It’s April 1865, and the Civil War is coming to a close. Robert E Lee surrenders to Ulysses S Grant. Lee later begs the southern states to join the Union and be one nation again. Johnson finally surrenders to Sherman, leaving one major Confederate general to surrender, which he eventually does. Lincoln is assassinated, and the nation wonders who will lead the reconstruction; most importantly, how to do it.
The how question is answered May 2 at St Pauls Church in Alexandria, VA. At the close of Sunday worship, Holy Communion is served. People come the altar to pray and receive communion. Blacks, sitting in the back in their own section, do not participate.
The war over, an elderly black man gets up, walks down the aisle, kneels at the altar, and prays. This is simply not done—and everyone, including the minister, has no idea what to do. After a minute of awkward silence and confusion, a white man with flowing white hair and beard rises. He is a commanding presence with a confident stride. He makes his way to the altar, kneels next to the black man, and prays with him.
The older white man with the commanding presence and confident stride is Gen. Robert E Lee, former leader of the Confederate Army.
I. INTRODUCTION
1. In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul shares his desire to see the church united in love and servant-hood. We presume from his letter that he is concerned about their well-being as a group.
A. Perhaps his call for unity is based on (1)persecution they may face;or (2)problems the believers in Philippi have with each other. (3)Perhaps he has other reasons?
B. In any event, Paul encourages the Philippians to be united, arguing that unity will grow from humility, using to Christ as their consummate example. OYBT Philippians 2.
[Unity in name of Christ occurs when believers humble themselves as he did; yielding their interests to the needs of others as Christ yielded his for our sake.]
2. Here Paul turns his attention from theology to ethics: chapter two is a wonderful discourse on how Christians in the church should live in light of Christ’s example.
A. I wrote a short article on this passage some years ago for a class in Hermeneutics (the science of interpreting a text). Of particular interest in my research was the literary structure of the chapter, which fascinates me.
B. Before we examine the text, let’s outline its structure. If you make notes in your Bible as I do, grab a pencil and bracket the following groups of verses: Bracket #1 is vv. 1-4; #2 is v.5; #3 is 6-11, #4 is 12-18. Collectively, the groups compose a structure of rhetoric we use to this day: the “IF—THEN” means of argument. (If this is true, then this must result…)
II. THE [IF] STATEMENT OF PAUL’S INSTRUCTION (1-4)
1. Paul opens with four successive clauses, each beginning with if; [1] If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ [2] If you have any comfort from his love [3] If you have any fellowship with the Holy Spirit [4] If you are recipients of Christ’s tenderness and compassion…
2. Understand—Paul is not questioning whether or not they experience these gifts. This is a device used to make his point. We might substitute the phrase “Since there is…”
3. Paul appeals to them to strive for unity and harmony. To be “like-minded” does not mean they agree on everything, but rather they work to remain “one in spirit” (1:27). This demands humility.
A. It means that I surrender my will to God’s will; I find agreement with someone when I’d rather disagree; I work beside one whose personality doesn’t match well with mine; I learn to find comfort and joy when I can’t have my way.
[Unity in name of Christ occurs when believers humble themselves as He did; yielding our interests to the needs of others as Christ yielded his for us.]
III. THE TRANSITIONAL PHRASE (5)
1. Verse five serves two purposes: [1] it summarizes the prior verses and [2] serves as a transition to the basis of Paul’s teaching?the example of humility as portrayed by Christ.
2. Paul answers the question on his reader’s minds: “why should we feel compelled to act in this way?” by directing them to the supreme example of godly behavior found in Christ.
IV. CHRIST’S HUMILITY AS AN EXAMPLE FOR THE PHILIPPIANS (6-11)
1. Verses 6-11 are collectively known as the “Christ Hymn”. The hymn, positioned quite intentionally between the two other parts of chapter two, becomes a looking glass of sorts for the believer. Through this looking glass our words and actions must reflect those of Christ, who suffered greatly for our benefit without regard for His own desire.
A. Humility is defined in Christ, who suffered shame and self-humiliation on the cross (8c). For a special insight into Paul’s argument, look at the verses that precede and follow 8c.
B. In verses 6-8b, we see Jesus humbling himself, through his self-abasement as an obscure slave (6-7b) and his self-humiliation, being obedient unto death (7c-8b); look at the result of his act of humility…
C. In vv. 9-11, God exalts Jesus, giving him a name above all names, and promises that at the very sound of this name, the whole earth will recognize him as Lord of all.
V. THE “THEN” STATEMENT: THE RESULT OF PAUL’S INSTRUCTION (12-18)
1. Having stated the IF side of the equation and providing an example for their quest from the life of Jesus, Paul turns his attention to the anticipated result from this change of behavior.
2. As Christ humbled himself, God exalted him. When he became a servant, God made him Lord of all. Paul’s hope for the Philippians is that as they follow Christ’s example, becoming humble before God and each other, their unity will deepen and their ministry strengthen.
A. Therefore, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his purpose. What is Paul suggesting? How does this happen?
(i) As God develops their character to reflect Jesus’ character, blessing comes to their fellowship. A sense of unity develops, strengthening their fellowship and resulting ministries.
(ii) This is not shared thought in all areas, but a shared commitment to work together: a difference that Paul is keenly aware of, acknowledging that one may have to subordinate personal interest to benefit another (4). When one submits his will for the benefit of others, God honors him or her, as He honored Jesus’ obedience.
B. Paul looks forward to his ability to boast in their improved character; not for personal gain, and not for the greatness of the Philippians, but to boast in what God is able accomplish in these believers through Paul’s obedience in serving them.
VI. CONCLUSION: FROM PRINCIPLE TO PRACTICE
1. Loving some people is hard¬—you know who you are—whether it’s their attitude, interests, behaviors or eccentricities. Yet, without deep love for each other, we can’t express Christ’s love to the world around us. When we consider Christ’s humility as described in the hymn of vv. 6-11, our distress from one who annoys us seems petty. Because it is.
2. Who “bugs” you? What specifically bugs you about them? Here’s a test; ask yourself, “If Christ knew this person would be so annoying, would he have died for him anyway? If the answer is yes, the problem lies with you. Imitating Christ’s humility means yielding my will and desire to another, even when it is painful.
3. Ask God to teach you, in the power of his Holy Spirit, to accept, encourage and love those whose attitude, interests, behaviors and eccentricities annoy you. Then follow!
[Unity in name of Christ occurs when you humble yourself as he did; yielding your interests to the needs of others as Christ yielded his for you.]
