July 19, 2019
Philippians Series Theme: “For me to live Is Christ” Philippians 1:21.
Living As Citizens of Heaven.
1. Christ’s Attitude.
Read Philippians 2:1-18.
What does Philippians 2:6-11 tell us regarding the following about Christ?
• His Divinity?
• His Humanity?
• His Sacrifice?
• His Humility?
• His Obedience to God’s will?
• His Exaltation?
Summarize what these tell us about Christ’s servant attitude. See also: Mark 10:45, 6:30-46, John 13:4-17.
The incarnation was the act of the pre-existent Son of God voluntarily assuming a human body and a human nature. Without ceasing to be God, He became a human being, the man called Jesus. He did not give up his deity to become human, but He set aside the right to His glory and power. In submission to the Father’s will, Christ limited His power and knowledge. Jesus of Nazareth was subject to place, time, and many other human limitations. What made His humanity unique was His freedom from sin. In His full humanity, Jesus showed us everything about God’s character that can be conveyed in human terms. The Incarnation is explained further in these passages: John 1:1-14, Romans 1:2-5, 2 Corinthians 8:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 2:14 and John 1:1-3. #
2. Have Christ’s Attitude.
Read Philippians 2:1-5. How do you respond to Paul’s words in Philippians 2:5, keeping in mind what you just read and discussed about Christ’s attitude?
What points does Paul preceed this in Philippians 2:1-4 about the attitude we should have and how we are to treat our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?
Discuss Philippians 2:4 regarding looking after our own interests as well as others. Is there a balance? Can we go to the extreme either way?
3. Read Philippians 2:12-15.
What does it mean to and how do we “work hard to show the results of our salvation?”
Discuss the significance of Paul’s words in Philippians 2:13. Do they encourage you? If so in what way?
How does living out Philippians 2:14-15 help Christians to “….shine as bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people?”
4. Consider and discuss the following men. How did they demonstrate servant and sacrificial attitudes?
a. Paul. Philippians 2:16-17.
b. Timothy. Philippians 2:20-22.
c. Epaphroditus. Philippians 2:25-30.
5. Application.
Consider and discuss Murray’s following words:
Our service, sacrifice and ministry for Christ, it will and should demand much of us, our time, our location, our possessions, our plans and sometimes the risk of our health. God does not ask us to do foolishly but He does us to be followers. As an ambassador of heaven we must ask our self, ‘what is it costing us to serve God each day?’
God has a place and He gives power to each willing servant. There is no age barrier with God. He doesn’t discard or dismiss us when we get too old, nor does He say to the young ones, ’you are too young’, Timothy is an example of that. Focus on why you are doing this. ‘Am I seeking to live out the Gospel of Christ, am I seeking to emulate the mind of Christ, am I fully focused on the work of Christ?’
“He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot loose.” Jim Elliot.
# taken from ‘Life Application Study Bible.’