Philippians: A Book of Perspective.

A humble perspective is one that puts the concerns of Christ

above all else.

A life well lived is lived for the Lord.

A life lived for the Lord has to consider the needs of others.

A Humble Perspective Can Bring Unity, Joy, and Peace Now and an Unashamed Life Before

Christ

I. Prologue (1:1-11) A. Greeting (1:1-2)B. Perspective on their partnership: God will use your partnership and my suffering for good (1:3-11)

II. The value of a Humble Perspective (1:12-4:9)

A. A humble perspective in the example of Paul’s suffering (1:12-26)

1.He could see the work of God in the spread of the gospel and have joy vv.12-18

2.He could be unconcerned about dying and realize his goal (salvation) to be unashamed when he stood before the Lord vv. 19-26

B. A humble perspective will also allow the Philippians to live worthy of the gospel, be unafraid of their adversaries, realize their salvation, and bring joy to Paul 1:27-2:4

C. A humble perspective is seen in the example Christ and the results in His life 2:1-11

D. A humble perspective would lead the Philippians to work out their salvation so that both they and Paul would be unashamed in the Day of Christ 2:12-18

E. A humble perspective demonstrated by the sending and the example of Timothy 2:19-24

F. A humble perspective demonstrated by the sending and the example of Epaphroditus 2:25-30

Phil. 2:19-24But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you

shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded,

who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ

Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the

gospel. Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. But I trust in the

Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

Paul showed his perspective by:

• Putting his concern for them ahead of his needs

• Sending them someone he knew would love them

• Sending them someone with a spiritual perspective

Paul showed his perspective by:

• Sending them someone who had a track record he could trust

• Letting them know he wasn’t “passing the buck”, but hoped to come himself

Even under house arrest, Paul is more concerned about them

than himself.

Imagine the city, most of the government, against you.

Most believers desert you.

Only a few friends remain.

How do you feel about sending one of your closest friends

away on a long trip?

When we’re under stress, who are we concerned about?

Philippians 2:25-27Yet I considered it necessary to send to you

Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one

who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick

almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have

sorrow upon sorrow.

Paul explained that, to him, Epaphroditus was a brother,

fellow worker, and fellow soldier, as well as a rep from

them.

Yet…

Paul was sending him to them and Epaphroditus wanted to

go.

Why?

Because both of them were more concerned about the Philippians than their own

needs.

Do you feel like making a visit, traveling for days, after you’ve

been sick, especially so sick you almost died?

Epaphroditus did.

When we’re under stress, who are we concerned about?

When we’re under stress, what’s our perspective?

Matt. 16:21-23From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples

that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes,

and be killed, and be raised the third day.Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke

Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not

mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Mt. 16:21-23 – “What’d I do??”

Peter’s mistake was:• Looking at things from man’s viewpoint; a

selfish one• If Jesus was who Peter just said, He couldn’t die;

it made no sense to Peter

Our problems often stem from not being able to figure things out!

Mt. 16:21-23 – “What’d I do??”

Was Peter’s concern what the Lord wanted or what he wanted?

Mt. 16:21-23 – “What’d I do??”

Under stress, we rely on our perspective, not God’s.

And, by the way, who do you think influenced him to have this perspective?

Mt. 16:21-23 – “What’d I do??”

Satan actively influences our thoughts, emotions, and attitudes toward a lifestyle that is self-centered

rather than Christ-centered.

And, one of the best ways to not take it seriously…

Mt. 16:21-23 – “What’d I do??”

Under stress, we rely on our perspective, not God’s.

And, by the way, who do you think influenced him to have this perspective?

Mt. 16:21-23 – “What’d I do??”

When Jesus discussed His identity and His death, He explained the problem…

Luke 24:19-21So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed

and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be

condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to

redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.

Luke 24:22-24Yes, and certain women of our company, who

arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women

had said; but Him they did not see.”

Luke 24:25-27Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of

heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He

expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Luke 24:19-27 – “What’d I do??”

The men lacked God’s perspective from the Word.

Luke 24:19-27 – “What’d I do??”

Had Peter known and believed the Word (had his mind on the things of the Spirit), he would have wanted what was best for the glory of God and

others.

Luke 24:19-27 – “What’d I do??”

In having a selfish perspective, Peter tried to prevent Christ’s death for the sins of the whole

world.

That’s not exactly a mind set on others.

Matt. 16:24-28Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take

up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a

man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

Matt. 16:24-28Or what will a man give in exchange for his

soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward

each according to his works. “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not

taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

When my focus is on my good, I end up losing the very thing I

am trying to accomplish!

A life lived for the Lord is the only life worth living!

Mt. 16:21-23 – “What’d I do??”

A spiritual perspective in this case involves:• Knowing the Word• Believing the Word and • Not trying to “figure it out”• Having a humble mindset, not “me first”

Whose interests do you have in mind, yours or God’s?

Mt. 16:21-23 – “What’d I do??”

One thing seems clear: Peter didn’t have God’s perspective or God’s

interests in mind.

A life well lived is lived for the Lord

A life lived for the Lord has to consider the needs of others.

Matt. 22:36-39 – The Great Commandment

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and

with all your mind.’

This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

What does this look like:• In traffic?• In an argument?• While working?• On the internet?• Planning my “play time”?

What does this look like:• Dealing with events like• A shooting in a church in

South Carolina?• Losing someone I love?• Losing a job?• Feeling as though my

prayers aren’t being answered?

A life well lived is lived for the Lord.

A life lived for the Lord has to consider the needs of others.