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Mar 25, 2018

Moving On: 2 - From Selfishness to Unity

Moving On: 2 - From Selfishness to Unity

Passage: Philippians 2:1-4

Preacher: Russell Minnick

Series: Moving On

Category: Discipleship

Keywords: selfishness, unity

Summary:

This second message of the Moving On series focuses on our natural tendency to cater to our own desires. Our call is instead to follow Christ's example of humbly putting the needs of others ahead of our own, so that the church may be unified.

Detail:

Moving from Selfishness to Unity

4 Christian Blessings vs. 1 "If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, l if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,"

  • Encouragement in Christ
  • Consolation of love.
  • Fellowship of the spirit
  • Affection and mercy.

I. My Way v. 2 "Fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal."

Acts 13:13 Then Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphilia, but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 15:37-39 Barnabas wanted to bring John called Mark along with them too, but Paul insisted that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. They had a sharp disagreement, so that they parted company. Barnabas took along Mark and sailed away to Cyprus.

Paul and Barnabas allow selfishness to turn a disagreement into discord. If you have a disagreement that stems from your belief that the church is getting a core doctrine incorrect, it is worth the risk of discord, perhaps the necessity of it, but anything less has a bit of a selfish "my way" feeling to it.  

II. My Glory v. 3 "Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves."

1 Cor. 1:10-31 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? . . . 

The church is not divided. There is no competition. We have nothing to boast in outside of Christ.  

III. My Interests v. 4 "Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

Phil. 4:10-13 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.  I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

True humility can only be achieved when we are content in our relationship with Christ. Only then can we defer our interests to the interests of others, because we don't get our strength from having everything our way we get our strength from Him. 

 

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