Sunday School Lesson: Keeping the Balance

Purpose: To study the relationship between humility and glory in Christ and what this means for us.

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

philippians 2 (NRSV)
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

6who, though he was in the form of God,did not regard equality with Godas something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself,taking the form of a slave,being born in human likeness.And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himselfand became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

9Therefore God also highly exalted himand gave him the namethat is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesusevery knee should bend,in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue should confessthat Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians has two traits that none of Paul’s other epistles have. The first trait of this letter is the spirit in which it was written. This letter was not written to ward off some impending heresy in the church or to rebuke false teachers or fallen believers. This was not a letter of encouragement to a struggling body of believers. This letter has been called the "Epistle of Joy". The words joy and rejoice are used repeatedly in this letter. It seems that there had grown a bond of friendship between Paul and the church at Philippi closer than that which existed between himself and any other church. Paul calls this church his "joy and crown":

Phi 4:1 ESV
(1) Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Paul called the Philippian church his "partners" and support:

Phi 4:15 ESV
(15) And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

In fact Paul generally made a point to let everyone know that he was self-sufficient and could support himself, yet, in Philippi, Paul accepted lodging at the home of Lydia (Acts 16) and gifts from the Philippian church while in Thesallonica (Phi 4:16) and in prison (Phi 4:10,11). The church even sent Epaphroditus with the gift not only as the gift-bearer but to remain as a servant for Paul during his imprisonment. This alone indicates a relationship between Paul and this church unlike his relationships with the other churches.

The second trait of the Letter to the Philippians is that it alone is indisputably a letter of Paul. No reputable New Testament critic has ever doubted its genuineness. We can accept Philippians as undoubtedly an authentic letter of Paul.

Paul wrote this letter with several certain definite aims. When Paul wrote this letter he was in prison in Rome. The letter is first and foremost a letter of thanks. Once again, even though many years had passed since Paul first visited Philippi, the Philippians had sent Paul a gift. The letter was also written out of concern for Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus had become ill while serving Paul in Rome. Paul sent Epaphroditus home, but he had the unhappy feeling that the people of Philippi might think of Epaphroditus as a quitter, so he goes out of his way to offer a testimonial to Epaphroditus’ service (Phi 2:29,30) telling the church that Epaphroditus nearly died in service to Christ. And lastly the letter was written as an appeal to maintain unity in the church, the subject of today’s passage.

Disunity was the one danger that may have threatened the Philippian church. Could we say that disunity is perhaps the greatest threat to every healthy church?

For what reason does disunity threaten healthy churches?

Does it seem that when people are really serious about their beliefs and their beliefs really matter to them that they are most likely to come into conflict with one another?

True or false: The greater the enthusiasm within a group of believers, the greater the danger that their opinions may collide.

What are some causes of disunity in the church?

In verses 3 and 4, Paul gives us the three greatest causes of disunity. What are they?

1. Selfish ambition. When folks work not to advance the Kingdom of God but to advance themselves. I’m sure we can all think of examples of this in the Church.

2. Conceit. Feelings of excessive pride. The desire for personal prestige. Prestige is for many people a greater temptation than wealth. To be admired and respected. To sit in the seats of power. To have one’s opinion sought. To be known by name and appearance. To be flattered. These are, for many people, the most desirable things. How does this fit into the Christian life?

The aim of the Christian ought not to be self-display but self-suppression, self-elimination, self-obliteration, self-rescission. We should live the Christian life, not in order that others may glorify us, but that we may glorify our Father in Heaven. Christians should always desire to focus other’s eyes not upon ourselves, but on God.

3. Concentration on self. We live in a society that values individuality and individual rights over and above even individual welfare and well-being. Can you see any danger of allowing self-interest and personal liberties the highest priority in our society?

If we are always concerned first and foremost with our own interests, we are bound to come into conflict with others. If for us life is a competition whose prizes we must win, we will always think of other human beings as enemies or at least as opponents who must be pushed out of the way. Concentration on self inevitably means elimination of others, and the object of life becomes not to help others but to put them down or show them where they are wrong and we are right.

The first verse of today’s passage could be paraphrased, "If being a Christian means anything to you......." Let’s discuss that a bit. What does being a Christian mean to you?

Paul began this passage naming four qualities that mark unity with Christ. Four if statements. What are those four qualities/ifs?

1. Encouragement in Christ.
2. Consolation from love.
3. Sharing in the Spirit.
4. Compassion and sympathy.


When Paul makes these statements as ifs (i.e. if there is encouragement in Christ, if there is consolation from love, if there is sharing in the Spirit, if there is compassion and sympathy) is he questioning the presence of these characteristics in the Philippian Church (or in any faithful church)?

Paul does not question the faith of the Philippians. He wants his readers to ponder the characteristics of a healthy church. Characteristics that are represented by unity and harmony.

Can we find encouragement in knowing Christ?

Absolutely.

Are we encouraged through Christ to practice unity?

The simple fact that we are all in Christ should keep us in unity.

Is it possible to walk in disunity with other Christians and in unity with Christ?

If we have Christ as a companion, we inevitably become companions of others.

Can we find consolation in living a life of love?

Absolutely.

Can the power of Christian love keep us in unity?

Christian love is that unconquered goodwill which never knows bitterness and never seeks anything but the good of others. Christian love is not a mere reaction of the heart, as human love is. Christian love is a complete victory of the will, achieved only through the grace of Jesus Christ.

Does Christian love mean that we only love those who love us, or whom we like, or who are lovable, or who believe and live exactly like we do?

Christian love means unwavering, unconquerable goodwill to those who hate us, to those whom we do not like, to those who are unlovely, even to those who ridicule or question our beliefs. This is the very essence of the Christian life.

Can we find fellowship by sharing in the Spirit?

Absolutely.

Can the fact that Christians share in the Holy Spirit keep us from disunity?

The Holy Spirit binds individuals to God and to one another. It is the Spirit that enables us to live the life of love. If we live in disunity with one another, we show that the Spirit is not in us.
The presence of the Spirit is a common bond among all believers, which certainly ought to have a unifying effect in any church. It is difficult to comprehend church fights when each member claims to be a child of God.

Can compassion and sympathy keep us from disunity?

Absolutely. The very existence of compassion should keep people from disunity.

What was Paul’s reason for encouraging unity in the Church?

His reason was personal: unity in the church would "make my joy complete." There can be no happiness for him as long as he knows there is disunity in the church that was so dear to him. If they want to bring him joy (and they obviously did as evidenced by their gifts to him) they must perfect their fellowship. If the Philippian believers were unified and like-minded, showing the mind of Christ, Paul would experience joy.

Verses 5-11 is in many ways the most moving and inspiring words that Paul ever wrote about Jesus. These verses carry on a theme that we have followed for past four lessons: Jesus Christ, God, Creator of all that exists, became one of us because He loved us and wanted to save us.
Key verses from the past lessons:

Col 1:15-16 ESV
(15) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
(16) For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.

Heb 1:2-3 ESV
(2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
(3) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

1Jo 1:1-2 ESV
(1) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life--
(2) the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us--

Joh 1:1-3 ESV
(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(2) He was in the beginning with God.
(3) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Joh 1:14 ESV
(14) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Just how much like God is Jesus?

Why is it not good enough to say that Jesus was the Son of God but not God?

Paul reemphasizes the dual nature of Jesus but adds language that stresses one of Paul’s favorite thoughts: the unequaled humility of Jesus, that one who was rich beyond comprehension would willingly become the poorest of poor.

Imagine one of the richest of the rich in our world, a billionaire, say Bill Gates or Ted Turner or Donald Trump or Warren Buffett. Imagine one of these leaving his opulent home and lifestyle to live in a ghetto or in a third world slum. Does that sacrifice in any way approximate the kind of humbling that Jesus is described as doing according to Paul?

Only in the sense that it is moving in the right direction. In terms of degrees, it does not even come close. God became man. Man becoming earthworm would be closer, but would still not be equal.

Verses 6-8 form a very short passage, but there is no passage in the New Testament which so movingly sets out the utter reality of the godhead and the humanity of Jesus and makes so vivid the sacrifice that he made when he set aside his godhead and became human. A mystery of love so great that we can never fully comprehend it.

How will believers who love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength feel to kneel before Jesus?

How will rebellious, stubborn, self-absorbed sinners feel to kneel before Jesus?

Every knee will bend. To some it will be heaven and to others hell.

Why do you think that William Barclay described verse 11 as one of the most important in the New Testament?

There will be a day that every tongue will confess that "Jesus Christ is Lord".

According to Barclay, these four words were the first creed of the Christian Church. To be a Christian was to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This simple, all-embracing creed was enough for the early church. Would we do well to return to this simple statement of faith?

Why and when was this perfect creed replaced by our modern statements of faith?

As time passed the early church tried to define more closely what it meant to be Christian. This resulted in arguments and quarrels and with some being labeled as heretics and fools.

But isn’t it still true that anyone who can say, "For me, Jesus Christ is Lord" is a Christian?

If we can say that, we mean that for us Jesus Christ is unique and that we are prepared to give him an obedience we are prepared to give to noone else. We may not be able to put into words exactly who and what we believe Jesus to be, but as long as there is in our hearts this wondering love and in our lives this unquestioning obedience, we are indeed Christians, because Christianity consists less in the mind’s understanding than it does in the heart’s love.