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Last week we examined how the Apostle Paul lived his life in prison (which was the same way that he lived his life outside of prison): proclaiming the gospel. This week he asks us to consider living our lives in light of that same gospel. His challenge to the church at Philippi, and by extension to us, is that we do the will of our Father just as he did. But his challenge goes even further when he calls us to live our lives doing the will of the Father just as Jesus did.

(Philippians 2:1-11 NIV) If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV) May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

(1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NIV) For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

(1 Corinthians 10:16 NIV) Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

(New American Standard) Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?

(KJV) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

(Romans 15:5-6 NIV) May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(John 6:37-40 NIV) All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

Digging Deeper

1. List the five things Paul bases his appeal upon in Philippians 2:1. Why these five? Are there others he could have named? Which of these is the hardest for you? Which comes easier? Are they optional?

2. What does encouragement look like? Define it. In what ways can we encourage one another (see Acts 11:22-23; 2 Chronicles 32:6-7; Acts 27:33-36 (think about the promise made to Paul); 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Philemon 1:6-7; Acts 29:14-15; Romans 1:11-12; Romans 15:4-5; Philippians 1:14)? Think about five people who are in your life; write down one thing you could say or do to/for them that would encourage them. Now do those five things sometime this week.

3. What are we challenged to do in Philippians 2:2-4? Which persons of the Trinity are involved in Paul’s appeal (verses 1,9)? What does that say about how important unity is? What happens when there is no unity? What happens when unity is present? Are you passionate about being “of one mind” with your fellow believers?