THE GREAT
CHALLENGE FOR BEING IN CHRIST
Philippians 2:1-4 Php 2:1 If
[there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded,
having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind.
Php 2:3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but
every man also on the things of others.
Introduction:
There
is a great promise for being in Christ.
A
Christian has a great opportunity to be a blessing to the local church because
they are already in Christ.
Philippians 1:5-6: "Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form
of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:".
The Four Great Challenges and Blessings
I. WE
ARE UNIQUE INCHRIST
Philippians 2:1 Php 2:1 If
[there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
"Unique"
means being unlike anyone else; very special or unusual.
We
have unique consolation and encouragement in the Christian life.
We
receive unique comfort of love from Christ.
We
experience unique fellowship with the Spirit of God.
(1 John 1:3) 1Jn 1:3
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have
fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his
Son Jesus Christ.
We
experience unique "bowels tender mercies" and compassions from
Christ.
II. WE
ARE UNITED IN CHRIST
Philippians 2:2 Php 2:2
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one
accord, of one mind.
We are
likeminded; the Trinity is the prime example of this unity.
(John 17:21-23) Jn 17:21
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that
they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Jn 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have
given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Jn 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may
be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and
hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
We
share the same love for brothers and sisters, constrained by Christ's perfect
love.
(2 Corinthians 5:14) 2Cor 5:14
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died
for all, then were all dead:
Being
of one accord and mind pleases God.
(Psalm 133:1) Behold, how
good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!
III. WE
ARE UNPRETENTIOUS IN CHRIST
Philippians 2:3 Php 2:3
[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind
let each esteem other better than themselves.
"Unpretentious"
refers to avoiding the unpleasant quality of wanting to appear more impressive
or important than one really is.
The
fruits of the Holy Spirit help Christians overcome weaknesses and unpleasant
attitudes.
Christians
should avoid strife (selfishness) within the local church.
(Ephesians 6:10) Eph 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
This
means avoiding "empty conceit" or ostentatious pride. This is
overcome through humbleness.
(James 4:6-7) Jas 4:6 But
he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth
grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist
the devil, and he will flee from you.
Esteem
others better than themselves.
IV. WE
ARE UNSELFISH IN CHRIST
Philippians 2:4 Php 2:4
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of
others.
We
should look not just on our own things, but also on the things of others.
Christians
should be concerned for the advancement and progress of others.
(Galatians 6:2-3) Gal 6:2
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be
something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Jesus
Christ is the key to overcoming wrong attitudes.
(Philippians 2:5) Php 2:5 Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
V. WE
ARE NOT UNCOMMITTED IN CHRIST
Paul
serves as a model for maintaining constant commitment to Christ.
(Philippians 1:5-6) Php 1:5 For
your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that
he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus
Christ:
Commitment
involves fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.
True
commitment means being willing to give one's life to finish the ministry
received from the Lord.
(Acts 20:24) Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so
that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received
of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
VI. WE
ARE NOT UNFAITHFUL IN CHRIST
(Psalm 126:5-6) Pss 126:5
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Pss 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves
[with him].
Like
the Jerusalem church, Christians should be steadfast and always abounding in
the work of the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 15:58) 1Cor 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in
the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in
the Lord.
Normal
church experience involves the increase of God’s word and the multiplication of
disciples through prayer and ministry.
(Acts 6:4-7) Acts 6:4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the
word.
Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole
multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,
and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a
proselyte of Antioch:
Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and
when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the
number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of
the priests were obedient to the faith.
Conclusion
Being
in Christ is both a great challenge and a blessing.
Philippians 2:1 Php 2:1 If
[there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
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