The Attitude of Christ

In one paragraph

Nick preached from Philippians 2:1-11, focusing on what he called the attitude of Christ. His central point was that the instructions Paul gives the church are inseparable from the motivation Paul offers for keeping them, and that motivation is what he wanted the congregation to sit with. Paul opens the passage with a series of questions before he gives a single command. Is there encouragement...

Read together

1. Psalm 18:16 read as a lead-in to the opening song about God drawing his people out of deep waters
2. Romans 1:9 quoted before a congregational song: 'I served my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his son'
3. Revelation 4:11 quoted before a congregational song: 'you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power'
4. 1 Thessalonians 5 quoted during the offering: 'rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus'
5. John 11:25 quoted as the text Ray was sharing at Martha Humphrey's memorial: 'I am the resurrection and the life, and anyone who believes in me will live even after dying'
6. Philippians 2:1-11 the main passage for the sermon, read in full from the New Living Translation
7. Galatians 3 cited to show encouragement from belonging to Christ: 'we are children of God through faith in Christ, adopted sons and daughters'
8. John 3:16 quoted as an example of comfort from God's love: 'God so loved the world, he gave his only son'
9. Romans 5:8 quoted on God's love: 'God showed his great love for us while we were still sinners, he sent Christ to die for us'
10. Romans 8:38-39 quoted on the certainty of God's love: 'nothing can ever separate us from God's love'
11. John 13 referenced as a powerful example of Jesus taking the humble position of a slave and washing his disciples' feet
12. Philippians 2:13 quoted as a closing encouragement: 'God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him'
13. Ephesians quoted as a benediction about the incredible greatness of God's power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him at God's right hand

Talk about it

1. Pamela described the spiritual battle in France as intense, with many believers being the only Christian in their village or workplace. What does her report stir up in you about your own situation as a believer in your community?
2. The preacher pointed out that Paul does not just hand the Philippians a to-do list but ties every instruction to a motivation. Why do you think it matters that we understand the motivation behind loving and serving others, rather than simply trying harder to do it?
3. Paul asks the Philippians a series of questions: Is there encouragement from belonging to Christ? Is there comfort from his love? Is there fellowship in the Spirit? Which of those questions lands most personally for you right now, and why?
4. The sermon described Jesus washing his disciples' feet knowing full well they would betray and deny him. What does it do to your thinking about love and service when you hold that detail in mind?
5. The closing thought from Philippians 2:13 was that God is working in us, giving us both the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Where have you actually seen that at work in your own life, even in a small way?