Cows have a wonderful life. There only purpose in life is to get fat. They are fed and fed for that purpose. They graze , chew their cud and sleep, that’s all. Ever watched a cow graze and wander till their lost. Some people shop like that.
The end of their purpose is not good. They get eaten. A natural purpose.
Ever have a day off thinking you will accomplish some things but by the end of the day nothing is done.
It is true - if you aim at nothing your bound to hit it. - What are you aiming at?
Birds have a little more to do than eat. They are God’s decoration, God’s natural orchestra. - Wood peckers are the percussion.
Beaver? Make a mess.
What is your purpose in life?
I. A People Purpose v 1-11
A. Respond to your benefits v1
1Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (NIV =one spirit, one purpose)
The therefore is from 1:29 = Saved by God
encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness, compassion,
ILL>> My dad responded to the grace & forgiveness of God by hearing the call to preach. He loaded up a u-haul and headed to Bible college having never been to Chattanooga.
B. Respond with a unified purpose v2
C. Respond by being selfless v3-4
3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
1. God’s ambition not ours
2. God’s view of you - not egotistical
3. God’s humility is a holy humility - “I can do all things through Christ...”
4. God’s will is a proper self esteem J-Jesus- O- others- Y - you
ILL>> It was through an understanding of the gifts of the Spirit and how God taught me that I found the will of God for my life.
D. Respond with His attitude v6-8
5Let this mind (attitude)be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
1. Made Himself a nobody (not disreputable, or dishonorable)
Verse 5 introduces one of the most sublime and wonderful mysteries of the Scriptures, what is called the doctrine of the kenosis. This doctrine of our Lord’s self-emptying is used as an example of the lowliness of mind which should be the pattern for all the followers of Christ.
The word being (Gr hyparchoµ) is better translated existing or subsisting. This word is much stronger than the verb to be; it does not simply mean being but existing. Christ ever was, is, and ever shall be God. This word denotes prior existence (cf. Jn 1:1; Col 1:17).
16For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
From all eternity the Son was co-existent, co-equal, and co-eternal with the Father.
Christ existed in the form of God. This is the strongest Greek word (Gr morpheµ) to denote the exact image, the image of being and essence.
2. Serving others -- washed feet, served bread, healed lepers, ...
3. Obedient to the death - a criminal execution (all for us!)
ILL>> The dog is the greatest servant of the animal world. Friend - pet. Seeing eye dog, aid for the handicapped...
I. A People Purpose
II. A Powerful Purpose
A. Therefore- God reveals His ultimate purpose v 9-11
9Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This passage does not teach that ultimately all the lost will be saved, as taught by many cults. It is His will and desire that all be saved. (2 Pet 3:9 KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
B. Therefore- Because of His ultimate purpose we exercise ours v 12
12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
It is always a matter of trust and obey. The verse does not say “work for” your salvation. The Philippians had already been saved. Salvation is all of grace (Eph 2:8–10)
For by grace are you saved that not of yourselves...
1. “A spiritual ‘work-out’ is to work hard at His purpose.
2. God does the work for His purpose - good pleasure
C. Therefore- Because of His ultimate purpose we don’t complain or argue
14Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
1. Satan will tempt you to say something bad about someone in church - We have all done it!!!! Paul says - Stop it !!
2. Who is to blame and who will case harm? Complainers, argumentative people. If your first reaction is to find fault, you are harming God’s people and God’s work, God’s purpose. Don’t hang around negative people. It is one thing to be honest and realistic, but criticism will kill a church.
ILL>> Recently I saw a god that cowered when I spoke to it. You can tell when a dog has been beaten, or talked harshly to. Are people more important than doge.
-- Charles Haddon Spurgeon, -- In his day, Melancthon mourned the divisions among Protestants and sought to bring them together through the parable of the war between the wolves and the dogs. The wolves were somewhat afraid, for the dogs were many and strong, and so they sent out a spy to observe them. On his return the scout said, "It is true the dogs are many, but there are not many mastiffs among them. There are dogs of so many sorts one can hardly count them. And as for the worst of them," he said, "they are little dogs, which bark loudly but cannot bite. However, this did not cheer me so much," said the wolf, "as this: that as they came marching on, I observed they were all snapping right and left at one another, and I could see clearly that though they all hate the wolf, yet each dog hates every other dog with all his heart." I fear it is true still, for there are many believers who snap right and left at their own brothers, when they should save their teeth for the wolves. If our enemies are to be put to confusion, it must be by the united efforts of all the people of God: unity is strength.
D. Therefore- Because of His ultimate purpose we see ours
16holding fast the word of life, (NIV holding out )
1. Instead of complaining we witness the Word!
2. Instead of arguing we teach the Word!
I. A People Purpose
II. A Powerful Purpose
III. A Pattern of Purpose
A. Paul’s purpose revealed
16holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
1. He rejoices in their “Holding forth the Word”
his life was not in vain
2. He was willing to be sacrificed for that purpose
3. Our reason for joy is his too
B. Timothy’s purpose revealed
1. Like minded with Paul
2. Like minded with Christ
19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
C. Epaphrodituspurpose revealed
1. To aid Paul
2. To aid the church
25Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
I. A People Purpose
II. A Powerful Purpose
III. A Pattern of Purpose
