Introduction

Philippians is the joy book. Paul demonstrates how he lives in joy through various actions and attitudes, such as having a strong community, regular gratitude, and emptying himself out like Jesus, to name a few. Last week, Pastor Bryan preached a sermon titled “Ladder of Joy.” We learned that “joy is the ladder we climb to get out of our big emotions. Joy is meant to be the default state of our lives. The Lord has made us to move between joy and peace regularly.”

With this in mind, Philippians 2 starts by reminding believers of some valuable truths that lead to joy. In this passage, we learn that the humility and love of Christ produces unity within the Church, which produces joy.

If There Is Any… (Phil. 2:1)

• Paul uses four rhetorical questions in verse one of this chapter. The point he is making here is that these things do exist, and therefore, we should operate in love and humility with the purpose of unity.
• These types of qualities produce joy.
• If there is any…. encouragement (comfort producing joy) in Christ. Paul was not questioning if this existed. He knew it did. Luke 2:25 says the Messiah is the Consolation (comfort) of Israel. 2 Corinthians 1:5 says, For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:16 says that God has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace. Of course, there is Encouragement in Christ!
• If there is any… comfort (gentle cheering, encouragement) of love: This is Paul’s second rhetorical question in this passage, confirming the great comfort of love. Every Christian should know what it is to have Jesus give them the comfort of love.
• The word comfort in the New Testament is more than gentle sympathy. It has the idea of strengthening, of helping, of making strong. The Latin word for comfort (fortis) means “brave.” The love of God in our lives makes us strong and brave. Of course, there is the comfort of love!
• If there is any… fellowship of the Spirit: This is Paul’s third rhetorical question in this context. Paul knew and valued the fellowship of the Spirit, and every Christian should know what it is to have the fellowship of the Spirit.
• Fellowship is the ancient Greek word koinonia. It means the sharing of things in common. The Holy Spirit fills, guides, and moves in our lives in a powerful and precious way. Of course, there is fellowship of the Spirit!
• If there is any… affection and compassion: Paul’s final rhetorical question assumes that every Christian knows of the affection of God and the compassion of God.
• Each of these gifts: encouragement in Christ, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, affection, and compassion are communicated to us both in a spiritual way from Jesus and from Jesus through His people.

Love and Humility Among Believers (Phil. 2:2-4)

• Paul acknowledged that the Church having love, humility, and unity would bring him complete joy.
• By being of the same mind, having the same love united in spirit, and intent on one purpose, all speak of the same idea: a deep, abiding, centered unity among the Church.
• Unity is the goal. What follows in Philippians 2:3-4 are descriptions of how to accomplish and practice the unity mentioned in Philippians 2:2.
1. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit. In the flesh, we are often motivated by selfish ambition. Often, what we do is not done out of love for others but out of our own desire for ourselves.
2. Let nothing be done through conceit. Conceit is thinking too highly of oneself or having an excessive self-interest. It could be more literally translated as “empty glory.”
3. Regard others as more important than yourself. This opposes the attitude of the world. The idea that we should have an attitude of confident superiority in every situation as a foundation for a healthy human personality is not found in the Bible. As we esteem others better, we will have an authentic concern for their needs and concerns. This sort of outward-looking mindset leads to unity among the people of God. When this happens, we have a community where everyone is looked up to, and no one is looked down on.
4. Do not merely look out for your own interest but also for the interest of others.

Jesus’ Humble Joy (Phil 2:5-11)

• Philippians 2:5-11 challenges us through Jesus’ humble example.
• Verse five tells us that we should have the attitude found in Christ. It’s easy to admire these things about Jesus from a distance. God wants us to be in awe of it and see it as something we must enter into and imitate.
• Jesus, though He is God, chose to become a man and humble Himself as He took on our sin, though He was sinless.
• He emptied Himself. From the ancient Greek word emptied (kenosis) came the idea that Jesus’ incarnation was essentially a self-emptying.
• Jesus emptied Himself out in humility as he endured things He did not have to endure, yet He considered it pure joy.
• Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• He humbled Himself and did it for the surpassing greatness of our salvation and His work for us.
• This passage reminds us that Jesus’ humility ends with every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Conclusion

The humility and love of Christ produces unity within the Church, which produces joy.
Joy isn’t a word that is used often in today’s vernacular. We are more familiar these days with words like depression, anxiety, anger, insecurities, and many more. The interesting thing about joy is that it is only produced through the refining of oneself. Like Jesus, we must pour ourselves out. We must be in unity with one another, and in the process of this, our lives will be filled with gratitude for all God has done in us and those around us. Joy isn’t building our egos and becoming bigger than life. Joy comes from humbly serving God and His people, which leads them to unity with the Father, Son, and The Holy Spirit. Make no mistake, the humility of joy will take enormous commitment and effort, but when looking back, you will not regret it.

Discussion Questions

How have you experience the four “if there is any” questions found in verse one?
What ca you do to contribute to the love, humility, and unity with other believers?
How has Jesus’ humble joy impacted your life?