit (κοινωνια [koinōnia]). Partnership in the Holy Spirit “whose first fruit is love” (Gal. 5:22). 

The Spirit has done everything for you. The Holy Spirit has effected every area of your spiritual life from salvation to glorification. 

Disunity in the body is ingratitude in action. “So,” he says, “look at your discord for what it is.  It is a defiance against Christ.  It is a defiance against the Holy Spirit.”

The unity of the church is called the unity of the Spirit. 

Any affection and mercy : This is emotional aspect of experiencing His love and grace. This goes to the depths of our inner man.

It's different than love. Love can be more cognitive and tied to obedience; affection is a feeling.  It's a longing.  It's more than a cognitive appreciation; it's a deep desire. 

2. How do we fix it: The Finished work of Jesus on the Cross

Be like Minded

Have the same love of Christ

Be united in Spirit and Purpose

Have this mind in you 

Paul urges humility on the Philippians as the only way to secure unity.

Philippians 2:6

Being 

In his preincarnate state Christ possessed all the attributes of God and so appeared to those in heaven who saw him. 

A prize to be held on to rather than something to be won (“robbery”). 

Emptied himself

He took upon himself limitations of place (space) and of knowledge and of power.

The form of a servant 

He took the characteristic attributes of a slave. His humanity was as real as his deity. 

In the likeness of men 

It was not a fake likeness, but a real likeness. He became flesh, He didn’t become God.

He humbled himself 

It is a voluntary humiliation on the part of Christ and for this reason Paul is pressing the example of Christ upon the Philippians, this supreme example of humility and denying self. 

Unto death 

Yea, the death of the cross

3. What’s the result

Because of which act of voluntary and supreme humility. Highly exalted Because of Christ’s voluntary humiliation God lifted him above or beyond the state of glory which he enjoyed before the Incarnation. 

He returned to heaven the Son of Man as well as the Son of God.