Christian Psychology (Philippians #7)

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Text: Philippians 2:1-4

Riches in Christ (vs 1)

If…
The “If” statements in verse one are rhetorical. Those things Paul mentions are certainly found in Jesus Christ. And because those things are found in Jesus Christ, by having the same mindset as the Lord Jesus Christ ensures a successful, enjoyable Christian life.
In Noah’s ark was life, protection, food. Outside of Noah’s ark none of those things existed
In Christ you’ll find these priceless riches
- consolation – Comfort; alleviation of misery, or distress of mind; refreshment of mind or spirits; a comparative degree of happiness in distress or misfortune, springing from any circumstance that abates the evil, or supports and strengthens the mind, as hope, joy, courage and the like
  - Is there any consolation in Christ? The real question is is there any consolation outside of Jesus Christ?!
  - 2 Corinthians 1:5-7 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
  - Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
- comfort of love
  - In the love of Christ you’ll find comfort WHILE being the vessel for his love.
- community – fellowship of the Spirit
  - In Christ’s Spirit you’ll find fellowship.
  - It is fellowship based on the same Spirit.
  - Fellowship because you’ve been spiritually baptized into the same body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13-14 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.
- compassion – bowels and mercies
  - Bowels like emotions as in 1:8. I may not be able to find feelings toward you outside of Jesus Christ and you may not be able to find anything for me either, but if I can find concern toward you in Christ, that’s where I need to look.
  - Romans 5:7-10 God’s testimony is that there was no obligation for Jesus Christ to die for sinners. In fact, there was reason not to. The blood of Jesus Christ is of so much value to God that if it is applied to a soul, God will put away His own wrath toward that sinner. Then reconciliation may take place without life according to verse 10. But the Lord Jesus Christ goes even further in laying down his life in order for it to be raised up again by the power of the Spirit of God so then not only can his blood be applied to a sinner, but now the life in Jesus Christ can be placed into the body of that sinner.

Rejoice in Christian psychology (vs 2)

be likeminded
- Have the same mind as the Head. Jesus Christ is the head of the church.
- Psychology from the Head of the church.
- It’s not that you and I don’t have opinions about things. But neither you nor I died for the church. While we have our opinions the only opinion that matters is what the Head of the body says. It’s his blood that purchased the body.
- Deacons for instance. Qualifications. But you have people who are given that position because of popularity, because of money. It’s no longer the church that Jesus Christ set up, but it’s become man made religion.
- Fellowship, Marriage, Salvation, benevolence giving, are all addressed in the Bible and you and I don’t need to figure out a decision to make because it’s already laid out
same love
one accord
one mind
- Humbleness of mind begins when you disagree. Then you have to consider what Jesus Christ said about it. And consider that you might be the one wrong. And consider that phone calls, text messages, facebook posts, and Instagram posts indirectly attacking or directly attacking another member of the body of Christ is worse than whatever you thought was done to you.
- Then to the contrary of all that is the Holy Spirit of God trying to teach sinners that life is not found within them. That joy does not come from achieving your goals, joy comes from achieving God’s goals. The fulfilling life is not a life of accumulation, but a life of generosity in Jesus Christ. So here is the Holy Spirit of God through Paul showing saved saints how to enjoy fellowship with each other. Because it is God’s desire that saved saints would enjoy fellowship with each other. This is done by having the same mind Jesus Christ had. Not thinking alike, that’s not possible. But by having the same mind Jesus Christ had.

Reason for joy (vs 3)

…let each esteem other better…
Joy comes from your estimation of yourself and others.
We are taught that life is about what we want. What do you want to do with your life? How do you want this or that?
If you think other Christians owe you something, you’ll be miserable.
My enjoyment of church isn’t messed up because people aren’t acting like I expect them to act. My lack of enjoyment comes from me thinking about myself.
Let me ask you this. Is Jesus Christ better than you? So he literally is better than you are. But he didn’t consider himself better.
- Made himself of no reputation.
- Humbled himself.
- Was obedient to death.
- And the Bible says for the joy that was set before him he endured the cross. That joy is the people.
- On the one hand, Jesus Christ is actually a better person than you are and I am, yet he didn’t consider himself to be better. He was not comparing himself with sinners; instead he made his place among sinners.
- Now, on the other hand you have a sinner saved by Jesus Christ who enters a church and immediately believes himself to be better than the other sinners saved by Jesus Christ.

Right perspective (vs 4)

Come to give allows God to give you something
Humility will keep you from quitting on God