The Formula for Spiritual Unity (Philippians 2:1-4)
This sermon delves into the essential nature of spiritual unity within the church, drawing profound insights from Paul's letter to the Philippians. It offers a clear framework for understanding not only why unity is vital but also what it truly looks like in practice.
This sermon unpacks the motives and marks of spiritual unity, arguing that true oneness in the church stems from gratitude to Christ and the Spirit, expressing itself through a shared attitude, love, passion, and purpose, all fueled by God's Word.
Overview
The sermon begins by emphasizing the critical importance of unity in the church, citing Acts 4 where unity led to power and grace, and highlighting Jesus and Paul's priority for it. The preacher expresses a strong fear of disunity, seeing it as a major thrust of the enemy against churches in the present day.
It then delves into the 'motives' for unity from Philippians 2:1, translating 'if' as 'because.' These motives are presented as the encouragement and consolation received from Christ, and the fellowship, affection, and compassion experienced through the Holy Spirit. Disunity, in this light, is framed as a direct act of defiant, rebellious ingratitude against Christ and a quenching of the Spirit.
A third motive is added: making the pastor's joy complete, based on passages like Hebrews 13:17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. Consequently, disunity is portrayed as a sin against relationships with Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God-given leaders, rather than merely a violation of an ethical code.
The sermon then transitions to the 'marks' of unity from Philippians 2:2. These include "being of the same mind" (attitude, disposition), "maintaining the same love" (mutual sacrificial service), "united in spirit" (one-souled, shared passion/desire), and being "intent on one purpose" (minding one thing: advancing God's kingdom and glory). These marks are achieved by letting the Word of Christ richly dwell within, leading to spiritual thoughts and sound judgment, overriding fleshly, subjective attitudes.
Key points
- Disunity is presented as the preacher's greatest fear for the church, as unity is directly related to power and blessing.
- Motives for unity, derived from Philippians 2:1, include gratitude for the encouragement and consolation received from Christ, and the fellowship, affection, and compassion from the Holy Spirit.
- Disunity is characterized as a defiant act of rebellious ingratitude against Christ and a quenching of the Spirit, violating sacred relationships.
- Making the pastor's joy complete is an additional motive for unity, as leaders desire the congregation to live in peace.
- The first mark of unity is "being of the same mind," referring to a shared attitude, disposition, and mindset rather than merely doctrinal agreement.
- Achieving the "same mind" involves thinking on the things of the Spirit and God, having the mind of Christ, and thinking with spiritual maturity, all by allowing the Word of Christ to richly dwell within.
- Further marks of unity include "maintaining the same love" (mutual sacrificial service), being "united in spirit" (sharing a one-souled passion for holy principles), and being "intent on one purpose" (advancing God's glory and kingdom).
In John MacArthur's words
“The thing I most fear in the church is disunity, discord, disruption, division.”
“Conflict is always a result of sinful attitude. It is the collision of the mind of the Spirit and of God and of Christ with the mind of the flesh - always.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: The Priority of Unity (Philippians 2:1-4)
- A. The Fear of Disunity
- B. Unity's Power and Blessing (Acts 4)
- C. Paul's Exhortation (Philippians 1:27)
- D. Supporting Background: Ephesians 4:1-7
- II. The Motives for Unity: Why? (Philippians 2:1-2)
- A. Encouragement in Christ
- B. Consolation of Love from Christ
- C. Fellowship of the Spirit
- D. Affection and Compassion of the Spirit
- E. To Make the Pastor's Joy Complete (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
- F. Conclusion on Motives: Disunity is a Sin Against Relationships
- III. The Marks of Unity: What? (Philippians 2:2)
- A. "Being of the Same Mind" (phrone)
- 1. Definition: Thinking the same way, having the same attitude/disposition
- 2. How to achieve this mindset:
- a. Think on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:4-6)
- b. Think with sound, divine judgment (Romans 12:3)
- c. Think according to Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5, 1 Corinthians 2:16)
- d. Think mature, spiritual, heavenly thoughts (2 Corinthians 13:11, Colossians 3:2)
- 3. Means to achieve: Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within (Colossians 3:16)
- B. "Maintaining the Same Love"
- 1. Definition: Loving everyone the same through mutual sacrificial service
- C. "United in Spirit" (sumpsuchos - one-souled)
- 1. Definition: Sharing the same passion, desire, and ambition for God's glory and the church's unity
- D. "Intent on One Purpose"
- 1. Definition: Minding one thing, advancing the kingdom and glory of God
- IV. Conclusion: Countering a Self-Indulgent Culture
Scripture references
- Philippians 2:1-4
- Acts 4
- Philippians 1:27
- Ephesians 4:1
- Ephesians 4:3
- Ephesians 4:4
- John 17
- Hebrews 13:17
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
- 1 Corinthians 1:10
- 1 Corinthians 2:16
- 1 Corinthians 3:1
- Romans 8:4-6
- Romans 12:3
- Romans 15:5
- 2 Corinthians 13:11
- Colossians 3:2
- Colossians 3:12
- Colossians 3:16
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Insights
Unity in the church reveals a profound gratitude for Christ's work in us.
True spiritual unity cannot be engineered; it must arise from divine influence.
Conflict often reflects a collision between the Spirit's mind and the flesh.
Questions & answers
Why is unity so important in the church, according to this sermon?
Unity is crucial because Acts 4 shows it leads to power and great grace. The preacher states disunity is the main thrust of the enemy against churches and greatly concerns Jesus and Paul.
What does the preacher mean by 'being of the same mind'?
It refers to having the same attitude, mindset, or disposition, rather than mere agreement on doctrinal facts. It means thinking alike in a spiritual and objective way.
How does the sermon suggest believers can achieve 'the same mind'?
Believers achieve the 'same mind' by thinking on the things of the Holy Spirit, with sound divine judgment, with the mind of Christ, and with maturity. This happens when the Word of Christ richly dwells within them.
What does disunity indicate about a believer's relationship with God?
Disunity, a bitter spirit, or antagonism toward church unity is presented as a direct act of defiant, rebellious ingratitude against Christ and a quenching of the Holy Spirit, violating a relationship rather than just an ethical code.
What are the four 'marks' of spiritual unity described in Philippians 2:2?
The four marks are "being of the same mind," "maintaining the same love," being "united in spirit" (one-souled), and being "intent on one purpose" (minding one thing).
How does a self-indulgent culture impact church unity, according to the preacher?
The preacher states that society creates selfish, self-indulgent people who struggle to seek oneness or give themselves away for others. This spillover devastatingly produces hostility and anger, making unity difficult to maintain.
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