Joy in Unity

Prayer: So, Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-14).

Thank You, Lord for our spiritual gifts by which we can all work together to Your honor and glory.  Thank You for the example of the Trinity where everything works together in unity with a spirit of cooperation and common effort. We thank you for this message in your word that gives us a templet for the unity You desire from us.  Help us to take your example and express it in our lives and our community.  Amen.

Main Scripture:

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 (Philippians 2:1).

Associated Scriptures:

So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another (Romans 12:5 ESV).

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it (1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV).

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:22-24).

Correlative Quotes:

This unity of which Paul wrote is not one which the Christian needs to create, but one which already exists and must be diligently preserved (vs. 3).[1]. – Bob Deffinbaugh

Jesus’s famous statements in John 17 are rooted in the profound spiritual unity between the Father and the Son, and with those whom God has chosen out of the world (John 17:6-21).[2] – John Piper

True visible unity will occur only as professing believers study the Word of God together and refuse to compromise on the gospel.[3] – R. C. Sproul

Study:

INTRODUCTION

The introductory statement by Paul in Chapter 2:1 is meant to be reassuring to the Philippians.  Paul needs to encourage them since he is about to deliver an exhortation to the members of the church.  Paul is deeply concerned about maintaining unity within the church.  He knows that unity, humility, and joy within the community are critical to them and do not happen automatically even among the most mature Christians.  Believers need encouragement to be united, humble, and motivated. That is why Paul, in verse 1, feels a need to encourage the church at this juncture.  The word translated “If” in verse 1 doesn’t show hesitancy on Paul’s part.  Instead it shows very strong affirmation.[4]  The beginning word “If” could be translated as “since.” 

Paul is not writing about abstract concepts in verse 1 of Chapter 2, he is describing realities.  He has explained our relationship with Christ and the joy that we receive from the Holy Spirit in detail in Chapter 1.  Romans 15:13 emphasizes this fact when it says, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” In verse 1 we see four distinct reactions to our fellowship with Jesus that are byproducts of our relationship with him, the action of which will bring joy to Paul and unity to the church.

1. Encouragement: “since there is consolation or encouragement in Christ.” In the first of these reactions we find encouragement in our relationship with Jesus. Here Paul refers to Philippians 1:6, “being confident in this”, our position in Jesus gives us confidence.       Romans 6:8 (NKJV) explains that, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.”  In Jesus, we have forgiveness from sin, the power of the Holy Spirit, answers to prayer, righteousness, and eternal life. 
2. Comfort: We find comfort in his love for us. We see from 2 Corinthians 1:5-6, “For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 provides that comfort when Paul says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble.” We are comforted so that we might comfort others who are in need. God provides comfort from emotional pain, physical pain, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, depression, worry, and fear just to name a few.  His love is unending.  All these benefits from one act of love, the crucifixion of Christ.
3. Fellowship with His Spirit: from Philippians 1:27, “that you stand fast in one spirit.” We have a possession due to our salvation. In 1 Corinthians 2:13 we see that the Holy Spirit establishes that possession.  Our possession is the Holy Spirit.  Our position, disciple, is established by the Holy Spirit who lives in us, works in us, provides for with us spiritually. The Holy Spirit helps us interpret scripture.  He also provides us with the fruits of the spirit.  Thirdly, the Spirit directs our prayers to God.  Finally, He is there to convict us when we fall short of God’s expectations for us.
4. Singleness of mind: God gives us Tenderness and Compassion. God has always had compassion for His own. We see this compassion in Psalm 103:8 says, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.” (NASB)

Summary Statement:

Jesus has given us His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and fellowship.  His desire is that we would live and work in harmony.  His gift, the Holy Spirit, gives us gifts that allow us to work together in unity.  Living together in unity is a joyful experience.  As the great theologian Clint Black has sung, “Love's not just something that we're in, it’s something that we do.”[5]  Love is the starting point and basic element of unity.

Lesson within the Lesson:

Give an example in your life when God encouraged you.

At what point have you felt God’s comfort?

What does it mean to us to have fellowship with the Holy Spirit?

How do we achieve unity and why is it important?

[1] Bob Deffinbaugh, Christian Unity (Ephesians 4:1-16), copyright 2004, bible.org/

Seriespage/2-christian-unity-ephesians-41-16

[2]John Piper, What is Christian Unity, Desiring God, published May, 2015, desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-christian-unity

[3] R. C. Sproul, Christian Unity, © 2015 Ligonier Ministries, ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/christian-unity/.

[4] Adam Clarke’s Commentary of The Bible, copyright Biblesoft Corportation.

[5] Clint Black, Something that we do, Copyright Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., SUSSMAN & ASSOCIATES, lyricsfreak.com/c/clint+black/something+that+we+do_20032356.html