The document discusses the concept of a Christ-centered life, emphasizing humility and the importance of placing others above oneself as taught in Philippians 2:1-11. It outlines the benefits of being in Christ, including encouragement, love, fellowship, and mercy, which foster unity and selflessness among believers. The message concludes by highlighting that true humility mirrors the attitude of Christ, who exemplified servitude and obedience to God.

1. The Christ Centered Life –
Unity Through Humility
Philippians 2:1-11

2. Video: me, me, me
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XHkMPA
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3. The secular person is interested
in self.
A Christ Centered person, like
Christ places others people above
self.

4. Philippians 2:1–4 (HCSB)
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if
any consolation of love, if any fellowship with
the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my
joy by thinking the same way, having the same
love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one
goal. 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but
in humility consider others as more important
than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not
⌊only⌋ for his own interests, but also for the
interests of others.

5. The Christ Center Life
Puts Others Above Self
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation

6. There are benefits of being IN
CHRIST which should result in
Christ like behavior.

7. What Do we have
IN CHRIST?

8. We have encouragement!
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
The four Ifs:
1. Encouragement In Christ –
Are you in the sphere of Christ? Are you saved? Do
you part of the household of faith?
Encouragement (paraklasis) - comfort, encouragement,
admonition, exhortation.
Is it an encouragement to be IN CHRIST? Answer: of
course there is.

9. We are consoled by Christian love
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
2. If any consolation of love.
Paramuthion – consolation, comfort. Like paraklete
but used only in the context of people.
John 11:19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha
and Mary to comfort them about their brother.
Have you received comfort and consolation from
believers? Answer: of course have!

10. We have fellowship with the Spirit
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
3. Is the Spirit of God living in you? And in other
believers ? Is He not working in you and them? Is
it not the Spirit living in you that bonds you
together? Answer: Of course there is!

11. We have affection and mercy
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any affection and mercy,
Affection – bowels, intestines – “tender emotions”
Mercy – sympathy
Do you have tender emotions and sympathies for others.
Answer: of course you do.

12. Since you have these ifs …
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy
If the four Ifs are so (they are!). Then the
following ought to happen, and it will complete
my joy.

13. Complete my joy –
have the same mind
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy
by thinking the same way,
Four “sames” – focus on unity
1. Have the same mind

14. Complete my joy –
have the same love
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy
by thinking the same way,
having the same love,
Equal love, mutual affections for one
another.

15. Complete my joy-
be one in person
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy
by thinking the same way,
having the same love,
sharing the same feelings,
Lit. fellow souled – of one soul, one body,
harmonious

16. Fulfill my joy-
Have the same purpose
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy
by thinking the same way,
having the same love,
sharing the same feelings,
focusing on one goal.
Single purposed

17. The result is unity
• If we have:
– The same mind
– The same love
– The same affections
– The same feelings
• We won’t fight
• We will put others before ourselves
• We will consider the other persons needs.

18. Unity is a Command
3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit,
Rivalry – Selfish ambition, hostility, feelings
of strife, self seeking gain
Conceit – Vain Glory, cheap pride, pride
without a proper basis, empty conceit

19. Put others above self
3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit,
but in humility consider others as more
important than yourselves.
Humility – “lowliness of mind”, not thinking
highly of yourself

20. The Christ centered life cares about
the needs of others
3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit,
but in humility consider others as more
important than yourselves.
4 Everyone should look out not ⌊only⌋ for his
own interests, but also for the interests of
others.

21. The Christ Center Life
Puts Others Above Self
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation

22. Where does Paul’s idea of humility
come from?
Philippians 2:5 Make your own
attitude that of Christ Jesus,

23. Video: Pride and humility
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z40KT8yzZak

24. Humility Is
Philippians 2:5–11 (HCSB)
5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing
in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as
something to be used for His own advantage. 7 Instead He
emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on
the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His
external form, 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to
the point of death—even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason
God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is
above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow— of those who are in heaven and on earth and
under the earth— 11 and every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.