Intro:

• We’re continuing our series in Philippians on the subject of JOY

Philippians 2:1–11 (NLT) — 1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Paul’s biggest passion is seeing these churches make it.

• He is sitting in this Roman dungeon, unsure of what will happen, and he just wants the churches that God used him to start to make it. 
• He comes across kind of a like a dad to children. 
• Let’s break down the passage a little

Philippians 2:1–2 (NLT) — 1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

• Rhetorical questions 
  • Have you received ENCOURAGEMENT by belonging to Christ?
  • Have you been COMFORTED by His love?
  • Have you received FELLOWSHIP from the Holy Spirit?
  • Have you experienced CHANGE in your heart? 
  • The answer is YES
• Then give me JOY
  • Have the same VALUES
  • Have the same LOVE
  • Have the same GOAL 

Philippians 2:3–4 (NLT) — 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Paul gives us 3 joy-killers here:

• Joy-killer #1 - Strife
• Joy-killer #2 - Seeking attention and praise
• Joy-killer #3 - Self interest and exaltation

Paul also gives 3 joy-savers

• Joy-saver #1 - SUBMIT “Humble yourself”
• Joy-saver #2 - SERVE “Honor others”
• Joy-saver #3 - SACRIFICE “Help others”

Get out of the rat race of thinking about yourself, promoting yourself, and living for the praises of people. Instead, humble yourself, become aware of the significant value of others, and give your attention to helping them fulfill their destiny! 

Philippians 2:5–11 (NASB95) — 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Watch how Jesus did it!

• He had it all, but He let it go
• He SUBMITTED himself to God and humanity 
• He SERVED in the most menial way
• He SACRIFICED His desires and his life

Watch how God did it

• God lifted Him up
• God gave Him a title
• God gave Him authority 
• God gave Him glory

Let’s make it simple

1. SUBMIT
2. SERVE
3. SACRIFICE

The rest of the chapter, we see these themes repeated over and over

Paul - Submitted to the call of God, Served the Lord, Sacrificed His life
Timothy - Submitted to Paul, Served Paul every day, Sacrificed His comfort and convenience 
Epaphroditus - Submitted to the Philippian church, served the church and Paul, Sacrificed his life.