We have 5 major exhortations in the passage

o Rejoice in the Lord Always

o The Lord Is Near

o Pray Instead Of Worry

o Dwell On Things Which are Excellent In Character and Praiseworthy

o Practice The Scriptures And The God Of Peace Will Be With You

From our text today, we learn three actions we can take when conflict arises between believers in our congregation.

1. When Conflict Arises Between Believers, Urge Both People To Agree In The Lord (v. 2)

2. When Conflict Arises Between Believers, A Mediator May Need To Help Reconcile (v. 3a)

3. When Conflict Arises Between Believers, Show Them Honor For Their Gospel Work And Salvation Status (v. 3b)

Paul gave us two examples of men who demonstrated care for others’ needs above their own, and more importantly, care for the interests of Christ above their own.

Timothy and Epaphroditus demonstrated the mind of Christ from 2:3-5 (in humility count the other more significant than yourselves, and look out not only for your own interests but also the interests of others, as Jesus did, who humbled himself to serve even to lay down his own life for us on the cross.)

These two men demonstrate living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ, as Paul instructed in 1:27. We live worthy of the gospel of Christ by having concern for others and for Christ.

Paul exhorts the Philippian congregation to cling to the gospel and obey by living out the work God is doing in them, specifically by refusing to complain and argue, because their relational harmony will shine like lights to the dark world.

Philippians 2:1–11 (ESV)

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Paul’s imprisonment surprisingly served to advance the gospel, and in that he rejoiced. Pray for, pursue, and rejoice in the advancement of the gospel.

Big Idea of Sermon: God will complete His work in you.

Series: Live Worthy of the Gospel: Philippians

Text: Php 1:1-11

The apostles responded to a complaint in the congregation by selecting spiritually qualified men to handle the problem, so that the Apostles could focus on their priority of prayer and the ministry of the Word, resulting in the multiplication of new disciples.