Introduction: One of Aesop’s fables tells of four oxen who were such great friends that they always kept together when feeding. A lion watched them for many days with longing eyes, but never being able to find one apart from the rest, was afraid to attack them. Whenever he came near, they turned their tails to one another so that whichever way he approached them he was met by horns. At length he succeeded in awakening jealousy among them, which grew into a mutual aversion, and they strayed a considerable distance from each other. The lion then fell upon them singly and killed them all. The moral is, “United we stand, divided we fall.”
Transition: Christians in a local church ought to be unified. This evening as we study Philippians 2:1-4, I want to point out three things about unity that can help us to be more unified.
1. The Motivation to Unity (v.1)
The four statements in verse 1 are motivation to unity.
A. The consolation in Christ motivates to unity.
(1) Consolation means “to call near, to exhort, to encourage, to console, to comfort, to persuade.”
(2) Paul reminds us that this encouragement comes from Christ. Earlier, Jesus encouraged his followers, saying,
(a) “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,” (Luke 6:27)
(b) “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)
(3) The consolation of Christ ought to motivate to unity.
B. The comfort of God’s love motivates to unity.
(1) God’s love is comforting and encouraging. The comfort of God’s love can heal the hurt of past interpersonal conflicts. God lovingly invites us to be, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
(2) God’s love for us is an example of the forgiving love we are to have for others. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
(3) The love of God ought to motivate to unity.
C. The fellowship of the Spirit motivates to unity.
(1) Fellowship is “joint participation.” Unity can be difficult at times because some people are hard to get along with. If we are in fellowship with the indwelling Holy Spirit, he will help us live in unity with other believers.
(2) The Holy Spirit is able to help each Christian understand His Word the same way. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12)
(3) The Holy Spirit’s fellowship ought to motivate to unity.
D. Tenderness and mercy motivate to unity.
(1) Bowels is an old English word that refers to “inward affections” or “tender feelings.” Mercies speak of “compassion.” These are Christian graces or fruit.
(2) These inward feelings that are fruits of the Spirit in a Christian’s life ought to motivate him to strive for unity with other believers.
(3) The Christian graces ought to motivate to unity.
2. The Description of Unity (v.2)
Paul said, since these four motivations are true, fulfil my joy [see Philippians 1:27, Gospel-honouring conduct]. Being thus motivated, they would fulfil his joy, so that they would be like-minded.
A. Like-mindedness is the key to unity.
(1) This word means “to think the same thing.” Paul wrote a similar statement to the Romans. “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5-7)
(2) To be like-minded we must be unified in heart, soul, and mind as the next phrases express.
B. Like-mindedness is expressed in three phrases.
(1) Having the same love. Being like-minded they would love the same things, and have the same love for each other, (Jn 13:35).
(2) Of one accord (co-souled). Those who are like-minded have their souls knit together. Emotionally they were joined as one. We are to be in harmony of soul.
(3) Of one mind (thinking the one thing). This is believing the same things. We are to be one in mind.
3. The Application of Unity (v.3-4)
A. Do nothing through strife or vainglory (v.3)
(1) Strife describes the promotion of factions or choosing sides. It is trying to rally others to support your position. This kind of self-seeking dissension destroys unity and must be avoided.
(2) Vainglory describes “empty glory.” This is when a person promotes himself for a position for which he is not qualified to fill. Allan Turner reminds us that, “Many churches have been torn asunder by the conceit of elders, preachers, and other members who desired, like Diotrephes, to have the preeminence rather then to exalt Christ and seek for the edification of their brethren.” (A Study of Philippians)
(3) Unity requires that not one thing be done through strife or vainglory. These are deadly enemies of unity.
B. Humbly esteem others better than self (v.3)
(1) BUT (in complete contrast), Christians are to be “in lowliness of mind.” We are to have a humble opinion of ourselves. We are to see ourselves as God sees us.
(2) In that attitude of humility, esteem others better than yourself. In other words, think of others as more important than yourself.
(a) Matthew Henry comments: “Be severe upon our own faults and charitable in our judgments of others, be quick in observing our own defects and infirmities, but ready to overlook and make favourable allowances for the defects of others.”
(b) The Apostle Peter wrote, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
(3) Unity requires that we humbly elevate the value of others and not ourselves.
C. Focus on the things of others (v.4)
(1) Look not every man to his own things.Stop focussing just on your own things. This is a command from God.
(2) BUT (in contrast) be focussing also on the things of others.
(a) The word “also” tells us that God is not forbidding us to focus at all on our own things, but in addition we must focus on the things of others.
(b) Who are the “others”? They are others of a different kind (GK). We are also to focus on things of those who are not just like us. It is easy to befriend those who are like us, but much more difficult to befriend those who are different.
Conclusion: Unity is no accident. Note again the description of unity (being like-minded in heart, soul, and mind). Focus on the motivations for unity (words of Christ, love of God, Spirit’s fellowship, and Christian graces). Then let’s work on the application of unity (Point 3). If the Holy Spirit has pointed out something in your life that is hindering unity, you need to deal with that tonight.
