WINTER QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2012-2013
“THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST’S LORDSHIP REVEALED FROM ROME”
UNIT TWO: PHILIPPIANS…REVELATION OF CHRIST’S PATTERN TO THE CHURCH
“THE JOY OF POSSESSING THE CHRIST MIND”
Sunday School Lesson No. VII, January 13, 2013
Presented by Rev. Frank Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher
Lesson Text: Philippians 2:5-11
Required Reading: Philippians 2:1-13
Motto Text: Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Reliable Resources: Precepts for Living (UMI); Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Libronix Electronic Library; MacArthur Study Bible; Thomas Nelson Open Bible Notes; Word Search 9 and 10 Electronic Library; Notes on the New Testament by Albert Barnes; Turning Toward Joy-The Book of Philippians by Dr. David Jeremiah
LESSON INTRODUCTION
Oftentimes when greeting people, we tend to ask them, “How do you feel?” How shallow we are towards our fellows! Feelings are often fickle and can change as the movements of the hands of a clock. But what we should probably ask is “How is your thinking?” For the scripture says, “As one thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
Our lesson this week focuses not just on the thoughts of humanity, but the very mindset and thoughts of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is as we study His mindset that we will discover the true secret of successful thinking and living, or, “The Joy of Possessing the Christ Mind.” Again, remember our motto text of the week, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5.
Now the joy of possessing the Christ mind is demonstrated in our Anticipated Power Points:
· The Joy of Selfless Service…Lessons in Reputation. Philippians 2:1-4
· The Joy of Sacrificial Service…Lessons in Responsibility. Philippians 2:5-8
· The Joy of Sovereign Security…Lessons in Reward. Philippians 2:9-11
LESSON OUTLINE
“The Joy of Possessing the Christ Mind”
I. The Joy of Selfless Service…Lessons in Reputation. Philippians 2:1-4
What is the reputation of your local church? When people think of it, do they see a church with unconditional love and an unselfish spirit? What they see is not in pews, carpet or physical material, but in the lives of the members.
Paul, reflecting upon the people of the church at Philippi, had some words of admonition concerning their reputation. He heard that there were two dear sisters (Euodia and Syntyche) who were in a state of debate (Philippians 4:1-3). He also heard there was possibly a group of Judaizers who were trying to undermine the unity of the Church! (Read Philippians 3:1-3). But no matter what, the joy of the church’s reputation must be centered on selfless service, through unity.
H. L. Wilmington states: “Those who have been blessed in Christ should want to pass these blessings on to others. To concentrate on others, not on ourselves, is an important step in Christian growth.” Wiersbe reiterated how Paul really spelled “JOY.” He put Christ first (1:12-21), others second (1:22-26) and himself last.”
David Jeremiah states the believer’s selfless reputation in four words:
a. “Consolation or encouragement”
b. “Comfort of Love or unconditionally accepted”
c. “Communion of the Spirit”
d. “Compassion for one another”
The joy of selfless service is summed up in sacrificial, submitted service to others for Christ!
II. The Joy of Sacrificial Service…Lessons in Responsibility. Philippians 2:5-8
Now Paul discloses our greatest example in sacrificial service. Christ Jesus is that example and had no greater example than Himself, so as to illustrate the pattern of sacrificial responsibility. David Jeremiah gives us alliteration on the sacrifice of Christ’s service to God for us:
“He Relinquished His Place. v. 6
He Refused His Prerogative. vv. 6-7a
He Renounced His Privileges. vv. 7b-8
He Restricted His Presence. v. 8a
He Realized His Purpose. v. 8b”
But I also am challenged by H. L. Wilmington here in the Outline Bible:
“a. Even though he was God, He did not cling to His rights as God (2:5-6)
b. He laid aside His glory (2:7a), ‘no reputation’
c. He took upon Himself the nature of a human servant (2:7b) ‘took on the form of a servant’
d. He humbled Himself (2:8a)
e. He became obedient and died on the cross (2:8b)”
And so we sum up these verses by the first in its reading (vs. 5). It is our responsibility to imitate Jesus Christ through sacrificial service. Dr. J. H. Jowett has said, “Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.”
III. The Joy of Sovereign Security…Lessons In Reward. Philippians 2:9-11
Beloved, the price that Jesus paid for the salvation of the Redeemed renders God’s greatest reward.
Vs. 9a – Exalted above all!
Vs. 9b – A name above all names.
Vss. 10-11 – He is truly Lord of all!
CLOSING
The hymn writer expresses this truth in the hymn “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”:
All hail the power of Jesus Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.”
Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179
Phone: (504) 486-7876 Website: www.thestudyhour.com
Radio Broadcasts: WLNO AM 1060, Saturday 8:30 a.m.; Sunday 5:30 a.m.
WABL AM 1570 (Hammond-Amite area) Sunday 7:00 a.m.
LOOKING AHEAD: January 20, 2013 Philippians 3:7-11
Pastor Davis invites you to hear him teach the Sunday School lesson at Bibleway on Wednesday at noon.
Please visit our website, www.thestudyhour.com to see and hear Pastor teaching the lesson via Video. Then call a friend and share the blessing.