It Starts Small

2 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.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:1-5

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Paul passionately proclaims, “If any of these profound truths resonate within you, then rise up and respond with unity!” You have all been uplifted in Christ, embraced by His boundless love, and infused with the Holy Spirit. Each of you is a cherished recipient of this incredible grace. Cast aside division. Join together in the glorious service of the Lord. To capture the essence of Paul’s message: “If Christ has touched your life in any way, if His love has transformed you, if you have felt the renewing power of the Spirit. If you have experienced any tenderness from Christ, then let my joy overflow by being beautifully united!” Certainly, all these things were true. Christ had done so much for them. They should respond by realizing that they were all equal recipients of God’s grace. They should decide to work together for the Lord.

We see once more the depth of Paul’s heart, a heart ablaze with passion! His joy is not rooted in material possessions, accolades, or flattery. Instead, it surges from witnessing believers transform into reflections of Christ! What truly ignites your happiness? Genuine joy is not born from wealth or earthly goods. It flourishes in the act of serving God and witnessing others embrace that same service!

Paul’s exhortation to unity

It’s undeniable that nearly every letter penned by Paul passionately emphasizes the vital importance of unity. Yet, not all share this fervor for unity; many individuals gravitate instead toward doctrines and creeds. Although these elements hold their significance, we must never overlook the irreplaceable essence of unity in our communities and lives.

Jesus Himself prayed for unity for believers in John 17:20-22,:

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—

John 17:20-22

Jesus foresaw the impending fractures and divisions within the future church, which is why he fervently prayed for unity. Paul recognized the monumental challenge of sustaining this unity, urging believers to passionately safeguard it. He emphasizes the word “preserve” for a reason. Unity is already a precious gift. It is granted to us through our shared relationship with Christ. Our mission is to nurture and uphold what is inherently ours. Unity is not just important; it is essential! The church can achieve incredible feats when we unite as a powerful team. We work in harmony, instead of as isolated individuals squabbling over differences. Together, we can accomplish so much more!

Arguments among believers distract us from our most essential mission: sharing the gospel and making disciples. Moreover, division undermines the church’s testimony, causing the world to turn a deaf ear to our message. We must fervently strive to maintain unity—what specific actions can you take to promote this? Are there truly issues worth dividing over? And what are the critical matters we should never let drive us apart?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

These are two of the most celebrated verses in the New Testament, igniting a powerful vision for humanity. Imagine the transformative world we could create. Everyone needs to embrace this profound teaching. We should set aside “selfish ambition” and wholeheartedly attend to the needs and interests of others.

Selfishness lies at the very heart of nearly every sin we encounter! Greed, envy, murder, adultery, lying, stealing, gluttony—these are just a handful of the transgressions that arise from that insidious trait. The list could stretch endlessly! If believers genuinely embraced this powerful principle, imagine the transformation in our world! Yet, the harsh reality is that we are all too enamored with ourselves. Each one of us harbors the selfish inclination to place our own desires and wants above everyone else’s. Eradicating selfishness from our lives may seem challenging. However, we must find a way to ignite the spark to begin this vital journey.

Firstly, we must ignite the fervor within ourselves to scrutinize our actions. Let us pause and deeply reflect on the motives behind our choices. Too often, we impulsively react, diving into actions without fully contemplating their significance. If we commit to evaluating our thoughts with unwavering honesty, we can unmask the selfish impulses lurking beneath the surface. We can then boldly choose to rise above those instinctual desires. By doing so, we embrace a path of selflessness and purpose.

Secondly, let’s passionately confront the specific areas where we often fall into selfishness. What is that one struggle within you that reflects this tendency? This week, I urge you to take decisive action to prioritize others above yourself in that very area!

Thirdly, we can come to the Word to see ourselves as we truly are. We fervently pray to the Lord for the strength to be more like Him. In this sacred act, we bravely confront our imperfections and shortcomings. We open our hearts wide to the transformative power of His boundless love and grace. This journey unveils profound insights into our true essence, igniting a passionate sense of humility and gratitude within us. As we passionately immerse ourselves in scripture, we are powerfully reminded of His unwavering patience. His compassion illuminates our path toward spiritual growth and a deep, intimate relationship with Him. Through devoted prayer and heartfelt reflection, we can cultivate the strength to embody the virtues He exemplifies. We strive wholeheartedly to reflect His glorious image in every facet of our daily lives.

Fourthly, we must fervently seek out opportunities to serve others! Serving others rarely occurs spontaneously. It demands that we sharpen our vision. We must remain acutely aware of the needs around us. This imperative stands in stark contrast to our natural inclination. We often turn a blind eye to how we can make a difference in someone else’s life. Let us ignite our compassion and commit ourselves to uplift those in need!

Looking out for number one will not give you joy. The word JOY can be taken as an acronym.

J – Jesus
O – Others
Y – Yourself

To have true joy, you should put Jesus first, others second, and yourself last.

Jesus stands as our ultimate example, a beacon of selflessness that eclipses all others. Of all the individuals who have walked this earth, He surrendered the greatest for the sake of humanity. Christ held an importance that far surpassed that of those He served. Yet, He recognized that we are all equal in God’s eyes. He possessed a divine authority unmatched by anyone, yet chose a path of humility over entitlement. He didn’t merely claim rights; He embodied true servitude, prioritizing others above Himself. In a magnificent act of love, He gave up His own divine privileges. He uplifted and served the very people He created.

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Cross-References

• Mark 12:30-31
• 3 John 1:4
• Romans 12:10
• 1 Peter 5:5
• Galatians 5:13
• Matthew 11:29

Discussion Questions

• Why does Paul make so many “if” statements in verse 1?
• Knowing that these things are true, what response does Paul hope they will evoke in the Philippians?
• What gave Paul joy? What gives you joy?
• What is a summary of his goal for them in verse 2?
• How do divisions affect a church? Its effectiveness? Its testimony? Its growth?
• When does Paul say it is allowed to be selfish?
• How would you define selfishness?
• Share an example of an area you are tempted to be selfish.
• What does the term “empty conceit” mean?
• Why should we consider others as more important than ourselves?
• Share an example of how you can put others first this week.
• Why is this theory of “I am number one” wrong?
• What is people’s biggest need?
• How are people’s real needs and perceived needs sometimes different?
• How can you help to meet other people’s real needs?
• How does verse five connect to Paul’s instruction not to be selfish?

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