THE PRACTICE OF UNITY

PHILIPPIANS

1:27-2:4

[02.02.14]

I.SET INDUCTION: ON UNITY

-Definitions: unity vs uniformity

-Unity essential for a church [1Co12:27]

-Jesus’ plan for church [Jn17:21-23]

-Exhorted to remain united [Ps133:1]

-Do not fear because… [Ro8:28]

-Keep in mind “In essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty, in all others, charity”

II.Ph1:27-30: CONDUCT WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL

[KJV1:27] “conversation” means to

behave as citizens [GK]

Philippians as citizens of Rome are to behave as if they were Romans,

Christians as citizens of heaven are to behave worthy of the Gospel!

Conduct not worthy of the gospel?

Malaysians misbehaving overseas reflect poor image.

Now away from heaven, our conduct must be worthy of the gospel with or w/o presence of other Christians

Eg: Praying, studying, in public but not privately [environmental faith]

Worthy conduct involves

A. Standing fast in one spirit [27]

B. Striving together for the faith [27]

C. Not terrified by adversaries [28-30]

III. [Ph2:1-4] JOY IN UNITY

3 aspects of such unity

1st aspect: Motivation for unity [2:1] revolves round 4 questions:

Do we not have

Q1. Consolation [comfort] in Christ?

Q2. Comfort of love?

Q3. Fellowship of the Spirit?

Q4. Affection and mercy?

2nd aspect: Nature of joyful Unity [2]

A. Involves being like-minded

B. Involves having the same love

C. Involves being of one accord

D. Involves being of one mind

3rd aspect refers to Attitudes needed to attain Unity [2:3,4]

A. Do nothing through selfish ambition [2:3]

B. Have a lowness of mind [2:3]

C. Esteem others better than self [2:3]

D. Look out for interest of others [2:4]

IV. Exhorted [a] Be united always

[b]Help from other verses

a. Word as unifying standard [Ph3:16]

b. Be agreeable and like-minded [Ro12:16]

c. Be at peace with fellow-workers [1Th5:13,Ro14:19]

d. Have love/concern for others [Pr10:12]

e. Be kind, gentle, courteous [Ep4:32, 2Tim2:24]

f. Accept others as they are [Ro14:1]

g. Avoid offending people

[1Co10:32, Pr18:19]

h. Be careful what you say

[Pr17:9, 2Tim2:23, Tit3:2]

i. Control your temper [Pr14:29,15:1,18,Ph2:3,Ja1:9]

j. Humbly discuss disagreements with elders [1Tim5:1]

k. Avoid playing favourites

[1Tim5:21]

l. Value peace

[Ro14:19,21, Ro12:18]

m. Share unselfishly

[Ac4:32]

n. Return good for evil

[Mt5:44, Ro12:21, 1Th5:15]

o. Do not retaliate

[Pr20:22, Ro12:17,19, 1Pe3:19]

V. FRUITS OF UNITY

a. Facilitates working for common goal [Ph1:27]

b. Strength in Unity [Ec4:9,10,12]

c. Harvest of good fruit [Ph2:1,2,41]

VI.SUMMARY:QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Is our present conduct worthy of the Gospel?

2.Are we united, standing fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the gospel, not terrified by adversaries?

3.Do we feel privileged to suffer for the gospel?

4. Do we have the correct attitudes for unity: humility, lowness of mind, esteeming others better than self, looking out for the interest of others[2:3,4]?

5. True Christian unity involves a unity of mind, of love, a lack of rivalry and vain conceit.

Do we have it?