United Citizens

United Citizens   
Speaker: Tim Perkins
Date: January 23, 2022

Theme Verse: (Philippians 1:27a NLT) Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.

Psalms 133:1-3 (NIV) How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Arron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For the LORD bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.

2 Chronicles 30:12 (ESV) The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 30:12 (NIV) Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 30:12 (MSG) God worked powerfully among them to make it unanimous, responding to the orders sent out by the king and his officials, orders backed up by the word of GOD.

Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Philippians 2:1  = The Motive for Unity

Philippians 2:1 (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.

(John 17:20-23 NIV) 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity (why is unity so important?) to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

1. from being united with Christ

Philippians 2:1a (NIV) If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ

2. from His love

Philippians 2:1b (NIV) if any comfort from his love

(Psalm 103:11-12 NIV) For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

3. with the Spirit

Philippians 2:1c (NIV) if any fellowship with the Spirit

(1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT) Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? 

4. and

Philippians 2:1d (NIV) if any tenderness and compassion

(Psalm 103:10 NLT) He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

Philippians 2:1 (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.

Philippians 2:2-4 = The Means for Unity

1. –

Philippians 2:2a (NIV) then make my joy complete by being like-minded

like-minded: φρονέω (phroneō): 1. have attitude 2. hold a view 3. hold a belief

(Romans 8:5-9 NIV) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.

(Colossians 3:1-4 NIV) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

(Philippians 3: 17-21 NIV) Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Theirmind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

2. Same

Philippians 2:2b (NIV) having the same love

3. One in spirit &

Philippians 2:2c (NIV) being one in spirit and purpose

Philippians 2:3a (NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit

Philippians 2:3b (NIV) but in humility consider others as better than yourselves

(1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6. Care for

Philippians 2:4 (NIV) Each of you should look not only to your own interests but to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4 (MSG) Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Philippians 2:5 (NIV) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

1. Without unity the church loses its blessing
2. Without unity the church loses its voice
3. Without unity the church loses the victory