Sermon Notes - Philippians 2:1-11 - Rising Sun Baptist Church - July 5, 2026

1.        Open your Bibles to Philippians chapter 2 verse 1.

a.        We read our Bibles in books, chapters, and verses.

b.       They help us all to know what we are going to study.

c.        Chapters were added in 1227 and verses were added later in 1555.

d.       I mention this to emphasize that while we are starting at chapter 2, we are continuing with the next sentence.

e.        Paul is building one thought off of another.

2.        Looking at Philippians 1:27a (highlighted)

a.        This major point of Paul’s is being further explained in what we are studying today.

b.       As we continue our study of these words.

c.        Remember that we are to live our lives worthy of the amazing Gospel message we have received.

3.        The theme is the same, but the focus shifts to unity and humility.

a.        Both are necessary.

b.       But can be hard to consistently do, especially on human power.

c.        We are different.

d.       We have different experiences and preferences.

e.        We are not always going to agree.

f.          As Christ followers we need to be united.

g.        Which is why we need humility.

h.        Remembering that we are to put others first.

4.        Let’s see where these first verses in chapter 2 take us.

5.        Philippians 2:1

a.        These are rhetorical questions.

b.       Is their any encouragement in Christ?

c.        Is there any consolation or comfort, from the Love of our God?

d.       Does the Holy Spirit live and work in us?

e.        Does following Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit produce affection and mercy?

f.          Does God lead us to love and forgive others?

6.        As brothers and sisters in Christ, I think we would say yes to these questions.

a.        If we agree that Jesus encourages us.

b.       If we find comfort in the love of our God.

c.        If we know that the Holy Spirit is working in us.

d.       If we are moved to love and forgive others.

e.        Then what comes next in Paul’s letter to the Philippian church must also be true.

7.        Philippians 2:2a (stop before having the same love)

a.        If the church agrees with what was stated in verse one.

b.       Then they should be united.

c.        With each other.

d.       With Paul.

e.        With other Christ followers.

f.          Paul is saying if the Philippian church is united, he will be filled with Joy.

g.        Not a happiness that is tied to his circumstances, being in a Roman jail.

h.        His Joy comes from knowing that God is at work in them.

i.          That they are doing what God has called them to do.

8.        If we think about the questions in verse 1.

a.        And we agree with them.

b.       Then we should be united as followers of Christ.

c.        Looking back at verse 27, we would be doing what we can to live our lives worthy of the Gospel.

d.       We will fall short.

e.        But each day we pick ourselves up and try again.

f.          Seeking God.

g.        Drawing closer to Him.

h.        Growing as a follower of Christ.

i.          Loving God with all that we are.

j.          Loving Others to the best of our ability.

k.        Being a witness.

l.          Making Disciples.

9.        Philippians 2:2b-4 (having the same love)

10.   If we are living for Christ.

a.        As we remember the love we have from God.

b.       We are to love others in the same manner.

c.        As we strive to be aligned with the will of God.

d.       We are to be aligned with fellow Christ Followers.

e.        We are to be working together to be witnesses and make disciples.

f.          Remembering to lift others up.

g.        Helping them to stand when they are down.

h.        Even if it costs us.

11.   Romans 12:10

a.        It is part of loving each other as fellow Christ followers.

b.       It is part of living worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

12.   Philippians 2:5

a.        Our Lord and Savior Jesus, being God.

b.       The Creator of all.

c.        The One who gives us breath.

d.       Humbled himself to the point of being cursed by hanging on a cross.

e.        He did that out of love for us.

f.          Paul is saying we are to be like Jesus.

g.        Humbling ourselves as we live worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

h.        Loving others sacrificially.

13.   Now we cannot live this way on our own.

a.        We can only do this through the amazing work of our God.

b.       Through doing what we can to draw near to Him.

c.        To following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

d.       Through choosing Jesus each and every day.

14.   Thankfully we have a wonderful example.

a.        The perfect example.

15.   Philippians 2:6

a.        God did not think He was above it all.

b.       The Son did not think He was so amazing that He should have held onto being God and skip the whole human thing.

c.        He is awesome.

d.       He is truly awe inspiring.

e.        He needs nothing.

f.          Yet, He did not hold on to His place in heaven.

16.   Philippians 2:7

a.        Jesus didn’t show up on earth of a fully grown self-sufficient man.

b.       He showed up as an innocent, weak, fully dependent child.

c.        When we think of it that way, Jesus went from one extreme.

d.       All powerful, all knowing, to a baby who needed to be completely taken care of.

17.   AND If that was not enough.

18.   Philippians 2:8

a.        Jesus died on a cross for us.

b.       Deuteronomy 21:22-23

c.        To die on a wooden cross meant you were cursed by God.

d.       Jesus took that on.

e.        He became our sin.

f.          He took what should have been our curse.

g.        The curse of spending forever without our God.

19.   He humbled Himself in a way that is hard to imagine.

a.        Jesus is the ultimate example of loving others.

b.       The perfect example of submitting to the Father’s will.

20.   Luke 22:41-42

a.        Jesus knew He was about to be arrested.

b.       He knew the humiliation and the pain that was coming.

c.        He knew that for a brief time He was going to be separated from the Father.

d.       Yet, He humbled Himself to do the Father’s will.

e.        He willingly put us before Him.

21.   Ff we are to live worthy of the Gospel.

a.        We should be willing to humble ourselves for others.

22.   Philippians 2:9

a.        Jesus came to earth.

b.       Died on the cross.

c.        Defeated death.

d.       And now sits at the right hand of God.

e.        Waiting to call His Church to Him.

f.          Waiting for that final judgement.

23.   When….

24.   Philippians 2:10-11

a.        Every knee…

b.       Every tongue…

c.        Those who confess Jesus as their Lord on this side of eternity.

d.       And those who do not.

e.        Even Satan will one day confess that Jesus is the Christ.

f.          That He is Lord of all.

25.   When Scripture tells us every knee and every tongue, It means every single one.

a.        Those who believe.

b.       And those who do not.

c.        There will be at time when everyone will recognize that Jesus is Yahweh.

d.       That He is the Messiah.

e.        The One who redeems us.

26.   For those who confess it on this side of eternity.

a.        We will get to spend forever with our God.

27.   For others it will be too late.

a.        They will realize the truth when they stand before the judgement seat of God.

b.       They will spend forever where there is weeping and gnashing.

c.        They will spend forever without Jesus.

28.   Thoughts for the Road:

a.        How can you live your life worthy of the Gospel, honoring our Lord’s willingness to humble Himself to the point of dying on the cross?

b.       What can you do today or this week, to draw closer to God? Trying to live with His love, in unity, and putting others first?

c.        Who can you point to Jesus in hope that they will seek Him before it is too late?

29.   If you do not know Jesus, please listen.

a.        The words we have covered today, tell us that Jesus is God.

b.       That He willingly came down to earth.

c.        Humbled Himself.

d.       Was humiliated, beaten, and cursed by being hung on a tree.

e.        He did that because He loves you.

f.          He took on your sin.

g.        He died to be your sacrifice.

h.        So that you could be set free.

i.          On the third day, He rose from the dead.

j.          Defeating death.

k.        Giving all who believe in Him a perfect eternity with Him.

l.          If you are ready to follow Him.

m.     Do not delay.

n.        You do not want the eternity that is waiting for those who do not recognize Jesus until it is too late.

o.        You want to spend forever in His presence.

p.       If you are ready to make that decision.

q.       Please come up and pray with me during our final song.