Joy Ride – 2
Philippians Chapter 2:1-18
Ice Breaker: What is the most selfless act that you have witnessed or were a part of?
1.What insight, principles or observations did you take away from this Sunday’s message?
Philippians 2:1–4 (NIV) Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
2. How can the Philippians make Paul’s joy complete and from what should they draw their motivation? (1 John 4:19)
1 John 4:19 (NIV) We love because he first loved us.
3. How does Paul define or describe humility? How are humility and unity connected? (Philippians 2:3-4, Ephesians 4:2-3)
Ephesians 4:2–3 (NIV) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
“True Humility Is Not Thinking Less of Yourself, It’s Thinking of Yourself, Less.”
Philippians 2:5–11 (NIV) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
4. What was the mindset of Christ Jesus that should inform our relationship with one another?
5. What does this poem say about the deity and humanity of Christ? (John 1:1,14, Hebrews 2:14-18)
John 1:1,14 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Hebrews 2:14–18 (NIV) Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
6. How did Jesus humble himself? (Philippians 2:6-8, Matthew 26:39, Hebrews 12:2b, John 13:12-15)
Matthew 26:39 (NIV) Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Hebrews 12:2b (NIV) 2 …For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
John 13:12–15 (NIV) When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
7. What is the result of Christ’s willingness to humble himself for the sake of others (us)? (Philippians 2:9-11)
8. What does it mean to have the same mindset as Jesus? (Philippians 2:5) Practically, what would that kind of humility look like in our lives? (Philippians 2:3-4)
Philippians 2:12–18 (NIV) 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
9. “Working out your salvation” (v12) is making yourself available for God to work in you to will and act. (Philippians 3:12-13) What will be the result of the Philippians’ humility and obedience and by extension, our obedience? (12-13, 15, 18)
10. For what reason would Paul rejoice and why would the Philippians be glad and rejoice with Paul? (Matthew 5:14-16, Philippians 2:15)
Matthew 5:14–16 (NIV) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
11. What are ways you can use this kind of humility to “value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” so that “you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.”?
When a community of people focuses on others, rather than themselves, it will show our generation a better way. We will “shine among them like stars” and our spotlight will shine on the one whose name is above all names: Jesus. – Pastor Brian